Weekly Shopping Trip--Savings $160.56

I did my major grocery shopping last week before the stores(and me) really started getting very busy with the holiday rush.  I was planning on just needing to stop in the stores long enough to keep milk in the house but found out that I was going to be hosting the family Christmas day dinner at my house.  Which meant that my plans of no more shopping until the beginning of the new year was not going to happen!  I made a stop at Gordon Food Service rather than going to a local grocery store and spent $20.15 after my 5% discount($1.01) to grab a 7.37lb spiral ham at $1.61/lb, 3lbs shredded hashbrowns, 2lbs baby carrots, and 500ct muffin paper liners that I needed to make it through the holidays.  I didn't include the Gordon's run in the totals below because I am not sure how much(if any) of it will be reimbursed by my family.

Not only did I make to my regular grocery stores but I went to the bread outlet and made my monthly run to Sam's Club.

Here is the breakdown of the last major shopping of 2009:

Aunt Millie's Bakery Outlet:

• 2 pkgs brown n serve rolls $1.58 (reg. $1.89 each)
• 6 pkgs 8ct. hamburg buns $4.14 (reg. $1.99 each)
• 2 pkgs 12 ct powdered sugar donuts $1.49 (reg. $2.89 each)
• 4 loaves sandwich bread $3.56 (reg. $1.69 each)

Total OOP: $10.77

Total Savings: $17.49

Total without going to the outlet: $28.26

Meijer: 

• 5.68 lbs split chicken breasts $5.62
• 23.05 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts $38.95
• 2 pkgs cream cheese 88¢
• 4 dozen eggs $2.97
• 2 lbs cheese $3.96
• 1 lb shredded cheese $1.98
• 2 bottles apple juice $2.34
• 2 jars applesauce $2.34
• 1 box toaster strudel 89¢
• 1 pkg Pillsbury Simply cookie dough 99¢
• 2 pkgs Pillsbury cookie dough $1.98
• 2 bottles Ocean Spray juice $3.56
• 1 bag pretzels $2.49
• 1 bag Reames egg noodles $2.24
• 3-12 pk Dr. Pepper $11.22 (with bottle deposit)
• 2 bags Lays potato chips $3.98
• 1 box popcorn shrimp $3.99
• 2 bags dark chocolate M&Ms $3.00
• 2 bags peanut holiday M&Ms $3.00
• 1 block Velveeta cheese $3.74
• 4 boxes brown n serve sausage links $4.00
• 2 pkgs lil' smokie sausages $4.00
• 4lbs boneless skinless chicken tenders $7.99

Total OOP after $1 off shopping order cpn: $115.05

Total Savings: $82.23

Total without sales and coupons: $197.28

Family Fare: 

• 6 Totinos pizza $7.00
• 1 family pk. Gortons fish fillets $5.59
• 4 bags frozen corn $2.61
• 1/2 gallon buttermilk $2.59
• 4 tubes Pillsbury crescent rolls $5.28
• 4 tubes Pillsbury cinnamon rolls $5.26
• 16 cans DelMonte veggies $8.04
• 6 boxes Kleenex $8.54(with tax)
• 2 bags Betty Crocker cookie mix $2.53
• 2 pks Chi Chi snacker salsa $2.58
• 4 boxes Jello instant chocolate pudding $2.40
• .68 lbs thin cut top round steak $2.47
• 9.46lbs ground beef $16.93
• 2 boxes Pillsbury cake mix $1.76
• 16lbs potatoes $2.99
• 2 gallons milk $4.00
• 2 containers Breyers icecream $4.54

Total OOP after $3.90 bottle refund: $81.21

Total Savings: $60.84

Total without sales and coupons: $142.05

Grand Total OOP: $207.03

Grand Total Savings: $160.56

Grand Total without sales, bread outlets, and coupons: $367.59

This post is linked to: 

• Shopping Round Up at The Grocery Cart Challenge!

1 Corithians 13---Christmas Version

I was looking through my archives and found this poem that I posted a couple of years ago when I was just getting my blog started.  It really still speaks to my heart, so I decided to repost it and share it again with everyone. We can bake cookies, cook extravagant meals, decorate the house inside(every room!) and out for the Christmas and totally forget what our focus should be not just during the holiday season but all year long! We need to keep our focus on the real Reason for the season! Christ came as a baby so that He could give us the ultimate gift of love by dying on the cross for our sins! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,

strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

but do not show love to my family,

I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,

baking dozens of Christmas cookies,

preparing gourmet meals and arranging

a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:

I’m just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen,

carol in the nursing home,

and give all that I have to charity;

but do not show love to my family,

it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels

and crocheted snowflakes,

attend a myriad of holiday parties

and sing in the choir’s cantata

but do not focus on Christ,I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another’s home

that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,

but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able

to give in return; but rejoices in giving

to those who cannot.

Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

and endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break,

pearl necklaces will be lost,

golf clubs will rust,

but giving the gift of love will endure.

~~~~Author Unknown~~~~