Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Publix Deals 2/25 - 3/3

There are some great deals at Publix this week! Here's what I found especially notable:
  • Mueller's Pasta: BOGO $1.49 (or $0.75 for one), may be some $0.55/2 MQ in 1/4 = $0.94 for two!
  • Classico Pasta Sauce: BOGO $2.39 (or $1.20 each)
  • Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner: BOGO $1.99 (or $1.00 each)
  • Kellogg's Smart Start, Raisin Bran, or Corn Flakes cereals: BOGO $3.99 (or $2 each) $1.50/2 MQ from 1/18 RP = $2.49 for two!
  • Quaker Cap'n Crunch Cereal: BOGO $4.49 (or $2.25 each) $1/2 MQ from 1/4 SS = $3.49 for two!
  • Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix or Dessert Bar Mix: BOGO $2.69 (or $1.35 each), $0.75/2 MQ in 2/8 SS = $1.94 for two!
  • Del Monte Tomatoes: BOGO $1.39 (or $0.70 each), use $0.40 MQ from 2/8 RP, Publix doubles making this FREE with $0.10 overage!!!
  • Kellogg's Pop Tarts: BOGO $2.39 (or $1.20 each), there is a $1/2 printable coupon on Target's website making these $1.39 for two!!
  • Green Giant Canned Veggies: BOGO $1.29 (or $0.65 each)
  • Lipton Tea Bags: BOGO $3.79 (or $1.90 each), use $0.60 coupon from 1/18 RP = $1.30 each
  • Hormel Canned Chicken Breast: BOGO $3.39 (or $1.70 each)
  • Pam Cooking Spray: BOGO $3.39 (or $1.70 each), use $0.35 MQ from 1/18 SS, Publix doubles making this $1.00 each
  • Doritos Chips: BOGO $3.99 (or $2.00 each)
  • Keebler Right Bite Cookies: BOGO $3.19 (or $1.60 each)
  • Sunshine Cheez-It Crackers: BOGO $3.19 (or $1.60 each)
  • Kellogg's Special K Snack Crackers: BOGO $3.19 (or $1.60 each)
  • Kashi TLC Crackers: BOGO $3.19 (or $1.60 each), there is a $1 printable coupon from Target's website making these $0.60 per box!
  • Planter's Peanuts: BOGO $2.89 (or $1.45 each)
  • Keebler Town House crackers or Club crackers: BOGO $3.99 (or $2.00 each)
  • I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (tub, spread, spray): BOGO $2.39 (or $1.20 each), use $0.40 MQ from 1/18 RP, Publix doubles making this $0.40 each!
  • Green Giant Frozen Veggies: BOGO $3.49 (or $1.75 each), $0.40 MQ in 1/4, Publix doubles making these $0.95 each!
  • Dove Ice Cream: BOGO $3.19 (or $1.60 each)
  • Bird's Eye Voila Meal: BOGO $4.99 (or $2.50 each), use $1 printable coupon from www.coupons.com makes these $1.50 each!
  • Lysol All Purpose Cleaner: BOGO $3.19 (or $1.60 each), use $0.50 coupon from 1/4 SS, Publix doubles making these $0.60 each!
  • Spray 'N' Wash: BOGO $4.79 (or $2.40 each) $0.75 printable coupon on Home Solution News website makes these $1.65 each!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Menu Planning Monday

Menu Plan Monday is hosted each week by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie. Check out her site for more menu ideas. Here's what we're eating this week:

Sunday: Leftover roast, potatoes, carrots and green beans
Monday: Crescent chicken squares and black-eyed peas
Tuesday: Cheesy fiesta rice dish with Mexican cornbread
Wednesday: Lemon pepper chicken, Italian potatoes, green beans
Thursday: BUNKO night!!!
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Asian Stirfry

Monday, February 2, 2009

January Goals Review

Okay, so I told you guys I would update you on my 2009 goals at the end of each month, to help keep myself accountable. Here's where I stand at the end of January:

Spiritually
  • To set aside specific time alone with God each day, in prayer (I'm not exactly where I want to be. I want to spend good, quality time with God, and I don't feel like I do it enough)
  • To read through the entire Bible in 2009; I have made this easier on myself by purchasing a copy of The One Year Bible that our church was selling recently. It has daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. (I'm enjoying this so far! There is some really good information in there that I haven't read before!)
  • To keep up with my prayer notebook, to make sure I'm specifically praying for each prayer request (I'm not doing so good on this... I was off to a great start, but not so much anymore. Definitely starting over for February!)
  • Put my full faith in God and know that He will not fail me! (I have definitely had to do this!)
  • Pray for our government and nation on a daily basis

Financially

  • Continue to contribute no less than $15 weekly to our high interest savings account (We are still doing this.)
  • Continue to pay an additional $30 per month towards my car note (Honestly, I can't remember, and I don't have the bank statement in front of me.)
  • Keep grocery budget at or below $50 weekly = $2,600 yearly (A+ in this area, I'm actually thinking about lowering it to $45, but we shall see!)
  • Find a carpool buddy for my school commute, if possible (Not yet. I have found several people who live in my general area, but we all have kids to pick up, so it hasn't worked out just yet)
  • Find a part-time job that I love :) and that works with my school schedule, and possibly offers tuition reimbursement (I've applied for many, but no response just yet!)
  • Reduce my cell phone plan to a lower plan, since I don't need the internet on it anymore! (I'm doing this tonight!)
  • Sell my used nursing books online to earn money back (It's not time for this yet.)
  • Create an efficient method for organizing coupons (Yay! This is done! My coupons are all neatly organized alphabetically in baseball card sheets in my binder!)
  • Donate any unused items to a charitable organization on a monthly basis (I contacted Jessie's Place to begin donating to them, as well as volunteering there a few times a month. I have to attend an orientation before I can begin.)
  • Track all money spent and saved (We're doing pretty good at this but not perfect. Sometimes I have trouble keeping track of the cash... still working on this!)

HOME

  • Paint kitchen and hallway (Not yet!)
  • Keep pantry organized throughout the year (So far, so good)
  • Adhere to the cleaning schedule we've created (Okay, cleaning schedules don't work with nursing school schedules. You just clean every morning and afternoon that you have a chance. I don't let dirty dishes pile up in the sink or anything nasty like that, but we'll just say I don't dust every day!)
  • Create my own area in the office for couponing and studying (So my area is in the living room, sue me!)
  • Purchase stockpile of toilet paper, paper towels, and other everyday items and designate a place for their storage (Got a pretty good stockpile going. And we've designated two storage areas!)
  • Purchase food staples for stockpile and designate a place for their storage (Got a good stockpile of food going too and have a spot designated for it!)
  • Watch no more than 6 hours of television per week (We are loving this! Although, we just bought our converter box, and everything is crystal clear!)
  • Keep cars washed and maintained (Doing good with this.)
  • Paint front porch and front door (Not yet, maybe when it warms up)
  • Keep closets organized (Every closet is looking awesome except mine. But, my wonderfully organized friend, Stevie, is coming to help me tackle this on Friday. She took one look in there and was stunned; I'll have to post a before and after picture!)
  • Plant and maintain garden (and have successful growth!) (Not time yet)
  • Have at least one hour every night of play/family time (Loving this!)
  • Hang laundry to dry during warm months (Not warm yet!)
  • Maintain a weekly meal plan (Definitely slacking in this area! I'm going to start doing Menu Plan Monday again, to help me with this!)

Personal

  • Participate in at least one local mission ministry per quarter (the one's I'm thinking of so far are Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Jimmy Hale Missions, and a local event we have in our town) (Signed up for several. The first one is this month!)
  • Commit to a serious workout routine, involving cardiovascular and light weight training activities (Doing great with this! Working out has always made me feel so much better! )
  • Spend at least 6-8 hours each week studying for school (Yeah, there's no avoiding this! I have to do it!)
  • Arrive at least 10 minutes early for everything (this one might be a toughie!) (Doing good with this one so far. I usually get to school about 45 minutes early.)
  • Maintain my 4.0 GPA (The end of my first semester is in May, so we'll see!)
  • Become happier with my appearance (Still working on this one, but getting better!)
  • Do not take things to heart; this is hard for me sometimes especially when I think someone is blatantly being mean (God definitely put me to the test on this one! But I know He helped me handle the situation, and I'm continuing to pray about it!)
  • Update my blog on every one to two days (for my readers!) (This one has been tougher than I thought!)
  • Wrap all birthday presents for children in wrapping paper (no gift bags) (So far, so good!!)
  • Have all Christmas presents purchased no later than December 4, 2009 (Doesn't apply yet)
  • Read at least one non-school-related book per month (I'm almost through reading C.J. Mahaney's Cross Centered Life)
  • Have a date night every month (with my spouse!); this can be a pizza and movie rental night, just so long as we have a date night (We had a wonderful date night at the movies a few weeks ago!)
  • Practice random acts of kindness (I love this! I gave two ladies at Walmart some extra coupons I had for items they were purchasing, and they were so excited!)

I'll post another update at the end of this month! How are you sticking to your goals?