Because our freezer/fridge is still pretty full,(you can read about that here, ) I decided to use some of this week's grocery money and pick up a few things to add to our growing stockpile. So, I made a trip to Kroger's after my son's orthodontist appt. today, and this is what I picked up:

• 2 ZIPLOCK BRAND FREEZER BAGS ($4.98)
• 4 PKGS. STAYFREE PADS($10.00)
• 4 HALF GALLON'S MILK($3.52)
• 1 DOZEN EGGS(0.88)
• 5 JOHNSON'S BUDDIES($4.95) (will be donated)
• 10 FRANK'S HOT SAUCE($11.90)
• 1 OLD SPICE DEODORANT (DEAL ALERT!!!! THIS WAS MARKED DOWN TO $2.07)
• 4 SUAVE DEODORANTS($6.00)
• 1 SURE WITH NATURAL EXTRACTS DEODRANT (DEAL ALERT!!! THIS WAS A CLOSEOUT PRODUCT. IT WAS MARKED $1.31...USE WITH RECENT COUPON INSERT TO GET IT FOR 0.31 and it's got a "try me free" sticker on it, so it could end up making me some money...not much after paying for a stamp, but every lil' bit helps)
• 2 KELLOGG'S FROSTED MINI WHEATS($4.98)
• 1 PEPPERIDGE FARM GARLIC TOAST($1.99)
• 2 POWERADE DRINKS($1.98)
• 2 QUAKER QUAKES($1.98)
• 3 SHEDD'S SPREAD COUNTRY CROCK'S($4.47)
• 6 COLGATE TOOTHPASTE($9.00) (Will be donated)
• 4 WHISKER LICKIN CAT TREATS($3.96)

TOTAL OOP AFTER CPNS/MEGA DEAL $19.01 (82% savings)

DH will pick up some of the Lysol (keeping my fingers crossed that there's some left on the shelves) that's on sale at Meijer when he get's off of work. I'll post those deals here later this afternoon.

MY FIRST CVS SHOPPING TRIP

This was my very first trip to CVS. For some reason I was a nervous wreck. I don't know if it was because this was my first trip and I was afraid of screwing something up or if it was from my belly saying it was time to get something to eat. Guess it could've been a combination of both. Anywho...My goal was to only spend $5.00 OOP. Well, I met that goal...sorta...(I forgot to figure in the sales tax.) Oh well, I think I still did pretty good for a first timer. Here's what I did:

TRANSACTION #1:

• 1 TUBE CREST PRO-HEALTH TOOTHPASTE $2.99
• USED $1.00/1 CPN
• SUBTOTAL WAS $1.99
• TAX: $0.20
• TOTAL OOP = $2.19
• GOT BACK $2.00 ECB

TRANSACTION #2:

• 1 HERBAL ESSENCES SHAMPOO $2.88
• 1 HERBAL ESSENCES HAIR SPRAY $2.88
• 1 SECRET FLAWLESS DEODORANT $3.99
• USED $2.00 ECB FROM TOOTHPASTE DEAL ABOVE
• USED $3 OFF 2 HERBAL ESSENCES CPN
• USED $1 OFF 1 SECRET FLAWLESS DEODRANT
• SUBTOTAL: $2.75
• TAX: $0.51
• TOTAL OOP: $3.26
• RECEIVED $2.00 ECB'S FROM HERBAL ESSENCES
• RECEIVED $1.00 ECB FROM SECRET

TOTAL OOP: $5.45

ECB'S TO USE ON NEXT TRIP: $3.00

And after my DH and I left CVS, we took our little Chipolte bags from Sunday's paper and had a free lunch. OMG that was the biggest burrito I have ever seen!!! And quite tasty!!!

Head on over to KEEPING THE KINGDOM FIRST: THE $5 CVS CHALLENGE to see other $5 CVS scenarios. I was going to post my trip, but the rules say to post your "$5.00 or less scenarios" and I went over by $0.45 (stupid taxes!!...lol...)

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE CHALLENGE???

When I posted my last post about my menu plan and my challenge to you all, I didn't realize there were already several of these challenges out there:

Here's one that I found in the comments section over at MENU PLAN MONDAY: EATING DOWN THE FRIDGE

and I found this one after clicking on one of my commentors blogs and then clicking on one of her commentors blogs (I've been doing ALOT of clicking this morning LOL): FRIDGE AND PANTRY CLEANOUT

Darn it...There was another one, but for the life of me I can't find it now. Seems to be happening alot to me lately. I also saw a recipe for Dijon Cauliflower on someone's blog that I wanted to try and I can't find that one either. Guess I'll try googling it. (NOTE TO SELF: "SELF...START USING YOUR FAVORITES BUTTON...THAT'S WHAT IT'S THERE FOR GOOFY")

So...what are you waiting for...Take up one of these challenges...you'd be surprised (I sure was) how many dishes you can create with what you already have on hand, and how much $$$$ you could save by not going grocery shopping for a week or two or more.

MENU PLAN MONDAY: FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 9 & I AM CHALLENGING YOU!!!

After my last trip to Kroger, I wanted to reorganize everything in my fridge/freezer/pantry, and get my menu planned for the week of March 9 so I could participate inMENU PLAN MONDAY. Well, that's all I had planned on doing anyway. After rearranging everything, and taking inventory, I realized that we really don't need or have room for any more food right now. (Although, I did stock up on the Sargento cheese deal at Kroger yesterday) So I got out our menu binder and our MASTER MEAL PLAN and made out our menu plan for the rest of March using what we already had. We usually only plan a week at a time, so this was quite the challenge. (we will still have to buy the "have to have it fresh" items...milk,lettuce,fruit,etc.) This is what we came up with:

• MARCH 9: CHICKEN ENCHILADA'S, REFRIED BEANS, AND MEXICAN STYLE RICE (this meal was delicious!!!)
• MARCH 10: STUFFED PEPPERS AND MAC & CHEESE
• MARCH 11: CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
• MARCH12: HOT DOGS & SAUERKRAUT, MASHED POTATOES
• MARCH13: SLOPPY JOE'S, COLE SLAW, FRENCH FRIES/ONION RINGS
• MARCH 14: SKILLET CABBAGE & SAUSAGE
• MARCH 15: MEATLOAF, GREEN BEANS & POTATOES IN A ROSEMARY BUTTER SAUCE, AND HOMEMADE ROLLS (REMIND ME TO POST ABOUT THE BEST ROLLS EVER!!!!) That's my menu plan for the week of March 9, that I had every intention of posting by Monday over at MENU PLAN MONDAY. Better late than never I always say :)
  
  Here's the plan for the rest of the month:
  
  
  
• MARCH 16: GREAT NORTHERN BEANS, CHEESY HASHBROWN CASSEROLE, COLLARD GREENS, AND CORN MUFFINS
• MARCH 17: BEEF STROGANOFF, GREEN BEANS, AND SOME MORE OF THOSE DELICIOUS HOMEMADE ROLLS
• MARCH 18: CHILI
• MARCH 19: GARLIC AND HERB BREADED FISH, BUTTERED POTATOES, PEAS, ROLLS
• MARCH 20: CHILI CHEESE DOGS, FRENCH FRIES
• MARCH 21: BREAKFAST OR COOK'S CHOICE
• MARCH 22: HUBBY'S GRILLIN' (weather permitting) HAMBURGER'S AND HOT DOG'S, POTATO SALAD, CHIPS
• MARCH 23: HAMBURGER HELPER NIGHT, GREEN BEANS, SALAD
• MARCH 24: VEAL PARMESAN OVER SPAGHETTI, SALAD, GARLIC BREAD
• MARCH 25: BROWN BEANS, FRIED POTATOES, COLLARD GREENS, CORNBREAD
• MARCH 26: BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN BREASTS IN A MUSHROOM SAUCE, MASHED POTATOES, GREEN BEANS
• MARCH 27: FISH SANDWICHES, HUSH PUPPIES, FRENCH FRIES/ONION RINGS, COLESLAW
• MARCH 28: BREAKFAST OR COOK'S CHOICE
• MARCH 29: HUBBY'S GRILLIN' (weather permitting), GRILLED CHICKEN, POTATO PACKETS
• MARCH 30: MEXICAN LASAGNA
• MARCH 31: STUFFED SHELLS, GREEN BEANS, SALAD, GARLIC BREAD

Well, there it is. What do ya' think? I challenge you to get out your meal planning binders and plan your menu for the rest of the month or get a plan together for the month of April your choice, using only what you already have on hand!!! (with the exception of the "fresh" items that you need. Are you up to the challenge?


Head over to MENU PLAN MONDAY for more wonderful menus!!

OUR KROGER DEALS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 2

• 4 BELL PEPPERS - 0.77 EACH
• 2 PKS ARMOUR MEATBALLS 2.49/EACH - 1.00 @REGISTER - 2/0.55 CPNS DBLD = 1.00 EACH PLUS I USED 2 CPNS FOR 2 FREE BOXES OF PASTA WITH ANY MEATBALL PURCHASE SO I GRABBED 2 BOXES OF ELBOW MACARONI
• 2 FRESCHETTA PIZZAS 4.49/EACH - 1.00 @REGISTER - 2 /$1.00 CPNS = $2.99 EACH
• 4 PILLSBURY TOASTER STREUDELS 1.99/EACH - $2 AT REGISTER - 2/0.55 OFF 2 CPNS DBLD = 1.00 EACH
• 2 GORTON'S FISH FILLETS 2.99/EACH - 1.00 AT REGISTER - 2/0.40 CPNS DBLD = 1.69 EACH
• 1 PACK HOAGIES BUNS: 0.59
• 1 PACK HOT DOG BUNS: 0.59
• 5 (4 LB) BAGS IAMS PUPPY FOOD 6.49 EACH - 5/$5 CPNS = 1.49 EACH SPECIAL THANKS TO AMY
• 2 ORTEGA TACO SEASONINGS 0.88 EACH USED 1/$1 OFF 2 CPN = 0.76 FOR TWO PKS.
• 1 DEL MONTE SLICED PEACHES - USED FREE PRODUCT CPN THAT DEL MONTE SENT ME
• 6 BOXES OF HAMBURGER/TUNA HELPER 0.99 EACH - 2/$1.00 OFF 3 BOXES CPNS= $3.94 FOR 6 BOXES
• 8 BOXES HEARTLAND PASTA (PENNE/ROTINI/SPAGHETTI) 1.50 EACH - HAD 8 CPNS FOR 0.50 OFF EACH WHICH DBLD TO 1.00 OFF EACH = 0.50/BOX
• 2 COTTONELLE TOILET PAPERS 0.99 EACH - 0.75/2 BLINKIE CPN = 1.25/2 PACKS. NOT FREE LIKE WE'RE USED TO GETTING...BUT STILL AN "OK" PRICE.

TOTAL OOP: $39.17

TOTAL SAVINGS: $75.14 (66%)

SEE WHO ELSE WENT KROGERING THIS WEEK BY HEADING OVER TO THE NEW FRUGAL MOM

AN APOLOGY ... AND SINCE I WAS ALREADY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD...

SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN A GOOD BLOGGER LATELY. BETWEEN WORK AND DR'S APPT'S, I'VE BEEN TOO POOPED TO BLOG OR READ OTHER'S BLOGS. I WOULD COME HOME AND CLICK ON A FEW OF MY FAVORITE BLOGS, AND FALL ASLEEP AT THE COMPUTER. MY DH AND DS DID ALL OF THE SHOPPING LAST WEEK. I MADE OUT THE LISTS, CUT THE CPNS, AND THEY DID AN AWESOME JOB ON THE REST!! MY DS (AGE 14) IS NOW CALLING HIMSELF THE "COUPON KING" AND CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN. I AM SOOO PROUD OF HIM. HE SHOPPED LIKE A PRO!! (THE CASHIER SWIPED THE CPN ONE TIME TOO MANY. HE WALKED OUT OF MEIJER WITH 2 FREE BOXES OF BETTY CROCKER WARM DELIGHTS THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN $0.25 EACH. NOW HE'S WANTING TO TEACH ME HOW TO SHOP...LOL...) ANYWHO, I HAD A DR'S APPT. TODAY AND FIGURED THAT SINCE I'M ALREADY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND CLOSE TO WALMART, THAT I'D GO AHEAD AND CASH IN SOME OF MY "FREEBIES" CPNS. THIS IS WHAT I PICKED UP:


8 PACKS SCHICK RAZORS 10 ct. (plus 2 bonus razors) $1.97...USED $2/ANY SCHICK RAZOR CPN = 8 PACKS FREE

9 CANS PURINA ONE DOG FOOD...HAD 9 CPNS FOR FREE CANS FROM RECENT INSERT

CASCADE RINSE AGENT...USED FREE RINSE AGENT CPN FROM HOME MADE SIMPLE COUPON BOOKLET (WHEN I GOT HOME AND CHECKED MY MAIL, I HAD RECEIVED ANOTHER HOME MADE SIMPLE COUPON BOOKLET...YEAH!!)

1 CAN DEL MONTE DICED TOMATOES...USED CPN DEL MONTE SENT ME FOR A FREE CAN

1 BOTTLE COUNTRY BOB'S ALL PURPOSE SAUCE...USED CPN FOR A FREE BOTTLE THE COMPANY SENT ME.

2-LITER DIET DR. PEPPER...CPN IN THE MAIL FROM DR. PEPPER

TOTAL OOP (TAX)...$1.90

4 STORES-78 ITEMS-FOR A TOTAL OF $69.06

WE HAD ANOTHER GREAT GROCERY SHOPPING TRIP YESTERDAY. WE HIT WALGREEN'S, (WHICH WASN'T SO GREAT!!) MEIJER'S, KROGER'S AND WALMART. THIS IS WHAT WE GOT:

WALGREEN'S: THIS TRIP WAS TOTALLY SCREWED UP. WE WENT IN TO GET THE REYNOLD'S ALUMINUM FOIL FOR FREE AND 1 TUBE OF COLGATE FOR $2.99 MINUS 0.75/CPN = $2.24 MINUS THE $2.00 BACK FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP AT THE REGISTER. THAT WAS MY DH'S TRANSACTION. THEN I WAS GOING TO USE THE $2.00 TO PAY FOR WHAT I HAD PICKED UP: 2 BOXES OF DENTURE TABLETS AND ANOTHER FREE ALUMINUM FOIL...BUT, THE TOOTHPASTE TRANSACTION GOT SCREWED UP AND THE CASHIER "QUICKLY" RANG UP MY ORDER BEFORE MY DH COULD TELL HER THAT HE DIDN'T GET HIS $2 OYNO. WHEN HE PICKED UP THE TOOTHPASTE, HE PICKED UP THE VALUE PACK THAT HAD 2 TUBES OF TOOTHPASTE FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. IT WAS MARKED ON THE SHELF THAT IT WAS PART OF THE $2.00/BACK DEAL. HE TOOK IT TO THE CHECKOUT AND IT DIDN'T RING UP AS PART OF THAT DEAL. SO THE CASHIER WENT BACK AND PICKED UP 2 TUBES OF TOOTHPASTE. WE DIDN'T WANT 2 INDIVIDUAL TUBES AT $2.99 EACH... SO... TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT... WE ENDED UP PAYING WAAAAY TOO MUCH AT WALGREEN'S. OUR TOTAL WAS $11.01 AND THE TRIP SHOULD'VE ONLY COSTED 0.24 FOR THE TOOTHPASTE AND $4 FOR TWO BOXES OF DENTURE TABLETS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAVEN'T EVER SHOPPED AT WALGREEN'S AND I WON'T BE SHOPPING AT WALGREEN'S AGAIN. I FORGOT TO POST THE TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS...IT WAS $16.73

MEIJER'S:

• 6 STARKIST TUNA POUCHES@1.29 EACH USED 4/0.75 CPNS AND 2 B2G1F cpns
• 7 lbs WESTERN STYLE RIBS @ 0.99/LB
• 8 CANS MANWICH 0.99 EACH USED 4 $0.50/2 CPNS = 0.50 EACH
• 2 FREE PACKS OF AUNT MILLIES HAMBURGER BUNS FOR BUYING 6 CANS MANWICH
• 3 CANS DINTY MOORE BEEF STEW FREE
• 4 JARS CHI CHI'S SALSA FREE
• 4 BOXES ZESTA SALTINE CRACKERS MARKED AT HALF OFF ($1.47 EACH) USED 2 CPNS $1/2 PAID $0.97 EACH
• 4 JARS PLANTERS PEANUTS $1.88 USED $2.00/2 CPN FROM BUD BOWL COUPON BOOKLET GOT EACH JAR FOR $0.88
• 1 BAG MEIJER BRAND FROZEN CHICKEN BREAST 40oz $4.99
• 2 LOAVES AUNT MILLIE'S BREAD $1.25 EACH USED 2 0.50/1 CPNS TO GET THEM FOR $0.25 EACH
• 3 BAGS GARDETTO'S $5.00 (NO CPN...DH SHOPPED ON AN EMPTY STOMACH AGAIN)

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS: $59.95

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $30.28 THAT'S ALMOST HALF OFF OF THE ORIGINAL TOTAL

KROGER'S:

• 2 BAGS GREEN GIANT FROZEN RICE & BROCCOLI FREE
• 2 FRENCH'S WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE (WENT AHEAD AND PICKED THESE UP AT THIS KROGER'S BECAUSE MY KROGER'S DOESN'T HAVE IT ON THE SHELF ANYMORE)
• 1 BOX KLEENEX 0.19 AFTER CPN
• 3 MORE BAGS OF ARMOUR MEATBALLS $1.00 EACH AFTER CPN
• 2 JARS MIRACLE WHIP $2.00 EACH AFTER $1/2 CPN
• 1 PKG KRAFT SHREDDED CHEDDAR $0.49 AFTER CPN
• 1 BUDDIES BAR SOAP (THAT'S ALL THAT WAS LEFT) FREE
• 1 CHEX SNACK MIX $0.50 AFTER CPN
• 10 REESE'S WHIPS FREE

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS: $30.07

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS & $5 CASH BACK: $9.57

WALMART:

• 3 CASES COKE $15.00
• 2 BOTTLES LYSOL CLEANER SALE PRICED @ $2 EACH USED 2 $1.00/1 CPNS MADE THEM $1.00 EACH (I WILL GO BACK TO OUR WALMART TO STOCK UP ON MORE OF THIS SOMETIME THIS WEEK)
• 2 MORE TUBES OF SUAVE HAND LOTION $0.97 EACH USED $1/1 CPN TOTAL WAS FREE

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS: $20.94

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS AND TAXES: $18.20

TOTAL OF ALL TRIPS BEFORE CPNS: $127.69

TOTAL OOP FOR THE DAY: $69.06

TOTAL SAVINGS FOR THE DAY: $58.63

TOTAL AMOUNT OF ITEMS: 78