Our food diet this week

In my efforts to eat what we already have, this is our menu for this week.

Tonight: hamburgers (we had the meat), paid $1.17 for buns at Harris Teeter. Total out of pocket cost: $1.17

Tuesday: crock pot recipe found online. Have never tried. Its called Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup.
The ingredients: 1 lb chicken (check); 2 cans of black beans (we have one that I have been dying to figure out a way to use so check); 4 cups chix broth (we have this, but I am only using 2 so as not to make so runny); 1 cup mushrooms (we didn't have so bought a package of slicked for $1.79, using half on Wednesday-see below); 1 cup frozen corn (check); 1 jar of salsa (we have almost a complete jar, so check); cumin 1 1/4 tsp cumin(check, will probably use more, I love cumin!); 1/2 cup sour cream (check); shredded Cheddar cheese to sprinkle at end (check). Total out of pocket cost, $1.79/2 = 89 cents.

Wednesday: Guinness Beef Stew in the crock pot. I have had this recipe for years. I thought it was a version of Rachael Ray's but can't find online. So here goes.
2 1/2 lbs stew meat (I have 1 lb, so am halving everything, check); 5 TBSP of flour (check); 1 tsp salt (check); 1/4 cup olive oil (check); 2 medium yellow onions (didn't have so bought for 79 cents at Trader Joes); 1 can of Guinness (check..hey we are Irish, of course we have Guinness on hand); 1 lb baby carrots (check); 1/2 eggplant (didn't have so bought for $1.49 at Trader Joes and will cook the rest shortly); 1 cup of mushrooms (see above, check); 2 cloves garlic (sorta check, I have minced garlic in the fridge so will sub this); zest of an orange (didn't have, so bought one for 69 cents); fresh parsley (subbing dried); fresh thyme (subbing dried); bay leaf (check); one stalk celery (check). If you want how to put together, email me. Total out of pocket cost: 79 cents (times 2) + $1.49 + 89 cents + 69 cents = $4.65

Thursday: leftovers from either Tues, Wed or the pizza from last week.

Friday: on the road for family wedding

Saturday: wedding dinner

Total cost (clearly not including our dinner from Sunday night): $6.71!

Planning this out helped me a lot. As I have said before I am going to try to do this more often.

Night!

A good shopping day...

Wow, I am sorry. I started this post Friday night and no idea where the time has gone. I know I have been slammed recently and the next week is not likely to be any better, but hope once this insanity dies down, I can get back to regular posts.

So FRIDAY was a good shopping day. First, I learned that Bed, Bath & Beyond lets you double dip coupons. Meaning, if you have one from them for $5 off and another thats 20% off, as long as you have two items (or more) you can use both coupons. Before when I tried this they always told me either or.

I did some serious (well as much serious as you can with a toddler) shopping at Target. I saved receipt to do some comparison pricing with the other generic brands. I was disappointed though, their cereal bars are about 50 cents more than Trader Joes. Yes, you get two more, but not worth it to me...at least not yet.

I also returned my aluminum foil. For whatever reason they sell 50 sf of foil for the same price as 75 sf. So exchanged my 50 for 75. They were fine about it, since I had receipt. Another example of how it is important to always save receipts.

Costco came in super handy as well. Was able to buy Word 2007 for a project I am beginning in the next few weeks, and it was about $30 less than what I would pay at Staples or Office Depot.

Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 1, I made a resolution. This time next year we will be living someplace else. I am going to scrimp and save as much as I can to make that possible because our 800sf of love is just too small for an active toddler. And its not fair to him.

Hope you all had a nice Halloween.

Pumpkin Bread

Trader Joe's has the best pumpkin bread! It seems everyone else agrees with me because they have been out of it almost since they got it in early October. I usually buy two or three boxes at once just so we have on hand and the mood strikes me to make it (total price is $2.99 and its super super easy!)

I bought two boxes the second week of October and when I opened the box, it was clear it had already been opened on the inside. Doh! And I hadn't saved receipt. Ugh. So I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Finally last night my husband was going to go shopping in the strip mall with TJs and I asked him to buy me a box. He did.

Today I went back to TJs and returned the box along with the receipt from yesterday. I know not the most honest thing, but $3 is $3 and its not like I could buy TJs Pumpkin Bread at Giant. Turns out though, the guy didn't even look at receipt! Just told me to go switch it out.

It took me less than five minutes.

The moral here is 1) Save Receipts -- I know I need to get better about that, and 2) take the time to return things and not just "waste" them.

Saturday mish-mash

It’s gross outside, so this posting will sort of reflect that since it’s going to be all over the place.

First up Trader Joes. Yesterday we went for one of our numerous trips. I am saddened to report their cost of eggs is now $1.29/dozen. As such I am removing them from the master list.

Next it’s Wegmans. I hauled out there yesterday because of the weather and also because I was hoping they might have blueberries. My son loves them! It’s a 30 mile r/t excursion, but I figured it would be worth the gas since its such a magical place AND they would surely have blueberries.

They had blueberries (yeah!) for $3.49/4oz. This galls me since two months ago they were $1 packet. But I was time constrained then and didn’t learn how to preserve for the fall and winter. Oh well, lesson learned for next year.

I did compare some of their other prices, some good (very good) and some not so much. Their milk is on sale this week for $2.35, which is better than Costco. They have flour on sale for .99. They also had Smart Ones entrees for $1.99/each, which is a great money saver for workday lunches. I can’t remember the specifics for the not-so-good deals, but needless to say, I won’t be going back unless we have a repeat of really bad weather and my son’s need for healthy food overcomes me with a desire for more blueberries.

Reposting from the Facebook page (and if you are not a fan, you should be!) is this deal I found in a Washington Post ad.

As I mentioned earlier one of the first things we did away with magazines. I think my Good Housekeeping must have been paid in full for a while because it still keeps coming, but no bill. I have checked the stamp on front, but each issue lately has been a ‘special’ with a bag, so no date. At this point though, we are likely to renew when the time comes, especially when you consider the money savers included and the coupons they offer (lots!). November is case and point. Many money savings tips: including kitchen odor elimination (pg 42), emergency switch-outs (pg. 44), and grocery shopping tips (pg.123). (* I would post direct links but I can't find on their website, www.goodhousekeeping.com)

Finally, this has nothing to do with money saving. Nothing. But I read it yesterday and it gave me such peace of mind that I had to include it. Since most readers are women, and a fair amount have kids, I thought appropriate.

Stay dry and have a great weekend!

The Master List

This is a list of where I buy my staples and how much I pay for them. I will update this list regularly, and list the update 'date' below, as well as mark new items with an asterick.

UPDATE >>> Sept. 25, 2009

Bananas .19/each -- Trader Joe's
Chix Breast 5 lbs $10 -- Harris Teeter (when they have their BOGO sale, about once every six weeks or so)
Coffee 39 oz Ground $5.69 -- Target
Eggs (12 Large) 1.19 -- Trader Joe's
Ground Beef 90/10 -- Wegman's (must buy in bulk, minimum 6 lbs)
Half & Half (Lucerne) $3.99 1/2 gallon -- Safeway
Pizza Dough (TJ brand) .99 -- Trader Joe's
Whole Wheat Spaghetti $1.29 -- Trader Joe's
Yogurt (Lucerne) .50/each -- Safeway

Fast food at home

My son is taking a rare morning nap, so that means I had time to read the paper (or at least my favorite section) today.

This is a good read on how you can make your fav fast food at home and its cheaper. Pizza dough that is ready to use can be bought at Trader Joe's for 99 cents, so pizza really is a cheap eats.

Enjoy!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/09/15/ST2009091503108.html

I'm hip!

Not exactly. But what I am about to post made me feel very "in the know." (Yes, I am a certified geek!)And before I go farther, this is not a kid specific post.

Thumbing through the latest issue of Parenting magazine, a gift courtesy of my friend Jill (many thanks again, I LOVE IT!) on page 61 they list a bunch of healthy veggie snacks. Included in this list are Calbee Snapea Crisps. According to the graphic, the snacks cost $2.98.

We have been getting these same snacks at Trader Joe's for $1.49 for awhile now. My son eats them and enjoys them, but I devour them! Think 'Hot Fries' of junior high days, minus the seasoning. They are so yummy, and while no where near as healthy as real peas, they are much better than chips or candy.

The Snapea Crips are great, and once again it appears Trader Joe's is doing a good job of keeping the price low. I highly recommend these snacks, especially if you can get at TJs, way cheaper than chips or other munchies, and healthier too.

A note about this blog

Some friends have suggested I try to make some money off of this. You will notice I am still working out the kinks of Google Adsense. I am clueless when it comes to this sort of thing. I felt like I had climbed Mt. Everest when I realized how to install the widget so the posting could emailed...so figuring out ads is going to be like traveling to outerspace when, and if, that ever happens.

But I wanted to make clear from the getgo, that the words you read here about my preferences and dislikes are mine. I like, ok LOVE, Trader Joes. But if they go expensive on me in a certain regard, I will call them out on it (i.e the price of their blueberries went up bigtime over the last two weeks or so, as a result my son didn't get any). I also like Giant and Safeway and Diapers.com. I know these things because I shop there. I have tried shopping at Shopppers Food and just have not been impressed. And while I adore Wegman's (who doesn't?) its too far away and in many cases too expensive. The meat and seafood at both Giant and HT are just as good, and cheaper.

What I want to make clear is no matter what the ads say, whatever you read is influenced solely by my experiences. As a former journalist the idea of promoting something just for show makes me ill. If HT or Diapers.com advertises on this site, great. Same goes for Shoppers or even Wal-Mart (which incidently we don't have one close by as far as I know, so thats why I don't shop there) that's fine too.

Rest assured, what you read is how I really feel and not what some ad tells me to say. You have my word.

Bananas Bananas!

This is clearly a Bargain of the Day if there ever was one!

Trader Joe's sells their bananas EVERY DAY for 19 cents each! Most other stores in my area are either 2 for a $1 or 50-60 cents a pound. Our son loves bananas so the savings add up. I usually go to TJs on Fridays and buy a bunch of our staples from there at one time, and bananas are always on the list!

Happy Saturday!

Bargain of the Day -- Eggs

BoD -- 12 Large Eggs at Trader Joes are always .99 cents! While I can't give exact price for the other stores (I know, I know I need to get better about that, working on it) I know they usually run more than $1.50 and sometimes close to $2.

Have a great weekend!