My dinner divas

I was lucky enough to hook up with three friends to start a once a month freezer cooking group. Basically it's 4 woman pooling their money and time to make a total of 16 meals to trade with each other.

In the beginning of the month we decided on the four main ingredients (meats) that we would focus on for the month. this month it was Pork chops, ham, chicken and beef roast. We all went and found four recipes each and then adjusted them to make enough for 12 servings. We sent the list to one person who created our grocery shopping list. Not every item needed to make the recipe needed to be purchased however since we all have "staples" in our house that we can share with each other. So say one persons recipe called for garlic and I have a bunch of garlic I just give her some and so on.

One night we meet and head out shopping. Its a divide and conquer kind of thing and we actually get in and out very fast, quicker than it takes me to shop alone! We hen we head back to a house and divide the groceries by who needed what. Careful planning here is essential. Our grocery list basically has a initial by each item. that initial dictates who needs what and how much. Once we have split everything up accordingly, we say goodbye and head home with our groceries.

At home we have the week to prepare, cook and divide our dinners (remember we each have 4recipes to make) and freeze them. Once that is done we meet back up and trade. So in the end all of us will end up with 16 dinners that serves 3 servings each. Now we all have a freezer full of food, enough for half a month, and it only cost us $68! That's $4.25 a meal or less than $1.50 per serving! You cant eat anywhere for that cheap and how awesome that you only had to cook four dinners!

I have dubbed these ladies my dinner divas. Its a great tool to have in this economy that you have friends like these. Not only does it save me money and time but the friendship and time spent together fills other needs as well. Whats that old saying, "It takes a village?"

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

Its been awhile since I have posted a meal plan. Doesn't mean that I haven't been planning. I just have been so busy that I ha vent been taking the time to post. I went over a bit the last few weeks but still am coming in close to budget for the month. i still have to input receipts into the excel spreadsheet but will get back to you for my February total. So here is whats on deck for this week.

M - Three cheese chicken penne
T - Big Apple french toast casserole
W - Chili (from the freezer) and homemade cornbread
TH - Chicken and cheese enchiladas
F - Creamy garlic chicken pasta with mixed vegetable
S - Homemade pizza
S - Crockpot taco soup

I am also trying out a new lunch recipe this week Potato and leek soup

Shopping so much to list so little time. I did some stocking up this week so you see lots of eggbeaters, sausage and bread. Eggbeaters are great to freeze. I had a bunch of $1.00 off coupons on them and Winco sells them really cheap to begin with so I made sure to get enough to last us since its an almost everyday staple in our house. I have something like 25 containers of it frozen in the deep freeze.

I also did my bread shopping for the next couple of months. there is enough to last us probably till the end of may in sandwich bread and for just over a month on English muffins and rolls. Remember I like to make my own homemade rolls too, But you cant beat free! At the bread outlet you get to pick free items depending on the dollar amount spent this week I was able to get 4 free items, 2 free packages of cookies, and some doughnut holes for the boys.

Bread outlets are a great place to get bread really cheap. instead of paying a over $3 a loaf price at the store I average about $1.25 each instead. And dont forget the free stuff!







So my total for this week including things I "stocked" up on was $121.22 definatly over but I will save money over time since I wont have to ourchase some items for a long while!

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

Mission NOT accomplished! I went into today's shop hoping to spend less than $28, what was I thinking? I didn't need a whole lot but the things we did need were not the cheapest of things either. Oh well it happens, and when all is said and done I am only $36.24 over for the month. My budget each month is $280 and this month I spent $316.24 That's still probably less than half of what the average family of four spends. Remember this price includes things like diapers, paper products, personal hygiene etc. Next week starts a new month and another chance to come in under budget!

So this week we are eating for dinner

M - Chicken and cheese enchiladas
T - Freezer fun (a mix and match of frozen leftovers)
W - Crock pot potato chowder
TH - Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread
F - Tuna noodle casserole
S - Turkey sloppy Joe's and fries
S - Turkey soup (from freezer) and Homemade rolls


The enchiladas are a pull from last weeks menu as somehow me, the planners of all planners, but it on the menu but neglected to add the one ingrediant needed to the shopping list last week. OOPS!

Winco

Apple juice - 2.98
nonfat milk - 1.53
creamer - 2.48
sour cream - 1.48
eggbeaters - 4.54
shredded cheese - 1.58
italian sausage - 2.88
cream cheese - 1.25
salad dressing - 2.86 (.50 coupon)
sphaghetti sauce - .78
chicken broth - .55
2 cream of chicken - 1.40
peas - .68
black olives - 1.52
maple syrup - 1.89
shave gel - 1.96
panish rice mix - .98
celery - 1.17
banana - 1.03
green pepper - .58
splenda - 1.20
romas - .42
muffins - 2.99

$38.23

Costco

mickey nuggets - 11.99
cheese - 5.69
salad - 3.99
milk - 4.36

$26.03

grand total = $64.26

Anyone else notice the prices of milk and dairy products going up?




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Menu plan Monday and shopping trip

Damn you toilet paper!~

We go through so much it seems and the best deal I have ever found is at Costco, but its a chunk of change all at once. It might last a while but it sure bites into the budget. I was hoping to stay around $50 this week BUT obviously that didn't happen! Oh well.

Dinner

M - Homemade clam chowder and rolls
T - Dinner at mom's
W - Harvest chicken and potato soup and salad
TH - Black beans and pork salad
F - Homemade pizzas
S - slow cooker french dips with french fries
S - Dinner out


Because I am tired and not feeling well tonight I am skipping the listing but at Winco I spent $47.33 and Costco cost me $33.28(damn toilet paper!)

grand total $80.61





see how others are doing this week at Grocery Cart Challenge

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

So today I did my first shop of the year. Had a few stores to hit to get some "stock pile" stuff and freebies, I love freebies! Did well, went over budget but not badly. For new readers, and yes I know my blog is not overly entertaining, I should fill you in on my "plan".

Due to circumstances in our lives we were without a steady source of income for a year and half. After some major life changes and overhauls, selling possessions and what not, we had to buckle down and get a grip on our budget. I knew one place we could really make changes was in our grocery totals. I started doing some Internet surfing and came across a blog that challenged me. Grocery Cart Challenge changed my way of thinking when it came to shopping, eating, and saving money. Her idea was to spend no more than $60 a week to feed her family. I thought "hey I can do that" only to learn that its easier said than done. After some not so good first few weeks I started to get the hang of it and now consider myself to be a mighty fine bargain hunter. I did change the spending amount however, since we still have one in diapers I needed to account for them. So $70 a week is our budget. Its gives me wiggle room to add in the cost of the diapers if I have some weeks that come in under budget.

so now for this week.

Breakfast - cereal, banana bread, french toast and eggs.

lunch - sandwich's, chicken nuggets and fruit, mac and cheese, leftovers

Dinner

M - Three cheese chicken penne and garlic bread
T - Sticky lemon chicken with broccoli and rice
W - mushroom pork steaks green beans and salad
TH - New England clam chowder and rolls
F - Chicken and cheese enchiladas chips and salsa
S - Chicken chow mein
S - Turkey meatloaf, green beans and potatoes

*Note chicken penne bake was not made last week, since we took a night out os it carried over to this week.

Winco

2 30ct gal ziplock - 7.92 (1.00 coupon)
certo - 3.66
2 go gurt - 5.00
creamer - 2.98
beef sausage - 2.73 (.35 coupon)
2 cans pumpkin - 1.96
salsa - 1.78
italian dressing - 1.98
ketchup - .85
minced clams - .98
2 can green beans - 1.16
cream of chicken - .70
fruit cocktail - 1.92
lemon juice - .54
broccoli - .71
crackers - .98
knorr soup mix - 1.38
naruchan noodles - .74 (.50 coupon)
chow mein noodles - 1.20
green onion - .68
tomaotes - .47
onion - .42
lemon - .28
2 50oz bag frosted flakes cereal - 4.96 (2.00 coupon)
apple juice - 2.48
3 set storage containers - 4.98

Total = $49.59

Fred Meyer

10 yogurt - 3.00
2 orange juice - 4.00
2 non fat milk - 2.50

total = $9.50

Costco
salad - 3.99
2 gal milk - 3.98
bananas - 1.32
2 doz eggs - 3.29

total = $12.58

Rite Aid

2 WetOnes - free
2 tums - 4.00

total = $4.00

Grand total $75.67

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

Well this is my last menu plan of the year. Come next Monday it will be 2011 and a whole norther year to look forward to of saving money on groceries. I only started this menu planning and grocery budget of $70 a week back in August and although I ha vent tallied my 5 month total (I really should do that!) I know I have saved a ton over my old habits of shopping without a real plan. Now I pay attention to what I have on hand and what I can do with that. We have tried lots of new recipes and keep finding new things we like. So here is my plan for this week.

Breakfast - Leftover cinnamon rolls cereal, eggs and sausage, pancakes

lunch - salads, sandwich's, spaghettio's (those are so yummy!) and leftovers

Dinner
M - Turkey soup (from freezer) and rolls
T - Garlic chicken pasta and broccoli
W - Crock pot taco soup
TH - Cheesy chicken and rice casserole
F - Three cheese chicken penne
S - Pork chop bake baked potatoes and applesauce
S - garlic mashed potato and beef bake


Winco

Butter spread - 1.98
milk - 1.99
diced tomatoes - 1.51
spaghettio's - .58
cream of mushroom - 1.44
hidden valley ranch - 1.32
corn - .50
chicken broth - .50
fruit cocktail - 1.92
rotel - 1.08
baked beans - 1.18
cream of chicken - .70
frozen mixed veggies - 1.76
cheddar cheese - 1.68
frozen broccoli medley - 1.18
mozzarella - 1.68
lean ground beef 7% - 6.98
ground turkey - 6.78
1# rotini pasta - .91
1# penne pasta - .88
green onions - .58
yellow onion - .36
spinach - 1.78
broccoli crowns - .84
chips - 1.98


Total - $42.09




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Okay so I did the math (well Excel did) and I had a weekly grocery total of $88.43 not to bad if I do say so myself. This included diapers (expensive!) and any and all entertianing (Kai's birthday) and all personal products for Brian and I. In the last 21 weeks, when I started budgeting, we spent a total of $1857.03 for groceries, party supplies, paper products and diapers and all personal hygene. that seems like a high number but really I know otherwise!

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

Christmas week is here! That means days of feasts and lots of treats! It also means extra money going to the grocery budget. I am the baking queen in my family, so if its sweet I make it. That means lots of extra ingredients to buy, but hey, its Christmas and its all worth it!

On the Christmas baking list I have sugar cookies, Hershey kiss peanut butter cookies, two white chocolate raspberry cheesecakes, key lime fudge, Chinese noodle cookies and an artichoke dip. The raspberry cheesecakes (one each for 2 different celebrations) are featuring raspberries grown from my mothers garden, YUM!

Breakfast - Cereal and milk, oatmeal, and Overnight Cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning

Lunch - Sandwich's and fruit, leftovers and whatever else we can scrounge up

Dinner
M - Turkey soup and grilled cheese (soup form freezer)
T - Tacos
W - Homemade pizza
TH - Tuscan beef stew (from freezer)
F - Baked Salmon with cream sauce, mashed potatoes with green beans
S - Christmas at Grandma Betty's house
S - Christmas at Grandma Stephanie's house

Winco

Gogurt - 2.50
8 cream cheese - 7.04
2 milk - 3.98
whip cream - 2.86
sour cream - 1.48
half and half - .78
2 garlic toast - 3.76 (1.00 coupon)
3 doz eggs - 3.84
1.5# cornstarch - 1.00
7.5# sugar - 3.34
7.5# powdered sugar - 4.92
6.5# flour - 1.90
1.25# frosted flakes - 1.89
mozzarella cheese - 1.68
1# fruit loops - 1.48
4.25# white chocolate chips - 10.07
.75# baking powder - .69
pizza dough - 2.12
3 butter - 5.94
taco shells - 1.18
chocolate wafers - 3.78
2 Hershey kiss - 7.56 (1.00 coupon)
maple syrup - 1.92
yeast - .89
black olives - 1.52
artichoke hearts - 1.68
condensed milk - 1.70
almond bark - 1.78
Parmesan cheese - 1.98
dark choc chips - 1.98
apple cider mix - 1.53
fruit cocktail - 1.55
parsley - .58
green onions - .58
tomato paste - .40
tomatoes - .70
lime - .25
apple juice - 1.98

total $92.81

I also got 2 toothbrushes and toothpaste for stocking stuffers so add a extra $7.23 if you want but I took them from a different budget

Costco

Salad - 3.99
grilled chicken - 14.45
sausage - 13.99
bananas - 1.32
cheese -5.69

total $39.42

NOT pictures is 8 loaves bread and 3 pounds apples and oranges purchased yesterday total $10.00

Grand total = $142.23

I didn't think I did to bad especially considering last week was only $23. What really shocked me is how expensive holiday baking can be. Out of all this about $60 of it was just the sweets and apps I am making! Insert jaw drop here!



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Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

Sometimes I surprise myself! Today I did just that at the grocery store. How, you ask? Well I got this weeks worth of groceries for $23. You read that right, $23 to feed me and the boys all this week and leftovers! So how did I do it and what are we eating?

Breakfast
Cereal, banana bread, eggs and toast

Lunches
PB&J, chicken nuggets, fruit and whatever else we can make on hand

Dinner
M - Creamy garlic pasta with carrots and corn (left over from Sunday)
T - Eating dinner at mom's
W - Crock pot potato chowder
TH - Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake
F - Left over buffet
S - BRIAN'S HOME! We are eating out to celebrate
S - Chicken chow mien

Winco

apple juice - 1.98
2 can cream of celery - 1.62
cream of chicken - .70
spaghettio's - .58
2 can chicken broth - .96
spaghetti sauce - .78
cream cheese - .98
mozarella - 1.80
chow mien mix - .88
bacon - 1.98
2# carrots - .88
milk - 1.99
4# apples - 1.48
spinach - 1.78
3.25# rice - 1.33
2# banana - 1.04
onion -.34
green onions - .58
1.2# pasta - .90
green pepper - .48

Total = $23.06



So even with eating out this weekend when Brian gets home as long as we stay under $40 we will still be on budget for the week!

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Menu plan Monday and shooping trip roundup.

No real strategy this week and no real deal busters. Just simple food and a easy week, I hope!

Dinner
M - Leftovers (time to clean out that fridge!)
T - Turkey sloppy Joe's and french fries
W - Breakfast for dinner
TH - Chicken nuggets and mac and cheese (Eli's Christmas Recital!)
F - Turkey soup and grilled cheese
S - Tacos
S - Creamy garlic pasta and broccoli


Winco

2 pie crusts - 4.36 (.50 coupon)
3 creamers - 7.50 (2.10 coupon)
milk - 1.89
cream cheese - .98
go gurt - 2.50
egg beaters - 2.27
Parmesan cheese - 1.86
taco sauce - .98
2 apple juice - 2.96
2 can chicken broth - 1.00
ketchup - .85
crisco spray - 1.98 (.75 coupon)
taco shells - 1.18
5.5# powdered sugar - 3.64
7.4# flour - 2.22
onion - .33
tomatoes - .50
lemon - .58
green pepper - .48
hamburger buns - 1.38
pasta - .96
2 doz eggs - 1.96
laundry soap - 4.98 (1.00 coupon)

total = $42.99

Costco

Chicken nuggets - 19.98
peanut butter - 7.99

total = $19.98

weekly total $62.97




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Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

This week we are going to try to cut the fat so to speak. One I have a few leftovers to use up and I really don't want to spend more than $30 this week on food. I would like to make up for some over spending I have done shopping earlier this month. Time to make that budget balance! So here is whats on order for the week.

Breakfast - lots of cereal and milk.

Lunch - a mix of sandwich's, chicken nuggets and soups

Dinner
M - Sweet potato and black bean burritos
T - Moms house for dinner
W - movie with friends (I will eat a appetizer out, boys with my mom)
TH - Crock pot potato chowder Yes we see this a lot but its a favorite!
F - Breakfast for dinner (eggs, sausage and toast)
S - home made pizza
S - Chicken chow mien ( I need to post this recipe someday )

Winco

sour cream - 1.48
Shredded cheddar - 1.73
Cream cheese - .98
shredded mozarella - 1.80
pizza crust - 2.08
bacon - 1.98
tomato sauce - .48
black olives - 1.52
3 can chicken broth - 1.50
fruit cocktail - 1.55
salad dressing - 2.78 (.50 coupon)
2 can cream of celery - 1.62
celery - 1.26
2# apples - 1.86
green pepper - .48
green onions - .58
mushrooms - 1.19

total - $24.37

Costco

Bananas - 1.32
salad - 3.99
milk - 3.78

total - $9.09

total for week $33.46



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movie night

today has been kinda a lazy day and we decided to continue the trend with a movie night. So off to red box we went and rented





to go along with it I made some Stove top kettle corn Let me tell you Kettle Corn is my most favorite thing in the world and I always looked forward to fairs and carnivals and the Christmas tree farm so I could get a bag. Little did I know I could make it here at home and it tastes just the same!

HEAVEN

The boys loved the popcorn and had a great time watching their friend Thomas the Train.

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip

So we are still winging it for most of our dinners and I am noticing that I usually ave left overs since Brian is not here eating too. So Menu's have been thrown out the window and we are eating mostly what we have on hand and using the weekly budget to stock up and some treats for ourselves. I also picked some great deals on bananas so am doing some holiday baking for way cheap!


Winco

2 12 pk diet coke - 3.96
apple juice - .98
2 coffee creamer - 5.00 (1.50 coupon)
3# chicken breasts - 3.98
egg beaters - 2.27
onion dip - 1.28
2 pk gogurt - 3.96 (.75 coupon)
2 honey nut cheerios - 1.96 (1.00 coupon)2 boxes for .96 !
6# pork chops - 12.04
5 cans chicken broth - 2.50 (.75 coupon)
2 cans corn - .56
2 cans green beans - .56
6# sugar - 2.75
3 mac and cheese - 1.14
5# fugi apples - 3.74
7.5# bananas - 1.35
2 sweet potatoes - 2.28
2 bags mini marshmallows - 1.56
tortillas - 1.88
baby shampoo - 3.47 (1.00 coupon)
2 bags chips - 1.96
10# potatoes - .68

Total = $54.86

Rite Aid

2 cans hair mousse - 6.00
Gingerbread house - 8.88
3 box hair color - 17.97
Razor - 13.49
band aids - 1.99
2 crest toothpaste - 5.98
2 Colgate toothpaste - 5.00
6 boxes cereal BOGO - 13.77

coupons used - 27.00
Rite Aids up rewards (remember these are dollars to be used later at Rite Aid)- 11.98

total = 46.08!

Grand total = $100.94


while that may be over my budget I only need to get some perishables next week so the budget will be next to nothing (oh wait I need diapers!) so it will even out.



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Menu plan Monday and shopping trip

This week I kinda threw things together and came up with a plan, oh about a hour before I left to shop!We were busy all weekend and with Brian leaving in a week I just wasn't into planning. But cant go to the store without a list cause well I wouldn't know what to buy! So a quick check of what I had on hand and Viola!

This week for breakfast we will have cereal and milk, banana muffins and fruit, and today we had pumpkin cheesecake french toast bites from the Hungry Girl 123 book. They were yummy!

Lunch will be a mix of sandwichs, nuggets, and peanut chicken wraps.

Dinner

M - Left over buffet (have a few things from last week to eat up)
T - Chicken and cheese enchiladas
W - Chili and Cornbread
TH - Sloppy Joes and Mac & Cheese
F - Roast Chicken and mashed potatoes
S - Chicken Pot Pie
S - To be determined (Brian leaves that morning and it's halloween)

Shopping trip

Winco

Toaster struddles - 3.56 (1.00 coupon)
3 pints buttermilk - 1.14
egg beaters - 2.27 (.50 coupon)
montery jack cheese - 3.25
3 pounds ground turkey - 6.78
coffemate - 2.50 (1.50 coupon)
pizza dough - 4.16 (1.00 coupon)
butter - 2.00
v/8 juice - 4.08 (1.00 coupon)
2 red kidney beans - 1.36
white kidney beans - FREE
2 cans mixed veggies - 2.58
1 can corn - .58
2 cans stewed tomatoes - 1.16
mayo - 1.96
mustard - .91
cream of chicken soup - .72
tomato sauce - .48
2 cake mixes - 1.56
vanilla - 8.39 (1.00 coupon)
onion - .37
tomatos - .83
green pepper - .58
red pepper - .68
celery - 1.09
bean sprouts - 1.28
cucumber - .48
1.2 pounds cornmeal - .65
tortillas - 1.88

Total - $51.28



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Menu plan Monday and shopping trip totals

Okay so here I am a day late. Sorry, but with Kai's birthday things just got a bit busy and well here it is almost 10:00pm on Tuesday night and I am just getting to it. Went shopping today, the kids were out of hand so it did make me a bit rushed so maybe I wasn't as thoughtful as I could have been but still came in at a good number.

This week for breakfast we are relying on the old standby of cereal and milk, banana bread and melon and dad will make his usual big breakfast for us on Saturday. In fact that's what I went over budget on this week. Costco sells these amazing breakfast sausages (of course in a huge pack) and we were out. but with only 2 more Saturdays left with dad before he leaves till Thanksgiving I wanted to make sure we have all the necessary things. Lunch will be mostly sandwiches, chicken nuggets, salad for me and fruit.

Dinner

M - Turkey meatloaf never ate last week
T - Chicken chow mein (my recipe)from the freezer stash!
W -Crock pot potato chowder
TH - Crock pot lasagna
F - Big apple french toast casserole
S - Pizza
S - Tuscan beef stew

Shopping Trip
Winco

S&W chili beans - FREE
cream of chicken soup - .72
beef broth - .58
2 cans white beans - 1.36
4 cans chicken broth - 2.32 (.75 coupon)
2 cans tuna - 1.00
Tomato soup - .50
crushed tomatoes - 1.86
salad dressing - 2.78 (.75 coupon)
diced tomatoes - .98
applesauce - 1.43
tomato sauce - .48
ricotta cheese - 2.09
egg beaters - 2.27
bacon - 2.48
Parmesan wedge - 2.57
shredded mozzarella - 1.48
butter - 1.98
creamer - 2.50 (1.50 coupon)
apple cinnamon Cheerios - 2.48 (.75 coupon)
Cheerios - 1.78 (1.00 coupon)
Texas toast - 3.76 (1.00 coupon)
4.2 pounds sugar - 1.94
3.75 pounds flour - .98
3.8 pounds powdered sugar - 2.64
.50 pounds walnuts - 1.54
.25 pounds lasagna noodles - .32
4 pounds Fuji apples - .98
cantaloupe - 1.39
green onions - .38

total = $41.82

Costco

2 gallons milk - 3.96
salad - 3.99
Disney nuggets - 11.99
2 doz eggs - 2.29
sausage - 13.99
bananas - 1.32

total = $37.54

weekly total = $79.36

over by $9.36

Menu plan Monday and shopping trip roundup

breakfast - This week it will be more of the usual With quick easy on the go breakfasts for the week, Brian making his big breakfast for us on Saturday and my favorite Big Apple French Toast Casserole on Sunday for Kai's birthday.

Lunch - mostly just sandwich's but we have a few days where I still haven't figured out where we will be so there may be a few on the road meals (aka Mickey D's dollar menu)

Dinner

M - Left overs
T - Crock pot Ginger Chicken and stir fry veggies
W - Zucchini boats
TH - Kielbasa slow cooker soup
F - Turkey meat loaf, mashed potatoes and broccoli
S - Dinner out with friends
S - Kai's 2nd birthday party!

So this week I got excited about some sales, and even knowing better I stocked up and spent to much money! The Fred Meyer trip busted my budget. I saw a good price on progresso soup and went wild. I also made a couple stupid moves while at FM. I had 2 coupons for $1.50 off 1qt size coffee mate creamer. FM had 2 for $4 creamer. I saw creamer for $.50 in my mind. except the small print on their sale price was 1pt size! Thankfully they had the QT size on sale but I still could have saved a buck over all if I had purchased them at my normal store Winco. Also for some reason I had it stuck in my head the sale price on yogurt was cheaper than what it would have cost me at Winco. Again, it worked out to costing me $1.20 more at FM than at Winco even after the coupons! So lesson learned.

STOP SHOPPING AT FRED MEYER!

Winco

5.6lbs powdered sugar - 3.86
frozen veggies - 1.58
kielbasa sausage - 2.28
1.25lbs broccoli - .98
butter - 1.98
2 qogurts - 3.96 (.75 off coupon)
onions - .78
3 buttermilk - 1.14
1 red bell - 1.16 (overcharged $.58)
.26lb mushroom - .77
green pepper - .58
Knorr veggi soup - 1.47
Crisco spray - 1.98 (.75 coupon)
4 swanson broth - 2.32
Crisco sticks - 2.82 (.50 coupon)
2 diced tomatoes - 1.16
pinto beans - .58
3 cake mix - 2.64
salad dressing - 1.88
eggbeaters - 2.27(.75 coupon)
2lb carrots - .98

total = $34.42

Costco

peanut butter - 7.99
salad - 3.99
croutons - 5.35
bananas - 1.32
coffee - 9.99
milk - 3.98

total = $32.62

Fred Meyer

2 doz eggs - 1.98
2 creamers - 5.98(3.00 coupons)
10 soups - 10.50 (overcharged .50)
12 yogurts - 7.20 (.80 coupon)
toothpaste - 1.99 (.75 coupon)

total = $23.10 so ashamed :(


Grand total = $90.14 Oye, vey!



few lessons learned. Check your receipts, I hate overcharges. and I will say it again

STOP SHOPPING AT FRED MEYERS!


See how others did (has to be better than me) at Grocery Cart Challenge

Menu plan and weekly shopping trip

So first off let me say that last week went not according to plan and even though we didnt get to eat what I had planned for Thursday or Friday we did still manage to not eat out. We pawned the kids on Grandma and Grandpa one day and the other we ate leftovers. So this week will have those two meals on the plan, we are not just eating the same stuck in a rut food.

Breakfast this week will be mostly quick on the go (cereal, fruit, muffins) withthe exception of Saturday which I intend to make my favorite Big Apple French Toast Casserole YUM!

Lunch will be the usual, withthe exception of I am packing lunches for Brian again! YAY for jobs!

Dinner
M - Tuna Noodle Casserole
T - Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
W - Crock Pot Taco Soup with Chips and sour cream
TH - Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta and Broccoli
F - Left Over buffet!
S - Roast Chicken and Veggies
S - Chicken Potpie (using left over roast chicken)

The Shoppng Trip Roundup!

Winco

3LB ground turkey - 6.78 (2.26 a pound!)
2 5LB Whole fryer chickens - 9.74
2 pie crusts - 5.28 (1.00 coupon)
5 cream cheese - 7.40 (5.00 coupon = .48 each!)
silk soy milk - 3.00 (.75 coupon)
creamer - 2.50
2% milk gallon - 1.98
half gallon nonfat milk - 1.51
buttermilk - .38
10LB potatoes - 1.98
cantalope - 1.05
2.4LB apples - 2.35
1.44LB broccoli - 1.41
4LB oranges - 2.98
1LB pasta - .74
fabric softner - 1.95
2 canned veggies - 1.72
Parmesan - 1.98
Goldfish - 6.48

Coupons minus 6.75

Total = 55.89

Costco

Black forest ham - 7.26
eggs - 2.99
bananas - 1.32
salad - 3.99

Total = 15.56

Grand Total = 71.45





Okay so really I could have done with out the big box of goldfish but hey the kids need a treat now and then and whats better with PB&J than fish crackers! I also stocked up on ground turkey and fryer chickens since it was a good buy. I strive to be under $60 per week but somethings just cant be helped.

Check out how others did this week. Grocery Cart Challenge

Menu plan and shopping trip round up

Brian is back at work! WooWho! This is a great thing for lots of different reasons but one benefit is it gives me a little leniency with breakfast planning. The boys are more than happy with cereal and fruit, and I could eat my Dawn McMuffins everyday and never get bored. Same with lunch, I could just be happy with left overs and the boys well PB&J are the best in their opinion. I suppose I will need to plan his lunches now but that shouldn't be to hard. Just need to wait to hear word if his new job will have access to a microwave (think leftovers) or if he is the sandwich king. So congratulations to my wonderful husband on your new job! Now for the good stuff :)

Breakfast

M - Cereal and bananas
T - Oatmeal with fixins (nuts, berries, brown sugar)
W - Eggs and toast
TH - Cereal and fruit
F - Banana muffins and fruit
S - Brian's big breakfast
S - Mom and dad out ALONE!

Lunch

Lunch will be sandwich's, nuggets, wraps and salads

Dinner

M - Chicken chow mien
T - Zucchini boats
W - Turkey Joes and fries
TH - Tuna casserole
F - Crock pot taco soup
S - Mom and dad ANNIVERSARY, kids eat at grandma's
S- Pizza


The shopping trip roundup

Winco

2 kix - 4.72 (1.00off coupon)
2 fruit loops - 4.94 (1.50 off coupon)
diced tomatoes - 1.00
2 cream of celery soup - 1.62
rotel - 1.08
kidney beans - .68
2 tuna - 1.00
salad dressing - 2.78 (.50 coupon)
creamer - 2.50
6 yoplait - 3.00 (.40 off coupon)
egg beaters - 2.27 (.75 off coupon)
toaster struddles - 3.56 (.50 off coupon)
baby shampoo - 2.93 (1.00 off coupon)
chips - 1.98
hidden vally ranch - 1.32
chow mien noodles - 1.20
3 pounds flour - .77
red pepper - .68
.65 pound pasta - .51
2 onions - .65
2 green pepper - 1.16
.74 pounds mushroom - 2.21
2.3 pounds apples - 2.25

$44.81 minues the $5.90 in coupons
Total = 38.91

Costco

Grape tomatoes - 5.49
salad - 3.99
bananas - 1.32
celery - 2.89
milk - 3.96

total = 17.65

Grand total = $56.56!






Check out and see how others did! grocery cart challenge

Menu plans and shopping round up

Since breakfast and lunch are kinda predictable (sandwiches, eggs, cereal, etc) I wont go into details and highlight just our dinners.

M - Lemon Pepper chicken
T - Crock pot potato soup
W - Crock pot BBQ chicken burgers
TH - Crock pot Mac and Cheese
F - Crock pot Lasagna
S - Mom and Dad date night at Chopstix!
S - Pizza

Notice the theme this week? without much thought my crock pot will be getting a workout.

Shopping Trip

Winco
2% Milk gallon - FREE
Nonfat milk Half gallon - 1.51
CoffeMate creamer - 2.50
Eggbeaters - 2.27 ($.50 off coupon)
Bacon - 2.18
hash browns - 1.50
ricotta cheese - 2.33
28oz crushed tomatoes - 1.86
BBQ sauce - 1.28
peroxide - 1.04
butter - 2.00
3.5 pounds sugar - 1.66
bread - FREE
onions - 1.13
english muffins - 1.77
lasagna noodles - .51
mozzarella - 1.69
2 cheddar cheese - 3.38
elbow macaroni - .70
2 broccoli crowns - 1.01
green onions - .38
2 pound baking soda - .86
4 pound naval oranges - 2.98
cream cheese - .98
cheerios - FREE
grape tomatoes - 5.49
apple juice - FREE

total $40.50

Costco

Bananas - 1.32
tillamoos - 8.99
grilled chicken strips - 14.45
crinkle fries - 5.99
salad - 3.99

total $34.74

weekly total - $75.24

over budget by $15.24
(had I left the husband at home some of those overages wouldn't be there :))

menu plan and shopping trip round up

For a few months now I have been following this blog Grocery Cart Challenge and striving to spend only $60 a week on food. This feeds all four of us 3 times a day plus snacks 7 days a week, although I do allow us one meal out! So far I have done great coming out at a average of $59 and some change. Its been challenging but fun, and we actually are getting to eat a lot of new meals since I have had to get creative a few times. Its basically done by menu planning around what you already have at home. Here is this weeks menu and shopping trip totals.

Breakfast
M - egg scrambles
T - Cereal
W - Dawn Mcmuffins (like a healthy verzion of a egg mcmuffin)
TH - Chocolate chip muffins and melon
F - Eggs and toast
S - Big apple french toast casserole
S - out to eat

Lunch
we mix it up between sandwich's, chicken nuggets, burritos etc

Dinner
M - We had a coupon and went out for mexican!
T- Tuna noodle casserole
W - Shrimp scampi
TH - Lemon garlic chicken
F - Guy night (means the boys eat what they want, usually mac and cheese!)
S - Italian style turkey burgers
S - Crockpot roast chicken and veggies

the roundup

Winco
frozen chicken breast (6 lbs)- 11.96
Shrimp (1 lb)- $3.50
Milk - FREE
White vinegar - 1.98
Corn Syrup - 2.12
Hersheys - 1.68
apple juice - FREE
provalone - 3.48
Dill relish - 1.65
Egg beaters (2) - 4.54
Cream cheese - .98
tomato sauce (4) - 1.12
salad dressing - 1.88
rotini pasta (.84 lb)- .66
penne pasta (.90 lb)- .67
Powdered sugar (3.25 lbs) - 2.24
broccoli (1 lb) - 1.17
tomatoes - .78
bread - FREE
Cereal - FREE

total $40.41

Costco
Milk - 3.96
cheese - 5.69
salad - 3.99
croutons - 5.35

Total 18.99

Fred Meyer
36ct Eggs - $3.00

Total $3.00

weekly total = $62.40



To see how this is done and how others do it check out this blog Grocery Cart Challenge