Recipe
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
School is continuing at full throttle and we are finding ways to stay busy, ha! I was able to get some great items on clearance and stock up on some lunch box items. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Aldi's and Walgreens Aldi Groceries:- $48.39 at Aldi’s for 4 boxes Macaroni & Cheese, 1 bag Cinnamon Bagels, 2 boxes Moo Tube Yogurts, 1 box refrigerator Pie Crusts, 4 bags Cheese Sticks, 2 boxes Seasoned Potatoes, 1 three pound bag Chicken, 1 bag White Tortilla Chips, 1 bag Sugar Wafers, 1 bag Cheddar Nuggets, 1 box Oatmeal, 2 packs Taco Seasoning, 1 box Butter, 2 blocks Cheddar Cheese, 4 boxes Vanilla Pudding, 1 container Light Sour Cream, 1 bag Granulated Sugar, 2 Blueberry Pancake Mixes, 5 boxes Tropical Fruit Rolls, 1 bag Carrots, and 2 containers fresh Mushrooms (I was able to get several of these items marked down at Ali’s, which is rare for me, yay!)
Walgreen Groceries:
- $1.21 at Walmart for 4 boxes Baking Soda, 3 bags Disney Car Marshmallows, 1 two liter Lemon Lime and 2 gallons Milk (the Baking Soda & Milk was on sale and the Marshmallows & Lemon Lime was on clearance. I used a couple Register Rewards towards the purchase.)
This week I spent $49.60 on groceries. Even though I was only a little over on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on several items. Thankfully I had extra in the grocery wallet to cover the expense. I hope that next week is an even better week and we can come under budget for the week.
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Family Recipe: Cheesy Brussel Sprouts
If you would have told me as a kid that I would grow up to enjoy Brussel sprouts I would have thought you were crazy. Brussel Sprouts were one the dreaded vegetable my Mom would occasionally cook for our family. I grew brussel sprouts in our garden this summer because I thought it would be good to “try” this dreaded vegetable one more time since it is healthy for me. I was able to harvest quite a few brussel sprouts from our two plants, enough for several dinners. I picked the sprouts when they were still small so they wouldn’t be as bitter. My husband came up with this amazing Cheesy Brussel Sprouts recipe that our entire family LOVED (including the kids). Three cheers for eating more healthy veggies!
Cheesy Brussel Sprouts:
- 2 cups small Brussel Sprouts
- 1/2 cup sliced Onions
- 1 clove of Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheese (Parmesan, Cheddar, Mozzarella or any family favorite)
1. Wash the Brussel Sprouts, pull off any wilted or brown outer leaves, and cut each one in half.
2. Slice an onion up into thin strips.
3. Peel the outer shell off the Garlic Cloves and slice each section in half.
4. Put the olive in a sauce pan on medium heat. Add onions and garlic, saute for 1 minute.
5. Add Brussel Sprouts and saute until tender.
6. Sprinkle Shredded Cheese over top of the cooked Brussel Sprouts and serve.
Fresh & Healthy: Pears from our Neighbor
Fresh Pears from our Neighbor! Thank You!!! A few days ago the girls and I were walking back from the bus stop when a neighbor stopped to talk with us. She generously offered us some of her pears. A couple of the other neighbors had picked some pears and she wanted to make sure we came over and got a few as well. Her tree was producing a lot of pears this year and she didn’t want them to go to waste.
The girls begged me to pick some pears so the next day after school we went over and picked a few pears. It has been wonderful eating fresh pears for breakfast, lunches at school and snacks. We even made an awesome Strawberry Pear Smoothie for an after school treat and Pearsauce. I am thankful for our neighbors and their generosity. It is the little things in life that can make a really big difference.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of September 28 – October 4, 2011
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. The items on sale are continued from last week so if you haven’t had an opportunity to stock up this week would be a great time to do it. You do not need any coupons to get the Save A Lot Today prices. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Ground Hamburger (80% Lean) – $2.49 per lb
Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.79 per lb
Sugardale Smoked, Stadium, or Cheddar Brats (14 oz) – $1.99
Holten Beef Patties (24 oz) – $1.99
Farmington Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $1.99
Oscar Mayer Ready to Serve Bacon (2.1 oz) – $2.49
Use $0.55/1 coupon booklet from Kraft Food & Family (found at Food Lion & BiLo) Expires 12/31/11
$1.94 each after couponPick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Buyers Best Crinkle Cut French Fries (32 oz) – $0.99
McClary’s Cheese Singles (10.7 oz) – $0.99
Bright & Early Orange and Grape Drinks – $1.00
Morning Delight Cinnamon Rolls with Icing – $1.69
Coburn Farms Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (12 oz) – $2.99
Produce
Jumbo Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 per lb
Gala Apples (3 lbs) – $2.49
Cucumbers – $0.50
Cabbage – $0.39
Cantaloupes – $1.49
Navel Oranges (3 lbs) – $2.99
Caeser Salad Kit (5.6 oz) – $2.49
Household
Angel Fresh Dryer Sheets – $0.99
Glo Classic Dish Liquid (25 oz) – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Bath Tissue (4 count) – $0.89
Save A Lot Today Liquid Laundry Detergent (45.4 oz) – $1.99
Save A Lot Today Soap Scum Remover (32 oz) – $1.00
Save A Lot Today All Purpose Pine Cleaner (32 oz) – $1.00
Save A Lot Today All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach (32 oz) – $1.00
Grocery
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce (25.6 oz) – $0.88
Mantia’s Spaghetti or Elbow Macaroni Noodles – $0.99
Green Giant Vegetables (14 to 15 oz) – $0.59
Andy Capp Fries – $0.69
Tony’s Mega Pouch (Pepperoni Pizza or Egg & Bacon) – $0.79
Arizona Drinks (23 oz) – $0.79
Bisquick Shake & Pour (5.1 oz) – $0.99
Diane’s Garden Tomato Sauce (8 oz) – $0.29
Kurtz Ketchup – $0.89
Kurtz Wing Sauce – $1.39
Marcum Chicken Coating Mix – $0.99
Marcum Seasoned Bread Crumbs (11 oz) – $0.99
O Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39
Potatoes on the Side Scallop or Au Gratin – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries – $0.99
McDaniel’s Enhanced Coffee Creamer (16 oz) – $1.79
Mantia’s Crispy Crust Pizza Mix – $0.49
Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (14 oz) – $0.99
Wylwood Mushroom Pieces and Stems – $0.59
Bell’s Sliced Ripe Olives – $0.79
Sugardale Sliced Pepperoni (8 oz) – $1.99
Grissom’s Garlic Bread Sticks (12 oz) – $1.99
Cloverhill Strawberry Cheese Claw (4.25 oz) – $0.59
Mrs. Freshley’s Buddy Bars or Oatmeal Creme Pies (8 count) – $1.00
Health & Beauty
Being Well Allergy Tablets (30 Count) – $2.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Fresh & Healthy: Community Supported Agriculture (Week 19 & 20)
I took a couple weeks off because I didn’t have a chance to snap a picture before eating the goodies. It is week nineteen and twenty receiving fresh produce from our CSA! This is our last week of our summer CSA Harvest schedule. The Fall Harvest begins the first week in October so there will be only one week in between. Our family has been enjoying a half of share of fresh produce, local honey, eggs and more from a local farm.Week 19 & 20 of Fresh Goodies from our CSA!
Fresh Goodies from our Local CSA Farm! Items in our Basket this Week:
- 1 bundle White Radishes
- 1 bundle Pink Radishes
- 1 bundle Bok Choy
- 1 bundle Leafy Greens
- 1 Acorn Squash
- 5 Pears
- 4 Sweet Potatoes
- 3 Red Tomatoes
- 1 Green Tomato
- 5 Summer Squash
- Handful of Spicy Red & Green Chili Peppers
- 1 Dozen Fresh Eggs
I am looking forward to eating these goodies this week! Anyone have a great recipes for Radishes? Thanks everyone for the delicious Recipes, keep them coming!!! The CSA’s are gearing up to do their Fall Harvest soon, if you want to get involved this is a great time to contact them. Fall Harvest starts the first week in October and runs 10 weeks.
To find out how you can be a part of a local CSA check out this post – Fresh & Healthy: Community Supported Farms
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
Another week with a busy school schedule, including a “Back to School” Night. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Ingles, Walmart, and Dollar Tree Ingles Groceries:- $16.00 at Ingles for 5 containers of fresh Strawberries, 1 container fresh Blueberries, 1 tray White & Sweet Potatoes, 5 bags Bing Cherries, 2 containers Half & Half Cream, 1 bag Laura Lynn Bread, 4 bottles Pink Lemonade, (all the items were marked down on clearance or on sale)
Walmart Groceries:
- $15.40 at Walmart for Baking Soda, 2 cans Peaches, 1 bag Sugar, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 block Cheese, 1 jar Salsa, 2 boxes Vanilla Pudding and 6 packs Taco Seasoning.
Dollar Tree Groceries:
- $3.00 at Dollar Tree for 2 bags Whole Wheat Bread and 1 box Toaster Pastries.
This week I spent $34.40 on groceries. Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on several items. Thankful for the reduced cost of Whole Wheat Bread at Dollar Tree with all the lunches I have been making for school and work. I hope that next week is an even better week and we can come under budget for the week.
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Family Recipe: Sour Cream Banana Coffee Cake
I received this recipe several years ago from my Aunt Vick. Lately, I have been able to get quite a few bananas on clearance at the store and have several bags of frozen bananas in the freezer to use throughout the winter. As I was looking for a recipe to utilize some of the bananas and I came across this one which is perfect! If you are looking for a great alternative to banana bread for a breakfast, brunch, or snack this is one you should try.
Sour Cream Banana Coffee Cake:
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup mashed Bananas
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Flour
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and blend.
3. Add bananas, vanilla, and sour cream.
4. Add salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour.
5. In another bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 of Sugar / Cinnamon mixture over the bottom of a well greased bundt pan. Spoon in 1/2 of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle on remaining cinnamon mixture and cover with the rest of the batter. Cut through with a knife to swirl it a little bit.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
For an extra special treat you can add a simple frosting or glaze to this delicious cake!
Photo by Little Blue Hen
SkyTop Orchard: $1.00 off a Bushel of Apples Coupon
If you are looking for a great fall family activity you might want to try Apple Picking!
SkyTop Orchard is now open for apple picking and is offering a coupon for $1.00 a bushel of Apples.
You can pick your own apples or buy apples they have picked in their store
What is at SkyTop Orchard:
- Pick Your Own Apples, Peaches, Pears, and Grapes (check to see what is currently in season)
- “Made While You Watch” Apple Cake Doughnuts
- Hayrides
- Pick Pumpkins, Gourds, and Fall Decorations
- Picnic Areas
- Barnyard Goats, Sheep, Chickens, Turkeys, Peacocks, Ducks and Geese
- Free Apple Cider
- Nature Trail through a Bamboo Forest
- Orchard Pond
- Bees working in their Beehive
- Apple Goods, Hot Apple Cider, Caramel Apples, Fudge Apples and More
- Honey, Jams, and Gifts
- Kids Playground
- Wooden cut-outs for pictures
- And More!
Where is SkyTop Orchard:
- Sky Top Orchard is located above Flat Rock, NC on Pinnacle Mountain Road
- When using GPS enter the address of 3403 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of September 21 – 27, 2011
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. You do not need any coupons to get the Save A Lot Today prices. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Ground Hamburger (80% Lean) – $2.49 per lb
Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.79 per lb
Sugardale Smoked, Stadium, or Cheddar Brats (14 oz) – $1.99
Holten Beef Patties (24 oz) – $1.99
Farmington Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $1.99
Oscar Mayer Ready to Serve Bacon (2.1 oz) – $2.49
Use $0.55/1 coupon booklet from Kraft Food & Family (found at Food Lion & BiLo) Expires 12/31/11
$1.94 each after couponPick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Buyers Best Crinkle Cut French Fries (32 oz) – $0.99
McClary’s Cheese Singles (10.7 oz) – $0.99
Bright & Early Orange and Grape Drinks – $1.00
Morning Delight Cinnamon Rolls with Icing – $1.69
Coburn Farms Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (12 oz) – $2.99
Produce
Jumbo Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 per lb
Gala Apples (3 lbs) – $2.49
Cucumbers – $0.50
Cabbage – $0.39
Cantaloupes – $1.49
Navel Oranges (3 lbs) – $2.99
Caeser Salad Kit (5.6 oz) – $2.49
Household
Angel Fresh Dryer Sheets – $0.99
Glo Classic Dish Liquid (25 oz) – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Bath Tissue (4 count) – $0.89
Save A Lot Today Liquid Laundry Detergent (45.4 oz) – $1.99
Save A Lot Today Soap Scum Remover (32 oz) – $1.00
Save A Lot Today All Purpose Pine Cleaner (32 oz) – $1.00
Save A Lot Today All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach (32 oz) – $1.00
Grocery
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce (25.6 oz) – $0.88
Mantia’s Spaghetti or Elbow Macaroni Noodles – $0.99
Green Giant Vegetables (14 to 15 oz) – $0.59
Andy Capp Fries – $0.69
Tony’s Mega Pouch (Pepperoni Pizza or Egg & Bacon) – $0.79
Arizona Drinks (23 oz) – $0.79
Bisquick Shake & Pour (5.1 oz) – $0.99
Diane’s Garden Tomato Sauce (8 oz) – $0.29
Kurtz Ketchup – $0.89
Kurtz Wing Sauce – $1.39
Marcum Chicken Coating Mix – $0.99
Marcum Seasoned Bread Crumbs (11 oz) – $0.99
O Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39
Potatoes on the Side Scallop or Au Gratin – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries – $0.99
McDaniel’s Enhanced Coffee Creamer (16 oz) – $1.79
Mantia’s Crispy Crust Pizza Mix – $0.49
Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (14 oz) – $0.99
Wylwood Mushroom Pieces and Stems – $0.59
Bell’s Sliced Ripe Olives – $0.79
Sugardale Sliced Pepperoni (8 oz) – $1.99
Grissom’s Garlic Bread Sticks (12 oz) – $1.99
Cloverhill Strawberry Cheese Claw (4.25 oz) – $0.59
Mrs. Freshley’s Buddy Bars or Oatmeal Creme Pies (8 count) – $1.00
Health & Beauty
Being Well Allergy Tablets (30 Count) – $2.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
I am slowly adjusting to quieter grocery shopping trips, I miss the girls chit chat. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Dollar Tree and Rite Aid | Save A Lot Dollar Tree Groceries:
- $1.00 at Dollar Tree for a loaf of Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread.
Rite Aid | Save A Lot Groceries:
- $5.24 at Rite Aid | Save A Lot for a package of Cheese, fresh Peaches, fresh Plums and fresh Nectarines (the fruit was on sale and were great for the girls lunches).
Groceries from BiLo BiLo Groceries:
- $9.97 at BiLo for 2 gallons of Milk and 1 container of Country Crock Spread with Calcium (BiLo still has the least expensive milk on our side of town $3.49 per gallon and the Country Crock was on sale. I used two reusable bags and BiLo gave me 10 cents off my entire purchase, every little bit helps.)
Groceries from Ingles Ingles Groceries:
- $21.60 at Ingles for 1 bag Bananas, 1 container Red Raspberries, 1 container Grape Tomatoes, 1 bag Green Grapes, 2 containers Strawberries, 2 Turkey Lunchables, 2 Chicken Lunchables, 1 Sweet Onion, 1 package Cube Steak (about 3 pounds) and 1 package 93% Lean Hamburger (Everything was marked down on clearance or on sale except the Lunchables which were $1. The girls asked if they could have them at least a couple times a month as a special “treat” for their lunches at school, I decided to be extra nice and see how well they eat them, the ones I picked up don’t expire until Nov / Dec so we have a couple months to try them out).
This week I spent $37.81 on groceries. Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I would like to see it even lower. This week I was able to stock up on several staple items as well as lunch bag items that we were needing. I wish the milk prices would go down because that is a large chunk of the amount we spend on groceries each week. Hopefully next week is an even better and we can come under budget for the week.
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
