This Week on the Dining Table

The "Some of the Garden is Taking Off" Edition..........

I was gone for 15 days(when the garden was barely anything)and this photo happened on July 5th!  Actual broccoli forming on 7 of the 8 plants(the largest looks to be about the size of a baseball as of now).  Things are starting to produce slowly.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning-

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

1. Sunday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
2. Monday--Salad and Pizza
3. Tuesday--FFY

4. Wednesday--Crab Cakes, Sweet Potato Wedges, Broccoli
5. Thursday--Mushroom Ravioli, more Broccoli

6. Friday--Caesar Salad w/Grilled Chicken
7. Saturday--Something Chicken-I have a roaster that needs to be cooked and ?

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
2. Monday--Salad, Take-out Pizza
3. Tuesday--Mushroom Ravioli, Salad(Hubs and Ex-CB cooked)

4. Wednesday--Crab Cakes, Glazed Carrots, Potato Salad(Hubs cooked)
5. Thursday--Roast Chicken, Sweet Potato Wedges, Broccoli(Hubs cooked 2/3 of this)
6. Friday--Caesar Salad w/Grilled Chicken

7. Saturday--Cheeseburger, Corn on Cob (July 4th cook-out)

Last week saw 6 nights of home cooked dinners, 0 night of leftovers/FFY, and 1 night of Take-Out.  With my injured leg Hubs stepped up and actually "cooked"(not just boiled water for pasta and opened a jar of sauce-well except for ravioli night). ;-)  We got take-out pizza one night using a free Domino's gift card.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* Nothing
Most of the fresh meat products I bought the previous week got used too.

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* 1//2 bag of frozen broccoli

Hubs spent a whole $29.38 at two grocery stores.  At Weis he got a cuke, grape tomatoes, 2 heads of lettuce, a dozen ears of corn, a watermelon, a quart of Greek yogurt and 2 bags of apples and at the Produce Market he got a pint of blueberries and 1/2 lb. of chicken lunch meat.  I didn't set foot in any grocery stores.

I earned $2 on Ibotta in July so far(on the two bags of apples I had Hubs pick up).

My savings percentage for last week was 30.16%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips)for July and the monthly savings total comes in at 30.16%(w/out R-A).

I have 25 more food shopping/spending days in July.

I salvaged a loaf of French bread I bought at Weis(PMITA)Markets before I left on my trip.  I figured Hubs would have pasta a few times while I was gone and he could use it to make garlic bread since he likes that with pasta meals(plus it was only $1).
But he didn't use it(or have pasta)so it was still in the fridge and stale.
So I sliced it up Friday afternoon into 12 hunks, left it out to finish going stale and rock hard and used it to make a French Toast breakfast Saturday morning(I also cooked up one of those packs of Bob Evans breakfast sausage links I got the previous Friday with an instant sticker on it.).  We had a nice breakfast that morning and the leftovers(enough for 2-3 breakfasts for Hubs)are now in the fridge for him to heat up.  Of course I'll now have to remind him it's in the fridge so he eats it. lol

Leftovers going into this week.......2 helpings of mushroom ravioli, lots of corn on cob, a little roasted chicken.  Did I mention we have LOTS of leftover corn on the cob? lol

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers(I had corn on cob, mushroom ravioli)
2. Monday--Taco Salad or Tacos
3. Tuesday--Chinese Take-out or ?

4. Wednesday--Shrimp Scampi w/Linguine, whatever fresh produce I can find this week(maybe Broccoli from our backyard 8-)))
5. Thursday--Chicken Marsala w/Mushrooms over Mashed Potatoes, Spinach Salad

6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Big Salad

What needs buying for this menu? Maybe some fresh produce.

I'm still keeping to my bed because of my leg/knee so the ambitious meals(Scampi, Marsala)may or may not happen if I can't cook them.  I still have to rely on Hubs for a lot of help too so it depends on whether he feels like helping me this week.  Things may actually be simpler like spaghetti w/meatballs, breakfast for dinner or grilled cheese and soup. ;-)

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home...........
* Shrimp Tempura
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Spaghetti and Meatballs

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Grilled Chicken  new

* Grilled Steak  new

* Haddock Fish Dinner  new
* Chicken Tenders  new

* Beef Liver  new
* Pork for Tenderloin Sammies  new

Plus lots of thinly sliced Chicken Breast, grass fed Ground Beef and Ground Turkey in the freezer.

Not a lot has come off this master list as I/we used freshly bought meats since I got home.  This week should see more of the frozen assets here being 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 last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy

Income & Spending 2020.....the June Report

Now that we are living on an annuity and 401K$ withdrawals(some months), I am still going to keep track of our monthly spending and income, and hopefully we'll still be able to live BELOW our means and I'll have some leftover monies each month to tuck aside.

  I am trying to be as transparent as I can with how much is coming in and how much is going out.  8-)

On to the June report---

I had 2 goals for June.......
The 1st is to actually finish the month in the black and not the red.
The 2nd is to try to have a little cash leftover at the end of the previous month to tuck back into a slush fund.  This slush fun may be to apply toward unforeseen bills that are coming due in subsequent months, to spend on "extras/wants" during the year or to just sit there and grow until the end of 2020.

I can report that we finished up June in the black.
The amount we ended the month of June with?.....$1,273.10

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in June---

* Monthly annuity payment of $3,222.24(after tax withholding)
* RMSA(Healthcare account)reimbursement of $1,883.76
* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $490.14
* Dividend income of $18.27
Total "Income" for June.....$5614.41

Expenses in June---

* Healthcare Premium for June was $1,883.76(paid for with RMSA reimbursement)
* Irregular bills in June were $555.41
* Variable Expenses in June came to $1902.14
Total Expenses....$4341.31

$5614.41-$4341.31=$1273.10
Slush into June of $25,844.91 in that Fund, add  the $1273.10 overage brings Slush to $27,118.01 going into July.
The Slush Fund on it's Page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $1273.10 for June.

Outgo

As for the variable expenses this June, here are the good and the bad side of things....

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  Phone charges and internet were the same as last month.
*  The water bill was exactly the same as in May.
*  The electric bill was $58.06 less than last month.

*  The Mastercard c/c bill was $21.91 lower than in May.
*  The gas bill was $0.00 so $8.82 less than last month.
*  The WAM was the same amount taken in May.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  The Long Term quarterly premiums were due.  The only irregular bills due this month.
*  Both dogs needed vet visits/shots so that was $131 paid we didn't plan for.

The Food Budget costs for June are in another post, which is located HERE.  Food costs are included in the credit card payment(mainly but sometimes our WAM cash too).

FINAL THOUGHTS on June---
Another boring financial month for the win! lol
Even though I was in VA for half the month I didn't break the bank down there.
Two good news items-Ex-CB went back to work the last of June and his plan to move out are moving forward.  He should be fully moved into his apartment by August 1.(yay!!!)
Looking back at 2019 our savings in June, July, August and September was in the RED so I much prefer 2020's "in the black' numbers.

THOUGHTS going forward into July 2020----
July is another no irregular bills due month so that's a plus.  I don't plan to grocery shop much in July except our eldest son will be here staying with us for two weeks or so before his new apartment in NJ is ready so yeah, take back what I just said about not grocery shopping much this month. ;-)
No plans to go anywhere in July except to the bank to cash out of fully matured Savings Bond.
July is "steady as she goes Cap'n!" as they say in all those bad seafaring classic movies.

So how was your June financially?
  

Did you spend less than the income you had in June?
Did you stay within your budget or not?
What did you do with any money leftover at the end of the month?
Did you pay off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or a retirement account?
Or did you blow it on a want?

If you posted your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check out your progress too and celebrate or commiserate with you!


Sluggy

Rite-Aid ClusterF&*k on Friday or How to Unintentionally Convert BC to Cash

I had to go pick up an Rx on Friday so here is what I also bought at R-A and how the transaction should have gone.
I had $13 in Bonus Cash on this card going in.........

3 x Professional Suave shampoos on sale=$7.50
2 x Suave men's shampoos(large bottles)on sale=$5.00
4 x Bic disposable razorsBOGO50% sale reg. $4.99 ea.=$14.96
SubTotal........$27.46

Coupons Used
1 x $4 when you spend $20 R-A snail mailed Q=$4.00
1 x $2/2 Suave Professional items ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Suave Professional item ManuQ=$1.00
3 x Bic $3/1 R-A in-Ad Q(from previous week's ad/good until 7/11)=$9.00
3 x Bic $3/1 Flex/Soleil/Comfort3 razor IPQ(Bic website)=$9.00
1 x $1 PeelieQ off the Bic Twin Select razor pack=$1.00
Coupon Total...........$26.00

$27.46-$26.00=$1.46+.78¢tax=$2.24 which I would have paid for with my Bonus Cash and earned $2 in new BC(2 x $1 wyb2 Bic razors).

There was also a $1 PeelieQ on one of the Comfort3 Bic razors but I told her to put that aside as I was using one of those $3/1 Qs on it.

But things didn't go that way now, did they? lolz
I put in my card into and press yes to use BC.  That part went well.
Cashier scanned my items, ok.
Then as she scanned the $4 off $20 purchase Q and started bagging everything up before putting anymore Qs through and the register decided to become HAL from 2001:A Space Odyssey.



So the cashier didn't even touch the register and it just applied my BC without the cashier scanning another single coupon.
So with that move by the register's computer my total went from $24.76 to $7.76.
$24.76-$4 Q-$13 BC and we are at $7.76.
After we both shook our heads over what just happened the cashier scanned $7.76 worth of Q in and the register wouldn't let her take anymore Qs.($2, $1, $3 and $1.46 worth on another R-A in-ad $3 Q)as my total was now Zero!
And she could take off the $1.46 worth of the $3 Q either.
It was crazy!!

The assistant manager had to come over and deal with this, so I ended up using some Qs, the $13 in Bonus Cash on the card and putting the .78¢ sales tax on a free R-A gift card.
And then I got handed this wad of cash..............

$14 on cash.
I pointed out that she gave me cash for that $1 Peelie Q which I wasn't using in this sum but at that point the Asst. Manager was so frustrated she said, "Just take it."

So I used $13 in CB, .78¢ on a R-A gift card, got back $2 in new BC and $14 in cash.
I can't work out how this is correct in my head or with a calculator but there ya go!

I should be .24¢ down(even after earning back $2 in new BC)but I'm up $2 something.

I seriously think the computer at this R-A is possessed!  I know the cashier didn't have her hands anywhere near the register when it pulled a HAL.  We both just stared open mouthed in non-belief at the register as it's bells and whistle noises went off.  Then we both looked at each other like, "did you just see what I saw?!, in a I don't believe what just happened way.
After we called the Asst. Manager over and tried explaining what just happened I don't think she believed either of us(and the cashier wasn't so new employee either, she's the back-up Asst. Manager).

Crazy times at Rite-Aid.............

Sluggy

Frugal Friday--the July 3rd Edition

A brief check around Chez Sluggy to see what frugalness we stumbled into this past week...........

* I got an email from the cash rebate portal company I go through for all my online shopping saying they were cutting and mailing me a check and it arrived on Thursday.
I am $23.27 richer. woohoo!

Obviously I haven't done a lot of online shopping but I'll take that little check and smile all the way to the bank with it. lolz

* I hit Weis(PMITA)Markets last Friday and spent $75+.  I went on Friday to get one of the Fantastic Friday Deals-Shrimp for $4 per lb in 2 lb. bags!  I found boneless pork ribs BOGO with a $2 instant sticker on one pack, a small roasting chicken with a $3 instant sticker and a pack of thinly sliced Perdue breast meat with a $1 off instant sticker.  I also found the fresh Rana brand pasta(mushroom variety)in the deli/produce department on sale for $3.99 a bag with $2 instant stickers on them so they were half off so I picked up 2 of those as well.  Around here the store was well stocked(no obvious holes where products were missing and the tp aisle was loaded with goods.

I also found a couple of clearance deals-blueberry flavored applesauce cups 50% on clearance(.99¢)and boxed organic letntil soup likewise 50% on clearance($1).

* Since I didn't go many places this past week I didn't find much money but I DID find some!

These two pennies I found in Rite-Aid last Friday when I went there.  One was by the self-checkout register and the other was down an aisle(which aisle escapes me now).

And this penny was found at Weis(PMITA)Markets on Friday half tucked under the Coin Star like change counting machine next to the Customer Service Desk.

The only other place I went this week was the hospital for tests and no change was found there. 8-(

Total Change Found this Week....... .03¢
Total Change Found this Year so far...$46.45

* Though this happened last week here is the rundown on my Ibotta score I had talked about........

Not everything I got is pictured because I left some with my brother and sister in-law as they could use those items and Ex-CB ate some stuff before I got a photo...........

32 items were bought(19 items pictured)and 29 offers were submitted for(some offers required 2 items to be purchased)between Kroger, Walmart and Rite-Aid stores.

$42.86 was spent OOP and $12.45 in Bonus Cash was used on items bought at Rite-Aid(so no OOP there and I earned $6 back in new BC too).
$38.22 in regular Ibotta rebates were earned along with $16.50 in Ibotta Bonuses making a total of $54.72 in cash rebates back, thus all this was a $11.86 moneymaker. 8-)))

* I also bought this at Rite-Aid this past Sunday..........

2 x Suave men's shampoo on sale=$5.00
2 x Bic Comfort 3 razors BOGO50%=$7.48
1 x Yoohoo drinks(for Ex-CB)on sale=$1.00
1 x Bumble Bee tuna packet 75% off=.42¢
SubTotal.............$13.90

Coupons Used
1 x $1.25/1 Suave men's shampoo ManQ=$1.50
2 x $3/1 Bic razors(Flex/Comfort3/Soleil)IPQ=$6.00
2 x $3/1 Bic razors(Flex/Comfort3/Soleil)In-ad Q from previous week but valid until 7/11/20=$6.00

Coupon Total....$13.50

$13.90-$13.50=.40¢

I earned $1 in new BC for buying 2 Bic razors so a .60¢ moneymaker. 8-)

* I also got $4 cash post coupon back at Rite-Aid this week..........

I found 4 clearance 75% off BenGay at a Rite-Aid last week in VA.  But even though sister in-law said she'd print me off some Bengay Qs to use but she didn't have adobe on her computer so no coupons for me.  So when I got home to PA I printed off 4 $1/1 Bengay IPQs and took them, my receipt and those boxes of Bengay up to my local R-A and got $4 back for those Qs. 8-)))
The BenGay was $1.69 a box/tube on clearance and gave $2 Bonus Cash when you bought two so I got $4 in BC and ended up paying .69¢ per box/tube after "post coupon" refund so this was a $2.04 moneymaker in the end. Nice.

* Since I tweeked my left knee on Sunday and I wasn't up to standing in the kitchen to cook this week I used a free gift card to have Hubs pick up pizza one night to give him a break from cooking.

Other than the above, we stayed home, ate all our leftovers as well as a couple of "old dogs" from the stockpile here and didn't go anywhere.

What frugal stuff happened this past week in your world?

Tell us all about it!


Sluggy

Food Spending 2020.....The June Report

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

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for JUNE 2020.

I have posted June'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 June.  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 4(3 at home this month). No "kids" under 24.
*****************

CARONE'S/SHURSAVE
OOP  $26.02
Value  $27.22
Savings   .41%

KROGER
OOP  $30.34
Value  $57.87
Savings  49.57%

OLLIE'S
OOP  $17.55
Value  $60.44
Savings  70.96%

PandR DISCOUNTS

OOP  $15.57
Value  $39.32
Savings  60.40% 

RITE-AID *
OOP  $59.60
Qs/Ads/BC/GCard  $442.55
Value  $502.15
Savings  98.73%

SHARP SHOPPER
OOP   $174.36
Value  $389.31
Savings  55.21%

WALMART
OOP  $9.82
Value  $12.75
Savings  23.00%

WEIS
OOP  $72.29
Qs/Ads  $51.85
Value  $124.14
Savings  41.77%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 98.73%, Ollie's at 70.96% P and R Discounts at 560.40% .   My worst savings rate was at Carone's with .41%. But then again, Carone's was Hubs' shopping and not mine. lol  MY worst rate was Walmart at 23.00%

I shopped at 8 different stores in June.

I also earned $92.42 in cash rebates in June which helps offset the spending once I cash those in at the end of 2020.

TOTAL Spent........................................$405.55

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales................$807.65
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased........$1213.20

TOTAL Savings of ................................66.57%


This closes out the June food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....

I did stay under the $500 budget I set for myself in June so that's positive.  I hit lots of food 75% clearance(and some OTC meds too)at lots of Rite-Aid both in PA and VA near my brother's house which stocked me up for not much money so that's a plus too.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP by 16.70% in June 2020 to 66.57% compared to the May 2020 rate of 49.87% savings average.  A very significant jump down in savings rate.  I'm all good with that!

With 6 months accounted for, I have spent a Year-To-Date Total of $2176.07 on food/toiletries in 2019.

Going into 2020 before the pandemic blew the wind out of my sails I wanted to stay at or under $4K for the yearly food spending.  At this point I don't think that will happen but we'll keep plugging along anyway.


2020 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$1770.52

2020 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$4875.66

2020 Grand Total Saved...............................$3105.14

2020 Yearly Savings Total............63.69%

The average per month amount spent is $354.10 at this point in 2020 which went up some from April's average.  As long as I'm around $400 per month it's all good.

LOOKING AHEAD To July 2020.............

July will be eating down the freezers and buying fresh produce as it comes into season mostly.  If I hit on deals we can use/need I'll pick that up too but I hope to stay under $300 this month.  Sluggy plans and God laughs. lol

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 June?

*  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