This Week on the Dining Table....the March 18th Edition

The "Using Up Leftovers" Edition.....

So I had leftover asparagus and most of a carton of baby bella mushrooms to use up last week.  Hubs got some Arborio rice at Walmart(paid full price!)so I made Risotto on Sunday.  Not a big ricer eater but I did have a bowl of this for a leftover lunch last week.  I loves me some mushrooms!

This is day 281 of the new "way of eating".  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.).  

Kicking the weight loss up again with intermittent fasting this week,

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Mushroom/Asparagus Risotto

2. Monday--TV Dinners

3. Tuesday--Grilled Trout, Roasted Potatoes, leftover Roasted Veggies

4  Wednesday--Teriyaki Pork Loin, Green Beans

5. Thursday--Leftovers FFY

6.  Friday--Leftover Pork and Green Beans

7. Saturday--Liver, Onions, Taters, Beets

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

1. Sunday--Mushroom/Asparagus Risotto

2. Monday--TV Dinners(Mine was some Chicken, Cranberry, Apple, G Beans and Orzo thing)

3. Tuesday--Grilled Trout, Roasted Potatoes, leftover Roasted Veggies

4  Wednesday--Teriyaki Pork Loin, Green Beans

5. Thursday--1/2 Subway sub

6.  Friday--1/2 Subway sub

7. Saturday--Pizza, leftover Green Beans

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

*  2 Trout Fillets

*  Small Pork Loin

*  2 TV Dinners

*  1 Frozen Pizza

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

*  5 bags of frozen veggies

*  2 frozen pizzas

*  1 hunk of salmon

Last week we spent $218.94 on grocery shopping for March.  

Total shopping comes to $564.70 for March.   

There are 13 shopping days left in March.

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

I've earned $188.04 on Ibotta in March.

I've earned $43.00 on Shopmium in March.

I've earned $10.00 on Alexa app in March.

I've earned $30.50 on Kroger Cash Back in March.

I've earned $28.32 on TaDa in March.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in March.

I've earned $5.00 on Aisle.

I've earned 25,430 points on Fetch from food shopping in March.

I've earned 4,572 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in March.

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

That is $259.36 in rebates(not counting the Kroger Cash Back/Shop Kick/Fetch/Alexa)on $564.70 of grocery spending so in reality it's $305.34 in food spending after the 4 rebate apps I count(the ones that give me cash back, not the ones that I turn the points into gift cards, or Alexa that gives me Amazon credit, and I count when those points are cashed in).  Some of what I spent was for Food Bank donations(I'll start not counting those items in our personal grocery spending going forward.)

My savings percentage for the last week was 39.75% and the monthly savings total for March comes in at 38.32% spent so far. 

Leftovers going into this week....a big container of Broccoli/Cheddar Soup, Small piece of Pork Tenderloin, Green Beans, Sweet Corn Grits Casserole, Hubs homemade Venison chili.

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

1. Sunday--Braised Corned Beef, Colcannon, Cheesecake Factory Rolls

2. Monday--Liver, Onions, Gravy, leftover Colcannon

3. Tuesday--Rueben Sandwiches

4. Wednesday--Teriyaki Stir-Fry w/leftover Pork Loin, Rice(for Hubs)

5. Thursday--Cheeseburgers(bun optional), leftover Veggies or Sweet Potato

6. Friday--Salmon, assorted leftovers

7. Saturday--?

I tried to replicate a local chain-Southern Classic Chicken's Sweet Corn Grits recipe last week.  It wasn't the same but we'll need to finish it this week so if Hubs doesn't eat it for/with lunches it will make an appearance(or two)at a dinner.  There will be Corned Beef, Colcannon and Stir-Fry Veggies leftover so these will be incorporated into various meals.  I'm figuring Hubs will knock off the leftover soup but if not, it will become part of Saturday'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?  

Not much going on here this week at the grocery stores.  I had to go back to Kroger because 3 of my items(multiples of them)didn't ring up the sale price that was on the shelf tags and one though it was tagged that there was a digital store Q, it didn't apply. Add in that I never got my $15 in KCB for those keychain flashlights I bought March 1st.  I had two separate "chats" with agents and instead of KCB going into my account they said I got "store credit" but where they said I could see it on my account via website it's not there.  So when I went to get refunds on those items that I was overcharged on, on Sunday, I tired to buy a markdown pack of Ground Beef and use this "store credit" and the cashier couldn't find it.  I'll try calling one more time about this and if I get someone I can't understand and/or they tell me the same shit, those keychain flashlights are going back to the store. sigh  I am just tired of whatever not working.  

Sluggy    

What's on the Dining Table

The "What Price is It Really?" Edition.....

While in Walmart last week  I saw this rather large container holding bottles of seasonings/spices.  Notice on the tub it says "$1.00" but on the sign above it says "$1.12".  WTF?  I am seeing a lot of this sort of thing in stores lately.  Figuring out what something really costs can be annoying.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers

2. Monday--Burgers at Trivia

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

4. Wednesday--Fish, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, a Green Veggie TBD

5. Thursday--Leftovers or FFY

6.  Friday--Leftovers 

7. Saturday--Veal Parmesan, Brussels Sprouts

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers

2. Monday--Burgers at Trivia

3. Tuesday--Fish, Mixed Veggies

4. Wednesday--Lasagna, Tossed Salad

5. Thursday--Leftover Chicken Marsala w/Mushrooms(We split the last piece), Squash, Mashed Potatoes

6.  Friday--Meatloaf, Broccoli

7. Saturday--Veal Parmesan, Brussels Sprouts

No Stir-fry and we didn't have the Sweet Potatoes with the Fish-both move to this week.  When I made meatballs last week I put together a meatloaf and put that into the freezer so just had to bake it off on Friday.  I cooked too many noodles for the lasagna(I just made a mini one w/4 servings)so put the leftover cooked noodles in the freezer(maybe I can do lasagna roll-ups and add chopped spinach and/or zucchini to the cheese filling for those).  I'll think about that another day. 8-)

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

*  1 package of Beef Liver

*  1 package of Cookie Dough

*  1 Pork Shoulder(for smoking this Summer)

*  1 pack of Breakfast Sausage Patties

*  Leftover Lasagna Noodles

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

*  Fish(cod)

*  box of Mixed Veggies

*  a Meatloaf

*  a bag of Broccoli

*  a Veal Parmesan

*  a bag of Brussels Sprouts

Last week we spent $257.94 on 2 shops at Walmart and 1 item(the pork shoulder)from Kroger.

This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $552.53 for April.  For us this is high but we cherry picked some deals, had to restock some staples and we bought some meat we weren't expecting to.  I am ok with it as I can put all my rebates I earned toward my grocery spending.

There are 6 shopping days left in April.

I've earned $135.56 on Ibotta in April.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in April.

I've earned $26.50 on Coupons dotcom in April.

I've earned $13.00 on Shopmium in April.

I've earned $17.50 on Kroger Cash Back in April.

I've earned 9,163 points from food shopping on Fetch.

I've earned 11,465 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in April.

I've earned 341 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in March.

That's $192.56 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $557.94 of grocery spending so in reality it's $365.38 in food spending after the 5 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 32.85% and the monthly savings total for April comes in at 47.12% so far. 

Leftovers going into this week...lots of  Chicken Marsala gravy and mushrooms but no Chicken, Mashed taters, some cheese sauce from making Mac and Cheese, Meatloaf and some Broccoli.  Hubs will most likely have the Marsala sauce with mushrooms over taters for a lunch and I'm making Broccoli Cheese soup with the Broccoli and Cheese sauce leftovers(we've also got milk to use up before it turns.)

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

1. Sunday--Lasagna, Spinach soufflé

2. Monday--Burgers at Trivia

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

4. Wednesday--Leftover Meatloaf, Veggie TBD

5. Thursday--Leftovers or FFY

6.  Friday--Salmon, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, a Green Veggie TBD

7. Saturday--No Clue yet

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Not a thing.  Unless there's a screaming good deal on something we use(or a rebate that makes it free and we can use it)I don't plan on grocery shopping this week.

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 "How Can You Resist Me?" Edition--

This is Daughter's dog, the granddog Cinnamon.  She looks like a German shepherd but is half Husky too(notice the blue eye-the other eye is brown).  She is a very timid dog and she doesn't like men(due to abuse issues when she was a puppy we think).  She doesn't like men....except when they are eating chips!  That is Hubs she is begging from.
She is a cute beggar.  If she wants you to share what you have she will just lie her head in or near your lap and plead with you with her eyes.  This is a tad distracting at the dinner table.  
She is so pitiful, isn't she? lolz

Moving on......

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Leftover Lasagna or Fend for Yourself

2. Monday--Salmon, Leftover Mac Salad, Asparagus

3. Tuesday--Baked Chicken Thighs, Brussell Sprouts

4. Wednesday--Baked Potatoes, Roasted Veggies

5. Thursday--Meatloaf, Sauted Yellow Squash, Leftover Corn Casserole

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Leftover Lasagna or Fend for Yourself

2. Monday--Salmon, Leftover Mac Salad, Asparagus

3. Tuesday--Meatloaf, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots

4. Wednesday--Greek Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Squash Cassserole

5. Thursday--Sloppy Joes on Rolls, leftover Veggies

6. Friday--Lobster Ravioli, Garlic Bread

7. Saturday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Green Beans

7 meals cooked at home(though technically I didn't make the ravioli), 0 of them a night of leftovers or Fend For Yourself, and 0 night of eating-out.

If I find a "deal" that includes that lobster ravioli again I won't be tempted.  It was ok but I expect more from something made from lobster. ;-)

As for the grocery spending.....2 trips to Weis, 1 trip to Maine Source  and 1 trip to the Bread Outlet brought the food spending last week to $72.79 and brought my March food spending total to $72.79.  There are 25 days left in the month.
Shopping spending would have been $143.34 if I didn't use that gift card at Weis to pay for one of those shops.

My savings percentages last week was 78.10%.  It rather large rate was due in part to using the "paid for last year" gift card and the Bread Outlet shop(where I always save a lot due to the extra low prices there).

Leftovers going into this week.......Meatloaf, Corn Casserole, Baked Chicken w/Potatoes, Beef Stroganoff, Sloppy Joe mix.
In fresh produce I have carrots, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and a large head of cabbage.

Here is this week's "food plan"....
* Denotes "complicated" meals

1. Sunday--Chinese chicken w/sauce, fried rice w/veggies added

2. Monday--Leftover meatloaf and corn casserole, asparagus

3. Tuesday--Leftover lasagna

4. Wednesday--Leftover baked chicken w/potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts

5. Thursday--Tacos
6. Friday--Haddock, cole slaw, glazed carrots
7. Saturday--Leftover Tacos or Quesadillas using leftover Taco filling or Taco Salad

This week will see 3 new meals cooked, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 4 nights of Leftovers.
Due to lots of leftovers there won't be much new cooking this week.

What I need to buy for this menu? Haddock, lettuce, sour cream.  Haddock was BOGO last week and I got a rain check so I plan on buying it this week along with lettuce and sour cream which we are out of.  That's about all I anticipate buying this week(besides using a coffee rain check and any meat markdowns I find)at the grocery store.  If I can talk my Daughter into taking me to Sam's Club(for which she still has a membership)I'll pick up some drug type items and hydrogen peroxide for cheap.  I used peroxide in my laundry and I am almost out of the last bulk buy I did of that back in August of 2015.

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 "Sometimes You Gotta Splurge But You Can Do It Frugally" Edition........

 

 

 

This is my decadent lunch from last Saturday.....a Lobster Roll.

I had Hubs pick up 4 lobsters at Price Chopper on Friday on his way home.
The grocery store had lobster for $6.99 lb.  We spent $33.90 on 4 lobsters.
I ate 1 of mine with a cob of corn on Friday but Hubs ate both of his sea bugs and corn.

I picked out the leftover body shells and legs plus my other lobster's meat and Saturday I made a lobster roll for lunch.

Cost of a lobster dinner at Red Lobster?
$24.99 or higher.
$100(lobster out)vs. $33.90(lobster at home)and it tasted just as good.
Actually it tasted better since I've had lobster at RL and they usually overcook it there.


 What was planned last week--

 

1.  Teriyaki Salmon, leftover Mac and Cheese, Spinach

2.  Pork Tenderloin Sammies, Honey Carrots

3.  ?  Might get some Lobsters or have Hamburgers on the grill Labor Day weekend

4.  Leftover Roast Chicken, maybe I'll make a soup with it, or?

5.  Leftover Tuna Noodle Casserole
6.  Leftover Beef Pie
7.  Leftover Pot Roast Sammies

 

And this is what actually happened--

 

1.  Teriyaki Salmon, leftover Mac and Cheese, Spinach

2.  Pork Tenderloin Sammies, Honey Carrots

3.  Lobsters to celebrate the long weekend, Corn on the Cob

4.  Dinner out for our 32nd Anniversary

5.  Leftover Tuna Noodle Casserole
6.  Leftover Beef Pie
7.  Pizza-nobody felt like cooking or leftovers

 

Everything but 2 leftovers happened.
  

Last week I made ZERO trips to the grocery stores.

It wasn't that hard to avoid the grocery store otherwise, because there wasn't much that was a good deal that we use and we had a TON of leftovers to use up.

Hubs did splurge on Friday, picking up 4 lobsters from the grocery store which I cooked.  $33 for 2 double lobster dinners ain't bad, though it did throw my food spending for August over $400.

Going into this week, in leftovers we have.........a hunk of Pot Roast, and some of the Roast Chicken and veggies.

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Zucchini Casserole

2.  Hamburgers(from freezer)and Tomato and Feta Salad

3.  Cream of Potato Soup w/Chicken and Carrots(made from leftover roast chicken/veg)

4.  Leftover Pot Roast Sammies w/Carrots

5.  Brats on rolls, leftover zuke casserole
6.  Spinach Salad(will make pasta and sauce also for Hubs, not for me)
7.  Take-out

2 nights eating "light" this week.  We had pizza Saturday and I am feeling bloated from all the salt in that still.

I already made the soup meal Sunday and I still have half a chicken breast left.  That is going into the freezer today for eating in the coming month.  Maybe I'll use it to make Chicken Fajitas in a week or two.

Food Waste--nothing went bad this week.

We need fresh produce this week--zuke, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce and maybe a watermelon.  I haven't even looked at the sales ads for this week yet so I don't know what I'll be spending.

   

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 that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?
How much did you spend on food in August?

 

Sluggy

This Week on The Dining Table

The "Did you eat your Black Eyed Peas for New Year's so you can have luck this year?" Edition .....

Shame on me for buying ready to prepare peas and not soaking mine from dry peas!
My Southern ancestors are spinning in their graves I am sure. ;-)
I did a simple sauté of onions and bacon with bacon grease, add the peas to heat til hot, and serve preparation.

Around here they do pork something with kraut since it's heavily Polish-descent population.
But we hold to our Southern roots in this house.....

What is your family New Year's food tradition?

On to the Meal Planning.

Here is what was planned last week--

Sunday--Eating Out on Vacation
Monday--Eating Out as Son's apartment
Tuesday--Whatever we found in the fridge when we got home

Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, BEPs
Thursday--Cod
Friday--Lamb Chops
Saturday--Pork Chops

Everything as planned(or not so planned)until Thursday, when we had pulled pork sammies with coleslaw from the pork #2 Son didn't eat while we were away.  Then Friday was Beef Stew using leftover rib roast from Christmas and Saturday was Kielbasa Sandwiches with California Medley Veggies(kielbasa, rolls and veg was already here).
 

As for the food spending last week....
There was 2 trips to the grocery store & 1 trip to Rite-Aid and I spent a grand total of $73.53(including my Rite-Aid trip at $.69)on $157.70 worth of groceries/toiletries at 3 different stores.  I am going to strive for another $300 or less grocery month for January.  At this much spent, I am on track to accomplish this, crossing fingers. ;-)

Leftovers going into this week--Pulled Pork, Coleslaw, Beef Stew, Lula Rolls, Roasted Cauliflower, Corn Casserole.

Here is this week's meal plan---

Sunday--Lamb Chops(have), leftover Roasted Cauliflower, leftover Corn Casserole
Monday--Leftover Pulled Pork Sammies, Coleslaw
Tuesday--Leftover Beef Stew, Biscuits
Wednesday--Mushroom(have) Parmesan, Green Salad, Pasta(have)
Thursday--Clam(have) Chowder, Cod(have), Sugar Snap Peas(have)
Friday--Pork Enchiladas(using leftover pulled pork), Green Beans(have)
Saturday--Pork Chops(have), Red Apple Kraut, Stuffing(have)


What I need to purchase for this menu?....... Potatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Tortillas, Red Cabbage, Grape Tomatoes and Salad Greens.  Other items needed(not for dinners)are lunchmeat and bread and maybe milk. 


What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Sluggy


 

Food Spending NOVEMBER Week 1, Meal Planning NOVEMBER Week 2

This has nothing to do with Meal Planning.  I just thought it was funny. 8-)

***********************************

And here is what actually got served last week....

Sunday--Steak on grill, Salad, Roasted Potatoes & Onions

Monday--Reuben Sandwiches

Tuesday--Grilled Pork Chops, Green Beans, Cinnamon Apples

Wednesday--Kielbasi on Rolls, Onions and leftover Sauerkraut, Corn

Thursday--Chinese Take-out

Friday-- Ravioli with Sauce, Spinach Salad

Saturday--Leftovers

The food spending last week was $96.30 for $157.04 reg. retail worth of goods.  I also earned $20 in food Catalinas to spend in the coming 2 weeks so I should have little or ZERO OOP food expenses from now until Thanksgiving day.

***********************
Going into this week, I have leftover corned beef, swiss cheese and sauerkraut from the Reubens, and 1 large helping of Raviolis and Sauce.  I'll either have sandwiches for lunch or freeze the corned beef for later use.  I'll have the ravioli dish for one of my lunches.  Moving the 1 meal we didn't have last week to this week's menu and the big side dish of Halushki as well.

This week's menu....

Sunday--Halushki with Bacon

Monday--Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday--Lasagna

Wednesday-Honey Mustard Chicken, Rice, Broccoli

Thursday--Chili, Cornbread

Friday--Tuna Casserole, Beets

Saturday--Leftovers

On Wednesday it's possible we'll have leftovers as well instead of the Honey Mustard Chicken.  There is leftover Halushki from Sunday, there should be leftover Pot Pie tonight and there will be leftover Lasagna on Tuesday, so the second chicken dish may not be needed this week.

What do I need to buy to serve this menu?  The local market had their semi-annual meat sale last week, so I picked up a huge pork loin(to cut into chops)and 2 large pkgs. of chicken breasts.  I've got 2 chicken dishes on deck for this week(or note) to use some of what I bought.  Chili will use some of the beef cubes in the freezer that are aging and the ricotta was bought last week to make the Lasagna this week.
Left to buy this week?.....maybe some romaine lettuce for a Caesar Salad to have with the Lasagna.
Add in some fruit and milk and we are done.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?


Sluggy

Food Spending OCTOBER Week 2, Meal Planning Week 3 & A Bit More

 Need I say more?

***********************************

And here is what passed for meals around here last week....

Sunday--Salmon, Asparagus, Coconut Milk Rice

Monday--Hot Dogs, Corn, Beans

Tuesday--Tuna Helper, Brussel Sprouts

Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, Caesar Salad

Thursday--Chinese Take-Out

Friday--Subway Sammies

Saturday--Leftovers

Can you tell I ran out of steam at the end of the week? lol

Last week I was good.  One trip to the grocery was it for me.  I spent $45.57.  Reg. retail would have been $72.57.  I used no coupons but just bought loss leaders and sale items.  I did an Instant $5 Discount Deal(on Betty C/Gold Medal/Green Giant/etc. items) which made my spending total higher, but it was all things I would need in the weeks coming.....pie crust mix(cheaper and easier to store than the frozen crusts), bags of flour(holiday baking and we were almost out), OJ for $1.88(!), a couple of Healthy Choice TV dinners for $1.88(for when #2 son doesn't want what I cook), 100% Juice for $1.66(!), some sugared-up yogurt, apples, grapefruit, milk and chicken(thighs on sale) and ground beef(was all out of this/needed it for Sunday's dinner/good sale price).

I've spent $247.63 of my $400 monthly food budget so far this month.  That leaves me $152.37 for the second half of October....or to break it down, approx. $75 for each of the next 2 weeks.
It's very do-able I think....considering the sales ads here SUCK this week! ;-)

I am going into the new week with these leftovers......NOTHING!   I am cooking a tad less  in quantities overall, so we are having fewer leftovers.  What little leftovers we had this past week got used.  1 helping of Tuna Casserole, 1 helping of Salmon and Asparagus and 1 helping of Chicken Parm each gotten for lunches or on leftover night.  Hubs used some of the leftover rice with his leftover Chinese food for lunch yesterday and he's used more of it up for lunch today by throwing some chili over it. Mmmmmm

***********************

This week's menu.....moving 2 meals we didn't serve last week to here.

Sunday--Tacos(that we didn't have last week)

Monday--Crockpot Garlic Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Collards(from garden)

Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice(using leftover rice), Sugar Snap Beans

Wednesday--Rigatoni with Sauce, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad

Thursday--Barbecue Chicken Thighs, Veggie I dig out of the freezer, Cornbread
Friday--Pizza

Saturday--Leftovers

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....lettuce, mushrooms, sour cream and frozen pizzas.  I figure I'll be out of steam by Friday and there is a good deal on Freschetta pies this week(plus a $1.50 Q)so I'll just break the bank here and buy some pizzas.  I can dress them up once I get them home if I want them to taste almost homemade.  I want to pick up some fruit this week as well.  Add in the milk and we can do this for about $30.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Let me tack on a quick run to Rite-Aid this morning too because that's not enough for a post unto its self.  My store runs out of 12 packs quickly when they go on sale, especially the Dr. Pepper.  If I wanted any I had to jump on this or have to go all the way downtown to do the deal later in the week.  And why spend the gas going downtown if I don't have to, right?

3 x Coke Product(Dr. Pepper) on sale Have to buy 3=$12.00

1 x Coke Product(Dr. Pepper) w/Wellness Discount=$4.71

SubTotal.....$16.71

Coupons used were....

2 x $1/2 12 packs Dr. Pepper IPQ=$2.00

2 x $1/2 12 packs Dr. Pepper VV AdPerks Q=$2.00

$16.71-$4.00=$12.71 + .04¢tax(on the .71 I didn't use +Ups to pay)=$12.75

I used $12 in +Ups to pay and put the .75¢ on the trusty gift card.

I received $3 +Ups for buying 3 coke product 12 packs, so I spent down my +Ups by $9.

I had to get that extra pack so I could use the 2nd of the AdPerks and the IPQs.

After everything this deal worked out to $2.25 per 12 pack which is a good price for here.

I'll hide 2 of these away for the kids until Christmas time, because I figure now that I'm done buying soda for this year, they'll be out by then.

Having this unexpected surprise will help keep them in a good mood when they are home trapped all day with me.  It's my "eye rolling" insurance.  lol\

And can you believe what Rite-Aid is charging for 12 packs of soda now, their regular price which I NEVER buy it for?

$5.89.....$5.89!!

For colored sugar water. 

Are WE insane or are THEY for thinking anybody would buy this product for that price?

Grand Totals for October so far......

Out Of Pocket....$0.00  cash
Value of items bought.....$202.46
Savings Rate of  100%
Single Check Rebate due....$0.00
Other Rebates due......$0.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $0.00
Savings Rate  100%

+Ups at beginning of month...$25.98+
+Ups used....$58.98+
+Ups received...$53.00+
+Ups currently...$20.00+

Sluggy

Food Spending Sept. Week 3, Meal Planning Week 4

 

Another Food Waste Poster from the US Food Administration during World War II

***********************************

And here is the "meal plan" that actually happened last week.  It was pretty close to what I had planned....

Sunday--Burgers on Rolls, Corn

Monday--Stuffed Shells, Green Beans

Tuesday--Pork Chops, Potatoes au Gratin, Beets, Apples

Wednesday--Beef Enchiladas, leftover Corn

Thursday--Leftover Pork Chops on Biscuits. leftover Apples--only 2 home

Friday--Chinese take-out--only 2 home

Saturday--Pizza

The weekly food spending was  $157.04 in reg. grocery spending.

An insane amount for me but I did do some deals.....Nesquick & 22 boxes of Kraft dinner for Son, instant coffee for Hubs, coffee-mate, Lean Pockets & juice for Daughter, 10 boxes of oatmeal, 4 boxes of trash bags for me, and 7 lbs. of ground beef(which I used to make a LOT of meatballs!lol), 3lbs. of bacon(I found some clearance packs that didn't cost up the wazoo finally!lol), fresh fruit, milks, evaporated milk(pumpkin pie making Season is coming!), and a pie just because I wanted it. ;-)

Oh, and 11 bags of salty snacks(house brand AND I got $5 back so they cost .55¢ each to hide and dole out over the next 3 months to Son to make them last.

Yah I bought a bunch of crap this week along with the good stuff......crap I don't eat(Kraft, Coffee-mate and Nesquick)but I DID eat some pie.....so kill me. ;-)

I've spent $410.86 of my $400 monthly food budget so far this month.  

I'll try to not spend on food this week.  Looking at the ads it WILL be easy as there are no deals I like.  I'll just pick up what is needed for this week's menu.

I am going into the new week with these leftovers......1 Beef Enchilada, a couple of Biscuits.  Nothing to incorporate into a new dinner but stuff I can finish up at Lunch time.

***********************

This week's menu.....

Sunday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Caesar Salad

Monday--Taco Bell or Make Something Yourself-I ain't cooking!

Tuesday--Gourmet Onion Soup

Wednesday--Quiche Lorraine, Tossed Salad

Thursday--Fried Flounder, Fries and Green Beans

Friday--Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes

Saturday--Leftovers

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Cabbage, Milk.   We should have enough fruit to get us through the week.  Might need some bread though.  I'll try for $10 or less in food spending this week.

Wish me luck....lol

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy

Food Spending September Week 1 & Meal Planning Week 2

 

*****************************

And here is the "meal plan" that actually happened last week.....

Sunday--Burgers, Dogs, Potato Salad, COC

Monday--Lime Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday--Stuffed Green Peppers with Rice

Wednesday--Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Cranberry Glop, Green Beans

Thursday--Alfredo Primavera, Caesar Salad

Friday--Leftovers

Saturday--Chinese take-out

 

The weekly food spending was $79.90. Actually $36.01 of that was receipts/trips from the previous week I forgot, which just means I spend even MORE($121 more) over my August budget on food.lol  $43.89 is still quite a bit for this past week, considering I didn't have a car to use until Saturday.  $15.12 of this is from Hubs picking up a couple things on his way home from work...aka "not getting the best price".  I did $28.77 worth of damage on Saturday....but I did get some clearanced "we ain't stocking this anymore" corned beef hash for 50% off for #2 Son.

Going into this week I have a largish portion of roasted chicken, some carrots, Fajita filling, Potato Salad and rice from the stuffed peppers.

Hubs has eaten the rest of the leftover stuffed peppers and the alfredo primavera over the weekend.

I think I get Bonus Points because I used a double leftover Sunday night.  The Fajita filling had used leftover chicken in it and I used it as a base for making Chicken Enchiladas last night.  Now we have 1 enchilada left and Daughter will be scarfing that leftover down tonight after work. ;-)

Tonight is Steak tips in gravy over rice, which uses the leftover rice, plus I'll add the leftover carrots into the sauce.

I'm having the P. salad with my lunch, so all that is left now is the chicken.  If I don't make chicken salad for lunch or find a way to work it into this week's menu, I'll freeze it for later use.

***********************

This week's menu.....

Sunday--Chicken Enchiladas, Caesar Salad

Monday--Steak Tips in Gravy over Brown Rice, Green Beans

Tuesday--Fish(not sure which kind yet/in freezer), Sweet Potato French Fries, Beets

Wednesday--Tacos

Thursday--Stuffed Shells(homemade in freezer), Tossed Salad or more Green Beans

Friday--Steak, Grilled Asparagus

Saturday--French Onion Soup w/Cheese, Caesar or Spinach Salad

We still have some zucchini bread left but I might also make some cookies this week.....lemon oatmeal and m&m types.

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Tortillas, Salad Greens/Romaine/Spinach, Asparagus.  Also need milk, fruit, lunchmeat for Hubs, little everyday stuff like condiments, sour cream, eggs, flour, etc. this week and I'm stocking up on tomato sauce this week.  I'm figuring $50 or less this week.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy

Musical Wednesday......Sweeney Todd is My Food Waste Role Model

Once you get past the darkness of the subject matter, Sweeney Todd is a great show and some of Stephen Sondheim's best writing!
I've seen clips of the recent film adaptation but I much prefer the stage version.
Nobody plays the part of Mrs. Lovett better than Angela Lansbury did.
Both George O'Hearn and Len Cariou were great Sweeney's on the stage.

Over here at Don't Read This; It's Boring! we are all about frugality.
I am offering up this musical clip today since it gets to the heart of 2 subjects near and dear to my heart.....frugality and food waste. ;-)

The amount of perfectly good food thrown out in this country is staggering!  While you can't readily change the health laws that govern why businesses are often forced to discard palatable food or the businesses that would rather throw out food than give it away to those in need at the end of the day all in the name of profits, you can keep an eye on YOUR own Personal Food Waste!

Don't buy what you won't/can't eat before it spoils.
When you have leftovers, be sure you find something to do with them besides pitch them into the garbage can.
Reheat and eat......remake them into new dishes......give them away to someone who will eat them......feed your pets......and compost the compost-able materials(not meat or diary).

Here at Chez Sluggy, we use up our Leftovers.  It is very rare for us to have Food Waste like we did 2 years ago when I started my blog.  I am very proud of that fact!

In honor of the concept of Zero Food Waste in this country, I present today's Musical Selection......

Sluggy