This Week on the Dining Table.....Feb. 23 to Mar. 1

The "Back to Meal Planning" Edition........I've been bad and not meal planning.

I'm still kicking myself for not buying this stout I saw at Trader Joe's after Xmas of 2023.

It's a play on the winning entry of a contest to name a ship if you never heard of it.....

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36064659

At least I took a photo. 8-)

Onward to the meal planning!

Here is what was planned for the last week.....

1. Sunday--Didn't make a plan

2. Monday---Didn't make a plan

3. Tuesday--Didn't make a plan

4. Wednesday--Didn't make a plan

5. Thursday--Didn't make a plan

6. Friday--Didn't make a plan

7. Saturday--Didn't make a plan

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Don't Remember

2. Monday---Breaded Shrimp(Baked), Squash

3. Tuesday--BLTs

4. Wednesday--Steakhouse Wedge Salad(Hubs had Brats)

5. Thursday--Cheeseburgers(bun optional), leftover Squash, leftover Cabbage

6. Friday--Catfish, Green Beans, Cole Slaw

7. Saturday--Portabello Mushroom Parmesan, Caesar Salad

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

*  Shrimp

*  Bacon

Last 2 weeks we spent $187.89 on groceries and the savings rate came in at 43.08%. Spending for the month is $287.17 and the savings rate is 41.57% for February before rebate monies are added in.

Rebates earned in February-

$82.22 on Ibotta

$0.00 on Checkout51

$20.73 on Aisle and Misc.

$102.95 Total in $$

Total spent after rebates is $184.22.

8,868 Pts. on Fetch

3 Pts. on SwagBucks

783 Pts. on My Points

30 Pts. on ShopKick

0 Pts. on TaDa

(I don't count these until I cash out for a gift card or cash.)

Leftovers going into next week...Pot Roast Stew, 1 Brat, partial container of Tuna Salad.

Here is what was planned for this week.....

1. Sunday--Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries

2. Monday---Chicken w/Stir-Fry Veggies

3. Tuesday--Meatloaf, Green Beans

4. Wednesday--Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Leftovers 

Just trying to eat down what is here when I'm not getting great deals.  I chose my meals by cherry picking the deals and building meals around those items, combined with what is in my 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? 

Sluggy  

This Week On The Dining Table

This Week On The Dining Table...Aug. 12th

There was no way in hell I was going to buy/eat those chips! lol

Still struggling here.  I am off the walker and on the cane now and staggering around like a drunk sailor which is making my hip ache.  ;-)

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Salmon, Teriyaki Green Beans

2. Monday--Cheeseburgers, Corn on Cob

3. Tuesday--Fried Zucchini, Chicken

4. Wednesday--Catfish, Broccoli Slaw, Yellow Squash

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Salmon, Teriyaki Green Beans

2. Monday--Cheeseburgers, Corn on Cob

3. Tuesday--Fried Zucchini, Pork Loin

4. Wednesday--Cheeseburger

5. Thursday--Strawberries and Yogurt

6. Friday--Catfish, Broccoli Slaw, leftover Green Beans

7. Saturday--Leftovers

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

* Salmon

* Burgers

* Pork Loin

* Catfish

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

* Klondike Ice Cream Sandwiches

* Chicken Strips

                    

Last week we spent $203.86 grocery shopping.  It was my first full week back from Virginia so we needed lots of foodstuff.

Total shopping comes to $261.62 for August.   There are 12 shopping days left in August.  

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $208.79 on Ibotta in August

I've earned $9.50 on Shopmium in August.

I've earned $0 on Alexa app in August.

I've earned $6.00 on Kroger Cash Back in August(which still hasn't come through).

I've earned $0 on TaDa in August.

I've earned $12.39 on Checkout51 in August.

I've earned $19.50 on Aisle, etc. in August. (Haven't gotten my Nature Valley rebate yet from June.)

I've earned 23,152 points on Fetch from food shopping in August.

I've earned 13,536 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in August.($54.14)

I've earned 2,465 Points on My Points in August.($)

I've earned 5,189 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in August.($51.89)

That is $250.18 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/KCB/Alexa/Swag Bucks/The Insiders)on $261.62 of grocery spending so in reality it's $11.44 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending(but I do count any rebates on those items).

My savings percentage for the last week was 51.17% and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 59.34% spent.

Leftovers going into this week...green beans, a small piece of pork loin, broccoli slaw.

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

1. Sunday--Mushroom Risotto, Yellow Squash

2. Monday--Out to Eat

3. Tuesday--Shrimp, leftover Broccoli Slaw, Mac and Cheese(for Hubs)

4. Wednesday--Chicken Parm, Salad

5. Thursday--No Clue maybe Salmon

6. Friday--No Clue  maybe Beef something

7. Saturday--No Clue  maybe leftovers

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 deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Mixed Up Thanksgiving" Edition.....

We went over the son in-laws folks house on Saturday for Thanksgiving.  There were a ton of people there we didn't know(half brothers, wives, grandchildren, etc.)so that was different.  Just another change to what we are use to. 8-)

Daughter might want to do something on Thursday though that's just the 4 of us.  We'll see what happens.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Chicken Fajitas, Spanish Rice

2. Monday--Fried Catfish, Asian Cole Slaw, Cornbread

3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry w/Veggies, Rice

4. Wednesday--Beef Pie w/Veggies and Cornbread

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6.  Friday--Shrimp Scampi, Linguine, Veg TBD

7. Saturday--Thanksgiving Dinner w/family

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Chicken Fajitas

2. Monday--Fried Catfish, Asian Cole Slaw, Cornbread

3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry w/Veggies, Rice

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Beef Stroganoff, Sweet Potato Fries

6.  Friday--Leftovers, Big Salad

7. Saturday--Thanksgiving Dinner w/family

I wasn't feeling well Sunday so Hubs had the Fajitas and I ate an apple.  I used the leftover rotisserie chicken I bought the week before and put it into the Fajita filling.

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

*  a 10+lb. turkey

*  5 more lbs. of Bacon

*  3 boxes of pie crust

*  2 bags of veggies

*  3 pies

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

*  some Catfish

*  a bag of Teriyaki Chicken

*  a bag of Stir-Fry Veggies

*  a bag of Sliced Beef

                                                   

I busted my budget and spent $237.79 last week. Just 2 Kroger and 2 Walmart trips to put stuff in the freezer and pantry to stock it as I found deals and a few necessities.

I figure since we won't be buying food in December(doing a sort of grocery fast and will be away too then)I can go over as what I buy will "last" for 2 months.

This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $770.46 for November so far.  

There are 9 shopping days left in November.

I've earned $160.56 on Ibotta in November.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $15.75 on Coupons dotcom in November.

I've earned 8,667 points from shopping on Fetch in November.

I earned 5,416 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in November.

I've earned 1,321 pts. from food shopping on Swag Bucks in November.

That's $176.31 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $ in grocery spending so in reality it's $412.35 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 47.98% and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 39.25% so far.  Gone are the days of 70% savings rate with Rite-Aid. 8-((

Leftovers going into this week....Chicken Fajita filling, Teriyaki Chicken and Stir-Fry veggies

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers

2. Monday--Salad, Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Chicken Strips, Mac and Cheese, Cabbage

4. Wednesday--Beef Pie w/Veggies and Cornbread

5. Thursday--Some Form of Turkey, Rutabaga, Mashed Taters, Stuffing, Cranberry, Pumpkin Pie

6.  Friday--Shrimp Scampi, Linguine, Veg TBD

7. Saturday--More Leftovers

Some meals not made last week just carry over into this week.  We're working on leftovers at the moment too. ;-)

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Not sure.  If I have to get some form of turkey(the whole one's won't thaw in time to cook one but we don't want all those turkey leftovers right now)I'll spend a bit more for November.

No worries as we have the cash to cover all this food and nothing goes on a credit card that we don't pay off at month's end. 8-)

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 deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy 

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Long Overdue Photo Editing" Edition... 

This is just one of the photos I've edited this past weekend.  Wanna guess where this was taken?
I've been trying to spend an hour or two every day working on photos from old trips we've taken.  This is part of my digital decluttering project.  Once I get all these unedited photos fixed I can transfer everything to my "new" computer and start using it in earnest.

This photo is one of thousands from our month long trip out West n 2017.  Yep, FIVE years ago!  I am just a tad behind on stuff....lolz

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Tacos

2. Monday--No Plan

3. Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Brussels Sprouts

4. Wednesday--Chicken Parm, Baked Sweet Potato Fries
5. Thursday--Chinese take-out unless Hubs cooks

6.  Friday--Fish Fry, Coleslaw(if I can manage to buy some cabbage)

7. Saturday--Lasagna, Salad

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Tacos

2. Monday--Fend for Yourself aka I don't remember lolz

3. Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Baked Sweet Potato

4. Wednesday--Chicken Yakisoba w/Veggies
5. Thursday--Ravioli in Sauce, Salad

6.  Friday--Homemade Chili and Cornbread(for Hubs), I have a sub sandwich

7. Saturday--Taco Salad me, Lasagna Hubs

Only three of the planned meals happened last week.  After I found those 75% frozen dinners I went through the top few layers of the chest freezer and started pulling stuff out.  I pulled out ground beef and mini steaks so Stroganoff, Tacos and Chili happened.  I pulled out a piece of a homemade lasagna too.  The Chicken Parm, the Fish fry and the Take-out didn't happen and "may" move to this week. ;-)

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

*  21 frozen meals(75% clearance sale items)

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

*  frozen bags of Tomato Sauce from Garden

*  Ground Beef

*  2 packs of Steaks

*  2 frozen dinners(Yakisoba)

*  1 bag of Ravioli

I spent $34.07 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week.  I managed 2 trips to Walmart and a trip to the Shursave Market.  I had $7.81 left on a gift card for Shursave so spent $2.18 OOP there, $9.62 and $22.27 on the 2 trips to Walmart. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $183.27 for April.  

There are 12 shopping days left in April.  

I've earned $73.63 on Ibotta in April.

I've earned $3.04 on Checkout51 in April.

I've earned $0 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in April.

I've earned 6,686 points($6.68)from shopping on Fetch in April.

I earned 1830 Kicks($7.32)from food shopping on Shop Kick in April. 

I've earned 1962 Swag Bucks($19.62) from food shopping on Swag Bucks in April.

That's $76.67 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $183.27 in grocery spending so in reality it's $106.60 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 79.03%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for April comes in at 50.61% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week.....1 helping of Stroganoff, 2 helpings of rice, Ravioli and Sauce, Chili, Cornbread, Lasagna.  Lots of leftovers will happen this week.

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

1. Sunday--Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Corn

2. Monday--Ham Steak, Veggies TBD, mac and cheese

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Chicken Parm, Brussels Sprouts
5. Thursday--Chinese take-out

6.  Friday--FFY or Leftovers

7. Saturday--FFY or Leftovers

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu? I've got everything so we will be eating from the freezer/stockpile except for the Chinese take-out.  I may need milk this week but that's all.  I'll be trying to stay out of the grocery store until May.  No promises but I'll try.

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

  

This Week on the Dining Table

***Due to Technical Difficulties(danged weather and internet!)I didn't pick a Giveaway Winner yesterday.  I'll be back later today and do that so stay tuned........***

 The "The Birthday Week is Over" Edition...

It was a lowkey affair this year.  Hubs bought a cake and we still have half of it left so come on over it ya want a piece! lol  We went out to the only open Chinese Buffet restaurant left here(thanks Covid!)for lunch and then Hubs drove me to a new-to-me Walmart and a Rite-Aid on my regular rotation of RAs so I could finish my Ibotta Bonus.  We are just party animals, no?

My birthday coincides with the Feast Day of St. Agnes(who died a martyr's death because she would not marry).  First by being burned at the stake, and when that didn't work, then being beheaded.  Just like me and my Birthday buddy, Rasputin, we are/were all hard to kill. *snort*  St. Agnes Day is also said to be the coldest day of the year and boy, was it ever here!!  We had 3 snow days last week.

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned......

1. Sunday--Leftover Beef Pie

2. Monday--Fend for Yourself as I am not feeling well

3. Tuesday--Butternut Squash Ravioli w/Béchamel, Salad

4. Wednesday--Homemade flatbread Pizza, Salad
5. Thursday--? Hubs' night to cook

6.  Friday--Beef & Veggie Stir-fry, Rice

7. Saturday--More Leftovers?

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Leftover Beef Pie

2. Monday--Fend for Yourself as I am not feeling well

3. Tuesday--Don't remember so it must have been forgettable

4. Wednesday--Don't remember so it must have been forgettable
5. Thursday--I made Hubs Spaghetti and Meatballs, I didn't eat due to the big lunch out

6.  Friday--Lunch out at Chinese Buffet(no dinner), Cake

7. Saturday--Beef & Veggie Stir-Fry w/Noodles

Nothing very exciting here.  When it's so cold here I don't feel like cooking.  Used a free gift card to get Applebee's on shot night and paid for Chinese take-out this week too and I don't care because it was my birthday week and I didn't want to cook so there...pphhhhtttt!

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

*  a Pizza

*  a small London Broil

*  a whole Chicken

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

*  a handful of Meatballs

* 1/2 bag of stir-fry veggies

*  a small London Broil

I spent $147.15 on food/toiletries/HBA the last week. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $265.29 for January so far.  It would have been about $35 lower except at that new-to-me Walmart, the price scanner gun at my register was broken so I couldn't use some digital gift cards. 8-((

There are 7 shopping days left in January.  

I've earned $245.12 on Ibotta in January.

I've earned $5.39 on Checkout51 in January.

I've earned $15.50 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in January.

I've earned 17,221 points from shopping on Fetch in January.

I earned 2,105 Kicks from food shopping on Shop Kick in January. 

I've earned 1,946 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in January.

I've earned $0 from food shopping on Tada in January.

That's $266.01 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Tada/Fetch)on $265.29 in grocery spending so in reality it's -.72¢ spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.  

rah...

My savings percentage for the last week was 56.28%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for January comes in at 61.97% so far(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week.....Beef Noodle Stir-Fry, Spaghetti and Meatballs

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

1. Sunday--Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Roast Carrots, Potatoes

2. Monday--Pizza, Salad

3. Tuesday--Butternut Squash Ravioli w/Béchamel, Salad

4. Wednesday--Chicken Salad
5. Thursday--Leftovers? or No Clue

6.  Friday--Chicken and Dumplings w/Carrots

7. Saturday--Leftovers?

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  I may need milk but that's it.

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

  

This Week on the Dining Table

The "My Jar Runneth Over" Edition...

I shared this on FB yesterday.  My swear jar "might" be a tad more filled than above but the history/genealogy jar?  Pretty much right on....lol

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned......

1. Sunday--Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Hawaiian rolls

2. Monday--Breakfast for Dinner

3. Tuesday--Chicken Parm, Baked Sweet Potato, (Pasta for Hubs only)

4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--? Hubs' night to cook

6.  Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Hawaiian rolls

2. Monday--Breakfast for Dinner(Bacon, Pancakes)

3. Tuesday--Fend for Yourself

4. Wednesday--Meatloaf, Honey Ginger Carrots
5. Thursday--Chinese Take-Out

6.  Friday--Leftover Chinese

7. Saturday--Leftover Meatloaf, Carrots

Nothing very exciting here, just plain old cooking.  I've still got a LOT of carrots to use up from the 8 lb. bag I bought for Christmas dinner so they will be appearing again and again in some form or another. ;-)

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

*  Not a thing

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

*  Bacon

*  Cheese

*  Ground Beef

I spent $55.50 on food/toiletries/HBA the last week. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $55.50 for January.

There are 21 shopping days left in January.  

I've earned $101.51 on Ibotta in January.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in January.

I've earned $8 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in January.

I've earned 451 points from shopping on Fetch in January.

I earned 1,265 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in January. 

I've earned 10 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in January.

I've earned $0 from food shopping on Tada in January.

That's $109.51 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Tada/Fetch)on $55.50 in grocery spending so in reality it's -$54.01 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.  Yay me.....

My savings percentage for the last week was 66.71%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for January comes in at 66.71% so far(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week....1 helping each of Meatloaf, Carrots and Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

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

1. Sunday--Chicken Parm, Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

2. Monday--Butternut Squash Ravioli w/Béchamel, Salad

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Homemade flatbread Pizza, Salad
5. Thursday--? Hubs' night to cook

6.  Friday--Some sort of soup or stew

7. Saturday--?

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Nothing.  I got it covered(except maybe Hubs' night to cook).

I do plan to pick up a couple of things anyway to reach my Ibotta $10 Bonus for Jan.

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