My hubby and precious boys got me these beautiful tulips.
I'm also treasuring the card. I often say I feel like I'm talking to myself when I tell the boys to do something.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Just keep shopping....
Here's some more shopping trips from earlier this week...I'd love to show pictures...but the camera battery is dead so I'll try to post pics. of my next shopping trips.
May 5th
Walmart
Nature's Pride Honey Wheat Bread $1.99 (love this bread...its HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) free and is one of the only whole grain bread that my boys will eat.
Cash paid $1.99
Dominicks
I went in to get the Cheez-its that I have a rain check for...the coupon that I wanted to use with the raincheck expires on 5/6 so I wanted to make sure I got these. I didn't see any on the shelf so I asked the cashier if they had any in yet. She said she thought it would be restocked on Thursday. When I mentioned that I hoped they would be as my coupon expired on 5/6, she said they take expired coupons up to a year. This was news to me.
2 - 16 oz. packages of Oscar Mayer beef Bologna $5.29 B1G1F
Coupons used:
$1/2 Oscar Mayer Lunch Meats (blinkie)
$3.00 off Catalina on your next purchase of beef or chicken
Total cash paid: $1.30
Jewel #1
3 packages of 4 ct. Drumsticks (Simple ones which are nut free!!!) @ $2.49 each
1 single serve Edy's Chocolate Chip cookie dough @ $1.00
Coupons used:
3 - $1/1 Drumsticks (insert coupon)
$4.00 off OYNO Catalina
Paid: $1.55 on Jewel gift Card
Earned: $4.00 OYNO Catalina Coupon
Jewel #2
3 - Breyers 1.5 qt ice cream @ $2.88 each
1 - Del Monte Natural Chunky Peanches $1.00
Coupons used:
$2.00 off your next order for answering customer service survey
$7.00 off OYNO Catalina Coupon
Paid: .77 on Jewel gift Card
Earned: $5.00 OYNO Catalina Coupon
You may wonder why I went to two different Jewel's this day. The $2.00 of on your next order survey coupons are only valid at the location that you receive them at. I knew I would get the most bang for my buck so to speak if I went to two different stores so that I could use that coupon.
May 6th
Dominicks....still out of Cheez-its....GRRR!!!
2 - Betty Crocker yellow Cake Mixes @ $1.89 each
1 - Betty Crocker cookie Mix
1 - Betty Crocker Brownie Mix
1 - Betty Crocker Frosting
All of the above were part of a buy 2 get 3 free promotion
2 - Cinnamon Toast Crunch @ $1.49 each
5 - Capri Sun Sunrise @ $1.49 each (had to buy 5 to get the $1.49 promotion price)
Coupons used:
.55/1 Cinnamon toast crunch (electronic coupon on my fresh values card)
2 - .75/1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix (electronic coupon on my fresh values card)
.40/1 Betty Crocker Frosting (coupons.com)
.50/1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix (coupons.com)
2 - .55/1 Cinnamon toast Crunch (coupons.com)
5 - $1/1 Capri Sun Sunrise (Sunday insert coupon )
$5.00 off OYNO coupon
Total paid: .77 cash
This leaves me at $34.52 cash to spend/$21.52 Jewel Gift Card to spend for the month.
Happy Mother's Day weekend!!!!
May 5th
Walmart
Nature's Pride Honey Wheat Bread $1.99 (love this bread...its HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) free and is one of the only whole grain bread that my boys will eat.
Cash paid $1.99
Dominicks
I went in to get the Cheez-its that I have a rain check for...the coupon that I wanted to use with the raincheck expires on 5/6 so I wanted to make sure I got these. I didn't see any on the shelf so I asked the cashier if they had any in yet. She said she thought it would be restocked on Thursday. When I mentioned that I hoped they would be as my coupon expired on 5/6, she said they take expired coupons up to a year. This was news to me.
2 - 16 oz. packages of Oscar Mayer beef Bologna $5.29 B1G1F
Coupons used:
$1/2 Oscar Mayer Lunch Meats (blinkie)
$3.00 off Catalina on your next purchase of beef or chicken
Total cash paid: $1.30
Jewel #1
3 packages of 4 ct. Drumsticks (Simple ones which are nut free!!!) @ $2.49 each
1 single serve Edy's Chocolate Chip cookie dough @ $1.00
Coupons used:
3 - $1/1 Drumsticks (insert coupon)
$4.00 off OYNO Catalina
Paid: $1.55 on Jewel gift Card
Earned: $4.00 OYNO Catalina Coupon
Jewel #2
3 - Breyers 1.5 qt ice cream @ $2.88 each
1 - Del Monte Natural Chunky Peanches $1.00
Coupons used:
$2.00 off your next order for answering customer service survey
$7.00 off OYNO Catalina Coupon
Paid: .77 on Jewel gift Card
Earned: $5.00 OYNO Catalina Coupon
You may wonder why I went to two different Jewel's this day. The $2.00 of on your next order survey coupons are only valid at the location that you receive them at. I knew I would get the most bang for my buck so to speak if I went to two different stores so that I could use that coupon.
May 6th
Dominicks....still out of Cheez-its....GRRR!!!
2 - Betty Crocker yellow Cake Mixes @ $1.89 each
1 - Betty Crocker cookie Mix
1 - Betty Crocker Brownie Mix
1 - Betty Crocker Frosting
All of the above were part of a buy 2 get 3 free promotion
2 - Cinnamon Toast Crunch @ $1.49 each
5 - Capri Sun Sunrise @ $1.49 each (had to buy 5 to get the $1.49 promotion price)
Coupons used:
.55/1 Cinnamon toast crunch (electronic coupon on my fresh values card)
2 - .75/1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix (electronic coupon on my fresh values card)
.40/1 Betty Crocker Frosting (coupons.com)
.50/1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix (coupons.com)
2 - .55/1 Cinnamon toast Crunch (coupons.com)
5 - $1/1 Capri Sun Sunrise (Sunday insert coupon )
$5.00 off OYNO coupon
Total paid: .77 cash
This leaves me at $34.52 cash to spend/$21.52 Jewel Gift Card to spend for the month.
Happy Mother's Day weekend!!!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Schwan's Splurge
This afternoon we heard a knock on the door. My youngest son goes running to the door, looks out the side window and yells "The man with my hot dogs is here". He was so excited that he would finally have hot dogs again. I didn't figure my Schwan's purchases when I set my $100 budget for the month. I typically spend $70 a month on Schwan's items. Since Schwan's is groceries I am counting it toward my grocery budget.
I spent $24.20. That is two packages of skinless beef franks and one package of individually packaged boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
This leaves me with $38.58 cash/$23.84 Jewel Gift card for the month.
You may be wondering...what are they eating during this month with such a slim budget? We're working on paring down the freezer and pantry. My deep freeze needs to be defrosted.
For breakfast, I typically make a yogurt smoothie w/ fresh fruit and orange juice. I love High Mountain plain all natural yogurt for smoothies. The huge container at Costco is only $3.99 and lasts me at least 2 weeks. If I don't make a smoothie, I'll usually have a bowl of cereal. Frosted Mini Wheats and Wheaties Fuel have been my two favorites lately. My boys typically have fruit, a bowl of cereal or go-gurt. My husband will have oatmeal or get something from the cafeteria at work.
Lunches for me are typically leftovers from the evening before. My husband either eats at the cafeteria at work or will bring something from home. My oldest typically eats a cheese sandwich for lunch. My youngest will usually have bologna, jelly sandwich or a hot dog.
Monday night we made small pasta shells (think a little smaller than Velvetta shells and cheese size) with ground beef that had a tomato/taco sauce. Both my husband and I had it for lunch today also. There is still a small portion left so I'll have the rest for lunch tomorrow. Tonight was the first night of swim lessons. So we went quick and easy...Schwan's Angus Meatloafs and brocolli w/ cheese and rice. Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo so I will be picking up some tasty Mexican food from our favorite little Mexican restaurant.
I spent $24.20. That is two packages of skinless beef franks and one package of individually packaged boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
This leaves me with $38.58 cash/$23.84 Jewel Gift card for the month.
You may be wondering...what are they eating during this month with such a slim budget? We're working on paring down the freezer and pantry. My deep freeze needs to be defrosted.
For breakfast, I typically make a yogurt smoothie w/ fresh fruit and orange juice. I love High Mountain plain all natural yogurt for smoothies. The huge container at Costco is only $3.99 and lasts me at least 2 weeks. If I don't make a smoothie, I'll usually have a bowl of cereal. Frosted Mini Wheats and Wheaties Fuel have been my two favorites lately. My boys typically have fruit, a bowl of cereal or go-gurt. My husband will have oatmeal or get something from the cafeteria at work.
Lunches for me are typically leftovers from the evening before. My husband either eats at the cafeteria at work or will bring something from home. My oldest typically eats a cheese sandwich for lunch. My youngest will usually have bologna, jelly sandwich or a hot dog.
Monday night we made small pasta shells (think a little smaller than Velvetta shells and cheese size) with ground beef that had a tomato/taco sauce. Both my husband and I had it for lunch today also. There is still a small portion left so I'll have the rest for lunch tomorrow. Tonight was the first night of swim lessons. So we went quick and easy...Schwan's Angus Meatloafs and brocolli w/ cheese and rice. Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo so I will be picking up some tasty Mexican food from our favorite little Mexican restaurant.
Monday, May 3, 2010
So much shopping....So little Spent
I've set my budget at $100.00 for grocery and health/beauty purchases for the month of May.
I have a Jewel gift card that has $222.88. This was purchased earlier this year with the intention that it would last until the end of 2010. I would like to spend no more than $25.00 from it this month.
So my budget is based on no more than $75.00 cash and $25.00 from the Jewel gift card.
I've made a few trips to the grocery store over the last few days. I've found myself scrutinizing every purchase. I've been asking myself...do we really need this? Is this the best choice for our budgeted money?
I've also had a few surprises pop up.
Here is a break down of the four grocery store trips that I've made this month.
May 1st
Dominicks
3 - Kraft Salad Dressing @ .99 each
2 - 1 lb packages of Strawberries @ $1.49 each
2 - 10 ct. packages of Mission Flour Tortillas @ .99 each
4 - Lunchables $2.99...B1G1F (Buy 1 Get 1 Free)
Coupons used:
3 - .55/1 Kraft Salad Dressings
1 - $1.50/2 Mission Brand Items
2 - $1/1 Lunchables
2 - $1/1 Lunchables (electronic coupon on your fresh values card)
Paid: $4.92 Cash
Jewel
1 - Welch's 100% Grape Juice @ $3.00
4 - Kellogg's 17 oz. Cereals @ $2.99 each
Coupons used:
4 - .70/1 Kellogg's Cereals (Blinkie)
1 - $1/1 Welch's Grape Juice ( Coupons.com)
$11.00 in OYNO Catalinas
Paid: .31 Jewel Gift Card
Received: $10.00 in OYNO Catalinas
May 3rd
Aldi
1 - Rose Bouquet $3.99
1 - 3lb bag of Gala Apples $2.99
Total Paid: $7.30 cash
Jewel
6 - Old El Paso Taco Seasoning @ .69 each
4- Kellogg's Cereals @$2.99 each
1 - Gallon of Milk @ $2.48
Coupons used:
3 - .70/1 Kellogg's cereal (Blinkies)
1 - $1/1 Frosted Mini Wheats (Found in Cereal box)
1 - $1 off a gallon of milk wyb 2 Kellogg's Cereals ( Found in Cereal Box)
3 - .60/2 Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
1 - $2.00 your next purchase for responding to customer service survey
$10.00 in OYNO Catalinas
Paid: .85 on Jewel Gift Card
Earned: $10.00 OYNO Catalinas...one of these Catalinas is specifically for $3.00 off on your next purchase of Chicken or Beef
Budget Left to Spend: $62.78 Cash/$23.84 Jewel Gift Card
I had originally planned to get milk at Aldi since it is typically $1.79 - $1.99. However, with the $1 off a gallon of milk coupon it was cheaper to buy it at Jewel. I am also hoping that Beef Bologna counts as beef at Jewel. My youngest likes bologna and I'm currently out.
I mentioned earlier that I had a couple of surprises pop up...mainly I forgot that it was Teacher Appreciation Week and A-Z countdown of the last 26 days of school. Hence, my trip to Aldi. My oldest needs an Apple for Apple snack tomorrow and is taking some beautiful pink roses to his teacher.
I have a Jewel gift card that has $222.88. This was purchased earlier this year with the intention that it would last until the end of 2010. I would like to spend no more than $25.00 from it this month.
So my budget is based on no more than $75.00 cash and $25.00 from the Jewel gift card.
I've made a few trips to the grocery store over the last few days. I've found myself scrutinizing every purchase. I've been asking myself...do we really need this? Is this the best choice for our budgeted money?
I've also had a few surprises pop up.
Here is a break down of the four grocery store trips that I've made this month.
May 1st
Dominicks
3 - Kraft Salad Dressing @ .99 each
2 - 1 lb packages of Strawberries @ $1.49 each
2 - 10 ct. packages of Mission Flour Tortillas @ .99 each
4 - Lunchables $2.99...B1G1F (Buy 1 Get 1 Free)
Coupons used:
3 - .55/1 Kraft Salad Dressings
1 - $1.50/2 Mission Brand Items
2 - $1/1 Lunchables
2 - $1/1 Lunchables (electronic coupon on your fresh values card)
Paid: $4.92 Cash
Jewel
1 - Welch's 100% Grape Juice @ $3.00
4 - Kellogg's 17 oz. Cereals @ $2.99 each
Coupons used:
4 - .70/1 Kellogg's Cereals (Blinkie)
1 - $1/1 Welch's Grape Juice ( Coupons.com)
$11.00 in OYNO Catalinas
Paid: .31 Jewel Gift Card
Received: $10.00 in OYNO Catalinas
May 3rd
Aldi
1 - Rose Bouquet $3.99
1 - 3lb bag of Gala Apples $2.99
Total Paid: $7.30 cash
Jewel
6 - Old El Paso Taco Seasoning @ .69 each
4- Kellogg's Cereals @$2.99 each
1 - Gallon of Milk @ $2.48
Coupons used:
3 - .70/1 Kellogg's cereal (Blinkies)
1 - $1/1 Frosted Mini Wheats (Found in Cereal box)
1 - $1 off a gallon of milk wyb 2 Kellogg's Cereals ( Found in Cereal Box)
3 - .60/2 Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
1 - $2.00 your next purchase for responding to customer service survey
$10.00 in OYNO Catalinas
Paid: .85 on Jewel Gift Card
Earned: $10.00 OYNO Catalinas...one of these Catalinas is specifically for $3.00 off on your next purchase of Chicken or Beef
Budget Left to Spend: $62.78 Cash/$23.84 Jewel Gift Card
I had originally planned to get milk at Aldi since it is typically $1.79 - $1.99. However, with the $1 off a gallon of milk coupon it was cheaper to buy it at Jewel. I am also hoping that Beef Bologna counts as beef at Jewel. My youngest likes bologna and I'm currently out.
I mentioned earlier that I had a couple of surprises pop up...mainly I forgot that it was Teacher Appreciation Week and A-Z countdown of the last 26 days of school. Hence, my trip to Aldi. My oldest needs an Apple for Apple snack tomorrow and is taking some beautiful pink roses to his teacher.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Must Get Moving in May
May 1st...where has 2010 gone? It seems like it was just January and I couldn't wait for the snow to be gone and the sun to be out.
I've decided May is the month that I need to get moving...start making progress towards some goals I have set for myself. First, I really need to loose some weight so I've decided to focus on losing 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I won't complete this goal in May. I hope to be at least 4 lbs lighter by the end of this month. Of course, I have lost that 4 lbs at least 10 times over the last couple of years. It's keeping it off that is the challenge. Second, I've accepted a challenge to spend only $100.00 dollars this month on groceries and health/beauty products for our family. In the coming days, I will list my shopping trips...what I've purchased and what I've spent.
I hope through blogging this month I'll have some encouragement and accountability to stick to my goals.
I've decided May is the month that I need to get moving...start making progress towards some goals I have set for myself. First, I really need to loose some weight so I've decided to focus on losing 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I won't complete this goal in May. I hope to be at least 4 lbs lighter by the end of this month. Of course, I have lost that 4 lbs at least 10 times over the last couple of years. It's keeping it off that is the challenge. Second, I've accepted a challenge to spend only $100.00 dollars this month on groceries and health/beauty products for our family. In the coming days, I will list my shopping trips...what I've purchased and what I've spent.
I hope through blogging this month I'll have some encouragement and accountability to stick to my goals.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Waiting in Winter
January...it's cold, it's snowy...it's winter in the midwest...what else do you expect. January is a month of waiting. Waiting for your waistline to shrink from all those holiday goodies, waiting for a bit of warmth...say a balmy 25 degrees...so you can send the kids outside to play, waiting for a hint of spring...whether it be the bulb catalogs in the mail or the swimsuit displays in the stores. What do you do while waiting? Whether it be the relatively short wait until spring which you know will come eventually or whether it be a wait of indefinite time...a wait for a new job, a child, your child or children to be sleeping through the night, potty trained, in school, a wayward child to return home, a clean bill of health.
My goal in this season of waiting is to be faithful and steadfast in all that God has called me to be as a woman, wife and mother. A song that has really left an impression on my heart and spoken to me in this season of waiting is While I'm Waiting By John Waller. This song was featured in the movie Fireproof...an excellent movie if you haven't seen it. I highly recommend it. You can visit his website http://www.johnwallermusic.com/ and listen to the song.
The lyrics that most touch me are:
I'm waiting on you Lord. Though it is painful. But patiently, I will wait. I will move ahead bold and confident. Taking every step in obedience. While I'm waiting. I will serve you. While I'm waiting. I will worship. While I'm waiting. I will not faint. I will be running the race. Even while I wait.
I hope you are as touched by the lyrics of this song as I was. I also encourage you while you're in a season of waiting to journal. Take time to write down your feelings, thoughts and prayers. This a great way to see how God is working in your life. So often in the seasons of waiting, we don't realize that God is working. By journaling, you can look back over your season of waiting and see how God was working every step of the way.
Do you have a personal relationship with God?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Would you like to learn more about a personal relationship with God? Contact me through comments.
My goal in this season of waiting is to be faithful and steadfast in all that God has called me to be as a woman, wife and mother. A song that has really left an impression on my heart and spoken to me in this season of waiting is While I'm Waiting By John Waller. This song was featured in the movie Fireproof...an excellent movie if you haven't seen it. I highly recommend it. You can visit his website http://www.johnwallermusic.com/ and listen to the song.
The lyrics that most touch me are:
I'm waiting on you Lord. Though it is painful. But patiently, I will wait. I will move ahead bold and confident. Taking every step in obedience. While I'm waiting. I will serve you. While I'm waiting. I will worship. While I'm waiting. I will not faint. I will be running the race. Even while I wait.
I hope you are as touched by the lyrics of this song as I was. I also encourage you while you're in a season of waiting to journal. Take time to write down your feelings, thoughts and prayers. This a great way to see how God is working in your life. So often in the seasons of waiting, we don't realize that God is working. By journaling, you can look back over your season of waiting and see how God was working every step of the way.
Do you have a personal relationship with God?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Would you like to learn more about a personal relationship with God? Contact me through comments.
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