Monday, September 17, 2012

Menu Plan Monday 9/17-9/23


Breakfasts: Cereal, Grits, Oatmeal, Mini Whole Wheat Bagels with Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Lunches: Ham or Turkey Sandwiches, Soup, Lunchables, Leftovers

Dinners
Monday: Pork Chops with Apples and Creamy Bacon and Cheese Grits and Green Beans
Tuesday: Spaghetti Squash with Sausage and Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce
Wednesday: Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Chicken and Dumpling Casserole with Sweet Baby Carrots and Corn on the Cob
Sunday: Leftovers

Sunday, September 16, 2012

September 16 Shopping Trip!


Aldi
(1) Thin Wheat Crackers $1.29
(1) Cucumber $.29
(1) 8 oz. Pumpkin Cream Cheese $1.49
(1) Iceberg Lettuce $.69
(2) 8 oz. Bella Mushrooms $.79 each
3 lbs. Golden Delicious Apples $3.29
3 lbs. Fuji Apples $3.29
(2) Oscar Mayer Ham & Turkey Sub Kits 28 oz. $6.99 each
(2) Corn Chips $.99 each
(1) Light Sour Cream 16 oz. $1.29
(1) 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese 8 oz. $1.19
(1) Heavy Whipping Cream 16 oz. $1.89
Total: $32.90
Savings: $24.19 compared to Harris Teeter prices... a 43% savings!

Harris Teeter
(4) Nissin Cup of Noodles $.33 each
          (1) $1/4 coupon doubled = 4 Free!
(1) Jennie-O Smoked Turkey Sausage $3.15
          (1) $1/1 coupon doubled = $1.15
(1) Alexia Rosemary Fries $3
          (1) $1/1 coupon doubled = $1
(1) Pepperidge Farm Jingos $2.99
          (1) $1/1 coupon doubled = $.99
(2) Nature Valley Granola Bars $3.29 each
          (1) $1/2 coupon doubled
          (1) HT e-coupon $.50/2 =  $4.08, or $2.04 each
          SavingStar credit of $.50
(2) Cheerios $2.27 each
          minus e-vic special = $1.77 each
          (1) $1.10/2 coupon doubled
          (1) HT e-coupon $.50/1 = .$45 each
          SavingStar credit of $.50
(2) Kashi Layered Granola Bars $2.99 each
          (2) $1.50/1 coupons doubled = 2 Free!
(2) Ziploc Sandwich Bags 50 count $2.89 each
          (1) $1/2 coupon doubled =  $3.78, or $1.89 each
          SavingStar credit of $1
(1) Dawn Detergent $.99
          (1) $.50/1 coupon doubled
          (1) HT e-coupon $.50/1 = Free, plus a $.50 moneymaker!
(2) Hot Shot Wasp Killer $4.99 each
          (2) $1/1 coupons doubled = $2.99 each
(2) Anna's Chocolate Thin Mint Cookies $1.99 each
          (1) $1/2 coupon doubled = $1.98, or $.99 each
(2) Airwick Spray $.69 each
          (1) $.50/2 coupon doubled = $.38, or $.19 each
(4) Wacky Mac $1 each
          (2) $1/2 coupons doubled = 4 Free!
(5) Old Orchard Healthy Balance Apple Juice $2.85 each
          minus B2G3 sale
          (1) $1/2 coupon doubled = $3.70, or $.74 each
(1) Del Monte Mango 20 oz. $1.99
(1) Butternut Squash $.99 lb. = $3.89
(1) Spaghetti Squash $.99 lb. = $2.47
(2) McCain Purely Potatoes $2 each
          minus e-vic special = $1.57 each
(1) California Pizza Kitchen small pizza $3.33
          (1) $1/1 coupon doubled = $1.33
(2) Palermo's pizzas $7.25 each
          minus e-vic special = $2.47 each
          (1) $1/2 coupon doubled =  $2.94, or $1.47 each
(2) Dean's French Onion Dips $1.39 each
          (1) $1/2 coupon doubled = $.78, or $.39 each
          SavingStar credit of $.55
(5) Yoplait Greek Yogurts $1 each
          (1) $1/3 coupon doubled
          (1) $.50/2 coupon doubled
          (1) HT e-coupon $.50/2 = $1.50, or $.30 each
(2) HT Large Eggs $.97 each
(2) HT Skim Milk half gallon $1.57 each
Total: $47.64
Savings: $97.80, and I will get $2.55 on SavingStar... a 68% savings!

Walmart
(2) Tyson Ground Chicken 16 oz. $2 each
          (2) $1/1 coupons = $1 each
(1) Whitewheat bread $1.98
(1) Thomas Mini Bagels $2.98
Total: $7.14
Savings: $7.26 compared to Harris Teeter prices... a 50% savings!

Food Lion
(8) Progresso Soups $1 each
          (2) $1/4 coupons = $6, or $.75 each
(2) Perdue Ground Chicken 16 oz. $2.50 each
          (2) $1/1 coupons = $1.50 each
2.85 lbs. Sweet Potatoes $1.96
(1) My Essentials Crinkle Fries $1.96
          (1) Food Lion printable $.60/1 = $1.36
          SavingStar credit of $.50
(9) Dannon Oikos Yogurt $1 each
          (3) $.75/3 coupons = $6.75, or $.75 each
Total: $19.58
Savings: $22.05, and I will get $.50 on SavingStar... a 54% savings!

Just Save
(4) 8 oz. Shredded Cheese $1.28 each
Total: $5.22
Savings: $5.08, a 50% savings!

GRAND TOTAL SPENT: $112.48
TOTAL SAVINGS: $156.38 plus SavingStar earnings of $3.05... an overall savings of 59%

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

An Open Refrigerator

When we went to the beach nearly a month ago, Matthew's grandma watched Cinnamon for the weekend. She spent the night here and would go home during the day. When we got home that Sunday night, the refrigerator was wide open. All of our food was sweating. We're not sure what time she had last been here, but we think it was about 3 as we told her we'd be home by 6. However, we didn't get home until 9. So for 6 hours, our refrigerator was wide open! We threw out a whole gallon of milk, butter, lunchmeats, bags of shredded cheese, and plenty of jarred items like dressing, mayo, pickles, etc. It still makes me sick to think about how much money went into the trash.

Today, I did not have school because the teacher divided us up to do our ventilator competencies. I'm not usually here on Wednesdays until late afternoon. I woke up around 9, checked the news and my email, looked at pinterest, read some blogs, went through all the grocery store ads. I watched the Price is Right, some Rachel Ray, Kelly Ripa, etc. and around 12 I decided I was hungry for lunch. That's when I realized the refrigerator door was open. The milk was sweating, the butter was really soft. But did I throw anything away? No, because I refuse to throw even more money away. If we get sick, well so be it haha!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Menu Plan Monday 9/10-9/16



Breakfasts: Cereal, Whole Wheat Bagels, Eggs, Grits, Oatmeal


Lunches: Soup, Turkey and Ham Sandwiches, Lunchables, Leftovers


Dinners
Monday: Country Club Chicken with Green Beans
Tuesday: Skinny Taco Dip (adding refried beans and ground turkey) with Tostitos
Wednesday: Barbecued Pork Chops with Sweet Potato Fries and Corn on the Cob
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Matthew's Birthday!
Saturday: Out for Chinese for Matthew's Birthday! (of course, this is his request)
Sunday: Leftovers

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

What To Do, What To Do

When you really enjoy your job, albeit extremely part-time, but your school schedule doesn't quite work with the business schedule, what do you do?

For this semester, my schedule allows me less than 14 hours that I can work. I like my job, enjoy my coworkers, and am not one for change. Do I just continue working those few hours and not have a dime until I graduate and get a job in May (if I can find a job in my field)? Or do I seek out other work opportunities?

I'm conflicted and confused on this issue. I don't like being so poor that I'm worried daily about bills coming out of my checking account. I don't like the fact that even when I get paid at the end of the month, it won't even really cover what I need it to cover. Jobs are already hard to come by, but add my crazy school schedule on top and see how much more complicated it becomes. My job has been great to work with me for the past year, and I appreciate it more than anything! But I just need more money.

When is someone going to add more hours to the day? haha That would fix everything!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Menu Plan Monday 9/3-9/9


Breakfasts: Whole Wheat Mini Bagels with Laughing Cow Cinnamon Cream Cheese, Grits or Oatmeal, Eggs, Cereal with Skim Milk

Lunches: Ham or Turkey Sandwiches on Whitewheat bread, Progresso Soups, Lunchables, and Leftovers from Dinner

Dinner
Monday: Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Asian Mixed Vegetables and Brown Rice
Tuesday: Taco Casserole with Avocado and Black Beans
Wednesday: Roasted Lemon Garlic Herb Shrimp with Spaghetti and Green Beans
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Savory Bread and Butter Pudding with Baked Sweet Potatoes and Green Peas
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Leftovers

Sunday, September 2, 2012

September 2 Shopping Trip!



Food Lion
(1) Food Lion Taco Sauce 16 oz. $1.79
(2) Green Peppers $.50 each
2.5 lbs. Bananas $1.48
1 lb. Strawberries $1.88
(2) Lemons $.50 each
(2) My Essentials Shredded Cheddar 8 oz. $1.66 each
(2) Dannon Oikos Yogurt $1 each
(1) My Essentials Paper Towels 3 pack $1.63
          Free when you spend $10 coupon
Total: $12.73
Savings: $4.01

Harris Teeter
(1) Garlic $.50
(2) HT Ice Cream Sandwich 12 pack $3.55 each
          e-vic special = $.97 each
(2) HT Mild Cheddar Block 8 oz. $2.99 each
          e-vic special = $1.57 each
(4) Coke 12 packs $6.39 each
          e-vic special = $1.99 each
Total: $14.19
Savings: $25.60

Getting Healthy.. Again

I know that I have told y'all several times that we were starting a diet and trying to get healthy, but we really mean it this time! Over the summer, I attended a First Place 4 Health session with a friend. Although I didn't attend all of the sessions because of my clinical schedule, I did lost 7 pounds. And the best part, I have not gained any of it back. That's not a lot of weight and nowhere near my goal, but I'm excited that I have kept it off!

The fall session of First Place 4  Health starts this Thursday. We had an information meeting about a week ago, so I decided to go ahead and get started with my healthy eating. I'm one of those people that can't start a healthy eating and exercise plan at the same time. I need a week of the eating and getting used to that before I can add in the exercise. I have to organize my time perfectly haha!

Matthew and I both began last Monday, in case you couldn't tell by our meal plan. We've been taking our breakfast and lunch to work with us and cooking dinner at home every night. It hasn't been so hard this week because my school schedule right now allows me to get home by 3 or 4 each day except Friday. But when clinicals start in a couple weeks, it's not going to be so easy. I kind of fell into that rut over the summer. There just isn't enough time in the day to do everything, but I know that I really need to make time for myself and taking care of myself.

For the Bible study we are reading "Made to Crave" and it seems like it's going to be a great read. I can't wait to get started! We'll be sharing our weekly meal ideas like usual in case you are also looking for some healthy recipes!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

September.. 2/3 of the Year is Gone!

The first week of the fall semester is already done. That went by fast! Only 15 more to go. Thank goodness!

I got my final grades for summer and ended up with an A, B, and C. I'll take it. And for my Liberty philosophy class, a B. The class went better than I expected, but I was overwhelmed the majority of the course because I'm a simple person and that class is far from simple. I'm not a deep person. Philosophy is very deep. My final paper was worth 20% and I got an 85 despite the fact that I didn't use Turabian formatting (what is that anyway?) or any outside sources. They also submit it to check for plagiarism and I had a 0% match because every bit came straight from my head! The teacher left some very nice comments about it otherwise:
          "I can tell that you worked hard and put a lot of thought into it which is the purpose of the assignment.
           I can see you truly grappling with the question of how to respond to intelligent arguments put forth by
           atheists. You have a well written paper which is also well thought out. It does a good job of engaging
           McCloskey’s argument. You deal with his points in a thoughtful fashion that is respectful and
           responsible."

The best thing about September is Labor Day and the extra weekend day I get!