Frugal Accomplishments/ Menu Plan.

Yikes! I haven't posted in almost 3 weeks! It's been so busy and crazy( and not so frugal) That I haven't posted. But I'm back!

Christmas

We enjoyed a family night with all my husbands brothers and sisters building (homemade) gingerbread houses.

We spent too much money on Christmas for our families( because they're huge) But I am happy with the fact that we can be frugal in certain areas to be able to afford things like that. 

We were all gifted nice practical gifts for Christmas. Including dishes, pyrex (YAY!), clothing for all of us, etc. Very frugal because it was all needed and I didn't spend a dime!

Frugal Accomplishments

I work one day a week and my boss gave us all 40$ giftcards. I chose Walmart. I should've picked one from Aldi's. I don't know what I was thinking.

We enjoyed a nice meal at Olive Garden due to a giftcard. I have enough left for a bowl of soup for me one day!

At work, a customer gave me a free 6 inch sub meal coupon from Subway.

I received a free large bag of dog treats in the mail. 

I uploaded two free items onto my Kroger card.

Meal Plan

Monday - Chicken Alfredo

Tuesday- Sausage and onions

Wednesday - Pancakes

Thursday - We have a birthday party!! My baby brother is 6.

Friday through Monday - We will be at the Beach!!!

Menu Plan. First Week of December.

I ran to the store this morning just to grab a few things to supplement what we already have. I didn't get a lot last week because we would be eating multiple Thanksgiving dinners with extended families.

This week we will be having:

Monday: Baked potato bar with fruit.

Tuesday: Pasta & green beans

Wednesday: Snacky dinner

Thursday: Italian Chicken, broccoli and cheese, fruit

Friday: Taco Salad

Saturday: Beef chunks with gravy over mashed potatoes

Sunday: Dinner with family

What are you having this week?

Update!

Bentley putting up our tree! Notice how he hung everything off the bottom.

and notice our ancient t.v.

 

 

This week was not very big in the frugal department.

 

The biggest thing was probably not eating at home all week!

We had multiple family dinners for Thanksgiving and lots of leftovers so I didn't cook all week, so I didn't use any groceries.

 

I also scored two more bottles of free shampoo at walmart. I'm getting quite a stockpile.

 

I took advantage of a few Black Friday deals to get gifts at a good deal.

 

I've been cutting the heat down at night, I think it's helping. Our electric bill dropped a few dollars.

 

Our vacuum broke, so we have to figure out something about that because I am a vacuuming fanatic!

 

What did you do this week?

 

 

CVS Coupon Trip

This is a shopping trip I did at CVS today. I actually didn't use any coupons. It was an extra care bucks deal.

It also included a pack of gum but my son ran off with it as soon as I got home!

 

Laundry detergent - 1.79   I received 1.79 in ECB

Mac N Cheese - .99  I received .99 in ECB

Anti Diarrheal Meds - 4.00  I received 4.00 in ECB

Wipes - .99 I received .99 in ECB

Candy bar .79  I received .79 in ECB

Pepsi .69  filler item

 

 

Frugalness.

This week I:

Received 10 ECB's from CVS for buying diapers. I'm thinking about getting into the "drugstore game."  That's where you earn ECB's each week and paying for them with the previous week's.

 

 

Continued working on Christmas gifts.

 

 

Bought a huge thing of shampoo and conditioner from Sam's for $7.95.  That is a good deal. Normally just the shampoo costs that much.

 

 

Caught up on my shows online. I love that tv networks do that now.

 

 

How was your week??

Best Days of my Life...

These are the best days of my life and I don't realize it. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that these days are flying by and my babies won't be little for long.

 

Harper is now four months old. She laughs and giggles and her chubby cheeks are so sweet. She can reach and grab onto her little toys. She plays a little game with me, every time I put her arm into a sleeve she grabs and tries to bite it and laughs. It is the most precious thing.

 

Tonight I was going to have a little "mommy" time. A bubble bath and a book! I had a glass of lemonade beside the tub and Bentley comes running in, blows out my candle, pours my lemonade on me because he thinks it's water and wants to splash me, and tries to jump in the tub.  Never a peaceful moment!  But I wouldn't change it for the world.

 

Frugal Accomplishments

My sweet girl turned four months old yesterday. Where has the time gone?!?!

 

 

 

 

This week I:

 

  Bought three brand new shirts and a skirt from Goodwill for less than the price of one shirt new.

 

 

Downloaded and redeemed two free items from Kroger.

 

 

Finished one Christmas gift, and started on another.

 

 

Had pancakes one night for dinner. Anytime we eat pancakes, it reduces the food bill!

 

 

Worked one day, bringing in some extra money.

 

 

 

What did you accomplish??

 



Frugal Accomplishments

Bentleys photography handiwork.

 

 I didn't post last week, so this is two weeks of accomplishments.

 

 

I received a rebate check for the school grant I did not use. 185$ !!

 

 

I received a bottle of BIOtrue contact solution in the mail.

 

 

My husband's grandmother bought us two cases of toilet paper. 90 rolls! Such a blessing.


I've started making Christmas gifts.


I've continued to work on the cross stitch for my daughter's room.
 

(Michaels)

 

 

This Week's To Do list

I started this project this week 

(Michaels.com)

I love to cross stich but I have never done a large project. I bought this kit with a 40% off coupon at Michaels while buying yarn to make scarves for Christmas. 

My daughters room is decorated in owls so when I seen it, I had to get it.

If I decided I like doing a larger project I am going to do one for my sons room also.

So this week:

Get a section of my cross stitch done.

Knit one scarf.

Start packing up summer clothes.

Continue unpacking from move.

Read 2 of my books from library.

Earn a Amazon giftcard from swagbucks.

Finish a few assignments for my online English class.

Frugal Accomplishments and Weekly Menu

Last week I  began Christmas shopping. I start about this time every year. If I spend a little each week and get things at a good deal, I won't be forced to pay whatever price something is right before Christmas.

I bought yarn on sale with a coupon to make scarves for a few people. I'm also making a few more homemade gifts for friends.

I didn't buy any groceries, but I will go this week. It will be a small trip for things like diapers, milk, eggs, butter, etc. the basics. I may stock up on some canned items.

I made laundry detergent. 

I signed up for a free box of macaroni and cheese and can of frozen juice online. 

I made my menu plan:

Monday (today) - Chicken Alfredo 

Tuesday- Pancakes

Wednesday- snacky dinner or soup since my husband will not home

Thursday- I'm working so if I make it to the store, it will chicken in the crock pot.

Friday- veggie dinner ( corn, broccoli and cheese, green beans)

Saturday - it's my dads birthday so we will be at his house

Sunday - probably with family

Grocery Budgeting

I have been making a menu plan for a while and don't really spend a lot of money on groceries. My biggest problem is taking my son with me, who gets "treats." I tend to buy one or two junky foods for him and my husband. I think, in order to be more accountable for my grocery money, I'm going to start posting my list and the price like The Blessed Homestead. ( I love her blog.) I really like how she posts her prices. Prices do tend to vary from one location to another but ours are relatively the same.

 

I normally shop at Aldi, where the prices are even better, but I had to go to Walmart to get a prepaid phone card for my phone so I just grabbed what we needed there. I also grabbed a present for my little sister in law for Christmas. I decided if I buy one item each week, it's much easier to pay for Christmas.

 

I didn't really need many groceries this week so I bought a few canned items to stock up on. I try to buy a few canned goods each time I go shopping. Everything else was snacky things to go with the food I had at home.

 

Great Value tortillas - 1.92 (These would've been .99 at Aldi.)

Christmas present - 11.97

Great Value Poptarts - 2.68 ( This is the only thing my husband asks for so I buy them every week for him)

Bagels - 1.50

Bananas - .57 lb ( These would been .44 a lb at Aldi)

Walmart brand Sprite - .68

GV brand creamer - 2.68

2 Cans of green beans - .68 ( these would've .49 at Aldi)

Large can of peaches - 1.72

 

Just from these few items, if I had shopped at Aldi's I would've saved a few dollars. It's right down the road but I hated to stop into two different stores in the rain.

 

Pictures

I didn't get a Menu Plan post or Frugal Accomplishment post up. I have been so busy! The only things I really did frugal wise was get two free item coupons mailed to me: frozen juice and macaroni and cheese. I got a Amazon gift card off of Swagbucks.

I didn't get much accomplished but I did take some cute pictures!

One was wide awake and one was knocked out!

She liked looking at the Ipad

He made his own little bed and fell asleep watching Curious George

 

Todays To-Do List

Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with my daily list of chores. Everything is just bouncing around in my head and it's easier to get everything accomplished if I write it out so I can see exactly what I need to do.

 

In no particular order:

 

Sweep, vacuum, mop the floors

 

Pay a few bills

 

Wash and fold 4 loads of laundry

 

Plan tomorrow's grocery shopping trip/cut out coupons I'm going to use

 

Load dishwasher

 

Write 1 page paper for one of my online classes

Do a chapter activity for one of my online classes

(these will probably have to wait until nap time!)

 

Make laundry detergent

 

Clean bathroom

 

Clean off table, it's become a "catch all"

 

Unload one box from our move

 

Plus chase after a 2 year old and care for my 3 month old!

and all of the little things in between!

 

I feel a little overwhelemed! But I have gotten a few things accomplished already this morning, so it's a start.

This Week's Menu Plan.

Last week's menu plan got switched around a bit due to me working two days. We ate leftovers one night and had a snacky night. This week I should stick more to the plan.

 

 

Monday - Tacos

 

Tuesday - Sausage and Onions

 

Wednesday - Snacky, Hubs will be at cub scouts

 

Thursday - I will be working every Thursday now, so Thursdays will be either crockpot or leftover nights

 

Friday - Spaghetti & meatballs and greenbeans

 

Saturday - Chicken and rice

 

Sunday - Dinner with family

Frugal Accomplishments/Menu Plan

This week

 

I was able to get a free package of lunchmeat from Kroger.

 

Using a coupon, I bought some candy for a christmas stocking for .28 $

 

Redeemed Swagbucks for a 5$ Amazon giftcard. It will be used for Christmas gifts.

 

I bought no groceries but me and my husband did go out for a movie for our anniversary. We haven't been on a date for awhile!

 

 

We saw Percy Jackson Seas of Monsters.

 

We hardly ever go to the movies because once you buy two tickets, you could've bought the DVD when it comes out! But it was a nice treat!

 

 

This Week's Menu Plan

All from the pantry/freezer. I won't be buying groceries until this Friday.(maybe.)

 

Monday - Chicken baked with cream of chicken soup, broccoli and cheese

 

Tuesday - Something snacky, my husband will be at a Fire Dept meeting

 

Wednesday - Sweet potatoes

 

Thursday- Pancakes and Bacon

 

Friday - Spaghetti and green beans

 

Saturday - Undecided yet!

 

Sunday- Dinner with family, I'll bring something.

 

Frugal Accomplishments from Last Week

Last week was pretty slow on the frugal side.

 

I did manage to do the following:

 

 

I received a free item from Kroger and downloaded another item onto my card.

 

I got gas for $2.82 a gallon!

 

I printed coupons for a free razor and bag of Lindt candy. Both will be stocking stuffers.

 

Made a menu plan, that's a big money saver. All meals were from what I already had.

 

Worked on our budget.

 

Pulled some sleepers out of storage for my daughter. They were my sons but I tend to buy things in unisex colors so they are mostly yellow. It's getting cooler here and I didn't want to go out and buy a bunch of clothes if I had some that would work! They grow out of clothing so fast at this age!!

 

What did you accomplish this week?

 

 

Menu Plan!

We're having a pretty laid back week. There's nothing going on except Scouts on Wednesday night. So there's no excuse not to cook from the pantry this week.

 

Monday - Spaghetti

 

Tuesday- Taco Salad

 

Wednesday- Something quick and easy since we have church. Probably fish sticks. Not the healthiest but I'm trying to use up what's in the freezer.

 

Thursday- Pancakes and bacon

 

Friday- Probably Veggie night, Corn, broccoli and cheese, green beans

 

Saturday- Grilled chicken alfredo

 

 

 

 

I don't really plan side dishes. I just make whatever sounds good.

 

Breakfasts include cereal, fruit, eggs, bagels, etc.

 

Lunch is normally sandwiches or mac and cheese. Easy things.

 

 

 

Here's a cute pic from last week!

 

 



 

Frugal Accomplishments/Update

So, between the new baby, a two year old, three online college courses, and still settling into our new home, I have been so busy!

But! I've still managed to accomplish a few frugal things in the past week or so.

We received a free dishwasher! It's about 4 years old and works great! I'd never had a dishwasher until now and I love it. It does take an entire day to fill it up if I cook two meals. That is a great time saver because I'm not washing dishes twice a day. It probably saves on water too.

I picked up a free item at Kroger and downloaded another item on to my card.

I only spent 37$ on groceries this week. I'm trying to cut back on my budget for groceries. I'm able to save money by shopping at Aldi's.

I received financial aid for school, so I spent no money out of pocket for my classes and actually will have money left over that I will receive as a check.

How was your week?

It's blurry, but it was nice and peaceful while they both slept for about 45 minutes!

Frugal Accomplishments

Its been two weeks since I last did a Frugal post but I don't feel I got much accomplished.

 

I got 2 free items from Kroger from their new promo they have going on right now.

 

I stocked up on soap, shampoo, razors, and other things at Sam's Club during a sale.

I received a $10 walmart giftcard through a program with my insurance.

I received some hand me down clothes for my son.

I did a small photoshoot of my daughter at home.

 

How did your week go?

 

 

Menu Plan.

Menu Plan for 9/2- 9/8

 

Now that we've finally moved and got settled in, I can get back into the frugal groove with meal planning and cooking. We ate out a lot and it ended up costing a LOT! But now I'm back in my groove and back on budget!

We may not eat the meals on the same night I assigned it but we will eat it that week most likely.

Monday - Hot dogs, beans, maybe brownies?. It's Labor day!

Tuesday - Taco Salad

Wednesday - I'm not sure yet, we have church that night

Thursday - Breakfast for dinner! Pancakes, bacon, eggs.

Friday - Pasta, green beans

Saturday - Pizza

Sunday - Dinner with family most likely
 

Frugal Accomplishments.

This week I was able to redeem swagbucks for a 5$ Amazon gift card.

 
 I made homemade laundry detergent. This was my first time, so we'll see how it works!

I redeemed two free item coupons from Kroger.

Since we're still in the process of moving and renovating our new home, I've had to spend more money than I wanted to but we've been able to do it pretty cheap. It's a good thing I married a carpenter :)

Still using diapers from my shower, it'll be a long time before I have to buy diapers.

I exchanged some things at Walmart for things I needed, making them free.

I think that's all for this week, maybe next week will be better!!

My son wearing his uncles boots!



Last Week's Frugal Accomplishments

My sweet girl!!

I used 4 free e-coupons from Kroger. I was able to get a bottle of Clear shampoo, Colgate toothpaste, a box of Hamburger Helper, and a bag of popcorn for 7 cents. Every Friday they put a free item coupon in their website and I make sure I get on and load it to my card!

I used coupons to get shampoo and conditioner very cheap.

We were gifted corn from an uncles garden. It was delicious.

We are renovating a new home but we've been able to get a lot of things we need gifted to us, including three rooms of carpet and a new bathroom vanity. These have been such a blessing!

I haven't drove very much so we've saved on gas.

I returned an item to Target and got some things for my daughters new room.

We received a reimbursement check from a trip my husband took.

What did you accomplish this week?

Harper Shea!

Harper Shea was born July 10th, 2013 at 10:44 a.m. 

My due date was July 4th and I had been stuck at about 2 cm dilated since June. So I went into the hospital the night before to have a balloon put in to hopefully help me dilate some more but it fell out before I went to sleep. So I slept peacefully all night until they woke me up at 4:30.

 

I was started on Pitocin at about 6 a.m. but it didn't kick in until about 8:30. Around 9:30 they checked me and I was at 4 cm. I had planned on a natural delivery but the pain had gotten pretty bad from the Pitocin so I asked for some pain relief in my I.V. to see if it would hold me over until she came. That dose didn't really do anything and I was hurting! Little did I know, it was show time! I told the nurse, "I just can't do it, call the anesthesiologist, I need an epidural!"

While I was waiting on him I told the nurse I felt like I had to pee really bad and she said Uh, oh! They checked me again and it was time to push! They wheeled the epidural cart back out and called for the doctor. About 6 nurses came in to prep the bed and get everything ready. It all happened so fast that it doesn't even seem real. 

They kept telling me to wait for the doctor but it was really hard to not push! When he finally got there, I think I only push for about 4 minutes and she was here! It was amazing! I got my epidural-free delivery like I wanted after all.

My recovery has been amazing, I wanted to go home that night. I never felt like I had even had a baby. It was so much different from my first child. I never thought I'd recover from having him.

Harper was completely healthy and only had to was a bili-light for a few days at home to take care of her jaundice.

Proud Daddy!

Sleeping peacefully!

Proud brother and Grandma!

Tired Momma and a cute little girl showing off a hat her aunt made her!

Last Week's Frugal Accomplishments

Well I wouldn't say I had the most frugal of weeks but I did have a wonderful perfect baby girl on Wednesday! 

I still was able to accomplish a few things in between all the snuggling.

I picked up a few free items at CVS, including free body wash and candy.

I'm nursing so I don't have to buy expensive formula.

People have blessed us by bringing us food, which we are so grateful for.

I brought snacks to the hospital so we wouldn't be tempted by the vending machine.


Hopefully this week we will get back into a schedule and I can get into the frugal groove. 

Frugal Accomplishments/ Baby Update

I am now 4 days past my due date!! *sigh*  It's so hard to be patient! I'm going to be induced in two days. I haven't been doing a lot because I didn't want to be too far from home if I was going to go into labor but I still managed to accomplish a few frugal things.

 

I was able to get two free boxes of Lance crackers from Walmart with coupons.

 

I stocked up on a few things for the freezer with a sale and coupons to get my bottom price.

 

I received a few samples in the mail.

 

I received a package of hot dogs, buns, and a bag of chips leftover from a function at my mom's work. She brought them to me.

 

I've been sticking close to home so I haven't used much gas this week.

 

I received cucumbers from my parent's garden.

 

I bought a big bottle of Dawn dish detergent and vinegar to make homemade shower cleaner. I will have enough to last a long time. This is my favorite shower cleaner I've tried. And it isn't full of chemicals!

 

My son received a bunch of hand-me-down shorts which he definitely needed for the summer.

1 week, 5 days!!

My due date is in one week and five days. It's so close but also seems so far away. The house has been cleaned, bassinet is clean and ready to go. Now if i could just get over this icky sinus/ear infection I'll be ready to deliver. I've been pretty sick and in no shape to deliver a baby. 

 

While I sit back and wait for this little girl to make her appearance, I'm going to spend extra cuddle time with my sweet little boy.

 

Frugal Accomplishments.

I:

 

Redeemed a few coupons for free products. Free body wash from CVS, another Carique coupon, and another Pepsi Next coupon.

 

Made a menu plan to keep down the grocery bill.

 

Received a few samples in the mail.

 

Had several no drive days. I was home all day and did not go anywhere, saving gas and money.

 

I spent 55$ for the week for groceries, including all the ingredients to make cake with homemade icing and dinner for my mother's birthday. Also included toilet paper.

 

Used a Lowe's gift card to buy a new ceiling fan for our bedroom because the motor blew in ours. I need a fan to sleep!

 

 

Saturday was my baby shower that my mother and mother-in-law hosted for me. We were so blessed with how many people came to celebrate with us and with how many wonderful things we received for our daughter. We won't need to buy diapers or wipes for a loooong time. I'm just about ready for her arrival. All that's left to do is get our the bassinet and wash the bedding for it.

Menu Plan.

I've learned that I NEED a menu plan or at 4 o'clock I'm trying to figure out what to cook and realizing I'm missing ingredients, etc. I've learned that I like having what we're eating planned out and it helps going to the grocery store with a list of EXACTLY what you need to finish off meals for the week. I don't really plan which day is which meal but I do know the 5-6 meals we will be having. I also look at the week and see if there's a day we won't be here, or if we have appointments and we need a crockpot meal.

Wednesdays are my night off, we teach at church and we eat a fast food meal. Not the healthiest but it's fun to look forward to each week. And there's no time to eat before church and it would be about 9 is we waited until we got home.

 

This week includes:

1. BLT's, chips(left over from a bbq, I don't normally buy chips), watermelon
2. Breakfast- pancakes, bacon, juice
3. Crockpot Italian chicken, salad, watermelon
4. Sausage and Onions, mac&cheese, watermelon/grapes/pineapple, depends on which fruit we have left
5. Chicken strips, fries, veggies
6. Leftover Night/ or possibly pasta.

 

 

 

 

 

Children.

Some would gather money

Along the path of life;

Some would gather roses,

And rest from worldly strife.

But I would gather children

From among the thorns of sin;

I would seek a golden curl,

And a freckled, toothless grin.

For money cannot enter

In that land of endless day;

And roses that are gathered

Soon will wilt along the way.

But, oh, the laughing children,

As I cross the sunset sea,

And the gates swing wide to heaven 

I can take them in with me.

-Author Unknown

Goat Cheese.

We made goat cheese for the first time! We added salt, chives, and onion powder. It turned out good. So exciting to try something new and it actually turn out!

Yes, the cheese with chives in it kind of looks like chocolate chip cookie dough.

Life is so busy!!

Life has been so busy this month and will continue to be throughout June. From my sisters-in-laws ( 4 of them) dance recital to ones graduation to O.B. appointments to my baby shower, it's getting busy. There's something every weekend pretty much up until my due date(July 4th). And now I'm going weekly to the doctor. It's just crazy. Add in the decluttering/spring cleaning/getting ready for baby and life is downright chaotic.

I don't like craziness and being busy. I like to be home all week. I like to keep my son on a consistent schedule but lately, there has been no daily schedule.

And I really wanted to squeeze in a beach trip before little girl is born but that's not going to happen. Hopefully in August after she comes and everything's gotten back into a routine.

Last Week's Frugal Accomplishments.

Not too much going on around here. Just gearing up for the new baby, which includes cleaning and decluttering. We have too much stuff! I'm slowly weeding it out.

 

 

I received my first free copy of Better Homes and Gardens magazine that I won a subscription too. I passed it along to my grandmother to read after I was finished looking at it.

 

I received other freebies including vitamins and a free Tei Pei frozen entree and Carique product.

 

Ate all leftovers. No food waste!!! Love it! Throwing food away is like taking money and putting it in the trash can.


I've been cleaning/decluttering the house endlessly. Not necessarily frugal but it sure does reduce the stress level.

For Mother's Day we purchased a Kitchenaid stand mixer. Not the most frugal thing in the world but they last forever and I'm starting to make homemade bread and things. I had been wanting one forever. They had a deal where if you bought it you could send it a rebate and get the pasta attachment for free. That itself is worth 150$ so I think it was worth it.