Frugal Friday....the October 20th Edition

Well another week has come and gone here at Chez Sluggy.
I can't think of much that we did that was frugal and worth noting.

*  Adopting a puppy is decidedly not frugal and that's what took up the bulk of my week. lolz

Here is our newest member of the family on his ride home to our house.
We have had to buy "things" this week to keep him healthy, happy and safe.  Tried to use coupons and get deals and just buy what was needed so no frou-frou doggie clothes or gem studded collars and such.  We got a daytime crate, leash and a pet gate at Ollie's(Good Stuff Cheap)and a couple of toys with a 10% off discount ticket I had.  Puppy food, a snuggly bed and collar for 20% off at the pet store.  Then Hubs went up to Walmart and procured was is really a cat carrier for his sleeping quarters at night.  Yes, he is that small. lolz
Money spend at the vet on a check-up, shots and medications were essential and we are cash flowing all his expenses.

*  No eating out this week as we don't want to both be away from the new puppy for a long stretch at a time(potty training time, ya know).

*  I talked about the diapers I bought to turn around and resell and the free TRU gift cards I earned and the small Weis trip I did.
I went back to Rite-Aid this week to spend my $10 Catalina the last diaper transaction earned me since I was there picking up rxs anyway.

3 x bags of chocolate Halloween candy on sale $5=$15.00
2 x Speed Stick deodorant on sale $2.99=$5.98
SubTotal.......$20.98

Coupons Used
1 x $1.50/3 Hershey candy bags ManuQ=$1.50
2 x $2/1 Speed Stick deodorant R-A In-AdQ=$4.00
1 x BOGOFree Speed Stick(certain varieties)ManuQ=$2.99
1 x $10 OYNO CatalinaQ=$10.00
Coupon Total........$18.49

$20.98-$18.49=$2.49
I paid with $2.49 in Plenti Points and earned $3.00 back in new PPs($3 wyspend $30 on select candy bags).
Not bad, spent down $2.49 and earned $3 in new PPs so a .51¢ moneymaker.

* On a Frugal "Fail" note-I neglected to notice and submit for a $1 cash rebate on my Checkout51 account on Wednesday(the last day to submit for the previous week's receipts)for the Sandwich Bros. item I bought.  There was a $1 off 1 purchase rebate that would have brought that Weis shop down to $12.52.  Oh well, nobody can win them all, right? ;-)

Any Frugal Wins at your house lately?


Sluggy

Weis Shopping Last Weekend

Not sure if I'll hit Weis(PMITA)Markets again this week.  Their Fantastic Friday sale went all weekend so I hit it on Sunday......

I had to do this in two transactions so I could use 2 of the Weis Coupon BookQs on the frozen Sandwich Brothers sandwiches.  I stacked those Qs with IP ManuQs for the items.

1 x Sandwich Bros. pack 50% off=$1.99
4 x Progresso Soups on sale $1=$4.00
3 x Hanover frozen Veggies on sale 2/$3=$4.50
1 x Hanover frozen Asparagus(picked this up by mistake, not on sale/will return)
Subtotal........$10.49

Coupons Used
1 x $1/1 Sandwich Bros. WeisQ=$1.00
1 x $1.50/1 Sandwich Bros. IPQ=$1.50
1 x $1/4 Progresso Soup IPQ=$1.00
Coupon Total......$3.50

$10.49-$3.50=$6.99
I received a $1 cash rebate on SavingStar for buying the 4  Progresso soups so it was $5.99 OOP after that.

Then I bought the other stuff--

1 x Sandwich Bros. pack 50% off=$1.99
6 x Weis shredded Cheese 50% off($1.34)=$8.04
SubTotal.......$10.03

Coupons Used
1 x $1/1 Sandwich Bros. WeisQ=$1.00
1 x $1.50/1 Sandwich Bros. IPQ=$1.50
Coupon Total......$2.50

$10.03-$2.50=$7.53

Total for both transactions is $13.52 OOP for all 15 items(once I return the asparagus), a $40.55 value.
The frozen sandwiches were a .51¢ moneymaker(for 4 servings per box)and the soup was .50¢ per can.  The whole green beans will be used for Thanksgiving dinner and cheddar cheese is always needed in some dish or another around here. ;-)

Sluggy

The Diaper Queen of NEPA

So I printed off some more Huggies $2/1 Qs on Saturday morning and while out running errands down the mountain I found more diapers.

                     * Previous transaction pictured but it's the same.

I bought 8 more packs in two transactions.
I used the previous $10 OYNO Catalina I had left(from the two transactions on my card last week)in Transaction #1 on my son's card and paid $15.96 in Plenti Points.
$33.96-$8 in Qs=$25.96-$10 Cat used=$15.96 spent down PPs.
I earned $10 in new PPs and received another $10 OYNO Catalina for buying the diapers.

I rinsed and repeated the transaction using 4 more Qs($8 worth).
Transaction #2--$33.96-$8 in Qs=$25.96-$10 Cat=$15.96 spent down PPs.
I earned $10 in new PPs and received another $10 OYNO Catalina for buying the diapers.

That receipt also printed out the Q for the free $25 TRU gift card when you spend $50 on cdertain baby items.

But that Rite-Aid was out of TRU gift cards.

So on Monday I went up to my local Rite-Aid and redeemed the gift card Q....

Here's the score card on the diapers now, for those playing at home. lolz

Brought home.....
16 packs of diapers
2 packs of Tummy Zen
1 pack of light bulbs
1 spray deodorant

Used $77.83 in Plenti Points
Earned $45.00 in new Plenti Points
So "spent down" $32.83 in Plenti Points

For spending down $32.83 in PPs I earned....

Earned $10 Catalina(one left to spend)to use later on product
Earned $50 in TRU gift cards
Earned $3 Ibotta cash refund
Potential earnings of $80-$88 for selling the diapers once I get around to that.

I just wish I had had enough Huggies Qs to do this deal again on Daughter's card. 8-)


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Nobody is Feeling Well" Edition--

I had an unexpected visit to the doctor's on Tuesday for another abscess.  Had it cultured and on antibiotics.  The test came back indicating MRSA. sigh.   So I am Typhoid Mary around here now with the family. lolz  At least I didn't have to go into the hospital for IV antibiotics.  I've also been feeling "gunky" and lymph nodes are swollen in my neck.  Hubs and Daughter are having similar swelling and gunk.
Ah, the beginning of weather that ushers in sicknesses.....how nice.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Primo Subs take-out

2. Monday--Leftover BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Rice

4. Wednesday--Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Primo Subs take-out

2. Monday--Leftover BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Rice

4. Wednesday--Cheese Ravioli in Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad
6. Friday--Grilled Chicken Thighs, Ginger Rice, Sugar Snap Peas
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself/Leftovers

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers and 1 night of take-out.  
Lasagna night turned into Ravioli night since someone used up my lasagna noodles and didn't tell me. lol  Hubs made the ravioli on Thursday(I made the sauce)and Daughter made the chicken thighs on Friday so I got a little help with cooking last week.
The rest of the bbq pork will now go into the freezer for another time.

Last week's grocery spending at the Bread Outlet, Weis and Shursave Markets came to $90.57.  That brings October's food spending to $270.84.

My savings percentages last week was 46.94% and the monthly savings ends up at 45.31%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).

Leftovers going into this week.......lemon pepper chicken and zuke, and 1 helping of ravioli.

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

1. Sunday--Sweet Italian sausage sandwiches, baked beans

2. Monday--Homemade Clam and Corn Chowder, Rolls

3. Tuesday--Something with Mushrooms(Risotto?), Caesar Salad, leftover Garlic Bread(?)

4. Wednesday--Pork Tenderloin, Creamed Asiago Spinach

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Homemade Pizza, Salad
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
Cool weather the next two days then it warms up again for the rest of the week.

What I need to buy for this menu? Nothing really.

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

I'm Going to Be a Mom Again!

A doggie mom that is!
Sorry if I gave anyone a little heart attack with that title. lolz

We've been contemplating on this for months now(since about March)and searching for a good canine fit.
And we finally found one.

This photo is from when he was a younger puppy.

His name is Chester and he's a 6 months old long haired Chihuahua.
He's breeder raised, ACA registered and is a sturdy little guy with real personality.
Now I get to potty train a puppy(something I've never done before as all 7 of the dogs we've owned over the years have been gotten as adult dogs already).  This is our first "not a rescue" dog.
I tried to wait to get a shelter pet but around here it's mainly pitt bull mixes and a few beagles(strays).  The only Chihuahuas we can find are senior and I want a dog(unless they have some birth defect)who will be around awhile(we've done the Senior rescue pet twice before).

There is my Daughter's dog to consider but she's pretty laid back and she was raised with cats so we think she'll just think Chester is a new cat due to his size.....until he starts humping her leg. lolz
There also was a Pomeranian we considered but having been 'Hua parents before we felt more comfortable with a 'Hua.

More photos to come after we pick him up next week. 8-)

Sluggy