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Menu Plan Monday

Since I am doing my no shopping challenge for the month of December, I am also trying a new venture:
MONTHLY MENU PLANNING!

I have never been able to do this before, and I am not truly sure how it'll work for me, but you never know until you try, right? I only have dinners down right now, and will still do breakfasts and lunches weekly. Or at least breakfasts since my DD is supposed to be planning and making lunches ;)

So, here is my current plan for the month, and this will utilize what I have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Dinner at homeschool party
chicken noodle soup, biscuits
pork roast, mashed potatoes, corn
homemade pizza
spaghetti, garlic bread
lentil casserole
beef and noodles, green beans
chicken enchiladas
veggie beef barley soup
pork chops, applesauce, peas
latkes
fettuccine alfredo
shepherd's pie
steak fajitas
roast chicken, sweet potatoes
chili over rice, cornbread
ham steaks, baked potatoes, peas
homemade pizza
lasagna bake
roast beef, corn, rice
BBQ chicken, green beans
broccoli and cheese soup, biscuits
baked ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole
homemade pizza
macaroni and cheese, hot dogs
farm house chicken
Swedish meatballs over rice
ham and beans, cornbread
lentil soup, homemade bread

Some recipes are repeats (like 3), so that's why I didn't list every day. I am hoping that I won't stray too far from this, since it'll use only what I have on hand each day!

No more than Reddi Whip

We are trying (again) to go without spending ANY money for a while...grocery store, CVS, Walgreens, you name it.

The idea being that our fridge is so full of leftovers that I have no idea what is in there, and we want to save our money towards a vacation this Spring.

So, why the title, "No more than Reddi Whip? Well, I'll tell ya. It starts with the fact that we are not celebrating Christmas this year. Now, before the air pressure changes to dramatically, we are celebrating Hanukkah. The more we read about the Biblical holidays, the more we were intrigued. So, that's the reason. We already have all the gifts for the kids on each night, well, that they are going to get anyway, and what we don't have, they can do without.

Except Reddi Whip.

That is the ONLY thing on my oldest son's "wish list" this year. Every year, they write a list, and it usually contains favorite toys, games, books, things like that. The only thing that my son thought of was a can of Reddi Whip. He wants to eat it all out of the can, shooting it into his mouth directly. And he wants it all to himself. And who am I to not let him, really? It IS rather fun to do...

And, since the Reddi Whip will not last if I get it today, I will be buying that later this month, probably the last night of Hanukkah. (Dec 19) And that is all I am going to the store for.

The rules are simple:

1. The van will be filled with gas when needed, but trips will be only necessary ones to cut that expense as much as possible.

2. I am going to use all the pantry, freezer, and fridge food up this month. If I don't have it, either do without, or barter for it. (IE...pork chops for venison)

3. The only thing bought at the store this month will be that aforementioned can of Reddi Whip, for my son.

This is going from December 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. I am also not going to buy any papers, or print off any coupons, no matter how good they are. The temptation will just be too great!

So, there you have it...that's my goal for the month of December!

CVS

My daughter and I went to CVS last night around 11:15 to start the holidays off with a bang! They have so many freebies, that it would've been silly to pass it up. Ok, maybe I could have, but she wanted to see what the "hype" was all about anyway. And we had a blast looking at the cards while we were waiting for midnight to check out.
I had to do 10 different transactions to make this all work for less than $7, so I won't bore you with the details. (one more thing to be thankful for, right?)

So, here is what I left CVS with last night for $6.58, with the same number of ECBs as I started with ($6)

Sorry that the picture is so lousy, I had to take it with hubby's cell phone since the batteries on the camera only seem to last about 20 seconds anymore.  Time for new ones, I guess.  Good thing they are on sale for $1.99 for a 30 pack tomorrow at Menard's!

$1/1 Nestle cookie dough

Go here to get a $1/1 on any Nestle refrigerated cookie dough!

FREE: Bob Evans Pumpkin Pie slice

Stop in at Bob Evans November 27-29 and get a FREE slice of pumpkin pie with this coupon here. No purchase necessary!


thanks, MoneysavingMom!

Red Plum Preview for 12/06/09

Here are the coupons scheduled to come in the 12/06/09 edition Red Plum. The coupons and amounts may vary by region, though, so be aware that you might not see all of these or the amounts that they are in.

All 2x Ultra or Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent – Save $2.00 on any 1
Bertolli Frozen Meals – Save $1.00 on any 1
Bertolli Mediterranean Style – Save $1.00 on any 1
Caltrate, Except 30ct – Save $3.00 on any 1
EarthGrains 100% Natural Thin Buns or 100% Natural or Double Fiber Bread – Save $.55 on any 1
Extra Strength Tylenol product – Save $1.00 on any 1
Folgers Decaf, Half Calf or Folgers Simply Smooth – Save $1.00 on any 2
Folgers Gourmet Selects – Save $1.00 on any 2
Folgers Products including Folger’s Singles and Pods – Save $1.00 on any 2
Garnier Nutrisse Shade or Multi-Lights Kit – Save $2.00 on any 1
Garnier Nutritioniste Cleanser or Moisturizer – Save $1.00 on any 1
Grain Berry Antioxidant Cereals – Save $1.00 on any 1
Grain Berry antioxidant Snack Crackers – Save $1.00 on any 1
Grain Berry pancake or Muffin Mix – Save $1.00 on any 1
Hillshire Farm Cocktail Links – Save $1.00 on any 2
Imodium product, ETS – Save $1.00 on any 1
Jimmy Dean Breakfast Skillets – Save $.75 on any 1
Kibbles ‘n Bits brand dry dog food, 16 lbs or larger – Save $2.00 on any 1
Kibbles ‘n Bits brand dry dog food, 8 lbs or smaller – Save $2.00 on any 1
Land O’ Frost Bistro Favorites – Save $1.00 on any 1
Listerine Antiseptic 500ml or larger, Listerine Agent Cool Blue, Listerine Whitening Rinse, 16 fl oz or larger – Save $1.00 on any 1
M&M’s Premium chocolate Candies, 6oz or 8.2oz – Save $1.00 on any 1
McCormick Extract or Food Color – Save $1.00 on any 1
McCormick Seasoning Blend, Spice or Herb – Save $1.00 on any 1
Nivea Body Wash for Women, 16.9 Fl oz – Save $1.00 on any 1
Pedigree Dentastix – Save $1.00 on nay 1
Pedigree Good Bites – Save $1.00 on any 1
Pedigree Jumbone – Save $1.00 on any 1
Pedigree Marrobone – Save $1.00 on any 1
Pine Mountain Firelogs – Save $1.00 on any case
Quaker True Delights or Fiber & Omega-3 Granola Bars – Save $1.00 on any 2
Reach Adult Toothbrush 1ct or Reach Wondergrip 2ct value pack – BOGO
Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash – Save $1.00 on any 1
Sara Lee cheesecake and/or Pound Cake products – Save $1.00 on any 2
Scotch Easy-Grip Packaging Tape Dispenser – Save $2.00 on any 1
Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter w/ built in Ribbon Cutter – Save $1.00 on any 1
Scotch Packaging Tape Roll – Save $.50 on any 1
Scotch Pop-Up Tape Products – Save $1.00 on any 2
Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Spread – Save $.40 on any 1
Single Color M&M’s Brand Chocolate Candies Tubs – Save $1.00 on any 2
Smuckers Orchard’s Finest Preserves – Save $1.00 on any 1
Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets – Save $2.00 on any 1
Sudafed, Sudafed PE or Sudafed OM, ETS – Save $2.00 on any 1
Tylenol Cold or Tylenol Sinus, ETS – Save $1.00
Tylenol Cold, Cough, Sore Throat or Sinus product – Save $1.00 on any 1
Tylenol Plus product – Save $1.00 on any 1
Zyrtec-D, 12ct or larger – Save $2.00 on any 1

Black Friday Ads

Get all the Black Friday deals here! CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have some seriously awesome deals this year with tons of freebies!

EYXNPSDDKU9D

Scary...

Want to see just how deep in debt we ALL are??? Just click here...warning: may not be suitable for kids, adults, or other Americans.

Menu Plan Monday

I cheated a bit this week, and went to Sav-A-Lot to use my $5/$20 purchase. I was able to get onions, 3 bags of baby carrots, 2 bags of celery stalks, a hand of bananas,2 gallons of milk, 1/2 gallon of OJ, and 3 pkgs of turkey hot dogs and buns. The total was $15.41 for all that! I am sorry that I didn't get a picture, but I forgot about it, and some of the stuff has been used already.

But, with all that, I am still eating from the pantry and fridge, hoping to make some room for Thanksgiving food and leftovers. I am so excited about Thanksgiving this year as we are having 21 people here total to eat!!!

So, with no further ado, here is my plan for this week:

BREAKFASTS

oatmeal, smoothies

granola with dried fruit

Hawaiian eggs, peaches

french toast, apple slices

pumpkin pie oatmeal

LUNCHES

hot dogs, applesauce, baby carrots

mac n cheese, celery sticks w/peanut butter

quesidillas, pears

lunch at school

home fellowship

DINNERS

roast chicken, corn, rice

chuck roast, mashed potatoes,peas

farmhouse chicken, corn

fettuccine alfredo, green beans, homemade bread

homemade pizza

CORD

You may notice that I am leaving out a day, but for good reason. I am "running away" with a wonderful friend for the day to shop and sight see. My darling hubby will just have to fix food... :)

There it is...my plan for the week. What are you having?

Does she really cook healthy?

I am having to get up on the frugal soapbox for a moment here. I have been following Money Saving Mom's blog for almost 2 years now, and have learned sooo much from Crystal about saving money, frugal shopping, and how to live and be happy with less.

And, I am thrilled when she gets to be a guest post somewhere as well, because I really believe that others can benefit from her mistakes, trials, and plans. Plus, let's be honest here, she has tons of followers all over the country that email her with deals in their area. She posts deals daily from Walgreens and CVS to Meijer, Food Lion, Safeway and Aldi.

Here's my problem. I have NEVER read in her blog that in order to live frugally, you must cook like her, shop like her, and feed your family like her. As a matter of fact, she constantly states that she just likes to be an inspiration and you need to do what works for your family. When I read her guest post here, I was again inspired. And, then I read the comments.

Why???

What is wrong here, people? So many were attacking her, saying that she wasn't feeding her kids healthy foods, and her diet wasn't varied much. WHO CARES??? That wasn't the point of it all!!! One comment said,

Sure, it's easy to feed your family on $40 a week when your family gives you eggs and veggies from their garden.

Why are you so upset? Are you jealous?

I write this because I used to wonder myself. Can she really feed her family on $40 a week? Does she buy stuff other than her Super Savings Saturdays posts and just not tell the blogosphere?

Until I really tried it for myself. I figured that if she was feeding 4 on $40 a week, I should try 5 for $50 a week. And, you know what? It worked! When I made my own bread, waffles, and pancakes instead of buying them at the store ready made, and when I gave my family the portion sizes that they should have vs. what they felt they should eat, it made a difference! Truly!!

So, I would like to say to all those naysayers out there who think that she isn't healthy or whatever, "If you don't like her menus, don't cook like that..." But then, don't expect to get out of her grocery budget what she gets, either!

And to you, Crystal...thank you for all your hard work and inspiration for me! You have truly taught me things about saving money that I would have not found out before. I am able to take care of my family better, and be a better steward of my husbands time and paycheck now.

YOU GO, GIRL!!!

Cheese, glorious cheese

I decided that I was going to follow a friend's advice and let my daughter take over lunch preparations.  Every day.  And my daughter happily agreed to.

Yesterday was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Nothing else.  But, it was food, right?

Today, she made cheese rollups and fried cheese.  Used almost a gallon bag full of shredded cheese making them.  It was good, but all that cheese...

Tomorrow, she is thinking about making cheesy quesidillas, with cheese puffs.

I may have to take lunch back and add more fiber for a while....

Once A Month Cooking

Have you ever tried once a month cooking?  Crystal is doing a live blogcast on her freezer cooking day.

I am leary to try it myself...I mean, seriously, what if I make all that stuff and it does't sound good?  That would not be good....

But, I may try it next week, just to see...

Menu Plan Monday

I broke down yesterday afternoon and went to the store for a couple of things to "make my life easier".  I spent $37 at Aldi, and I went to (ugh!!) Walmart for some Agave Nectar.  I have always wanted to try it and my friend told me where to find it.  And nope, I didn't see it at Meijer, either.

So, here is the menu plan for this week:

BREAKFASTS

toast, smoothies

french toast, strawberries

oatmeal, peaches,

english muffins, fresh juice

yogurt parfaits(with that awesome agave nectar)

skillets,

pancakes, peaches

LUNCHES

farmhouse chicken

PBJ's, applesauce

mac and cheese, green beans

quesidillas, apples

leftover farmhouse chicken

lunchmeat sammies

taco pie

DINNERS

french dip sammies, au gratin potatoes

chicken wings, peas

CORD

beef and noodles

homemade pizza

beans and rice, cornbread

grilled steak, baked potaotes