Week 4 brought us Christmas. In our house, we ate pasta and beans with ham hocks (aka modified pasta fagiole) then ate a lot of Christmas ham. For Christmas morning breakfast, we ate fauxnuts (donuts made from biscuit dough) and bacon. Yes, it was highly porky holiday. We also indulged a little at Trader Joe's since we were nearby one and only get there a few times a year.
Target:
jumbo pack of Up and Up diapers, 3 pack of Up and Up wipes, 2 lb Great Northern beans, 1 lb elbow pasta, 12 oz coffee beans, 11.4 lb smoked turkey
Total: $30.23
Savings: $6.00
Aldi:
3 rolls of buttermilk biscuits, 2 gallons skim milk, 2 cans of mini ravioli, chocolate Santa
Dominick's:
12 pack generic Dr. Pepper, box of Hanukkah candles (for next year), 11 lb spiral sliced ham, 5 lb box of clementines, whole pineapple, 4 pack Kahlua Mudslides
Total: $22.67
Saved: $34.45
Trader Joe's:
organic maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, steel cut oatmeal, box of truffles, bag of harvest grains mix, fruit jelly candies, gnocchi
Total: $25.24
Week 4 Total: $86.04
Week 4 Savings: $40.45
December Total-to-date: $273.16
December Savings-to-date: $132.25
This won't be our lowest month of the year, but it's not bad considering how many baked goods I made this month for us and for friends. In January, we'll be doing a freezer and pantry challenge along with Money Saving Mom.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Last Minute Hostess Gift: Peppermint Bark
Exchanging gifts with neighbors or coworkers and ran out of cookies? Make a batch of peppermint bark. It takes very little time and doesn't cost much.
Ingredients:
8 oz. chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
6 oz. white chocolate chips
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
red food coloring (optional)
crushed candy canes (optional)
Or use: 4 blocks of chocolate bark and 3 blocks of almond bark
Melt the chocolate and spread on a cookie sheet covered with silpat mat or wax paper. Melt white chocolate and add one drop red food coloring and peppermint extract. Taste white chocolate and add more peppermint if desired. Then drizzle over the chocolate.
Next, grab a toothpick. Run the toothpick through the chocolate horizontally in rows. Then repeat vertically.
Add crushed candy over the top if desired. Then allow to cool and harden. You can speed this up in the refrigerator. The freezer works too, but may result in bloomed chocolate. (Rapid temperature changes cause the cocoa butter to seperate, causing white spots.)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
December Groceries: Week 3
Due to some very welcome but time-consuming freelance work, I've neglected both posting and shopping. I have not neglected baking, and will have some easy last-minute recipes for those folks you've forgotten about or need to bring a hostess gift.
In Week 3 I went to the store once. We ate turkey soup, cranberry pork roast, pizza, and we went out to eat at Famous Dave's once.
Aldi:
2 lb bag clementines, 1 gallon milk, 1 tub chocolate frosting, box of fruit jellies (stocking stuffer), 2 lb brown sugar, 2 lb powdered sugar, 2 oval roaster pans
Total: $11.80
December Total-to-Date: $187.12
December Saved-to-Date: $91.80
In Week 3 I went to the store once. We ate turkey soup, cranberry pork roast, pizza, and we went out to eat at Famous Dave's once.
Aldi:
2 lb bag clementines, 1 gallon milk, 1 tub chocolate frosting, box of fruit jellies (stocking stuffer), 2 lb brown sugar, 2 lb powdered sugar, 2 oval roaster pans
Total: $11.80
December Total-to-Date: $187.12
December Saved-to-Date: $91.80
Monday, December 14, 2009
December Groceries: Week 2
Finally, a week well under budget! This week we ate crockpot cranberry pork with rice and veggies, meatballs in gravy with latkes, and pizza. We also had one night out at my husband's company holiday party. I also tried out Alice.com. More on that later.
Alice:
100 oz All Free and Clear, 20 ct box Stash lemon ginger tea, 100 ct pack of Pampers Kandoo flushable wipes
Total: $4.75
Saved: $7.50 (including $5 off introductory gift card purchased with Swagbucks)
Aldi:
candy cane cremes cookies, 10 lb potatoes ($.99), 2 gallons of milk, 12 ct spiral string cheese, 1 tube buttermilk biscuits, pint of whipping cream, 1.5 lb turkey ham, mini marshmallows, 2 lb brown sugar, 6 lb powdered sugar ($.95 per 2 lb bag), 2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 package white almond bark coating
Total: $24.06
Dominicks:
2 bags dark chocolate coins, two 2 liter bottles of soda, 2 8oz blocks of extra sharp cheddar ($.99), 2 8 oz blocks sharp cheddar ($.99), 8 oz block of mozzarella ($.99), 5.5 lb pork shoulder roast ($.99 per pound), 2 ham hocks ($1.60), 2.6 lb bananas ($.37/lb), large cheese pizza
Total: $25.84
Savings: $19.10
Jewel:
Christmas napkins, pound of bacon, 7 pints of Coffee Mate assorted holiday flavors ($.99), 1 cantaloupe ($1.29)
Total: $7.75
Savings: $23.02
Target:
12 oz coffee beans, 2 dozen eggs ($.99), cup of yogurt, plastic wrap
Total: $5.51
Savings: $11.62
Week 2 Total: $67.91
Week 2 Savings: $60.24
December to date Total: $175.82
December to date Savings: $91.80
Among my favorite deals of the week was the eggs at $.99 at Target plus I had a buy one get one free coupon, so I paid $.48 a dozen. We go through tons of eggs, and they're good for about a month after the date on the carton. My other favorite deal was the coffee creamer. I love the holiday flavors, especially pumpkin spice. We drink coffee at home rather than paying for it elsewhere. This week creamer was $.99. I had a $1 off 2 coupon, so I bought three pumpkin spice pints on Saturday. I paid $2 for 3 bottles, so $.66 each. Sunday night I signed into Coffee Mate's site, where their coupons had reset. I was able to print both coupons twice. One was for $1.50 off 2, the other was for $1 off 1. I went back to Jewel on Tuesday and used both $1.50 coupons. I bought four bottles and paid $1.03 including tax. Each bottle cost me $.26, and they don't expire until February at the earliest.
Next up: Alice.com review and a flurry of baking for the holidays
Alice:
100 oz All Free and Clear, 20 ct box Stash lemon ginger tea, 100 ct pack of Pampers Kandoo flushable wipes
Total: $4.75
Saved: $7.50 (including $5 off introductory gift card purchased with Swagbucks)
Aldi:
candy cane cremes cookies, 10 lb potatoes ($.99), 2 gallons of milk, 12 ct spiral string cheese, 1 tube buttermilk biscuits, pint of whipping cream, 1.5 lb turkey ham, mini marshmallows, 2 lb brown sugar, 6 lb powdered sugar ($.95 per 2 lb bag), 2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 package white almond bark coating
Total: $24.06
Dominicks:
2 bags dark chocolate coins, two 2 liter bottles of soda, 2 8oz blocks of extra sharp cheddar ($.99), 2 8 oz blocks sharp cheddar ($.99), 8 oz block of mozzarella ($.99), 5.5 lb pork shoulder roast ($.99 per pound), 2 ham hocks ($1.60), 2.6 lb bananas ($.37/lb), large cheese pizza
Total: $25.84
Savings: $19.10
Jewel:
Christmas napkins, pound of bacon, 7 pints of Coffee Mate assorted holiday flavors ($.99), 1 cantaloupe ($1.29)
Total: $7.75
Savings: $23.02
Target:
12 oz coffee beans, 2 dozen eggs ($.99), cup of yogurt, plastic wrap
Total: $5.51
Savings: $11.62
Week 2 Total: $67.91
Week 2 Savings: $60.24
December to date Total: $175.82
December to date Savings: $91.80
Among my favorite deals of the week was the eggs at $.99 at Target plus I had a buy one get one free coupon, so I paid $.48 a dozen. We go through tons of eggs, and they're good for about a month after the date on the carton. My other favorite deal was the coffee creamer. I love the holiday flavors, especially pumpkin spice. We drink coffee at home rather than paying for it elsewhere. This week creamer was $.99. I had a $1 off 2 coupon, so I bought three pumpkin spice pints on Saturday. I paid $2 for 3 bottles, so $.66 each. Sunday night I signed into Coffee Mate's site, where their coupons had reset. I was able to print both coupons twice. One was for $1.50 off 2, the other was for $1 off 1. I went back to Jewel on Tuesday and used both $1.50 coupons. I bought four bottles and paid $1.03 including tax. Each bottle cost me $.26, and they don't expire until February at the earliest.
Next up: Alice.com review and a flurry of baking for the holidays
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
December Groceries: Week 1
Well, we had two big budget busters this week: snacks for daycare and diapers. Snacks follow a rough schedule, but I'm never sure what they'll ask for. Sometimes I have almost everything they ask for, and other times I have nothing. This time I had a jar of applesauce, but had to buy Fritos, deli-sliced cheddar, 2 bottles of juice, and 1 box of graham crackers (I bought cinnamon ones last week). I bought everything at Aldi because I could and Aldi's Fritos are awesome (and $1.29).
Dominicks:
1 box of Good Earth tea, bottle of Grandma's molasses ($3.45), 7 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
Total: $12.46
Savings: $10.01
Aldi:
1 box of graham crackers, 1 package of deli-sliced cheddar, 1 bag of Fritos, 2 64 oz bottles of apple juice, 2 gallons of milk, box of candy canes, cupcake cups, butter flavored shortening, 1 tin of baking cocoa, 2 2lb bags of brown sugar, 3 lb sweet potatoes, 1 summer sausage (stocking stuffer), packet of chili seasoning mix, 2 packages of chocolate bark coating, 1 bag of milk chocolate chips, 2 lb unsalted butter, 2 cartons of egg nog
Total: $36.06
Target:
2 jumbos Up and Up diapers, 2 pints coffee creamer, 2 big packs of Pampers
Total: $47.23
Savings: $16.88 (plus a $5 giftcard to use later)
Jewel:
3.2 lb Braeburn apples, 1 bottle of bacon salt (stocking stuffer), 2 bottles of Grandma's molasses ($2.75!)
Total: $11.66
Savings: $4.67
Week 1 Total: $107.41
Week 1 Savings: $31.56
Dominicks:
1 box of Good Earth tea, bottle of Grandma's molasses ($3.45), 7 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
Total: $12.46
Savings: $10.01
Aldi:
1 box of graham crackers, 1 package of deli-sliced cheddar, 1 bag of Fritos, 2 64 oz bottles of apple juice, 2 gallons of milk, box of candy canes, cupcake cups, butter flavored shortening, 1 tin of baking cocoa, 2 2lb bags of brown sugar, 3 lb sweet potatoes, 1 summer sausage (stocking stuffer), packet of chili seasoning mix, 2 packages of chocolate bark coating, 1 bag of milk chocolate chips, 2 lb unsalted butter, 2 cartons of egg nog
Total: $36.06
Target:
2 jumbos Up and Up diapers, 2 pints coffee creamer, 2 big packs of Pampers
Total: $47.23
Savings: $16.88 (plus a $5 giftcard to use later)
Jewel:
3.2 lb Braeburn apples, 1 bottle of bacon salt (stocking stuffer), 2 bottles of Grandma's molasses ($2.75!)
Total: $11.66
Savings: $4.67
Week 1 Total: $107.41
Week 1 Savings: $31.56
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
November Groceries: Week 4
Better late than never! I couldn't find one of my receipts until this morning, hence the lack of update.
In Week 4, I spent far more than I expected to, despite eating leftovers from Thanksgiving most of the week. This week's budget was sunk by little extras for Thanksgiving (sparkling grape juice, cinnamon rolls), baking supplies for Christmas cookies, and stocking stuffers.
Dominicks:
cupcake papers, 7 lb ice, 5.6 lb whole duck (on clearance for $.99 a lb, but I didn't notice the original price), large pizza
Total: $17.28 (no savings, ouch!)
Aldi:
2 gallons of milk, box of graham crackers, 2 packages almond bark, 2 bags cranberries, bag of peanut butter chips, bag of butterscotch chips, 2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 bags milk chocolate chips, 30-pack of fruit snacks, bag of cheddar bacon potato skins, gallon of peanut oil (clearance for $4.99!), can of mini raviolis, package of Christmas sparkling sugar, box of generic Grape Nuts, 2 cans of tuna, silicone basting brush
Total: $36.34
Target:
150 oz All Free and Clear, chocolate advent calendar, Lifesavers sweet storybook gummis, Snowflake Ritz crackers, 2 bottles of sparkling juice, can of ground decaf coffee, white pearl cake decors, bag of frozen peas, bag of frozen corn, 3 rolls of cinnamon rolls, dozen eggs, 2 pints of Coffee Mate, bigger tub of spreadable butter, 10x15 padded mailer, roll of package tape, tin of Mickey Mouse playing cards, 4 cans of assorted fruit, 8 cans of assorted canned vegetables, toilet bowl cleaner, 1 lb celery, 1 yellow onion, 1 donut, .89 lb granny smith apples, 1.92 lb Braeburn apples, 1 cup of vanilla yogurt, 500 Q-tips, 12 inch cooking tongs, package of Thanksgiving napkins
Total: $65.69
Saved: $24.59
Week 4 Total: $119.31
Week 4 Savings: $24.59
November Total: $377.94
November Savings: $322.74
In Week 4, I spent far more than I expected to, despite eating leftovers from Thanksgiving most of the week. This week's budget was sunk by little extras for Thanksgiving (sparkling grape juice, cinnamon rolls), baking supplies for Christmas cookies, and stocking stuffers.
Dominicks:
cupcake papers, 7 lb ice, 5.6 lb whole duck (on clearance for $.99 a lb, but I didn't notice the original price), large pizza
Total: $17.28 (no savings, ouch!)
Aldi:
2 gallons of milk, box of graham crackers, 2 packages almond bark, 2 bags cranberries, bag of peanut butter chips, bag of butterscotch chips, 2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 bags milk chocolate chips, 30-pack of fruit snacks, bag of cheddar bacon potato skins, gallon of peanut oil (clearance for $4.99!), can of mini raviolis, package of Christmas sparkling sugar, box of generic Grape Nuts, 2 cans of tuna, silicone basting brush
Total: $36.34
Target:
150 oz All Free and Clear, chocolate advent calendar, Lifesavers sweet storybook gummis, Snowflake Ritz crackers, 2 bottles of sparkling juice, can of ground decaf coffee, white pearl cake decors, bag of frozen peas, bag of frozen corn, 3 rolls of cinnamon rolls, dozen eggs, 2 pints of Coffee Mate, bigger tub of spreadable butter, 10x15 padded mailer, roll of package tape, tin of Mickey Mouse playing cards, 4 cans of assorted fruit, 8 cans of assorted canned vegetables, toilet bowl cleaner, 1 lb celery, 1 yellow onion, 1 donut, .89 lb granny smith apples, 1.92 lb Braeburn apples, 1 cup of vanilla yogurt, 500 Q-tips, 12 inch cooking tongs, package of Thanksgiving napkins
Total: $65.69
Saved: $24.59
Week 4 Total: $119.31
Week 4 Savings: $24.59
November Total: $377.94
November Savings: $322.74
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