Game: Wits & Wagers by North Star Games
In an earlier post I mentioned the Wits and Wagers by North Star Games that we received as a gift. On the box it says “The Most Award Winning Party Game in History.” This game quickly became a family favorite. We have played this game many times since receiving it and have shared it with several other family and friends as well. The game is based on facts, however, you don’t need to know all the answers in order to enjoy, participate, or even win the game.
Our family enjoys having games nights and are excited about finding great games we can play together. If you are looking for a fun family game you should check this one out or better yet come on over and play a round with us. The rounds go pretty quickly and you will be surprised at how much you’ll learn. You may just have a little fun along the way! 🙂
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
I wasn’t able to spend a lot of time shopping the sales this week with all the extra stuff going on around here (including sick family members for a couple days), but I was able to go to a couple stores and pick up some stuff. Most of the stuff I stocked up on were items that we can use over the next few weeks. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Ingles and Walgreens
Ingles Groceries:
- $27.93 at Ingles for 1 loaf Laura Lynn Bread, 2 boxes Act II HomePop Popcorn, 2 boxes Act II Light Popcorn, 2 boxes Act II Butter Popcorn, 2 bags Laura Lynn Oyster Crackers, 2 jars Vlasic Dill Relish, 3 bags Laura Lynn Shredded Cheese, 1 container Deans Onion Dip, 2 boxes Yogurt (clearance for 50 cents each), 1 block Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 2 bags English Muffins, 4 tubes Laura Lynn Texas Biscuits, 2 tubes Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, and 2 loaves French Bread. (Everything I bought this week at Ingles was on sale, marked down, or on clearance. I was able to pick up some more cheese on sale, and used some coupons for the items purchased!)
Walgreens Groceries:
- $7.27 at Walgreens for 2 gallons Milk, 1 box South Beach Granola Bars, 4 boxes Mountain Dew (12 packs), (everything was on sale, I used coupons, registered rewards, and I received $5.99 in Register Rewards back to use towards my next purchase.)
This week I spent $35.20 on groceries. Even though I was under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on some items at the same time. I was thrilled to stock up on bread and diary items as well as other great fridge & pantry items this week. I hope that next week is better week and we can come under budget!
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.
Recipe: Pizza Cups
Pizza Cup
Our family enjoys pizza cups. This main dish contains only 4 ingredients and easy to put together. You can make them from scratch or if you have leftover spaghetti or lasagna meat sauce you can make these pretty quickly. These are simple, fun, and delicious for the family to eat for dinner (plus you can use up some of your leftovers). The girls like helping put these pizza cups together and taking them to school.
Pizza Cups:
- 1/2 pound lean Ground Beef
- 1/2 (12 oz) jar Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 (8 count) can Biscuits
- 4 oz shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Pepperoni Slices (optional)
Brown the ground beef in a pan, drain the excess oil. Add the spaghetti sauce to the meat and heat until begins to boil then turn down to simmer. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the biscuits in half, flatten them, and press them into a greased cupcake cups (16 count). Use an ice cream scoop and put the meat mixture into the biscuit cup, sprinkle shredded cheese over it, and bake for 10 minutes (or until the cheese melts).
Whole Biscuit
Cut the biscuits in half
Biscuits pressed into a cupcake pan.
Scoop meat sauce mixture into the individual biscuit cups.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture
Baked Pizza Cup
Family Activities: Enjoying the Simple Things in Life……
Jake pulling Brina and Karlie in the wagon (Brina’s waving at me).
When the weather is beautiful you’ll often see our family outside. After more than a year without the mower we finally were able to get it fixed. My Dad and Grandpa actually found a local mower repairman that fixes older lawn mowers in his garage (we were thankful for the help in locating someone to get the mower repaired for a reasonable price, isn’t family awesome). You don’t realize how much you use a mower until it is broken.
When there isn’t the extra funds to fix it or to buy a new one you make do with what you have. We did purchase a walk behind cylinder mower (the one with just the blades, no motor) for a $6 dollars at a yard sale that helped hold us over until the mower could be fixed. With the push mower (and you really had to push with all the weeds in our yard) and weed eater we were able to keep the weeds down and made the front yard presentable which bought us some time.
Since the mower was working again and the girls had been helping they were given a ride in the wagon. It is amazing how just a simple ride in the wagon can bring out the giggles in the kids. If you take a simple activity like pulling the wagon behind the mower and make it an adventure the kids will have fun.
It didn’t take much of Jake’s time to give them a ride around the yard but it meant a lot to the kids. Even if you cannot do something big or fancy for your kids taking a walk, pulling them in the wagon, collecting funny looking sticks, or playing catch can be great opportunities to spend time together. The point is to deliberately spend quality time with your kids everyday. These precious memories are ones that you will look back and smile at because before long they will be all grown up. What are some fun activities that you do together in the yard?
Family Activities: Yard Clean Up Day
Karlie Kool Kat bringing down the compost and helping in the yard. Both girls are wonderful helpers (for the most part) when it comes to doing chores around the house and yard. Karlie picked out her “outdoor” outfit complete with her fancy hat. She cracks me up….peeking out from underneath her hat!
Brina Bee bringing down some drink refills! It is amazing how thirsty you can get when working out in the yard hauling branches.
The fire was too big and hot to cook over so Jake cooked up some yummy hot dogs for everyone to enjoy.
We have had some funky weather over the last several months in South Carolina. One afternoon we had a tree and several branches come down in the yard and our neighbor had one of his trees fall on the edge of his workshop. We gave away all the good fire burning wood to a local family for the winter since they had a wood burning stove. When all that wood was picked up we still had all the limbs down so it was decided to have a family yard clean up day. The girls helped pick up all the branches so we could burn them in the fire. As it got dark and cooled off we rounded out the night with marshmallows and hot chocolate around the fire. I love being able to work and rest together with my family. We got a lot done working in the yard that day!
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 18 – 24, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Port Side Polluck Fillets (16 oz) – $2.99
Port Side Salmon Fillets (16 oz) – $4.99
Curly’s, BBQ Beef or Pork (18 oz) – $3.99
Pick 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
Mr. P’s Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (6.5 oz) – $0.79
Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (4 pack, 24 oz) – $1.79
Take ‘n Bake Pizza, Supreme or Pepperoni (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99
Take ‘n Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49
Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (7.5 oz) – $0.99
Mantia’s French Bread Pizza (11 oz) – $1.99
Morning Delight Buttermilk Waffles (12.3 oz) – $1.69
Snack-A-Tizers Cream Cheese Jalapenos (8 oz) – $2.39
Household
Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.49
Grocery
Chex Mix Snack Mix (5.5 oz) – $0.99
Use $0.60/1 printable coupon from Eat Better America
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
As low as $0.39 each after couponBetty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Fruit Roll Ups (4 to 5 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
As low as $1.49 each after couponKeebler Town House or Club Crackers (11 to 16 oz) – $2.49
JJ’s Pies, Cherry, Apple or Chocolate (4 oz) – $0.50
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce, Assorted Variety (26.5 oz) – $0.99
Budget Gourmet, Fettuccine Alfredo or Mac n Cheese (7.5 oz) – $0.69
V8 Vegetable Juice, Regular or Low Sodium (64 oz) – $2.99
Use $2.00/3 printable coupon from V8 Juice
Use $1.00/2 printable coupon from Campbell’s Kitchen
Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
As low as $2.33 each after couponSweet Bunz Big Honey Bun (7.5 oz) – $0.88
Sun-Maid Raisin English Muffin (15 oz) – $1.49
J Higgs Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties (8 oz) – $1.29
J Higgs Pretzels (12 oz) – $1.19
J Higgs Tortilla Chips (11 oz) $1.49
Senora Verde Salsa (16 oz) – $1.49
J Higgs Cheese Bit Crackers (9 oz) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Pudding Cups (14 oz) – $0.89
Mantia Spaghetti (16 oz) – $0.99
Mantia’s Pizza Crust Mix (6.5 oz) – $0.49
Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (16 oz) – $0.99
Wylwood Stems and Pieces (4 oz) – $0.69
Kaskey’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.5 oz) – $0.59
Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89
Morning Delight Syrup (24 oz) – $1.79
Bramley’s Honey Bear (12 oz) – $2.89
Ginger Evans Muffin Mix (4.5 oz) – $0.69
Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken or Beef (6 pack) – $0.99
Port Side Sardines – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Cereal, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00
Chef’s Finest Croutons (5 oz) – $1.19
McCormick Bacon Bits (4.4 oz) – $1.49
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.
Family Outings: A Walk in the Park
Brina and Karlie pausing “briefly” on our walk so I can snap a picture!
Every once in awhile when the girls are off school and it is a beautiful day we get to meet Daddy for a quick picnic and walk in the park. Legacy Park is pretty close to Jake’s work so he can pop over and meet us over his lunch hour. I think the girls get more excited about going for a walk around the park then eating, ha!
Legacy Park has paved paths for walking, biking or jogging plus a playground for the kids, beach volleyball, and a big open field perfect for flying kites or playing soccer. On those hot days they have plenty of shade and restrooms (which are very nice for little kids). I treasure these moments when we get get together over the lunch hour to grab a bite to eat, walk, talk, and play together as a family. I think it is important to have some relaxing times built into our schedules. Not only do we get a few extra minutes together as a family we get fresh air and some exercise which is beneficial for all of us!
Do you have a park you enjoy going to for a picnic or to play?
Song: “Beautiful One” by Jeremy Camp
As women we love the word “beautiful” and long to have that unfailing love. This song talks about the most beautiful One in our lives. “You opened my eyes to your wonders anew” so often daily life becomes about me and not Him the one who created me, His continual work in my heart, and joy of experiencing a life committed to Him. He extends love and mercy to me every day when I stumble. I like the phrase “Captured my heart” because it is when my heart is captured and focused on the real priorities in life He can work through me to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Here are a few lines of this upbeat and encouraging song for you to enjoy:
Wonderful, so wonderful
Is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are.Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as youWhat’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
These next few weeks are really busy in our household, we have a lot of extra activities going on around here. The first quarter of 2012 is shaping up to be one exciting adventure after another. I look forward to sharing more details with you! In the meantime I am grateful for a menu plan to help keep on schedule at least when it comes to our dinner time together. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef Entree): Mom’s Baked Steak, Wild Rice
- Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree): Ham & Cheese Pizza, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken Entree): Buffalo Chicken Ring, Fresh Veggies
- Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree): Vegetarian Cheesy Spaghetti Bake, Bread
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
New Coupon: Planters Peanut Butter
Planters Peanut Butter has a new coupon! Use $1.50 off 2 Planters Peanut Butter Coupon right now. The coupon is for a 16 oz jar of Planters Peanut Butter. With the sales at the stores this week the peanut butter a little over $1.00 each!
Publix
Planters Peanut Butter (16 oz) BOGO – $3.69 ($1.84 ea.)
Use $1.50/2 Planters Coupon
$1.09 each after couponWalmart
Planters Peanut Butter (16 oz) – $1.98
Use $1.50/2 Planters Coupon
$1.23 each after couponTarget
Planters Peanut Butter (16 oz) – $1.99
Use $1.50/2 Planters Coupon
$1.24 each after couponIf you don’t need peanut butter right now print out the coupon and hold onto it until the next $1.50 Planters Peanut Butter sale and get the peanut for $0.75 each! Great time to stock up on peanut butter with this coupon. These will come in handy with the school and work lunches.
