Breakfast 9/22

We are having pumpkin bagels with butter and cinnamon, hard boiled eggs, and yogurt...hot tea for myself, kids will have hot chocolate, my husband likes juice. The bagles we bought at the store for 1.50, they are just awesome.

9/21

We used a pound and a half ground beef, a half a head of lettuce, one beefsteak tomato, some block colby (shredded by hand), sour cream, and taco kit!! It feed all five of us, with enough fro the kids to have lunch tomorrow.

September grocery totals

I have a total of 300 dollars a month. Looking back over my posts, I have kept a total running amount of 107,54, and 113....for a total of 274.00 for groceries, leaving me 26 dollars left for the month....AWESOME!!!

Shopping for September

3 bottles of shampoo
2 bottles of conditioner
4 bottles of body wash
2 jugs laundry soap
apricot scrub
plastic wrap
tea bags
crackers
1/2 lb roast beef
8 lb ground beef
english muffins
bagels
4 loaves of bread
veggie oil
pancake mix
3 lb apples
3 lb bananas
2 lb grapes
3 gallons of milk
10 rolls "scott" tissue
1 box tissue
48 bottles of water
10 lb potatoes
3 yellow, green, red peppers
6 pk popcorn
48 count granola bars
2 jugs orange juice
2 jugs apple juice
3 large cans of ravioli
2 lb margarine
2 lb turkey sausage
box of blueberry mini wheats
spaghetti sauce
pasta
hot chocolate

Spent 107 at Sharp Shopper, 54 at aldi.....

Dinner 9/18

We had hash browns, scrambled eggs, and turkey bacon.

Dinner 9/19

cheddar and broccoli rice
green beans
grilled kielbasa

dinner 9/17

I took the chicken off the bones, added some BBQ sauce, and sandwich buns, AKA BBQ chicken sandwiches, home made french fries, a little potato salad, and green beans.

Lunch today 9/16

Making one homemade pizza (we only have one crust), using some pizza sauce, 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, 1/4 of an onion chopped, and 1/4 of a tomato.....yummy!!

Dinner 9/16

I'm awake, I just put a whole chicken in the crock pot. The price for the chicken was 0.88 lb at Aldi, and I paid 3.37 for this bird. This is not my go to price, as Sharp Shopper has whole birds for 0.69 lb, but they are not always in stock.

With this bird, I washed it, cleaned out the "parts", I don't use these. YUCK!! I put this in the crock pot with some onion and garlic powder, sage and some poultry seasoning. I will let this cook until it's done. It will make it's own broth!!

We will be having a pasta and sauce packet, and either frozen corn or green beans, depending on the kids wishes.

Current Pantry Items, Updated 9/15

Current Pantry Items Updated 9/15

2 apples
box of saltines
5 lb sugar
cucumber dip
water
hot chocolate
quarter head of lettuce
one tomato
1/4 cucumber
1 package of sandwich buns
1 lb Colby cheese ends
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese ends
1 package of hot dogs
2 gallons juice
1/2  gallon milk
2 lb mozzarella cheese
2 dozen eggs
1 lb butter
1 lb onions
5 lb potatoes
frozen corn
frozen beans
frozen brussel sprouts  opened
frozen mixed veggies opened
bbq sauce
opened ketchup
mayo
various other condiments
two whole chickens
two keilbasa
3 lb bacon
several cans of tomatoes
several cans of tomato soup
several cans of cream soup
2 cans of pizza sauce
1 and a half pounds of shredded hash brown
oatmeal
granola
taco dinner kit
baking supplies (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, various spices, brown sugar, honey)
bread crumbs
2 lb egg noodles
pasta and sauce kit
rice and sauce kit
pancake sryup
2 opened containers of jelly
two containers of peanut butter

This is an updated list as of 9/15, I have gotten rid of the pantry items that we do not have, and condensed everything into one current list.

Breakfast 9/15

We are going to have BLT's for breakfast (Gary and I), the kids will have some bacon and scrambled eggs....We are using a old package of sandwich buns for out BLT's since there's no bread and I can't get to the store.

Dinner 9/14

It was supposed to be beef stew...My husband attempted to make this with a package of beef, mixed veggies,and potatoes. I'm not sure what happened to it, but it did not come out very good. We ended up throwing the whole thing away (a crock pot full), and ended up eating hot dogs, and a frozen pizza.....NOT SURE WHAT WENT WRONG WITH IT. But it was the worst stew I have had in a long time.

Dinner 9/14

My husband made grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, along with some tomato soup. It was filling and no one complained.

What's been cooking??

So, I've been working the past few nights, and not able to get blogging about frugal living.
We had pasta plain for the kids, with spag sauce for us yesterday. The day before, we were able to have french toast.

Current Pantry Items Updated 9/15

2 apples
box of saltines
5 lb sugar
cucumber dip
water
hot chocolate
quarter head of lettuce
one tomato
1/4 cucumber
1 package of sandwich buns
1 lb Colby cheese ends
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese ends
1 package of hot dogs
2 gallons juice
1/2  gallon milk
2 lb mozzarella cheese
2 dozen eggs
1 lb butter
1 lb onions
5 lb potatoes
frozen corn
frozen beans
frozen brussel sprouts  opened
frozen mixed veggies opened
bbq sauce
opened ketchup
mayo
various other condiments
two whole chickens 
two keilbasa
3 lb bacon 
several cans of tomatoes
several cans of tomato soup
several cans of cream soup
2 cans of pizza sauce 
1 and a half pounds of shredded hash brown
oatmeal
granola
taco dinner kit
baking supplies (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, various spices, brown sugar, honey)
bread crumbs
2 lb egg noodles
pasta and sauce kit
rice and sauce kit
pancake sryup
2 opened containers of jelly
two containers of peanut butter

This is an updated list as of 9/15, I have gotten rid of the pantry items that we do not have, and condensed everything into one current list. 

Dinner 9/11

We are having french toast, with choice of pancake syrup, or berry syrup, with sliced pears on the side. Four the french toast, we save and freeze the ends of the bread slices that no one likes....when we have enough to feed everyone, I made french toast!!

Dinner 9/10

Tonight we are having grilled kielbasa, home made french fries, salad (lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar cheese, peppers, thousand island or ranch dressing), brussel sprouts for Gary, green beans for the other four,  apple crisp (I make this myself).

Dinner 9/9/12

Spaghetti, with jar sauce, crumbled Italian sausage, onions, and a small amount of green pepper, and will make some garlic parmesean biscuits on the side, along with a small salad (lettuce, tomato, some cheese, cucumber, onion)...ranch dressing or thousand island dressing.

Laundry

We do about three loads a day when I'm off from work...we do have a dryer, but I choose to hang or clothes up to dry, using my porch and a rack that we were given. It helps keep my electric bill down, and gives the kids something to do.....they think it's normal to go out back and hang clothes on the deck.

Dinner 9/8

I have a whole chicken that I took out of the freezer. Tonight with that, I'm serving carrots, sweet potatoes, and some egg noodles. The carrots and sweet potatoes will go into the same baking pan as the chicken, seasoned, and the egg noodles will be done on top of the stove.

Current Updates

We have bought our daughter new glasses, cost 163 dollars, bought my other daughter new glasses, 90 dollars, and paid for my glasses 193 dollars...in addition, I just got paid, and took care of the kids fees for school, and had the plumber come and repair the leaky faucets...the kids fees were 130 dollars for school, and the plumber cost 283.00....needless to say, my monthly household bills are current, not late, and my mortgage is paid. I am extremely careful with the income I have coming in, and feel that I cam make it through the rest of the month with hopefully only milk, bread, and maybe eggs.

Dinner 9/7

We ordered Chinese food...only cost 35 dollars.

September shopping updated 9/9/12

3 lb apples
2 lb grapes
2 lb bananas

2 boxes generic cereal
box of saltines
5 lb sugar
cheese its
cucumber dip
power aide
24 pk water
hot chocolate

dish soap
head of lettuce half used 9/8/12
2 lb tomatoes
cucumber 9/8/12
2 loaves of bread
1 package of sandwich buns
deli meat ends 1 lb
1 package cheese sticks
1 lb Colby cheese ends
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese ends
2 packages of hot dogs
1 24 ct corn dogs
2 gallons juice
1 gallon milk
24 count apple juice

I spent a total of 113.52 at Sharp Shopper. My total for the month is 300.00. As you can see, we didn't need a lot of meat, as I still have a partial load in there from last month, along with a bunch of frozen veggies.

Dinner 9/6

We are having scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, shredded hash browns, and biscuits for dinner...quick, easy, and a crowd pleaser. I'm working tonight...so need something with little fuss.

lunch 9/5

Consist of left over veggie pizza from last night's dinner...awesome.

Updated 9/9/12

 September is beginning....
Going into September, I'm hoping to keep my expenses low...I have two more pairs of glasses to obtain, a leaking faucet (both kitchen sink and tub) that need to be repaired, and three cats with a dog that need to get to the vet for check ups...

So with that being said, here is what I have to offer the family:
half gallon of milk
1/4 lb edam cheese
1 lb cheddar cheese about a half pound left.
1 lb mozzarella cheese
half a dozen eggs
2 lb butter
half a loaf of white bread
half a loaf of honey wheat bread

two green peppers
2 lb sweet potatoes
3 lb carrots There is about a lb left.
3 lb onions
12 lb potatoes
2 lb peaches
3 kiwi
frozen corn
frozen beans
frozen brussel sprouts
frozen mixed veggies
applesauce opened, almost gone.
canned pears
1 cucumber used half of it on 9/8/2012

bbq sauce
opened ketchup
mayo
various other condiments

bottled water
three whole chickens We used one on 9/8
two packages of hot dogs
three keilbasa
two packages of Italian sausage We are going to use one of them today, 9/9/12. 
one small package of beef stew meat
4 lb bacon used one on 9/7/12
frozen biscuits
frozen fruit
half gallon of peach frozen yogurt

several cans of tomatoes
several cans of tomato soup
several cans of cream soup
several cans of pizza sauce we used one, have two left.
one can of spag sauce

2 whole wheat pizza crust
5 lb french fries 
1 and a half pounds of shredded hashbrown
3 lb pork roast (with portabella seasoning) 4.00 
one box of hot cocoa 0.99  we are down to four packets.
one pumpkin pie

four boxes of half opened cereal we now have two left.
oatmeal
granola
taco dinner kit
cake mix
baking supplies (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, various spices, brown sugar, honey)
three kinds of bread crumbs
cheese cake kit
2 lb pasta
pasta and sauce kit
rice and sauce kit
pancake mix and sryup
opened package of cous cous

3 packages of opened triscits generic
lb spaghetti

2 containers of jelly
1/4 cup of pop corn kernels
3 containers of peanut butter

I need to use up the opened items, and half used condiments in the fridge lurking. I will have to get some milk, eggs, and bread next week...hoping to make it through the month!

This has been updated, as of September 5th, the yellow items are no longer around.

This has been updated as of september 9/8/2012.
 New and updated as of 9/9/12.

dinner 9/5

We took out the pork tenderloin with portabella mushroom seasoning. The tenderloin will be placed in the oven, with carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, drained mushrooms, and baked. We will also have cous cous with it.

Dinner 9/4

I've been working for the past four nights...I was off last night. Having slept all day, didn't have a pan for dinner. So, I took two whole wheat crust out of the fridge, shredded a lb of mozzarella cheese, took two golf ball size tomatoes (from our garden that were ripe), sliced them, sliced a half an onion, a half a green pepper, and crushed some garlic....the kids had a cheese pizza (using left over spag sauce), and Gary and I had a veggie pizza (using a can of pizza sauce). I offered canned pears, cheddar cheese and triscits on the side.

What's been cooking??

September 2...hot dogs, french fries

September 3 beef steak strips (marinated), corn, french fries, cheese cake

September 1st

lasagna

September is beginning....

Going into September, I'm hoping to keep my expenses low...I have two more pairs of glasses to obtain, a leaking faucet (both kitchen sink and tub) that need to be repaired, and three cats with a dog that need to get to the vet for check ups...

So with that being said, here is what I have to offer the family:
half gallon of milk
1/4 lb edam cheese
1 lb cheddar cheese
1 lb mozzarella cheese
half a dozen eggs
2 lb butter
half a loaf of white bread
half a loaf of honey wheat bread

two green peppers half used 
2 lb sweet potatoes
3 lb carrots
3 lb onions
12 lb potatoes
2 lb peaches
3 kiwi
frozen corn
frozen beans
frozen brussel sprouts
frozen mixed veggies
applesauce
canned pears
1 cucumber half used

bbq sauce
opened ketchup
mayo
various other condiments

bottled water
three whole chickens used one 9/8/12
two packages of hot dogs
three keilbasa
two packages of Italian sausage will use one 9/9/12
two small packages of beef stew meat
4 lb bacon used one 9/7/12
frozen biscuits
frozen fruit
half gallon of peach frozen yogurt

several cans of tomatoes
several cans of tomato soup
several cans of cream soup
several cans of pizza sauce
one can of spag sauce

2 whole wheat pizza crust
5 lb french fries
1 and a half pounds of shredded hashbrown
3 lb pork roast (with portabella seasoning) 4.00
one box of hot cocoa 0.99
one pumpkin pie

four boxes of half opened cereal we now have two left.
oatmeal
granola
taco dinner kit
cake mix
baking supplies (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, various spices, brown sugar, honey)
three kinds of bread crumbs
cheese cake kit
2 lb pasta
pasta and sauce kit
rice and sauce kit
pancake mix and sryup
opened package of cous cous

3 packages of opened triscits generic
lb spaghetti

2 containers of jelly
1/4 cup of pop corn kernels
3 containers of peanut butter

I need to use up the opened items, and half used condiments in the fridge lurking. I will have to get some milk, eggs, and bread next week...hoping to make it through the month!

This has been updated, as of September 5th, the yellow items are no longer around.

Today 8/30

This morning, the kids requested egg sandwiches for breakfast...then lunch for school was all different.

Daughter 1 wanted hard boiled eggs, triscits, cheese, and yogurt.
Daughter 2 wanted hard boiled eggs, triscits, applesauce
Son 1 wanted two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, raisins.

Lunch for me is the left over potato salad from yesterday.

Dinner is going to be pork chops (bone in) bought from Sharp Shopper two weeks ago, mashed potatoes (using some garlic and chive cream cheese that has been lurking), and carrots with brown sugar.

Lunch 8/29

lunch for my husband and I consist of tomato sandwiches....using home grown tomato, white bread toasted, and some mayo.....

August 8/29

For breakfast, I made the kids pancakes before they left for the buses topped with maple syrup and butter. lunch consisted of two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on white(their preference) bread, with juice boxes.
Dinner is going to consist of brautworst topped with mustard (if they want it), caramelized onions on rolls. I am going to make some potato salad, and serve corn on the cob.

The brautworst was 0.99 at Sharp Shopper a while ago, ten potatoes cost maybe a 1.00, onions are a few pennies, and the corn on the cob was 5 for 1.00. I have two eggs for the potato salad, along with mayo and mustard....plus various spices.

August has been a month of large expenses!!

August expenses are killing me. I've had sick kids, three water leaks, two sets of new glasses, in addition to regular monthly bills and household expenses. I have nothing in savings, have not went into debt paying for the water repairs, glasses, or kid illness. I did pay cash for everything (which I'm thankful for). My mortgage is paid until December 2012, and the rest of my monthly and household expenses are never late.

With this being said, my kids have gone back to school today. They are packing this first week (usually they buy meals), but I don't have the money to buy them lunch.

What large expenses have you run into that have put a dent into your budgeting??

Dinner 8/28

hot dogs....

Dinner 8/27, Breakfast 8/28

My daughter made dinner last night, pasta with spaghetti sauce....breakfast this morning was scrambled eggs with cheese, cinnamon toast with butter.

Dinner 8/26

When I cooked our seven pound chicken the other day, we had a plate of chicken left over. I mixed this with some barbecue sauce and warmed it up. Gary is baking a pan of french fries to go with this....that's what is for dinner!! Cheap, filling and a crowd pleaser when I have to work tonight.

Dinner 8/25

We use a lot of bread, but the kids do not eat the end pieces. I have a solution for that. I freeze the end pieces until we have enough to serve french toast!!!

A few eggs, some milk, bread ends, pancake syrup....along with some turkey bacon...that's what's for dinner!

August 24...

We had old fashioned oats, with skim ilk and sugar this morning, lunch was a garden thin pizza that we bought from Sharp Shopper, and dinner was a success.

I made turkey meatballs, using one pound of turkey that I bought in June. I added two eggs, onion, garlic, parmesean, and basil. I grated some crumbs of an old granola cereal and mixed it with panko crumbs that have been lurking. I baked these for 30 minutes, topped with spag sauce, and parmesean. Served it over garlic whole wheat rolls.

August Shopping

I went to Sharp Shopper and bought the following:

2 pounds cherries
2 pounds grapes
3 pounds bananas
10 pounds potatoes
3 pounds onions
2 green peppers
3 kiwi
2 pounds peaches
5 corn on the cob
2 lb frozen green beans
2 lb frozen corn
2 lb mixed veggies
2 pounds sweet potatoes
3 lb plums
1 cucumber
4 half gallons of juice

2 packages of 48 bottled water

1 gallon milk
1 lb deli cheese ends
2 lb edam cheese
2 whole wheat pizza crust
1 lb motzerella cheese
18 ct eggs
10 individual yougrts
half gallon of peach frozen yogurt

one garden veggie thin crust pizza
2 pounds hill shire Farm Italian sausage
5 lb french fries
2 packages of Oscar Myer hot dogs
1 and a half pounds of shredded hashbrowns
20 frozen biscuits
3 pounds of turkey bacon
16ct corn dogs
2 five pound whole chickens

generic life cereal
generic kix cereal
2 lb pasta
2 packages of rice and sauce
1 taco kit
1 lb brown sugar
5 lb whole wheat flour
generic triscits

several cans of tomatoes
several cans of corn
several cans of ravioli
iced molasses cookies
2 cans spag sauce
2 cans pizza sauce


Total for month 300.00
Spent today 135.50
Left for month 50.02


The highlighted items are gone....updated 8/29

the 7 lb chicken

...happened to feed five of us, plus we have a huge plate for left overs...I made stock from the skin and bones, added spices, bouillon....and obtained five cups of stock!!!!

Dinner 8/22

As I am typing this, we have a 7 lb whole chicken roasting in the oven, with potatoes and onions, with various spices. Along with this, we will have the left over sweet potatoes from yesterday, and asparagus (frozen)....hoping that this will be a hit with the family. We may have peanut butter cookies for dessert...if I can get them made.

Dinner 8/21

Took five chicken breast, breaded them in Italian crumbs, mashed sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar, served canned corn, and cous cous for dinner......we have a little sweet potato and corn left.

What's been cooking...

August 19th, we had pancakes with maple syrup...
August 20th, I cut up one green apple into slices, served it with peanut butter...steamed some brocolli (half a bag, now gone), cooked 5 carrots (with honey, brown sugar and butter), mixed the remainder of some taco meat with a can of pork beans (told the kids it was going to be beef and bean burritos), served this with tortilla flour shells, a very small salad (left over lettuce, chopped tomato from the garden), 1/4 pound of shredded Colby cheese, and less than a pound of steak (cooked and served with sliced onions)....it was a hit and nothing was left....

August 20th again.....since we ate early, I made a homemade pizza (cheese only) for the kids around 830....and two mixing bowls of air popped popcorn....

Dinner 8/13

I am baking a pound and a half of bacon strips, going to serve BLT's for dinner. We have lettuce that needs to be used up, and tomatoes from the garden...if the kids don't want this, they can have what is available in the fridge as left overs.

CVS

I went to CVS yesterday to pick up two prescriptions for my husband. I needed to get stamps also. The prescriptions were free (no co pay), stamps were 9.00. I had a coupon for 1 dollar off two bottles of any shampoo. I had another coupon for 3.00 off any CVS facial product. I grabbed two Alberto VO5 shampoo for 0.99, and a container of CVS apricot scrub for 3.19. At the register, I paid 10.19 out the door. Nice!!!




Total for month 300.00
Spent with tax 16.68
Left for month 283.32


Spent 87.11
Total for month 283.32
Left for month 196.21

Spent 10.19
Total for month 196.21
Left for month 186.02

Meals 8/11 and 8/12

Last night, we had left over spaghetti and meatballs.
Today, for breakfast, we had fried eggs. Lunch was a mixture of stuff. There was a huge slice of frozen pizza that needed to be gone. I baked that, added some chicken noodle soup to the offerings, and a small package of hot dogs with buns. Cheap, filling and no one complained.

Dinner 8/10

We had pasta, sauce and meatballs for dinner. I cooked a pound of pasta (0.79), one can of delmonte sauce (0.99), and have made 20 meatballs.

For the meatballs, I used a pound and a half of ground beef. I had some lurking granola, panko crumbs, and some end of several cereal boxes that needed to get rid of. Well, I used my blender and combined these items and grinded them together, added some garlic powder, onion powder and basil to the mixture, and two eggs. I mixed everything with the ground beef and shaped into meat balls. I baked these in the oven for 40 minutes, and there's nothing left! The kids and Gary loved it!!

August Shopping

I went to Sharp Shopper today, and bought the following items.

 One gallon of milk 3.59
 one pound of edam block cheese 1.98
 a package of deli cheese 3.50 (1.5 lb)
2 pounds of butter 1.00
18 count eggs 1.80
sliced white bread 0.99
"goldfish" sandwich bread 3.00 (2 packs)
2 containers of juice 1.00
3 packages of 4 count puddings 1.50
2 packages of milk and cereal bars 1.00
2 lb bananas 0.49 lb
2 pounds green apples 0.69 lb
 2 lb of cherries 0.99 lb
2 pizza crust 1.00
3 lb package of bone in pork chops 7.00
3 lb pork roast (with portabella seasoning) 4.00
lb turkey bacon 2.49
2 whole chickens 0.69 lb
one and a half pounds of hardwood smoked bacon 2.99
one 10 ox bag of chips
one 24 ox bag of tortillas
one package of 24 tortilla shells
2 packs of bottled water (32 count) 4.99, 4.99
2 cans spag sauce 1.98
one lb pasta 0.79
one pound of egg noodles 0.79
4 boxes of crackers 2.00
one box of hot cocoa 0.99

I'm adding what I found in an earlier post for my groceries for August and will tally my amounts and repost.


August 1  Still keeping within my goal amount of 300 dollars, I went to Food Lion to get a few things. We bought a gallon of milk (3.50), two packages of Oscar Meyer hot dogs (3.00 total), a newspaper (0.50), and a package of pork bone in pork chops (2.49 lb, paid 5.03)....and a 24 pack of coke (5.99).

Total for month 300.00
Spent with tax 16.68
Left for month 283.32


Spent 87.11
Total for month 283.32
Left for month 196.21

The highlighted items are gone....

What's been cooking???

Well, I gotta say that I've been working some crazy hours. Monday, my husband made bone in pork shops with barbecue sauce, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes. On Tuesday, we bought a lasagna at the store that was frozen and baked that. On Wednesday, we are frozen pizza bought at the store, yesterday, we went out to Taco Bell....back on the frugal train today.

Dinner 8/5

Using two marked down pizza crust (0.50 at Sharp Shopper each), a can of spag sauce (0.99, didn't use the whole can), some marked down cheese ends (grated), and the ends of some deli meat (chopped it in the blender), added two extra strips of bacon from this morning....this makes two 13X9 pizzas!!!

Breakfast 8/5

Today for breakfast, I'm baking a pound and a half of bacon (2.99 at Sharp Shopper, bought a month ago), and making BLT sandwiches, using lettuce from the fridge, a tomato from the garden, and adding mayo, (maybe some cheese), and a sliced onion....the kids will be having bacon and english muffins (bought a month ago that were in the freezer).

August Shopping

Still keeping within my goal amount of 300 dollars, I went to Food Lion to get a few things. We bought a gallon of milk (3.50), two packages of Oscar Meyer hot dogs (3.00 total), a newspaper (0.50), and a package of pork bone in pork chops (2.49 lb, paid 5.03)....and a 24 pack of coke (5.99).

Total for month 300.00
Spent with tax 16.68
Left for month 283.32

Dinner 8/4

We used a pound of pasta , made a white sauce with butter, flour, and milk, added 1/4 lb of Colby cheese to melt together in the white sauce, and had "Mac and Cheese" for dinner....

Breakfast 8/4

Consisited of fried egg sandwiches.....

August 3rd....

Yesterday, we celebrated my son's birthday....we went to the pool (12.00), bought his birthday cake (19.00), went to dinner at a pizza place (35.00), and picked up a free kitten....seeing we all ready had food, and litter (We own two other cats).....very precious birthday!

Dinner 8/2

Grilled hot dogs, homemade french fries, topped with green onion and colby cheese, canned corn and sliced pears...

Our chicken dinner

With our dinner, I am simmering 5 corn on the cobs, and made a small salad with 1/4 head of lettuce, half a tomato, half a cucumber, and some green onion. Dressings to be served, ranch and thousand island.

August 1 Breakfast

The kids had scrambled eggs, buttered toast (choice of bread, pepperidge farm strawberry banana, Cinnamon raisin, or cinnamon swirl). We finished up the last few slices of the strawberry banana, and the cinnamon swirl. The ends of the bread were placed in the freezer for french toast.

It's August...

Well, I've been taking a break from posting, due to working and the craziness of my life. Needless to say, it's August and I need to get back on track. My budget remains at 300 dollars a month for the five of us, included in this is health and beauty aids, cat and dog supplies.

Tonight, we are having a whole chicken (0.69 lb, bought for 5.00) in the crock pot, with poultry seasoning, celery salt, and onion, garlic powder, five carrots diced, five potatoes, a garlic clove, and a large onion...added in two bullion cubes.

Dinner 7/26

Dinner tonight will be left over chicken from Wednesday. I will warm up some cream of chicken soup, add the left over chicken to this, and serve it over white long grain rice. There will be a package of frozen veggies that will be served with this.

Dinner 7/25

Scrambled eggs, sausage links, toast....quick easy and a crowd pleasing meal.

Dinner 7/24

Breakfast for the kids, "captain Crunch" cereal at 0.99 a box from Sharp Shopper. Dinner tonight is a whole chicken in the crock pot, with five potatoes, poultry seasoning, parsley, garlic, onion powder, and thyme. We are also warming up a package of frozen veggies.

Today, 7/23/2012

This morning, my husband and I had tomato sandwiches. My kids had a banana, and two scrambled eggs each with melted cheese. Dinner tonight, is a half a opened package of waffle mix, made Belgian waffles with pancake syrup.

Dinner 7/22

We went out for dinner at Golden Corral.

Breakfast 7/22

my son had two bowls of 0.99 cent cereal from Sharp Shopper. I had a cup of tea, with sugar and skim milk, and two pieces of pepperidge farm swirl toast.

Dinner 7/21

Gary made cheese pizzas, using a refrigerator crust, with whole wheat crust, the left over mozzarella cheese, some deli cheese ends grated, and some deli meat ends sliced then....it was awesome.

July 20th

Brautworst, pan fried, with corn on the cob for dinner.

Broke down...

I went to Sharp Shopper yesterday and bought 112.00 worth of groceries. We were out of a few things, and needed some snacky stuff. I bought the following:

2 lb bananas 0.49 lb

1 quart strawberries 1.99 a pack

2 lb peaches 0.49 lb

6 corn on the cob 12 for 2.50

2 lb cherries 1.99 lb

1 lb pears 1.19 lb

two beefsteak tomatoes 0.99 lb

a gallon of milk 3.99 (expensive)

10 yogurts  10 cents each.

a pound of deli cheese ends 3.19

one package of fish fillets 1.49

one package of corn dogs 1.50

one lb of deli meat ends (for homemade pizza) 3.00

3 pepperidge farm breads 1.50 each

two jugs of fruit juice 0.50 each, half gallon

two pizza crusts 0.50 each

ketchup 0.79

12 five pks of oatmeal 0.25 each

2 boxes of cereal 0.50 each

one adult cereal 1.49

2 lb pasta 0.79 lb

12 cans of tomato soup 7.99

12 cans of chicken noodle soup 7.99

two 32 oz ravioli 1.39 each

one 64 oz peanut butter 4.99

two 36 pk water 4.99 each

3 packages of jello 0.33 each

2 jello temptations 0.50 each

hershey kisses 0.99

one bag of oyster crackers 0.79

hot chocolate 0.99

12 pk popcorn 1.39

2 four pk pudding 1.00 each

another two boxes of cereal 0.99 each

tortilla chips 1.50

container of salsa 2.00

one pumpkin pie

frozen yogurt 0.99

two bags of frozen sweet potatoes 1.00 each

lb of butter 0.89

two crash and burn butter finger bars (in freezer for kids) 0.79 for two.

I know that this has brought me over my grocery total for the month. But it was really needed. 

We had to fill in gaps in the pantry and the kids were starting to complain. This list is in addition to the updated list of what I currently have. See my updated pantry, freezer and fridge list in addition to this for the rest of the month and part of August.

The highlighted items are not longer available, updated as of 7/21/2012. Updated again as of 7/21. Updated as of 7/24....Updated 8/29

Dinner 7/19

I took out two chicken breast with bones, and skin. Placed them in the crock pot with five carrots, quartered, some parsley, poultry seasoning, onion powder and garlic powder. This will cook all day on low, added to it will be a half package of egg noodles.

Our day 7/18

Breakfast for the kids: choice of scrambled eggs, oatmeal with skim milk, and toast with peanut butter, butter and cinnamon.
Breakfast for Gary and I: Grilled cheese and tomato (from our garden).
Lunch: Canned tomato soup, chicken noodle, or cream of chicken soup (got to get rid of this), along with crackers, or grilled cheese (no tomato).
Dinner: Brautworst pan fried, with onions, mustard, on hot dog rolls, the last of the potato salad from Sunday, sliced oranges.

Dinner 7/16/2012

Dinner tonight consist of Oscar Meyer wieners, potato salad, apple crisp...work in a few hours.

my cooking

The potato salad is finished, using ten potatoes, four eggs, a few spices (onion, garlic, parsley, celery, paprika), and some mayo....it's smooshing in the fridge. I just took the carrot cake out of the oven to cool. It's going to be a great day!

Today's cooking

The two crisps are cooling on top of the stove. I decided to make some potato salad and a carrot cake using  flour, sugar, carrots, vanilla, cinnamon, 4 eggs, veggie oil, baking soda.

allrecipes.com/recipe/carrot-cake-bars/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=carrot%20cake&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

Meal plan for 7/15

I don't usually make a weekly menu, but decide that day in the morning what we are going to serve for meals. So, to make this easier, I will break it down into breakfast, lunch and dinner in one post.

Breakfast: usually scrambled eggs with cheese (using american sliced cheese), maybe toast (butter, jelly, peanut butter, or cinnamon sugar).
Lunch: english muffin pizzas (Using the can sauce I bought yesterday, a frozen package of English Muffins that need to go, and the 1/4 package of mozzarella cheese that has been lingering in the fridge).
Dinner: Breaded chicken strips, long grain rice, a frozen veggie, apple and cherry crisp. (Using canned cherry filling, and apples that are going soft, cinnamon, sugar, granola, butter).

dinner 7/15

Took out five boneless chicken breast that are thawing in the refrigerator. With this, I will slice and pound thin, add some egg, seasoned bread crumbs, and bake in the oven. I also have some white rice (not instant) that will be cooked on the stove. Veggie remains to be seen, I have several packages of frozen veggies available. I'm going to make cherry crisp, and apple crisp for dessert. (This is canned cherries I bought a long time ago, topped with granola and baked. The apple is three apples, cinnamon, sugar, butter and granola, baked in the oven).

Food Lion

Stopped over to Food Lion to pick up some cat litter and milk. I had a coupon for 2 dollars off a ten dollar purchase. I bought 14 lb cat litter, a gallon of milk, a box of raisin bran, two containers of spag sauce, and 18 ct eggs.

Total 15.00.
left to spend for the month: 28.00

Today's plan

I took out a lb of kielbasa (smoked sausage), and ten potatoes. I'm planning on sauteing the kielbasa, and making home made french fries using sliced thin potatoes, slicing them, and then fry in veggie oil. I have three cucumbers from our garden that I can slice and use as a veggie on the side.

Breakfast for the kids...

Today, the children have the choice between having oatmeal with skim milk, generic mini wheat, or scrambled eggs.

Breakfast for the adults

Grilled cheese using butter, sliced cheese and home grown tomatoes....the best.

July Shopping

I went to CVS, had two coupons and needed shampoo. I bought two bottles of head and shoulders. The one coupon I had was BOGO. The other coupon I used was a 3.00 of care bucks from CVS. The shampoo was 5.99 each. If you bought one, you received another for 2.99.

Two bottles cost: 8.98, minus 3.00=5.98, then minus the BOGO= Free!!

Then I went to Target to buy pet food. Two 6 lb bags of Purine Naturals, one 6 lb bag of dog food, and 32 cans of Friskies....also a pair of sandles for my daughter. She broke them in the store. 56.00.

I had 99.00 out of 300.00 left to spend, after today, I have a total of 43 for the month left. I only need milk.

Dinner 7/11

We took out the nine containers of "unknown" out of the freezer to thaw. Two of the containers have about a cup of chili in each. My husband warmed these up, made grilled cheese sandwiches, and that's what was for dinner!!

Dinner 7/10

We are having left over spaghetti with meat sauce that we made yesterday.  I picked three tomatoes from my garden this afternoon.

Monday 7/9

Today, we are going to have spaghetti with meat sauce. Using the left over meatloaf from Saturday, an opened jar of sauce in the fridge, and some ground Italian sausage, add an onion and garlic, this will become pasta with meat sauce!!

Our Sunday

We spent yesterday taking my daughter to Radford University. In our long day of adventures, we ate out for lunch and dinner.

After dinner...

I took out the frozen banana bread that can be offered as a snack when the kids want a munchies snack later. The kitchen is closed now. The leftover meatloaf will be put aside for use in another meal.

Freezer Offerings as of July 7th

3 bean dip
various popsicles
3 lb smoked kielbasa- We used a pound of this today 7/14.
two packages of turkey lunch meat
2 whole chickens using one 7/24/2012.
2 lb kielbasa
one frozen banana bread
five pounds of ground beef
ten chicken breast  We are using 5 chicken breast tomorrow, 7/15/2012.
two packages of split breast
two pounds of beef stew
2 lb brautworst
four packages of cookies
8 hamburger buns
loaf of bread
two packages of english muffins
2 packages of hot dogs
four packages of tortilla shells
nine containers of "unknown" 

the yellow highlighted are used items, no longer available. Updated as of 7/9/2012.
We are down to seven unknowns...Updated as of 7/11/2012.
The "unknowns" are gone, ended up feeding them to our dog, Sadie. Updated 7/13/2012
The chicken,english muffins, kielbasa has been updated as of 7/15.
Updated as of 7/20. Updated again, as of 7/21/2012.

Fruits and Veggies as of July 7th

four apples
two oranges
1 lb carrots   used 1/2 pound of carrots 7/15
five pounds potatoes We have 3 lb left as of 7/15/2012.
4 onions
one clove garlic
two bananas
cucumbers
blackberries
 1 lb peaches (frozen)
1 lb mixed berries (frozen)
1 lb brussel sprouts (frozen)
1 lb beans (frozen)
1 lb corn (frozen)
1 lb broccoli (frozen)
1 lb Peas (frozen)

The yellow highlighted items are gone, and not available to use in our pantry challenge. Updated 7/9/2012.
We ate the blackberries. Updated 7/13/2012.
updated 7/20/2012.
updated as of 7/14/2012 taken into account what we are serving for dinner tomorrow.

Fridge Offerings as of July 7th

2 dozen eggs
6 english muffins
one bagel
half a loaf of bread
6 yogurts
2 packages of lunch meat
2 packages sliced deli cheese, cheddar and muenster
3 lb butter
shredded mozzarella cheese
garlic and chive cream cheese
taco sauce
opened spag sauce (being used 7/9)
opened Hershey syrup
opened thousand island dressing
milk
opened ketchup
opened mayo finished as of 7/15 for salad.
grape jelly
opened ranch dressing

The yellow highlighted items are currently used. Updated 7/9/2012.
Highlighed more items, not available on 7/11/2012.
The cheese was used for grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch time. updated 7/13/2012
This has been updated as of 7/15. We only have one opened package of lunch meat in the fridge now.
Updated as od 7/20. Updated as of 7/21/2012.

Pantry offerings as of July 7th

one box of generic mini wheat
Quaker stove top oats
2 boxes of pancake mix  
2 pancakes syrup
10 packages of instant oatmeal
1 container of granola
2 lb flour  We have one pound left. 
3 BBQ sauce
honey
applesauce
cake mix
muffin mix
1 box crackers
3 lb rice opened
panko opened crumbs
one box scallop potatoes
10 lb sugar  finished off one 5 lb bag today, 7/14.
6 popcorn packets   We have three packages of popcorn left.
5 koolaide
1 lb pasta
1 garlic herb marinade
2 packages of chocolate chips The children have opened these. 
tea bags
1 lb peanuts
two seasoned breadcrumbs
4 peanut butter
one jelly
one package of ten hot cocoa  We have four packets left as of 7.15.2012.
mayo  opened 7/15
ketchup
cinnamon chips
brown sugar
powder sugar
baking soda, powder
can cherries
1 tomato soup
1 chicken noodle
3 various cream soups
two cans mushrooms
one sauerkraut
one spag sauce
one kidney beans
one package of saltines
veggie oil
parmesean cheese
bottled water

The highlighted yellow items are used and updated 7/9/2012. They are no longer available for our pantry challenge.
We opened the pancake mix. Updated 7/13/2012.
This list has been updated as of 7/14/2012. Updated as of 7/15/2012.
Updated as of 7/20/2012. Updated as of 7/21/2012.

Dinner 7/7

Today, I'm making meat loaf, suing 2 lbs of ground turkey, an egg or two, various seasonings, and for breadcrumbs, I have some "get balance" fiber cereal that has been hanging out that needs to be gone. I will crush this cereal, add the seasonings and spices to it, in place of breadcrumbs. I do have seasoned breadcrumbs that are not opened, but the cereal is one of those things that has been in the pantry forever. Using it in meatloaf will disguise the "nasty yuck cereal", and get it used in a nice manner. My other alternative is to throw the cereal away, and I hate to put food in the trash. With the meatloaf, I'm planning on making scalloped potatoes (box mix, been lurking) and steamed veggies. I'm trying to use what has been hanging out, and incorporate the new in.

Dinner 7/6

Cleaning up the kitchen, and looking through the fridge, I found four ears of corn that need to be eaten. With the corn, we are going to have Oscar Meyer Wieners (1.49 package of ten). the corn will be simmered on the stove, the hot dogs will be cooked on the hot plate, with onions (for those who want them), topped with ketchup. We have two half packages of hot dog rolls that need to be used also.

Today's plan 7/6

I worked last night, went to bed at 8, and just got up at 1:45. The kids had a can of tomato soup, and chicken noodle when they were hungry. When I got up, they told me that they were hungry, so I fixed them some scrambled eggs (2 each), and some toast (1 each) with butter, cinnamon and sugar.

Today

We washed a total of four loads of laundry (in cold water, with on sale soap), and hung outside to dry. It's 90 plus degrees, so this shouldn't take long for the clothes to dry in the sunshine. The dinner is done, we used two big chicken breast (bought 0.99 lb), for a total cost of 2.16, five carrots, several onions, garlic, and bouillon. Cooked the last half of a package of egg noodles, and added some asparagus. I took what was left over, about two servings full, wrapped it up and put it in the fridge. I'm waiting on the stock to cool off, and then store this in the fridge. I will let the fat solidify, then scoop it off to dispose of. The stock will then be placed in the freezer to make soup, or flavor some white rice.

Dinner 7/5

Yesterday, we went to a party, had lots of party type foods.
Today, we are having whole chicken in the crock pot with frozen asparagus, the last of an opened package of egg noodles, cut carrots, and various spices!

Leftovers 7/3

We have lots of left over taco stuff from yesterday to have today for dinner. Happy day!!

Dinner 7/2

Using 2 lbs of ground beef, some lettuce, tomatoes, and a taco kit, that's what's for dinner!!

Dinner 7/1

Tonight is french Toast, made with milk, several eggs,cinnamon, and bread ends that I had in the freezer. We are also going to have Italian sausage..

Dinner 6/30

Using a pound of ground beef, three cans of lingering kidney beans, one tomato, one can of diced tomato, and pepper, onion, garlic, and chili spices...we made a crock pot full of chili.