• 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.

  • 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.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of September 7 – 13, 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

    Sugardale Shank Portion Bone In Ham – $1.29 per lb

    Pork Country Style Ribs – $2.99 per lb

    Fresh Split Chicken Breast – $0.99 per lb

    Beef Country Style Ribs – $3.99 per lb

    Sugardale Super Dogs (5 lbs) – $4.99

    Ground Beef (3 lbs or 5 lbs) – $1.99 per lb

    Sugardale Bone In Center Sliced Ham – $2.99 per lb

    Sugardale Sliced Bacon – $1.99

    Farmington Roll Pork Sausage – $1.99

    Holten Quarter Pound Beef Patties (2 lbs) – $3.99

    Schooner Cod, Pollock, Tilapia Fillets (12 oz) – $2.99

    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

    Fast Fixin Breaded Chicken (31 to 43 oz) – $3.99

    Tombstone Pizza – $2.50
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 8/14 Smart Source (Expires 9/17/11)
    Use $1.50/3 printable coupon from Nestle Family
    As low as $1.50 each after coupon

    Totino’s Pizza Roll  (40 count / 19.8 oz) – $2.50
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 8/7 General Mills (Expires 10/29/11)
    Use $0.40/2 printable coupon from Coupon Web
    Use $0.40/2 coupon from insert 8/7 General Mills (Expires 10/29/11)
    Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 8/7 General Mills (Expires 10/29/11)
    As low as $2.00 each after coupon

    Snack-A-Tizers Pepperoni Pizza Bagels – $4.99

    Peak’s Pick Orange Juice – $3.99

    Morning Delight Sausage Breakfast Bowl – $1.99

    Mantia’s Deep Dish Mini Pizza’s – $3.99

    White Castle Cheeseburgers – $3.99
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 8/28 Smart Source (Expires 11/26/11)
    $3.49 each after coupon

    Wylwood Mixed Vegetables – $1.19

    Wylwood Potato Puffs – $1.89

    Produce

    Red, White or Black Grapes – $0.99 per lb

    Peaches, Plums or Nectarines – $0.99 per lb

    Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99

    Ginger Gold or Paula Red Apples (3 lbs) – $2.49

    Household

    Wrightware Foam Plates – $1.19

    Luster Facial Tissue (160 count) – $0.99

    Grocery

    Malt-O-Meal Cereal (Coco Dyno Bites or Frosted Flakes) – $1.88
    Use $1.00/3 printable coupon from Malt-O-Meal
    $1.50 each after coupon

    Maxwell House Wake Up Roast Coffee (11.5 oz) – $2.99
    Use $1.00/1 coupon booklet from Kraft Food & Family (found at Food Lion & BiLo) Expires 12/31/11
    $1.99 each after coupon

    So Cheezy Family Size Shells & Cheddar (24 oz) – $1.99

    Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail (64 oz) – $1.88

    Campbell’s Chunky Soup – $1.50
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 8/14 Smart Source (Expires 9/25/11)
    Use $0.50/4 coupon from insert 8/14 Smart Source (Expires 9/25/11)
    As low as $1.25 each after coupon

    Maruchan Ramon Noodle Cups – $1.88

    Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce – $0.99

    Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding Cups – $0.99

    Long Grain White Rice – $1.69

    Wescott Canola Cooking Spray – $1.49

    Ginger Evans Deluxe Fudge Brownies – $1.49

    J Higgs Potato Chips – $1.19

    J Higgs Microwave Popcorn – $1.79

    LeCour’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies – $2.39

    J Higgs Oyster Crackers – $1.19

    Morning Delight Buttermilk Pancake Mix – $1.59

    Morning Delight Syrup – $1.49

    McDaniel’s Enhance Coffee Creamer – $1.69

    Morning Delight Toaster Pastriess – $1.89

    Mountain Holler Avalanche Soda – $0.75

    Splash Out Juice Drink Boxes (8 Pack) – $1.49

    Ginger Evans Chocolate Chip Cookie Muffin Mix – $0.79

    Spam (12 oz) – $2.49

    Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats – $2.19
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from tearpad (Expires 12/31/11) (May be doubled up to $1.00 at some stores)
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 8/7 Red Plum (Expires 10/2/11)
    As low as $1.19 each after coupon

    Little Hug Assorted Fruit Drinks (160 oz) – $2.99

    Baby

    Being Well Baby Tickles Diapers (Size 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) – $5.99

    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

    We had a blast with all our guests and are now back to a more normal routine.  This is the last week the before the girls go back to school so we are trying to make it a fun week for them.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Ingles and BiLo

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $11.40 at Ingles for 3 containers of Organic Strawberries, 1 bag of sliced Apples, 1 head of Broccoflower, 1 bag of Bananas, 2 containers of Seafood Dip, and 1 bottle Lemon Juice (all the items were marked down on clearance or on sale except for the Lemon Juice which I was restocking)

    BiLo Groceries:

    • $5.00 at BiLo for 2 gallons of Milk  (They had a Bonus Card Coupon for milk where you could by 2 gallons for $5.00 making them $2.50 each, which is a great deal around our area.  I had to watch the prices because my Bonus Card Coupons didn’t work so make sure to stay on top of those coupons until they work out the kinks.   I brought a reusable bag but they didn’t take it off so I was unable to get a 5 cent discount at BiLo).

    There were several items (Curry, Naan, and a variety of other things) that I or my husband picked up while we had guests staying with us that I did not have a chance to get a picture of over the weekend.  Based on the cash remaining in the grocery budget I believe it totaled just over $21 so I am adding that amount to total this week even though it is not itemized or part of a picture (sorry, with house guests and entertaining several days we have to make exceptions in some areas).

    This week I spent $37.40 on groceries.  Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to fed between 9 to 15 people 3 meals a day for several days.    I was thrilled to have my parents, grandparents, brother staying with us and a number of additional family and friends visiting throughout the week.  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.