Menu Planning Monday: My menu play for the week of 4/1

I’m really trying to focus on meal planning again and also planning out breakfasts and lunches, too.  I find that if I have a “plan” it’s easier to stick with it!  There are lots of quick and easyrecipes once again this week.

The plan listed here just includes our dinner menu and recipes. I have calculated some Weight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know that for the past two years, I have done a $40 weekly budget. With the changes to our eating habits and the end of grocery stores in our area doubling and tripling coupons, I’m  finding that is no longer feasible and we end up spending $60-70 per week on groceries instead.

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Spaghetti

MONDAY:  Chili (slow cooker) 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (brown in skillet and then place in crockpot)
1 can dark kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can Ranch style beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 packet chili spices

Mix all ingredients in crockpot and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. Sprinkle cheese on top.

TUESDAY:  Steak stroganoff (slow cooker) – My family LOVES this recipe!!

Ingredients:
2T flour
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 3/4 lb. boneless round steak
2 cans 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup (I use 98% FF)
2 c. water (or 1 can 100% FF beef broth for more flavor)
1 envelope beef stew mix
4 oz can mushrooms, sliced and drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 T minced parsley

Combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika in slow cooker. Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch strips. Place in flour mixture and toss until meat is well coated. Add soup, water, and stew mix. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. Stir in mushrooms, sour cream, and parsley and then cook on high 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve over egg noodles. (Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you may need to add cornstarch to thicken or add more water/broth to thin)

To freeze: Pour into gallon freezer bags (I used Ziploc containers for this one). Allow to cool before freezing.

To reheat: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Warm on stove and serve over rice or egg noodles. (Add sour cream when warming if you left it out of the initial recipe)

WW points = 7 points/serving, 6-8 servings (add 3 points for 1/2 c. cooked pasta or 5 points for 1 cup)

WEDNESDAY:  Chicken lickin’ good pork chops (slow cooker) – This is another one that is super easy to make and really yummy!

THURSDAY:  Tacos 

FRIDAY:  Baked potato bar – I found instructions on Pinterest for making baked potatoes in the slow cooker, so I’m going to test it out!

SATURDAY:  Creamy chicken tortilla soup (slow cooker)

Walmart Top 25 Free & Cheap Deals for the week of 4/1

Here are my top 25 Walmart deals for the week. You can read up on Walmart’s coupon policy and print your own copy here:  Walmart’s coupon policy. If you need coupons for some of these deals, make sure you check out My Coupon Hunter! To find out more about how My Coupon Hunter’s coupon clipping service “works” check out this post here–>How coupon clipping service work.

Please keep in mind that pricing may vary greatly by area and that prices may change at any time, so prices at your stores may be higher or lower than the prices listed here.  Whenever possible, links to printable coupons go directly to the clipped coupon.  If you are unable to find the clipped coupon, the print limit has likely already been met.

FREEBIES:

Allegra Caplets – 5 ct
$7/1 Allegra – 4-1 SS (*expires 4-8)
Final Price = $1.06 moneymaker after coupon

Carefree pantiliners (20-22 ct) – $1
$1/1 Carefree – 3-18 SS
Final Price = as low as free after coupon

Carpet Fresh – $.97
$1/1 Carpet Fresh – 1-29 SS
Final Price = $.03 overage

Glade Plug-Ins Oil Warmer Unit – $1
$1/1 Glade Plug-Ins Scented Oil Warmer printable coupon
Final Price = FREE after coupon

BABY: 

Avent pacifiers – $2
$1.50 off Avent Pacifier pack printable coupon
Final Price = $.50 after coupon

Beech Nut cereal – $1.50
$1/1 Beech Nut printable
Final Price = $.50 after coupon

GROCERY: 

Betty Crocker Potato pouch – $.74
$.50/2 Betty Crocker box or pouch potatoes 3-25 SS
Final Price = $.49/each after coupon (when you buy 2)

Cheese Nips – $1
$1/2 Nabisco crackers printable
Final Price = $.50 each after coupon (when you buy 2)
NOTE: Note all stores in my area carry Cheese Nips, so this is likely the case in your area, too

Buddy Fruits – $.88/each
$1/5 Buddy Fruits printable
Final Price = $.68/each after coupon (when you buy 5)

Dole canned pineapple chunks – $.78
$.50/2 Dole pineapple – 3-25 SS
$.50/3 Dole pineapple printable
Final Price = as low as $.53 each after coupon (when you buy 2)

Folgers Instant Coffee Individual Packets (6 ct) – $1
$.25/1 Folgers coffee coupon – 3-25 RP
Final Price = $.75 after coupon

French’s classic yellow mustard – $1.08
$.30/1 French’s mustard printable (must register)
$.30/1 French’s mustard – 3-25 SS
Final Price = $.78 after coupon

Jell-O – $.62
$.50/2 Jell-O gelatin or pudding – 3-25 SS
Final Price = $.37/each after coupon when you buy 2

Kentucky Legend Bacon – $2.99
$2/1 Kentucky Legend Bacon printable (use zip 12345)
Final Price = $.99 each after coupon

Minute Maid Coolers (10 ct) – $1.97
$1/1 Minute Maid juice printable
Final Price = $.97 each after coupon

HEALTH CARE:

Tums Refreshers (24 ct) – $2.48
$1.50/1 Tums Refreshers – 4-1 RP
Final Price = $.98 after coupon

HOUSEHOLD:

PERSONAL CARE:

Bic Silky Touch Razors – $2.94
$2/1 Bic disposable razors – 3-18 SS
Final Price = $.94 each after coupon

Colgate Kids toothpaste – $1
$.50/1 Colgate kids toothpaste – 3-25 SS
Final Price = $.50 each after coupon

Colgate toothpaste – $.94
$.75/1 Colgate toothpaste – 3-25 SS
Final Price = $.19 after coupon

Lava Soap (2 ct) – $1.97
$1/1 Lava Soap printable coupon
Final Price = $.97 after coupon

Poise Pads (36 ct) – $2.72
$2/1 Poise Pads or Liners printable (must register)
Final Price = $.72 after coupon

Suave deodorant – $.97
$.75/1 Suave deodorant – 3-18 RP
Final Price = $.22 after coupon

U by Kotex – $1.24
$1/1 U by Kotex product – 3-25 SS
Final Price = $.24 after coupon

PETS: 

Purina Alpo dog food – $.67/each
$1.50/10 cans Purina Alpo dog food printable
Final Price = $.52/each (when you buy 10)

Purina Mighty Dog canned dog food – $.62/each
$1 off 6 Purina Might Dog printable
Final Price = $.45 each after coupon (when you buy 6)

Purina Friskies Canned Food (5.5 oz) – $.50/can
$.50/4 Purina Friskies cans – 3-18 RP
Final Price = $.38 each after coupon when you buy 4

(Thanks to Passion for SavingsMommySavers, and I Heart the Mart for the “heads up” on some of these deals!)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.


DEAL ALERT: 6 issues of All You Magazine for $6!


If you’ve been wanting to check out All You Magazine, now is the PERFECT time! You can get 6 issues of All You Magazine for just $6! That’s just $1 per issue. If you buy a single issue in stores, it retails for $2.49!

If you’re not familiar with All You Magazine, it’s a monthly publication and it’s PACKED with budget friendly recipes, money saving tips, and COUPONS! I’ve been subscribing for 4 years now and I love it!

Click here to grab a subscription for yourself or as a gift for someone else–> 6 issues of All You Magazine for $6 


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

SanDisk Ultra Memory Cards: prices start at $17.99 (45% off)

If you’re looking for a deal on memory cards, today’s Gold Box Deal of the Day on Amazon is these SanDisk Ultra Memory cards.  Prices start at just $17.99 for a 16 GB memory card, which is 45% off the regular retail price!

Click here to shop this sale–>Amazon sale on SanDisk Ultra Memory cards

Here are the memory cards that are available:

SanDisk Ultra 16 GB SDHC Class 10 30MB/s – $17.99 (regularly $32.99)

SanDisk Ultra 32 GB SDHC Class 10 30MB/s – $29.99 (regularly $64.99)

SanDisk Ultra 64 GB SDXC Class 10 30 MB/s – $57.99 (regularly $128.99)

PLEASE NOTE:  This offer is available on 4/2/12 only, while supplies last.  Pricing and availability may change at any time.  Please verify pricing before finalizing your purchase.


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

 

Kodak M532 14MP Digital Camera with Accessories Value Bundle for $49 (50% off!)

If you’re in the market for an affordable point and shoot camera, or looking for a great gift for a tween, Walmart’s Value of the Day today is this Kodak M532 14MP Digital Camera with Accessories Value Bundle for $49.

Enjoy a great value with this Kodak M532 14MP Digital Camera & Accessories Value Bundle. The camera features 4x Optical Zoom, 2.7″ LCD Display and Kodak Share Button. Includes the following accesssories: Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery, USB charger with cable, Kodak 4GB SD card and camera case.

Click here to grab this deal–>Kodak M532 14MP Digital Camera with Accessories Value Bundle for $49 


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information