Boy this must be my lucky week - first the hotel, now this. Do I dare ask if it can get any better?!?!
Showing posts with label grocery shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grocery shopping. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Who scored big on weenies today??
I did! I ran to our local Hy-vee tonight because I realized I didn't have any tomato sauce for our chili tomorrow. While there I decided to check and see if they had anything in their "reduced for quick sale" area. I snagged 1 package of Nathan's hot dogs and 4 packages of Wimmer's (aka 'red snap weiners') - they were all marked down to $1 a package! They are usually $3.49 (at least) per package here. So I was able to get 5 packages of weenies for less than I would normally spend for 2. We LOVE Nathan's & Wimmer's but don't get them often because we don't want to cough up the extra dough. : )
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Grocery Shopping Success!
( I admit the picture isn't that great. But my 7-year old daughter took it - so I figure it's pretty good considering.....)Last night I made a trip to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I was pretty happy with my trip. Here’s what I got:
1 – pkg Kashi blueberry waffles
1 – pkg Bagel-fuls
1 – 100 calorie pack of cookies
1 – pkg Nabisco graham crackers
1 – pkg of Triscuit crackers
1 – pkg Ritz Bits
1 – pkg turkey bacon
1 – Blue Bunny ice cream snack
1 – pkg Yo-plus cherry yogurt
2 – pkg. Crystal Light
1 – 12 pack string cheese
1 – jar of Mayo
2 – 4-packs of Fiber One yogurt
2 – single serving cups of Mac & Cheese
2 – single serving cups of Shells & Cheese
1 – 3-pack anti-itch Aveeno bath salts
1 – Coffemate creamer
1 – Kraft BBQ Sauce
1 – French’s mustard
1 – box of Kleenex
1 – pkg paper plates
1 – 4-pack Cottonelle tissue
1 – gallon milk
2 – 2-liters of Coke
2 – 2-liters of Diet Coke
1 – 18 lb. bag of Purina Dog Food
Total before coupons: $65.39
Total after coupons: $39.48 (!!!)
How awesome is that??? Several items I ended up getting for free or next to nothing. The big purchase was the dog food, even with a coupon I spent about $10 of the total purchase on that. Darn dogs anyway!! ; )
Monday, March 9, 2009
Expensive Grocery Shopping & Short Fuses
So. I made my first shopping spree since the doc put me on this "diet". I thought I'd hit the store after 8pm since that is when they mark down all the deli meat by 50%. Unfortunately for some reason when I got there (around 8:10) they hadn't marked down any of it. They will also usually announce the markdown over the loud speaker, that didn't happen the entire time I was there. So I ended up spending $45 on groceries. I did get quite a bit, but the disappointment of no markdowns is hampering the experience.
I don't know how this change in "diet" will effect the menu overall. I fully expected to spend quite a bit this time and do feel pretty confident in the choices I will have to eat. I know that I was already needing a little variety in the foods I was eating. I'm hoping to check out some websites tomorrow for some recipes to try out.
When I got home from shopping I was carrying the bags into the house. I try to use reusable bags and I had 2 of those & 2 plastic bags. Of course they packed the reusable bags so heavy that I could barely carry them. But I was determined to get them in one trip and not have to go back out to the car. When I got to the door I lightly kicked it so Layne or April would open the door and help me. Layne did come and open the door. Then he WATCHED me waddle with the bags like some kind of pack mule into the kitchen and set them on the floor. Then I started to put the stuff from the bags away......while he WATCHED. I was getting really angry. I mumbled something about "that's fine just stand there and I'll do everything". He asked what and I told him nothing. I need to remember that men aren't always as smart as women and that unlike women they don't always offer to help when a person looks like they may need it. : )
Okay, that's my little childish dig. I feel so much better already!
I don't know how this change in "diet" will effect the menu overall. I fully expected to spend quite a bit this time and do feel pretty confident in the choices I will have to eat. I know that I was already needing a little variety in the foods I was eating. I'm hoping to check out some websites tomorrow for some recipes to try out.
When I got home from shopping I was carrying the bags into the house. I try to use reusable bags and I had 2 of those & 2 plastic bags. Of course they packed the reusable bags so heavy that I could barely carry them. But I was determined to get them in one trip and not have to go back out to the car. When I got to the door I lightly kicked it so Layne or April would open the door and help me. Layne did come and open the door. Then he WATCHED me waddle with the bags like some kind of pack mule into the kitchen and set them on the floor. Then I started to put the stuff from the bags away......while he WATCHED. I was getting really angry. I mumbled something about "that's fine just stand there and I'll do everything". He asked what and I told him nothing. I need to remember that men aren't always as smart as women and that unlike women they don't always offer to help when a person looks like they may need it. : )
Okay, that's my little childish dig. I feel so much better already!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Grocery Shopping Trip
Tonight I had to go to the grocery store to pick up some chicken broth and half & half for potato soup that I am taking to work tomorrow. I tried taking a picture but my camera was dead and the cell phone picture was completely worthless. So I am sorry....
Here is what I got:
1 quart of half & half
2 Bistro Linguine Meals (coupon buy 1, get 1 free)
2 boxes of Cinnamon toast crunch (coupon for $1 off 2)
1 Helper meal
1 box Hy-vee honey oatmeal crunch
2 cans chicken broth
4 pkgs. ramen noodles
Western French salad dressing (coupon for $0.75 off)
1 red bull (I always wanted to try it to see if it really gives me energy...)
2 - 1 lb rolls of Farmland Sausage (2 - $0.75 off coupons)
Cascade Crystal Clear (FREE w/ coupon!!)
Hy-vee softener sheets
Joy lemon-lime dish soap (coupon for $0.30 off)
My total was $31.46 before coupons.
After coupons my total was $22.88!! Yay for me!!
Here is what I got:
1 quart of half & half
2 Bistro Linguine Meals (coupon buy 1, get 1 free)
2 boxes of Cinnamon toast crunch (coupon for $1 off 2)
1 Helper meal
1 box Hy-vee honey oatmeal crunch
2 cans chicken broth
4 pkgs. ramen noodles
Western French salad dressing (coupon for $0.75 off)
1 red bull (I always wanted to try it to see if it really gives me energy...)
2 - 1 lb rolls of Farmland Sausage (2 - $0.75 off coupons)
Cascade Crystal Clear (FREE w/ coupon!!)
Hy-vee softener sheets
Joy lemon-lime dish soap (coupon for $0.30 off)
My total was $31.46 before coupons.
After coupons my total was $22.88!! Yay for me!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Year - New Budget
Last night I sat down and balanced my checkbook. I didn't realize just how much we were spending in groceries!! We make a few trips a week - usually with the intention of picking up 1 or 2 items - and end up blowing almost $25 each time. That is crazy!! Then I looked in my cupboards and my freezer and realized that we probably have at least a couple months worth of food in our house already! Layne and I were talking about it and decided that we need to set a budget for groceries. We think we can do it on $30 a week. Of course the first few weeks should be easy since we are pretty well stocked right now. But it could be a real challenge when we have to start refilling our stock.
So in light of this challenge - I will post my receipt EVERY time I stop for any groceries - along with a picture of my purchase. It will be somewhat similar to Miriam's blog and Gayle's blog. Except that at this point I am not planning on posting a weekly menu. I will probably post daily what we are having along with the recipe for it. I am really psyched for this challenge. I think we will be surprised by how much money we save!
Our strategy is to put $30 in an envelope each week for the shopping. That is the only money allowed for shopping - debit cards and checks stay home! If we have money left over at the end of the week it stays in the grocery envelope for future purchases.
Tonight for supper we had vegetable soup, rolls, and milk. The soup was made with a small beef roast I had in the freezer. I laid it out yesterday to thaw. I cut it into bite-size pieces and browned them. I then threw them into the crockpot along with some frozen veggies, beef bouillon cubes, and water. I used up some sacks of veggies in the fridge that were stashed in there just waiting for such an occasion. You know the kinds, the ones that have a handful or two of veggies, not really enough for a serving but you can't bring yourself to throw them out! I also had some little alphabet pasta that I added in during the last half hour.
The rolls were made from frozen bread dough. I let it defrost and rise a bit then broke it into several pieces and rolled them in balls. I placed them in a greased circular cake pan and baked at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. I have to say the rolls were my favorite! With a little butter and honey or jelly - YUM!!
Yesterday we did go to the store and we spent right at $30 dollars - so this week I can't buy anything else. I will do my grocery shopping on Friday evening or sometime Saturday and will post my purchases afterwards.
The tip of the day will still remain on the blog along with my regular ramblings. : )
Speaking of which - today's tip of the day: If you buy a jar of pickles that you just love the taste of you can duplicate it when the jar is finished. Simply save the juice and slice a couple cucumbers really thin. Put the cucumber slices in the jar for a couple days. Voila! You have another jar of your favorite pickles! With only the cost of the cucumber - unless you grow your own! : )
So in light of this challenge - I will post my receipt EVERY time I stop for any groceries - along with a picture of my purchase. It will be somewhat similar to Miriam's blog and Gayle's blog. Except that at this point I am not planning on posting a weekly menu. I will probably post daily what we are having along with the recipe for it. I am really psyched for this challenge. I think we will be surprised by how much money we save!
Our strategy is to put $30 in an envelope each week for the shopping. That is the only money allowed for shopping - debit cards and checks stay home! If we have money left over at the end of the week it stays in the grocery envelope for future purchases.
Tonight for supper we had vegetable soup, rolls, and milk. The soup was made with a small beef roast I had in the freezer. I laid it out yesterday to thaw. I cut it into bite-size pieces and browned them. I then threw them into the crockpot along with some frozen veggies, beef bouillon cubes, and water. I used up some sacks of veggies in the fridge that were stashed in there just waiting for such an occasion. You know the kinds, the ones that have a handful or two of veggies, not really enough for a serving but you can't bring yourself to throw them out! I also had some little alphabet pasta that I added in during the last half hour.
The rolls were made from frozen bread dough. I let it defrost and rise a bit then broke it into several pieces and rolled them in balls. I placed them in a greased circular cake pan and baked at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. I have to say the rolls were my favorite! With a little butter and honey or jelly - YUM!!
Yesterday we did go to the store and we spent right at $30 dollars - so this week I can't buy anything else. I will do my grocery shopping on Friday evening or sometime Saturday and will post my purchases afterwards.
The tip of the day will still remain on the blog along with my regular ramblings. : )
Speaking of which - today's tip of the day: If you buy a jar of pickles that you just love the taste of you can duplicate it when the jar is finished. Simply save the juice and slice a couple cucumbers really thin. Put the cucumber slices in the jar for a couple days. Voila! You have another jar of your favorite pickles! With only the cost of the cucumber - unless you grow your own! : )
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Today's Shopping Adventure
Anyone curious about how my shopping extravaganza today turned out? It wasn't too bad - honestly I didn't get much Christmas shopping done, although I did get some nice things for myself. I purchased 4 sweaters, 2 bras, and 2 shirts for myself and spent less than $40. And trust me I needed the tops!! So while I didn't accomplish squat for Christmas shopping at least the day wasn't a complete loss.
I read a tip from a gal somewhere (don't remember where) that to budget for the extra expense of the holidays she would buy gift cards and put extra money that she had budgeted for but didn't spend on these gift cards - usually about $10 a week or so. Think of how easy it would be to put $10 a week on a reloadable gift card - you'd never miss it and then you'd have $520 for the holiday season. This is definitely a tip I plan on putting to use next year! Seems like money is always so tight during the holidays and if you already have it put aside it shouldn't hurt the bank account near as much - I think though that I would probably put money on gift cards to a couple different places (not Walmart!!!) so at least I have a selection of a couple stores to do my shopping from. It would be great to put about $100 of it on a grocery gift card for all the food required at the various gatherings.
My husband is a production supervisor at a local honey plant. He has 15 people (12 women & 3 men) that report to him. Each year I get the privilege of selecting a nice (but affordable) gift. We have given them fleece blankets, hat/glove sets, candles, mugs w/ goodies, homemade bath salts, and I don't remember what else. This year - well, this year I have NO IDEAS! Since I have had a significant amount of time unpaid off work the money is really tight, which makes finding a frugal gift all the more important. I would welcome any ideas..... (hint, hint).....
I read a tip from a gal somewhere (don't remember where) that to budget for the extra expense of the holidays she would buy gift cards and put extra money that she had budgeted for but didn't spend on these gift cards - usually about $10 a week or so. Think of how easy it would be to put $10 a week on a reloadable gift card - you'd never miss it and then you'd have $520 for the holiday season. This is definitely a tip I plan on putting to use next year! Seems like money is always so tight during the holidays and if you already have it put aside it shouldn't hurt the bank account near as much - I think though that I would probably put money on gift cards to a couple different places (not Walmart!!!) so at least I have a selection of a couple stores to do my shopping from. It would be great to put about $100 of it on a grocery gift card for all the food required at the various gatherings.
My husband is a production supervisor at a local honey plant. He has 15 people (12 women & 3 men) that report to him. Each year I get the privilege of selecting a nice (but affordable) gift. We have given them fleece blankets, hat/glove sets, candles, mugs w/ goodies, homemade bath salts, and I don't remember what else. This year - well, this year I have NO IDEAS! Since I have had a significant amount of time unpaid off work the money is really tight, which makes finding a frugal gift all the more important. I would welcome any ideas..... (hint, hint).....
Friday, November 14, 2008
Grocery Trip
Tonight I had to make a run to the grocery store because we were about out of milk. I decided to put together a quick list to pick up whatever else I may need for the next week so I can avoid another trip later. I discovered a few things about going to get groceries after 8:00pm. 1) There is hardly anyone there. This makes for a quick trip when you don't have to fight all the people and carts. If you have a list and don't have to worry about crowds this means you will save a lot of money because you won't spend all the time looking around when waiting behind a slow moving person. 2) Pretty much everything in the deli/kitchen area is marked down 1/2 price. I picked up a pound each of Virginia ham and roast beef for less than $3 a pound - these were regularly $6-$7 a pound! They also had rotisserie chickens for $3 (but I didn't get any of those)! 3) If they are having a particularly good 1-day sale on a particular product you will probably find that they are out of that by 8pm. However the money you save by not buying things impulsively may out-weigh any savings you would have gotten anyway.
Here is what I bought this evening:
6 - single serve containers of yogurt
1 large container of sour cream
1 dozen eggs
1 gallon of milk
1 container of french vanilla creamer
1 pound of margarine
1+ lb. of shaved roast beef
1+ lb. of shaved Virginia ham
1 bag of frozen corn
1 can of evaporated milk
1 package of brown sugar
48 oz can of vegetable juice
chili powder
2 - 15 oz cans of tomato sauce
1 large container of corn meal
2 - 2 liters of diet pepsi
2 - 2 liters of mountain dew
1+ lbs of grapes
My total purchase was $35.28. Not too bad really, although I probably should have picked up another gallon of milk. Oh well. Luckily our cupboards and freezer are pretty well stocked, so I only needed to pick up odds and ends for meals for this next week. One other bonus was that the store I went to had a coupon for a free $20 gift card with any transferred prescription - so I transferred April's allergy nose spray over to get the gift card. This actually ended up being a great deal because she has to have the medicine anyway, it's the same prescription copay no matter where we get it, and this pharmacy is a lot closer to our house than the pharmacy where we originally had the prescription filled.
Tomorrow a girlfriend and I are hitting the local shopping area to see what good deals we can come up with for Christmas. Check back tomorrow for that post!
Tip of the Day: Looking for a quick, affordable, easy gift to make for a special little girl? Click on the link below and watch the YouTube instructional video on how to make an adorable, no-sew TUTU.
http://www.cafemom.com/group/25285/boards/read/6173539/No_sew_TUTU_video_tutorial_makes_a_great_gift_for_XMAS
Here is what I bought this evening:
6 - single serve containers of yogurt
1 large container of sour cream
1 dozen eggs
1 gallon of milk
1 container of french vanilla creamer
1 pound of margarine
1+ lb. of shaved roast beef
1+ lb. of shaved Virginia ham
1 bag of frozen corn
1 can of evaporated milk
1 package of brown sugar
48 oz can of vegetable juice
chili powder
2 - 15 oz cans of tomato sauce
1 large container of corn meal
2 - 2 liters of diet pepsi
2 - 2 liters of mountain dew
1+ lbs of grapes
My total purchase was $35.28. Not too bad really, although I probably should have picked up another gallon of milk. Oh well. Luckily our cupboards and freezer are pretty well stocked, so I only needed to pick up odds and ends for meals for this next week. One other bonus was that the store I went to had a coupon for a free $20 gift card with any transferred prescription - so I transferred April's allergy nose spray over to get the gift card. This actually ended up being a great deal because she has to have the medicine anyway, it's the same prescription copay no matter where we get it, and this pharmacy is a lot closer to our house than the pharmacy where we originally had the prescription filled.
Tomorrow a girlfriend and I are hitting the local shopping area to see what good deals we can come up with for Christmas. Check back tomorrow for that post!
Tip of the Day: Looking for a quick, affordable, easy gift to make for a special little girl? Click on the link below and watch the YouTube instructional video on how to make an adorable, no-sew TUTU.
http://www.cafemom.com/group/25285/boards/read/6173539/No_sew_TUTU_video_tutorial_makes_a_great_gift_for_XMAS
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