Super Savings Saturday & Sunday

Let's talk stacking! Some stores (Lowes Foods, Target, Walgreens, CVS to name a few) will allow you to pair a store coupon with a manufacturer's coupon. This is called "stacking" and can create great savings! I get real excited when Lowes Foods issues new store coupons. The coupons are usually valid for four weeks and cover both store brand items as well as name brand items that typically have manufacturer coupons available. For instance, one of the Lowes store coupons is for Ziploc storage or freezer bags 10-20ct at $1.39 each. When you "stack" the store coupon with the .75/1 any Ziploc bag with Easy Zipper coupon from today's Smartsource insert (which doubles at Lowes), you've got FREE ziploc bags!

Grocery Totals:

Total Spent: $82.37
Total Savings: $55.74

Lowes Foods:

3 gallons Full Circle Organic milk (sale 4.99)
4 Ziploc freezer quart bags (store Q 1.39 - .55/1 Q doubled) ---> .29 a box is not bad
3 Ziploc freezer quart bags (FREE! store Q 1.39 - .75/1Q doubled) ---> but free is better!
8 cans PAWS cat food (store Q 4/$1)
4 White House Apple Juice (FREE - price scan guarantee)
1 Huggies wipes (3.69 - .50/1Q doubled)
1 LF diced tomatoes 28oz (store Q .89)
4 Meow Mix cat treats (FREE! sale 1.29 - .75/1Q doubled)
1/2 lb zucchini (with green points .79/lb)
1/2 lb yellow squash (sale 1.79/lb)

Total oop: $34.77
Total savings: $36.00

Harris Teeter:

2 dozen Born Free Cage Free large white eggs (Manager's Special 1.00)
2lb bag apples mixed variety (quick sale 1.63)
1 organic tomato (quick sale .42)
1 small bag of oranges (quick sale 1.00)

Total oop: $5.15

Kroger:

3lb Shadybrook 93/7 frozen ground turkey (sale 3/5)
2 bunches broccoli (sale 2/4)
1 organic cantaloupe (sale 2.00)

Total oop: $10.20
Total savings: $8.74

Whole Foods:

5lb bag whole wheat flour
3lb bag organic yellow onions
1lb organic strawberries
2lb organic bananas
2 boxes Annie's Cheddar Bunnies crackers (sale 2/5)

Total oop: $15.99

CVS for 2pks of Huggies Pull-Ups (sale 8.99 - 2/1Q) total oop $16.26, total savings $11.00.

The Week That Was

And boy, was it ever a week! Last Tuesday, Ashleigh started kindergarten full time - if you're keeping score, this is like our third "first" day of kindergarten LOL! We were all a bit nervous and anxious that day. I could barely concentrate once I got to work. And couldn't get back to Ashleigh's school fast enough. But to my relief, I found her having a ball on the playground with the other after care kids under the careful supervision of the coordinators.

By the time Dave got home that night, I was just a ball of emotion. It was our anniversary and I ended up crying on his shoulder much the same way I did on our wedding day. It wasn't necessarily because I was sad, it was just such an emotional day. All the anxiety that had built up came rushing forward. It just felt so good to have survived the day and be back in his familiar arms.

Ashleigh is still adjusting to kindergarten. She thoroughly enjoys after care (she gets to do her favorite thing - the playground), but is nervous each day about the cafeteria. She told Dave she gets grossed out by seeing other people eat with their mouth open (you would think with a 3yo and 1yo brother that kind of thing wouldn't be shocking LOL!). Coupled with the noise and the teacher trying to get her to eat more of her lunch, its been pretty stressing. We are continuing to talk to Ash on our end and Dave even spoke to the teachers about it, but they've been less than helpful. I know they have other kids to attend to and this is probably just part of the adjustment, but we were under the assumption that school is a team effort between the parents and teachers. We thought they would want to know about something that might affect how Ashleigh performs during the day. But I guess now we've labeled ourselves as "those" parents (the over-involved, pains in the you know what). But this is my baby and if just one little hand on the shoulder and "Are you doing okay, Ashleigh?" will help to get her over this bump, is it really too much to ask?!?

Work was/is tremendously busy. We are in the process of implementing a new computer system. While the new system will make my job less tedious and more streamlined, for the month we are running parallel with the old and new systems. Which means double the work - how fun! The new system does bring some benefits but it also means the elimination of one of my dear friends' position. I know he is moving on to bigger and better things, but it's kind of bittersweet. Add all that to having to prepare for our "big" hospitality and meeting for our members and helping to cover the front desk (yeah, I'm versatile LOL!) and it's just been crazy.

Please tell me this gets easier!

Menu Plan Monday - September 8th

Another busy week ahead. I really wanted to just pull the covers over my head and wish today away. But I got up and asked the Lord for strength today. Instead of going in dreading the week, I gave all my concerns over to God and will go forth in confidence! And despite what happens, I get to come home and bless my family with a nice dinner.

Here's our menu for the week. For more meal plan ideas, visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

~ Dinner ~

Saturday - Cheese Quesadillas made with whole wheat tortillas & organic black beans & brown rice

Sunday - Crockpot Potato Chowder topped with shredded cheddar cheese & bacon

Monday - Leftovers from Sunday!

Tuesday - Veggie Lo Mein

Wednesday - Garden Vegetable Soup with homemade wheat bread

Thursday - BBQ Turkey Meatballs with brown rice & corn on the cob

Friday - Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

Grocery Totals ~ This week I spent $101.79 (a little over budget) and had coupon & sales savings of $72.63. Check out my Super Savings Saturday/Sunday post for a look at my good deals!

Super Savings Saturday/Sunday

Gotta love free toiletries! This week Colgate toothpaste was on sale at Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods for 2/$3. Using the .75/1 Q, which doubles at both stores, means more free toothpaste! No toothpaste enters this house unless it's free LOL! Also 4pk Cottonelle toilet paper is .99 at Kroger. Using the .50/1 Q, which doubles, means free toilet paper! Toilet paper has to be the most difficult thing for me to stockpile. We just seem to use so much of it. Anytime I can get it for free, is a blessing!

Here's my deals for the week!

Grocery Totals

Total Spent: $101.79 (just a smidge over!)
Total Savings: $72.63

Harris Teeter:

3 gallons HT Organic milk
1-5lb bag white potatoes (sale 3.00)
1pk Hormel pepperoni (sale 1.09 BOGO)
3 Colgate toothpaste (FREE! sale 1.50 - .75/1Q doubled)

Total oop: $21.43
Total savings: $10.56

Lowes Foods:

1 LF pizza sauce
1 LF cream of chicken soup (sale .80)
1 Full Circle Organic tomato paste (sale .69)
1 LF chicken broth (sale .60)
8 cans Paws cat food (sale .25)
1 LF aluminum foil (sale 1.00)
4 Ziploc quart storage bags (store Q 1.39 - .40/1 Q doubled)
3 Colgate toothpaste (FREE! sale 1.50 - .75/1Q doubled)
1 LF cola 3Lt (sale 1.00)
3 Bird's Eye steamfresh (sale Q .99 - 1/3Q)
3lb cabbage head (.39/lb using greenpoints)
6 Mott's apple juice (store Q 2/3 - 1/2Q)
1 Kashi Go Crunch Lean cereal (3.69 - 1.00 store Q - 2Q)
1 Butterball sliced turkey (sale BOGO - 1/1Q)

Total oop: $24.45
Total savings: $40.53

Kroger:

1 Huggies Pull Ups (10.99 - 1.50Q)
3 Cottonelle 4pk toilet paper (FREE! .99 - .50/1Q doubled)
1/2 gallon Private Selection Organic milk
6 KR shredded cheeses (sale 1.66ea)
3-1lb Shadybrook 93/7 ground turkey (sale 3/5)
bag Organic valencia oranges (sale 2.99)
1 broccoli bunch (sale 2.00)
6 ears yellow corn (sale 2.00)
3 Clif Kids Organic bars (FREE! sale .59 - .50/1Q doubled)

Total oop: $37.48
Total savings: $21.54

Trip to Costco for 18ct Eggland's Best eggs, 3lb container salsa and 1 take & bake cheese pizza for lunch - total oop $18.43.

Super Savings Saturday is hosted by Money Saving Mom, helping you be a better home economist!

One Step Closer!

Time for an update on our Total Money Makeover! In July, we paid off the minivan (yay!) and thanks to an extra pay period, were also able to send a good sized snowball to our last debt - the HELOC. I never really paid much attention to the psychological aspect of debt. But it felt so liberating reading the letter that accompanied our van title stating the lien had been released. Freedom!

Since paying off the van, our debt snowball has really gained momentum! For the last two months, we've been able to send one of my paychecks entirely to debt! In a way I feel like this is just one step closer to our goal of not being dependent on two incomes. And with Dave's extra pay period in October, we anticipate having the HELOC paid off by December - fingers crossed!

Even though our snowball is pretty healthy, I've been looking for ways to bring in a few additional dollars. Since my time is limited with work and home, my focus right now has been on small money makers. The Caregivers Marketplace is a consistent source of rebate funds since I buy diapers weekly. I've also started doing paid surveys and product testing as well as Inbox Dollars, which pays to read emails. As Money Saving Mom cautions, you will not get rich by doing any of these things. But combined, those dollars do add up!

8 Years

Today, I'm thankful for 8 years.

I, Mary Ellen,

Take you, David,

To be my husband;

To have and to hold your precious children,

From this day forward,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

To love and to cherish,

As long as we both shall live - which isn't long enough.

Happy Anniversary Honey Bunny!

Gratituesday is hosted by Laura at Heavenly Homemakers!

Menu Plan Monday - September 1st

As we're enjoying our weekend, our thoughts and prayers are going out to those in the path of Hurricane Gustav.

Wow, September already! A new month, with new beginnings - Ashleigh starts school tomorrow! It's going to be a busy week, but dinner will served as usual LOL! Here's our menu for the week. For more meal plan ideas, visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

~ Dinner ~

Saturday - Cheese quesadillas made with whole wheat tortillas & Black Bean Salsa (from Heavenly Homemakers)

Sunday - Easy Cheeseburger Casserole made with ground turkey, steamed peas & organic carrots

Monday - Hamburgers, seasoned fries & fresh corn on the cob

Tuesday - Veggie Lo Mein (Recipe below!)

Wednesday - Black Bean & Brown Rice burritos

Thursday - Taco Style Lentils & Rice served in warmed, hard taco shells, with shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream & salsa

Friday - Belated Anniversary Dinner!

Grocery totals ---> This week I spent $93.85 out of pocket and had $48.15 in savings. Check out my Super Savings Saturday post for a breakdown of my deals.

Mary Ellen's Veggie Lo Mein

First a disclamer - I'm sure there is a proper, more authentic way to make Veggie Lo Mein, but this isn't it! This recipe was created as a way to quell a pregnancy craving for Chinese food and has since become a family favorite. It's also pretty easy to throw together and very flexible as far as ingredients.

Ingredients:

Veggies on hand - I like to use broccoli, carrots, cabbage and onions. But I've also added in green peas or snow peas on occasion.

Whole Wheat spaghetti

Soy Sauce

Minced Garlic

Red Pepper flakes

1 - 2 tbsp of oil

1. Cook whole wheat spaghetti according to directions on package.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and sliced onions. Cook until onions become tender (about 3 mins).

3. Add shredded cabbage to skillet along with red pepper flakes to taste (I usually add about 1/2 - 1 tsp).

4. Add in broccoli and carrots along with soy sauce (about 1 -1 1/2 tbsp) with a tablespoon of water. Cover and cook until broccoli and carrots become tender.

* I usually steam the broccoli and carrots separately and then add them to the skillet with the onions and cabbage. But either way works. Told you it was flexible!

5. Drain pasta and add veggie mixture. Add more soy sauce to taste.