Shopping at the Pig

I went to Piggly Wiggly with a gift card for $22.71 Purchased 4 boxes of cereal, 2 packages of hot dogs, green grapes, 2 boxes of pop tarts, and 2 steak packages. I left with $2.+ on the card. No money out of pocket!

menu planning

I am trying to plan a menu to help with my shopping to help save money. Starting with last night, I have my menu planned for the rest of the month. Ready to hear what we are eating?

Meatball stew, stuffed burgers, savory salisbury steaks, tasty turkey tetrazzini, parmasean crusted chicken with creamy risotto, chicken fajitas, cheeseburger deep dish pizza, glazed teriyaki meatballs & noodles, moroccan chicken, Easy Tortellini toss, pork fried rice, brats, chili meatloaf and mashed potatoes(recipe already posted), mexican casserole, fettuccini alfredo, spaghetti pie, lasagna rolls, shepherds pie, tacos, and chicken pot pie. I have 1 night a week planned for leftovers or pizza if there isn't any leftovers to eat. We are also going up north one weekend.

If we like these items, I will post the recipe for all to see.

Favorite Meatball Stew

I made this for supper last night, and my family loved it! It is definitely going into the make again recipe pile!

1 c. coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 c. coarsely chopped onion
1c. sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic pressed
1 package(16 oz) frozen fully cooked meatballs
1 jar (12 oz) home-style beef gravy
1 can(8 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 c. frozen peas
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 pkg. refrigerated bread sticks

preheat oven to 375. heat oil in lg. skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, mushrooms and garlic. Cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add meatballs, gravy tomato sauce, peas and thyme. Cook until it boils. Reduce heat and cook 5 mins. Pour mixture into deep baking pan. Remove bread stick dough from package, do not separate. Cut dough evenly into 12 slices. Place slices around edge of pan, leaving center open. Bake 27-30 minutes or until stew is bubbly and bread sticks are deep golden brown.


Let me how you like this if you try it!

Chili Meatloaf and Potato Bake

This is a recipe that my family really likes.

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey
3/4 c. salsa
1 TBSP. chili powder
1 egg beaten
1 1/3 c. French's French Fried Onions
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 c. prepared hot mashed potatoes
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded taco blend cheese

preheat oven to 375 F
combine turkey, salsa, chili powder, egg, 2/3 c onions, salt and pepper until blended.
Press into a 9x9 baking pan.
Bake 25 minutes. Drain off fat.

Combine potatoes and 1 cup cheese. Spread on top of meatloaf. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and onions. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and onions are golden.

Hope that those of you who try this like it.

freebies in my mailbox 6/20-6/25

It was a good freebie week for me. On Monday, I got a bag of Chex Mix. On Thursday, I got True Lemon mixes for the water and US Weekly mag. Today, Fed Ex delivered the Glidden paint testers for my bedroom. The mailman delivered OK! Weekly, and the P&G Sampler full of Prilosec OTC, Pantene travel size shampoo and conditioner, Head and Shoulders shampoo and conditioner, and 7 coupons.

I want to thank my friend Katie for having a great Wildtree tasting. She and I each earned $47.10. Hers was product, mine was cash!!!! Please consider hosting a tasting and earning free food for yourself!

I finished going to Coupon U this week. I learned a lot and I want to thank Erica, Shelly and Theresa for putting this together.

My dad fell again today. He dislocated his finger at least. We are waiting for the x-rays to be sure it isn't broken.

I have to do a lot of rearranging of my closets and cupboards to fit all of my free stuff in them. Wish me luck!

Freebies in my mailbox

I got some free things in my mailbox this week. I find most of my freebies at www.heyitsfree.net and www.thefrugalgirls.com

This week I recieved: Arm & Hammer toothpaste, Pantene Shampoo, Lanacane anti-chafing cream, Protection One tattoos, Kraft sandwich mayo flavors, Ritz Cheddar Bacon Crackers, US Weekly Mag, OK! Mag, and Bloomburg Business Week Mag.

I have my Copps shopping list done for the week, but I am not going until Sat. when they have Double Double days! That means I can get 10 coupons doubles instead of the 5 they normally do! I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy Father's Day to my dad and all the other dad's out there! We are spending the day with my dad at Plaaman Park in Appleton.

CVS trip

I went to my local CVS yesterday, and I think I did pretty good. My first transaction was a Hydro 3 razor. It was on sale for $8.97 with $4 ECB's back. I also had a $4 MFC, so I paid $.97 for the Razor. In my second transaction, I purchased 6 renuzits, 2 large bottles of Pantene, 2 Right Guard deoderants, and 2 Purex 3 in 1 laundry detergent. I had a coupon for 3 free renuzits, the Pantenes were 50% off, plus I had a $2 CVS coupon, and a $1.50 MFC. The Right Guard was BOGO, and I had a $3 off 2 MFC. The Purex was BOGO. I paid $13.89 and saved $40.28. I think I did real well.

Let me know what you think.