This Week on the Dining Table

The "funny package of M and M's" Edition...........

A Rite-Aid(not my town's) earlier this month the cashier made a BIG mistake.  She put my $1.28 left on a R-A gift card I was using to partially pay with into the register as $128.00. Yikes!  So while they called for the manager and then 3 employees conferred on how to handle the situation I snapped a photo of this funny package of M and M's from the candy rack while I waited.  Maybe I should have bought 3 of these and handed them to those employees when I left as none of them had a clue about what they were doing. LOLZ

I know, I know.....that's mean and they were doing the best they knew how.  

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.........

1. Sunday--Sloppy Joes, Strawberries
2. Monday--TV dinners
3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--TV dinners
5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--Anniversary Dinner out or more Lobster from PC?
7. Saturday--Grilled Salmon and whatever fresh produce I can find

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Sloppy Joes, Strawberries
2. Monday--Leftover Beef Pie
3. Tuesday--Chicken Pot Pie

4. Wednesday--Lasagna Hamburger Helper, Almost New Pickles
5. Thursday--Grilled Salmon, Salad

6. Friday--Pizza
7. Saturday--Leftovers

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/FFY, and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating Out.  We didn't eat any of the tv dinners, just the pot pies so we'll be adding those in this week's plan.

We got Domino's for our Anniversary since neither of us wanted to cook or go out anywhere that was open.  How sad is that?lolz

I see lobsters are at the same price this week at Price Chopper so maybe??

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 4 boxes of frozen veg

* 3 bags of frozen veg

* 2 bags of shredded cheese

Most of what I stocked up on was canned goods last week.

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* 3 Chicken Pot Pies

* a Hunk of Salmon

We spent $129.30 last week bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods to $483.94 for August.  Well at least it's under $500. sigh.

I've earned $157.75 on Ibotta in August so far.

I've earned $11.25 on SavingStar in August so far but am closing in on a $5 wys $25 GM cereal rebate there as well.

I've earned $1.25 on Checkout51 too.

I've also gotten free bananas in August(after the Paypal deposit for buying them.

My savings percentage for last week was 52.88%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips)for August and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 53.97% so far.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week......Meatloaf, Hamburger Helper, Sloppy Joe meat.  As soon as room opens up in the freezer(tonight)I'll slice and bag the rest of Hubs' meatloaf up and throw it in there as he's tired of eating it for now.

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

1. Sunday--Steak, Spinach Salad
2. Monday--Crab Ravioli w/Cream Sauce, Tossed Salad
3. Tuesday--Leftovers(prolly Sloppy Joes), Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--TV dinners
5. Thursday--Brats on Buns, Carrots

6. Friday--TV dinners
7. Saturday--maybe Chinese take-out or Lobsters

What needs buying for this menu?  

Don't need a thing for this menu after last week's grocery spending extravaganza. ;-)

I started out wanting to do a lower spend month and to eat down the pantry but then I started getting worried and seeing alarms being sounded about food shortages/Covid up swings this Fall so I replaced food we ate in August so that blew a low spend month. ugh.

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home(not that I'm referring to/using it at this point with the heat).
* Shrimp Scampi
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Haddock Fish Dinner  new
* Chicken Tenders  new

* Beef Liver  new

Plus lots of thinly sliced Chicken Breast, grass fed Ground Beef and Ground Turkey in the freezer.

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

Year Three in Retirement.....An Update

 Has it been three Years already since Hubs retired?

And I haven't killed him yet?! lolz

Here are where the finances stand compared to when he retired July 31st 2017.  First the bad news.....

* The RMSA Account has $59,206.06 less in it than when he retired.  This is the monies his company set aside to pay for medical insurance premiums until he/we reach Medicare age(65).  As you know medical insurance(good medical insurance that actually pays for anything)is expensive.

In 2017 our monthly premiums were $1,771.94.

In 2018 our monthly premiums were $1,814.38

In 2019 our monthly premiums were $ 1,848.67

In 2020 our monthly premiums were $1,883.76.

Even after a "decent"(hahaha)interest rate paid on this account's balance we have approximately 25 months worth of premiums left(depending of course on how much rates go up each year).  The RMSA money is slated to be depleted by September 2022.  That leaves 7 months of premiums to pay OOP for Hubs until he hits Medicare and 16 months of premiums to pay OOP for me until I hit that magic age of 65.  rah.  Premiums to cover just me that last 9 months should be a bit lower than the premiums that will cover both of us the first 7 months before Hubs hits 65.  

After the RMSA funds are gone we will be eligible for ACA plans with subsidies.  Not sure how I feel about the coverage those plans provide but it will be what it will be.  If we don't qualify for subsidies for insurance coverage(I doubt our income will be too high to qualify but who knows if there will even be subsidies then!)then we will pay what we have to pay.  It's important to have so we'll work it into the budget.

*  The HSA Account, which we have been tapping the last three years for drug and visit co-pays has $1,476.16 more in it than the balance when he retired three years ago.  Before you say, "you go girl!" about that, this amount is after we pumped $6,600 into it at the end of 2019 from our 401K(for the tax benefit partly)so really it's down $5,123.84 from July 2017.

And now for the good news......

*  The 401K has $42,901.79 more in it than it had in July 2017.  And that's with having withdrawn $18K during 2018 and $12K in early 2020($30K total withdrawn in 3 years).  Hubs had planned on withdrawing $36K per year but we just didn't need that much with our frugal lifestyle.  The $42K+ growth is due to interest earned(and stock gains) on all that money.  I loves me some compounding interest!! ;-)

*  Our other non-401K savings are $57,627.84 more than we had in July 2017.  Mostly that's Hubs' last paycheck in 2017, CD interest, Savings Bonds matured and cashed out, plus a few small tax refunds and a bit of income in the form of eBay sales and blogging revenue.  This non-401K savings will be taking a small hit soon as we are paying off Ex-CB's small student loan shortly.  We gifted the other 2 kids a hunk of money in the last few years(Daughter used hers to help pay to go back to college and Eldest used his to pay off his car)and now that Ex-CB has proved he is financially responsible he'll be getting his gift too and the Bank of Mom and Dad is officially closing it's doors. ;-)

Comparing each of the last three "years" figures.....

Total Income
2017-2018  $60,979.52    
2018-2019  $52,946.63
2019-2020  $57,728.43($6,600 of this is in the HSA)

Total Bills Paid
2017-2018  $37,799.73     
2018-2019  $49,189.94
2019-2020  $45,504.12

Leftover Funds
2017-2018  $23,179.79   
2018-2019   $3,756.69
2019-2020  $12,224.31($6,600 of this is in the HSA)

Three years into Retirement and financially things are looking pretty good.
I am off now to go work on organizing stuff and do some sewing after lunch.  Then a few more episodes of "Weeds" tonight.

Sluggy

Frugal Friday.....the August 28th Edition

 Not much to report in with this past week but here goes.......

* I went to Rite-Aid on Sunday and bought this.........

(Plus another drink not pictured.) This lot cost me .05¢ in Bonus Cash.

* I hit CVS early in the week for all this.........

Besides all those ECBS this all cost me $2.32 OOP in cash.

* I sold some fancy shampoo on eBay(2 different listings)last weekend and shipped it out on Monday.  Of course it was set to arrive to the buyer in AL right during Hurricane Laura. lolz  The buyer paid me before I could send an invoice with lower postage for the combined shipping so I will refund part of what she paid for shipping when she lets me know the package arrived safely.  

I accepted a bid on them that was lower than I had them listed for because A-everybody needs a break nowadays and B-I wanted this stuff gone and C-since I technically didn't pay any $$ for them, I'm happy with whatever cash I get. ;-)

* The Coupons dotcom app has an offer for free bananas until 8/31, up to $1.50 worth.  When we hit Walmart Thursday I picked up $1.32 worth of bananas(the sign was wrong with a higher price or I'd have gotten an actual $1.50 worth).  Receipt submitted and approved and I should have that $1.32 in my Paypal account any time now.

*  I thought I was going to get "Found Change Skunked" this past week.  I went to Weis(PMITA)Markets, CVS, Walmart and Rite-Aid this week and found nada change.  So I made Hubs swing into R-A after our outing on Thursday so I could pick up next week's flyer and while I listened to my R-A friend's tale of woe(before I told her of my "didn't find any change this week" tale of woe), at the register I looked down to find this..........

A nice shiny dime!
So much for getting skunked this past week! ;-)

Total Change found this week. .10¢
Total Change found this year....$47.72

* While at Walmart I picked up this stuff to finish off my $5 The Climb Ibotta Bonus.....

2 x Delmonte fruit cup packs
1 x Keebler cookies
1 x Kraft boxed mac and cheese
1 x pack of hard boiled eggs
1 x Perfect Bar
2 x Mead folders

Paid $11.17(w/.12¢ tax on folders) after $1.75 in coupons off on the fruit and cookies.
Earned $10.19 in Ibotta rebates on all this(including a .50¢ Del Monte Bonus and the $5 the Climb Bonus).
I am up to $126.25 earned on Ibotta in August.

* I also earned $1 on SavingStar for buying Domino sugar at Weis last Friday.

* After Walmart Hubs and I went to Red Robin for another Anniversary Week Lunch and used my last gift card for there.  Lunch cost me $7.20 OOP(including the $6 tip I left the waitress).

*  I also placed an online Rite-Aid order on my other card on Monday and it arrived on Thursday......

4 x Zim's Max Freeze=$20.96
4 x Sally Hansen hard as nails=$9.96
4 x Duracell batteries=$8.76
Subtotal...$40.68

Since my total was over $34.99 the shipping was free.
I had a coupon code to save $10 if I spent $40 making my total $30.68+.52¢ tax=$31.20.
I paid with Bonus Cash and earned back $40 in new BC, growing my BC $8.80 on this transaction.

I placed another online order on my account(same items except only 2 Max Freeze since I already bought 2 in the store this week so wouldn't get $5 BC but on 2 more, so I added 2 x Compeed items).
After $10 Coupon Code it was $35.68 so I used $34.80 in BC and .88¢ cash from my Paypal account I'll get back $34 in new BC and will submit the Compeed to Ibotta for another $10 in cash rebates.  Converting $10 of BC into cash on that deal.
Not too shabby either. ;-)

*  The garden is winding down a bit now but we are still getting a couple of tomatoes every day or two.  Hubs harvested some jalapeno peppers he planted too.  The collards are coming along and will be ready to pick after the first frost. Not many of the roma type tomato plants have done much and the squirrels and chipmunks have taken a liking to the fruits that are there. 
I do still have at last count FOUR acorn squash, one on each of FOUR plants that were suppose to be crookneck yellow squash plants! 
Anybody have god recipes for acorn squash? ;-)

That's about it from me today.  I've got to finish up putting away the toiletries stash in the guest bedroom and finish filling giveaway boxes this weekend so I'd best get off here soon.

Today is also me and Hubs' 38th Wedding Anniversary so there may be Take-out or Lobsters in my dinner plans tonight.   Yah for not cooking!  8-)))

Remember to keep it real and keep it frugal.

What frugal wins did y'all have this past week?

Sluggy

CVS Shop from Monday

 I had $22.50 in ECBs(none of which was expiring until 9/8 but I had CRTs and Qs expiring and I wanted to get out of the house)so Hubs and I took a short ride across the river to CVS on Monday.

First off I bought this........

1 x Physician's Formula lip stick=$9.99

2 x Halloween themed Hallmark Cards at .99¢ ea.=$1.98

SubTotal.....$11.97

I used these coupons......

1 x $4/1 Physician's formula item CVS CRT Q=$4.00(gotten 2 weeks ago?)

1 x $3/2 Hallmark Cards CVS Q=$3.00

Coupon Total=$7.00

Except the cashier modified the Hallmark Q down to $1.98, the total for the 2 cards.  All the Youtube CVS gurus said they got $1.02 in overage since their cashiers didn't modify the Q.  Bummer for me, right?

So my coupons came out to $5.98.  $1197-$5.98=$5.99

I paid with a $5 ECB I had so my total OOP was .99¢+.06¢ sales tax so $1.05.

I earned back a $7 ECB for buying the Physcian's Formula. rah.

Then I wanted to do the Spend $40/Get $10 ECB offer so I bought this.........

The Elvive hair products, the Old Spice body wash, the Bic pens, the Crest toothpaste and the Nature Valley bars were all part of that deal.  the Cheerios weren't nor was the Colgate.

BUT...I had a Spend $18/Get $3 off Oral Care CRT and a Spend $12/Get $3 food CRT so I had to add those products to the transaction to get(along with Qs for them)to hit the spending amounts and get the additional $$s off(because it was a better deal overall).

This is one of the things that skeeves me out about CVS....having to do a massive transaction and a lot of advance planning.  Plus sometimes you can't advance plan because if the red box gives you a  good/great deal then you have to partially redo your planned deal.

Another thing that gives me the heebies jeebies is the way they ring up stuff and trying to follow what is coming off in terms of Q/CRTs/ECBs/etc.

So anyway the transaction was this.......

2 x Elvive items on sale=$8.00

2 x OS body wash BOGO50%=$10.48

2 x Bic pens BOGO50%=$4.03

3 x Crest toothpaste B2G1Free=$9..98

4 x Nature Valley bars on sale$1.99=$7.96

My Spend $40/Get $10 ECB total was $40.45

Also bought-

2 x Cheerios=$5.00

2 x Colgate($3.69/$4.59)=$8.28

SubTotal....$53.73

*I was going to add more .99¢ Hallmark cards as I had 2 more $3/2 CVS Qs for those which would give me $2.04 overage in a perfect world like on Youtube but I knew the cashier here would modify those Qs down so I skipped that.

Coupons Used........

1 x $2/1 Elvive CVS digital Q=$2.00

1 x $2/1 Elvive IPA=$2.00

1 x $5.49 BOGOFree Old Spice CVS digital Q=$5.49

1 x $1.50/2 Bic writing items CVS digital Q=$1.50

1 x $5/2 or was it 3? Crest items CVS digital Q=$5.00

1 x $1/2 Nature Valley CVS digital Q=$1.00

1 x $1/2 Nature Valley Peelie Q=$1.00

1 x $1/2  Big G Cereals CVS digital Q=$1.00

1 x $3/2 Colgate CVS digital Q=$3.00

1 x $3/$18 Oral Care CVS CRT=$3.00

1 x $3/$12 Food CVS CRT=$3.00

Coupon Total.......$27.99

$53.73-$27.99=$25.74

I used all $24.50 in ECBs I had(including the just earned $7 for PF)and was left with paying $1.24+.03¢ sales tax=$1.27 OOP.

I earned back $14 in new ECBs($10 spend $40/Get $10, $4 Spend $8 on Colgate).  And I also earned a $3 Beauty Buck the next day because between the shampoo I bought and the lipstick it pushed me over the $30 threshold so I have $17 in ECB.

But I spent $24.50 in ECBs so this all cost me $9.82 in cash OOP and ECBs. ($7.82 if I can get the SavingStar rebates worked out.)  I don't consider this a great trip.

I was also counting on $2 plus credit toward a $5 rebate on GM cereals there on SavingStar but the CVS card on file is wrong and that site won't let me link my active card. I get a message saying "linking loyalty cards is unavailable" so I emailed support but I can't get a reply. Ugh.  Is anyone having a problem linking loyalty cards on Saving Star too?

So I don't have to go back there until mid September(when the ECBs start expiring again).  Eventually I'll say "screw it" and not buy anything that gives back ECBs and be done with CVS again. ;-)  I'll stick to Rite-Aid as long as they hang in there.

Did anyone get a great deal at CVS this week?  Tell us all about it.

Sluggy

I Went to Rite-Aid on Sunday

 I went more to get out of the house and see my friends there but I did do a transaction too...........a transaction that hit $20 before Q so I got credit on my Bonus Cash Challenge of X number of visits before it end in September.

This type of toothpaste qualifies for the In-ad Rite-Aid $2 off Q AND if you have Load to Card there should be a $3/2 Colgate toothpaste Q on your account to clip.

(Yes, like we all need MORE free or almost free toothpaste after last week, right? lolz)

2 x Colgate toothpaste on sale $3.99=$7.98

2 x Zims Max Freeze BOGOFree=$10.49(hopefully your store price is lower at $9.99)=$10.49

2 x Arizona Iced Tea .79¢ w/20% Wellness Discount=$1.58 *1 nor pictured because I drank it lol*

SubTotal..........$20.05

Coupons Used

2 x $2/1 Colgate In-ad RAQ=$4.00

1 x $3/2 Colgate toothpaste L2CQ=$3.00

1 x $3/1 Zim's Max Freeze CatalinaQ=$3.00

Coupon Total.........$10.00

$20.05-$10.00=$10.05 paid with Bonus Cash.

$10 in new BC earned back on the Zim's(2 x $5).

All the above cost me .05¢ in Bonus Cash.

Not bad.

On the other hand I had to go back to CVS too yesterday and I didn't do nearly as well.  That place gives me the heebie-jeebies. lolz  More on that trip later.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "More Veggies From the Garden" Edition...............

More ripe tomatoes that the critters didn't get first.  We've been getting one or two at a time, not a deluge.  I need to not eat a lot of tomatoes so Hub has been slicing them for lunch sandwiches mostly, though I did make myself a BLT last week with one and it was heaven. 8-)

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.........

1. Sunday--FFY(I had oatmeal for dinner)
2. Monday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Carrots
3. Tuesday--Grilled Salmon, Salad

4. Wednesday--? Not making dinner so who knows??
5. Thursday--Meatloaf(I'll make ahead for Hubs), the rest TBD and Hubs responsibility

6. Friday--Chicken Pot Pie
7. Saturday--Chinese Take-Out

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--FFY(I had oatmeal for dinner)
2. Monday--Leftovers(Pork Teriyaki Stir-Fry w/Veggies
3. Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Carrots

4. Wednesday--We went to Bob Evans in Hershey(I had a big salad)
5. Thursday--Meatloaf(Beef/Chicken), Corn on Cob, Strawberries

6. Friday--Lasagna Hamburger Helper, Chopped Asian Caesar Salad
7. Saturday--Leftovers(Stroganoff, Rice, Strawberries)

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers/FFY, and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating Out.

I made a meatloaf on Tuesday for later in the week so Hubs fried/browned slices up in a skillet and he grilled local corn from Sharp Shopper we hit on Wednesday after the surgery.

I mixed the leftover pack of ground beef w/what was left of the pack of ground chicken(after making a meatloaf w/veggies shredded into it)and browned it.  Part of that went into the Helper meal and part into this past Sunday's meal.

That last chopped salad from Price Chopper we got the previous week was still good so we had it Friday(though I had oil and vinegar on mine as the dressing included was too spicy!)

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 4 tv dinners

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* a small London Broil

* ground Chicken

* ground Beef

We spent $56.48 between CVS and Sharp Shopper bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods to $354.64 so far this month.  So much for a low spending month. ;-)

I've earned $91.96 on Ibotta in August so far since last week.  $10 more from Rite-Aid and $11.76 from the Cash Pool Bonus. I've got more coming from Sunday's Weis(PMITA)Markets shop too(will add that in the next report when I add that shop in too).

I've earned $4.25 on SavingStar in August so far but am closing in on a $5 wys $25 GM cereal rebate there as well.

My savings percentage for last week was 72.29%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips)for August and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 57.44% so far.(w/out R-A).  Much better than last week's percentage because of the CVS shop mostly which was over 80%(though the Sharp Shopper shop was over 40% too).

Leftovers going into this week......Beef Pie, Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Meatloaf, Hamburger Helper.

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

1. Sunday--Sloppy Joes, Strawberries
2. Monday--TV dinners
3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--TV dinners
5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--Anniversary Dinner out or more Lobster from PC?
7. Saturday--Grilled Salmon and whatever fresh produce I can find

What needs buying for this menu?  Might get Lobsters again as they are still cheap(not as cheap as last week but close).  I don't feel like cooking(and Hubs doesn't either)so we'll eat all those tv dinners this week.

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home(not that I'm referring to/using it at this point with the heat).
* Shrimp Scampi
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Haddock Fish Dinner  new
* Chicken Tenders  new

* Beef Liver  new

Plus lots of thinly sliced Chicken Breast, grass fed Ground Beef and Ground Turkey in the freezer.

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

Frugal Friday....the August 21st Edition

 Here's an abbreviated posting of what was frugal around Chez Sluggy this past week.

*  I spent $12 in ECBs at CVS that were expiring.........

$ worth of items for .96¢.  I earned $12.50 in new ECB too.

* I found money!

.12¢ total at my local Rite-Aid on Tuesday.  Two pennies in front of the register counter and a dime under the adjacent candy rack.

Go me.

Total Change found this week. .12¢
Total Change found this year....$47.62

*  I got 1 tube of Colgate on Monday..........

Stacked two coupons and used the .25 overage toward ink cartridges for Hubs, printer.

Then I went to my R-A on Tuesday and got this...........

2 transactions--

First I bought.........

3 x Colgate toothpaste on sale=$10.50

2 x Hot Pockets $2.39 w/20% Wellness disc.=$4.58 *not pictured*

.SubTotal...........$15.08

Coupons Used

3 x $3/1 In-Ad R-AQ=$9.00

1 x $5/3 select Colgate toothpaste L2CQ=$5.00

Coupon Total......$14.00

$15.08-$14.00=$1.08 paid with BC.

I earned $2 in new BC($2 wyb2 select frozen)so a .92¢ moneymaker.

Then on my other card I bought...........

3 x Colgate toothpaste on sale=$10.50

3 x Harvest Snap Snacks $1.43 w/20% Wellness disc.=$4.29 *only 2 pictured*

.SubTotal...........$14.79

Coupons Used

3 x $3/1 In-Ad R-AQ=$9.00

1 x $5/3 select Colgate toothpaste L2CQ=$5.00

Coupon Total......$14.00

$14.79-$14.00=.79¢ paid with BC.

I earned $2 in new BC($2 wyb2 Harvest Snap Snacks)so a $1.21 moneymaker.

* Not that my medical procedure was frugal but the nurse packed me up 2 starter tubes of petroleum jelly for covering the wound, a stack of Telfa type pads(which should last me until the wound is healed enough not to cover it)and 6 big absorbent pads from the office for wound care which will cut down on what I need to spend myself  to buy wound care supplies.   Not much of a win but it's something.

* Recovering from surgery means I sit home(in bed mostly)and can't go out to the grocery store, etc. to  spend money.  I am missing the Dollar General clearance event this weekend to boot. 8-(

That's all I got this week.

What frugal wins did y'all have this week?

Let us know!

Sluggy

It's Over & I am Ok

 A quickie update today.

I had my procedure yesterday and everything went well.  Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers.  That and a Valium helped me get through it.  More details later(if ya want 'em).

I can't change the bandaging yet(that's tonight)and I am sure I'll be sore/hurting when that happens.

I get to email a photo to the doc in a week.....anybody else want to be on that email list as well to see a picture of the area? 8-) (If you do, you are a sick perv. lol)

The worst part so far is having to wear a bra 24/7, not the pain.    And the fact that my stripper career is over........

Ok, back to bed for me.  Everybody have a swell day!

Sluggy

Monday Shopping at CVS & the Rite-Aid Nazi Store

First I hit a Rite-Aid not usually gone to and they had inkjet cartridges for Hubs' printer on clearance for 50% off so I got those.  I was going to combine that with buying multiple tubes of Colgate toothpaste, using a $5/3 Colgate L2CQ and multiple $3/1 In-Ad Rite-Aid flyer Qs(which would make them better than free so I'd use the overage on Hub's ink cartridges), but when I inquired I was told I could only use 1 of the $3/1 Colgate In-Ad Qs.  Totally makes no since since R-A gave me a $5/THREE items L2CQ(manufacturer's Q)to pair with flyer Qs but whatever.  This store wants to be hard ass, so be it.

So this is all I bought(besides Hubs' ink cartridges)........

I tube of Colgate on sale for $3.50, stacking a $3/1 In-Ad RA Q and a .75/1 Colgate IPQ.

I couldn't even use the Colgate toothpaste Q that came in the Sunday inserts since we didn't get .50/1 Qs for it that most every other region got, we got a $1/2 and no, they wouldn't let me get 2 tubes., use that $1/2 Q and use 2 $3/1 In-Ad Qs either. sigh.

Luckily I had a .75/1 Colgate IPQ I had printed off the Colgate website weeks earlier and forgot to use the last time I bought toothpaste, so that gave me .25¢ in overage to apply to Hubs' ink.  He owes me big I tell ya, BIG! lol

Then it was off to CVS because I had a $10 ECB expiring later this week plus a surprise $2 ECB they sent me(I guess to keep me interested in returning to CVS lol)also expiring on Wednesday and with surgery tomorrow I'd be in no shape to use them later but before they expire.

I finally got a couple of CRTs on my account and was able to do this.....

1 x Persil laundry detergent on sale=$4.99

2 x Colgate toothpaste on sale $3.49=$6.98

2 x Crest toothpaste on sale $2.99=$5.98

1 x Schick disposable razors on sale=$5.99

1 x Schick razor on sale=$8.99

SubTotal.......$32.93

I used all digital Qs/CRTs.........

$2/1 Persil DQ

$2 off Colgate Oral Care CRT

$3/2 Crest/Oral-B/Fixodent DQ

$3/1 Schick disposable DQ

$4/1 Schick women's razor DQ

$3/$12 Oral Care CRT

$3/$12 Shaving CRT

Total of $20 in DQs and CRTs.

Then I used my $12 in ECBs leaving me with a balance of .93¢ +.03¢=.96¢ to pay OOP for all 7 items.

I earned back $12.50 in new ECBS($5 Schick wys $15, $3 wyb2 Crest, $4.50 wyb2 Colgate).Spent $12 ECB, got back $12.50 in new ECB and spent .96¢ OOP.  Not free but it all cost me .46¢ really.

These new ones don't expire until Sept. so that's good.

Just a note that I may not be online for a few days(or a week, depending on how I feel after tomorrow)so keep me in your thoughts(happy thoughts only please)and I will be back to blogging soon.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

 The "Front Garden is Doing Great!" Edition........

Hubs and I planted Coleus, Pansies and Celosia flame type flowers in front of the house this year.

We did Celosia one year and Hubs liked it so much he always wants to plant it there now.  I love me some Coleus because of the so many varigated varieties of it.  This year the Coleus are all going gangbusters and are starting to resemble bushes rather than small plants! lol

This photo is from 28 July so I'll get a more recent photo as soon as Hubs weeds the area again. ;-)

The pansies unfortunately have all been eaten and dug up by our resident rabbits.  Evidently besides violets, rabbits enjoy munching on pansies as well.  The green pot to the front left holds some lavender plants which haven't grown much at all.  Maybe I should re-pot them in a bigger receptacle?

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.........

1. Sunday--Steak strips, Brussels Sprouts, Baked Potato
2. Monday--BBQ chicken legs, leftover Macaroni Salad, Squash and Onions
3. Tuesday--?

4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--?

6. Friday--?
7. Saturday--?

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Steak strips, Brussels Sprouts, Baked Potato
2. Monday--BBQ chicken legs, leftover Macaroni Salad, Squash and Onions
3. Tuesday--Take-out Pizza

4. Wednesday--Teriyaki Pork Stir-fry w/Veggies, Rice
5. Thursday--Lobster, Chopped Mediterranean Salad

6. Friday--Beef Pie
7. Saturday--Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Wedges

Last week saw 6 nights of home cooked dinners, 0 nights of leftovers/FFY, and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating Out.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 3 more chicken pot pies

* 2 veggie lasagnas(single servings)

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* Steak strips

* Brussels Sprouts

* Chicken Legs

* Teriyaki Pork Loin

* Stir-Fry Veggie Mix

We spent $172.75 last week, between Dollar General(a week ago last Sat.), Weis(PMITA)Markets(a week ago last Friday), Price Chopper, the Bread Outlet, Walmart and Malacari's produce, bringing our food to $298.16 so far this month.

Again I did a bit of stocking plus after Wednesday I won't be going grocery shopping(or even Rite-Aid shopping so I got everything we need for the rest of the month mostly as I'll have to send Hubs to the store and he has to have that specific and detailed list unless I want him going rouge and just spending willy-nilly. ;-)  I hope besides some produce and hamburger buns we are all set for the rest of August. 

I knew because of my surgery that I had to "front end load" the grocery shops this month. ;-)

I've earned $70.70 on Ibotta in August so far.

I've earned $4.25 on SavingStar in August so far but am closing in on a $5 wys $25 GM cereal rebate there as well.

My savings percentage for last week was 57.82%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips)for August and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 52.64% so far.(w/out R-A).  Much better than last week's percentage

Leftovers going into this week......Stuffed Shells(I defrosted and prepped for Ex-CB to take home to his apt. but he never showed up for them so they got cooked and Hubs ate half of the container lol), Teriyaki Pork stir fry w/Veggies, Rice, Beef Pie and a few Sweet Potato Wedges.

That's it.  I think I am starting to get the hang of cooking less quantities now that Ex-CB isn't here unless it's something I know we like as a leftover.

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

1. Sunday--FFY(I had oatmeal for dinner)
2. Monday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Carrots
3. Tuesday--Grilled Salmon, Salad

4. Wednesday--? Not making dinner so who knows??
5. Thursday--Meatloaf(I'll make ahead for Hubs), the rest TBD and Hubs responsibility

6. Friday--Chicken Pot Pie
7. Saturday--Chinese Take-Out

What needs buying for this menu?  Nothing, I've got everything we need for this already and I won't be going grocery shopping again this month.  Hubs may

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home(not that I'm referring to/using it at this point with the heat).
* Shrimp Scampi
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Haddock Fish Dinner  new
* Chicken Tenders  new

* Beef Liver  new

Plus lots of thinly sliced Chicken Breast, grass fed Ground Beef and Ground Turkey in the freezer.

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

August Giveaway Winner!

Thanks for everyone for checking out Sonya Ann's new ebook over on Amazon.

 The winner of the $25 Amazon code is.........

Debbie!

debbieAugust 12, 2020 at 9:53 PM

Checked out her site,download the book,and I'm glad she's back i have missed her. Swrtd@aol.com

Congratulations Debbie!!!  Now you need to email me within the next 48 hours so I can send you the Amazon code to add to your account.

Thanks for everyone who checked out Sonya's new book and her blog/writing journal website.

I hope she gets inspired soon to write another book!

Sluggy

Last Chance to Enter the Giveaway!

Today is the last day to get your entry for the August Giveaway!

This month we are publicizing Cousin Sonya Ann's new eBook and the prize is a $25 Amazon e-code.

Great prize, right?

Go HERE to enter before tonight at 11:59pm EDST(Eastern US Time)to enter and best of luck to all of y'all!!

Sluggy

Frugal Friday.....the August 14th Edition

 Here are a few things that happened around Chez Sluggy this past week that we call frugal.......

* I had 13 items from a Weis trip last Friday that gave me an extra Midweek $1 Bonus(12 were needed to hit the bonus so I did 1 beter).  

These 13 were also tracking toward a Buy 30 items/Get a $10 Bonus that was running until mid month in August so while I was in Walmart earlier this week I finished that Bonus off.

I got......

1 x 3 pack Renuzit air fresheners($1.00)

5 x single Renuzit air fresheners($2.00)

1 x Ritz toasted chips($1.00)

1 x Townhouse pita crackers(.25¢)

1 x lg. Buddig lunch meat pack($1.00)

1 x Lily's baking chips(.75¢)

1 x Kraft mac and cheese box(.15¢)

1 x Serious Bean Co. can(.50¢)

2 x Stouffer's Veggie Lasagna single serve($1.00)

3 x Banquet Pot Pies(for Hubs to make next week)(.50¢)

1 x Perdue Ground Chicken($1.25)

1 x Country Crock "Plant" Butter sticks($1.00)

1 x Country Crock "Plant" Butter tub(.50¢)

4 x Bella wet dog food tubs (.50¢)

5 x Hall's Energy and Sleep packs($6.25)

1 x Poise pads($3.00)

1 x Fage yogurt split cup(.55¢)

Plus I earned .10¢ each on sleep aid, crackers and chips(.30¢ total), the $10 Extra Dough, a $1 Renuzit Bonus and a Cash Giveaway entry for this trip.

Total rebates earned was $32.50 and I used an old Walmart gift card $50 to pay plus another $4.84 w/sales tax total OOP(after using $3.50 in coupons also)for all this.

* I found money!

I found this penny last Friday as Hubs and I were leaving Weis(PMITA)Markets.

Last Saturday when entering the Dollar General not in my little town I saw this dirty quarter outside.  It sort of blended into the walkway but my eagle eye was on point that morning! ;-)

Then when leaving the register after checking out I spied this shiny penny halfway tucked under the candy rack.

Then the glint off the sunshine in the parking lot at Rite-Aid made me look/find this penny near my car as I exited it.  No abandoned change inside my R-A that day however.

Hubs and I went to Price Chopper to get lobster on Thursday and I found 2 pennies there-1 in the check-out lane and another in the foyer of the store on our way out.

Total Change found this week. .30¢
Total Change found this year....$47.50

* I hit the Bread Outlet for 2 loaves of Arnold Bread and a package of hot dog rolls.  Total OOP was $4 for all 3 items.  Buying just one loaf of Arnold's bread reg. retail at Weis(PMITA)Markets can run over $4!

* While I was at the Bread Outlet I went next door to Malacari's produce market for 3 types of lunch meat, 1 lb. of sharp cheddar cheese slices, 2 heads of lettuce and 5 cukes and a head of cabbage for $16.95 total.

*  Don't hate me because I had lobster and salad for lunch on Thursday..........

The Price Chopper ad last Sunday had a coupon for $4.99 lb. lobsters so Hubs and I went on Thursday to check it out.  

There were other coupon deals we did($1.99 case of water, $1.99 lb. 80% ground beef(3 lb. or more packages), $1.99 for 1 lb. of butter, and select GM cereals and/or NV granola bars for 4/$8 and you get a free gallon of Milk)plus we had to spend $15 on non coupon deal items(that's how the PC Qs always work)so we picked up a nice piece of Salmon, 3 chopped salad kits(all of them had $1.50 instant savings stickers plus were already on sale), a 24 oz. container of whole mushrooms(also with a $1.50 instant savings sticker on it). I found a gallon of distilled water too over on the markdown/damaged goods shelves with a .25¢ instant savings sticker on it so that ran me .75¢ instead of $1 I usually pay.

I also stacked a $1/2 NV granola bar peelie Q and a $1/2 GM cereals IPQ with the PC 4/$8 and get free milk ad-Q so I paid $6 for 2 boxes of cereal, 2 boxes of granola bars and a gallon of milk(here in PA whole milk by the gallon is $3.94-it's price regulated by the PA state dairy board-so that's nothing to sneeze at!)

We also picked up 2 packs of muffins for $5 and a lemon meringue pie for $3.99 and of course the 2 lobsters.  Total OOP was $53 and change for all which was a really good deal.

I don't often go to Price Chopper but when I do I have deals to get. ;-)

* I did one Rite-Aid shop so far this past week that I already posted about.

Be sure and go get your free or moneymaker toothpaste and toothbrush(or mouth wash) before the sale ends on Saturday!

*  We got Domino's on Wednesday for dinner using a gift card.

*  Things kept me occupied this past week(beyond grocery/R-A shopping)at home...........

As energy and my leg have allowed I've been slowly working on reorganizing and de-cluttering the house now that Ex-College Boy's room was emptied.

Hubs had vacuumed and shampooed the carpeting and cleaned the baseboards in there. Ex-CB came over on his day off to help move furniture and since then Hubs and I have been moving the toiletries stockpile, Xmas tubs, kids crap around in our version of Tetris.  I hope to get that room tidy and functional as a guest room before my surgery next Wednesday.  Updates and photos at some point later.  The upstairs hallway(were we've staged some stuff is looking quite empty now.

After that it's on to sewing room and those supplies then another purge of the linen closet in the hallway.  Yippee!

That's about it to report in from here.

What frugal wins did y'all have this past week?

Sluggy

To-Do List.........July's Outcome

** NOTE-Don't forget to enter the August Giveaway which closes on Saturday night, August 15th.

Not many entries yet and there are only 4 days left to enter.  $25 in Amazon CASH is up for grabs and who can't use that, right?!?

Link to enter is on the side bar -->

Let's see how July's To-Do List turned out...........

* Pay Bills  DONE  Everything got paid on time or early as always

* Read 1, 2, 3 Books  PASS  July was a good and bad month for my personal reading goals.   I tend to have multiple books going in an given month and July was one of those months.  I had FIVE books in progress but only finished ONE of them, this one what with everything going on around here(company, moving, etc.)..........

"My Father's Business:The Small-Town Values That Built Dollar General into a Billion-Dollar Company" by Cal Turner, Jr.

This was an interesting read, all about the family(3 generations)that started what we know as the Dollar General chain of stores.  The business, started by Cal, Jr's grandfather, Luther Turner, a man with a 3rd grade education, as a wholesale supplier in Scottsville, Kentucky in the 1950's, then was taken to new heights by the son, Cal Turner, a nature entrepreneur with no business "learning" and eventually was headed by Cal Jr. until he resigned earlier this century.  It truly was a family business that kept to it's small-town roots and principles and defied modern day business models of giant corporations.

Being a family business was not always easy or good for the family interpersonal relationships either.

I found the book fascinating and instructive as well and it left me with a good feeling about the folks who tried to model this business to serve others(though not always successfully-service and looking out for your fellow citizen doesn't always jive with a company's bottom line after all, especially after it goes public and has stock holders).  Cal Turner, Jr. had massive shoes to fill from his familial predecessors and it's an honest account of how he attempted to make his family proud and drag the chain into the 21st century.

4 Thumbs up!

* Hold Giveaway--DONE

The winner didn't want the MandM's so I subbed in a few other things instead.

* Mail Giveaway--DONE  Mailed and received though it seems to have taken awhile longer than expected.....but then again, with this virus situation and the extra volume of packages flying around it's to be expected.

* More Decluttering--DONE  Well, between the leg injury late in June and Ex-CB not leaving until the last day in July(plus Eldest son here taking up space)I am surprised I got as much gathered to go to Sallie's or into the garbage as I did.  Eldest still had some of his stuff here and I hoped he'd take it with him to Jersey but his car was already full of crap for the move he didn't want in the POD he rented for this move so we'll have to bring it with us to Jersey when we go see the new apt. in a couple of months.

I now have a huge cardboard box in the living room where I have put all the stuff leaving the house that is donate-worthy and I filled it up in July.  Woot!

Of course, with Ex-CB gone I can now de-clutter stuff that was in the closet of his room that I couldn't get to previously and refill that box once Hubs takes what's in that box now to Sallie's.  Double Woot!

* Sew More Masks--PASS  Though I didn't get any masks completed I did do some cutting and sewing and got 4 masks closer to finished.  It was sort of a challenging task this past month with Eldest son here, Ex-College Boy getting ready to move out(the sewing room was in an uproarious state with all the boxes and furniture being moved about)and my leg issues.  But we did make some progress so I'm calling this a win.

* Continue to Deal w/VA stuff--DONE  Well we aren't "done" with all the legal stuff but we did make progress and got answers to lots of questions still on your plate via Zoom meetings.  There will be one more Zoom session in our immediate future before we can move forward with our tentative plans for relocating(which won't be any time soon, the relocating that is).  Things are moving forward.

* Cash in Savings Bond--DONE  We did that as soon as possible in July.  After we cash out 3 bonds maturing Sept.1st we'll decide on where to squirrel away all those cashed in bonds.  We also have a CD maturing mid September so we'll probably throw the bond monies in with the CD after we decide where to put that next.

* Help Ex-CB Move--DONE  He moved out July 31st.  It took a U-Haul cargo van and Hubs and Ex-CB's new roomie about 2 hours to relocate Ex-CB's stuff.

Here's the photographic proof that he is gone(without showing all the crap he left lol).

Hubs posted this photo on Facebook of me and Ex-CB before they left for his apartment..........

I can't decide if I look deliriously happy or psychotic in this photo. lol  I know Ex-CB is happy to finally be on his own.

I am glad that for the first time in TWENTY NINE YEARS we have an empty nest!  July of 1991 when eldest was born until July of 2020 when kid #3 moved out.  29 years and they are all gainfully employed, have college degrees, on their own and relatively happy.

Gosh, I need a nap(and maybe a drink).......

* Get Ready for Eldest to Visit--DONE

Eldest spent about 11 days here between the time he moved out of the Fredericksburg apartment and when the apt. in NJ was ready to move into.  It was nice having him here for that long though I had hoped we'd get a bit of work out of him in exchange for the free room and board but he had other ideas. lolz

All things considered, it was a pretty productive month here at Chez Sluggy.

How was your month and your To-Do List if you make one?

Sluggy