This Week on the Dining Table

 The "Time to Wrap Up the Month" Edition.....

No photos this week.  I didn't even take a single one on Thanksgiving.  So not like me.

The last day of November is here.  That flew by!

I feel very much behind the 8 ball here between having to mail out giveaway boxes, blog about all the Black Friday shopping I did(mostly at Rite-Aid), do the end of month bookwork and financial stuff, put all the Rite-Aid haul away, put Thanksgiving stuff away(the little I have)and drag out the festive for Christmas.  So much to do before Dec. 25th gets here that I am stressing out over it!

But enough of that.....

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Teriyaki Salmon w/Rice, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
2. Monday--Baked Pork Chop, Corn Casserole, Broccoli
3. Tuesday--Pork and Veggies Stir-Fry, Rice

4. Wednesday--Leftovers
5. Thursday--Roasted Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Taters, Rutabaga, Green Beans, Gravy, Cranberry Glop, Rolls, Pie

6. Friday--leftovers

7. Saturday--maybe Take-Out? 

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

1. Sunday--Teriyaki Salmon w/Rice, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
2. Monday--Baked Pork Chop, Corn Casserole, Broccoli
3. Tuesday--Fend for Yourself

4. Wednesday--TV Dinners
5. Thursday--Roasted Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Taters, Rutabaga, Green Beans, Gravy, Cranberry Glop, Rolls, Pie

6. Friday--leftovers

7. Saturday--free Lasagna from Weis, Crudités

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners, 4 nights of leftovers/FFY/TV Dinners, and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.  

I couldn't locate the pork loin for the stir-fry dish(buried in the freezer somewhere)and after cooking stuff ahead on Wednesday we just did TV dinners that night.  Even though I made way less this year since we only had 4 people for Turkey day(and we packed quite a bit off with Ex-CB and roommate) there are still abundant leftovers, which we whittled away at on Friday and Sunday.  I'll rework what's left into new dishes this week or see if Ex-CB wants more leftovers. (I KNOW he'll take me up on more pumpkin pie! lol)

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  6 x 1 lbs. of butter

*  1 large frozen lasagna

*  1 turkey breast

*  2 pints of ice cream

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

*  1 turkey breast

*  3 bags of green beans

*  1 hunk of salmon

*  2 pork chops

*  1/4 bag of broccoli

We spent $141.82 last week(lots of small trips to Weis, Aldi, Schiff's restaurant supply, P and R grocery outlet, Dollar General and a $3.85 OOP trip to CVS), bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods Grand Total to $385.33 for November.  Even with that high spending week last week I still stayed under my $400 food budget for the month.  yay!

There are 0 shopping days left in November.  

I've earned $163.50 on Ibotta in November. 

I've earned $1.00 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $10.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in November.

I've earned 13,292 points from shopping on Fetch in November.

I've earned 510 points from food shopping on ShopKick in November.

I've earned 500 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in November.

My savings percentage for last week was 60.38%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for November and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 60.02%.(w/out R-A). I think the CVS trip and the Dollar General trip both helped to boost my savings rate last week.

Leftovers going into this week.....turkey day foods, a little taco filling, half a pan of lasagna.

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

1. Sunday--Leftover Thanksgiving foods
2. Monday--Butternut Squash Ravioli, Salad
3. Tuesday--Taco Salad

4. Wednesday--Turkey Casserole, Brussels Sprouts
5. Thursday--Domino's pizza or Hubs cooks

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--more Leftovers or Turkey soup?

What needs buying for this menu? I think I have everything here so no food purchases required for this menu.  The menu may deviate later in the week, depending on how tired we are of Thanksgiving sides. ;-)

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 November 27th Edition on Sunday

  Here's what passed to frugal around Chez Sluggy this past week.  Let's get to it!

*  I forgot to mention that I got this the previous week at the Freeosk in Walmart....

A Twinings tea bag. rah.  I generally hit the Freeosk when we go there but 95% of the time it's out of samples.  I got lucky that week. lolz

*  I hit CVS this week to spend ECBs on Saturday and get some freebies.....

After paying for the gift card(and earning $25 ECB)I ended up with $3.87 OOP and I have over $45 in ECBs now.

I hit R-A too........once on the 24th and then over and over again during the 3 day Black Friday sale.  More on that in it's own post later this week.

*  I had a $5 off $25 RA Q I used on Tuesday.  Forgot to use a Q so got this as a "post coupon" on Wednesday......

*  The Coupons dotcom the app had 2 rebates when you bought Jet-Puff marshmallows and another for Cool Whip, one was for $2.50 the other for $2.00.  I bought both items at the restaurant supply store(not sure they'd honor the offer since it wasn't a "grocery" store)and I got the $4.50 in rebates on Thanksgiving day.  Both items combined cost me $2.49 OOP so a nice moneymaker.  The marshmallows are being saved for Wintertime cocoa drinking not for sweet potato casserole since we don't make that dish and if we did we wouldn't put marshmallows on it. ;-)

*  On Tuesday this arrived in the mail....

My CareGiver/Spend $25 Get a $10 prepaid Card.  Of course I didn't actually "spend" $25 since I got everything at Rite-Aid to qualify for this. ;-)

*  I got 2 freebies at Weis this past week.  I had over 500 reward points so I used 400 to get a free family sized Lasagna and then 100 to get a turkey breast at a discounted rate(.49¢ a lb.? I don't remember.).  You earn 1 point for every $ you spend there on groceries and such OR you can do a survey every 7 days and earn 100 points at a pop.  You know me so you know I did 3 surveys in November so 300 of my 500+ points were earned from surveys not spending money.  Score!

BTW-the lasagna was pretty bland so we'll jazz it up when I serve it as a leftover.  The turkey breast went into the freezer for later this Winter.

*  I've been getting very cheap cheese blocks this month at Weis(PMITA)Markets.

They've been running a special if you buy at least 2 packages of Cracker Barrel you get them for $2 a block.  Ibotta has had an offer most of the month for a $1.50 rebate on each Cracker Barrel block(limit 5 offers until it resets).  That makes each block of cheese .50¢ after sale and rebate.

It reset again so I'll run to Weis later today and get 5 more blocks. Now I have to figure out some meals using all this cheese. ;-)

*  My doctor recommended that I get a new BiPAP machine since mine is 7 years old.  Since I've hit my insurance deductible for the year and my DME company wrote it as a purchase and not a rental I got a new machine and the insurance company paid for it in full.  Nothing out of pocket on my end.  This machine goes for over $1800 so I was stoked about that.

*  I found money!

On Nov. 23nd I found a penny in front of the register counter at Rite-Aid.  My friend there, the Assistant Manager said there's a stack of change someone left outside on the ledge of the building under a window.  Went outside and found that .12¢ too!

That made .13¢ for the day/stop.

I hit the jackpot on Nov. 24th at Aldi.  I don't know but maybe everyone was in such a hurry with Thanksgiving shopping that they didn't take their quarters out of the cart slots when they returned their carts.  And these were carts deep in the line of carts(10 carts in or so), not ones left loose at the end or near the line of returned carts for someone to snag without using a quarter.

If last week was the Week of Dimes, this week's theme is the Week of Quarters. ;-)

Then when I went back in to get a refund on the 2 butters I was overcharged for(limit was 6 so no way I bought 8 but the receipt said I paid for 8), I found a dime on the floor while I waited for the Manager to come out and take care of the mistake.

Later that same day I found a nickel at Rite-Aid......

I opened my car door and it was sitting there in the parking lot.

Total Found $ This Week....$1.28
Total Found $ So Far This Year....$52.53

*  We hit the restaurant supply store on the 24th.  They had these cans of Libby brand pumpkin(the size that makes 2 pies)for $2.99.  Not a great price.

So we bought one of these #10 cans of pumpkin instead(between the creamed corn and the pumpkin pie spice blend to the right of the photo).....

For just $1 more($3.99)I got enough pulp to make 4 pumpkin pies and that only used half of the can!  I divided up the rest of the can into two Ziploc baggies and put them into the freezer for Christmas or whenever.

8 pies for $3.99 vs. 2 pies for $2.99 will win in my book every time. 8-)

That's about it from here this week.

Any frugal wins at your house this past week?
Let us know all about them so we can celebrate your wins too!

Sluggy

New Giveaway Winner Announced!

 So the last November Giveawway didn't contact me so I picked a new winner.

The new winner is Lingerlonger8!

Lingerlonger8November 15, 2020 at 1:57 PM

Just the two of us for Thanksgiving. We plan on having prime rib and baked potatoes with a side of our home canned strawberry/cranberry relish.

Congrats Lingerlonger8 and please contact me with your mailing address within the next 48 hours from the time this post goes live.

Sluggy

Still Looking for 1 Giveaway Winner!

 I am still waiting on JESSICA B. to get in contact with me to claim her prize.  I'll wait Friday evening and draw a replacement winner if I still haven't heard from Jessica B. by Saturday early.

Don't let your Giveaway prize slip away Jessica.....email me!

Since I want this post to stay at the top of my posts I'll postpone the Frugal Friday until sometime later this weekend.

Sluggy

Happy Turkey Day!

 Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Be thankful for what you have and want what you have.

Back tomorrow maybe with some Rite-Aid craziness.....lolz

Sluggy

Seeking 2 of My Giveaway Winners

 Angie has been heard from and claimed her prize.  

Now I need JESSICA B. and MICHELLE F. to step forward.

Jessica gets first pick of Box #2 or Box #3.

That is all from me for now.
Back to your Turkey Day preps....

Sluggy

The November Giveaway Winners!

 Sorry it took so long to get this up but we had lots of errands to run today.

89 Valid entries and here are the three Winners........

The First winner Random dot org picked was this entry........

AngieNovember 15, 2020 at 8:44 AM

Just in case our original plan of a gathering of around 25 family members is derailed, I will have stuff on hand to host my immediate family. Thanks for the giveaways! --Angie

The Second winner Random dot org picked was this entry......

Jessica BNovember 16, 2020 at 8:11 AM

We're planning on having a quiet day at home with just the pets. kon_tiki12@yahoo.com

And the Third winner Random dot org picked was this entry.......

MichelleNovember 22, 2020 at 9:14 PM

Starting to get things ready for Thanksgiving. Buying a pecan pie this year instead of making it.

Michelle F

Now I need Angie O. to email me which Giveaway Box she wants(#1, #2 or #3)and her complete mailing address.  I also need Jessica B. and Michelle F. to email me their complete mailing addresses too.

After Angie O. picks her box, I'll contact Jessica B. to choose between the two boxes that are left and Michelle F. wins the remaining box of goodies.  I'll email Jessica and Michelle back after we get Angie O. situated.

All winners have 48 HOURS after this post goes live to contact me.  If I don't hear from any winner with this initial contact I'll find a replacement winner for them on Friday.(I'm giving a half a day extra to get in touch since Thursday is Thanksgiving.)

Thanks to everyone who played along and I hope y'all all have a nice, peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

** Today is the last day to enter the 3 Giveaways Giveaway.  Entry closes at 11:59pm ET tonight HERE .**

 The "Different but Good" Edition.....

Saw this mug a couple of weeks ago and had to smile.  This Thanksgiving is certainly different but it's still "good".  It reminds me to look for the positive in my life.

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Reuben Sandwiches(finishing up the meat/cheese)
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Liver and Onions, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veg

4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--Whatever Hubs cooks or Take-Out

6. Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

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

1. Sunday--Reuben Sandwiches(finishing up the meat/cheese)
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Taco Salad

4. Wednesday--Cheeseburger on bun, Mixed Veggies
5. Thursday--Meatball Sub(Hubs cooked)

6. Friday--Fend For Yourself

7. Saturday--Tuna Sub w/lots of Veggies

Last week saw 5 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/FFY/TV Dinners, and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.  Not much of a plan was formulated so not much was followed.

What got put into the freezer last week....

* 1 box of pie crust

*  1 box of breaded shrimp

*  1 hamburger patty

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

*  1 bag of meatballs

*  1 box of breaded shrimp(for lunch)

We spent $81.60 last week(3 small trips to Weis a $5+ trip to CVS), bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods Grand Total to $243.51 for November so far.

There are 7 shopping days left in November.  

I've earned $108.05 on Ibotta in November. 

I've earned $0.00 on SavingStar in November.

I've earned $1.00 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $2.50 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal

I've earned 5615 points from food shopping on Fetch in November.

I've earned 510 points from food shopping on ShopKick in November.

I've earned 500 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in November.

My savings percentage for last week was 59.26%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for November and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 59.81%.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week.....about half the bag of meatballs.  Hubs will finish that off for lunches this week.

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

1. Sunday--Teriyaki Salmon w/Rice, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
2. Monday--Baked Pork Chop, Corn Casserole, Broccoli
3. Tuesday--Pork and Veggies Stir-Fry, Rice

4. Wednesday--Leftovers
5. Thursday--Roasted Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Taters, Rutabaga, Green Beans, Gravy, Cranberry Glop, Rolls, Pie

6. Friday--leftovers

7. Saturday--maybe Take-Out? 

If it was just me this week I'd just Fend for Myself or eat whatever I could grab out of the pantry.  But Hubs won't go for that. lol  So a meal plan of sorts is happening besides on Thursday. ;-)

What needs buying for this menu? The only things I need to pick up are Turkey Day related--celery, carrots, milk and a rutabaga.

Since Eldest son and his GF can't come it's just Hubs, Ex-College Boy and I and maybe Ex-CB's roommate.  So it's a scaled down meal.  I have cans of whack biscuits in the fridge so I may just make those if someone wants rolls with their dinner since making the yeast rolls from scratch is a production and makes a ton of 'em.  Or I could make the dough for rolls and freeze most of it for Xmas, thus saving me some work in December.  What would you do?

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

Last Rite-Aid Transaction This Week

 Here is what I bought on Hubs' card......

4 x Kellogg's cereals on sale 2/$5=$10.00
2 x Opti-Free contact solution BOGO50%=$29.23
1 x Milky Way candy bar(filler)on sale=.88¢
SubTotal.....$40.11

I used....
1 x $10 off $40 Q=$10.00
4 x $1/1 any Kellogg's cereal Q=$4.00
2 x $2/1 Opti-Free item IPQ=$4.00
Total.....$18.00

$40.11-$18=$22.11 +$1.08 tax=$23.19 paid for with Bonus Cash.

I earned back $23 in new BC(2 x $2 Cereal, 2 x $6 Opti-Free monthly, 1 x $7 Opti-Free weekly)so I spent down BC by .19¢ for all this.

I also earned $2.85 on Ibotta for buying the cereals so overall a moneymaker. ;-)

I'll keep the regular Rice Krispies and the other 3 will go to Ex-CB and/or the food bank(depending on what Ex-CB wants).  The contact solution will go to the Troops donation.

Someone, an anonymous/no Blogger account person calling themselves "K", left a perplexing comment about why do the overseas troops need donations?  Don't the people who send them over there supply their needs?

Obviously "K" has never served in the military or had a family member who served.  Non-Com military personnel firstly don't make a large salary.  Yes, the government supplies deployed service people with clothing, firearms, housing, bedding, transportation and meals.  Any luxuries they want they have to buy themselves(remember this is done on a small salary).  Snacks?  Toiletries, feminine supplies for the female among them, etc?   And being overseas serving our country is hard enough on a person, imagine being separated from your loved ones at the Holidays(with Covid those of us quarantining are getting a taste of what those serving overseas go through every year).

I hope this sheds some light on why it's important for morale and mental health of our service people to send them care packages.
Search online for an organization that seeks out donations and provides care packages to military personnel serving overseas if you want to spread some Holiday cheer to the troops this year.

Sluggy

Frugal Friday.......the November 20th Edition

 Here's what passed to frugal around Chez Sluggy this past week.  This one is a short list.

*  I went to Weis(PMITA)on Saturday as they were having their Holiday Sampling day.  That's where they put out samples of their Holiday platters of food and other special items they bake up to sell for Christmas.

With Covid all the samples were individually wrapped/bagged/put in plastic cups with lids and you had to take them home to eat them.  There was an employee at the door to greet you and give you a reusable shopping bag to cart your samples home in.  I think I was the only customer to see the irony in giving everyone a shopping bag since Weis doesn't allow you to bring your own bags to put your groceries in since Covid. lol
The samples were much less than last year and a disappointing lot at that so I didn't cart much home in that free bag.

*  I hit CVS this week to spend expiring ECBs.......

Ended up with $5.29 OOP.

I hit R-A too........

Paid with Bonus Cash and grew it by $2.65.  A much better trip than the CVS one IMHO.

*  I found money!

It was the week of the dimes last week! 
Each dime was found at a different store on a different day but I can't see to locate my files on the computer for them as I KNOW I took photos of each one so this photo of all 3 at once will have to suffice.
On Nov.14th, Saturday, the first dime was found at Rite-Aid, on Monday, the 16th, the middle dime was found under the self-checkout at Walmart we used and the last dime was found on Tuesday, the 17th, at Weis(PMITA)Markets in the middle of the floor where the self-checkouts are located.

On Wednesday, Nov. 18th I found this penny in front of the counter at Rite-Aid.

Total Found $ This Week.... .31¢
Total Found $ So Far This Year....$51.25

*  Other than a trip to CVS, a trip to R-A, a trip to Walmart and a trip toWeis to finish off my $10 Ibotta Bonus(still need 2 items I'm picking up today at Weis) I've stayed home working on two projects for Monday.  I've been going through the toiletries/food stockpile for my usual Holiday time donation to the local Food Bank and in addition I'm gathering a load to take to the local American Legion as they are asking for donations for the troops overseas.  Both are time sensitive so that's taken up most of my free time this past week.  I feel privileged and grateful to be in a position to help both. 8-)

That's about it from here this week.

Any frugal wins at your house this past week?
Let us know all about them so we can celebrate your wins too!

Sluggy

Rite-Aid This Week

 So if you go online to the Rite-Aid flyer this week there is a $10 off when you spend $40 coupon you can print and use in the store(if your  region didn't get a sales flyer with that coupon in it).

I had 4 x $5 Nexxus IPQs to use so I went and did this deal......

4 x Nexxus shampoo(med. sized bottles)$14.49 but 20% Wellness discount=$46.36

I used a $10/$40 Q, 4 x $5/1 Nexxus IPQs so $30 off.

Total came to $16.36+99¢ sales tax=$17.35 paid for with Bonus Cash.

I earned back $20 in new BC thus growing my BC by $2.65.

go.
me.
8-)

I'll do a couple more deals this week using that $10 off wyspend $40 Q and acquiring some items to donate to the local American Legion which is sending care packages to the troops overseas.

Are you Rite-Aid shopping this week?

Sluggy

CVS Again...Worst Trip So Far

 So I had 2 $3 ECBS expiring this week so up to CVS I headed on Monday.

Here is what I got..........

2 x Ivory packs of soap BOGO50%=$10.93
2 x Olay packs of soap BOGO50%=$11.38
3 x Colgate toothpaste=$13.77
SubTotal........$36.08

Coupons Used
$2/2 Olay Digital ManQ
$5/3 Colgate Digital ManQ
$3 off $10 Body Wash CRT
$2 off $6 Oral Care CRT
$2 off $8 Body Wash CRT
Coupons.....$14.00

Then the cashier used ECBs....
1 x $6 ECB
3 x $3 ECBS
1 x $2 ECB
ECB Used.....$17.00

$36.08-$14.00-$17.00=$5.08+.21¢ sale tax=$5.29 OOP

The problem here is that I had 6 different Oral Care CRTs totaling $13 to apply but only 1($2 off $6)came off.  Shouldn't have at least an amount up to the original total for the toothpaste($16.47)have come off  instead of just $2 off of $6?  Using this logic I still had $10.47 in purchase price(not counting the ManuQ of $5/3)so at least 1 or 2 of the rest of the any Oral Care CRTs should have also come off??  Or even if you take off $5 for the ManuQ I still had $5.47 in purchases to apply at least 1 CRT too and get another buck or two off??

And I had 3 more Body Wash/Bar Soap any CRTs totaling $4 to apply to the soap too while only the $3 off $10 came off.  I spent $22.31 on soap(if you take the $2/2 Olay ManQ used that makes $20.31 left spent on soap)and only 2 CRTs came off??
I am so confused.  And yes, all these CRTs were clipped to my card.

So $15 in CRTs didn't come off.  I figured all of them wouldn't come off but at least a few should have, leaving me with less in ECBs to spend and/or less than $1 OOP for my total.

Plus I had a $5 ECB left on my card(after she applied the other $17 in ECBs)from buying the Maybelline last week that the cashier should have applied to my total as well!  This would have given me an OOP total of .08¢+the .21¢ tax, so .29¢ OOP in cash.

But all is not lost.
I did use the 2 ECBs before they expired.
I got back $3 on Ibotta for the toothpaste.
I earned back $15 in new ECBs($10 wyb4 soaps deal, $5 wyb 3 Colgate pastes deal).
So I earned $18 in new rebates/ECBs.

CVS you are on my shit list this week.

But I did get stuff I need(well not the toothpaste).  Our local American Legion is asking for donations for the troops and some of that bar soap is heading to their effort along with lots of toiletries I already have in my stash. ;-)

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

  The "A Very Disappointing Purchase" Edition.....

Back in September Lloyd's brand had a Try Me Free Offer on their Pulled Chicken containers.  I had a $1 off store Q so I figured I'd buy one.

Well I got home and went online to apply for the TMF rebate and the offer was  already pulled as all the Offers had been applied for.

Reading the small print, get this!, there were only three thousand offers to begin with, for the entire US!!

Now I've been in stores that sell this Lloyd's item recently(this is November)and they ALL still have that TRY ME FREE Offer sticker on them.  I'd call this deceptive business practices, wouldn't you?

So I was just going to take my lumps and go on with my life but we had this item on sandwich buns this past week.

My second bite into my sandwich and I bit down on something hard and pulled this out of my mouth..........

The smaller hunk of chicken bone was pulled out of my next bite of sandwich.

At this point you KNOW I'll be sending this company negative feedback on both their scam of making it appear you could try this free AND the bad quality of the product.

I can't in good consciousness recommend this product in any way to anyone I know!

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.....

1. Sunday--leftover Chicken and Dumplings w/Carrots
2. Monday--Reuben Sandwiches
3. Tuesday--Lasagna Casserole, Salad

4. Wednesday--Taco Salad
5. Thursday--Whatever Hubs cooks

6. Friday--Chicken and Peppers Enchiladas, Rice, Beans(Ex-CB coming for dinner maybe)
7. Saturday--Leftovers

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

1. Sunday--leftover Chicken and Dumplings w/Carrots

2. Monday--Reuben Sandwiches
3. Tuesday--Lasagna Casserole, Salad

4. Wednesday--Tacos(I had Jello)
5. Thursday--Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

6. Friday--Chicken and Peppers Enchiladas, Rice(Ex-CB came for dinner and I just had rice and veggies)
7. Saturday--FFY(I had a big Salad)

Last week saw 5 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/FFY/TV Dinners, and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.  

Mostly meals happened as planned(maybe on a different day than planned)

What got put into the freezer last week....

* a bag of green beans

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

* 2 packages of chicken breast

* Lloyd's pulled chicken(bleh)

We spent $40.77 last week(a few things at Ollie's, Weis, Walmart and CVS), bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods Grand Total to $161.91 for November so far.

There are 14 shopping days left in November.  

I've earned $56.74 on Ibotta in November. 

I've earned $0.00 on SavingStar in November.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in October.

I've earned $2.50 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Fetch in November.(It's a bit more as I am behind on submitting some R-A receipts.)

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on ShopKick in November.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in November.

My savings percentage for last week was 78.85%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for November and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 60.09%.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week.....Reuben fixings, lots of taco meat and chicken enchiladas.

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

1. Sunday--Reuben Sandwiches(finishing up the meat/cheese)
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Liver and Onions, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veg

4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--Whatever Hubs cooks or Take-Out

6. Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

What needs buying for this menu? 

Just not feeling the whole menu/cooking thing today.  We may just Fend For Ourselves most of the week and Hubs has lots of enchiladas to go through. ;-)

Might work on the $10 Ibotta Bonus this week or not.

Just feeling blah about everything right now.  You'll see next Monday what we ended up cooking(or not).

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

Giveaway Housekeeping

 One Item I need to address for the Giveaways--

* If you enter the giveaway and don't include your email in the entry PLEASE use a last name or last initial with your First name.   I have multiple folks in the database with the same first name and there is no way for me to tell which Michelle or Mary or Marcia or Susan or other common first name is entering.

That is all.  Go on about your Sunday. ;-)

Sluggy

November Giveaways are Here! Yes, I Said Giveaways as in Multiple!!

 And with that it's time for the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourtenth Sluggy's Boring Blog Giveaways for 2020!                                

2020 has been such a Dumpster Fire of a year, so for November I am giving away THREE Boxes of Goodies to three different winners.
I think everyone could use some cheering up this year. 8-)

Let's take a look at what is in Box #1 this month.........

1 x Betadine antiseptic spray

1 x Gain fabric softener

1 x Garnier Fructis shampoo

2 x Kokie nail polish

1 x Summer's Eve personal wash

1 x Pantene conditioner

1 x Right Guard men's deodorant spray

1 x Aspercreme topical pain relief

1 x Colgate toothpaste

1 x Neutrogena lip balm

1x Compeed foot/blister pads

1 x Scunci hair bands

1 x Reach floss holder

1 x Oral-B toothbrush

1 x 3 roll Tums antacid

2 x Welch's fruit snack packs

10 x Reese's dark chocolate pb cups

8 x Hershey's Gold bars

1 x Trident layers gum

Close-up shots of the goodies in Box #1--

Here's what is in Box #2 you could win...........

1 x Suave deodorant stick

1 x Biore face wash

1 x Suave shampoo

1 x Jergens in shower lotion

1 x Arm and hammer laundry pods

1 x Aquaphor lotion sample

1 x Yardley lavender bar soap

1 x Revlon foundation face make-up

1 x Bic disposable razor package

1 x Maybelline super stay matte lipstick

1 x Cover Girl mascara

1 x L'Oreal face cream sample

1 x Freeman face mask(avocado)

1 x Burt's Bees night cream sample

1 x Nature's Truth Vitamin E stick/lip balm

1 x Scunci hair bands

1 x Oral-B toothbrush(twin pack)

1 x Revlon Photoready Insta-Sculpt face make-up palette 

Close-up shots of the Box #2 Goodies....

And finally, here is a photo of what Box #3 holds.......

1 x Revlon face foundation make-up

1 x SheaMoisture body butter lotion

1 x Pantene shampoo

1 x Nivea lotion

1 x Daylogic make-up remover pads

1 x Jergens "glow" lotion

3 x Kokie nail polish

1 x Wet n' Wild nail polish

1 x Conair hair brush

1 x Scunci hair bands

1 x Rimmel eyebrow pencil

1 x Maybelline lip crayon

1 x Rimmel lip liner

1 x Cover Girl brow pencils

1 x Nivea lip balm

1 x Revlon color stay brow crayon

2 x Trident gum(Wintergreen,Pineapple)

1 x Revlon emery boards

1 x Almay mascara

4 x e.l.f. make-up brushes(all different kinds)

20 x Dove chocolates(sea salt caramel dark chocolate and milk chocolate)

Close up shots of these goodies..........

Depending on where you shop, the winnings have a reg. retail value of between approximately $50-$80 depending on the box of goodies.

Here's how this is going to work........

* The giveaway is open to ALL readers.

* There is a limit of ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY.

* Only VALID entries will be posted.  A Valid entry is a limit of one per day and I MUST HAVE VALID CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU(either you are on the Giveaway Contact List which I maintain, your comment is connected to a Google/Blogger profile which links to your email address or you email me directly(my email is in the side bar on the Blog)your email address.

IF YOU ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AND DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT AFTER A DAY OR SO(Give me time to post the entries each day)THAT MEANS YOUR ENTRY ISN'T VALID DUE TO ONE OF THE ABOVE REASONS AND IT IS UP TO YOU TO FIX YOUR ENTRY!

I will no longer spend time hunting down folks.  If you want to win, read ALL the rules and do the work.

From all the VALID entries I receive I'll pick a winner at random and the #1 winner gets their pick of which of the 3 Boxes they want.

After they choose, I'll draw a #2 winner and they'll make their selection from the 2 boxes left.

Then I'll draw a #3 winner who gets the box that wasn't chosen yet.

In your entries I'd like to hear about your plans for Thanksgiving.  Do you cook a special meal and what?  Are you gathering for the Holiday with family and/or friends, and with how many folks? I know 2020 will look different for most of us due to the pandemic.  What is your favorite Fall pie, or side?  Do you have any great recipes for the day?
Stuff like that.

If you are on my Giveaway emails list just leave a comment and your name to enter. If you aren't on the Giveaway emails list make sure you leave your email in your comment OR email me your email privately after you leave a comment(my email is in the side bar area under "About Me").
I'll leave this giveaway open until November 23rd, Monday at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. On November 24th, Tuesday, I'll draw the winning entries(in order 1 to 3)and post the 3 Winners.  It may take awhile to get all the winners and giveaway boxes assigned so I'll be mailing them out the week after Thanksgiving.

*Please note these rules*
I'll post the name/ID of the winners on this blog on  and those persons have 48 hours from the time stamp on that post to contact me privately via email(my email addy is listed on my "About Me" page, as well as on my side bar).

Disclaimer--This giveaway is open to those with mailing addresses within the US only.  As the cost of postage to foreign countries has gotten too high I am sorry to say I can no longer afford to mail boxes outside the US.  These giveaways are not sponsored by any companies.  I pay for it all(the cost of items given away and the postage to mail it all)out of my own pocket.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you in your comment.

If you're not a registered Blogger User with YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION on your User page, please put your email addy in your comment or email me your email addy privately when you leave a comment so I can get a hold of you. If your Blogger associated user profile is a GOOGLE one make sure your email info is linked to your profile.


So let's get these Giveaways started. Good luck to everyone!!!

Sluggy

Frugal Friday....the November 13th Edition

 Before I get to what passed for frugal this week I want to clear up that yes, we get paid to work the voting polls here in PA but it's a nominal amount.  Sort of like jury duty pay but a little better, but still not commensurate for the time you spend in training classes and the aggravation of dealing with some of the public. ;-)

So what frugalicious things happened here in Sluggy's world this past week?

*  Until Thursday our heat was still off due to a week+ long heat spell that was uncharacteristic for November in NEPA.  Saving on electricity for heating?  Yes please!

*  I did a couple deals at Rite-Aid this week.  Using the $10 off $30 Load2Card Qs in two accounts made both these transactions small moneymakers, which grew my Bonus Cash a bit in preparation for some Black Friday shopping there.......

See previous Rite-Aid posts from earlier in the week for details.

*  I went to Ollie's(Good Stuff Cheap!)on Wednesday in the town South of us to use Hubs' 15% discount they mailed him.  I picked up 2 Xmas gifts and 1 stocking stuffer for real cheap.  As far as food goes I spent $9.13 on food there as well-4 cans of chili for Hubs, a box of pasta, some pita chips, a 4 pack of protein shakes and a teriyaki taco kit.

*  I also hit CVS which was right down the road from Ollie's and got all this for .03¢...

See previous post for details.

*  I got another $5 Bonus on my Ibotta account this week so between Walmart and Weis I bought 12 items so I could get that bonus--at Walmart; a jar of Ragu, 4 jars of Gerber baby food(for the food bank), a container of Fage sour cream, the Free GV green beans(finally found them!), free 2 ltr Pepsi Zero Sugar, 6 tins of wet dog Food, a box of Lipton tea bags, 2 boxes of CrunchMaster crackers(plus 2 x .10¢ any item rebates)and at Weis; a 12 pack of Bella dog food, 4 boxes of Scotties facial tissues, a container of Keebler cookies(for Ex-CB)and a bottle of St. Joseph baby aspirin(plus a .10¢ any item rebate for dog food there). Between the $9.29 in rebates at Walmart and the $3.85 at Weis and the $5 Bonus I got back $18.14 of my $22.63(after using coupons)I spent making these 12 items $5.34 total OOP.

*  I found money!

This .02¢ was found in the parking lot next to my car at Rite-Aid last Friday.

I hit two different Rite-Aids on Monday.  I found the penny at one store at the register counter and the nickel at the other store, on the base of a refrigerated drink case between their registers.

I found another penny on Wednesday at the Pharmacy counter when I went to pick up Hubs' Rx.

And on Thursday I found these two pennies at Rite-Aid(of course!)in the prime hunting spot under the candy racks by the front registers.

Total Found Money This Week...  .11¢
Total Found Money This Year so Far...$50.94  

*  On my trip to the town South of here I was in need of gas for my car so I made a point to check all the signs at the gas stations I passed on the way down.  I stopped on the way home at the cheapest station-a Sunoco with regular unleaded gas for $2.27 gal.  With my Sunoco card discount it was $2.22 per gal.
The various stations were all over the place in price, from $2.49 at one Sunoco to $2.27 at the station I filled up at, as well as another station where I wouldn't get a discount.

*  I had bought a Lean Cuisine(a type I like and have bought/eaten many times before).  This one was substandard in my opinion.  The sauce was very runny and had no taste.  So I emailed the company a week or so ago, to complain and also give them the lot # off the box so they could look into the matter.

An envelope arrived in the mail on Monday from the company.  In it were 2 FREE item Qs as well as 4 other ¢ off Qs for various types of their frozen meals.

That's about it for this past week.

What frugal goodness happened in your world?  Tell us all about it!

Sluggy