This Week on the Dining Table

The  "Back to Real Life" Edition--

We are getting back into a routine here, well, as much of a routine as you can have trying to adjust to having your Hubs underfoot All. Day. Long. ;-)
I have talked him into doing some decluttering and deep cleaning though which was thrilling. lolz

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Chicken Pot Pie(Daughter cooking)

2. Monday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

3. Tuesday--Leftovers or ?

4. Wednesday--Steak, Corn on Cob, Salad

5. Thursday--Breakfast for Dinner
6. Friday--No Clue
7. Saturday--No Clue

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Chicken Pot Pie(Daughter cooking)

2. Monday--Leftover Pot Pie

3. Tuesday--Subway Sandwiches using gift card

4. Wednesday--Steak, Corn Casserole, Salad

5. Thursday--Fried Catfish, Fried Potatoes
6. Friday--Ate out Chinese
7. Saturday--Hamburgers on Rolls, Macaroni/Veggie Salad

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 1 nights of leftovers and 1 nights of Eating Out.  The Daughter was going to make us dinner on Friday but the store was out of lobsters so we went out.

I made 1 trip to Weis Markets and 1 trip to the Shursave Market and $38.30 was spent last week, bringing food spending in August to a Grand Total of $333.94 for the month.
So nice to be $86.06 under my $420 goal for August groceries. 8-)))

My savings percentages last week and for the month to-date?   Last week's percentage is 46.45% and the monthly end up at 50.30%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).  With all trips added in it brought the August savings percentage up to 55.29%.

Leftovers going into this week........barbecue pork, roast chicken, ground beef.

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers of Fend for Yourself(I had a pbj)

2. Monday--Pizza

3. Tuesday--Barbecue Pork Ring, Corn on Cob

4. Wednesday--Tacos

5. Thursday--Chicken Fajitas
6. Friday--Hot Dogs, Sugar Snap Peas
7. Saturday--Leftovers

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 0 night of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
The leftover bbq will be a sandwiches ring, we have some leftover ground beef to make tacos, there is leftover roast chicken to make fajitas and I plan to buy 2 frozen pizzas today and there are hot dogs in the freezer.


What I need to buy for this menu? I plan to buy 2 pizzas today(part of a Mix and Match 6 items Deals and there is no room in the freezer so we'll eat that today along with a salad), as well as some corn.  We also need lettuce, OJ and 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 great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

To-Do List.....August Update

Let's take a look at how I did with my August To-Do List........


*  Pay Bills  DONE  Even though we were away when a few bills needed to be paid(or didn't have secure internet access to pay them online)everything got paid and on time.  I figured out what would come in while we were away and left the Daughter signed checks so she could pay those bills.  The sticky bill was College Boy's tuition.  There was a tight time frame when it had to be paid AND they don't let you pay via check/snail mail.  Luckily we were at Kim's house when that window opened up so I could do a bank transfer online there.

*  Enjoy my Trip  DONE  Let's just say I enjoyed the HELL out of my trip!!  There were a couple of bumpy "incidents" and one really bad day when I was sick but overall it was a fantastic trip. 8-)  And y'all will get a full report on it in the fullness of time.

*  Return from Trip(booooo!)  DONE(unfortunately)  We got home safe and sound on Aug. 15th.

*  Unpack from Trip DONE  Well the laundry part didn't take very long as we kept up on dirty laundry along the way(thanks to the B&B stay, Kim's house, one load at a motel in SD, and Sonya Ann's house).  I could have packed half as many clothes it turns out but going that long from home with changeable weather I didn't want to get caught short.  We really didn't bring much home in the way of souvenirs(ok, I got a load of t-shirts tho).  I bought very little alcohol(though Hubs bought TONS)and many "souvenirs" I bought were either food or Xmas gifts so those got put away easily.

*  Read 1, 2 Books  DONE  I took 4 books with me to read figuring I'd have plenty of time with all that riding in the car.  Well I didn't get nearly what I thought I'd get read because Hubs wanted to talk, or navigational help or the scenery was too nice not to watch. lolz
I also bought 3 books on the trip(I think it was 3?)(Hubs bought LOTS of books!!)and Kim gave me a book when we were leaving her house.  One of the books I bought at a thrift store I finished after the time we got home........

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  Highly recommend this one.  I never saw the film they made from it and I doubt it did the book justice.  I guess I'll have to see the movie now.

And this one.........

The Heart of Everything That Is-The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin  

I started this book two months ago and it took me forever to finish.  Not because it was boring or dull but it was so meaty it took a while to 'digest' it all.
It was so neat reading it after I had been out West where Red Cloud lived his life and saw his homeland with my own eyes.

The authors did a very good job of keeping the reader engaged in this book.  It's very factual and events were taken from primary and secondary sources from that time in history and not just heresy and a bunch of half truths some writers use as "source" material.
Since it was historical tome,  a biographical account of Red Cloud's life against the backdrop of how Native Americans were ultimately slaughtered by the Federal Government almost to extinction, you can predict the ending and the tone of this volume.  But if you enjoy historical works and you'd like a POV other than the official one taught in all the school history books(something we sure need more of nowadays)of what was happening in the Western part of this country during the mid to late 19th century, do give this book a try.


*  Repair LA House  IN PROGRESS  Oh gosh, where to begin.  We are STILL trying to get flooring replaced in the house in Louisiana.  We did get the tenants out of it the end of June. 

 Since we aren't in the area there to deal with arranging for the work to get done we thought we'd work through Lowe's since we have them here and in LA.  Well, it's just been a cluster f*ck from beginning to end!  It's like the Lowe's down there doesn't want the money/business or something....one problem after another.  It's such a long saga that I can't even begin to recount it.  We had hoped to get these repairs done while on the road but we are still dealing with them but hope to wind this torturous episode up in October.

We've dealt with Lowe's in PA(they did our master bathroom renovation)but this one in LA?  Good gosh!!  They are just reinforcing our opinion of businesses and people in the state of Louisiana and how the whole state has this "Let the good times roll, let's not worry about getting stuff done" attitude that is famous in the party town of New Orleans.  My Daughter lived in LA for 3+ years, we have made extended trips to LA and it's just a whole cultural attitude that is ingrained in the way of life there.  It's fine if you are on vacation or not trying to get something accomplished(heck I grew up in the South and I know all about the whole different business climate down there)but LA is just a whole other ball of wax!
I am sorry if this offends anyone from Louisiana but it's just how Sluggy, who has lived in and visited various other regions of the country sees it.  You folks are in a class all on your own there.  We've met some awesome people there and I'd love to party with ya'll but on a day-to-day basis?, no thanks.

*  Can Veggies/Make Pickles  IN PROGRESS  We came home to  a bumper crop of cukes in the garden....I don't think the kids picked a single ONE while we were gone! lolz  So I've been making pickles until they are coming out of my ears!  We've sliced and eaten them fresh too in vinegar and/or in salads.
As for the canning......we tried to get tomatoes a couple of weeks back but the mater crop up here has been slow getting ripened and is weeks behind this year.  I have all my jars and bands prepped and purchased new lids this past week.  Tuesday is D-Day for picking tomatoes at the farm field if the rain holds off.  By next weekend I hope to be fully stocked on canned tomatoes of various forms.

*  Inventory Fridge/Freezer  DONE  I jumped right on this chore the week we got home.  As Daughter really hadn't done any meal planning beyond the day we arrived home(plus having tv dinners for a couple of days after that)I really needed to see what she had used up and what was left.  Daughter did a good job of using what was here, mostly because she has an aversion to grocery stores and shopping.  I knew she'd keep under whatever I left her in cash to spend on groceries while we were gone as long as she didn't spend it all to get take-out pizza and Chinese food. lolz


So that's it for my short August To-Do List.  No fails this month but then again, it was a light-ish
chore list.

Did you get things done in August?  Is there anything you need to work on in September that you are dreading?  I have a few things in that realm for my September list. ;-)

Sluggy

Frugal Friday......the September 1st Edition

Welcome to September everyone!
A new month and the end of Summer(though technically there are 21 more days until the Autumnal Equinox).
I feel like August dragged on forever, don't you?  We've only been home from our road trip since August 15th but it seems like August was 60 days long to me. lolz
Enough of this chit chat, let's get on to what we're here for-the Frugal wins of the week.

* I picked up a box of Puffs tissue and got paid .20¢(after tax)to bring it home.

*  We did a whole lot of staying home last week.  We did some cleaning and small home projects and read mostly.  The laundry was done during the off-peak hours so we saved on electricity costs too.  Staying home=not spending money!

*  I signed up for e-coupons at my local Shursave market(they don't take IPQs there, just insert or emailed "glossy" Qs).  They had 2 items that were free after e-Qs last week but when I went to get them Saturday the items were out of stock so I got rain checks.  This week they had 2 items(1 free and 1 for .99¢ after e-Q)so I clipped those Qs and picked up the items plus the 2 rain check items, paying .99¢ for all this........

*  We got Subway one night for dinner last week.  I combined a Q(Any price 3 subs for $17)and a gift card to buy them.  Using the Q meant less money used from my gift card.

*  While at the Shursave market I also bought this.....

6 packages of Crystal Farms cheese(sliced and bar).  It was on sale for $1.88 a 7-8 oz. package this week.  Anything under $2 for 8 oz. is my "buy price" so it was a good deal on sale.
But what made this better was that I had 3 x $1/2 Crystal Farms products ManuQs(which Shursave would take).  You'll remember the free coupon inserts I got at the motel in Fargo ND I mentioned 2 FFs ago?

These are were the Qs came from and I got them for free too. 8-)))
So $1.38 per package of cheese after sale AND Qs was even nicer.

*  I earned enough in hotel points on the road trip to get two $50 gift cards for free.  They arrived last week........

$50 for Lowe's and $50 for Amazon.  A few more nights in motels this year and I'll have enough points for another $50 gift card.

That's about it for us last week.
What frugal things happened in your world?

Sluggy

2017 Food & Toiletries Spending......August Update

Onward to August's food spending report.......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for AUGUST 2017.

I have posted August'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 August.  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 & tax where applicable. We are a family of 3-4(3-4 at home this month). No kids under 21.

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

ALDI
OOP  $24.91
Value  $43.75
Savings  43.06%

BREAD OUTLET
OOP  $9.00
Value  $35.12
Savings  74.37%

DOLLAR TREE
OOP  $3.00
Value  $4.50
Savings  33.33%

MAINE SOURCE
OOP  $58.17
Value  $94.29
Savings  38.31%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/PPs  $74.93
Value  $74.93
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE MARKET
OOP  $64.57
Qs/Ads  $51.35
Value  $115.92
Savings  44.30%

WEIS MARKETS

OOP  $174.29

Qs/Ads  $204.03

Value  $378.32

Savings  53.93%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, the Bread Outlet at 74.37% and Weis Markets at 53.93%.  My WORST savings rate was at that Dollar Tree at 33.33%.

I shopped at 7 different stores this past month.  Or rather my Daughter and I shopped at 7 different stores this past month.

TOTAL Out of Pocket..........$333.94

TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$337.96

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$671.90

TOTAL Savings of ..................................50.30%
Total Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid....$746.83
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items..........55.29%

This closes out the August food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....
I wanted to stay under $420 spent in August and I ended up $86.06 under that mark.  I am pleased as punch I could meet that expectation.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 9.79% in August to 55.29% compared to July's 65.08% savings average.  We still have over a 50% savings rate so it's all good.

With 8 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $2,760.34 on food/toiletries in 2017 which is a 69.37% savings rate for the year to-date and averages out to $345.04 per month spent in 2017. 8-)


LOOKING AHEAD To September........

With College Boy back at school we are down to 3 adults at home for meals.  With Hubs home full time now I am hoping any remaining food waste will go away.  Hubs doesn't want to eat sandwiches for lunches(as he did mostly when he was working)and he loves leftovers so he is more than happy to attack dinner leftovers.  8-)))
Setting a monthly budget for September.....Hmmm, let me think.  Not much will be available in the way of Holiday deals(mostly baking items/canned goods)this month but we'll need to get tomatoes to can at the farm.
I am thinking $350 budget for September will be sufficient.  Since we are still living on a reduced income this coming month if I can do it for less than that, more's the better. ;-)

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 August?
*  Do you track your yearly food spending?
*  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

The Past 10 Days or So at Chez Sluggy

Well the "Great American Eclipse" came and went a week ago Monday.
Here in my part of PA we only got 72% totality.......

This photo was taken at our peak(2:41 pm).  Instead of looking like 2:41 in the afternoon it sort of looked like 4:41 in the afternoon. lolz

Daughter's dog in her usual spot chilling under my desk on Tuesday.

On Wednesday it was time to load College Boy up and take him back to school.  He had an audition on Thursday so he needed to be back and unpacked on Wednesday.

This semester he is sharing an apartment that two friends of his(sisters)rent.
He will only be there for 1 semester so this was the best situation for both him and me(me financially).  It is soooo much cheaper than being in a dorm! 8-)))
Since it is a 2 bedroom apartment he is getting the living room for his bedroom.
Before his crap......

After his crap......

He had it all organized and set up before going to bed that night.

Hubs took a couple more pics of the apartment........

Actually it's a nice little apartment with a cute kitchen.
Just wait until College Boy starts banging around in there....it won't be so clean and neat. lolz

You can tell a couple of "20 something" gals live here and not guys.  They even had a little garden out back. ;-)

On Friday last week Hubs and I ran errands.  I wanted to see if I was in time to get and can tomatoes this year from the local farm.

I drug out my canning jars and I had 32 quart size ones to use.

Smile calf!
Seems tomatoes are ripening slower than usual here this Summer so we were a couple of weeks early.

 We'll go back after Labor Day, calling first, to pick maters.  We got some corn and zukes while we were there so as not to waste the trip out.

Then we circled back to the town South of here to hit the Weis Fantastic Friday deals there.

The best deal was 4 bags of coffee for .72¢ a bag that I already blogged about.

On the way to the other side of town there I saw this massive furniture store that has been having a "going out of business" sale since before we moved to this area 17 years ago......

And they actually WENT OUT OF BUSINESS finally!!! lolz

It only took what?.....20 years!?!

Then we hit Aldi for a few things.  I gladly left these deep fried Twinkies in the store though.
ick.

Saturday I kept tabs on Hurricane Harvey down in the Gulf as it made landfall in Texas.  Historic levels of rainfall there and flooding!  Surprisingly the death toll has been low considering the size and scope of the flooding and people seem to be pulling together in this crisis.  Next month, when we have some free income I'll consider how best/where to send a check to help.

The rain is slated to crawl up the coast and inland into Louisiana including where our house there is located.
I'll have to reach out to our realtor there to keep tabs on things for us.

Last Sunday I picked the first ripe tomato out of our garden.
Yah!

Hubs also sat down with me lasts Sunday to go over our money situation.  Since the dust had settled on all the retirement things that were up in the air it was time to see where our $ was sitting and see what needing to be moved and where.
We threw a big chunk of the regular savings we have which were in some higher yield(ha! higher!!)online accounts into a CD.  This will earn us double what they'd been earning...almost double of NOTHING but still, it's a little more.  8-(
We still need to keep quite a bit liquid however because A-we have to pay for work on the house in LA still and B-we need to pay for our healthcare premiums(OUCH!)OOP and be reimbursed from our Retiree Medical Savings Account(RMSA).  Hubs still hasn't started the paperwork for that so no clue yet on how long they take to reimburse this expense.  bleh.

On Monday the mail brought this great offer........for a retirement home/senior assisted living.
Not even a free lunch which was offered to tour the facility would get me to go look at it. lololz

I guess if you retire, even if you retire YOUNG, that triggers a slew of old age services to be offered to you via mail and phone.
Oh yes, we are getting phone solicitations too for stuff like this.
I don't think Hubs nor I are decrepit enough yet to need assisted living. 8-(

Also on Monday Hubs and I celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary........

We were low key about it, and just went out to Chili's for lunch(using a free gift card we have had for AGES).
Then Hubs snuck out that evening and bought me some flowers and a card at Weis.
35 years.
Now I do feel old enough for the Assisted Living place. lolz

We did some weeding in the yard on Tuesday.

Here is what the flowers out front looked like mid June after the critters stopped nibbling on them.

And they have made a nice recovery by late August.

And I picked some more veggies from the garden-more tomatoes and our only Summer squash.

Now we've started a big project--dealing with the rotting wood under and around our French doors to our deck.
Oy vay!  What a mess!!

Actually Hubs isn't handy and isn't anywhere near qualified to redo this stuff so we are cleaning it out and cobbling something together to keep the elements out for this Fall/Winter and will have to hire someone to do the "real work" on it come Spring as it will be expensive.
Since it will mean replacing some sub flooring in the den too we'll probably go ahead and have the laminate flooring in that room replaced at that time since it needs to be done before we put this house on the market anyway.(There are holes in the flooring, etc.)
If I get ambitious this Winter I'll think about repainting the room as well, since it needs that also.

I always love to when you start to deal with house problems it's always like opening a can of worms and leads to more problems and money that needs to be spent.
Sigh.

I've got to get going here now.....it's Weis(PMITA)Markets Day and a trip to Rite-Aid for an Rx is also in order while I am out.

What's been going on in your world lately?

Sluggy