Menu Plan Monday

Each week Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie hosts Menu Plan Monday. I'm new to this, but hopefully, you can get some great ideas to use when planning your weekly menu!




Here is our menu plan for the dinner this week:

Sunday: ate with family
Monday: Grilled Pork Chops with Bacon-Cheese Swirled Potatoes and Steamed Veggies
Tuesday: Reuben Casserole
Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with fried rice
Thursday: BBQ Taco Bake (recipe courtesy of my friend Rhonda)
Friday: Pizza and Buffalo Fries
Saturday: Parties galore!

I also made a batch of Chex Muddy Buddies Mix for a baby shower we're throwing for a girl at work. YUM!

Saving, saving, saving!

I mapped out my shopping trip and really racked up on some great deals this weekend!
I went to four stores, but luckily for me, they're all close together. I did go over our budget by about $17, but I saved $20 on my last trip, plus most of this is stuff we won't need to buy again for a long time!
Here's what I got this week (taxes not included):

First stop: CVS
I applied for a CVS Extra Care card, and this is a very important factor in saving money at CVS!

1. CVS moisturizing beauty bar: $0.99, earned $1 ECB = FREE
2. Colgate Total toothpaste: $3.29, earned $2 ECB = $1.29
3. Hershey's Candy Corn Kisses: I had to buy these because I've looked at 8 stores now, and they have all been sold out for a couple of weeks! = $3.49

Total OOP = $4.78
Total Saved = $3.00 (39%)

Next stop: Walgreens
1. Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner: $24.99 - $10 MC - $10 EasySaver Rebate = $4.99!!!
2. Starch: $1.41
3. Fantastik Multi-Surface Cleaner: $3.79 - $1.50 MC - $1 EasySaver Rebate = $1.29
4. Rimmel Lasting Finish Mineral Foundation: $7.49 - $7.49 EasySaver Rebate - $1.00 MC = FREE + earn $1!

Total OOP = $6.69
Total Saved = $30.99 (82%) WOW!

Next stop: Aldi
1. Pizzas: 2 @ $0.99
2. Cookies and cream ice cream: $2.69
3. Smoked sausage: $2.29
4. Sauerkraut: $0.99
5. Buffalo fries: $1.99
6. Ground Beef (5 lbs): $10.09
7. Chicken nuggets: $3.99
8. Boneless skinless chicken: $6.49
9. Fresh garlic: $0.79
10. Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $1.89
11. Rice squares cereal: $2.19
12. Nestle Crunch candy bars: $1.89
13. Candy Sticks: $1.69
14. 3 Muskateer candy bars: $1.89
15. Baking Mix: $1.69
16. Milk: 2 @ $2.49
17. Taco seasoning: $0.33
18. Lunch meat: $1.49
19. Sliced bacon: $1.99
20. Tums: $1.99
21. Cream of chicken: 2 at $0.49
22. Canned sweet potatoes: $0.69
23. Corned beef: $1.99
24. 1000 Island Dressing: $1.19
25. BBQ Sauce: $1.19
26. Macaroni and cheese: $0.35
27. Animal crackers: $1.29
28. Swiss cheese: $1.99
29. Sour cream: $0.99
30. Tortilla chips: 2 @ $0.99
31. Sugar: $1.99
32. Chocolate chips: $1.15

Total OOP: $69.89

And my final stop was Target
1. Johnson's Bath Buddies Soap: 3 @ $0.97 each = $2.91 - $3 MC = FREE and I earned $0.09!
2. Indian Jones movie (birthday gift): $19.99 - $4.00 SALE = $15.99
3. Quaker granola bars: 3 @ $2.88 = $8.64 - $2.64 SALE - $1 MC = $5.00
4. Kellogg's Yogo snacks: $2.00 - $0.12 SALE - $1.00 MC = $0.88
5. Green Giant fresh carrots: $1.69 - $0.40 SALE - $1 Target coupon = $0.29
6. Luzianne teabags: $1.37
7. Nesquik powder: $3.89 - $0.60 SALE - $0.50 MC = $2.79
8. Little Debbie cakes: $1.43
9. Gillette disposable razors for men: $6.29
10. Windex: $2.84 - $0.51 SALE - $2.00 = $0.33
11. Racerback bra: $10.99

Total OOP: $45.27
Total saved: $16.75 (27%)

Lunch trip to the Hob Lob

I'm trying to get Jaxson's Halloween costume together, so I needed to go to Hobby Lobby on lunch. Since I drove today, I invited some friends from work to come along for the fun-filled adventure. Hobby Lobby is definitely in my top 3 favorite stores of all time.

I walked in and was immediately distracted by a huge section of clearance scrapbook paper. There were so many beautiful pages to choose from and priced at only $0.10 each! I found 17 sheets that I couldn't live without. Hopefully, they will be put to great use at next month's scrapbook party.

Then, back to the pillow/foam/sewing section. I found foam squares for Jaxson's Spongebob costume and got two extra for Ivy's Patrick costume. I'm so excited to make these costumes. Hopefully, they will be as cute as I'm imagining. The squares were only $2.99.

Then it was back to the pattern section. Jaxson is 18 months, but he wears 3-6 months shorts. Since it has been cooler, we've had so much trouble finding pants for him. He needs the 3-6 months for his waist size, but 18 months for the length. So, it looks like I will be sewing a lot this winter! I picked up a pattern from Hobby Lobby and some cute material. Did I mention the prices at Hobby Lobby are amazing? The pattern was only $1.99 (this same one at Walmart was $10.87) and the fabric was only $1.57! Hopefully, I'll have some time to devote to sewing in the next few weeks!

I can't wait to post pictures of Jaxson's costume and my new creations!

Making lunch for friends!

My friend, Tracey, brought lunch for our office yesterday. She made a delicious Southern meal of pinto beans, corn bread, and cole slaw, so I thought I would reciprocate and make something today. I decided on baked potato soup, since I had the ingredients on hand, and it's a pretty likable meal.

Here's my version:

BAKED POTATO SOUP

Potatoes
1 can chicken broth
2 cups milk
3 cloves of fresh garlic
real bacon pieces
cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Boil the potatoes until very soft. Let the cool and peel. Mash them up using a potato masher. In a medium bowl mix chicken broth, milk, garlic, and about 1/4 cup of the bacon pieces. Combine with potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add sour cream, salt, and pepper. Allow to cook about 5 more minutes. Serve with sour cream, cheese, and bacon toppings.
*Green onions are also a delicious topping, but I rarely have these on hand.

An "extra" savings trip

Let me just start by saying that, for me, saving money is an addiction. I'll even admit that sometimes it consumes too many of my thoughts. For instance, when Eric's driving, I have this constant urge to tell him to slow down, put it in neutral when you driving downhill, blah, blah, blah. I guess sometimes it's an unhealthy addiction, like any other.

Nonetheless, I like to save wherever possible. So, after picking Jaxson up from daycare yesterday, we headed out for a couple of extra shopping trips. I needed something to make for our scrapbook party, and a couple other things. I had downloaded coupons from various websites and clipped a few from the paper.

My first stop was Walmart:
Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner: $2.74 - $1.00 MC - rebate = FREE
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix: $0.92
Betty Crocker Cookie Mix: $1.50 - $0.75 MC = $0.75
Hershey Giant Bar: $1.64
Chex Snack Mix Bars: $2.28 - $1.25 MC = $1.03
Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes: $1.24 - $0.40 MC doubled = $0.44
Purina Puppy Chow Dog Food: $4.48 - $4.00 MC = $0.48
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel: $1.98 - $1.00 MC = $0.98
Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust: $2.08 - $1.10 MC = $0.98

Total: $7.22
Saved: $11.64 (62%)

I also made a quick Aldi stop:
Pillsbury Funfetti Halloween Cake Mix: $0.89
Pillsbury Funfetti Halloween Icing: $1.29
Shampoo: $1.69
Milk: $2.49
Halloween Slice and Bake Cookie Dough: $1.99

So, to celebrate our savings, Jaxson and I had Chik-Fil-A for dinner. Of course I used a coupon for a free kid's meal.

Cheese Lover's Tuna Casserole -- My Version

This recipe was so quick and easy. From start to table, it took about 30 minutes.

1 cup elbow macaroni
2 cans of tuna (6 oz.)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz.)
Shredded cheese (I used about 8 oz. total)
Croutons (I used ceasar flavored)

Preheat oven to 350. Boil the macaroni about 10 minutes or until al dente. Combine cooked macaroni, drained tuna, mushroom soup, and about 4 oz. of shredded cheese in a 9" x 13" dish. Cover with shredded cheese and top with croutons. Bake for 15 minutes.

This was so easy! DH and I loved it! I will definitely be making this again.

The Challenge: Two weeks and $100!

I challenged myself to see if I could get two weeks worth of groceries with only $100. I succeeded and had $2.72 left!

Each week, I take inventory of what we have on hand and start my meal planning from there. There are some things I keep on hand, like ground beef. I stock up when it's on sale and freeze it for later use. That being said, here is a list of meals for the next couple of weeks.

1. Pizza (we have pizza night at least once every two weeks)
2. Cheese Lover's Tuna Casserole
3. Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice
4. Salmon Patties with baked french fries
5. Pizza Casserole
6. Baked Potato Soup with Sweet Corn Muffins
7. Grilled Pork Chops with Crispy Topped Creamy Spinach
8. Chicken & Sweet Pea Noodle Dish
9. Buffalo Fried Shrimp and corn on the cob
10. Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
11. Taco Bake

We also took breakfast to Sunday school yesterday. I tried a delicious new rocky road bread recipe, and since I was going for the whole marshmallow/chocolate theme, I made a s'mores dessert too!

Here's what I bought with my $100.00:

First stop: Target
Cheez It crackers: $2.54 - $1.00 store coupon = $1.54
MP 100 calorie packs: $1.77 clearance
Swiffer duster starter kit: $3.99 sale
Little Debbie cakes: $1.43
Pillsbury brownie mix: $1.29
MP mustard: $0.77
L'oreal makeup: 8.99 - $1.00 MC = 7.99
Hamburger Helper: 3 @ 1.25 each = $3.75 - $0.80 MC = $2.95 for 3!
Heath bars: $2.00
1.88 pounds red grapes: $1.00 per pound - $1.00 store coupon = $0.88
Luvs Jumbo diapers: $7.00 - $1.00 store coupon = $6.00

Total OOP at Target: $33.53
Saved: $8.18

Second stop: Aldi


Cinnamon crunch cereal: $1.89
Paper towels: 2 @ $0.59
Bread: 2 loaves @ $0.79
Frozen Spinach: $0.99
Stir Fry Veggies: $2.89
Fudge/Caramel ice cream cones: $1.99
Pizza: 2 @ $0.99
Pork Loin Chops: $3.77
Turkey (lunchmeat): 2 @ $1.49
Large eggs: $1.29
Apple juice: $1.65
Corn on the cob: $1.29
Shredded cheese: 2 @ $2.99
Mac and cheese: $0.35
seasoned curly fries: $1.49
Taco seasoning: $0.33
Pepperoni: $1.99
Sandwich bags: $1.99
Soap: $1.39
Chocolate chips: $1.15
Mini marshmallows: $0.79
sour cream: 2 @ $0.99
cream of chicken soup: 2 @ $0.49
corn muffin mix: $0.35
sweet peas: $0.45
canned tuna in water: $0.57
tomato sauce: $0.23
canned chicken: 2 @ $1.79
sugar: $1.99
nacho chips: $0.99
milk: 2 @ $2.49
salsa: $1.49
margarine: $0.67
bacon pieces: $1.29
Total OOP at Aldi: $63.75

If I have time, I'll post some pictures and my version of the recipes this week.