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


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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

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Weekly Shopping Trip---Savings $29.59

After my big shopping trip last week, there was much that I needed.  There was a few sale deals that I wanted to pick up along with a few things that I definitely needed to complete weekly meals.  With only needing a few things I went to one store that had the most in the way of sale deals that I wanted to pick up and called it good!  So despite not saving much in the way of money this week in groceries, I did save by only going to one store to do my shopping!  And I did my shopping on the way home from an appointment so I was not making an extra trip out for the shopping.

Here is the breakdown of my shopping trip:

Meijer:

  • 2.12 lbs bananas $1.25
  • 1.99 lbs red grapes $1.97
  • 1 head lettuce 99¢
  • 1/2 gallon buttermilk $2.39
  • 5.23 lbs ground beef from chuck $9.36 ($1.79/lb)
  • 2.44 lbs ground beef from chuck $3.50 ($1.43/lb on manager's markdown)
  • 4 tubes Grands biscuits 49¢
  • 1-4pk Breakstone cottage cheese 98¢
  • 4 gallons milk $7.00
  • 3 boxes General Mills Cereal $4.22
  • 2 boxes Jello Gelatin 50¢
Total OOP: $32.65
Total Savings: $29.59
Total without sales & coupons: $62.24

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Whole Wheat Yeast Bun Mix

With fall and winter months coming, I have been going through my cookbooks finding the recipes of goodies!  I am wanting to have a good list of items to make to stock my freezer and to have on hand to pull for those holiday parties and get-togethers.


One of my favorite cookbooks is the Homemade is Better Cookbook from Tupperware Home Parties.  When I was growing up, this was one of the cookbooks that my Mom used on a consistent basis. My Grandma had a copy of the same cookbook and since she didn't need it anymore she blessed me with it!  I love the different mixes that are in this cookbook that I can put together and store for 6 weeks or more!

One of the mixes that I am going to start making on a regular basis again is the Whole Wheat Yeast Bun Mix. In the cookbook there is SIX recipes that are printed to use the mix with, however, with a little creativity I am sure that I will be able to use the mix for even more!

Whole Wheat Yeast Bun Mix

8 cups all purpose flour
6 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons salt
1 cup shortening that doesn't require refrigeration

In a bowl, stir together flours, dry milk powder, brown sugar and salt. Cut in shortening till mixture resembles course meal. Transfer to bags or sealed containers.  Store up to 6 weeks at room temperature. For longer storage, place in the freezer. To measure, spoon lightly into a measuring cup; level with spatula. Makes 17 cups mix.
Notes: Most of the recipes, call for 2 cups of the mix so I divide the mix into 2 cups and put in quart size ziploc bags and then stick in the freezer ready to pull for use.

Here is three of the recipes using the mix:

Whole Wheat Potato Pancakes

2 large potatoes
1/2 cup whole wheat yeast bun mix
1/2 tsp. salt
2 beaten eggs
2 tbsp. cooking oil

Grate potatoes into a bowl. Sprinkle Bun Mix and salt over potatoes. Gently stir potato shreds until evenly coated. Stir in eggs. Measure 1/3 cup mixture for each pancake. In a large skillet, cook pancakes in hot oil over medium heat about 3 minutes per side or till pancakes are golden brown. Makes 6 pancakes.

Whole Wheat Jam Twists

1 package active dry yeast (2 tsp)
1/3 cup warm water(110°-115°)
1 slightly beaten egg
2 cups whole wheat yeast bun mix
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp. strawberry or red raspberry preserves
1 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in egg. Add bun mix and beat well. Turn out onto well floured surface. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Use rolling pin to roll to a 14x10 inch rectangle. Carefully spread the peanut butter lengthwise over half the rectangle. Carefully spread jam or preserves  over the peanut butter, cutting up large pieces of fruit, if necessary. Fold dough lengthwise making a 14x5 rectangle; seal edges. Cut dough crosswise into 14-5x1 inch strips. Loosely twist each strip and arrange about 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Brush strips with the butter or margarine. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double(30-40 minutes). Bake in 375° oven for 12-15 minutes or till golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Store in a sealed container or ziploc bag.  Makes 14 twists.
Notes: My mom loved using her homemade jams with this recipe. My favorite combination was peanut butter with homemade blueberry jam! Yummy!

Whole Wheat Butterhorns(Crescent Rolls)

2 packages active dry yeast(4 tsp)
1 3/4 cups warm water (110°-115°)
6 cups whole wheat yeast bun mix
6 Tbsp. butter softened
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts(optional)
melted butter

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add bun mix. Mix well. Turn out on a lightly floured surface, kneading to make moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.(6-8 minutes total). Shape into a ball. Return to a greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover. let rise in warm place till double(about 1 1/2 hours). Punch down; turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 3 equal portions. shape into a ball. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, use rolling pin to roll one ball into a 12 inch circle; spread with 2 tbsp. of the softened butter and sprinkle with 1/3 of the nuts. Cut circle into 12 wedges. To shape rolls, begin at wide end of wedge and roll toward point. Place, point down 2-3 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover rolls; let rise in warm place till nearly double(20-30 minutes) Brush with melted butter. Bake in 400° oven for 10-12 minutes or till done. Remove from baking sheet; cool. Brush again with melted butter, if desired. Makes 36 rolls.
Notes: I skip the nuts on these rolls and make plain warm crescent rolls! Also instead of nuts, I have sprinkled shredded cheddar cheese before rolling up the dough into rolls.


This mix makes good dough for making pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, and sandwich braid bread and much more!  I love the versatility of this mix!

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Monday, September 21, 2009

Menu Plan Monday 9/20-9/26



Time to get back to menu planning!!  Last week I didn’t have a plan due to being on vacation the weekend before so I flew by the seat of my pants.  Thankfully I had enough still in my stockpile to carry me a few days before I had to go grocery shopping.  And I did remember to make up a menu plan before I went grocery shopping so that I could get what I needed to finish off the week and get what I needed for this week.

This week’s shopping trip was payday week shopping, which means that I have enough hopefully to get my family through until next payday(Sept 30th).  I should only need milk and a few produce items before the next payday! 

We are into the second week of our school year and I decided to go for the simple and quick meals for this week’s menus.  Based on the temperatures this week of mid-high 70s, the fall weather doesn’t want to stay around but I am in the mood for some fall meals!  I am going to be making some soups this week!

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 (9-20)
Breakfast: eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, and cinnamon rolls
Lunch: leftover tacos
Dinner: breaded chicken sandwiches served with French fries and carrot sticks
Snack: snack basket

Monday (9-21)
Breakfast: cereal and banana muffins (from freezer)
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: creamy chicken served with egg noodles and green peas
Snack: snack basket

Tuesday (9-22)
Breakfast:  waffles and sausage
Lunch: sandwich & chips
Dinner:  oven fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, corn and rolls
Snack: snack basket

Wednesday(9-23)
Breakfast:  bagels and cereal
Lunch: pizza
Dinner:  chicken rice casserole served with homemade bread
Snack: snack basket

Thursday(9-24)
Breakfast:  French Toast and sausage
Lunch: sandwich & chips
Dinner:  veggie beef stew served with biscuits
Snack: snack basket

Friday(9-25)
Breakfast:  cereal and toast
Lunch: sandwich & chips
Dinner:  spaghetti dinner served with garlic toast and fresh veggie tray
Snack: ice cream night

Saturday(9-26)
Breakfast:  Your Choice
Lunch: ???
Dinner:  steak, served potato pockets and corn
Snack: popcorn