Save Money on Groceries

My sister told me about this website called The Grocery Game. This is a website that tracks grocery sales and coupons that come out in the Sunday paper. Since they can predict when certain items will go on sale, they tell you when is the best time to use your coupons. The goal is to only buy items and stockpile them when they are on sale and you have a coupon for them; that way you are getting the items free or practically free.

I took a look at the website and a lot of people seem to be really into this. I signed up for the 4-week trial and will be very interested to see if I save significantly on groceries. The only thing that I do not like is the fact that Piggly Wiggly is not a grocery store listed for my area. I like to shop at Piggly Wiggly because they always have the best prices on meat and produce. They did have our Food Lion listed so I will give it a try! I will be interested to see if I save the hundreds of dollars they claim that I will save!

My Favorite Grocery Sale!

Ok, I know I am odd . . . . I get really excited when ground beef goes on sale.  At my local grocery store they always have a couple of different meats on sale each week.  About every 3 – 4 weeks they put ground beef on sale for $1.19/lb.  YES!!!

That’s when I like to pick up one of the 7 lbs. family value packs of ground beef.  It takes approximately 1 lb. of ground beef for some of my family’s fave meals.

• Spaghetti
• Tacos OR enchiladas
• Cheeseburger Macaroni (3-yr-old’s fave)
• Lasagna
• Meatloaf
• Hamburger Steak
• Homemade Soup

I have what I refer to as a “meat rotation” in my freezer.  Each week I buy whatever meat is on sale that my family likes.  I portion it out and put all the meat in the freezer.  So then when the ground beef is on sale this week, we can also have the pork chops that were on sale last week and chicken breasts that were on sale the week before last.  You get the picture.

I know this isn’t anything new and that a lot of people already do this.  I just can’t believe that some people don’t.  Hey, all you people who pay full price for meat . . . don’t do it!  Use your freezer!  You can put more in there than ice cubes and Ben & Jerrys.

Cooking on a Budget

This morning at work we were all discussing the economy and how much EVERYTHING is increasing: food, gas, clothes, etc.  And what is the first thing we always cut back on?  Food.  Some of us don’t go out to eat as much (or at all).  Some of us don’t spend as much at the grocery store.  In my home, we don’t eat out a whole lot to begin with.  When money is tight I don’t spend a lot at the grocery store and most of the time my family never notices.

I enjoy cooking, so that helps.  I don’t really have the time to cook like I used to with two little ones and their Dad working out of town a lot during the week (but his absence helps decrease the grocery bill!).  So now I’m on the search for cheap, quick, child appealing recipes.  And since my kids cannot live off of hot dogs and Kool Aid, let’s throw in nutritional recipes as well.

I’ve got a link all ready for HillBillyHousewife which is a little extreme.  I’ll be honest . . . I’m probably not going to bake my own bread and my family will not drink powdered milk.  There are some good ideas on the website, though.  I just found another called Cheap Cooking.  I haven’t checked it out yet but I hope it’s name is promising!

Budget Meal: Pasta Primavera

Found this at http://newscafe.ansci.usu.edu/archive/dec2003/1218_eatcheaply.html

Pasta Primavera:

1 8oz bottle of Ragu alfredo sauce ($1.50 at Wal-mart)
2 1/2 cups spiral noodles ($1 anywhere)
1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli, steamed ($1 at Wal-mart)
1 large breast of chicken, cooked and cubed (about $1 at Wal-mart)

total: $4.50

Cook noodles, then add steamed broccoli, sauce and cooked chicken. Voila, food fit for a king.

Budget Meal: Chicken Stove Top Casserole

Found this at http://newscafe.ansci.usu.edu/archive/dec2003/1218_eatcheaply.html

Chicken Stove Top Casserole:

1 can cream of chicken soup (80 cents)
4 chicken breasts ($3 at Wal-mart)
1 box of Magic Stuffing made up and set aside (the cheap brand of the Stove Top variety, $1 at Wal-mart)

total: $4.80

Put chicken in a casserole dish and cover with soup and stuffing. Cook in oven at 350 for 30 minutes.

Cheap Meal: Corn Dog Casserole

Someone passed this recipe along to me.  It sounds kind of gross to me but I bet everyone else at my house will like it.  I wasn’t given a name for it, so I’ll call it Corn Dog Casserole.

• Pour your favorite variety of baked beans (large enough can to cover bottom of dish) into a 9 x 13 dish.
• Slice two packs of hot dogs and layer to cover beans.
• Prepare one package of cornbread mix and spread on hot dogs.
• Bake in 400 degree pre-heated oven for 35 minutes or until cornbread is done.

I might try this and add some diced onions and bell pepper to the beans.

What’s Wrong with Men???

Is there something wrong with all men or am I only encountering stupid men today?????

Stupid Man Encounter #1:

Male Pediatrician: So what makes you think your child has bronchitis??

Me:  I don’t.  I brought her in for an ear infection.  Look closely and see how she is about to pull her right ear off of her head.

Stupid Man Encounter #2:

Male boss (who was earlier irritated because I was late for work so that I could take my child with bronchitis in her ear to the doctor) disappears for HOURS.  No one knows where he is.  Returns some time later with a fresh hair cut.  He doesn’t thinks anyone has noticed the scalping he received.

Stupid Man Encounter #3:

My Sweet Honey who is working out of town calls me ten minutes before my lunch break is over.  I don’t remember exactly what he said word-for-word, but this is what I heard . . . . .

“Uh, hey baby.  Can you use the last ten minutes of your lunch break to go to the bank that is 15 minutes away and make a deposit that I could have taken care of this morning or for that matter I could take care of this afternoon . . . or evening . . . . or on my own lunch break that I haven’t taken yet.  I realize that the previous sentence was a run-on sentence but I don’t care because I am a stupid man.”

If any men happen to read this, don’t get your panties in a wad.  I’m sure I’ll encounter plenty of stupid women relatively soon.

I’ve Fallen Off of the Wagon

I’ve fallen of off the wagon!  My “wagon” being my little routine of keeping my house clean and organized.  Funny how when you’re first starting out little things like a birthday or sick kid can throw you off track.

This is what I plan to do tonight:  1)make a list of everything I want accomplished this week and do a little every day.  2) get back to my night time routine of laying out clothes, preparing lunch, menu planning, etc. for the next day. 3) finish taxes tonight for all of my SLACKER FAMILY MEMBERS who called me TODAY on APRIL FRIGGING 14th to do their taxes on APRIL FRIGGIN 14th.  APRIL 14th!!!!  April FRIGGING 14th. 4) Cross some family members off of my Christmas list and 5) Finish a consulting job I’ve been working on.  Oh, and of course I’ll have to do the usual feed, bathe, love up, put to bed the little ones (Daddy’s out of town working).

I think that’s enough for tonight.

Posting Plans

Haven’t posted in several days.  We’ve had some bad news in our family and it’s taken me a while to re-group.  Anyway, I still plan to post.

Ok, I know it’s silly to post about what I plan to post . . . but to me that means I will actually do it.  It’s kind of like a TO DO list.  Coming very soon I plan to post about how my house cleaning routine is going, cheap menu plans and what the kiddies have been up to.

My House is Staying Clean!!!

I’ve been following my routine and am happy to say that my house is staying clean!  It’s not completely spotless yet, but I am very happy with the results.  I would not be embarrassed if someone were to come over and things are looking better each day!

All I’m doing is this:

1. Make sure my kitchen is clean each night before I go to bed.
2. Wash, dry, fold and put away one load of laundry each day.
3. Prepare the night before for the following morning (lunches, lay out clothes, etc.)
4. Once an area is clean I pick up behind myself/kids when things are out of place
5. When the kids go to bed I spend about 30 – 45 minutes doing one “extra” thing (clean out a drawer, straighten pantry, vacuum, etc.)
6. Take one bag each week to Goodwill and/or trash dump

It is making a major difference in my home and is not taking a lot of time.  I guess I’ll have to say thanks to FlyLady for emphasizing routines!  I’m still not going to subscribe to her though!