Finishing Off my Oct. Rite-Aid Deals.....Madness I Tell Ya!

The last 4 weeks at Rite-Aid, by buying selected items and spending $50(before Qs)you could earn a $25 TRU(aka Toys R Us)gift card.
A $10 off your next order Catalina Q was also generating if you purchased $30+ in Huggies diapers in a single transaction plus during one week of this 4 week window you also earned $10 in Plenti Points on said $30+ purchase of said diapers(double dip but limit of 2 Deals per Wellness card).

If you've been reading here you are aware that I can generally get Huggies during these sort of Deals for pennies on the dollar(or pennies worth of points)and turn around and sell them locally via a tag sale site.

So I bought these x 4 times for a total of 16 packs of diapers........

Plus a few extra things in one transaction.............

Earned 4 of these...

When I hit $50 of diaper spending on two of the Wellness cards I earned two of these(one on each account).........

So going into this final week of the TRU gift card Deal(last week)I had $17.92 on two different Wellness cards tracking toward earning another TRU gift card which meant if I spent $32.08 on select items on either card I'd earn a second gift card on that account/card.

I also want to get Hubs this for Xmas......

It's a Cusininart conical burr coffee grinder.
I was going to order it from Kohl's last week, where it would have cost $80+ with sales and coupons and discounts.
But Amazon has it for virtually that same price everyday.

I have a $50 Amazon gift card I earned from staying at a certain motel chain on our Summer road trip.  It was free from points earned for my stays.  So I needed to come up with a way to cover the rest of that $80 purchase without paying any cash out of pocket.
Hmmmm.
So my brain got to working on this evil plot. ;-)

I found a way to get a third TRU gift card before the Deal ended on Saturday without spending any cash.
Bear with me here.........

I went to Rite-Aid and bought this on one of the Wellness cards tracking $17.92 toward the $50 in spending needed for a second gift card on that account........these products I bought didn't count toward the GC Deal but they saved me OOP on the transaction that followed which DID contain GC Deal items.

3 x Aveeno facial cleansers BOGO50% sale(reg. $8.79)=$20.21
I used 3 x $2/1 Aveeno facial product IPQs....$20.21-$6=$14.21+.78¢tax=$14.99

I paid with $14.99 in Plenti Points and earned back $8 in new PPs(Spend $20 Aveeno face/Get $8 in PPs Deal).  So I am "down" $6.99 in PPs.

I loaded a cash rebate to my Ibotta account before heading to the store for $1.50 back on Aveeno facial cleansers and you can submit up to 3 offers so I got back $4.50 in cash rebates from there.
After those rebates my "spending" is now $2.49 for all 3 items.

When my receipt printed out for this transaction the Catalina machine printed off a $4.50 OYN purchase Catalina good at Rite-Aid AND a $3 Off an Order of $30 Rite-Aid Q.  The last one being a happy accident and I hadn't planned on that! 8-)

The items above didn't track toward the gift card deal but it earned me $7.50 in store script to apply to my next transaction, using the same Wellness card as the last transaction..........

2 x Lil' Critters vitamins on sale=$19.98
2 x Advil Jr pain reliever 20% Wellness discount=$10.86
1 x Boogie Wipes 20% Wellness discount=$3.83
Subtotal........$34.67

Coupons Used
1 x $3 off $30 Purchase=$3.00
2 x $3/1 Lil' Critters vitamins IPQ=$6.00
2 x $1.50/1 Advil Jr IPQ=$3.00
1 x $1/1 Boogie Wipes IPQ=$1.00
1 x $4.50 OYNO CatQ=$4.50
Coupon Total......$17.50

$34.67-$17.50=$17.17 Total
I paid with $17.17 in Plenti Points and earned $3 in new PPs(wyb2 Lil' Critters vitamins), making a  $14.17 "spend down" in Plenti Points.
Once I got home I submitted online for a $5 cash rebate for buying the bottles of vitamins so I am "down" $9.17 for this transaction.

And all items in this transaction qualified for the TRU gift card Deal so I earned another one of these.....

Let's recap what I brought home in total doing these deals in October.......

16 packs of diapers
2 packs of Tummy Zen
1 pack of light bulbs
1 spray deodorant
3 Aveeno cleansers
2 bottles of vitamins
2 bottles of pain relievers
1 pack of disposable wipes
3 $25 TRU gift cards

And here is what it "cost" me.....

Used $109.99 in Plenti Points
Earned $56.00 in new Plenti Points
So I "spent down" $53.99 in Plenti Points
I also earned $9.50 in cash rebates bringing the "spending" down to $44.49.
After I sell off all the diapers for between $80-$88 cash I am in the black for at least $35.51 on all this.

And I have $75 in free to me TRU gift cards.

So back to this.........

Here's the evil plot twist--
I can either sell  TRU gift cards for $18 cash or trade each $25 worth for an Amazon gift card worth $19+/-(currently what these are trading for).
Selling or trading two of the gift cards will give me enough Amazon gift card value when combined with the $50 freebie Amazon gc I earned this Summer to procure this awesome Christmas gift for nothing.

I can keep one $25 TRU gc to use some other way(giveaway? buy toys for Toys for Tots donating?, gift it to someone?).
Some of what's left(besides the diapers which will be sold)will be gifted, some used here(the Tummy Zen and maybe some Aveeno)and the rest will make appearances in future giveaways.

Sometimes I am Pinky but sometimes I am The Brain! ;-)
And at least it keeps me off the streets......

Sluggy

Rite-Aid Black Friday Freebies

So the Rite-Aid Black Friday sales ad has been released.
Some of the same old stuff will be free after the Plenti Points they earn.
I must say that the list of freebies is much shorter compared to last year's ad or previous years too.

* Kleenex facial tissue 85 ct. $1 Earns $1 in PPs
* Single Serve Candy bars 2/$1 Earns $1 in PPs for each purchase of 2
* Listerine pocket packs or floss or flossers $3 Earns $3 in PPs
* Home select Gift Tape 3/4" x 300' 2/$2 Earns $2 for each purchase of 2
* Scunci Elastics and Conair Vibe Hairbrush $3 Earns $3 in PPs
* Colgate Sensitive/Optic White/Enamel Toothpaste 2/$8 Earns $8 for each purchase of 2
* Magnavox digital Ear Buds $6 Earns $6 in PPs
* GE Select Lightbulbs $5 Earns $5 in PPs
* Zimm's MaxFreeze pain reliever $5 Earns $5 in PPs

Hard to tell but they are all probably a limit of 2 of each Deal per Wellness card.
If so, you can get $68 worth of items and earn $68 in Plenti Points so free after points on each card. (If the store has everything in stock.)
Some years I've had to go back two or three days to do all the Freebies by rolling Plenti Points and not have to pay anything OOP.  This year there are so few Freebies that I can easily roll all my PPs in one day/one transaction.
Sigh.

There are some Buy One/Get Two Free items in the ad but then again, those aren't free and nothing much that's exciting.
There are some gift card Deals--the usual Home Despot one, Gap, Old Navy, Red Lobster, the Brinker Restaurant Group, Burger King, Wendy's, Hardee's/Carl's Jr..  New gift card Deals are Netflix, Uber, Spotify, Uber and Hotels dotcom.  There is also an XBox 3 mo. membership gift card deal too.

Just wanted to give all the Rite-Aid shoppers out there a heads up.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "WTF!?!?" Edition--

Our lunch out at the Chinese Buffet earlier this month yielded this fortune in my cookie.
Could someone please explain this one to me? lolz

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad w/Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Tacos

3. Tuesday--Pork Chops, Harvard Beets, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Lasagna, Salad
6. Friday--? maybe Subs
7. Saturday--Leftovers or Fend For Yourself

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad w/Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Tacos

3. Tuesday--Pork Chops, Harvard Beets, Roasted Potatoes

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Lasagna, leftover Garlic Bread(Hubs made this.)
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Leftovers or Fend For Yourself

We had lots of leftovers left over and I was feeling crappy due to sinus issues so we just had leftovers or FFY many nights. We didn't get the Subs and opted for leftovers or FFY that night and we had roasted taters instead of garlic mash taters w/the pork chops.

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers and  0 nights of take-out.  

Last week's grocery spending at Weis, the Bread Outlet and Shursave Markets came to $71.23.  That brings October's food spending to $443.68.  There are 0 more days in my shopping month and I've closed out the books on October shopping up and posted my grocery break down yesterday.

My savings percentages last week was 48.36% and the monthly savings so far ends up at 46.54%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).

Leftovers going into this week.......Goulash, Harvard Beets, Lasagna, Taco filling

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Ham slices, sauteed Cabbage, Cornbread

2. Monday--Fish, Cole Slaw, Brussels Sprouts

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Roast Chicken w/Veggies

5. Thursday--Asian Chicken Salad
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--?

This week will see 4 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 1 night of "I haven't got a clue". lolz
Leftovers carried forward into this week will be lunches for Hubs(and maybe me if I eat lunch).

What I need to buy for this menu? I need fish sauce and something else I don't have for the Asian Chicken Salad(which means if I can't get them/locate those items in time that dish will change).  I am also out of onions so some produce will happen this week.  There are some loss leaders this week too which I'll pick up.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

Food & Toiletries Spending 2017.....October Edition

* I am done food shopping for October so am posting this a couple days early.*

Onward to October's food spending report.......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for OCTOBER 2017.

I have posted October's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in October.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable. We are a family of 3-4(3 at home this month). No kids under 21.

*****************
ALDI
OOP  $28.95
Value  $51.93
Savings  44.25%

BIG LOTS
OOP  $55.58
Value  $89.41
Savings  37.84%

BREAD OUTLET
OOP  $7.75
Value  $28.83
Savings  73.12%

MAINES
OOP  $14.70
Value  $40.18
Savings  63.41%

OLLIE'S
OOP  $22.68
Value  $32.66
Savings  30.56%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/PPs  $380.63
Value  $380.63
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE MARKET
OOP  $101.06
Qs/Ads  $50.16
Value  $151.22
Savings  33.17%

WEIS MARKETS

OOP  $212.96

Qs/Ads  $222.73

Value  $435.69

Savings  50.12%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, the Bread Outlet at 73.12% and Maines at 63.41%.  My WORST savings rate was at Ollie's at 30.56%.

I shopped at 8 different stores this past month.  

TOTAL Out of Pocket..........$443.68

TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$386.24

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$829.92

TOTAL Savings of ..................................46.64%
Total Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid....$1210.55
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items..........63.35%

This closes out the October food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....
I went into October wanting to spend $400 on food/toiletries but went over by $43.68.  Over by less than $50 so not bad. Lots of meat deals and the Holiday food deals heated up last month and I took full advantage of them. ;-)

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP by 9.79% in October to 63.35% compared to September's 53.56% savings average.  Anything over a 40% savings rate works for me. ;-)

With 10 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $3572.01 on food/toiletries in 2017 which is a 67.57% savings rate for the year to-date and averages out to $357.20 spent per month so far in 2017.

LOOKING AHEAD To November........
Not much needs buying in terms of Thanksgiving items.  The turkey will be free with grocery store points, I've got some of the veggies already and cranberry and 1 container of pie mix in the freezer.  I make the rolls and gravy from scratch and have purchased what I need to make those already.  I don't know what loss leaders will crop up but I'll be ready to acquire those cheaply.
Unless things go awry I should be able to stay under $300 on food spending in November.

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share yours with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in October?
*  Do you track your yearly food spending?
*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons vs. buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?
*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?


Sluggy

Puppy Love

We picked up our new puppy on October 16th.
His name is Chester and he is a long haired Chihuahua.
He was 27 weeks old on Monday so just over 6 months old.
I sat in the back of the car with him next to me in his new pet bed for the ride home as we hadn't gotten a car carrier yet.

He was quite subdued and I'd guess confused about what was going on.

Ok buddy, it's time to get out of the car.  He was hesitant.

We had bought a pet gate to restrict Chester's activity to the den, a leash for taking him out to potty and a crate to keep him confined in the den when we couldn't be watching him.

Here is Daughter's dog watching intently from the kitchen while Chester got to acquaint himself in his new digs.

Daughter's dog, Cinnamon, was raised with cats and I think she saw Chester as just another cat.  The cats never wanted to "play" with her and when she tried to play with them she'd either get ignored or hissed and clawed at.
This was going to be a big change for Cinnamon. ;-)

When we let Cinnamon in, Chester went right over to her on his hind legs and got into her face.  She sniffed him a bit and then the play posing began on both parts.

Cinnamon is a very gentle and timid dog so we weren't worried about her "attacking" Chester.  She mouthed him a lot but was quite good with Chester, as we hoped she would be. Chester is smart enough to play submissive with Cinnamon when it's called for.
Cinnamon has been extra clingy on me since Chester arrived as expected.  We are sure to give her lots of attention too and treats and praise her.

It didn't take Chester long to find Cinnamon's toy box either.  He got about a third of her toys pulled out of there in short order.

When he is awake he is generally a whirling dervish.  Well he is a puppy after all. lol
So it's hard to get a photo of him that isn't blurry.  Here is a rare one when I caught a break in the play action.  You can't see his sweet face but it gives you an idea of the size disparity between Chester and Cinnamon.

Three days after bringing Chester home it was time for his first doggie doctor visit.

He was very good and calm with the clinic staff and doctor.  He got his rabies shot and we go back next Thursday for his distemper vaccination.
Chester weighs in at a whopping 4.5 lbs.  You can't give but one shot at a visit to a dog this small.

He still has two baby teeth that haven't come out yet so the teething is furious still.  Hopefully he can get them to come out with all his chewing and we don't have to pay to have the vet remove them.

He's even calm when you inspect and handle his mouth which isn't something most chihuahuas like.  I'm going to try to get him use to having his teeth brushed so we can avoid a common chihuahua problem-loosing teeth.  Most elderly chihuahuas have no teeth.

We started in with outdoor potty training right away so he is watched constantly for signs of having to go.  When he can't be watched or held he spends time in his crate.  He likes to chill out some or chew his rawhide  in there.
Not quite 2 weeks in and we have very few accidents in the house already.  They say chihuahuas are stubborn and hard to house train so best to start training asap.  We'll see how anxious he is to leave the house to do his business once the snow starts. ;-)

Chester has a slight under bite.  You can see it a bit in this photo.  It just adds to his charm.

I know someone who use to breed chihuahuas, smooth coat or short hair ones(the most prevalent type of hua).  She said she prefers long haired ones in general as they seem to be less nippy and yippy than the smooth coats.  Whatever it was they bred into the breed to make the long hairs it made them less "nervous" and high strung and less clannish.  They will still protect their owners and alert you to danger(as they perceive it).

I can't wait for College Boy to come home for Thanksgiving and bond with this little guy too.  I sent him a picture of Chester and he can't wait to get his hands on our new family member.

Sluggy

Frugal Friday....October 27th Edition

Not much to report this week that was frugal, other than the usual stuff we do/don't do around here.

* I got this at Rite-Aid.......

6 x Yoohoo drink box 3 packs on sale but Wellness discount was more(.80¢)=$4.80 + .30¢ tax=$5.10

I paid with Plenti Points and earned $4 in new PPs back.($2 wyb 3 packs x 2)  Evidently these are part of a Drink and Cookies PP Deal.
I'll let Daughter and College Boy fight over 'em. lolz

After Plenti Points used these came out to .06¢ a box.  They would be frugal for your kid's lunch box if you let them drink this sort of thing.

I also picked up these as I heard they double dipped on a weekly and a monthly Deal, but sadly they didn't........

2 x Brookside dark chocolate covered fruit flavor candies on sale=2/$7.00

I paid with Plenti Points and earned back $2 in new PPs.  If the double dip had worked I'd also have earned a different $2 PP offer so these would have cost me $3 total in PPs but instead they cost me $5 for both.
I am conflicted about whether to return these of keep them.  I would rather like to try the merlot grape/black currant flavor ones.  I've had the pomegranate ones before and they are good.

Would anyone like to see one of these chocolate bags in a Giveaway?  LMK.

*  I took a trip to the Bread Outlet this week and picked up 3 loaves of bread and 1 pack of English muffins.  Total OOP of $4.75.  Cost at the grocery store would have been around $16.

*  One trip to Weis(PMITA)Markets as well this week where I found some discounted sticker meats....

2 x Nitrite-free hot dogs reg. $4 a pack, on sale for $3.50, and after $2 off sticker were $1.50 per pack.
1 x pack of stew beef(1.35 lb.)after discount sticker was $2.44
1 x top round steak(1.15 lb.)after discount sticker was $3.59
I also picked up 2 marinated pork loins(1.38 lb. each)on BOGOFree sale was $8.20 for both.  I had a $2 any fresh pork Q so $6.20 OOP for both pork loins.

I also picked up some cleaners as they were part of the Buy 6/Get $3 Off Deal and they were on sale AND I had coupons that doubled.

3 x toilet cleaner $1.49-.50¢Q=.99¢ each
2 x kitchen cleaner $2.99-$1Q=$1.99 each
1 x bathroom cleaner $2.99=$1Q=$1.99
Total $8.94-$3 for buying 6=$6.94+.41¢tax=$7.35 or $1.22 per item.

*  I went to the Shursave market and picked up a free head of lettuce after loading a digital coupon to my loyalty card.  While there I also bought $3 worth of cornbread mix and finished qualifying for a $10 off Reward for spending $30 on Baking Needs like sugar, flour, oil, baking mixes.....

This is good for anything in the store(except I think milk and lottery tickets).  I'll probably save it for anything I need to pick up at the last minute for Thanksgiving.

* And Hubs had a frugal fail this week.  We were out on Tuesday and he wanted to pick up some chewy rawhide sticks for Chester as he is a teething puppy.
So he comes out of the pet store with these.......

A 40 pack of sticks. 
Note the price.......

$11.65
Ack!

That's .29¢ a stick
So when I went to Weis the following day I saw this marked 50% off.....

Granted these aren't solid rawhide but the pressed bits ones so they won't last as long but at $1.34 they are only .06¢ per piece.
And if I can get to a larger Rite-Aid, they carry a pack of the solid rawhide sticks for $1 and with my Wellness discount they are .80¢ per pack for me.

Anybody have any frugal wins this week?

Sluggy

Giveaway Winner

There were 119 valid entries for the Giveaway.  I numbered them all and went to Random dotorg to pick the winner.
I had assistance from Chester the Chihuahua, he clicked the mouse to generate the number of the winning comment.

And the winner is #71............

Michelle H!!!

AnonymousOctober 17, 2017 at 9:41 PM

Woo hoo! In just under the wire. :)

Michelle H

Congratulations Michelle H!

Please email me(contact email is on the right side bar)your full mailing address from the email you used to enter the giveaway.

You have 48 hours to contact me from the time stamp when this post goes live.  If Michelle H fails to contact me in time I'll pick another winner.

Thank you to everyone who played along this time and thanks to all of  ya'll who read this blog and keep it going.

Check back in a week or so for more Giveaway Fun!

Sluggy

Last Day to Enter the Giveaway!

Here's the reminder that today(before 11:59pm ET)is the last day to enter the current giveaway.
The link to do so is HERE.

Here is a photo of what you can win if your entry is chosen........

1 x GE LED bright stick ligh bulbs 40W(2 pack)

1 x Simple moisturizing facial wash

1 x Dove shampoo

1 x Similisan Arnica Activ skin spray

1 x Centrum vitamints

1 x Physician's Formula lash boosting mascara

1 x Cover Girl aqua smooth powdered make-up(spf 15/natural ivory #715)

1 x Oral-B toothbursh

1 x Colgate Enamel Health toothpaste

1 x Eucerin skin calmin lotion(sample size)

1 x Wet n' Wild nail color(clear)

1 x Wet n' Wild nail color(yo soy)

1 x Revlon lip stick(plum)

1 x Julie nail color(super villian)

1 x Nutra Nail instant nail strengthener

1 x 10 ct. #2 pencils

1 x pack of Glide dental picks

12 x Cadbury Chocolates(5 x Dark Choc. w/Sea Sale & Caramel/7 x Milk Choc. w/Raisins & Almonds

So don't forget to enter sometime today. 8-)

* Please Note*

Some of you have entered already have NOT supplied an email address to me.  If I don't have your email address you can't win!  So either make sure you put your email address in your entry comment or you email me privately your email address.  If you assume your blogger id includes an email address please double check that.  If your User ID is through Google then your email address is NOT visible to me and you need to send me your email address privately to arcure(at)ptdprolog(dot)net.

Ok, I am off now to try and be productive with a puppy loose. hahaha

Sluggy

Crazy Weather Time

So we've had zero occasion to have the heat on and it's the 24th of October and I live in Northeastern PA.
This is madness I tell ya!

The last three days I've been tempted to turn the a/c on it's been so warm.  So not like our October normal here.

The trees were pretty drab at the beginning of the Fall foliage season.  We got some rain a week or so ago and the leaves have perked up in their brilliance as they die off.

And to show you how wacky it is, the forsythia bush is blooming again! lolz

This shot shows how some leaves are dying off like they are suppose to do this time of year but with yellow flowers peeping out at the same time.

Tomorrow isn't suppose to get above 60F and the rest of the week is rain and temps in the 50's with lows in the 40's at night, so we'll see what happens next.

Sorry if posting is a bit sparse for the rest of the week but I've got a teething puppy on my hands right now.   At some point I'll post about him and photos but not today.
Oh, the glamorous life of raising a puppy............

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "I Made a New Recipe" Edition--

I happened to catch "The Chew" last week on the day they were making a healthier version of Hungarian Goulash.  This one subs out some of the meat for mushrooms(portabella but I had crimminis) and sweet potatoes(fiber).
The recipe is HERE.  I had a big bag of sliced bell peppers(red/yellow/orange)in the frozen that needed using so this was a win/win. ;-)

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Sweet Italian sausage sandwiches, baked beans

2. Monday--Homemade Clam and Corn Chowder, Rolls

3. Tuesday--Something with Mushrooms(Risotto?), Caesar Salad, leftover Garlic Bread(?)

4. Wednesday--Pork Tenderloin, Creamed Asiago Spinach

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Homemade Pizza, Salad
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Sweet Italian sausage sandwiches, Baked Beans

2. Monday--Homemade Clam and Corn Chowder, Rolls

3. Tuesday--Popcorn Shrimp, Creamed Asiago Spinach, Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce

4. Wednesday--Chicken Marsala w/Mushrooms, Farfelle pasta

5. Thursday--Hungarian Goulash over rice or noodles(diner's choice)
6. Friday--Pizza, Salad
7. Saturday--Leftovers/Fend for Yourself(I had Salad and 1 slice Pizza)

I got a discounted box of breaded popcorn shrimp and about 1 lb. of small sliced roast during last week's shopping so Shrimp and Goulash made it onto the menu during the week. 

Last week saw 6 nights of home cooked dinners, 1 night of leftovers and  0 nights of take-out.   I was on a roll with the cooking last week.

Last week's grocery spending at Weis and Shursave Markets came to $101.61.  That brings October's food spending to $372.45.  There are 8 more days in my shopping month.  I'll probably go over $400 at this point but not by much.  I do plan to buy some cleaning products, bread and lunch meat this week.

My savings percentages last week was 48.35% and the monthly savings so far ends up at 46.17%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).

Leftovers going into this week.......Clam Chowder, Chicken Marsala w/Mushrooms, 2 Rolls, 1 slice Pizza, Goulash.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad w/Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Tacos

3. Tuesday--Pork Chops, Harvard Beets, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Lasagna, Salad
6. Friday--? maybe Subs
7. Saturday--Leftovers or Fend For Yourself

This week will see 4 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 1? nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
Leftovers carried forward into this week will be lunches for Hubs(and maybe me if I eat lunch).

What I need to buy for this menu? Just the Subs if we opt for that.  I've got everything else I need for this menu.  We are almost out of sandwich bread though and Daughter will need lunch meat for sandwiches.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

My Last Word on This

While I appreciate some readers reporting to me what a certain unhinged blogger, who now has put up yet another blog(her 8th or 9th by my recollections),is saying on her new blog, please stop sending me reports of her postings.

I am aware of her hate speech directed toward me(and now another blogger whom she flamed, before that blogger banned her from her blog)but I am not going to dignify this by commenting further.

For some reason she took an informational post I wrote in September as directed personally at her in her paranoia, and she has since decided that I am the anti-Christ and she is spewing lies, half truths and fairy stories about me and calling me and others "idiots".

I will not give her a forum here to rant nor send any readers over to watch her personally attack folks and tilt at non-existent windmills.  If anyone wants to go read her, be my guest, but please don't bring her negative and toxic stuff over here.
I wish her well and I hope she can move on with her life.

Sluggy

Frugal Friday....the October 20th Edition

Well another week has come and gone here at Chez Sluggy.
I can't think of much that we did that was frugal and worth noting.

*  Adopting a puppy is decidedly not frugal and that's what took up the bulk of my week. lolz

Here is our newest member of the family on his ride home to our house.
We have had to buy "things" this week to keep him healthy, happy and safe.  Tried to use coupons and get deals and just buy what was needed so no frou-frou doggie clothes or gem studded collars and such.  We got a daytime crate, leash and a pet gate at Ollie's(Good Stuff Cheap)and a couple of toys with a 10% off discount ticket I had.  Puppy food, a snuggly bed and collar for 20% off at the pet store.  Then Hubs went up to Walmart and procured was is really a cat carrier for his sleeping quarters at night.  Yes, he is that small. lolz
Money spend at the vet on a check-up, shots and medications were essential and we are cash flowing all his expenses.

*  No eating out this week as we don't want to both be away from the new puppy for a long stretch at a time(potty training time, ya know).

*  I talked about the diapers I bought to turn around and resell and the free TRU gift cards I earned and the small Weis trip I did.
I went back to Rite-Aid this week to spend my $10 Catalina the last diaper transaction earned me since I was there picking up rxs anyway.

3 x bags of chocolate Halloween candy on sale $5=$15.00
2 x Speed Stick deodorant on sale $2.99=$5.98
SubTotal.......$20.98

Coupons Used
1 x $1.50/3 Hershey candy bags ManuQ=$1.50
2 x $2/1 Speed Stick deodorant R-A In-AdQ=$4.00
1 x BOGOFree Speed Stick(certain varieties)ManuQ=$2.99
1 x $10 OYNO CatalinaQ=$10.00
Coupon Total........$18.49

$20.98-$18.49=$2.49
I paid with $2.49 in Plenti Points and earned $3.00 back in new PPs($3 wyspend $30 on select candy bags).
Not bad, spent down $2.49 and earned $3 in new PPs so a .51¢ moneymaker.

* On a Frugal "Fail" note-I neglected to notice and submit for a $1 cash rebate on my Checkout51 account on Wednesday(the last day to submit for the previous week's receipts)for the Sandwich Bros. item I bought.  There was a $1 off 1 purchase rebate that would have brought that Weis shop down to $12.52.  Oh well, nobody can win them all, right? ;-)

Any Frugal Wins at your house lately?


Sluggy

Weis Shopping Last Weekend

Not sure if I'll hit Weis(PMITA)Markets again this week.  Their Fantastic Friday sale went all weekend so I hit it on Sunday......

I had to do this in two transactions so I could use 2 of the Weis Coupon BookQs on the frozen Sandwich Brothers sandwiches.  I stacked those Qs with IP ManuQs for the items.

1 x Sandwich Bros. pack 50% off=$1.99
4 x Progresso Soups on sale $1=$4.00
3 x Hanover frozen Veggies on sale 2/$3=$4.50
1 x Hanover frozen Asparagus(picked this up by mistake, not on sale/will return)
Subtotal........$10.49

Coupons Used
1 x $1/1 Sandwich Bros. WeisQ=$1.00
1 x $1.50/1 Sandwich Bros. IPQ=$1.50
1 x $1/4 Progresso Soup IPQ=$1.00
Coupon Total......$3.50

$10.49-$3.50=$6.99
I received a $1 cash rebate on SavingStar for buying the 4  Progresso soups so it was $5.99 OOP after that.

Then I bought the other stuff--

1 x Sandwich Bros. pack 50% off=$1.99
6 x Weis shredded Cheese 50% off($1.34)=$8.04
SubTotal.......$10.03

Coupons Used
1 x $1/1 Sandwich Bros. WeisQ=$1.00
1 x $1.50/1 Sandwich Bros. IPQ=$1.50
Coupon Total......$2.50

$10.03-$2.50=$7.53

Total for both transactions is $13.52 OOP for all 15 items(once I return the asparagus), a $40.55 value.
The frozen sandwiches were a .51¢ moneymaker(for 4 servings per box)and the soup was .50¢ per can.  The whole green beans will be used for Thanksgiving dinner and cheddar cheese is always needed in some dish or another around here. ;-)

Sluggy

The Diaper Queen of NEPA

So I printed off some more Huggies $2/1 Qs on Saturday morning and while out running errands down the mountain I found more diapers.

                     * Previous transaction pictured but it's the same.

I bought 8 more packs in two transactions.
I used the previous $10 OYNO Catalina I had left(from the two transactions on my card last week)in Transaction #1 on my son's card and paid $15.96 in Plenti Points.
$33.96-$8 in Qs=$25.96-$10 Cat used=$15.96 spent down PPs.
I earned $10 in new PPs and received another $10 OYNO Catalina for buying the diapers.

I rinsed and repeated the transaction using 4 more Qs($8 worth).
Transaction #2--$33.96-$8 in Qs=$25.96-$10 Cat=$15.96 spent down PPs.
I earned $10 in new PPs and received another $10 OYNO Catalina for buying the diapers.

That receipt also printed out the Q for the free $25 TRU gift card when you spend $50 on cdertain baby items.

But that Rite-Aid was out of TRU gift cards.

So on Monday I went up to my local Rite-Aid and redeemed the gift card Q....

Here's the score card on the diapers now, for those playing at home. lolz

Brought home.....
16 packs of diapers
2 packs of Tummy Zen
1 pack of light bulbs
1 spray deodorant

Used $77.83 in Plenti Points
Earned $45.00 in new Plenti Points
So "spent down" $32.83 in Plenti Points

For spending down $32.83 in PPs I earned....

Earned $10 Catalina(one left to spend)to use later on product
Earned $50 in TRU gift cards
Earned $3 Ibotta cash refund
Potential earnings of $80-$88 for selling the diapers once I get around to that.

I just wish I had had enough Huggies Qs to do this deal again on Daughter's card. 8-)


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Nobody is Feeling Well" Edition--

I had an unexpected visit to the doctor's on Tuesday for another abscess.  Had it cultured and on antibiotics.  The test came back indicating MRSA. sigh.   So I am Typhoid Mary around here now with the family. lolz  At least I didn't have to go into the hospital for IV antibiotics.  I've also been feeling "gunky" and lymph nodes are swollen in my neck.  Hubs and Daughter are having similar swelling and gunk.
Ah, the beginning of weather that ushers in sicknesses.....how nice.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Primo Subs take-out

2. Monday--Leftover BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Rice

4. Wednesday--Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Primo Subs take-out

2. Monday--Leftover BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Rice

4. Wednesday--Cheese Ravioli in Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad
6. Friday--Grilled Chicken Thighs, Ginger Rice, Sugar Snap Peas
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself/Leftovers

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers and 1 night of take-out.  
Lasagna night turned into Ravioli night since someone used up my lasagna noodles and didn't tell me. lol  Hubs made the ravioli on Thursday(I made the sauce)and Daughter made the chicken thighs on Friday so I got a little help with cooking last week.
The rest of the bbq pork will now go into the freezer for another time.

Last week's grocery spending at the Bread Outlet, Weis and Shursave Markets came to $90.57.  That brings October's food spending to $270.84.

My savings percentages last week was 46.94% and the monthly savings ends up at 45.31%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).

Leftovers going into this week.......lemon pepper chicken and zuke, and 1 helping of ravioli.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Sweet Italian sausage sandwiches, baked beans

2. Monday--Homemade Clam and Corn Chowder, Rolls

3. Tuesday--Something with Mushrooms(Risotto?), Caesar Salad, leftover Garlic Bread(?)

4. Wednesday--Pork Tenderloin, Creamed Asiago Spinach

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Homemade Pizza, Salad
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
Cool weather the next two days then it warms up again for the rest of the week.

What I need to buy for this menu? Nothing really.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

I'm Going to Be a Mom Again!

A doggie mom that is!
Sorry if I gave anyone a little heart attack with that title. lolz

We've been contemplating on this for months now(since about March)and searching for a good canine fit.
And we finally found one.

This photo is from when he was a younger puppy.

His name is Chester and he's a 6 months old long haired Chihuahua.
He's breeder raised, ACA registered and is a sturdy little guy with real personality.
Now I get to potty train a puppy(something I've never done before as all 7 of the dogs we've owned over the years have been gotten as adult dogs already).  This is our first "not a rescue" dog.
I tried to wait to get a shelter pet but around here it's mainly pitt bull mixes and a few beagles(strays).  The only Chihuahuas we can find are senior and I want a dog(unless they have some birth defect)who will be around awhile(we've done the Senior rescue pet twice before).

There is my Daughter's dog to consider but she's pretty laid back and she was raised with cats so we think she'll just think Chester is a new cat due to his size.....until he starts humping her leg. lolz
There also was a Pomeranian we considered but having been 'Hua parents before we felt more comfortable with a 'Hua.

More photos to come after we pick him up next week. 8-)

Sluggy

Frugal Friday.....October 13th Edition

Here's the frugal stuff I did this week.........most of it involved saving while spending money.

*  Did a Rite-Aid Deal yesterday which I talked about HERE.

*  Hit both my usual grocery stores this week for loss leaders.

5 lbs. of potatoes for .99¢
4 lbs. of sugar for .99¢
5 lbs. of flour for .49¢
1 lb. pasta for .88¢(plus will get a .50¢ rebate so .38¢ OOP)*not pictured

I picked up meats with instant discount stickers--
4.81 lbs. chicken thighs for .76¢ lb.
1.38 lbs. ground beef for $2.81 lb.(85% lean)
1.35 lbs. sweet  Italian sausage for $1.89 lb.

I also picked up some produce deals 50% off--
2 x bagged salad kits for $1.99 each
1 x large clam shell of spring mix greens for $1.74
1 x 1 lb. whole mushrooms $1.99

And 1 frozen food item, a Shrimp Toast appetizer, for 50% off Plus it had a $3 off sticker on it so this $8.99 item was $1.49 OOP.  We'll save it for the Holidays when we entertain and need nibble type foods to set out.

* Weis(PMITA)Markets had a Mix and Match 6 select items, Get $3 off Instantly deal which included the Minute Maid OJ last ad.  I got 3 Minute Maid OJ cartons on sale for $1.99 each and earned another $2 OYNO Catalina which is good until 1/5/2018.(I already had bought 2 toward the 5 cartons I need to earn this Catalina in a previous week.)
This makes 2 of these Cats I have so far.  I am hoping to get another sale on MM OJ before the year is out, stock up on 5 more OJs, which will give me $6 in store script to spend in December at Weis.

* Hubs wanted to replace our ladder(ours is old and not very safe to use anymore)so he researched online for the best deal on what he required, located the ladder at Lowe's and I gave him a $100 Lowe's gift card I earned with c/c points to go purchase it.

* Hubs wanted to have a lunch out this week(we were both getting a little stir crazy)so I found a coupon to a local restaurant to apply to the bill.  The Q brought the bill down enough to cover our tip.

* Since retiring we've gone over the budget/bills/money and Hubs has decided he wants to eat out a little more than we have been(regular eating out, not trip eating out)so I am finding ways to do this on the cheap. (See previous item.)  I just bought a $30 voucher for a local restaurant for $15.  Paying less than market price for a meal helps keep Eating Out costs lower.  I just have to remember to use this before Dec. 31st as it expires then.

* Since we were out down the mountain we hit the Bread Outlet.

I would much rather pay $1 a package there than even sale prices at the grocery stores.
This lot cost me $3.

What did you do that helped you be frugal this week?


Sluggy