Ingles Triples!

I decided for Ingles Triples that I would stock up on things that I only buy occasionally, like baking stuff. So it is a weird list.

1 Argo cornstarch
3 Karo syrup
3 Chef Boy twistaroni
3 coffemate creamers
1 String cheese
21.5 lbs chicken breast
4 BE veggies

Would have been: 81.92
Paid OOP: 31.28

Found my coupons for Chinet plates, so I decided to make use of them:

2 Domino Sugar 4lbs
2 Argo cornstarch
2 Coffeemate
3 Chinet Plates
2 bags apples

Would have been: 25.67
Paid OOP: 7.84


1 Stevia in the Raw
3 Domino sugar 4lb
3 Argo cornstarch
3 Coffeemate
2 Helluva Good Dip
4 Chinet plates
2 Finish jet Dry
3 BE veggies

Would have been: 60.07
Paid OOP: 16.93

Recap: For 167.66 of products, I paid 56.05 OOP. And that was including 21.5 lbs of chicken breast.

Kroger - Mega Sale!

 

Well, so much for the Pantry Challenge!  

Here is what I got!!

The picture actually goes with the 2nd and 3rd transactions listed below. 

9 Finish detergents 

1 Sobe Life Water

1 Kroger sour cream

1 Kroger coffee filter

10 Kraft cheese

10 Quaker Quakes

Would have been:  107.77

With coupons, sales, mega:   5.53

7 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

1 Quakes

2 Ziploc containers

2 gallons milk

Would have been: 29.96

OOP:   5.21

6 Kraft cheese

5 goldfish

2 solo cups

4 Ziploc containers

2 Solo plates

5 Krusteaz cookie mix

2 Farm Rich pizza slices

4 Quakes

Would have been:  94.95

OOP:   21.49

12 Kroger peanut butter  used RC

10 Quakes

1 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

8 Ziplock containers

1 Hungry Man

2 Dole fruit cups (2.69 each!!)

1 gal chocolate milk   mgr special  1.69

½ gal chocolate milk   mgr special   .99

2 loaves wheat bread   mgr special   .89

Would have been:  103.28

OOP:    29.89

Some of this was for my dad, so I will get $11 back

My OOP: 18.89

5 Propel

7 rotel tomato

10 Goldfish

4 doz brown eggs  mgr special  .89ea

2 Quakes

4 Ziploc containers

2 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

Would have been:  62.52

OOP:  20.19

I splurged with the Ziploc containers, but I NEVER buy these.  I tried to match 1 Ziploc with 1 Quakes to make them .99

Probably could have done better, but I thought that was pretty good.

Also, several other splurges: Farm Rich appetizers (normally $7 for $3) and even .88 for Goldfish adds up.  I never buy these

Either – one bag goes too fast! And 1 is never enough for all 8 of us!

Recap:  398.48 of stuff for 82.31 and I will get $11 back

February Meal Plan

Here is my mealplan for the month. This is not necessarily in any order as I like to keep some flexibility.  I sometimes change it around and even change a meal entirely, but I have something to work with.  I included reminders for myself to use certain things from pantry.  Boldfaced things I need to make sure to do/use.

February Mealplan
1.  Homemade pizza, salad
2.  Chicken & broccoli & rice bake w/cheese topping
3.  Hamburger steak, boiled potato, veggie
4.   Meatloaf, mashed potato, veggie
5.  Meatballs, julienne potato, veggie
6.  Chicken pot pie
7.  Spagetti (use buitoni), salad
8.  Broiled/baked chicken breast, rice, veggie
9.  Taco soup, chips
10. Chicken & rice bake (from can of evap milk)
11.  Soup w/leftovers
12.  Roast turkey, Stuffing, veggie
13.  Lasagna (need to use noodles) buy ricotta/cottage cheese
14.  Chicken alfredo (HH), veggie
15.  Chili w/ baked potato
16.  Fish? Or fishsticks?
17.  Grilled cheese and soup
18.  Sausage and rice casserole (use gr.turkey w/ old bay seasoning)
19.  Waffles, sausage, scrambled eggs
20.  Macaroni and cheese w/beef, veggie, salad
21.  Tacos, (buy tortillas), Mexican rice
22.  Soup w/ leftovers
23.  Turkey tetrazzini, veggies
24.  Shrimp poppers, rice, veggie
25.  Philly cheesesteak HH, veggie
26.  Chicken alfredo HH, veggie
27.  Chicken and dressing (stovetop), sweet potato (frozen or boxed),veggie
28.  Taco casserole w/chips (buy chips)
29.  BBQ pulled pork (crockpot),veggies, potato/rice/pasta

Reminders:

Use up 10 grapefruit

Need to make pumpkin pie (use canned pumpkin)

Use whole wheat pasta in soups
 Use up instant grits for breakfasts
 Packets of Yakisoba in soups-continue to use
 Use oatmeal in meatloaf, muffins, breads

I plan on making extra of these to put into the freezer for next month:

    Waffles (probably won’t last til next month!)

    Chili               

    Turkey tetrazzini

    Chicken pot pie

    Meatloaf (already cooked)

    Freeze leftover BBQ pork

This will be more than one day for me.  Probably I’ll do this as time permits during the month.

Ingles Deals Week of 1/31-2/6

Here are a few deals that I spotted this week 

(no particular order).

My shopping list is at the bottom.

OSCAR MAYER WALLET PACK LUNCHMEATS
10 Oz. - Selected Varieties 2 for $5.00

($1/2 coupon exp. 1-31)

CHINET CASUAL OR ALL OCCASION LUNCH PLATES 2 for $4.00

($2/1 coupon exp. 1-31 should be FREE plates then!

BREAKSTONE SOUR CREAM 16 Oz. $0.98.

PLANTERS MIXED NUTS OR CASHEW HALVES
9.25-11.5 Oz. 2 for $6.00

(price is 1 penny more than Planters Nuts in Mega Sale at Kroger)

RO-TEL DICED TOMATOES 10 Oz. 5 for $6.00

(hmmm…$1.20 here or .49 Mega Sale at Kroger – which store am I going to?)

PROGRESSO VEGETABLE CLASSICS READY TO SERVE SOUPS
18.5-19 Oz 10 for $10.00

(are there still .50/2 coupons avail? Yep! then .50 can)

DANNON SINGLE SERVE YOGURTS 6 Oz. 10 for $4.00

Use .60/6 to make them .30 ea

UNCLE BEN'S READY RICE 8.8 Oz. 3 for $5.00

Use 1/1 coupon to make it .67ea

KELLOGG'S CEREALS 12-24 Oz. 2 for $6.00

Found blinkie coupon yesterday for 1 off 2, 2.50ea

LAURA LYNN FRUIT CUPS 4 Pack 2 for $3.00

KRAFT SINGLES 12 Oz. 3 for $5.

(.99 Mega sale at Kroger!)

 

My shopping list for Ingles – week of Jan. 31

 

CALIFORNIA NAVEL ORANGES 4 Lb. $2.98

Price: .74.5 lb

SUPERPRETZEL 9-12 Oz. - Selected Varieties BOGO $2.88

Price: 1.44

Coupon: .50/1 dbl

OOP: .44 ea

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH DIP MIX .59-1 Oz. - Selected Varieties 5 for $5.00

Price: 1.00

Coupon: 1/3 back of BC potatoes

OOP: .67 ea

OLD EL PASO REFRIED BEANS 16 Oz. - Regular or Fat Free 5 for $5.00

Price: 1.00

Coupon: Buy 2 OEP, get free seasoning

OOP: 2.00 for 2 beans and 1 seasoning

PILLSBURY CRUSTY FRENCH LOAF OR PIZZA CRUST 11-13.8 Oz.

Price: 1.67

Coupon: .35/1 dbl

OOP: .97 ea

Buy 6, use 6 coupons, OOP: 5.82 get 4.00 ONYO catalina

CHEF BOYARDEE CANNED PASTA 14.75-15 Oz. - Selected Varieties 5/5

Price: 1.00

Coupon: .35/3 dbl

OOP: .77 ea

Look for some flavors that are already .78 and use coupon so .55ea  We are not huge Chef Boy. fans but there is one particular flavor that DD likes occasionally.

This is what I bought this week!

Walmart Trip

Stopped by Walmart on my way home last night to use up some coupons hanging around and expiring soon.

16 pkgs SeaPak Shrimp Poppers  (it takes 5 boxes for a meal at my house)

Total before coupons:  $25.28
Total after coupons:   10.04
Percent Savings:  60%

Shopping week of 1-22 thru 1-28

Publix

1 loaf bread    1.25

6 Yakisoba      .79    used .50/1

3 Krusteaz crumb cake mix    1.35   used 1/1

2 Krusteaz blueberry muffin mix   1.35   used 1/1

6 Birds Eye veggies        .89   used .50/1

2 pkg light bulbs   .85

3 Chinet lunch plates   2.00  used 2/1

Total before coupons:  37.88

Total after coupons:   5.65  ?  Looking for receipt

Percent saved:   85%

Kroger

12 creamy peanut butter   1.69   used RC  1.00ea

8 Pillsbury brownie mixes  1.00   1/2 Q

1 gallon milk                      2.28

2 crm mushroom soup         .68

1 grape jam                       1.69

1 White Rain hairspray       1.09

1 canteloupe                      1.38

Total before sales, coupons:  48.25

Total after coupons:           24.68

percent Saved:        48.8%

Dollar General

4 Electrosol    3.00   used 2.50/1

3 Band-Aid    1.00   used  1/1

2 mentos          .50  (not pictured)

Total before coupons:   16.00

Total after coupons:     4.08

Percent Saved:  74.5%

More shopping this week: Kroger Kraft Deal here and Publix here.

Kroger - List of Items in the Mega Event

Here is a list of participating items in the Mega Event. It's a LONG one!

I put a few coupons that I have along with my store prices and final After Coupon price

'Look for the special tags for participating items. Participating product varieties & sizes may vary by store."


BEVERAGES

• Pepsi, Mt. Dew & Sierra Mist 2 liters
  
• Nestle 24pk Spring Water
  
• Nestle 12pk Sport Top Spring Water
  
• Maxwell House 4.99 $1/2 4.49ea
  
• Yuban Coffee
  
• Starbucks coffee
  
• Lipton Tea 12 pks
  
• Sobe Life Water
  
• Propel singles
  
• Amp
  
• Rockstar
  
• Gatorade 8pks
  
• Capri Sun
  
• Kool Aid Jammers
  
• 
  
  
  Mott's Apple Juice
  
  
  

CANDY, COOKIES, SNACKS

• Lay's Potato Chips
  
• Tostito's Chips
  
• Tostito's Queso Dips & Salsa
  
• Chex Mix
  
• Snyders of Hanover Pretzels
  
• Snyders of Hanover Pieces & Nibblers
  
• Keebler Fudge shoppe
  
• Pepperidge Farm Goldfish .88 .88ea
  
• Quaker Quakes .49 .75/1 exp 2-28 -.26ea
  
• Planters Nuts 2.99 $1/2 coupon exp 1-31 2.49ea
  
• Orville Popcorn
  
• Poppycock
  
• Hershey Big Bags
  
• M&M Bags
  
• Nestle & Wonka Fun Size
  

  DAIRY

• Land o"Lakes Margarine Spread and Sticks
  
• I Can't Believe It's Not Butter .99 .75/2 exp 2-07 .61 ½ ea
  
• Tropicana Orange Juice
  
• Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough
  
• Kraft Cheese .99 $1/2 .49ea
  
• Kraft Philidelphia Cream Cheese .99
  
• Kraft Velveeta
  
• Kraft Singles .99
  
• Coffeemate Creamers
  
• Nesquick
  
• Sargento Cheese 1.49
  
• Daisy Sour Cream
  

  FROZEN

• Armour Meatballs
  
• Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals
  
• TGIF skillet Meals
  
• Sister Shubert Dinner Rolls
  
• Weight Watchers Novelties
  
• Tombstone Pizza
  
• Hungry Man Dinners 1.77
  
• New York Garlic Bread
  
• DiGiorno Ultimate & Stuffed Crust Pizza
  
• Sara Lee Pies & Bites
  
• Edy's Ice Cream
  
• Pepperidge Farm Cakes, Desserts & Bread
  
• Farm Rich Appitizers 1/1
  
• Pillsbury Savorings
  
• Pillbury Toaster Strudel
  
• Totino's 40ct Pizza Rolls
  
• Tyson chicken
  
• Kroger Frozen Snacks
  
• Private Selection Frozen Snacks
  
• California Pizza Kitchen Rising Crust Pizza
  
• Mrs. Paul's Seafood
  
• Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
  
• Select BirdsEye
  
• C&W Frozen Veggies
  

  HEALTH & BEAUTY

• Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste
  
• Sensodyne Iso-Active Toothpaste
  
• Axe Body Spray
  
• Axe Shower Gel
  
• Axe Deoderant
  
• Dove for Men Bodywash
  
• Crest Regular toothpaste
  
• Crest ProHealth Toothpaste
  
• Crest ProHealth Rinse
  
• Oral-B Cross Action Toothbrush
  
• Glide Floss
  
• Dove Bar Soap
  

  HOUSEHOLD GOODS

• Brawny Paper Towels
  
• Quilted Northern Bath Tissue
  
• Dixie Plates
  
• Dixie Cups
  
• Kleenex Facial Tissue
  
• Solo Cups
  
• Solo Plates
  
• Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent
  
• Tide powder Detergent
  
• Electrosol & Finish Auto Drip Detergent 2.99 2.50/1 .49ea
  
• Electrosol & Finish Mono Dose Detergent
  
• Lysol Disinfecting Sprays
  
• Ziploc Plastic Containers
  

  MEAT

• Johnsonville Smoked & Cooked Brats
  
• Johnsonville Fresh Grilling Bratwurst
  
• Deli Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey
  
• Oscar Mayer Beef Franks
  
• Fun Packs Turkey & American
  
• Deli Creations Steakhouse Beef
  

  NATURAL FOODS

• Horizon Aseptic Milk 3pks
  
• Izze Sparkling Juice 4pks
  
• Balance Bar
  

  OVER THE COUNTER

• Tums Regular, Ultra or Smoothies
  
• Zantac Tablets
  
• Advil Tablets, Caplets, or Liqui-Gels
  
• Prilosec Tablets
  
• Miralax
  

  PACKAGED FOODS

• Nabisco Snack Crackers
  
• Sunshine Cheez-Its Large Box
  
• Zesta Saltines
  
• Ritz Crackers 1.99 $1/2 1.49ea
  
• Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs
  
• Nature Valley Granola Bars
  
• Fiber One Bars
  
• Chex Mix bars
  
• Assorted Post Cereals
  
• Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
  
• Kellogg's Fruit Snacks
  
• Krusteaz Bars, Muffins, Cake & Cookie mix 1/1
  
• Rotel
  
• Hunt's Tomatoes ¼, 1/3
  
• Hormel Chili .78 .55/2 .50 ½ ea
  
• Mott's Apple Sauce
  
• Kraft Easy Mac & Velveeta Cups
  
• Kraft Deluxe shells & Cheese
  
• Kraft Velveeta Shells & cheese
  
• Kraft Mac & Cheese Shapes
  
• Hormel Compleats
  
• Kraft Mayonnaise & Miricle Whip
  
• Frank's Red Hot Wing Sauce
  
• Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce
  
• French's Mustard
  
• Kraft Salad Dressing
  
• Cattleman's BBQ Sauce
  
• Chi-Chi's Salsa
  
• Mission Tortillas
  
• Claussen Pickles Spears
  

PET FOOD & TREATS

• Purina Cat chow
  
• Beggin Strips Dog Treats
  
• Pedigree Plus Wet Dog Food
  
• Tidy Cats Conventional Litter

Kroger - Kraft Cheese Deal

I thought I wasn't going to get to go to Kroger today to try out the Kraft deal, buy 5 Kraft items get $5 OYNO coupon.  It was pouring down rain all day and I didn't feel all that great this morning.  By evening things got better and I went with a friend.  Here's what I got:

Kroger - 1st Transaction

3 Quaker Quakes  ..99  used .75/1 coupons

4 Kraft shredded cheese  1.49  used $1/2 coupons

1 Kraft block cheese  1.49

2 Electrosol  3.49  used 2.50/1

1 gal milk  2.28

Total before coupons,sales:  36.10

Total after coupons:  5.65

Percent Savings:  84%

Received $5  ONYO coupon!

Kroger - 2nd Transaction

5 Quaker Quakes  .99  used .75/1 coupons

5 Kraft sliced cheese  1.49

Total before coupons, sales:  24.77

Total after sales,coupons:  4.02

Percent Savings:  83.7%

Plus received another $5 OYNO coupon

Kroger - 3rd Transaction

5 Quaker Quakes  .99 

5 Kraft shredded cheese  1.49

Total before coupons, sales:  32.27

Total after sales,coupons:  7.77

Percent Savings:  83.7%

Plus received another $5 OYNO coupon

So, OOP I spent  $17.44 and got back $15 in OYNO catalina coupons!  I need to decide the best way to use these coupons now!  Meat? Produce? Milk? Bread?  additional mega sale items?  Decisions, decisions...

For other shopping trips this week, look here and here.

Some of my very early Cakes - from 2007

Thought I'd share some of my other cakes:

Some I can't remember the occasion but there was something going on.  Some might have been re-doing the cake done during the decorating class.  They all were from very early on when I first started decorating...

I think I redid one from class for this one.

Just liked the way this one looked (the professional one that is).  Mine turned out very 'not smooth'...

This one was for our church's tech team meeting.  Very appropriate since it was a tech team member's birthday!

First time doing those swag things...

DH asked for this one for a friend going to Iraq.

Tried to reproduce in my own way a cake I found somewhere.  I just don't know where it was...but their's was much prettier than mine turned out.  I think at the time, I just wanted to see if I could find the pattern and 'prove' that it wasn't that difficult.

Spiderman Cake

 I thought it would be fun to show the birthday cakes we make.  Two years ago, when the twins were about to turn 5, I decided to invest the money I would have spent on store bought decorated cakes, in learning how to decorate cakes myself.  So, my 2nd oldest DS and I took a cake decorating class.  Now, between the two of us, we can do a fair job on our own birthday cakes. DS is 'way better than' me when it comes to writing on the cake.  So he gets to be the one to do all the "Happy Birthday's"!  Hence, he was far better than me when it came to making the web on this cake.  In fact, he decorated the entire cake on this one - made the icing too!

I do have to say though, I admire ANYone that has the patience to decorate cakes and the ambition to practice to make it perfect.  I SO do not enjoy decorating cakes.  Well, it's OK sometimes...  At any rate, I know I am not cut out to decorate cakes for anyone else...too much pressure for making it perfect!

Results of the $2.25 Shopping trip

I am enjoying participating in the Eat from the Pantry Challenge.  This one trip though, was inspired by one of my kids. To see how other people are saving money check out Money Saving Mom.
I planned one shopping trip to use $2.25 and see just how far it would go.  To my pleasant surprise, I still have $0.79 left!  See this post for why I am doing this.

ETA:  Did the second shopping trip:  Total OOP was $1.01.
So, my total for the 2 trips was $ 2.47  - I ended up going over by  0.22 .
I was close though:  I think if I had chosen something for about .89 instead of the 1.25 bread I would have been OK.  But we needed bread, so I got it!

Combined trips:  Purchased $81.84 worth of stuff  for $2.47 out of pocket!  Pretty good I think! 

Here is a picture of the first shopping trip to Publix.  I will update this post when I go shopping to spend the remaining $0.79.

Publix:
1 loaf Publix white bread   1.25
8 Yakisoba                        .79  used .50/1 coupons
2 BE broccoli                     .89  used .50/1 coupons
2 BE peas                          .89  used .50/1 coupons
4 BE corn                          .89  used .50/1 coupons
1 5lb bag sugar                 2.49

Total before coupons,sales:  $24.66
Total after coupons:    1.46
Percent savings:  94%

Publix - 2nd Trip!

1 loaf Publix bread                                   1.25

2 BE rice & veg                                 .89      used .50/1

2 BE broccoli                                            .89      used .50/1

2 BE mixed veggies                                   .89      used .50/1

2 BE corn                                                 .89      used .5/1

8 Yakisoba                                               .79      used .50/1

8 Jollytime microwave popcorn               1.00      used .50/1

4 Krusteaz wild blueberry muffin mix       1.30      used 1/1

2 Krusteaz crumb cake mix                     1.30      used 1/1

Total before coupons, sales:  $57.07

Total after coupons, sales:  $1.01

Percent Savings:  98%

For other shopping trips this week, check out this post and this post.
And here is my Challenge Update.

Eat From the Pantry Challenge Week 3 Update

Still participating in the Eat From the Pantry Challenge and it is going OK.  Not staying out of the stores, but I am being much more careful in what I am buying.  I am considering each item and making sure it is something that we really will use.  It's extremely nice having a monthly meal plan though!

• Well, we used up a bit of things, but I didn't do so well using up what needed to be used.
  
• There was a birthday here this past week, and I did follow through and make the cake with what we had on hand.
  
• I didn't let the green peppers spoil that I bought some time ago – I chopped them up and froze them to use in things later. Honestly, these will probably become part of an Eat From the Pantry Challenge later on this year – oh well!
  
• We've done OK with keeping the refrigerator cleaned out and not letting stuff get pushed to the dark corners to spoil.
  
• We have used up some canned stuff that has been sitting around for a long time – like that sloppy joe sauce. (When will I learn that we just don't like that stuff?!?)
  
• My downfall this week was not using the fresh veggies we have, so that needs to be a priority this week.
  
• We STILL have a bag of potatoes that MUST be used this week! Maybe I should just make potato soup with them this weekend and get it over with! And I ended up using all but 6 potatoes last night for dinner! Yeah! See what happens when you make this list – it helps!
  
• I also have some bone-in chicken breast (12) that can be cleaned out of the freezer. It takes up SO much room in the freezer! It is on sale again this coming week and I would really like to stock up on it again – but this time to actually take it off the bone myself and make boneless, skinless breasts with it. I then cook the remaining bones with the meat that I don't get off the bones and use the stock for soup. I take the meat off the bones and freeze for chicken salad and other recipes that need cooked chicken.
  

So here is the update of my January Mealplan and (note to self) I guess it is time to start planning for February. I boldfaced the meals that will help me use those potatoes and chicken.

January Mealplan
1. Roast pork loin, mashed potatos, mixed veggies
2. Crockpot rotisserie chicken, seasoned rice, spinach
(mixed veggies)
3. Hamburger steak, boiled potato, veggie
4. Meatloaf, mashed potato, veggie
5. Meatballs, julienne potato, veggie
(rice instead of potatoes)
6. Chicken pot pie
7. Spaghetti (use buitoni), salad
(used remaining opened boxed of dry pasta)
8. Beef stew over rice (use canned carrots)(used fresh carrots found in fridge)
9. Taco soup, chips
10. Chicken & rice bake (from can of evap milk)
11. Soup w/leftovers
(lasted 2 days!)
12. BBQ chicken (crockpot) sandwiches,
13. Lasagna (need to use noodles) buy ricotta/cottage cheese
14. Chicken alfredo (HH), veggie
15. Chili w/ baked potato
16. Crockpot chicken, (look for recipe),Smashed potatos, veggie
(mashed potatoes instead)
17. Grilled cheese and soup
18. Sausage and rice casserole (use hamb w/ old bay seasoning)
19. Waffles, sausage, scrambled eggs
20. Macaroni and cheese w/beef, veggie, salad (need to buy)
21. Tacos, (buy tortillas or make homemade tortillas), Mexican rice
22. Soup w/ leftovers
23. Chicken tetrazzini, veggies
24. Sloppy joes, smashed potatos, veggie (need buns)
(found buns in back of freezer!)
25. Philly cheesesteak HH, veggie
26. Beef stroganoff HH, veggie
27. Chicken and dressing (stovetop), sweet potato (frozen or boxed),veggie
28. Taco casserole w/chips (buy chips)
29. BBQ pulled pork (crockpot),veggies, potato/rice/pasta (need buns)

Reminders:
• Need to make pumpkin pie (use canned pumpkin)
• Use whole wheat pasta in soups
• Use up instant grits for breakfasts(used some)
• Muffin pouches for bfast (used 2 - lots more to go!!)
(these are gone! Made snacks for Clovers!)
• Monitor potatos to make sure they are used (used some for lunch/still have more to use!)(used some in the stew – more to go)(used some and still have a 10lb bag to go! MUST USE THEM THIS WEEK!!)
• Use what is in little freezer (soups)
• Packets of Yakisoba in soups (used some/more to use next time)
• Canned cabbage, pole beans in soups one more can to use
• Use oatmeal in meatloaf, muffins, breads (used some oatmeal for breakfast and oat flour? In meatballs)
• Birthday cake (use mixes), powdered sugar & short/butter in freezer

Potential Shopping list for Publix - 1-23

Here is my potential shopping list for Publix this weekend.  One of the kids found $2.25 yesterday sitting around and asked whose money it was.  I said it was our grocery money.  Apparently, my oldest thought that statement was incredibly funny, so I told him I was going to plan a shopping trip to see how much that $2.25 would buy.  So here is my potential list.  I am not sure how to factor in sales tax though.  Probably will end up paying a bit more due to tax.

Birds Eye veggies	8	0.89	7.12	8	-0.88	eight .50/1
Yakisoba	8	0.79	6.32	8	-1.68	eight .50/1
bread	2	1.25	2.5		2.5
Krusteaz muffins	6	1.29	7.74	6	1.74	six 1/1
Birds Eye	8	0.89	7.12	8	-0.88	eight .50/1
Yakisoba	8	0.79	6.32	8	-1.68	eight .50/1
milk	1	2.69	2.69		2.69

Potential Shopping List for Kroger beginning Jan. 24

Here is my potential list for Kroger this coming 'week':

Peperidge Farm Goldfish             1.38            .88

Pepsi 2l                                       1.25           .75

Tombstone pizza                          2.99         2.49

Land o'lakes spread                     1.69         1.19

Quaker Quakes                            .99            .49      still have .75/1 Q's

Finish/Electrosol 20ct                  3.49         2.99       still have 2.50/1 Q's

Hormel chili                                 1.29         .79         .55/2 Q this weekend

Tyson anytizer                             4.49         3.49        1/1 Q this weekend

French's Mustard                        1.69         1.19         .50/1 Q this weekend

Oscar Meyer deli meat                3.49         2.99         still have 1/2 Q??

Well, this should be interesting....

Guess what?  Of course, during the Eat from the Pantry Challenge month of January, Ingles would have to have triple coupon week AND Kroger has the 'whatever they call it' Buy 10 Get $5 off promo going from Jan. 24 - Jan. 30!  And here I am trying not to go shopping too much...

Plus I have 2 kiddos working very hard on 4-H Cloverleaf DPA speeches and they compete Sat (a week from today).  So I really need to be focused on working with them.  (They still need to basically memorize their 5-min speeches and practice with all their props and posters).

So, hopefully the need to work with my kids will somewhat balance the 'need' to shop during these sales!  HaHa!

Well, off to plan my shopping trips - at least my coupons are caught up!

No more Shopping this week!

Well, that's not entirely true...DH did stop by the store one evening on his way home to get a bag of cat food.  Apparently, the bags purchased back in December are gone!

So my total for the week is:  $51.11 (plus the cat food), so I'll round it to $62 for the week.

And since my week runs Friday thru Thursday, that means today is the beginning of a new shopping 'week' for me!

Grocery Shopping Jan. 16

Still trying to figure out when my 'week' is. I think the best way to figure is is from Friday to Thursday. So, here is most of 'this week's' shopping. I may go again to use up a few coupons in another day or so. I plan to add them to this post if I end up going.

Here we go:

Kroger:
2 half gallon choc milk .99
8 Listerine Total Care Reg. 5.29 Clear. 2.69 used $1/1 coupons
3 gallons milk 1.99
4 yakisoba mac & ch 1.00 used .50/1 dbl
2 Snack away Reg. 2.49 clear 1.49
4 Pillsbury brownie mix 1.00 used $1/2 coupons (Thanks to a friend who gave me a bunch of coupons!)

Total before sales, coupons: 73.37 (used before mgr special prices)
Total after sales, coupons, etc: 29.54
Percent savings: 60%

Ingles:
1 Kashi cinnamon harvest 2.00 (not sure of reg price)
2 Post honeycomb cereal 1.67 ea used 1/2 coupon
2 Post cocoa pebbles 1.67 ea used 1/2
2 BE pearl onions 1.25 used .50/1 dbl
1 BE broc, cauli,carrot 1.25 used .50/1 dbl
2 Quaker Quakes 1.00 used .75/1

Total before sales, coupons: 27.52
total after sales, coupons: 13.05
Percent savings: 52%

Publix:
2 cases Alpo 7.49
5 lb I Can't Believe It's NOt Butter sticks 1.24 used 1/1

total before sales, coupons: 30.43
Total after sales, coupons: 17.45
Percent svgs: 42.6%

Dollar General:
6 Electrosol 12pk 3.00 Used: 2.50/1 coupons
1 Electrosol 20pk 4.00

Total before coupons: 23.XX
Total after coupons 8.54 (long story, but one coupon did not get rung up)
Percent savings: 63.6%

Walmart:
Needed some car stuff and rubber cement for a few projects. Not included in our grocery budget.

But I did get:
2 SeaPak shrimp poppers 1.58 used 1/1

So, before coupons: 3.16
After coupons: 1.16
Percent savings: 63%

Summary of Week 2 Eat from the Pantry Challenge

Here is an updated list of how we are doing with the January Mealplan. Very grateful to the "Eat from the Pantry Challenge" at LifeasMom.com.  We ended up eating out, 2 nights actually, due to being out of town. And we ate one or two meals that weren't on the list since I wasn't feeling all that great (and still don't) :( We'll plug away at the list again this week and try to use up more of what is on it. I have learned that when I don't feel good, I don't want to look into the dark corners of my fridge and have to 'put together' a meal...however, I managed to do that last night and cleaned out a lot of misc. stuff from earlier in the week. Like the 3 bags of frozen corn I bought this week and did not get put away. Found it on the counter the next morning (still very cold thanks to the extra cold weather!) Made creamed corn with it!
Now I think I am ready to start fresh again this week!

January Mealplan
1. Roast pork loin, mashed potatos, mixed veggies
2. Crockpot rotisserie chicken, seasoned rice, spinach (mixed veggies)
3. Hamburger steak, boiled potato, veggie
4. Meatloaf, mashed potato, veggie
5. Meatballs, julienne potato, veggie (rice instead of potatoes)
6. Chicken pot pie
7. Spaghetti (use buitoni), salad (used remaining opened boxed of dry pasta)
8. Beef stew over rice (use canned carrots)(used fresh carrots found in fridge)
9. Taco soup, chips
10. Chicken & rice bake (from can of evap milk)
11. Soup w/leftovers (lasted 2 days!)
12. BBQ chicken (crockpot) sandwiches,
13. Lasagna (need to use noodles) buy ricotta/cottage cheese
14. Chicken alfredo (HH), veggie
15. Chili w/ baked potato
16. Crockpot chicken, (look for recipe),Smashed potatos, veggie (mashed potatoes instead)
17. Grilled cheese and soup
18. Sausage and rice casserole (use hamb w/ old bay seasoning)
19. Waffles, sausage, scrambled eggs
20. Macaroni and cheese w/beef, veggie, salad (need to buy)
21. Tacos, (buy tortillas or make homemade tortillas), Mexican rice
22. Soup w/ leftovers
23. Chicken tetrazzini, veggies
24. Sloppy joes, smashed potatos, veggie (need buns)
25. Philly cheesesteak HH, veggie
26. Beef stroganoff HH, veggie
27. Chicken and dressing (stovetop), sweet potato (frozen or boxed),veggie
28. Taco casserole w/chips (buy chips)
29. BBQ pulled pork (crockpot),veggies, potato/rice/pasta (need buns)

Reminders:
• Need to make pumpkin pie (use canned pumpkin)
• Use whole wheat pasta in soups
• Use up instant grits for breakfasts(used some)
• Muffin pouches for bfast (used 2 - lots more to go!!) (these are gone! Made snacks for Clovers!)
• Monitor potatos to make sure they are used (used some for lunch/still have more to use!)(used some in the stew – more to go)
• Use what is in little freezer (soups)
• Packets of Yakisoba in soups (used some/more to use next time)
• Canned cabbage, pole beans in soups one more can to use
• Use oatmeal in meatloaf, muffins, breads (used some oatmeal for breakfast)
• Birthday cake (use mixes), powdered sugar & short/butter in freezer

Summerary of Week 1 of Eat from the Pantry Challenge

January Mealplan
1. Roast pork loin, mashed potatos, mixed veggies
2. Crockpot rotisserie chicken, seasoned rice, spinach (mixed veggies)
3. Hamburger steak, boiled potato, veggie
4. Meatloaf, mashed potato, veggie
5. Meatballs, julienne potato, veggie (rice instead of potatoes)
6. Chicken pot pie
7. Spaghetti (use buitoni), salad (used remaining opened boxed of dry pasta)
8. Beef stew over rice (use canned carrots)
9. Taco soup, chips
10. Chicken & rice bake (from can of evap milk)
11. Soup w/leftovers (lasted 2 days!)
12. BBQ chicken (crockpot) sandwiches,
13. Lasagna (need to use noodles) buy ricotta/cottage cheese
14. Chicken alfredo (HH), veggie
15. Chili w/ baked potato
16. Crockpot chicken, (look for recipe),Smashed potatos, veggie
17. Grilled cheese and soup
18. Sausage and rice casserole (use hamb w/ old bay seasoning)
19. Waffles, sausage, scrambled eggs
20. Macaroni and cheese w/beef, veggie, salad (need to buy)
21. Tacos, (buy tortillas or make homemade tortillas), Mexican rice
22. Soup w/ leftovers
23. Chicken tetrazzini, veggies
24. Sloppy joes, smashed potatos, veggie (need buns)
25. Philly cheesesteak HH, veggie
26. Beef stroganoff HH, veggie
27. Chicken and dressing (stovetop), sweet potato (frozen or boxed),veggie
28. Taco casserole w/chips (buy chips)
29. BBQ pulled pork (crockpot),veggies, potato/rice/pasta (need buns)

Reminders:
• Need to make pumpkin pie (use canned pumpkin)
• Use whole wheat pasta in soups
• Use up instant grits for breakfasts
• Muffin pouches for bfast (used 2 - lots more to go!!)
• Monitor potatos to make sure they are used (used some for lunch/still have more to use!)
• Use what is in little freezer (soups)
• Packets of Yakisoba in soups (used some/more to use next time)
• Canned cabbage, pole beans in soups one more can to use
• Use oatmeal in meatloaf, muffins, breads
• Birthday cake (use mixes), powdered sugar & short/butter in freezer