Day 9- Grocery Budgets, Meal Planning, & Coupons

I dread going to the grocery store each week.  I hate spending so much money.  Back in Virginia we ate out a lot.  Too much.  Since being in Rhode Island and on one income we have really scaled back the eating out.  When we do go out it is usually not something expensive.  However I have been spending a ton at the grocery store.  I have been meal planning and making detailed grocery lists, but I am still spending a ton.  Last week I had 3 coupon fliers and went through them all and cut out one coupon.  There was only one we could use for something we like, will eat, and that was on the meal plan.  I try to grocery shop once a week.  Last week I spent $150 at the grocery store, $16 at BJs, and $12 at the local market. We are a family of 3.   INSANE!!!

I wish we had an extra refrigerator so I could stock up with meat is on sale, but our current freezer is small and I cannot fit too much in it.  I also probably need to be better at shopping sales.

I make breakfast for Chris and Maddie every morning, so that is 7 breakfasts.

They both pack their lunches for work/school so that is 10 lunches.

I eat a lunch at home every day, so that is 5 for me.

Plus snacks to go with lunches and dinners each night.

This is what we did this past week-

Monday- Steak and cheese subs

Tuesday- Greek Style Grilled Chicken Wraps

Wednesday- We went to a new local Mexican place.

Thursday - Spaghetti

Friday- Crock pot Chicken Tacos

Saturday - Madison and I went out of town so we ate out and so did Chris

Sunday - We ordered pizza... thinking they were buy one get one half off, but they weren't.  The good news is Maddie loves taking leftover pizza for lunches during the week.

Here is my plan for next week -

Monday - Grilled Steak & Veggie skewers, baked potatoes, and corn (which I have)

Tuesday- Chicken Enchiladas (using leftover chicken from last week) and Mexican rice

Wednesday- Beef Tacos
Thursday- Chicken Italian sausages, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese before a school event

Friday- Subway $5 foot long subs

I would love to be at about $100 or less total each week on groceries!  I stopped at Trader Joes today when we were in Massachusetts and spent $30, so that gives me $70 for the rest of the week.

I am stunned when I saw this lady's grocery budget.  But I am impressed.

I would love to know the size of your family and the amount you spend each week at the grocery store if you don't mind sharing. 

Day 8 - Paint Chip Art - Canvas Monogram

I made this the other week for Madison's bedroom.  You could even make several letters on one canvas or make several canvases to spell out a word or a full name.

It was super easy to make and I love the way I turned out.

Supplies -

-any size canvas

-paint color of your choice

-paint chips in any color(s) of your choice

-mod podge

-saran wrap

Directions -

-Paint your canvas.  I used spray paint, but any craft paint would work.

-Choose your paint chips and cut them into various sized squares and rectangles.

-Draw the outline of the monogram on your canvas.

-Spread mod podge over the monogram and add the paint chip pieces until the monogram is completely covered.  Some of them should overlap.

-Cover the entire canvas with another layer of mod podge. Then cover it with saran wrap and smooth it over the canvas, this helps you make sure the paint chips are laying flat without getting the mod podge on your hands.  When everything is smooth, remove the saran wrap so the canvas will begin to dry.

-Let dry and then hang.


I swear I had scheduled this to post yesterday, but I guess I didn't.  So Day 8 and Day 9 will post today.

Day 7 - Insta Friday

I am linking up for Insta Friday over at Life Rearranged.

These are the doors I am painting for my latest project.



Here are the knobs I am working on for my latest project.  I cannot wait to share the finished item.



Wednesday night I baked some sugar cookies.  I put some m-n-m's on a few and the others I frosted with homemade butter cream and put Halloween sprinkles on them.

On Thursday I worked on two baking orders - a pan of iced brownies and a pan of 6 layer bars.

Last night Madison brought over dinner to our elderly neighbor.  We usually bring her dinner once or twice a week.  I usually make extras and it makes me feel good to help a neighbor.  I sent over a small salad, garlic bread, pasta with meat sauce, and two 6 layer bars.

Happy Weekend!

Day 6 - Recipe - Greek Style Grilled Chicken Wraps

I love Greek food.  I wanted to do Greek style food at home so this evening I served these -

I filled them with hummus, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce. 

The grocery store didn't have pocket less pitas (which I prefer) so I picked up these whole wheat wraps.

Last night I marinated two boneless skinless chicken breasts in Greek salad dressing overnight.  Then my husband grilled them this evening and I sliced them up.  I also chopped up a cucumber and some romaine lettuce.

Then once everything was ready I began to assemble the wraps.

My husband doesn't like feta or hummus, so I left those off of this wrap.  The great thing about these is you can set up a station for assembly.  You could also stuff them with olives, tomatoes, onions, or banana peppers - basically anything you have available that you like.

I always assemble my wraps on foil.  It helps make it easier to "wrap" them.  Then I just slice them in half and it helps to keep the fillings from falling out.

Day 5- What I'm Loving Wednesday

I am linking up for What I'm Loving Wednesday today over at This Kind of Love. 

Here are some things I am loving this week -

I am loving working on my baking business. My aunt asked me this week to do cookies to but in guest bags for the out of town guests at my cousin's December wedding in Boston.  I am busy coming up with ideas for packing.  I am super happy for this opportunity.  Madison also has a bake sale at her school next week and I have the best idea up my sleeve for what I am going to make.

I am loving chevron. I have a new found obsession with anything chevron.  I cannot wait to use some of it in my house.

Source: adaanddarcy.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I am loving that tonight and tomorrow's dinners are both crockpot ones.  It makes dinner time so much easier.

I am loving a weekend trip to Massachusetts that is in the works.  Madison and I will get to see a bunch of family.

I am loving blogging.  Not only do I love writing my own blog, but I love reading all of the great blogs I follow.  Sometimes I laugh.  Sometimes I cry.  I get great recipes.  I learn how to do all sorts of crafts and projects. 



Living Social - US Weekly Magazine at 55% off!!

One of my favorite magazines to read is US Weekly.  I was thrilled this morning when the Living Social deal (it's just like Groupon) was for a year's subscription  {Click to purchase}to US Weekly at 55% off for just $30.00 for 52 issues.  Who doesn't love magazines? Who doesn't love a bargain? They send you a voucher so it would also be a great gift for a friend or family member. 

Source

I have heard about some other great deals like Shutterfly holiday cards, free photo canvases, and my Erin Condren planner through blog reading, so I thought I would pass this deal along. 

Day 4 - A Scentsy Giveaway

I am hoping you think Scentsy is great and that you will want to win this giveaway.... because I am giving away a -

We love Scentsy in our house and it has become a pretty popular thing lately.  If you haven't heard of it I suggest you check out all it has to offer.

One lucky reader of this blog will win a $15 Scentsy gift certificate to be applied to any Scentsy items (not shipping) available on my website during the month of October.  You will have to contact me via email to place your order and it will shipped right to your home.  You will have until midnight October 30, 2011 to contact me with your order.

If you have any questions about Scentsy or would like to become a consultant, send me an email.

If you would like to purchase any Scentsy items, you can do so from my website.

*To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me what you think you may purchase with your gift certificate.  If you are not a follower, it would be great if you became one, if this blog interests you, if not... then that's fine too.  Just make sure your email is tied to your comments so I can contact you if you are the winner.

This giveaway will close on Monday October 10, 2011 at midnight/est.  A random winner will be chosen and revealed on the blog on Tuesday October 11, 2011.

This giveaway is provided by me, Melissa, Independent Scentsy Consultant.

Day 3 - Miscellany Monday

I am linking up with Carissa at lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday.

1. Fun New Photos

Here are some fun photos I took this past weekend when Madison and I stopped at a farmer's market for some pumpkins.

Here is a photo of Madison reading in bed on Saturday night.   I love that she is 11 and acts 11.  I love that she is not boy crazy.



2. Facebook Weirdos

I would say just about every day I am stunned at some of the stuff people post on Facebook.  Stunned.  Imagine my surprise when this morning as I was checking Facebook I saw this status update from a girl I went to high school with.  Who says this kind of stuff? Who posts this kind of stuff on Facebook? Who says they had awesome *1@? Eww.... TMI... Names have been blocked out to protect the trashy. 

3. Early Morning Grocery Shopping

I took Madison to Dunking Donuts this morning and then dropped her off at school.  Then I headed to the grocery store at 8 AM.  Nobody is there at 8 AM, everything is stocked, and there is no line at the deli counter.  I like to grocery shop at 8 AM on a weekday morning.  I spent too much money... like usual.... but we have groceries for the week and snacks for lunchboxes and I have a meal plan which consists of steak and cheese subs - made with real steak...not that Steakum mess...and mine are better than any one you will get at a sub shop, chicken souvlaki, rigatoni with meat sauce, and chicken tacos for the next 4 days.

4. Credit Card Fraud Stinks

I went to the post office this morning to mail two boxes - one to my niece and nephew (filled with all sorts of Halloween goodies - books, stickers, candy, etc...) in Las Vegas... which by the way shipping a measly 2 lb box to Vegas is $$$ and another box to Kara @ Happy Go Lucky and my debit card was denied.  So of course my mind starts racing... and I know that there is money in the account (this is my side account... the one I use for etsy and random purchases of diet cokes at McDonalds or Starbucks so that my husband doesn't think I'm wasting money).  So I use our other debit card and head home.  I check online and there are two purchases I did not make.  One to a hotel and one to Wal-Mart.  Both in Texas... which I have never been too, nor do I know anyone there.  So I call and they take care of it all for me, but until my new card comes there is a hold on my account... which means no secret etsy purchases, diet cokes, or Starbucks for 5-7 days.

5. Job Interview Jitters

I have had two real adult  jobs.   Both of them were teaching jobs, one in 2002 and one in 2003.  My interviews were easy and painless and I got both jobs.  I have an interview tomorrow at 11 AM.  YIKES! I was pretty sure it was going to be a phone interview... great... easier... no big deal.  Nope... its via Skype.  YIKES! That means I need to be showered and dressed in something work appropriate (at least from the waist up) and ready to go at 11 AM tomorrow.  Wish me luck... I need and want this job.

Day 2 - Chocolate Chip Banana Bread RECIPE

Early this afternoon I made this super easy chocolate chip banana bread recipe. I got the recipe from Elizabeth's Love & Marriage blog.

It was really easy to throw together and tasted great..  I will definitely be making it again.

Here is the recipe -

Ingredients -

3 mashed bananas

2 beaten eggs

1 cup of sugar

2 cups of self rising flour {I only had all purpose, so I used that PLUS 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 tsp. baking powder}

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

*See note below*

Directions -

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Mash the bananas in your mixer.

Add the eggs, sugar, then oil.

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Then add the chocolate chips.

Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

*Once I had mine in the oven I went back to the website I got this recipe on and saw she listed milk in the directions, but not in the ingredients.  I messaged her and she said it did call for 1/4 of milk.  Mine tasted fine without it, but I guess it's optional if you want to add it in.

Day 1 - 31 Days of Blogging... Can I Do It?

I guess the October thing is for bloggers to blog all 31 days of October on the same topic.  Well... I just don't think I can do such a thing... as I like to switch it up.  However, I am going to challenge myself to blog all 31 days of October... or 29.... I hope I can do it.

I never get sick.  Although I have had a cold since Thursday.  On Friday I was happy that Madison's English teacher told me she didn't need me to come in to volunteer.  I literally spent the entire day on the couch.

I woke up feeling a bit better today.  I finally chose the colors I am going to use to paint this Craigslist find I bought for $100.

We also decided to paint an accent wall in our living room and got the paint for that.  I will share the color swatches and of course the finished work in the next few days.

This afternoon Madison and I escaped to run a few errands.  We first went to Barnes & Noble so we could get Starbucks and she could get a book.  Then we walked over to Michaels to pick up a few things and to use a 40% off coupon that was burning a hole in my pocket.  We had a nice afternoon together.

Tonight I made this PF Chang's knock off Mongolian Beef for my husband.  It was good... but it certainly didn't taste just like PF Chang's.

 Tomorrow morning I am making this chocolate chip banana bread. I am hoping to get up early and have it ready for when Chris and Maddie wake up.  Then I need to grocery shop... which I dread every single week.  I am hoping to try a few new Pinterest recipes and of course some things in the crock pot.

I have a Skype interview on Tuesday for a work at home job I submitted my resume for back in late July.  I finally heard from them on  Friday.  My fingers and toes are crossed that I get this job, that I like this job, and that it turns out to be a long term thing.  Because... we want a baby and I want to stay home.  This job would allow me to do that.