This Week on the Dining Table....the January 15th Edition

The "It's that Time of Year Again" Edition.....  

The Mardi Gras stuff is out in full display at stores here now.  Actually they had it out in some places before we left for PA in December.  Around here MG has to jockey for shelf space with the Valentine's stuff.

I thought this inflatable mudbug was horrific.  Who needs to buy this since with the Rainy Season, mudbugs are in everyone's yard?  These would be the real deal critters popping up in them.

No one's yard, from here to Lafayette, to New Orleans, to the shores of the Mississippi river are safe from these wild crawfish tubes.  So lovely.....

This is day 218 of the new "diet".  Down 59 lbs. since the cruise(not counting the 8 I gained on the cruise and then lost again, which would make it 67 lbs.).  

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad, Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Lean Cuisine tv dinner

4  Wednesday--Chicken Sandwich, Stir-Fry Veggies

5. Thursday--Lean Cuisine tv dinner

6.  Friday--Shrimp Scampi, something veggie?

7. Saturday--Stauffer's Cheddar Broccoli Bake

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

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad, Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Lean Cuisine tv dinner

4  Wednesday--Chicken Sandwich, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, more Leftover Green Beans

6.  Friday--Teriyaki Salmon, leftover Sweet Tater Fries, Cole Slaw

7. Saturday--Chicken Thighs w/SF BBQ sauce, Collard Greens

The "plan" got followed until we hit Thursday, then some shopping happened and we ran this menu into the ditch. lol

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

* Chicken Strips

* Meatballs

* 2 TV dinners

* Chicken Patties

* Chicken Parms

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

* 4 Chicken/Veal Parms

* 1 Smoked Kielbasi

*  7 BSCThighs

Last week we spent a shocking $333.01 on grocery shopping for January.  Still stocking back up.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 8-))  All the dog food and facial tissue(which we were running dangerously low on)bought just made the total worse.

Total shopping comes to $523.63 for January.   

There are 16 shopping days left in January.  With the wild weather forecast here I may not get a chance to get out to the store until Thursday or Friday(if at all) this coming week anyway so I'm glad I stocked up.  I figure I've got just over 7 days left in the month to grocery shop and will try to show some restraint. *rolling my eyes*

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

I've earned $168.04 on Ibotta in January.

I've earned $41.50 on Shopmium in January.

I've earned $1.00 on Alexa app in January.

I've earned $2.20 on Kroger Cash Back in January.

I've earned $37.97 on TaDa in January.

I've earned $6.76 on Checkout51 in January

I've earned $3.00 on Aisle and $12.84 on a Manuf. Rebate.

I've earned 5,563 points from food shopping on Fetch in January.

I've earned 350 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in January

I've earned 0 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in January.

That is $271.11 in rebates(not counting the Kroger Cash Back/Shop Kick/Fetch)on $523.63 of grocery spending so in reality it's $252.52 in food spending after the 6 rebate apps I count. 

My savings percentage for the last week was 38.37% and the monthly savings total for January comes in at 38.66% spent. 

Leftovers going into this week....2 Chicken Thighs, Spaghetti and Meatballs, 2 Chicken Parm Patties, Cole Slaw and Collards.

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

1. Sunday--Leftover Chicken Parm, Salad

2. Monday--Chicken Marsala, leftover Collards

3. Tuesday--Cabbage w/Onions, Chicken Sausages

4  Wednesday--Shrimp Scampi, leftover Collards

5. Thursday--Stauffer's Cheddar Broccoli Bake

6.  Friday--Leftovers or Lean Cuisine tv dinner

7. Saturday--Leftovers or ?

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    

Food Spending 2022.......the November Report

*Since I am finished food shopping a couple of days early I am posting the November Food Spending now.  Enjoy 8-)

Onward to November's Food Spending report......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for NOVEMBER 2022.

I have posted November's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in November.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

CASH SAVER

OOP  $66.13

Qs/Ads  $49.99

Value  $116.12

Savings  43.05%

KROGER

OOP  $420.53

Qs/Ads  $247.31

Value  $667.84

Savings  37.03%

OLLIE'S

OOP  $7.45

Value  $13.87

Savings 46.29 %

SHOPPER'S VALU

OOP  $34.44

Value  $51.42

Savings  33.02%

SUPER 1 FOODS 

OOP  $49.30

Qs/Ads  $36.16

Value  $85.46

Savings 42.31 %

WALMART
OOP  $305.64

Qs/free Gift Cards  $205.99
Value  $511.63
Savings 40.26%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Ollie's at 46.29%, Cash Saver at 43.05% and at Super 1 Foods at 42.31%.

The worst rate was Shopper's Valu at 33.02%.  
I shopped at 6 different stores in November.  I am still learning the ropes of grocery shopping in this area(where to go, whom to avoid, etc.).

TOTAL Spent in November................$883.49

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards...$562.85

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased....$1446.34

TOTAL Savings of .............................38.92%

This closes out the November food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....well I knew that when we got a house to set up the food spending would explode and it did.  We were actually moved in early in November and I sure did take advantage of any Thanksgiving deals I found.  This freezer compartment is HUGE but I still didn't fill it all yet.  I blame having a broken shelf in the freezer that we need to replace.  I blame the high spend partially on horrible inflation which is actually worse than what the government reports it to be.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP by 2.90% in November 2022 to 38.92% compared to the October's 36.02% savings average which is a tad better.  Even though I had savings rate in the 40's at some store where I spent the bulk of our grocery monies weren't at those stores.

With 11 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $3,441.43 on food/toiletries in 2022.

2022 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$3,441.43

2022 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$12,644.53

2022 Grand Total Saved...............................$9,203.10

2022 Yearly Savings Total..............................72.78%

The average per month amount spent is $312.86 in 2022 so far.

LOOKING AHEAD To December 2022......We won't be home but for 11 days in December as far as cooking goes.  I am trying to use up fresh produce before we leave for the cruise as well as any perishables in the fridge.  I can take anything we can't finish to my daughter's house for them to use.  That is a nice perk.  There will be lots of spending on food out in December(airports, in ports, and at Sissie's house)but that's not part of my grocery spending.

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

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in November?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just have your receipts and either track it in a notebook or on a spreadsheet.

*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons vs. buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?

*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

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


Sluggy

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 "My .20¢ Turkey" Edition.....

I bought enough to fulfill the rebate count to unlock the $14 off a Butterball turkey.  This little guy was $14.20 so I just paid the .20¢ and brought him home.  Sorry the photo is so blurry and you can't see the writing on the tag.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Kielbasi on rolls, asparagus

2. Monday--Chicken Fajitas

3. Tuesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

4. Wednesday--tv dinner

5. Thursday--leftovers

6.  Friday--no clue yet

7. Saturday--no clue yet

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

1. Sunday--Kielbasi on rolls, asparagus

2. Monday--TV Dinner

3. Tuesday--Steak, Greek Salad

4. Wednesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs

5. Thursday--Chicken Parmesan, Broccoli Cheese Rise Casserole

6.  Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--BBQ Chicken Thighs, Yellow Squash and Onions

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

*  a 12+lb. turkey

*  10 lb. Butter

*  2 T-Bone Steaks

*  3 On-Cor Chicken Parms

*  1 store made Sausage

*  1 box of Breakfast Sandwiches

*  1 package of Brats

*  3 bags of Chinese food(Chicken Teriyaki/Sweet n' Sour)

*  48 Meatballs

Lots of shopping and putting stuff in the freezer to stock it as I found deals.

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

*  2 TV dinners

*  12 Meatballs

*  2 Steaks

*  3 Kielbasi

*  1 box of Chicken Parm

*  2 Chicken Thighs

                                                   

I spent $259.86 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week at Kroger, Cash Saver, Shopper's Valu Foods, Ollie's and Walmart.

This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $532.68 for November so far.   If I can stay around $600 I'll be happy.

There are 16 shopping days left in November.

I've earned $107.33 on Ibotta in November.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $13.00 on Coupons dotcom in November.

I've earned 8,001 points from shopping on Fetch in November.

I earned 4,551 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in November.

I've earned 65 pts. from food shopping on Swag Bucks in November.

That's $120.33 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $532.68 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 37.70% and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 34.33% so far.  Gone are the days of 70% savings rate with Rite-Aid.

Leftovers going into this week....

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

1. Sunday--Chicken Fajitas, Spanish Rice

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

3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry, 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

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  I believe I have everything I need.  I do need to stock up on a few seasonal days this week at Kroger-pie crusts, more bacon, ready made pies, canned veg. and one can of evaporated milk.

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