Well, I tried the crock pot mac and cheese tonight. It was easy to pull together - took all of 5 minutes to throw it in. BUT, my family didn't like it! I was thoroughly disappointed. What I need to do is find a copycat recipe for the sauce that Panera uses for their mac and cheese. That stuff is awesome. ;-) So I will not be making that crock pot recipe again. I actually don't like mac and cheese recipes that include eggs (and this one did) but I wanted to give it a chance. I did, and now I have a bunch of leftovers that I will be eating.
I had forgotten that today is Tuesday until I pulled up to the mailbox to get the mail...there are some good flyers this week! I expected they would have deeper sales on meat, 2-liter soda, crackers, avocados (I KNEW it when I picked out a couple extras that the price would go down!)...and Vons had a bunch of in store q's that will hopefully give some good discounts in combination with manufacturer q's. I will post what I am going to get soon because I will have to go to the store before this Sunday. I haven't looked to see if anyone has posted matchups yet. Will wait until tomorrow to be sure they all get it together.
I am so excited that the news story that I did with KMIR 6 will play on Thursday night at 11pm...not sure if I will stay up to see it, but I will post a link here once it is posted on their website. It was so much fun and I can't wait to see how it turns out. Now I am signing off to watch Glee. :-)
Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Shopping trip to Vons 1/31
So, based on my menu for this week, I needed to get some things to be able to make everything on my plan. And I needed some lunch items for the kids. As a side note, we ended up not doing the Dijon grilled pork chops and did steaks and baked potatoes instead, so I still have that as an option this week if I need. I also already had everything I needed for Spaghetti and Meatballs, so I didn't need to buy anything for that meal last night.
Here's how it went:
for Crockpot Mac and Cheese:
2 - 12 oz carnation evaporated milk cans, on sale for $1.49, q for $0.55 off two, doubled to $1 = $1.98 for 2
2 Barilla Elbow Macs, on sale for $1 each = $2
2 Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese packs, on sale for $2.99 with in store q, manu.q for $0.55 off two, doubled to $1 off = $4.98 for 2
1 Lucerne Shredded Parmesan = $3.49
Probably will be able to get two meals out of this = $12.45 total, or $6.22 per meal.
for Burritos/Nachos:
Newmans Salsa, on sale for $2.19, manu.q for $0.50 off 1, doubled to $1 = $1.19
1 Avocado = $1
2 cans refried beans (one for this week, one for later) = $2.50
Tortillas = $2.79
Mission tortilla chips (some will be used for this meal and some for the big game) = $2.50
Total for meal (including extras for other uses) = $9.98
For Lasagna night:
Stouffer's lasagna, on sale for $6.99, manu.q for $2 off 1, = $4.99 for meal
Also purchased:
Lemonade mix, safeway brand = $2
Applesauce cups, safeway brand = $1.79
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes (for this weekend) = $3.58
2 packages Barilla Thin Spaghetti = $2
1 package Barilla Medium Shells = $1
Starbucks Pike Place Roast, on sale for $7.99, q for $1 off = $6.99
Orange Juice = $3.99 with in store q
American Cheese Slices = $2.50
Store brand velveeta-style cheese (for this weekend) = $6.99
Store brand cream cheese = $1.79 with in store q
2 gogurt packages, $5.98, q for $0.75 off 2 doubled to $1 = $4.98
Half and Half = $2.99
2 quarts 1% milk, just4u price = $1.76
3 Fage greek yogurts = $3.75
Home Pride Bread = $3
2 Oscar Meyer deli meats, one sale B1G1, $1 off 2 e coupon = $3.99
3 avocados for this weekend = $3
2 everybody's nuts pistachios, on sale B1G1, $1 off 2 q = $4.99
Safeway broccoli florets = $1.50
Safeway butter blend salad = $2
Sliced apple packages for lunches = $3.00
So, I saved a total of $51.38 or 35%. Spent a total of $95. Not my *best* but still all useful stuff and we can't get 75%+ savings every time. I will be visiting CVS later today and that should be much better savings. ;-) Now you can see how I have a full meal plan, I shopped based on that meal plan, filling in the holes where I was missing items, and I still stayed under $100. I even bought some items that we will use over time (like the coffee, and the gogurt will last us through the next shopping trip...).
You can do it too. Good luck and Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Here's how it went:
for Crockpot Mac and Cheese:
2 - 12 oz carnation evaporated milk cans, on sale for $1.49, q for $0.55 off two, doubled to $1 = $1.98 for 2
2 Barilla Elbow Macs, on sale for $1 each = $2
2 Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese packs, on sale for $2.99 with in store q, manu.q for $0.55 off two, doubled to $1 off = $4.98 for 2
1 Lucerne Shredded Parmesan = $3.49
Probably will be able to get two meals out of this = $12.45 total, or $6.22 per meal.
for Burritos/Nachos:
Newmans Salsa, on sale for $2.19, manu.q for $0.50 off 1, doubled to $1 = $1.19
1 Avocado = $1
2 cans refried beans (one for this week, one for later) = $2.50
Tortillas = $2.79
Mission tortilla chips (some will be used for this meal and some for the big game) = $2.50
Total for meal (including extras for other uses) = $9.98
For Lasagna night:
Stouffer's lasagna, on sale for $6.99, manu.q for $2 off 1, = $4.99 for meal
Also purchased:
Lemonade mix, safeway brand = $2
Applesauce cups, safeway brand = $1.79
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes (for this weekend) = $3.58
2 packages Barilla Thin Spaghetti = $2
1 package Barilla Medium Shells = $1
Starbucks Pike Place Roast, on sale for $7.99, q for $1 off = $6.99
Orange Juice = $3.99 with in store q
American Cheese Slices = $2.50
Store brand velveeta-style cheese (for this weekend) = $6.99
Store brand cream cheese = $1.79 with in store q
2 gogurt packages, $5.98, q for $0.75 off 2 doubled to $1 = $4.98
Half and Half = $2.99
2 quarts 1% milk, just4u price = $1.76
3 Fage greek yogurts = $3.75
Home Pride Bread = $3
2 Oscar Meyer deli meats, one sale B1G1, $1 off 2 e coupon = $3.99
3 avocados for this weekend = $3
2 everybody's nuts pistachios, on sale B1G1, $1 off 2 q = $4.99
Safeway broccoli florets = $1.50
Safeway butter blend salad = $2
Sliced apple packages for lunches = $3.00
So, I saved a total of $51.38 or 35%. Spent a total of $95. Not my *best* but still all useful stuff and we can't get 75%+ savings every time. I will be visiting CVS later today and that should be much better savings. ;-) Now you can see how I have a full meal plan, I shopped based on that meal plan, filling in the holes where I was missing items, and I still stayed under $100. I even bought some items that we will use over time (like the coffee, and the gogurt will last us through the next shopping trip...).
You can do it too. Good luck and Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Saturday, January 28, 2012
My meal plan this week
OK - Planning out this week, we have an activity that runs until 5:30 on Tuesday and one that runs until 6:30 on Wednesday, so I want to avoid the last-minute impulse to buy dinner out (in fact DH did that last week when I wasn't around!). The way around that is to plan your meals for every day, considering how you are going to feel when it is time to prepare dinner.
If you know you are going to be exhausted and not want to make something, get a convenience food like frozen lasagna or pizza, or plan to pick up a rotisserie chicken on the way home. But remember that's the ONLY thing you are going to get at the store and don't get anything else! There is nothing worse than going to the grocery store hungry.
This is what we are going to do, with some flexibility of course:
Grilled Dijon Pork Chops and Sweet potatoes on Sunday
Spaghetti and meatballs on Monday
Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese on Tuesday (I am trying to incorporate one crockpot recipe per week)
Burritos/Nachos on Wednesday
Frozen Lasagna on Thursday
Leftovers on Friday
Free day on Saturday
Notice I didn't put down sides in most cases...I tend to fill in with broccoli, salads, whatever I can find on sale. It also depends on what your family likes, too!
I got that first recipe (the dijon pork chops) from "Food on the Table." This is a free meal-planning site that suggests recipes based on the sales at your store. Check it out - you can put up to three meals per week on your plan for free, but as far as I can tell you can look at lots of recipes.
If you want any of my recipes for these things, just let me know! That frozen lasagna is the hardest..."take out of container, place in microwave, press start, and relax." ;-)
Happy Shopping!
--Katie
If you know you are going to be exhausted and not want to make something, get a convenience food like frozen lasagna or pizza, or plan to pick up a rotisserie chicken on the way home. But remember that's the ONLY thing you are going to get at the store and don't get anything else! There is nothing worse than going to the grocery store hungry.
This is what we are going to do, with some flexibility of course:
Grilled Dijon Pork Chops and Sweet potatoes on Sunday
Spaghetti and meatballs on Monday
Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese on Tuesday (I am trying to incorporate one crockpot recipe per week)
Burritos/Nachos on Wednesday
Frozen Lasagna on Thursday
Leftovers on Friday
Free day on Saturday
Notice I didn't put down sides in most cases...I tend to fill in with broccoli, salads, whatever I can find on sale. It also depends on what your family likes, too!
I got that first recipe (the dijon pork chops) from "Food on the Table." This is a free meal-planning site that suggests recipes based on the sales at your store. Check it out - you can put up to three meals per week on your plan for free, but as far as I can tell you can look at lots of recipes.
If you want any of my recipes for these things, just let me know! That frozen lasagna is the hardest..."take out of container, place in microwave, press start, and relax." ;-)
Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Friday, January 27, 2012
Emergency Trip to Walmart
I only say "emergency" because I needed to get some Mucinex for my DS. ;-) I also had to take DD to get a birthday present for her friend, and since I was going to be there I definitely checked to see if there was anything good that I needed to get while I was there (good = free!).
Purchases included:
3 x Huggies pullups wipes; 1.64*3 = $4.92
2 x Kids Suave detangling spray; $1.88*2 = $3.76
Mucinex = $7.48 (I think I had a q for this...but didn't bring it.)
Vaporub = $3.87
3 x Oral B Essentials Floss; $0.93*3 = $2.79
1 x Reach Floss = 0.97
Window Markers (going to be picking up Girl Scout Cookies tomorrow and want to decorate my car) = $3.97
And the present.
Q's I used:
3 x $1/1 Oral B Floss from January P&G = $3 (made $0.21 on this)
1 x $2/1 Reach Floss from dentist's office = $2 (made $1.03 on this!)
2 x $0.75/1 Huggies wipes = $1.50 (this should have been 3 q's - I was distracted by the kids and didn't double check! Grrrr)
1 x $1/2 Suave kids products.
Total saved = $7.50
Without the present, I saved 27%.
Not the best, but that mucinex really blew me out of the water. Next time I find that in a good deal at CVS I will be stocking up! And I still saved some, which is better than not saving anything at all. ;-)
Hope you find some good deals too.
Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Purchases included:
3 x Huggies pullups wipes; 1.64*3 = $4.92
2 x Kids Suave detangling spray; $1.88*2 = $3.76
Mucinex = $7.48 (I think I had a q for this...but didn't bring it.)
Vaporub = $3.87
3 x Oral B Essentials Floss; $0.93*3 = $2.79
1 x Reach Floss = 0.97
Window Markers (going to be picking up Girl Scout Cookies tomorrow and want to decorate my car) = $3.97
And the present.
Q's I used:
3 x $1/1 Oral B Floss from January P&G = $3 (made $0.21 on this)
1 x $2/1 Reach Floss from dentist's office = $2 (made $1.03 on this!)
2 x $0.75/1 Huggies wipes = $1.50 (this should have been 3 q's - I was distracted by the kids and didn't double check! Grrrr)
1 x $1/2 Suave kids products.
Total saved = $7.50
Without the present, I saved 27%.
Not the best, but that mucinex really blew me out of the water. Next time I find that in a good deal at CVS I will be stocking up! And I still saved some, which is better than not saving anything at all. ;-)
Hope you find some good deals too.
Happy Shopping!
--Katie
January 27th...catching up
Well, I had high hopes that I would show you how I did this week and what my plan was going to be, but I had to go out of town for work and that threw me off!
I will say that we didn't eat out but once this week (so far) and we have lots of leftovers for tonight and this weekend. This is all due to menu planning. One day I cooked a meal in the crock pot which was super easy. One meal was a great chicken casserole that doesn't take much time. And of course the kids like to have burrito night (which is a great way to go vegetarian and save some money!), so we did that last night.
I promise that this weekend I will show you my plan for this next week and maybe you will get some ideas. Hopefully you will be inspired to share yours too!
Thanks and Happy Shopping!
--Katie
I will say that we didn't eat out but once this week (so far) and we have lots of leftovers for tonight and this weekend. This is all due to menu planning. One day I cooked a meal in the crock pot which was super easy. One meal was a great chicken casserole that doesn't take much time. And of course the kids like to have burrito night (which is a great way to go vegetarian and save some money!), so we did that last night.
I promise that this weekend I will show you my plan for this next week and maybe you will get some ideas. Hopefully you will be inspired to share yours too!
Thanks and Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sprouts and Vons this week
I generally shop at Sprouts and Vons. So that's what I am posting!
SPROUTS:
There are some good deals on produce this week. That is usually about the only thing I get at Sprouts unless there is some specialty food I really want (but we try to avoid those impulse buys). Sometimes they have good prices on eggs that is unadvertised. I always check that when I am in the store. Also, if you like to get organic milk, they frequently have deals.
Blackberries, $0.77
Navel Oranges, $0.49/lb.
Roma Tomatoes, $0.77/lb.
Green Cabbage, $0.49/lb.
Red, Gold, and Orange Bell Peppers, $0.88 each.
Pears, $0.88/lb.
Broccoli crowns or Cauliflower, $0.88/lb.
Fuji or Braeburn apples, $0.88/lb. (Fuji's are my favorite!)
Iceberg lettuce, $0.88 each.
There are even some good organic produce deals:
Pink Lady apples, $0.99/lb.
Spinach, $0.99 each.
Baby Carrots, $0.99/lb.
Russet Potatoes, 5 lbs for $2.50.
Grape tomatoes, 1 pint, $2.00
VONS
The vons in our area doubles the first coupon. Don't forget to look at the flyer that came in the mail on Wednesday this week to get your Vons coupons. Also, if you are a club member, check online and see if you can join the Just4U program. These are specialized prices based on your purchasing habits. Last week I got a deal on grapes - only $0.99 a pound when their sale price was $2.99/lb!
Foster Farms breast halves - $0.97/lb (value pack - make sure you have room in your freezer!)
Blueberries or Blackberries - Buy 1 get 2 free!
Fuji or Gala apples - $0.88/lb.
10 lbs of Russet potatoes - $1.99 with in ad coupon.
Prego Pasta Sauce - $1.49 with in ad coupon, plus Smartsource on 1/8 included 0.75/2 jars; final price = $0.99 each when you buy 2. If you buy more than two the first two will be $0.99 each and the rest will be $1.12 each. LIMIT 6.
Campbell's Select Harvest Soup - $1.29 with in ad coupon, plus there was $0.50/2 in SS on 1/1, $1/2 in SS on 1/8, or $1/4 in SS 1/1. Final price is as low as $0.79 each when you buy 2. LIMIT 6
V8 V-Fusion Juice or Smoothie - $1.99 with in ad coupon, plus $1/1 from SS on 1/8, plus a couple of printable coupons are available. As low as $0.99 each. LIMIT 3
Jell-O Refrigerated Snacks - $1.99 with in ad coupon, plus there was $0.60/1 in SS on 1/8. Final price = $0.99. LIMIT 3
I will do a summary of my list when I finally get it together. These matchups were from two blogs: Living a Frugal Life and Southern Cali Saver. These matchups are available every week and are free to everyone. Check them out!
I will also do some menu planning and let you know what I am doing next week. We have recently picked up another activity and we are getting ready to sell girl scout cookies, so convenience foods while staying healthy (and NOT eating out) will be key! I don't have time for complicated recipes. ;-)
Thanks for reading and Happy Shopping!
--Katie
SPROUTS:
There are some good deals on produce this week. That is usually about the only thing I get at Sprouts unless there is some specialty food I really want (but we try to avoid those impulse buys). Sometimes they have good prices on eggs that is unadvertised. I always check that when I am in the store. Also, if you like to get organic milk, they frequently have deals.
Blackberries, $0.77
Navel Oranges, $0.49/lb.
Roma Tomatoes, $0.77/lb.
Green Cabbage, $0.49/lb.
Red, Gold, and Orange Bell Peppers, $0.88 each.
Pears, $0.88/lb.
Broccoli crowns or Cauliflower, $0.88/lb.
Fuji or Braeburn apples, $0.88/lb. (Fuji's are my favorite!)
Iceberg lettuce, $0.88 each.
There are even some good organic produce deals:
Pink Lady apples, $0.99/lb.
Spinach, $0.99 each.
Baby Carrots, $0.99/lb.
Russet Potatoes, 5 lbs for $2.50.
Grape tomatoes, 1 pint, $2.00
VONS
The vons in our area doubles the first coupon. Don't forget to look at the flyer that came in the mail on Wednesday this week to get your Vons coupons. Also, if you are a club member, check online and see if you can join the Just4U program. These are specialized prices based on your purchasing habits. Last week I got a deal on grapes - only $0.99 a pound when their sale price was $2.99/lb!
Foster Farms breast halves - $0.97/lb (value pack - make sure you have room in your freezer!)
Blueberries or Blackberries - Buy 1 get 2 free!
Fuji or Gala apples - $0.88/lb.
10 lbs of Russet potatoes - $1.99 with in ad coupon.
Prego Pasta Sauce - $1.49 with in ad coupon, plus Smartsource on 1/8 included 0.75/2 jars; final price = $0.99 each when you buy 2. If you buy more than two the first two will be $0.99 each and the rest will be $1.12 each. LIMIT 6.
Campbell's Select Harvest Soup - $1.29 with in ad coupon, plus there was $0.50/2 in SS on 1/1, $1/2 in SS on 1/8, or $1/4 in SS 1/1. Final price is as low as $0.79 each when you buy 2. LIMIT 6
V8 V-Fusion Juice or Smoothie - $1.99 with in ad coupon, plus $1/1 from SS on 1/8, plus a couple of printable coupons are available. As low as $0.99 each. LIMIT 3
Jell-O Refrigerated Snacks - $1.99 with in ad coupon, plus there was $0.60/1 in SS on 1/8. Final price = $0.99. LIMIT 3
I will do a summary of my list when I finally get it together. These matchups were from two blogs: Living a Frugal Life and Southern Cali Saver. These matchups are available every week and are free to everyone. Check them out!
I will also do some menu planning and let you know what I am doing next week. We have recently picked up another activity and we are getting ready to sell girl scout cookies, so convenience foods while staying healthy (and NOT eating out) will be key! I don't have time for complicated recipes. ;-)
Thanks for reading and Happy Shopping!
--Katie
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
New year, New savings
Ok - I took a major break from this, so I am getting back to it now. I also got a little bit burned out on the couponing...I started putting off the cutting, and then I had a giant stack of coupon inserts...I still used the coupons as much as possible, of course. ;-)
But a new year means new resolutions and renewed motivation to save money. Hit the reset button. Start fresh. So I tossed the older inserts and cleaned out my binder. I haven't pulled myself completely back onto the wagon, but one step at a time.
My biggest savings lately have been at CVS. I continue to save tons of money there. Today I went and bought 4 12-packs of coke zero, a Schick Hydro 5 refill for DH, two bags of valentines M&M's for decorating (and eating, of course), and some rubber bands for doing DD's hair (I found a CUTE blog called "Princess Piggies") for a grand total of about $15 after using coupons, extra care bucks, and a gift card I scored last week. I visited the store toward the end of the year and the summary said I saved over $1000 last year (and that was only from May through the end of the year).
But these kinds of savings can be found at ANY store. You have to play the game. And you have to be patient: you have to wait for the best price. You also have to be patient with customer service representatives and with other shoppers.
This "extreme couponing" is becoming more and more popular. I frequently go to the store to find empty shelves. I just shrug it off and say I'll try again next time. Apparently there are many people out there who feel it is necessary to go to every store in the immediate vicinity and pull every package of floss off the shelves. I like to hope that those are going to people in need. Because if there is something I find that is free that I don't need or use, I give it away. Make that your priority too.
Let's start this new year discovering better and easier ways to save money, buy smarter, and help others. We'll discover them together.
But a new year means new resolutions and renewed motivation to save money. Hit the reset button. Start fresh. So I tossed the older inserts and cleaned out my binder. I haven't pulled myself completely back onto the wagon, but one step at a time.
My biggest savings lately have been at CVS. I continue to save tons of money there. Today I went and bought 4 12-packs of coke zero, a Schick Hydro 5 refill for DH, two bags of valentines M&M's for decorating (and eating, of course), and some rubber bands for doing DD's hair (I found a CUTE blog called "Princess Piggies") for a grand total of about $15 after using coupons, extra care bucks, and a gift card I scored last week. I visited the store toward the end of the year and the summary said I saved over $1000 last year (and that was only from May through the end of the year).
But these kinds of savings can be found at ANY store. You have to play the game. And you have to be patient: you have to wait for the best price. You also have to be patient with customer service representatives and with other shoppers.
This "extreme couponing" is becoming more and more popular. I frequently go to the store to find empty shelves. I just shrug it off and say I'll try again next time. Apparently there are many people out there who feel it is necessary to go to every store in the immediate vicinity and pull every package of floss off the shelves. I like to hope that those are going to people in need. Because if there is something I find that is free that I don't need or use, I give it away. Make that your priority too.
Let's start this new year discovering better and easier ways to save money, buy smarter, and help others. We'll discover them together.
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