my general mills $25/$10 loot

Wednesday Night:
Transaction #1

13 Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables @$1ea = $13 (rings @$2ea = $26)
Qs = $1/2 + $.60/3 + $.50/1 + $.60/3 = -$2.70
Total = $10.30 + .13 tax - $10 (ConAgra Catalina) = $0.43 (out of pocket cost)
$10 back
#2

10 Tostino Pizza Rolls @ $1ea = $10 (rings @$2ea = $20)
3 Tostino Pizzas @ $1ea = $3 (rings @$1.98 = $5.94)
Qs = $.60/3 + $.60/3 = -$1.20
Total = $11.80 +.13 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) = $1.93 (OOP)
$10 back
#3

13 GG Frozen Boxed Vegetables @$1ea = $13 (rings @$2ea = $26)
Qs = $1/2 + $.60/3 + $.50/1 + $.60/3 = -$2.70
Total = $10.30 + .13 tax - 2*$5(GM Cat) = $0.43 (OOP)
$10 back

Thursday
Transaction #1

4 Progresso Soups @$1ea = $4 (rings @$2ea = $8)
4 Betty Crocker Cake Mix @$1ea = $4 (rings @$1.50ea = $6)
4 Betty Crocker Frosting @$1.50ea = $6 (rings @$2.25ea = $9)
1 Chex Mix @$1.69ea = $1.69 (rings @$2.49)
Qs = $1/4 + $.75/2 + $.75/2 + $.50/2 +$.50/2 + $.50= -$4
Total = $11.69 + .16 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) = $1.85 (OOP)
$13 back ($10 GM + $3 Frosting)

#2

6 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks @$2ea = $12 (rings @$2.50ea = $15)
4 Progresso Soups @$1ea = $4 (rings @$2ea = $8)
1 Chex Mix @$1.69ea = $1.69 (rings @ $2.49)
Qs = $1/2 + $1/2 + $1/2 + $1/4 + $.50 = -$4.50
Total = $13.19 + .99 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) - $3 (frosting Cat) = $1.18 (OOP)
$13 back ($10 GM + $3 Fruit Snacks)

#3
6 Pillsbury Break n Bake Halloween Choc Chip Cookies @$2.50 = $15 (rings @$3.65ea = $21.90)
1 Pillsbury Sweet Moments @$2.50ea = $2.50 (rings @$3.75)
Qs = $1/2 + $1/2 + $1/2 + $1/1 = - $4
Total = $13.50 + .18 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) - $3 (fruit snacks Cat) = $.68 (OOP)
$10 back

#4
3 Reese's Puffs @$2ea = $6 (rings @$2.95ea = $8.85)
3 Cinnamon Toast Crunch @$2ea = $6 (rings @$2.75ea = $8.25)
3 Kix @$2ea = $6 (rings @$3.45ea = $10.35)
Qs = $.55/1 + $.65/1 + $.65/1 + $.55/1 + $.55/1 + $.55/1 + $1/3 = -$4.50
Total = $13.50 + .18 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) - $3 (previous McCormick Cat) = $.68 (OOP)
$10 back

#5
6 Kix @$2ea = $12 (rings @$3.45ea= $20.70)
2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch @$2ea = $4 (rings @$2.75ea = $5.50)
Qs = $1.50/3 + $1.50/3 + $.55/1 + $.55/1 = $4.10
Total = $11.90 + .16 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) = $2.06 (OOP)
$10 back

#6
4 Pillsbury Sweet Moments @$2.50ea = $10 (rings @$3.75ea = $15)
4 Pillsbury Halloween Break N Bake Cookies @$2.50ea = $10 (rings @$3.65ea = $14.60)
Qs = $1/2 + $1/2 + $1/1 +$1/1 + $1/1 +$1/1  = - $6
Total = $14.00 + .20 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) = $4.00 (OOP)
$10 back

#7
7 Chex Mix @$1.69ea = $11.83 (rings @$2.49ea = $17.43)
4 Progresso Soups @$1ea = $4 (rings @$2ea = $8)
Qs = $.50/1 + $.50/1  + $.50/1 + $.50/1 + $.50/1 + $.50/1 + $.50/1 + $1/4 = -$4.50
Total = $11.33 + .16 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) = $1.49 (OOP)
$10 back

#8
4 cans of Progresso soup @$1ea = $4 (rings @$2ea = $8)
4 cans of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls @$2ea = $8 (rings @$3.25ea = $13)
2 cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls @$2ea = $4 (rings @$3.25ea = $6.50)
Qs = $1/4 + $1/2 + $1/2 + $1/2 = - $4
Total = $12.00 + .16 tax - 2 *$5 (GM Cat) = $2.16 (OOP)
$10 back

Total OOP = $16.89

will post regular prices/preferred prices and Total saving later! Have a great weekend :)

wil

Jewel's hate me

I've been to all 4 Jewel's in my area over the past 3 days multiple times (Oswego 1, Oswego 2, Sugar Grove, & Yorkville)
I have bought a whole lot of stuff for very little...
5 bottles of wesson oil for $2.63  x 3
9 cans of soup + halloween candy for $0.67 x 5
6 cans of  soup + 2 hungry jack syrups $0.38 x 4
I spent about $12.75 out of my pocket for all that stuff AND
I still have a $10 Off my next purchase!!!!!!!!!!!

I also did another P&G deal on Wednesday before that one ended...
2 8pks of Bounty & 1 Bounce Dryer Bar around $10 (I had $5 in Q for that stuff)

Oh and I went to Dominicks because they had the Nivea Lip Care on sale for $0.99 and I had 10 more $1 off coupons... they had 10! So I bought them out... spent $0.60 in tax and donated the $0.40 to Breast Cancer... felt especially good about that one, and dont be suprised if you see one in your Christmas gifts from us, because what am I gonna do with 10 of them??? : )

Last trip to the stores for a while...

I went to 2 Jewels & 2 Walgreens's on the hunt for what I wanted to get...
At the 1st Walgreens I got ONE Nivea Lip Care product... $0.99 w/ $1Q = $0.08 in tax
They gave me a raincheck for 7 more since they were out of them (I have 10 Q's... I think I might go to a different Walgreens & get a raincheck for the remaining 3....)
The 1st Jewel had nothing, & the 2nd Walgreens had nothing...
The 2nd Jewel put out more Charmin TP right when I got there which was great because that was why I went there!!!
So I did their P&G $30 & get $10 back deal... They were out of Bounty so I had to improvise, & If you know me, you know I'm bad at improvisation! Here's what I got
2 12pks of Charmin Double Rolls ($6.99ea) ($0.25Q) ($13.73)
3 20ct Cascade Dishwasher Detergent ($3.99ea) ($0.50Q) ($11.47)
4 Pringles Super Stacks ($1.50ea) ($1.40Q) ($4.60)
Total $31.74 w/tax - $24 in Catalina's and RRs = $7.74 OOP and $10 Catalina Back
So now I've spent $40 total in the past 2 days and have $10 to use on another purchase.
I don't feel like this is the best I could have been doing yet considering I won't have to buy TP or Dishwasher Detergent for 4 months I guess I can't be totally down on myself :P

The Official start of my Super Couponing!

So here we go:
I went to Walgreens yesterday & of course they were out of EVERYTHING I wanted & had coupons for, what a way to get me down! So I got 1 thing of EOS lip balm, spent $3.22 with tax & got back $3 in Register Rewards (RRs). Then I went over to Jewel & got 13 (yes 13 yikes) Hunt's snack packs ($0.88ea), 6 boxes of Mrs. T's Pieorgies ($3.49 BOGO, w/ $1 Q off each one) and 1 International Delight Coffee Creamer ($0.99, w/ $0.55Q) So my total was $16.35 plus tax - $3 in RRs = about $13.50 (I lost my receipt what a shame :/)
Today I went back to Walgreens because I was told they'd have the razors I wanted back in, & they did!
So I bought 3 (in seperate transactions) Schich Hydro 5 razors $7.99 - $4Q  =$4.16 ea & got back $4 in RRs ea... so $12.48 & got back $12. Then we headed over to Jewel again for frozen meals...
Could have done better here but I couldn't focus due to a crabby baby throwing a fit :/
1st Transaction:
2 Healthy Choice Frozen Meals ($2ea) ($1Q)
1 Healthy Choice Steamer Frozen Meal ($2.50ea) (2 - $1Qs)
2 Marie Callenders Frozen Meals ($2.50ea)
3 Hunts Snack packs (i know why the hell did I buy more of these? because I needed to reach $25 in participating ConAgra products to get my $10 Catalina to print out!) ($0.88ea)
Total: $11.28 - $8 in RRs (where I should have used a $10 cat but I was distracted) $3.28
2nd Transaction:
6 Healthy Choice Frozen Meals ($2ea) (2 - $1Qs & 1- $0.50Q)
1 Hunts Snack Pack ($0.88)
Total: $10.51 - $10 Catalina (again I screwed up, I had another $0.50Q I couldn't use here because I wouldn't have been able to use the $10 Cat... I should have used the Cat on the 1st transaction and the RRs on the second... ah live and learn!) $0.51

Total spent out of pocket : $33
Total Catalina's/RR's in my pocket $24...
NET $9 spent on all that stuff above... wow, not 1/2 bad if I do say so myself!!!

Meijer resolved!

I spoke with the customer service manager at my Meijer this morning and it turns out that sometimes it IS worth it to fight for something! She was extremely nice and helpful. The 1st problem, the $5 catalina that didn't print out on my second transaction, was a glitch and it should have printed so $5 for me cha-ching. And the fake policy the person I talked to that saturday "you can't use that Cat on your next transaction, you have to wait 24 hours"  was indeed a lie, and she will be spoken to about that and her attitude, so win #2. AND she is giving me an additional $5 for my frustration (doesn't sound like much, but it isn't the money, its the principle) So I have a $10 Meijer GC! yahoo for me! I feel like my problem was well resolved and I can now shop at Meijer again without feeling like a hypocrite... very exciting!

Excitement & more Deals this week...

First, Meijer... again!
I have not heard back from my angry e-mail, but they said they passed it on to another department that deals with such things... I think I will give it a few more days before I e-mail them again, because personally, 1 week should be enough time to get back to me if they want to keep my business!
I did have to go back there (but the people who work in the middle of the week are SO much nicer).  I needed to use the $5.75 in Cats I had for Meijer, so I bought 4 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls (I need for a recipe in OCT), ketchup, and onion flakes. The crescent rolls were 4/$6 but I saved $1 instantly for buying 4 & I had 2 $1/2 coupons, the ketchup was $2.50, and the onion flakes were $0.50, so my total was $6.01, and I only had to pay $0.26 out of pocket... not bad considering I don't want them to have my money til I hear back about this whole debacle!

Second, Target!
I saw some great deals on Mashup Mom's site and thought I'd jump on it:
1. huggies wipes (64ct) $1.99... Target has $0.75 coupons (print 3), and I think its coupons.com that has $2.50/3 coupon! so 3 for $1.22!
2. Glade Tough Odor Solutions $1.99... Target has $1 coupons (print 2), & Mashup Mom links you to "right at home" that has a coupon for $2/2, so 2 of these were free!
3. Kraft Light Dressing, this one is my deal, and probably not as great as it could be but I needed it for a recipe in OCT, so they were reg priced at $2.04, and Kraft had $1.00 off coupons (printed 2) and Target had $0.50 coupons (printed 2) so I got a bottle of Zesty Italian & a bottle of Ranch for $1.08.
So I spent a total of $2.76 at Target for all that, not bad!

Third, Excitement!
I am attending the Jill Cataldo Super Couponing Class tonight at Delnor hospital with my mom! I am super excited to finally get to one of these classes. I've been following her and using her deals for almost 2 years, and I'm hoping the class will help me find deals easily without having to always rely on Jill, Mashup Mom, or Bargain Briana.

over and out.

Meijer :/

well I had a terrible experience at Meijer on Saturday.  I got my "deals" & got to deal with a terrible front end manager, while dealing with a crabby/crying baby, all while waiting for the hubby to get the oil changed and come pick us back up. FUN TIMES!
Well first, the "deals":
Kraft cheese again was cheap, 3/$5, which is usually the only price I'll buy it at, but I had 4 more of those $5off 5 coupons. AND when you spent $15 on Kraft cheese you got $5 back in a Catalina!
So I bought 10 in my first transaction (along with 2 onion soup mixes for recipe I want to try which were on sale for $1/ea, but when you bought 2 you got a $0.75 Catalina!) So I spent $8.70 on the first one and got $5.75 back, not bad!  But when I did my second transaction of 10 Kraft cheeses ($6.70), the $5 Cat didn't print & they wouldn't allow me to use my $0.75 cat on that transaction... the manager told me you have to wait 24 hours to use them, well guess what?! you don't! I looked up the coupon policy online and it says nothing about that... I really hate when people lie to my face, Its my biggest pet peeve. I have proceeded to send an email to Meijer corporate about said front end manager and several other issues I have experienced shopping at Meijer over time. We'll see if they offer any sort of answers..
I have to go back to get something else they have a great deal on for another recipe I am making, and I will be using my $5.75 in Cats on that transaction and trying to not spend any of my money in their store until I hear back... Meijer prices are pretty low, & I usually get most of my "crap" groceries there, so I will be sad to not shop there anymore, but I have to put my foot down and stand up for this, so I guess I'll probably be spending a little more monthly on food, but I'll also be saving myself a lot of headaches...

Gotta get better...

...about posting something, anything, on here.
So here it goes. About two weeks ago Jewel had a Kraft Cheese deal goin' on. Shredded and block Kraft cheese was on sale for 2/$4. When you bought 5, you got a $5 Catalina back on your next purch. Kraft's website had (still has maybe?) a $5 off 5 Kraft stuff. So I used that coupon with this deal, twice! so I essential got 10 things of cheese for change (tax).  Then they had another deal with Chex Mix, Cocoa Puffs, Hamburger Helper, Frosted mini-wheats,etc. after coupons my total was $11.17, but I used the $10 from my Kraft deal I only paid $1.17!
That is all for this week, but next month I'm going to start the super-couponing again, for real! I'm even going to the super-couponing class for the first time at the end of this month... hopefully I learn something I haven't already picked up over the past couple years.

Betty Crocker Deal at Jewel

Jewel has a deal on participating Betty Crocker foods, Buy $20, get $5 off Catalina for your next shopping trip. Pretty sure it ends Wednesday... but if you eat hamburger helper, etc. they are on sale 10/$10. You can print $1.00 off 3 coupons at betty crocker's website. If you are able to print 2, and have the $0.75 off 3 coupon from the paper, that's 10 for $7.25! Progresso Soups are also 10/$10, and there is a coupon in the paper for $.50 off 2. (I haven't looked online for any more...) AND they have green giant frozen vegetables (7-10oz) on sale for $1.29 (which I don't usually buy unless they are $1) but there are coupons for these on coupons.com save $.50 on 2, and in the paper there is a save $.60 off 3. I have not done this deal yet, but I think if you have the above coupons and do the deal like this:
10 "helpers" :$7.25 ($10)
5 green giant veggies:$5.35 ($6.45)
4 progresso soups: $3.50 or $3.00(if you had two inserts) ($4.00)
before coupons: $20.45, after coupons: $16.10 or $15.60... and then you get $5 off your next purch!
There are other things included in the deal, look on page 10 of the Jewel ad. But that was the best deal I can come up with - let me know if you see a better deal :)
BONUS - you get bonus box tops too for the school of your choice, for those interested in that! :)

Looking for a deal on yogurt?

First Deal of the year!
Jewel has Yoplait on sale: 10 for $5... but when you buy 20 you get $2 off instantly, bringing the price to 20 for $8 or $0.40 ea. You can print 2 coupons at coupons.com for $0.50 off the purch of 6, to save an additional $1, and if you got the sunday paper last week, you should have another $0.50 off purch of 8. I spent with tax $6.58 on 20 yoplait yogurts, and to my surprise, got another $2 off catalina coupon off my next purchase, as a thanks from yoplait. I didn't know about this Catalina, so i'm assuming it is not a normal thing, but if you eat a lot of yogurt this is a good deal without it - it's just a great deal now! unfortunately the $2 coupon expires Jan 23rd, so I have to start looking to see what I want to get with it - I love free money :) I think this deal ends this Wednesday so get on it peeps :D

Holidays

So happy new year and all that...
When I started this thing I didn't think it would take much time to do, and now, as I look back, it really does! The past 2 1/2 months have been so hectic with holidays and whatnot. I actually cooked and made some delicious things, and then never put them on here :(
This started out as a great place (in theory) to keep all my recipes so I won't lose them and they would be organized - that is so not happening, and I feel like a failure!
Maybe its that I need a better way to organize my recipes... anyone know of any computer programs that you can buy that organize them for you? If not, someone should invent it! Something where you can plug it in and it will automatically file it for easy finding later... yea that'd be awesome THANKS!
On a different note, I made a New Years resolution! None of those typical ones, this one is just for me, this one may end up helping others out in the process! I am going to coupon... super-coupon... I am not going to give up this year... I am going to get the Sunday paper, EVERY Sunday! I am going to get the ALL YOU magazine too. I am going to sign up for everything I see that will send me free samples and coupons. I am going to succeed at this! This past Sunday I went to Walgreens and picked up the Chicago Tribune AND the Beacon News, to compare if you get the same coupon inserts - and you do despite the rumors that you get less in local papers - HOWEVER, the inserts are different! What the hey? how is this even possible?! The covers are the same. The amount the same. but the coupons inside... somewhat different! My most favorite coupon ($2.50 off electrasol - cause its only $4 at Target) was in one insert and not in the identical other insert! WTF! So now I don't know which paper to get... Anyway, back to how this can help others! In watching the super-couponing lady's website, www.jillcataldo.com, I've noticed lots of possibilities for buying stuff for little to no money, or getting money back even for buying stuff - BUT it's not always stuff I need or use... SOOOoooo family and friends: I am going to make a pile of coupons each week of ones I know there is NO way I'll ever use, and they are up for grabs. Also, the coupons I do keep, if i buy stuff and have way to much of something, or get something for free I'm not going to use, I'm offering it up to you all first. From what I understand, If I really put my mind to this, I could have soooo much stuff I won't know what to do with it so it might get donated to food pantries etc. But you guys get first dibs :D
So lets hope I can succeed at this! I already know I can "grocery" shop for a month on $150, lets see if I can keep it there and get more stuff for the money...
Although, I have to admit, I'm pretty excited about not having to shop on $150/mo. Not having to worry if I go over by $10, being able to shop weekly for produce/bread would be awesome! But I have to say, planning out my monthly menu, and shopping all at once for the month is really the way to save money, so I will continue to do that and then give myself a weekly budget for produce :D boy I'm excited! Can't you tell!
Alright alright - I'm done rambling for now, but hopefully I'll be back soon to tell you about my plans for my February shopping trip :)

July Grocery Shopping

So I will be giving you a glance at my shopping yesterday.  I went way over what I wanted to spend for the month. I gave myself a budget of $150 and came in just under $200 - the good news: most of it was on stuff for the house, not on food. So technically I can in WAY under my budget of $150 for food! :)

So First: Jewel
WOW that's all I can say! I'm sorry I didn't post this yesterday so whoever might actually read this thing could take advantage of the deals - maybe some of them are still going on... and I really hope so because I felt so good after leaving this store!
I split my order in two...
My first order was Ice Cream!
a box of Lemonade Fruit Bars $3
a box of Strawberry Fruit Bars $3
2 boxes of Nestle Drumsticks $5
Total $11
Received a $4 coupon off my next purchase... to be used right now on:

10 -12pks of Coke Products = $20
4 Hillshire Farms Sausages = FREE
(minus peelie coupons on the Coke $2 off when you buy 2! yep I got 10 pks of Coke and 4 Sausages for $10!!!)
1 Honey Maid Graham Crackers =$2.50
1 Jet Puffed Marshmallows = $1.00
1 Hershey's 6pk = FREE
(minus $1.00 coupon when you buy the 3 above =$2.50 for those 3 items!)
4 packets of McCormick Marinades =$0.50/ea
(minus 4 - $0.50 coupons = FREE)
1 Weber Grill N'Orleans Cajun Seasoning = $1.67
(minus $0.50 coupon =$1.17)
2 Smokey Bones BBQ sauces = $2.00
TOTAL $16.09 (-$4 coupon!)
----------------
JEWEL TOTAL $23

NEXT: Target
1 lb. Strawberries $1.99
(minus $1 target coup. =$0.99)
1 Homel Thick cut Bacon = $2.79
4 lbs Ground Beef ($1.79/lb) = $7.16
EDY's French Vanilla Ice Cream =$2.33
(minus $1 target coup. = $1.33)
1 Quaker Chewy Bars = $2.04
TOTAL $16

LASTLY: Meijer (my trouble store haha)
2 Jiffy Corn Muffins $.94
2 Biscuits $1.12
1 Bunch O Parsley $0.79
1 Green Onion $0.50 (I didn't really need green onion BUT I saw on the next food network star a tip that said if you put the whites in a glass of water the greens will regenerate and you never have to buy green onions again... so I though hmmm I'll give that a shot!)
1 can diced tomatoes $1.05
1 head of Lettuce $1.29
2 Cream Cheese $2.50
1 Milk $1.98
2 Lemons $1.00
1 String Cheese $3.89
6 lbs of Chicken Breasts $11.92
20 packets of Kool-Aid $2.00
1 5pk of Mac & Cheese FREE
(with purch of Kool-aid!)
1 Can Tomatoe Sauce $0.62
3 Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta's $0.79/ea $2.37
2 lbs Tomatoes on the vine $1.90
2 Hamburger Buns $2.00
1 Hamburger Buns $1.00
1 Loaf of Bread $1.00
3 jars of Ragu $4.50
(minus 2 coups totaling $1.60 = $2.90)
5 Rhodes Warm N Serve Rolls 2/$4 -$10
(minus 5 $1 coups totaling $5 = $5.00)
2 lbs LOL Butter $5.00
1 Simply Orange $3.00
3 Chunk Cheese $4.50
TOTAL $59
--------------
GRAND TOTAL $98!!!
(for 36 meals... that ain't half bad!)

Proudness

So I ended up spending more money than I wanted to this month, but than I realized... I didn't spend all of it on food! I got some things for Keira, some of the usual household stuff, and something Mike needed... Although I really spent $195, only $141 of it was on food, averaging out about $28/week, $4/day!! Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner accounted for, for 5 whole weeks - and I'll still probably have more food than I know what to do with - since that is always the case...

ah, thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

My other proud moment of yesterday... I made a whole chicken! I don't know why, but those whole birds intimidate me, I made a turkey breast a while back for the first time and was so impressed with how good it turned out for having never done it before, so I tried out the whole chicken.... DELICIOUS! I'm so happy that I've conquered a fear, and it turned about awesomely moist and delicious!
Now to use the left-overs for the rest of the week... I'm making myself some chicken salad for lunch today YAY!

Why should you shop at Caputo's?

Besides the fact the Caputo's is an awesome place to get fresh produce and deli foods on the cheap, and yummy pastas, breads... okay everything there is pretty awesome and mostly inexpensive....

They are having a $100,000 Giveaway!!
Two ways to play... sign up for the Caputo's newsletter online @ caputomarkets.com and every week you will be emailed an authorization code, you click on the link, enter the code, and play the match game. You can one of many different prizes, but I have won a $5 GC and a coupon for $0.55 off a La Bella Romana product! ... also everytime you shop you will receive a scratch off card where you can win prizes instantly and get a code to play online too!

Some deals this week at Caputo's:
Centrella Hamburger/Hot Dog Buns: $0.59/ea
Ground Sirloin, Round or Chuck (family pack): $1.99/lb
Romaine Lettuce 3pk: $0.99
Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce: $0.99
Dutch Farms Butter: $1.99
Minute Maid Lemonade: $0.99
Prairie Farms Milk (Gallon): $1.99
Kellogg's Cereal: 5/$10 (if you printed $1 off coupons from coupons.com that's some pretty cheap cereal!)
SuperPretzels/SoftStix: 2/$4
Cucumbers: 4/$1
Zucchini: $0.39/lb
Green Onions: 5/$1
Broccoli Crowns: $0.59/lb
Plum Tomatoes: $0.49/lb
Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and Blueberries: $1.69/ea

So Sign up for the Caputo's Newsletter and enjoy!....and if you win $100,000 don't forget who told you ;)

Crockpot Thursday: Chicken & Dumplings

I missed posting my crockpot recipe yesterday! So here it is:

Chicken and Dumplings
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts =$2 @ Meijer
2 tbsp butter
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup = $0.50 @ Walgreens
1 onion, finely diced = (had on hand)
2 pkgs refrigerated biscuit dough, each biscuit cut in half =$1 @ Meijer
Optional: peas and carrots = (peas = on hand), carrots = $0.35 @ Caputo's
I just threw in about 1/3 of a bag of frozen peas, and 1/4 of a bag of baby carrots cut in half

Place chicken, butter, soup, onion and some water to cover (I didn't add any water this time because the soup covered the chicken, and the chicken was frozen so I know it gave off a little water as it thawed)
Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours, and 1 hour before serving add the veggies and biscuits (I don't like my carrots mushy so I put them in an hour

TOTAL COST (Serves 5-6) = $4!!!!

mmmm Meat Sauce...

I could easily make my spaghetti sauce or "gravy" (haha) from scratch, but boy is that toooooo much work for a week day (maybe one Sunday I'll make it and post the recipe) but today I'm just using jar sauce and doctorin' it up!

I think the key to a good MEAT sauce is some sort of meat on the bone - that is where the flavor is! So I normally buy the cheapest pork I can find on the bone...
Of course this time I bought way more than I needed so my costs are going to be way off (but this will make a ton)

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Tomato, Cucumber, Mozzarella Salad

Meijer: Western Ribs - $4.51
Meijer: 1/2 lb ground pork - $1.92
Caputo's: 1/2 lb ground turkey - $1.35
2 jars of your favorite pasta sauce - I'm using Rinaldi that i had in the cabinet which I think I got at Jewel B1G1F ($1.50/ea)
1 box pasta (on hand)

you can use any spices you like in your sauce, I use garlic, fennel seed, italian seasoning, and oregano.


First I coat the pan with olive oil and throw 2 sliced garlic cloves in. Then salt and pepper the western ribs, and brown them in the pan. Once It is browned I add the ground meat and cook it through, and add the rest of the spices. Then throw in the two jars of sauce

and put the heat on low (and cook it ALL DAY!) okay I realize all day is vague and impossible, but I started it at 1pm for 6pm dinner... The western ribs should fall apart.

If you choose to make meat balls (which I didn't today), I always put them in the sauce for the last 30 minutes, it gives both the meatballs and the sauce tons of flavor, and the meatballs will be soooo moist. (a couple other yummy things to put in the sauce to make it tasty: italian sausage or braciole)

I'm only making 1lb of pasta, for dinner tonight and lunch leftovers for a couple days, but there will be soooo much sauce left - be prepared to freeze some for next time.

I also made a "salad" to go with the pasta...
2 tomatoes (Caputo's : $0.60)
1/2 cucumber (had on hand)
mozzarella ($1)
1 basil leaf (Caputo's: bunch = $1.49)
olive oil (on hand)
salt (on hand)
Romano (on hand)

I slice everything up and layer it around a bowl, salt the tomatoes, and top with olive oil and the basil leaf cut into ribbons. Let it marinade as long as possible - Top with Romano or Parmesan right before serving...
Total cost (Serves 4-6 with sauce left over for another 4 servings): UNDER $15

My Coupon Database - Post A

I went through a pile of coupons that I set aside because I have no use for them, or won't get around to using the coupon before it expires, I still have a ton of coupons to cut out and go through but here is the beginning of the list...

I really hate to see them go to waste, so please let me know if you can use any of these!! Thanks! Family and Friends: let me know what you'd like, others please contact me so you can send me a SASE **Please do not post your address in the comments**, THANKS!!!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=rFY0wPS200xdHlgIaaebuQg

Sharing Coupons!

Anyone have coupons they aren't using? Need Coupons? I was hoping to start up a coupon trade! I have tons that I definitely will not be using... (a lot of make-up, hair dye, medicines, some food, etc) I will make a list another time, but I just wanted to see who is interested! Please leave a comment if you are - THANKS!

Super Easy Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

Sorry no pictures this time... I was hungry and gobbled it up before the camera could come out!

Strack & Van Til: Pork Loin Roast (approx. 3lbs) = $4.25
Meijer: Wheat Hamburger Buns = $1.79

Stuff On Hand: salt & pepper, 1/2 can of coke or pepsi, your favorite BBQ sauce

Season the Pork Roast with salt & pepper and cook in crockpot w/ 1 1/2 cups of water on high for 6 hours, or low for 8 hours. Take it out of the crockpot & pull the pork with two forks, and remove any bones if there are any in your roast. Dump out all the water & fat out of the crockpot and put the pulled pork back in. Add 1/2 can of pop, and as much of your BBQ sauce as you'd like (I used Open Pit Original & started with 1/4-1/2 cup, then added a little more right before serving) Cook on High for an additional hour with the pop & BBQ sauce.

Serve on Hamburger Buns with chips or fries! mmm mmm delicious!

Total cost (Serves about 6, maybe more) = UNDER $7!!!!

COST!

Thank You Laura for your suggestion on including the cost of each meal! That is brilliant! :)

I will include the cost with the recipes from now on, but to back track:

Tuesday: Lemon Chicken Schnitzel W/ Spaetzle
First, the Spaetzle was made from ingredients I think everyone just has laying around the house, and I didn't actually purchase anything to make it so I don't have a cost on that... but it is certainly under $1 to make.

Lemon Chicken Schnitzel:
Caputo's: Lemon = $0.25
Meijer: Chicken = $2
The rest of the ingredients I had on hand! so I will estimate it is under $1 in eggs, flour, and bread crumbs.
Cermak's: Roma Grape Tomatoes = $0.50 for a package (I used about half)
Approximate Meal Total (Serving 2) = UNDER $5!!!!!


Wednesday: Stuffed Pork Chops w/ Oven Roasted Veggies
On hand: Stove Top Pork Stuffing (I think I picked this up on sale for $1)
Applesauce (I picked up this at Target a while back with a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon and got a 6 pk for $0.14!)
Rhodes Wheat Texas Rolls $2.99 - $.75 coupon: good for 4 - 6 meals!

Stuffed Pork Chops (2 Servings)
Meijer: 4 thin cut pork chops = $3

Oven Roasted Veggies (4-6 servings)
Meijer: 2 Vidalia Onions = $0.59
Caputo's: 2 Turnips = $0.74
1 Garlic = $0.11
2 Sweet Potatoes = $0.39
1/2 bag Baby Carrots = $0.65
2 Potatoes = $0.30
Cermak's: 1/2 package Roma Grape Tomatoes = $0.25

On Hand: 1 Red Pepper, spices and olive oil = under $1

Approximate Meal Total (Serving 2) = UNDER $9 (lots of left-over veggies)