Friday, October 2, 2009

Weekly Shopping Trip---Savings $103.08(plus bread thrift store!)

This week I was a bit adventurous, I took my hubby shopping with me to Meijer, one of the three stores I shopped on this payday week shopping trip.  To make the trip more fun, we did the shopping on our 14th wedding anniversary, which was Weds, Sept 30th!!  It has been awhile since he has gone with me shopping and it was actually fun to spend the time together and show him how much I can actually save with coupons and sales.  I ended up having to go back to Meijer because I had not printed off coupons initially for some granola bars that hubby all of sudden thought he needed to start getting again and I didn't realize he liked them any more.

Also this week, I took the time to take my parents' shopping!  I was smart though and had all of my shopping done so it was just concentrating on what they needed!  I was able to help them save over thirty dollars and twenty of that thirty was in coupons! So instead of a little over $100 shopping trip it was only $77.00.  My parents were happy and my Dad commented to my Mom that they needed to think about getting back in the habit of using coupons and paying more attention to the sales.  Oh that made me feel good to hear him admit that after about 10 years of being on a fixed income and me trying to coax them along in this area of their spending.

Now getting back to my shopping of the week, here is the breakdown of my purchases. Please realize that I keep a stocked freezer and pantry so my weekly shopping is more to replace those items that I am low or have no stock remaining in the freezer or pantry. Also if I find a really good deal/sale, I will stock up on the item so I have enough to get me through to the next sale.

Meijer: (accompanied by hubby!)

  • 1.91lbs bananas $1.13
  • 1-2lb Twizzlers $3.29 (my favorite candy so hubby got some for me!)
  • 20 Yoplait Yogurt $7.40
  • 10 Single Candy Bars $4.44
  • 2.26 lbs apples $2.24
  • 1.94 lbs red grapes $1.92
  • 2 Green Giant Steamers $1.48
  • 2 bottles Gatorade $1.98
  • 4 cans tomato puree $4.16
  • 2 boxes Taco Shells $2.20
  • 2 bottles Taco Sauce $2.73
  • 4 Warm Delights $2.06
  • 4 tubes Cinnamon Rolls $3.96
  • 3 bottles Apple Juice $5.07
  • 2 boxes Fruit Roll Stickers $1.63
  • 2 boxes Toaster Strudel $1.98
  • 1 box Planters Nut bars $2.09
  • 1 box Nature Valley Fruit & Nut Bars $2.39
  • 1 box Special K choc. pretzel bars $1.49
  • 2 containers Breyers Ice Cream $3.98
  • 2 bags peanut M&Ms $4.00
  • 5lbs red potatoes $2.50
  • 1 pkg maple sausage links $2.75
  • 8 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts $15.98
Total OOP after using $4.80 bottle refunds: $78.05
Total Savings: $60.38(not including bottle refunds)
Total without sales & coupons: $138.43

Meijer(2nd trip):
  • 1 pkg emery boards $1.09
  • 1 pkg vinyl diaper cover pants $2.79
  • 3 boxes Nature Valley granola bars $5.35
Total OOP with tax: $9.46
Total Savings: $2.99
Total without sales & coupons: $12.45

Family Fare: 
  • 2 pkgs flour tortillas $2.00
  • 18 ct eggs $1.59
  • 8.17 lbs turkey breast $9.73
  • 2 bags shredded hashbrowns $5.00
  • 2 bags breaded chicken nuggets $9.18
  • 1 bag Freshlike frozen corn 65¢
  • 2 bags tater tots $3.00
  • 2 pkgs smoky links $2.98
  • 2 bottles Juicy Juice $3.00
  • 6 cans Old Orchard frozen juice conc. $6.00
  • 2 bottles Old Orchard juice $3.00
  • 5 cans tuna $4.00
  • 1-32 oz Dannon vanilla yogurt $1.00
  • 1.23 lbs butternut squash 62¢
  • 2 pks Litehouse caramel apple dip $4.00
  • 8lbs sugar $3.38
  • 6lbs apples $2.99
  • 2 gallons milk $3.38
Total OOP: $65.50
Total Savings: $39.71
Total without sales & coupons: $105.21

Aunt Millie's Bread Outlet:
  • 6 loaves sandwich bread $5.34
  • 2 loaves Texas Toast $2.58
  • 5 pkgs ham/hot buns $3.45
  • 10 individual cakes $10.00
  • 2 bags donuts $1.29
Total OOP: $22.66

Grand Total OOP: $175.67
Grand Total Savings: $103.08(plus the bread outlet)
Grand Total without sales and coupons: $278.75


This post is linked to:

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Menu Plan Monday 9/27-10/3


Ahhh it felt so good last week having a menu to work with for meals!!  It amazes me how much a simple thing like a menu can relieve stress. Last week’s menus were yummy and I didn’t have to worry or stress over what to do for our daily nourishment.  The only thing I did have to do to the menu was switch a couple of dinner meals because I realized after making up the menu that I had put all the chicken meals right after another and did the same with the beef meals so we just did some alternating of the meals. My hubby and kids were grateful that they didn’t have to eat chicken three nights in a row!

This week’s shopping trip was getting a few deals and the essentials, which means the majority of my meals for this week’s menus are from the pantry and freezer.  I will need to make a “milk run” this week but other than that meals will be from my stockpile.

This week’s meals are some of our favorites or comfort foods. Awana has started for us and so that means that Sunday night dinner meals are a quick run through a drive thru. We have to leave so early(4:45pm) and then we get back so late(8:30pm) that is just easier to grab something on the way home.

A special thanks to Laura-Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Need help with your menus; go check the over 300 other delicious meal plans that have been linked at Laura-Organizing Junkie’s site or look down in my right sidebar for my menu suggestion lists!



Sunday (9-27)
Breakfast: eggs, sausage or steak, hash browns, and chocolate donuts
Lunch: breaded chicken sandwiches served with French fries and carrot sticks
Dinner: McDonalds (after church)
Snack: snack basket

Monday (9-28)
Breakfast: cereal and toast
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: roasted chicken breasts, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn and biscuits
Snack: snack basket

Tuesday (9-29)
Breakfast:  waffles and sausage
Lunch: sandwich & chips
Dinner:  pork chops, mac & cheese, and green beans
Snack: snack basket

Wednesday(9-30)
Breakfast:  bagels and cereal
Lunch: pizza
Dinner:  beef gravy over noodles, and peas
Snack: snack basket

Thursday(10-1)
Breakfast:  Pancakes and sausage
Lunch: sandwich & chips
Dinner:  chicken & fish, cheesy potatoes, and corn
Snack: snack basket

Friday(10-2)
Breakfast:  cereal and toast
Lunch: sandwich & chips
Dinner:  burgers, fries and carrots
Snack: ice cream night

Saturday(10-3)
Breakfast:  Your Choice
Lunch: ???
Dinner:  saucy chicken, rice and green beans
Snack: popcorn