Monthly Totals

It is that time again! I am so excited to report that my total for groceries, toiletries, paper products and cleaners this month was a whopping $138.84!!! That is definitely a record for me. At the beginning of this month I challenged myself to try to stick to a $50 per week budget instead of my normal $100 per week. My actual weekly average ended up being $34.71! I was under budget! I am totally surprised!

Now that the month is through I will share with you my inspiration for this budget cut. My husband lost his job last month and we were not sure how long we would be unemployed. Thankfully we were able to find a job in just three weeks, but we will still have some catching up to do as a paycheck still won't be coming until next month. I thought I would try to cut our food $$ in half for a few months until we got caught up. To be honest I wasn't sure I could cut it in half yet again. I still am so surprised that I was able to spend less than I gave myself. I really love couponing!

I love that no matter what your budget, this system works to feed my family.
Any of you out there who are not sure that it can really work. I am here to tell you it can. It does take some time each week, but being able to feed my family while we are out of work and figure out a way to live within our means is definitely worth that sacrifice to me. :)

Safeway 8.28.10

Here is what my Safeway trip looked like this week.
I got all of this...

for a total of $4.96 OOP!

without coupons and sales I would have spent $13.88

that is a savings of 64%!

That puts my grand total of spending for the week at $56.42. I am $6.42 over budget, however I was a little under budget last week so it equals it out a little. I am so excited that I have been able to stay in my budget and can I just tell you all it has not been as hard as I thought it would be. :)

King Soopers 8.28.10

Here is what my King Soopers trip looked like this week.

I got all of this...

(plus a 5# bag of potatoes not pictured)

for a total of $25.82 OOP!

without coupons and sales I would have paid $48.47!

That is a savings of 47%!

Not spectacular this week but I will take it. I am not going to post how I did each deal as I am realizing that it is really time consuming and the gals at Springs Bargains and Bargain Blessings already put it together for you each week. So if you want to score the same deals check out their Kings posting for this week. If there is something you do not see there that I bought always feel free to ask me. :)

Albertsons 8.28.10

We happeed to be on that side of town so I figured I would make a quickstop at Albies...they were having some great deals this week.

I got all of this...

for a total of $25.64

without coupons and sales it would have cost $50.47!

that is a savings of 49%!

My total actually was a little higher than it should have been ($2.48) because I had a checker who didn't know how to discount a few items correctly and I didn't notice till we left. I will try to have them correct that on my next visit.

Apple Spinach and Pecan Salad

This recipe was shared with my most awesome sister in law Becca. It has soon become a favorite in our family...especially in the fall.

Apple Spinach Salad
1 big bunch spinach, washed 1 C toasted pecans
¾ C dried cranberries 2 whole gala apples, chopped
Dressing
2 T red wine vinegar ½ C canola oil
½ t salt ¼ C sugar
1 t red onion, chopped 1/8 t dry mustard

Combine all salad ingredients and set aside. Combine all dressing ingredients in a salad dressing shaker and mix well. You can either serve dressing on side or toss with salad right before serving.

Green Bean Bundles

This is a recipe that my mom (who is a fantastic cook) passed on to me. It is something we like to serve a lot at holidays because they are a little bit more special than just your typical green beans...and they can be mostly made up ahead of time and baked just before serving. Enjoy!

Green Bean Bundles

24 fresh or frozen green beans approximately the same length.
2-3 T butter, melted 4 T brown sugar
garlic salt to taste 2 pieces Bacon

Trim and wash green beans. Boil in boiling water until beans are tender crisp, making sure not to overcook as they will continue to cook in the oven . Spoon beans into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and preserve the color. Once cool, drain. Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each half slice of bacon around the center of 5-6 green beans bundled together. Place on a baking sheet with the end part of bacon on bottom. Repeat until you have 4 bundles. Place 1 T brown sugar in the center of bacon slice on top of each bundle trying to keep most of the sugar on top. Drizzle melted butter over bundles and sprinkle generously with garlic salt. Bake 15-30 minutes in an oven preheated to 425 degrees until bacon is crisp, but green beans are not shriveled.
**This serve 4 people with 1 bundle each.

Weekly Menu

Hi Everyone! Sorry I never got to posting my shopping from last week. Things got crazy before I left town. I will update my totals at least with my last weeks spending. On to the menu.

Breakfast
Cereal & Fruit
Scrambled Eggs & Toast
Waffles(from the freezer) & fruit

Lunch
Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Lots and Lots of Left Overs

Dinner
Sloppy Joes, Corn on the Cob and Watermelon
Crockpot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Bundles (recipe to follow) and Rolls
Smoked Cheddar & Ham Panini's, Apple Spinach Salad (recipe to follow)
Hawaiian Haystacks
Grits Eggs & Bacon with Biscuits
Tacos & Homemade Refried Beans

Snacks
Mango's
Watermelon
Peaches
Plums
Apples
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Red Pepper Slices
Granola Bars
Popcorn
Cheese Crackers
Graham Crackers

Dessert
Cherry Chocolate Cake

What are you having this week??

Weekly Menu

I am going to be out of town this week, so half of the meals are ones that my hubby can prep on his own.

Breakfast
waffles (from the freezer) & fruit
cereal & fruit

Lunch
Apple & Cheddar Panini's (never made last week)
Grilled Hot Dogs & Carrots
Chicken Noodle Soup & Apples
Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
Lunchable
Left Overs

Dinner
Jerk Chicken, grilled veggies and watermelon (never made last week)
Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob and Fruit
Grilled Pork Chops, new potatoes and salad
Chicken Tacos (freezer meal)
Frozen Pizza & Carrots
Scrambled Eggs & Bacon
Pizza & Salad

Dessert
Banana Splits

Snacks
cantaloupe
watermelon
peaches
plums
apples
cucumbers
carrots
red bell pepper slices
granola bars
yogurt

What are you having this week?

Sprouts 8.13.10

Here is what my shopping trips to Sprouts looked like this week.

3 onions
$0.50 per #

4 avocados
$0.49 each

1 red pepper
$0.88 each

4 limes
$0.20 each

1 bunch fresh thyme
$1.69

.27 oz. allspice
$0.33

I do not have my receipt for my exact total but it was around $7.00 for everything. I did not have to spend $$ OOP because I bought a $100 gift card from them last month for $89. I still have quite a bit left on it so this will continue to help me stay within my $40 a budget. :)

Target 8.13.10

There were a few deals that I picked up at my local Target this week.
I got all of this...

for a total of $0.35 OOP!
without coupons and sales ( and I $5 GC I had to use I would have spent $27.29!!
That is a savings of 99%!!!!

I am pretty sure that is a new record for me!

Here is how I did it.

1st transaction
2 pledge multi surface cleaners
$3.99 each

1 pledge fabric sweeper
$4.64

*used BOGO pledge cleaners MQ
*1 $2/1 fabric sweeper target printable
*1 buy 1 sweeper and 2 pledge products and get a $5 GC

My cashier couldn't figure out how to get the gift card coupon to work so she just gave me a $5 discount. My total was $1.40 which I used my $5 gift card I already had to pay for

2nd transaction
2 dannon activia yogurt
$1.66-$1.00/1 MQ
FINAL COST $0.66 each

2 pkg. cesar dog treats
$2.99-$2/1 MQ-$1.00/1 Target coupon
FINAL COST-FREE!!

4 Shout (travel size) wipes
$0.97-$2/2 coupons (they only took of $0.97 per coupon :()
FINAL COST-should have been FREE, but ended up being $0.49 each

My total cost for this transaction was $3.95
I used the remaining $3.60 on my gift card and paid my $0.35 OOP!

King Soopers 8.13.10

Here is what my trip to King Soopers looked like this week.

I got all of this

and this
for a total of $20.89 OOP!
without coupons and sales I would have spent $73.53.
That is a savings of 72 %!

Here is the breakdown.

The following items are all apart of their buy 8 items save $4 mix and match promo they have going on so that is what I mean by promo discount.

1 container kroger deluxe ice cream
$1.88-$0.50 promo discount-$0.50 e-coupon
FINAL COST $0.88

1 pkg. lean pockets
$2.18-$0.50-$1.00 CAT coupon I got a while back
FINAL COST $0.68

2 pkg. pillsbury toaster strudels
$1.99-$0.50 promo discout-$0.50/2 MQ-$0.50/2 e-coupon or here
FINAL COST $0.74 each

4 Sobe Drinks
$0.99-$0.50 promo discount-(2) BOGO IP
FINAL COST $0.36 money maker each!!! (they took off the full cost on my 2 free items)

1 pkg. Old El Paso Taco Shells
$1.49-$0.50 promo discount-$0.50/2 MQ-$0.60/2 e-coupon or here
FINAL COST $0.19

1 pkg. OEP Fiesta Rice
$1.49-$0.50 promo discount-$0.50/2 MQ-$0.60/2 e-coupon or here

FINAL COST $0.19

2 cans progresso soup
$1.69-$0.50 promo discount-$0.50/2 MQ there is also a $0.50/2 e-coupon now available here
FINAL COST $0.69 each

3 cans Del Monte Fruit
$1.29-$0.50 promo discount-$0.75/3 mailer coupon
FINAL COST $0.47 each

3 boxes kleenex tissue
$1.50-$0.50 promo discount-$1/3 MQ
FINAL COST $0.66 each

2 bottle welches grape jelly-reduced sugar
$1.99-$0.50 promo discount-$0.50/1 MQ
FINAL COST $0.49 each

2 bags chex mix
$1.99-$0.50 promo discount -(2) $0.50/1 MQ-(2)$0.50/2 e-coupon here and here
FINAL COST- FREE!!

1 bag gardettos snack mix
$1.99-$0.50 promo discount -$0.50/1 MQ-$0.50/1 e-coupon or here
FINAL COST- FREE!!

2 smart balance sour cream
$1.99-$0.50/1 promo discount-$0.50/1 MQ
FINAL COST $0.49 each

The rest of these are not part of the promo

1 bunch green onions
$0.50

1 head romaine lettuce
$1.00

1.83 # red grapes
$1.00 per #

1 seedless watermelon
$3.88

2 zucchini
$0.88 per #

Safeway 8.13.10

Well this week was week one of a new challenge I have given myself. My new goal in weekly spending is going to be $40. This is a whole $60 less than what I am used to but hey...sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And to be honest I am up for a good challenge.

Here is what my Safeway trip looked like this week. HOLY MOLY do they have some great deals going on! If you are looking to stock up on snack foods and cereal...now is the time to do it.

I got all of this...

including this

and this.

for a grand total of $15.58 OOP

without coupons or sales I would have spent $155.09!!!

That is a savings of 90% folks!!

I would say I am off to a great start!

Now let me start off by saying to get these particular deals it is not for the faint of heart. I did 6 separate transactions over 2 days. However I feel it was well worth it. If you think so too...keep reading and I will break it down for you, so you can score the same deal. Most of these items have printable (IP) and e-coupons available. I am not going to link all of them but if you would like specific links check out this posting or this one on my two favorite local coupon bloggers. The post links for every deal that safeway has right now. I will note if there are IP or e-coupons available though so you know where to look. :) Also keep in mind on the cereal, granola bars and fruit snacks there is a limit of 20 per day (why mine took 2 days). Ok...here we go!

transaction #1

5 pkg. betty crocker fruit snacks

$1.99 each-$5.00 instant savings wyb 4 or more-(2) $0.50/2 coupon (IP available)-(3) $0.50/2 e-coupon

FINAL PRICE $0.29 each

Total OOP was $1.45

Then I got a $3.00 CAT for buying 5 that I will use on my next transaction

transaction #2

5 Fiber One Granola Bars

$2.49 each-$5.00 instant savings wyb 4 or more-(4) $0.50/1 IP coupon-$0.50/2 e-coupon

FINAL PRICE $).59 each

2 Boxes Trix cereal

$2.49-$2.00 instant savings wyb 4 or more-(2) $0.55/1 IP

FINAL PRICE $0.49 each

1 can tomato paste

$0.69

used $3.00 CAT from last transaction

Total OOP $1.42

I got a $3.50 CAT for the Granola bars wyb 5 that I will use on my next transaction

transaction #3

5 Kraft Deli Select Sliced Cheese

$1.99 wyb 5 (only through 8/17) -(5) $1.00/1 blinkies found in store

FINAL PRICE $0.99 EACH

use $3.50 CAT from last transaction

Total OOP $1.81

I got a $5.00 CAT for buying 5 kraft cheese ( I believe this ends 8/15 but not sure)

transaction #4

2 Boxes general Mills cereal (Reeses and Chex)

$2.49- $2.00 instant savings wyb 4 or more-$1.00/2 MQ-$0.55/1 e-coupon (reeses)

FINAL PRICE $0.72 each

2 boxes trix cereal

$2.49-$2.00 instant savings wyb 4 or more-(2)$0.55/1 IP

FINAL PRICE $0.49 each

5 Nature Valley Granola Bars (sweet & salty nut)

$2.49-$5.00 Instant savings wyb 4 or more-$0.50/1 MQ and IP-(2) $0.50/1 e-coupons-(1) $0.75/2 e-coupons

FINAL PRICE $0.14 each

1 bottle Tide Laundry Detergent

$6.99-$1.00 in ad coupon-$1.00/1 MQ-$2.00/1 e-coupon

FINAL PRICE $2.99

1 bottle Tide Stain Release Detergent

$6.99-$1.00 in ad coupon-$2.00/1 MQ-$3.00/1 e-coupon

FINAL PRICE $0.99

5 Kraft Deli Select Sliced Cheese

$1.99 wyb 5 (through 8/17)-(5) $1.00/1 blinkies

FINAL PRICE $0.99 each

used my $5.00 CAT from previous transaction

Total OOP $8.16

I got a $3.50 CAT for buying 5 NV granola bars and another $5 CAT from buying 5 Kraft Cheese

transaction #5

5 NV Granola Bars

$2.49-$5.00 instant savings wyb 4 or more- (2) $0.75/2 MQ and (1) $0.50/1 IP

FINAL PRICE $0.99 EACH

1 Pillsbury Sweet Moments Desserts

$2.49-$0.50 in ad coupon-$1.00/1 MQ-$1.00/1 e-coupon

FINAL PRICE-FREE

used my $3.50 CAT from the last transaction

TOTAL OOP $1.24

I got another $3.50 CAT for buying 5 NV granola bars

transaction #6

2 gallons milk

$1.98 each

1.51 # bananas

$0.46 per #

5 # pork loin chops

$0.99 per #

used my $5 CAT from transaction #4 and my $3.50 CAT from transaction #5

Total OOP $1.41

Making my grand total of $15.58 for everything. The reason for the multiple transaction is so you can spend the least amount OOP as possible by using the CATS that you earn to pay for the rest of your shopping. Also if you want to have more than 5 granola bars or fruit snacks in order for your CAT to print you have to do it in separate transactions. I know this can be confusing so if you have any questions just ask. I would be happy to break it down so it is a little easier to understand. HAPPY SHOPPING THIS WEEK!

Weekly Menu 8/13-8/19

I am so sorry for the long hiatus in posting. This summer has been a little crazy for my family. Although I have continued my couponing I have not been organized enough to post about it. I am anxious to get back into the routines our family thrives on. This means a weekly menu again...YAY!!! Here is what we are having this week.

Breakfast
Cereal & Fruit
Waffles & Fruit
Triple Berry Muffins & Fruit
Eggs in a Basket & Fruit

Lunch
Toasted While Grain Apple,Cheddar Panini's
Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
Lots of Left Overs

Dinner
Grilled Pizza & Salad
Terriyaki Chicken, Rice & Broccoli
Dinner @ Friends (bring Baked Beans-recipe to follow)
Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad
Baked Ziti, Salad & Garlic Toast
Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken (a new recipe I am trying), Grilled Veggies and Watermelon

Snacks
Yogurt
plums
nectarines
pineapple
blueberries
cantaloupe
watermelon
oranges
apples
bananas
cucumbers
red pepper slices
carrots
celery
cheese crackers
granola bars
trail mix

As the weather is FINALLY heating up I would welcome any meal ideas not using my oven. What are you having this week?