This Week's Shopping

I went to Weis(PMITA)Markets Wednesday and spent $55.69.
I didn't intend to spend that much but when I got there, I found out that the Kimberly-Clark/Colgate Catalina Deal also included Toilet Tissue.
Sweet!

So besides the produce, tea, shredded cheese for $1.87 and the .57¢ PowerAde, I bought this stuff.....

2 x Palmolive dish soap on sale=$5
1 x Huggies baby wipes refill on sale=$5.99
1 x Scott TP=$10.29
1 x Scott TP=$9.39

This lot totaled $30.67 after sale prices and should have made a $10 Catalina spit out at the register.
The machine only spat out a $5 Catalina.
 8-(

So I went to the CS desk and raised hell.

After coupons of $3.50 my total was $27.17 on these items.
All I can figure is that they counted the total after coupons( so it qualified for the spend $20 and get a $5 Cat).  But the sales ad advertising this deal didn't say it was the total AFTER coupons so I raised hell.

When I take the time to go over to the CS desk I know I am right and I will stand there until they see things my way or I will return every single item.  ;-)

So the CS person gave me a $5 gift card to make up for the $5 I was shorted in Cats.  A gift card is nicer since I don't have to spend it within 2 weeks like the Catalinas require you to do.

While in Weis(PMITA)Markets, I saw this too.....

WTF?!?

No, I did NOT buy any of those.....bleh.
If you want something that tastes like a cappuccino, drink a cappuccino!
Taters should taste like taters......ok, maybe a little salt and vinegar, barbecue sauce or sour cream and onion.  8-)

I also hit up Rite-Aid this week for this.....

4 x Compleats on sale $2.50=$10.00
2 x Command hooks on sale BOGO50%=$7.03

After my 2 x $1/1 Command product Video Values Qs I was out $15.03

Unfortunately for me there were NO Compleats IPQs available....until today($1.50/3). argh!
I'll take 1 Q up today and get $1.50 back "post sale".

I got $3 +Up Rewards for buying the Compleats too.
Between the $1.50 coupon $ I'll get back and the $3 +Up, it will cover all but .16¢ for 2 cases of bottled water on sale for $2.33 each at Rite-Aid this week.  I guess I'll be picking up water today.  8-)

The Compleats were requested by #2 Son for a shelf stable emergency foodstuff at school.
The hooks were also a need for college.  He inherited a new pack of poster sticky from his sister's time at college so this should be enough to satisfy his "hanging needs" at school. hehehe

Then I went to the local independent grocer yesterday and spent $20 as well.  I bought 2 bags of frozen veggies, 2 bags of frozen French fries(for #2Son), a hunk of liverwurst(for Hubs)and 4lbs. of ground beef while it was still on sale(sale ends tomorrow).  I went off menu last night and added a package of ground chicken and a package of sausage meat to make and cook a meatloaf and served it with the last of the leftover zuke casserole.
I also made/cooked off 19 HUGE meatballs from that meat mixture for later use.  I still have some of the ground beef left so will make a burger for myself for lunch today(out of lunchmeat and had tuna already this week)and brown up the rest for a pot of chili I am making this weekend.

I also spent $21.15 on dog food at Big Lots this week.  They had an instant $5 off WYB $25 of Purina items.  That amount got me a 17lb. bag of kibble and 23 cans of Alpo.

I also picked up the last of #2 Son's college needs at Big Lots.....

1 x clearance stoneware dinner plate(small to fit into a microwave)=$1.50
1 x pot holder=$2.50
1 x mini colander=$3
1 x can opener=$4
1 x scissors=$1.80
Total w/tax=$13.57

That pot holder is nicer than mine! lolz


I have spent $96.96 on groceries(and dog food)this week so far.

The $28.60 at Rite-Aid & Big Lots will come out of the college needs fund, not the food budget for August.

So much for my low spend week!

Sluggy

 

The Evils of College Shopping

My best word of advise for you if you are shopping for dorm needs--Do NOT walk into a Bed, Bath & Beyond!!!

I was in one of those stores two weekends ago, trying to find a new scrubby brush with a long handle for use in the shower/tub.
I use to use Dollar Tree versions except they started stocking ones with thinner handles that bend and snap if you apply pressure.
So after exhausting all my other options, my search led to a BBB store.....armed with a 20% off coupon of course. ;-)

Anyway, I digress......

 

Sure, they have these cool printouts of checklists for college shopping and if you go online, you can print out a checklist specific to your school.
But that is just their evil ploy to take over your bank account!

I warn you, if you get dragged into filling your college needs at BB&B, you may end up looking like this once you get to school......

Having brought waaaay more than you "need" and having to stuff half of it back into your minivan or truck to take back home.

College dorm shopping shouldn't have to bankrupt you....not that the school hasn't already taken all your money and lots of future earnings because of the student loans you had to cosign.

Next time you go into one of these stores, picture the sales clerks there like this.....

Or this.....

Of course, they can also look like this instead.....young and innocent......

But don't you be fooled!
Think of that store and it's minions as evil trolls who's job it is to separate you from your money!!
Because after all, that IS their job.

On my outing to BB&B I observed many pairs of women......consisting of an older women and a teen girl, otherwise known as mother and daughter pairs.....entering the store.
They walked into  BBB, with the "deer in the headlights" looks on their faces.

When the sales clerks roaming the store saw a pair like this, it was the telltale sign that they were college shopping.  They would immediately pounce of the pair in their sights and lead them into a frenzy of color-coordinated shopping of sheets, comforters, pillows, wall décor, bath towels, wastebaskets, lamps, etc.  And all of it was hideously overpriced in my estimation.  I bet none of them got out of that store spending less than $500.

I just shook my head and eventually had to look away.....it was such a gruesome sight.

So if you have college dorm needs, just say NO to Bed, Bath & Beyond!
But if you must enter into this foul den of color coordinated malevolence, please, I beseech you!......at least take a discount coupon, preferably one of those oversized blue ones they are forever mailing you.

Then buy only the bare needs(after you've researched and not found it cheaper at another den of retail evil)and leave immediately!

And better yet, do NOT take a teenager with you or, EVEN WORSE, give the teen your credit card and let them run the BB&B sales clerk gauntlet alone! 
Best case scenario, have your college student give you their preferences on a list and you go do battle alone.
If you have to make a color or style decision, use your phone to Skype them, or better yet just buy the basic model with the lower price tag and tell your teen to live with it or go pay for it themselves!

Your wallet will thank you.  8-)))

Sluggy

Sluggy & The Sad State of Her Garden

Well the garden this year has been neglected and most probably will continue to be a half-assed effort.

Right off, when the furry little critters(evil chipmunks)started digging up our seeds, I didn't replant.
Therefore, there will be no squash, beans or cucumbers harvested from my garden this year.

Then I went away for 2+ weeks.
Usually when I am not here, cracking the whip on the other members of the family lovingly encouraging & reminding the rest of the family to water, weed and take care of the garden , nothing gets done......well, except the plants get choked out or die of thirst.

Here is the state of things right before I left, mid July......

Little tiny maters.

Some of the cauliflower plants were doing well......but no heads developing yet.....

My Morning glory vines just starting to climb the bird feed pole.

And other Morning Glories had been "clear cut" by some midsized critters.  Blast!

And the Japanese Beetles had just arrived to eat up the Morning Glories that survived the clear cutting/munching furry critters.

I get back late July and by last Friday, here is what was observed in the garden.....


Some cauliflower plants still hanging in there, a bit beetle eaten.....

 

What you do NOT see in this photo is the cauliflower plant that was photographed above(the 3rd photo down in this post), before I left town.  It was here when I left and now there is no trace of it!  No trace but a small impression in the soil were it was located before some large furry critters pulled the whole thing up, roots and all and carted it off for dinner!

Some maters, still not growing much.....

A tomato plant by the Morning Glory vines, both having been clear-cut Again! by some furry critter(a deer I am betting due to the reach).
Grrrr!
Hubs never put the fencing up around the garden this year.....sigh

The lone red tomato, observed last Friday.   I didn't pick it then and by Sunday it was gone.....your welcomed furry critters.....I hope you choked on it!

The only item the critters haven't touched(yet!)are my onions and they are going like gangbusters.....

My solace in the debacle that my garden is quickly turning into has been my Morning Glories......

See the grains of pollen on the petals in this shot?.....

Oh lookie!
More maters.......

I just hope I can keep the furry critters away from these.  They are up on the deck so I have a fighting chance at least.

How is your garden growing?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "I Kept to the Menu, Mostly, Last Week" Edition........
 

A cute little waterfront cottage on Clear Lake in Iowa.  I bet the price tag isn't so little or cute. lolz

 

 What was planned last week--

1.  Chicken Cutlets in black pepper sauce, COC, Caesar salad
2.  Zucchini and Carrot casserole, Green bean casserole
3.  Tacos or Taco salad(had iceberg)
4.  Barbecue brisket, leftover casseroles
5.  Fish(had), Coleslaw, mixed veggies(had)(I'll have salad instead)
6.  Burgers on rolls(had), leftover COC, baked beans(had)
7.  Leftovers of some sort

 

And this is what actually happened--

 

1.  Chicken Cutlets in black pepper sauce, COC, Caesar salad
2.  Zucchini and Carrot casserole, Green bean casserole
3.  Tacos or Taco salad(had iceberg)
4.  Barbecue brisket, potato salad, roasted carrots
5.  Leftover pasta, mushroom parmesan, leftover casseroles(2)
6.  Burgers on rolls(had), green bean casserole(leftover), baked beans
7.  Crab Ravioli in Parmesan Sauce, Tossed Salad

 

Pretty much everything was served as planned, except for the fish, which moves to this week and I had picked up some crab ravioli at Wegman's on a whim which we had on Friday.  It was quite yummy with my homemade Béchamel Parmesan Sauce.  2 packages was $9.98 and served 3 people.  When #2 Son leaves home Hubs and I get to fight over who gets the 3rd serving/leftovers when I make this again....and I WILL make this again! ;-)
 

Since August 1st I've made 2 trips to the grocery store(and 2 trips to Rite-Aid) and spent $46.07 on $126.94 worth of groceries/toiletries.

Going into this week, in leftovers we have.........1 piece of chicken breast,  zuke/carrot casserole, green bean casserole, taco filling, potato salad, 2 romaine heads, head of cabbage, a container of salad greens, a container of mushrooms, 1 red pepper and smoked brisket.



Here is the plan for this week......not necessarily eaten in this order.....

1.  Fish, Sautéed Cabbage

2.  Reuben Sandwiches

3.  Brats or Brisket, leftover Potato Salad, Baked Beans

4.  Chicken "something", probably with leftover Casseroles

5.  Chili, Tossed Salad
6.  Tuna Noodle Casserole, Green Beans with Red Peppers and Mushrooms
7.  Leftovers
 

#2 Son brought home a loaf of rye bread from his work and requested Reubens.  I have corned beef slices in the freezer, leftover from the last time I made Reubens so I'll pick up sauerkraut this week.  The fish, brats, chicken, beef for chili and green beans are in the freezer already and we have rolls I picked up on my way home from Pittsburgh.  In the pantry already are noodles, tuna, beans for chili and 1000 Island dressing for Reubens.

What needs buying for this menu to happen?
Sauerkraut, maybe Swiss cheese(haven't looked yet to see if I have any left), Milk.

Later this week I'll pick up on sale items for next week......Asparagus, shredded Cheese, Ravioli, French Fries(for #2Son), Onions(almost out), Tea and Powerades.  Maybe get some Salmon at Price Chopper if I want to go out that way and stop in.

W/out the salmon it should be under $35....$45 with.

No food waste this week.
Eagle Eye Sluggy is back home and watching that the leftovers get used. 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 that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

 

Sluggy

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes folks, it's almost that time of year.....

 

Oh yes, I still love this commercial. lolz

But seriously, it's back-to-school shopping time.

Every year it rolls around when you have children and I bet every year most American parents overspend.
It's a big shopping opportunity time and all those retailers are hoping to separate you from your money.

I've always tried to be frugal at this time of year when procuring the BTS necessaries for my kids.

*  We always use a list.  Keeps the kids from throwing "wants" into the cart when I have a record of the "needs".

*  We "shop at home" first.  Take your list and see what you already have in your home.  If last year's backpack is still usable, why do you need to buy another one?....other than your kids beg you to??

*  I shop for regularly needed BTS items all year long.  When I can find something I KNOW they will need(notebooks, loose leaf paper, pens, etc.)during my travels all year long for cheap, I pick it up.  The best time for picking up BTS supplies is actually the month after school starts in your area.  That's when all the leftovers go on clearance so the store doesn't have to store all those excess items since most stores have little stockroom space.  It's cheaper for them to unload it all, no matter how little they sell it for and restock next year before school season.

*  Unless you live far from retailers, make an effort to pick up those BTS "come on" deals stores run when you are out running errands.  You know, the 1¢ or 5¢ items they use to lure you into the store so that you'll spend for the big ticket items in their store because it would be convenient, even if the deals on those other items are weak or nonexistent.  Just remember not to run around for those deals and use tons of gas and time.....pick them up if the stores running them are along your route.

These are just a few tips for BTS season for those from pre-school to high school senior aged.
Once you have a teen ready to leave home for college, the shopping doesn't go away.
Oh no!
It merely ramps up another notch.

Now not only are you having to shop for pens and paper, but if they are leaving home to live away at school, you have a whole other level of needs.....the dorm room needs.

Folks that's just a whole other circle of shopping hell!

And from the stories and real life cases I've seen, what most parents/students drag to their first dorm room, they end up dragging about half of it home because they have waaaaaay overbought! lol

My college needs staging area with our stuff ready to go. 

Except for some of the food, all his clothing and shoes, his pillows, his laptop and his musical paraphernalia, this is the bulk of what will be accompanying #2Son to college.
It sure doesn't look nearly as large as the mountain of stuff many parents haul to college for their kids!

I used a Master List of Things to Buy/Find which was a combination of the school's "Room Essentials" List they supplied and the Supplies List my friend Sonya Ann compiled 4 years ago, which you can find HERE.   Between those two and a few additions that were unique to us, my List has served us well!


I am down to the last 3 items I need to procure before #2Son leaves for school.....3 items I don't have in the house already and/or can't make or make do without.  I'll make a quick run to the store on my errand day Tuesday and we are D.O.N.E.

Yay!!!

Then I'll sit down later this week and tally up what this all cost and what was on our list.
I am sure it will be more than I thought it all cost but a lot less than most parents spend who are outfitting a teen for college.

How is your back to school shopping going?
Are you finished yet or not even started at this point?
Do you have  BTS budget?

Sluggy