This Week + on The Dining Table....Dec. 15th to Dec. 29th

 The "Christmas Ornament" Edition........

Here is one of the splurge purchased I made during the After Christmas sales.  It's a Cheetos bag ornament.  When I was a kid I loved Cheetos.  Recently, Flavorwiki had me taste test Flamin' Hot Cheetos.  I have never been one for "hot" food so I don't know why they picked me to do that survey.  Do you want to guess whether I gave them the thumbs up or down? lol

Onward to the meal planning!

Here is what was planned for the last week I did a meal plan.....

1. Sunday--Cod, Squash and Onions

2. Monday--Cheeseburgers(bun optional), Leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Whatever needs using up(soup, squash, green beans, etc.)

4. Wednesday--Whatever else needs using up

5. Thursday--?

6. Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

8. Sunday--?

9. Monday--?

10. Tuesday--Fajita Bar at friend's house

11. Wednesday--Turkey

12. Thursday--?

13. Friday--Cracker Barrel

14. Saturday--Chili's

15. Sunday--?

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Cod, Squash and Onions

2. Monday--Cheeseburger(no bun), Leftover 

Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Don't Remember

4. Wednesday--Used by what was left

5. Thursday--Cracker Barrel

6. Friday--Cracker Barrel

7. Saturday--Golden Corral

8. Sunday--Chick fil-A

9. Monday--Don't remember

10. Tuesday--Fajita Bar at friend's house

11. Wednesday--Turkey and lots of sides

12. Thursday--Standing Prime 

Rib, Salad

13. Friday--Cracker Barrel

14. Saturday--Chili's

15. Sunday--McDonald's

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

*  2 pieces of Cod

*  Hamburger Meat

*  2 Chicken Biscuits(breakfast)

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

*  Nothing  

                   

Last week we spent $227.37 grocery shopping.

There are 0 shopping days left in December.

Rebate monies earned in December.....

I've earned $201.96 on Ibotta in December.

I've earned $9.50 on Checkout51 in December.

I've earned $190.72 on Aisle, TaDa, SwagBucks, Flavorwiki, etc. in December. 

I've earned 7,760 points on Fetch from food shopping in December.

I've earned 17,925 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in December.($71.70)

I've earned 865 points on My Points in December.(not sure what the conversion rate is here)

That is $402.18 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints where I earn gift cards or send $$ to my Paypal account and count it at the end of the year)on $432.66 of grocery spending so in reality it's $40.38 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) so it's a win/win--the food bank gets a large donation of goods and I get a lower grocery bill.

My savings percentage for the last week was 42.48% and the monthly savings total for 50.49%.

Leftovers going into next week.....nothing

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

1. Sunday--Zalads from Zaxby's(using gift card)

2. Monday--Cheeseburgers, saute Cabbage

3. Tuesday--Shrimp, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--TV dinners

5. Thursday--Pasta, Salad

6. Friday--Chicken Tenders, Veg TBD

7. Saturday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Saute Yellow Squash

Nothing inspiring here.  Just trying to eat what is here,

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

The "Lots of Rite-Aid transactions" Edition....

Along with the 2 online R-A orders I did last week, which I already talked about on the blog, I also did 2 transactions in the stores.  I spent down one cards BC a bit(actually just converted the BC to real cash with Ibotta rebates).  I got a few gifts for my sons, Pepcid and Vitamins for me, Band-Aids for Hubs, and the rest for future Giveaway boxes.  I need to go back as the cashier forgot to remove a hangtag coupon for $2 on the Vitamins and I forgot to use a couple of Band-Aid coupons which should put $3.50 cash back into my pocket. ;-)

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Fend for Yourself

2. Monday--Breakfast for Dinner

3. Tuesday--Working Election Polls so ?

4. Wednesday--Chicken Fajitas

5. Thursday--Hubs cooking

6.  Friday--Homemade Flatbread Pizzas, Salad

7. Saturday--?

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

1. Sunday--Chinese take-out

2. Monday--don't remember

3. Tuesday--Subway sub at polls

4. Wednesday--don't remember

5. Thursday--Applebee's(I had chicken and salad)

6.  Friday--Cheeseburgers on Rolls, Cuke Salad

7. Saturday--Leftovers

The "don't remembers" were probably Fend for Yourself nights.  I had cheese and crackers one night and some canned ravioli another night.  I just didn't cook except for Friday last week.

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

*  2 pints of ice cream

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

* Ground Beef

* 1 pint of ice cream

I spent $86.73 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $86.73 for May.  

There are 8 shopping days left in May.  

I've earned $73.57 on Ibotta in May.

I've earned $5.62 on Checkout51 in May.

I've earned $2.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in May.

I've earned 6,792 points from shopping on Fetch in May.

I earned $20.92 from food shopping on Shop Kick in May. 

I've earned $6.08 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in May.

That's $81.1/9 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $86.73 in grocery spending so in reality it's $5.54 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 46.64% (without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for May comes in at 46.64% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week....nothing.  That's what happens when you hardly cook. lol

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

1. Sunday--Chicken Fajitas

2. Monday--Breakfast for Dinner

3. Tuesday--Rigatoni w/Mushrooms in Sauce, Salad

4. Wednesday--Orange "Chicken" Stir-Fry w/Veggies and Noodles

5. Thursday--Hubs cooking

6.  Friday--Homemade Flatbread Pizzas, Salad

7. Saturday--Leftovers

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu? Stir-fry veggies.  I got the mushrooms finally on Saturday for last night's dinner.

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 "Kim's Christmas Present" Edition.......

I found this toy at Ollie's at Xmas time and immediately thought of Kim.  A little doll with a sewing machine, a mannequin and fabric. Too precise!

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On-

This is what was planned....

1. Sunday--Lasagna, Roasted Brussel Sprouts

2. Monday--Dinner out(Hubs' birthday)

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Hot Dogs, sauté Cabbage
5. Thursday--Leftovers

6.  Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Leftovers

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

1. Sunday--Lasagna, Roasted Brussel Sprouts

2. Monday--Dinner out(Hubs' birthday)

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Hot Dogs, sauté Cabbage
5. Thursday--Leftovers

6.  Friday--Chinese Take-Out

7. Saturday--Leftovers

Last week saw 2 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers/planned overs or FFY, and 2 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.  The hot dogs may have happened on a different(I can't remember now).

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

*  1 pack of Beef ribs

*  1 pack of Burritos

*  2 bags of plant "Chicken" nuggets

*  3 smalll tv dinners

*  1 bag grilled Chicken strips

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

* 1 frozen Lasagna

*  Hot Dogs

We spent $79.58 on food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods last week. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $140.11 for April so far. 

There are 18 shopping days left in April.

I've earned $119.02 on Ibotta in April.

I've earned $5.00 on Checkout51 in April.

I've earned $7.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in April.

I've earned 522 points from shopping on Fetch in April(haven't submitted all my receipts yet tho).

I've earned $10.40 worth of points from food shopping on Shop Kick in April.

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

My savings percentage for last week was an incredible 75.02%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for April and the monthly savings total for April comes in at 73.34%.(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week--a few helpings of Halushki and half the Lasagna.  That's it.  That also means I have to cook this week. meh.

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

1. Sunday--Leftover Lasagna, Veggie TBD

2. Monday--Primo Hoagies

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday-- Chicken Marsala, sauté Cabbage
5. Thursday--Leftovers

6.  Friday--Fend for Yourself

7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Mushrooms.  As for most of the meals I have no clue.

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 "Laid Up in Bed Edition" Edition..........

Wouldn't you know it, Sunday I tweeked my left knee(the good knee)on the way out the door to go to Rite-Aid and it just felt worse and worse over the course of the day.
I am on Day Two of staying upstairs in bed in hopes staying off it and not going up and down the stairs helps it feel better.
Otherwise it's off to the doctor. sigh

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning-

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

1. Sunday--No Clue
2. Monday--Steak, Asparagus, and?
3. Tuesday--Maybe Pizza? or Leftovers

4. Wednesday--No Clue
5. Thursday--No Clue

6. Friday--No Clue
7. Saturday--No Clue

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

1. Sunday--I had a big Salad
2. Monday--Steak, Asparagus, leftover Butternut Squash
3. Tuesday--Leftover Teriyaki Beef w/Bok Choy, Salad

4. Wednesday--Sweet and Sour Chicken take-out at son's
5. Thursday--a bowl of  Rice Krispy cereal

6. Friday--Hot and Sour Soup
7. Saturday--leftover Soup

Last week saw 2 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 night of leftovers/FFY, and 2 nights of Take-Out and no dinner for me on Sunday.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 1 pack of thinly sliced chicken breast
* 6 tv dinners(Maybe this was a premonition that I wouldn't be able to cook for awhile?)

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* No clue what Hubs made at home except pork chops one night and steak another that he told me about on the phone.

Hubs spent a whole $26.02 on groceries while I was away.  He did eat a couple of "dogs" in the pantry-things that had been bought for him that he never got around to making. I pulled them out and put where he could find them yet he didn't go crazy on eating pasta and sauce which I assumed he would(since he loves it so and I just can't eat tomato based sauces much anymore).
I pillaged a could more R-As down in VA and hit a Sharp Shopper in VA and a Walmart in WV on the way home as well as went with sis in-law to Kroger twice which brings my June food spending to $405.55.

I am at $91.42 total earned in Ibotta rebates in June plus $1 in rebates on Saving Star for June which brings my actual June spending down to $313.13 after that's factored in.

My savings percentage the last 3 weeks was 50.58%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips)for June and the monthly savings total comes in at 56.37%(w/out R-A).

I have 0 more food shopping/spending days in June as it's the last day of the month today. 8-)

Leftovers going into this week.......nothing really as Hubs hardly cooked while I was away.  With Ex-CB back at work as of last week Hubs just made something for himself.
Must be nice to do that and not have to meal plan. 8-(

Here is this week's "food plan".....my first full week back home.

1. Sunday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
2. Monday--Salad and Pizza
3. Tuesday--FFY

4. Wednesday--Crab Cakes, Sweet Potato Wedges, Broccoli
5. Thursday--Mushroom Ravioli, more Broccoli

6. Friday--Caesar Salad w/Grilled Chicken
7. Saturday--Something Chicken-I have a roaster that needs to be cooked and ?

What needs buying for this menu? Nothing.  I might get fruit, deli meat and milk.  That's it.

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home...........
* Shrimp Tempura
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Spaghetti and Meatballs

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Grilled Chicken  new

* Grilled Steak  new

* Haddock Fish Dinner  new
* Chicken Tenders  new

* Beef Liver  new
* Pork for Tenderloin Sammies  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

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Would You Eat This?" Edition..........

I am not a big fan of spicy foods.  I saw this Ghost Pepper Pizza Sauce at the Sharp Shopper in PA on the way down here. I almost bought some for Elder son I was on the way to see as he IS a fan of spicy.'

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning-

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers(Hubs-Goulash over Rice, Me-Soup, Strawberries)
2. Monday--Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans
3. Tuesday--Hot Dogs and Burgers, Salad

4. Wednesday--Fend For Yourself/Leftovers
5. Thursday--? Hubs in charge

6. Friday--? Hubs in charge
7. Saturday--? Hubs in charge

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers(Hubs-Goulash over Rice, Me-Soup, Strawberries)
2. Monday--Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans
3. Tuesday--Fend for Yourself(I just had salad and Butternut Squash Ravioli tv dinner)

4. Wednesday--Fend For Yourself/Leftovers
5. Thursday--? Hubs in charge(I had Chicken Tender, Salad and Corn on Cob from Chili's)

6. Friday--? Hubs in charge(I had a big salad from Bob Evans)
7. Saturday--? Hubs in charge(I had Steak, Butternut Squash, Baked Potato at brother's house)

Last week saw 1 nights of home cooked dinners(before I left), 3 nights of leftovers/FFY(before I left), and 0 night of Take-Out.  At son's I had fruit for breakfast and we only ate a combined lunch/dinner-linner? of a restaurant meal each day/evening while I was there.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* I doubt Hubs put anything in the freezer last week.

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

1 trip to Sharp Shopper on the way down here was all the food shopping I did so far which brings my June Total spending on food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods so far to $149.61+ whatever I spent at Sharp Shopper on the way to VA.(Don't have that Sharp Shopper receipt on me right now...I'll add it all in when I get home.)

I am at $4.20 total earned in Ibotta rebates in June so far.

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

I have 16 more food shopping/spending days in June.

Leftovers going into this week.......no clue what they ate or didn't at home and frankly I don't care right now. lol

Here is this week's "food plan".....my Sister in-law is in charge this week. ;-)

1. Sunday--Didn't eat Dinner(Had a big salad for lunch and applesauce later.)
2. Monday--Taco Salad
3. Tuesday--No Clue

4. Wednesday--No Clue
5. Thursday--No Clue

6. Friday--No Clue
7. Saturday--No Clue

What needs buying for this menu? Don't know the menu so don't known what needs buying.  I'll throw my sister in-law some cash toward whatever.

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's here...........
* Shrimp Tempura
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Spaghetti and Meatballs

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Grilled Chicken  new

* Grilled Steak  new

* 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

This Week on the Dining Table

The "I Could Get Use to This" Edition....

By far the best meal I had last week.....a hunk of medium rare Prime Rib with grilled Asparagus and a Baked Potato.  I took half that PR home and had it for breakfast the next morning.

And it was half price too! lolz

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned--

1. Sunday--Eating Out

2. Monday--Eating Out

3. Tuesday--Eating Out

4. Wednesday--Maybe cooking

5. Thursday--Maybe cooking

6. Friday--Maybe cooking
7. Saturday--Maybe cooking

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--B-motel/L-Captain D's/D-Jakes Diner

2. Monday--B-motel/L-Logan's Roadhouse/D-Grandson's Buffet

3. Tuesday--B-motel/L-Cook-Out/D-Leftovers at Brother's house

4. Wednesday--B-eggs, bangers and toast/D-The Butcher's Son

5. Thursday--B-Prime Rib/L-Chili's/D-Angie's Diner

6. Friday--B-Krispy Kreme/L-Pierce's BBQ/D-frozen pizza(which I "cooked" at my son's place lol)
7. Saturday--B-bagel/L-Dickey's BBQ/D-Take-out Chinese

Last week saw 0 nights of home cooked dinners(if you don't count heating a pizza), 1 night of leftovers/fend for yourself, 6 nights of Eating Out/Take-Out.
I didn't think we'd be cooking while still traveling last week and my sister in-law was too busy to cook for us and my son didn't feel like making meals so we adapted.

What got put into the freezer last week.....
Nada since I wasn't here.

What got taken out of the freezer and used last week.....
Nada again.

Between the little bit the kids bought at the grocery store and the stuff Hubs and I picked up to either eat on the trip or food good deals to bring home, the food spending over the last TWO weeks came to $100.65 and brought the March monthly grand total to $262.87 so far.

My savings percentage the last two weeks was 41,55%(without Rite-Aid trips)and March's monthly savings total comes to 48.98%(w/out R-A). 

I have 6 more spending days in the month.

Leftovers going into this week....no clue since I haven't been brave enough to go through the fridge yet. lolz

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

1. Sunday--We'll fend for ourselves when we get home after stopping at Bob Evans for lunch.

2. Monday--Leftovers/FFY

3. Tuesday--Stir-Fry Chicken w/Noodles

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--No Clue yet

6. Friday--No Clue yet
7. Saturday--No Clue yet

This week will see 1-? new meals cooked, 3-? nights of leftovers/FFY, and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out(I am burnt out on meals out and take-out right now.).

What needs buying for this menu?  We are out of milk no clue what else I'll pick up but we have stuff here for meals already.  Somebody just has to get the energy to actually pull meals together. ;-)

I will be buying a few things that are stockpile-able like cans of chili and jars of pasta sauce since they will be almost free w/sale and Qs.  I'm going to try to stay under $75 for the rest of the month all in.  That will still keep me well under $400 food spending for the month.

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