Menu Planning Monday: My Menu for the week of 1/11

January 12, 2009 by


I posted a lot of information about my family and how we plan meals in this initial post.

Here is my meal plan for this week:

Sunday: Classic Chicken divan (This is a family favorite that my mom used to always make when we were growing up….I made a double batch of this to serve for our extended family dinner)
Ingredients:
2 bunches fresh broccoli (or 2 10 oz packages frozen broccoli)
1/4 c. margarine
1/4 c. flour
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 c. whipping cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
3 chicken breasts, cooked and thinly sliced

Cook broccoli in salted boiling water and then drain. Melt butter and blend in flour. Add chicken broth. Cook and stir until thick. Stir in cream, salt, and a dash of pepper.

Place broccoli crosswise in a 13X9X2 baking dish. Pour half the sauce over broccoli. Top with chicken slices. To remaining sauce, add Parmesan cheese. Pour over chicken. Add bread crumbs to top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot through.

*A few of my variations…I cover the chicken slices with some shredded cheese and then put the bread crumbs on top (I make my bread crumbs from real bread by toasting it and then breaking it up and sprinkling parmesan over the top….it is one of the “favorite parts”

Banana pudding

Monday: Swedish meatballs (in the crockpot)

Tuesday: Cream Cheese Chicken (in the crockpot)

Wednesday: Honey Lime enchiladas – I saw this recipe on Marci’s blog and it looked yummy, so I decided to test it out this week! I usually don’t cook non-crockpot meals during the week, but my plan for this is to cook the chicken in the crockpot the night before and then just put it all together that morning so I just have to throw it in the oven when I get home!

Thursday: Creamy potato soup (in the crockpot)

Friday: pizza – There’s nothing fancy about this. I will use a Pillsbury crust that I got for .25 using a coupon, homemade pizza sauce (.33 for the can of tomato sauce), and then pepperoni ($1 w/ coupon), mushrooms (.44 for store brand), and cheese ($1.50/bag with coupon) as toppings. We will have a salad as a side ($2). My total cost for this meal was $5.52.

Saturday: Sweet and sour pork (another family recipe)

Ingredients:
1 t. soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 T cornstarch
dash of salt
1/2 c. pineapple juice or water
3 T cider vinegar
2 T ketchup
Pineapple, onions, green peppers
Chopped ham

Mix ingredients in a pan. Stir constantly over low heat until thickened and translucent. Add pineapple, onion, green pappers, and ham. Serve over rice.

I got my ham free at Target with the $2 off coupon they had awhile back. The green peppers were 2/$1. The canned pineapple was $1.13. I had all of the other ingredients on hand. Total cost for this recipe was around $3.

Filed Under: Menu Planning Monday Tagged With:

Free Rice a Roni!

January 11, 2009 by

There is a new printable coupon for .50/1 package of Rice a Roni. They are $1 at my Kroger store (YMMV), so if your grocery store has them for $1 and doubles coupons, they will be free!

You can print the coupon here. You can print two per computer and I recommend printing them quick before the print limit is reached. If the first link I posted didn’t work for you, try this one here.

If you’re looking for a quickie meal that you can put together using your Rice a Roni, check out this recipe on Marci’s blog. My kids love it!

Filed Under: freebies

Scenario Sunday: CVS scenarios for the week of 1/11/09

January 11, 2009 by

Finding low out of pocket scenarios for “newbies” or those with low ECBs has been a challenge this week! Find the coupon match ups for the week here.
Here’s the best thing I could come up with:
Transaction #1:

Buy 1 Kotex value pack – $4.99

$2/1 Kotex coupon
Spend $2.99, get $2

Transaction #2:
Kleenex tissues with lotion 3 pk – $3.69
.50/3 pk Kleenex coupon
Use $2 ECB
Spend $1.19, get $1

If you’re not all that impressed with the weekly deals, this would be a good week to try to stock up on some of the monthly items. You can find the coupon match ups for the monthly deals here and scenarios for the monthly deals here.

The BOGO free deals don’t earn ECBs, but they are still great deals.

Depending on which Colgate toothpaste you buy, it will be .79 for two with two $1/1 coupons or a moneymaker if you have the $1.50/1 coupons (these were printables that are no longer available).

Some of the Revlon makeup will be free or close to free, especially if you still have some of the $2 off coupons (they expire this week, so hurry!)

Some of the CVS batteries may be free or close to free with the $3 CVS brand coupon.

If you haven’t discovered the $3 off any CVS brand product coupon, read this post here. I seriously love this coupon! If you buy a product that is under $3, the coupon will beep, so you will need a “filler” item (the CVS pocket tissues are a great choice).

Here are a few scenarios using the BOGO free deals this week and the $3 CVS coupon:

Scenario #1:
Buy 2 Colgate Total toothpaste – $2.79 (BOGO free)
Buy 1 package CVS plastic plates (15 ct) – $2.79
Buy 1 package CVS pocket tissues – .50

Use 2 $1 Colgate Total manufacturer’s coupons (from 1/4 inserts)
Use $3 CVS coupon

Spend 1.08 OOP (out of pocket) for $8.87 in merchandise

Scenario #2:
Buy 2 Revlon Creme Shadow – $6.49 (BOGO free)
Buy 1 CVS sunblock – $2.19
Buy 1 CVS chapstick – $.99

Use 2 $2 Revlon coupons
Use $3 CVS coupon

Spend $2.67 OOP (out of pocket) for $16.16 in merchandise

Here are a few things you can get with this coupon for free or close to free: (this list was developed by me….please do not repost it elsewhere without posting a link to my blog giving me credit…Thanks!)

Vitamins (I took advantage of the BOGO free sales last week and we now have a year’s supply of everything we need!): Folic Acid (800 mg) 100 ct – $2.75, Vitamin B-1 (100 mg) 100 ct – $2.97, Vitamin C (250 mg) 100 ct – $2.99, Vitamin D (400 Iu) 100 ct – $2.99, CVS Magnesium (250 mg) 100 ct – $2.99, Vitamin B-6 (50 mg) 100 ct – $3.49, Vitamin C (500 mg) 100 ct – $3.59, Vitamin A (8000 Iu) 100 ct – $3.79, Vitamin B-12 (100 mg) 100 ct – $3.99, Calcium & Magnesium with Zinc 100 ct – $3.99
**these will range in price from free (remember you need a filler if they are under $3) to .99/each

CVS Pro Vitamin shampoo/conditioner (similar to Pantene) – $3.49/each (.49/each after the coupon)

CVS baby products: baby wash, baby lotion, baby shampoo, and baby wipes are priced at $3.29 (.29/each after the coupon)

CVS brand tissues are priced at $1.19 – buy 3 and pay .57 out of pocket

CVS brand chapstick is .99/each – buy 3 (and a filler) and they are free 🙂

CVS brand cotton balls are $1.99, buy 2 and spend .98

CVS Sunblock lotion (2 oz) is $2.19 (add something else small like chapstick or tissues and this is a great deal!)

CVS lotion (10 oz) – $2.99/each

CVS cleansing cream – $3.99/each

CVS cleansing & makeup remover towelettes (15 ct) – $2.99/each (I love these!)

CVS cleaner with bleach – $3.29 (.29 after coupon!)

CVS wet mopping cloths – $3.99/each (.99 after coupon)

CVS fabric softener sheets – $3.99 (.99 after coupon)

CVS dusting wand and refills – $3.79 (.79 after coupon)

CVS plastic plates (15 ct) – $2.79

CVS plastic cups (30 ct) – $2.79

CVS snack or sandwich bags (50 ct) – $2.79

Gold Emblem (CVS brand) Sparkling Water Value Packs $3.97 Get $2 EB (limit 5)

Filed Under: Scenario Sunday Tagged With:

Savings Saturday: CVS ad for the week of 1/11-1/17

January 10, 2009 by


It’s definitely a slow CVS week this week. It would be a good time to focus on some of the monthly deals if you haven’t done them already. The match ups for the monthly deals can be found here.

I do these coupon match-ups myself and it takes a LOT of time. I don’t mind if you share this information, but please make sure you are giving credit by posting a link back to my blog! Thanks 🙂

ECB deals:
Accu-chek Compact Plus Diabetes Monitoring Kit – $14.99, get $5 ECB (free after MIR)

Advil value pack – $9.99, get $1 ECB
$1/1 printable coupon here

Aquafresh white trays – $34.99, get $10 ECB
$5/1 Aquafresh White Trays Or Aquafresh White Trays Pro-Gentle System, Any – 01-04-09 SS

Get $5 ECB when you buy Bengay patches or Motrin IB 50 count
$1/1 Motrin Product, Any Excluding Trial Size – 01-04-09 RP

Bounce lint roller – $7.99, get $2 ECB (month long value pack)
$1/1 printable here

Cheerios twin pack – $7.99, get $4 ECB (these are month long value packs)
.55/1 Honey Nut Cheerios printable here

Cheez-It twin pack – $6, get $3 ECB (part of the month long value packs)

Get $10 ECB when you buy CVS or Life Fitness blood pressure monitor
$3 off any CVS brand printable here

Dove shampoo, conditioner, or styler – 2/$9, get $3 ECB

Excedrin Migraine, Extra Strength or PM value pack – $8.99, get $3 ECB (month long)
$2/1 Excedrin Product, Any 80 Ct. + – 01-04-09 SS
$2/1 Excedrin, Any 80 Ct + – 10-19-08 SS

Glade PlugIns scented oil refills 2 pk or essential oil candle twin pk -$5.49, get $2 ECB (part of the month long value packs)
$1/1 Glade PlugIns Scented Gel refill packs on TWO from 1/11/09 SS
$1 and $2 coupons here (go to pg. 6)

Gold Emblem Almonds twin pack – $7.99, get $1 ECB (part of the month long value packs)
$1 CVS CRT
$3 off any CVS brand purchase here

Kleenex tissues with lotion 3 pk – $3.69, get $1 ECB (month long value pack)
.50/1 Kleenex Facial Tissue – Any (3) Packages Or Any (1) Bundle Pack (Excluding Individual Kleenex Pocket Pack Or Juniors Tissue) – 01-04-09 SS

Kotex value pack – $4.99, get $2 ECB (month long value pack)
$2/1 Kotex Feminine Care Product, Any Excluding Trial Size – 01-04-09 SS

Spend $10 on Maybelline cosmetics, get $5 ECB
$1/1 Maybelline Mascara, Any – 10-26-08 RP
$3/1 Maybelline Foundation, Any – 10-26-08 RP

Maybelline lash stilletto mascara – $6.99, get $2 ECB
$1/1 Maybelline Mascara, Any – 10-26-08 RP

M&Ms Cupid’s mix – 2/$5, get $2 ECB

Spend $10 on Nestle candy products, get $5 ECB: Nestle Crunch/Baby Ruth/Butterfinger 8 pk or giant bar 4/$5, Nestle singles 2/$1, Nestle Butterfinger or Crunch hearts 2/$5

Nature’s Bounty – BOGO free when you buy 2 Nature’s Bounty Co Q-10 Bonus 45 ct. or fish oil bonus 120 ct., earn $3 ECB (month long value pack)
$2/1 printable here
$1/1 printable from the blue coupons.com link on the blog (there is one at the top and one on the sidebar)
$1 Natures Bounty Product, Any 9/7, 9/21, 10/12 RP

Nature Valley or Fiber One twin packs – $6.99, get $3 (month long value packs)
$1/2 Nature Valley granola bars here
.50/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars, Any – 01-04-09 GM
.60/1 Nature Valley printable here
.50/1 Fiber One Chewy Bars, Any – 01-04-09 GM

Pledge with duster – $4.59, get $1 (part of the month long value packs)
$1 printable here (go to pg. 5)

Shout twin pack – $4.99, get $1 ECB (month long value pack)
.75/1 Shout printable here

Soy Joy value pack – $6, get $6 ECB

Triaminic value pack – $11.97, get $3 ECB (month long value pack)
$1.50/1 printable here

Tylenol 8 hour or arthritis pain value pack – $7.49, get $2 ECB
Tylenol Extra Strength, 8 Hour, or Arthritis Product, any $1 (3-31-09) from 1-4 RP insert
$1 printable coupon here

Zyrtec – $18.99, get $1 ECB
$4 Zyrtec Adult, 30 ct.+ or Zyrtec-D, any 24 ct.+ $4 SS 11/23/08
$4 Zyrtec Adult, any 30 ct.+ or Zyrtec D, any 24 ct.+ (exp 1-12-09) SS 10/12/08
$2 Zyrtec Childrens Product, any (exp 1-12-09) SS 10/12/08
$2 Zyrtec Childrens Product, any SS 11/23/08

BOGO free deals:
Colgate toothpaste
Use .75/1 or $1/1 coupon from the 1/4 inserts

Dreyer’s/Edy’s ice cream

Revlon cosmetics
$1/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, Any – 12-07-08 SS
$1/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, Any – 11-16-08 RP
$1/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, Any – 10-12-08 SS
$2/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, Any – 09-14-08 SS

Nature Made vitamins
$1/1 Nature Made Vitamins, Any – 01-04-09 SS

CVS pharmacy batteries
(use $3 off any CVS purchase coupon here)

Filed Under: Savings Saturday Tagged With:

Savings Saturday: $40 weekly grocery budget

January 10, 2009 by

I used a few gift cards to help pay for purchases this week. Target frequently has deals (ranging from diapers to razors to cereal) where you can earn a $5 gift card for purchasing certain items. I always try to keep a $5 Target card to “roll” into these deals, which is basically what I did today (I used a $10 gift card I earned from Lila Guide).

I also transferred a prescription to Randalls and got a $30 gift card. If you have Safeway/Randalls, there is a coupon in the paper this week for a $30 gift card with any NEW or transferred prescription. Coupons for new prescriptions are hard to come by, and the coupon is good through 2/7/09, so you may want to pick up a few extra ads 🙂 In my area, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, and Randalls all accept competitor pharmacy coupons.

Here’s what I got for $32.25 OOP this week. I actually didn’t realize that I was so far under because I did my shopping this morning in a hurry. I will probably go back to Target and get a canister of Instant Breakfast (my husband loves it and it is on price cut for $4.49 right now, so it’ll be $3.49 with the $1 off coupon from last week’s inserts) and 5 more boxes of the Kashi breakfast bars (they are on price cut for $2.75 and there are $2 off coupons from Kashi and Vocal Point). That will bring my total for the week to $39.49 (there are no taxes on groceries in my area).

CVS/Target/Kroger combined –

Target – 3 boxes Electrasol ($3.25 through this week, used 3 $2.50/1 coupons), 1 bag baked Ruffles (used $1 Lays printable from Smartsource.com and $1 Target Lays printable), 6 boxes Kashi breakfast bars (used one free coupon from Vocal Point and 5 $2 off coupons from Kashi), Hillshire Farms lunchmeat (used a $.55/1 coupon and there is a TMF peelie attached, so I will get $ back), bag of boneless skinless chicken breasts, 4 cans chicken broth, 2 packages Old El Paso taco seasoning (used $1.10/2 printable), Sara Lee bread, Kraft cheese sticks (used $1 printable), 10 Sobe Life water (used .50/1 hang tags attached to bottles), Juicy Juice 8 pk (used $1 off coupon), MP heavy whipping cream

Used $10 Target gift card from Lila Guide, spent $20.10 OOP, got $5 Target gift card back (for purchase of Sobe Life water)

Kroger – celery, vanilla wafers, salad mix, bag of grapefruit, bell peppers, cataloupe, enchilada sauce, ranch dip mix, canned pineapple, cucumbers
$12.15 OOP

CVS – 2 bags of kitchen trash bags – $11.35, used $3 off any CVS brand purchase, $8.85 OOP (paid w/ $9 ECB adjusted down) Also, in the picture below, you will see two packages of plastic cups and 2 boxes of CVS Cold & Sinus

**The next few weeks at CVS are looking pretty grim, so I have been “burning” my ECBs (meaning I’m using them to buy things that I need but that are not necessarily generating ECBs). If you haven’t taken advantage of the $3 off any CVS brand purchase coupon yet, you really should. This week the CVS brand items are BOGO 50% off and the vitamins are BOGO free!

Randalls – 5 boxes Pop Tarts (.99/each with super coupon), baby carrots, 2 pounds of bananas, 2 gallons milk – paid $10.92 on gift card from prescription transfer

Here are my updated savings totals:
Baby Emergency fund – last week’s total was $672, I earned $11 from Associated Content this week which will be applied to this fund for a total of $683 (Goal = $1000)
Gift savings – $132.42 (Goal = $1500)
Rolling entertainment fund – $0 (Goal = $500)

Here’s how much I have saved at individual stores:
Total Target savings – $69.70 to date
Total CVS savings – $70.53 (not updated, will update later today once I gather all my receipts!)
Total Kroger savings – $21.34
Total Randalls savings – $21.02

**If you’re looking for spreadsheets to help you track your savings, there are some good ones here on the Mommy Snacks blog

Filed Under: Savings Saturday Tagged With: ,