$25 Grocery Challenge

(1) gallon Publix milk

(1) cucumber

(3) Green peppers

(3) tubs fresh strawberries

(2) lbs red grapes

(1) bag romaine lettuce

(1) 5lb bag red potatoes

(1) can Hormel chili

(1) dozen eggs

(8) Athenos greek yogurts

(1) Ruffles chips

(1) bag Publix sandwich cookies

(8) cans Green Giant corn

(1) can Bushs baked beans

(1) package Publix hamburger buns

(4) bag Green Giant steamfresh vegetables

(1) package OxiClean power paks

(2) Pillsbury Grands biscuits

Total before sales and coupons: $75.55

Total after sales and coupons: $33.49

What's on the menu this week?

Turkey Chili in a biscuit bowl
Caramel Apple Pork chops with mashed potatoes and peas
Chili Cheese Hot dogs
Spicy Peanut Chicken wraps
Chicken Pie Pie
Beef Enchiladas

Introducing the Stockpile Challenge for March!

What is a Stockpile??

A stockpile is a collection of household items purchased at the lowest possible price. The idea behind stockpiling is to provide for your family at a very low cost...and being able to go without shopping for a longer period of time.

How will the Stockpile Challenge work?

Ok, if you have a stockpile that is well-rounded, but a bit out of control, this challenge is for you! Starting March 1st my family will be eating all meals from the contents of our stockpile! Do you think we can make it a month??? It's called the "Stockpile Challenge" (because apparently I like to challenge myself!)

What are the benefits of eating from your stockpile for a month?

1. You save money that can be used toward other things. I plan to use the money saved during the Stockpile challenge to pay for a mothers morning out one day a week this fall.
2. You can take a break from clipping coupons and hunting deals, which leaves you some spare time for cooking delicious homemade meals.
3. Most importantly for this challenge, eating from the pantry can make sure your stock gets rotated and used before expiring.
4. Finally, if by the middle of the month you have a smaller stockpile, it will be easier for you to get organized which is another part of my challenge.

I am challenging you to plan the majority of your meals from your stockpile in March. If your stockpile is still small, plan meals around the items you have the most of, along with items that are on sale for the week. Use sites like www.allrecipes.com to do recipe searches by ingredients you have on hand...or head directly to the food manufacturer site get easy recipes (i.e. Kraft.com, Pillsbury.com, etc.)

Come back Wednesday to see my first menu from the Stockpile!

Does this mean I won't do any shopping? No! We will still need milk, bread, and fresh produce...but the majority of our meals/snacks/desserts will be creatively concocted from the stockpile! I say "majority" because we will most definitely go out a few times during the month.

Another 1/2 price deal site!!!

Ya'll I love Groupon and Livingsocial, and now there's a new one for Huntsville!
DOUBLE TAKE DEALS!
www.doubletakedeals.com

$25 Grocery Challenge

A great week to stock up on lots of items! Here's what $25 got my family this week:

(1) gallon Publix milk

(2) cans carnation evaporated milk

(4) boxes Green Giant frozen vegetables

(1) box Kashi GoLean Crisp cereal

(8) Yoplait yogurts

(4) Athenos Greek yogurts

(1) package Publix hot dog buns

(2) packages Ball Park hot dogs

(2) bags OxiClean Power packs

(1)lb green bell peppers

(2)lbs bananas

(1) fresh watermelon half

(1) dozen eggs

(1) Betty Crocker brownie mix

(9) cans Hunts tomatoes

(2) Pillsbury crescent rolls

(1) can Progresso black beans

(2) cans Progresso chick peas

(2) Totinos party pizzas

(1) small bag Ruffles chips

(1) 4 pack Publix toilet paper

(2) packages mentos

(2) jars Bertolli pasta sauce

(2) packages Buitoni fettucini noodles

Total before sales and coupons = $90.64

Total AFTER sales and coupons = $25.05

I also made a quick CVS run to score 2 jumbo packs of diapers for $4.98!!! (with $4 ECB's remaining!)

What's on the menu this week? I only need to cook ONE night!! woo hoo

Pasta with meat sauce

Happy Presidents day weekend ya'll

February Household Spending: $62.94
February Household Savings: $127.03

New Huntsville Restaurants on Restaurant.com!

There are lots of huntsville area restaurants now on Restaurant.com (and right now you can use the code "LOVE" to get gift certificates 80% off!)

Gibsons BBQ
Ding How 2
Cafe Berlin
Schnitzel Ranch
La Alameda Mexican Restaurant
Sitar Indian Cuisine
Dolce
Sun Cafe
Charritos Bar & Grill
Alberts BBQ
The End Zone
India Cafe

Yummy...it's about time!

Amazing Deals at Star Market

For those of you who live in Huntsville...have you seen the Star Market sale at the Bailey Cove store? it's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Their super sale runs Monday-Thursday of this week...here are some of the best deals:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - $.99/lb
Tilapia Filets - $2.99/lb
Bananas -$.39/lb
Fresh Asparagus - $1.49/lb
Sweet Potatoes - 3 for $1
Barefoot Merlot or Cabernet (the big bottles) - $8.99!
2% milk - $2.50/galllon

$25 Grocery Challenge - Week 5

I'm super excited about getting cheap diapers and will submit my Publix receipt for the $10.00 Kimberly-Clarke rebate...which will help offset going over $25 this week. And how much do we love super bowl season because of free Rotel????
(2) packages Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese
(2) boxes Huggies Snug & Dry diapers
(1) bag Kangaroo pita chips
(1) pint fresh blueberries
(1) tub Sabra hummus
(1) gallon milk
(1) box Publix saltine crackers
(9) cans Rotel

Total before sales and coupons = $70.34
Total after sales and coupons = $32.91 (PLUS i'll submit receipt for a $10 rebate!)

On the menu this week?
Rotel Chicken over yellow rice with black beans
Steaks, mashed potatoes and sweet peas
Sante Fe Soup with mexican cornbread
Chicken Pot Pie
Broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts and a salad


February Household Spending: $32.91
February Household Savings: $47.43