Meal Plan Monday!

Happy Memorial Day! This is one of my favorite holidays since joining the military. Those of you that are in the military or have loved one serving, can understand why I have such a respect for those we remember today. Plus, I found out that all of the members of my base that went overseas this winter came back last week, safe and sound! God's blessing indeed!

Monday: Memorial Day! Spending the afternoon at my parents' house eating up a storm and playing in the yard with the kiddo
Tuesday: Hot dogs, lamb sliders and bbq chicken with side salad(all leftover from Monday)
Wednesday: Faux crab cakes with yellow rice and sweet peas(we didn't get to have this last week)
Thursday: Chicken enchilada bake with side salad
Friday: pizza night!
Saturday: Off to a free concert in the park and a picnic dinner with the parents :o)
Sunday: Leftovers night

Dessert of the week: macerated strawberries and cut watermelon

ShopRite Deals 5/30 to 6/5

World's best cat litter- 6.99
use 3.00/1 printable coupon- 3.99
then, send in for Try-me-free rebate- 3.00 money maker!

Ronzoni smart taste- 3 for 3.00(must buy 3)
use 1.00/1 coupon from Parents, Better Homes and Gardens or Family Circle magazine
use .75/1 printable coupon(sign up required) doubled
use .75/1 printable coupon here doubled
combination of all of these will yield you 3 FREE boxes of pasta!

Smart balance sour cream- .99
use .50/1 coupon from 5/23RP doubled- FREE

NEW! Chinet casuals plates- 1.24
use 1.00/1 printable coupon (registration required)- .24

NEW! Chore boy sponges- 1.34
use .55/1 printable coupon or .55/1 coupon from 5/16SS doubled- .24

Breyers YoCrunch yogurt- .50
use .50/4 coupon from 5/23SS doubled- .25 each

Sunlight dish detergent- .79 (Sunday to Wednesday only)
use .25/1 coupon from 2/28 or 5/23SS doubled- .29

Pompeian red wine vinegar- 1.49
use .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .49

Blue bunny ice cream sandwiches, blue bunny cones or regular ice cream- 1.99
use .75/1 coupon from June All You magazine doubled- .49

Betty Crocker Suddenly salad mix- 1.00
use .50/2 coupon from 5/23SS doubled- .50 each

2000 flushes toilet bowl cleaner- 1.64
use .55/1 coupon from 4/11SS doubled- .54

Vlasic dill pickles- 1.66
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- .56

NEW! Hefty trash bags- 1.24
use 1.00/2 printable IE or FF coupon- .74 each

Wise potato chips- 1.89
use .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .89

Luigi's italian ice- 1.99
use .50/1 coupon from 5/2 or 5/16RP doubled- .99

Chex Mix- 2 for 3.00(must buy 2)
use .50/2 coupon from 4/18SS doubled- 1.00 each

Angel soft bath tissue 12pk- 2.24
use .50/1 coupon from 5/23RP or printable coupon doubled- 1.24

Quaker granola bars- 1.99
use .75/2 coupon from 4/25 or 5/2RP doubled- 1.24 each

Pompeian extra light or classic olive oil- 2.49
use 1.00/1 printable coupon- 1.49

Blue diamond Almond breeze milk- 2.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 5/23SS- 1.99
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- 1.89

Tuscan Over the Moon milk- 2.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 5/23SS- 1.99 

Keri Lotion- 3.99
use 2.00/1 coupon from 5/23SS- 1.99
_______________
Buy 2 participating swiffer products, get 10.00 off your next order
Swiffer sweeper- 8.99
use 2.00/1 coupon from 5/2PG- 6.99

Deal Idea:
Buy 2 swiffer sweepers- 17.98
use 2 2.00/1 coupons
pay 13.98 and get back 10.00 catalina! 1.99 each after coupons and catalina!
________________
4 day price break(Sunday to Wednesday this week!)
Popsicles- .99
ShopRite crinkle cut fries- .99
Split chicken breasts- .99/lb

Other deals
Watermelon- .59/lb(lowest price so far)
Jennie-O turkey franks- .99
Fresh green beans- .99/lb
Farm Flavor apple juice- 1.39
Strawberries- 1.49/lb(limit 2)

ShopRite sneak peek- week of 5/30

World's best cat litter- 6.99
use 3.00/1 printable coupon- 3.99
then, send in for Try-me-free rebate- 3.00 money maker!

Ronzoni smart taste- 3 for 3.00(must buy 3)
use 1.00/1 coupon from Parents, Better Homes and Gardens or Family Circle magazine
use .75/1 printable coupon(sign up required) doubled
use .75/1 printable coupon here doubled
combination of all of these will yield you 3 FREE boxes of pasta!

Betty Crocker Suddenly salad mix- 1.00
use .50/2 coupon from 5/23SS doubled- .50 each
use .40/1 printable coupon doubled- .20

Breyers YoCrunch yogurt- .50
use .50/4 coupon from 5/23SS doubled- .25 each

Pompeian red wine vinegar- 1.49
use .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .49

Angel soft bath tissue 12pk- 2.24
use .50/1 coupon from 5/23RP or printable coupon doubled- 1.24
______________

Buy 2 participating swiffer products, get 10.00 off your next order
Swiffer sweeper- 8.99
use 2.00/1 coupon from 5/2PG- 6.99

Deal Idea:
Buy 2 swiffer sweepers- 17.98
use 2 2.00/1 coupons
pay 13.98 and get back 10.00 catalina! 1.99 each after coupons and catalina!

Quotable Wednesday

"Integrate what you believe in every single area of your life.  Take your heart to work and ask the most and best of everybody else, too."

- Meryl Streep

Mirroring the preschool- twice the education

One thing we've been doing since Sonny started preschool was "mirror" what they do everyday. Since we could only afford to take him to school 3 days a week, on the 2 days he is home, he does similar work to what is done at the schoolhouse.  With the help of the internet, and Mommy's imagination, we've been able to keep up with what he learns at school and make him feel like he's not behind when we does get to school and they do other activities.

One reason I decided to start doing this (even though his teacher said that it would "overwhelm the children" if we did) is because it seemed like the school was focusing more on books and field trips than the essentials the kids would need for kindergarten next year. Trips are great, but for my son that has never been in school before, I wanted him acclimated to the work and to sitting at a desk to learn. Call me crazy. So, when he bought home school work, I paid attention to what the themes were for the week or month, and found our own school work to at home.

Lo and behold, around the middle of April, the director of the school and his main teacher pulls Hubby and I to the side and expresses that she thinks he needs to stay in preschool another year. Her reasoning behind this thought is because she thinks he's not acclimated to the work and to sitting at a desk to learn.  Hmmmm...sounds like an echo in here.

As soon as she said this to us, we thanked her for her opinion and went on our way. We felt a bit of a tinge of guilt, thinking maybe we should have sent him for 5 days and just went in debt for it. But after talking to many other parents, Hubby's family(who are all teachers) and talking among ourselves, we realized that this was a time when the teacher was dead-wrong. I went through the work Sonny and I had done while he was home with me during the week, and knew for a fact that he is ready. We practice sitting in your seat, trying new things and trying them again if you don't get it, and maintaining a balance of work and play. His teacher even admitted that he is one of the smartest in his class, so that definitely was not the problem.

I bring this up because frugally, we will not be able to have him go to preschool for another year, let alone go for 5 days instead of 3(of course, this is what she suggested).  We both knew this when we started him in school and budgeted accordingly.  Thanks to the internet, I have been able to "homeschool" him and keep up with his supplemental work without spending more than I would printing off online coupons.  And, we've been able to bond even more, which is priceless.

This summer, we will be doing more of the same, focusing on a few more kindergarten activities and school work to give him a sneak peek of the more challenging workload. We did ponder sending him off to summer camp, but after seeing how well he can do working and learning from play at home, I don't think we need to bust the budget on that one, especially at the age of almost 5.  There will be plenty of time for camp later in his school career. Plus, this is one of the perks of being a SAHM. Soon he won't want to spend any time with me, so I get to spend this last summer with just Sonny and me. I have a whole summer curriculum planned already, including field trips, and I've already calculated that it will save us over 63% from what we would pay if we sent him off to camp everyday this summer.

So, all and all, I'm not upset with him not being able to stay in school all week and "learn" like the other kids. Turns out, because I mirrored what they did everyday, I saved money and prepared my son for "real" school. I call that a win-win.

Meal Plan Monday!

I'm starting to wind down on the meal planning since my mind is becoming preoccupied with the baby coming a few weeks. Since I have meals all ready to go, I've been finding that I've been waiting until Monday to figure out what we'll be having for the week. I usually have it done by saturday and have items defrosting in the fridge by saturday night. Hopefully this won't be a trend that I adopt, but I'll cut myself some slack lol. Here's what I have in mind for this upcoming hot week:

Monday: Slow cooker chuck roast over potatoes with corn
Tuesday: Chicken cacciatore served over rice
Wednesday: Faux crab cakes with veggies(not sure which kind yet) and buttered noodles
Thursday: BLT sandwiches with chips and macerated strawberries
Friday: Pizza night!
Saturday: mmmm.....migas!
Sunday: Have to babysit my sister, so we're going out to eat at the Diner

Dessert of the week: no clue! Don't feel like baking, so we may just take advantage of the fresh fruit at the stores :o)

ShopRite Deals 5/23 to 5/29

This week it looks like they are focusing on Memorial Day and not too many great deals, but there were some that popped up! Here's the list:
__________
NEW! Al Fresco chicken sausage- 1.49
use 2.00/1 printable coupon- FREE(possible overage!)

Butterball turkey bacon- 1.50
use .75/1 coupon from 5/9SS doubled(DND5)- FREE

Bordens cheese singles- .99
if sensations brand is included, use 1.00/1 coupon from 5/23SS- FREE

McCormick grill mates- 5 for 4.00(must buy 4)
use 4 .50/1 coupons from 4/18RP doubled- 5 FREE

Heluva good dip- 1.29
use .75/1 coupon from 5/16SS doubled- FREE

Ball Park Angus beef franks- 1.69
use .75/1 coupon from 5/2RP doubled- .19
 
Bar-s franks- .88
use 1.00/2 coupon from 5/16RP- .38 each

Wheaties cereal- 1.99
use .75/1 coupon from 5/2SS doubled- .49

TGI Friday's dips- 1.64
use .55/1 coupon from 5/9SS doubled- .54

Ball Park Franks(excluding Angus variety)- 1.49
use .75/2 coupon from 5/2RP doubled- .75 each


Butterball turkey burgers- 2.29/pkg
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- .79

Crystal Light- 1.99
use 1.00/1 or 3.00/3 printable coupon- .99

Purina ONE cat food or dog food- 5.99
use your 5.00 purina catalina designated for this week- .99

Reddi Whip- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from June All You Magazine- .99

Luigi's italian ice- 1.99
use .50/1 coupon from 5/2 or 5/16RP doubled- .99

Suave lotion- 2.00
use 1.00/1 coupon from 5/23SS- 1.00

Sssips 10 pack juice boxes- 3 for 5.00
buy 6, use 3 1.00/2 coupons from 5/16SS- 7.00 for 6 packs or 1.16 each

Haagen Dazs ice cream pints- 1.75
use 1.00/3 coupon from May All You magazine- 1.42 each


Tostitos Chips or Salsa- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)
use .55/2 coupon (for chips AND salsa) from 4/25SS doubled- 1.45 each

Hellman's Mayo- 2.99
use .75/1 printable coupon (IE or FF)doubled- 1.49

Hormel pepperoni- 2.99
use .75/1 coupon from 5/2SS doubled- 1.49
___________
Buy any five(5) participating Hormel Foods products, save 4.00 off your next order

Chi Chi's tortillas- 1.67
Hormel compleats- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)

Buy 4 packs of Chi Chi's tortillas- 6.68
Buy 2 hormel compleats- 4.00

use 2 1.00/2 coupons for chi chi's tortillas from 5/23SS
use 2 .55/1 coupons for hormel compleats from 5/2SS doubled

Pay 6.48 and get back 4.00. That's 2.48 or .41 each after catalina!

Here's another scenario:
Hormel Chili with beans- 1.49

Buy 4 packs of Chi Chi's tortillas- 6.68
Buy 1 can of Hormel Chili with beans- 1.49

use 2 1.00/2 coupons for Chi Chi's tortillas from 5/23SS

Pay 6.17 and get back 4.00. That's 2.17 or .43 each after catalina!
____________ 
4 Day price break
B&M baked beans- .99
use 1.00/4 coupon from 5/23SS- .74 each
___________
Other Deals
Yellow corn on the cob- .17 each(limit 12)
Chicken thighs or drumsticks- .88/lb
Split Chicken breast- .99/lb (wednesday to saturday only)
Top Round london broil- 1.49/lb
80% ground beef- 1.69/lb (wednesday to saturday only)
Whole watermelon- 3.99

ShopRite: Hormel Catalina deal-- cheap tortillas!

I didn't post the sneak peek this week, mostly because I just didn't see many deals that were worth alerting you before saturday morning. But, after I looked at the upcoming coupons in Sunday's inserts, a deal just popped up in my brain!

Next week, there will be a catalina deal on Hormel Foods products:


Buy any five(5) participating Hormel Foods products, save 4.00 off your next order

Chi Chi's tortillas- 1.67
Hormel compleats- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)

Buy 4 packs of Chi Chi's tortillas- 6.68
Buy 2 hormel compleats- 4.00

use 2 1.00/2 coupons for chi chi's tortillas from 5/23SS
use 2 .55/1 coupons for hormel compleats from 5/2SS doubled

Pay 6.48 and get back 4.00. That's 2.48 or .41 each after catalina!

Here's another scenario:
Hormel Chili with beans- 1.49

Buy 4 packs of Chi Chi's tortillas- 6.68
Buy 1 can of Hormel Chili with beans- 1.49

use 2 1.00/2 coupons for Chi Chi's tortillas from 5/23SS

Pay 6.17 and get back 4.00. That's 2.17 or .43 each after catalina!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the full list of the best deals for next week!

.99 crystal light at ShopRite this week and next!

This week and next week, Crystal light will be 1.99 at ShopRite. Hurry over to Crystal Light's facebook page (under the savings tab) and print off the 1.00/1 coupon and 3.00/3 coupon that is available. After coupon, one pack will be .99! Great deal for those of us that live off Crystal light in the summer!

A lesson from "True Life"

"It scares me because his bills are now MY bills."

This was a great quote from a show I watched last night called "True Life: I'm a Newlywed."  I was so excited to actually watch this episode when I saw the commercial for it. It is a documentary show about 2 couples that had promised to not live together or give themselves to each other until they're wedding night. Just that part alone intrigued me. But as it went on, we got to see one couple sit down and discuss their finances.  It was one of their main goals to accomplish within their first month of marriage.  First off, I think that was a kick-butt goal to place on a newlywed list.

What really got me, is the instant realization of what they were getting into.  The new, bright-eyed wife was blind-sided when she found out how much her new husband owed in credit cards, and even more hardening for her, that he's repeatedly paid his bills late.  That was her quote above.  And that was something that I thought of, and think think about, as a young wife.  His bills are my bills and mine are his. No more singular debt to deal with, but "family" debt to conquer.  Boy was that a hard thing to realize right away, especially since we moved in together, got married and started our family all within a few months and had been living two states away from each other up until that point. 

Finances wasn't in any conversation until our bills collided in the mailbox.  I totally felt for these couples, but it helped hubby and I see that we've come a long way from that newlywed stage of dealing with finances.  It's a well-oiled machine now with a few hiccups, but I do wish that we would have either counseled about how to deal with it before we married, or just took it upon ourselves to stop staring into each other eyes for a moment and have a "grown up" talk. I'm sure it would have made a world of difference during that first year.

Quotable Wednesday

"If we could first know where we are...we could better judge what to do, and how to do it."

-Abraham Lincoln

Meal Plan Monday(or Tuesday....)

Yeah, I'm so late getting this up. I was just not in the mood to be on the computer yesterday. I'm about 4 weeks early with the aches and pains I'm getting, so that's making me a bit nervous and a little upset lol.  Too soon! Anyway, I decided to make things that I like this week, and things that I'm not sure when I'll be able to make once the baby gets here(my fried chicken). Should be an interesting week.


Monday: Taco night! Using ground turkey and all the fixins
Tuesday: Teriyaki steak with rice and green peas
Wednesday: Fried Chicken with baked mac and cheese and steamed broccoli
Thursday: Honey Mustard Chicken salad(I sauteed my no-bake tenders and will put on top of a large salad)
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Daddy has a show to do, so the boy and I will have breakfast for dinner
Sunday: Off to parents' house for my Aunt's birthday dinner

Dessert of the Week: Rice krispie treats!

ShopRite Deals 5/16 to 5/22

4 day price break (Wednesday to Saturday only)
Sylvania mini twist bulbs- .99
use 1.00/1 printable coupon- FREE

Totino's pizza rolls- .99
use .35/1 coupon from 4/18SS doubled- .29

Wesson cooking oil(48oz)- 1.88
use 1.00/2 coupon from April All You magazine- 1.38 each
________________________
Butterball turkey bacon- 1.50
use .75/1 coupon from 5/9SS doubled(DND5)- FREE

Lawry's Marinades- .99
use 1.00/1 printable coupon(use zip 30013)- FREE

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest- 3 for 4.00(must buy 3)
use 3 .75/1 coupons from 4/11SS doubled- 3 FREE

McCormick grill mates packets- .80
use .50/1 coupon from 4/18RP doubled- FREE

Shake N Bake- 1.79
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- .29

Heluva good dips- 1.29
use 1.00/1 coupon from 5/16SS or .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .29

Lysol deodorizing cleaner(pourable one)- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol kitchen antibacterial cleaner- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol bowl cleaner- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol all purpose spray- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol mildew remover- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol basin, tub, and tile cleaner- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Jack Daniels BBQ sauce- 1.50
use .55/1 coupon from 5/16SS doubled- .40

Sunny D drink- .99
use .25/1 coupon from 4/11, 4/18 or 5/9SS doubled- .49

Wise snacks- 1.49
use .50/1 printable FF or IE coupon doubled- .49

Sargento shredded cheese- 1.99
use .75/1 coupon from 4/18SS doubled- .49

Listerine mouthwash 16.9oz- 1.77
use .50/1 coupon from 3/7RP doubled- .77

Capri sun 10pk- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon for capri sunrise from 4/25SS- .99

Thomas' Honey wheat bagels- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from March All You magazine- .99

Band-Aids- 1.99
use .50/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .99

Apple & Eve bottled juice- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)
use 2 .50/1 coupons for fruitables from 3/21SS doubled- 1.00 each

Butterball Turkey Keilbasa- 2.50
use .75/1 coupon from 5/9SS doubled- 1.00

Hefty foam plates- 3 for 5.00(must buy 3)
buy 6 and use 3 1.00/2 coupons from 5/12RP- 1.16 each

Off insect repellent- 2.99
use .75/1 coupon from 4/18SS doubled- 1.49

Old Spice deodorant- 1.99
use 1.00/2 coupon from 5/2PG- 1.49 each(great price if you are brand loyal!)

Apple & Eve juice boxes- 2 for 5.00(must buy 2)
use 2 .50/1 coupons for fruitables from 3/21SS doubled- 1.50 each

Friendly's ice cream- 2 for 5.00
use 1.00/2 coupon from 4/25RP- 2 for 4.00 or 2.00 each

Other Deals
Chicken drumsticks or thighs- .88/lb
Broccoli Crowns- .99/lb
Strawberries- 1.49

Funny thought of the day....

You know it's funny(and sad) when you go to the tire and lube area of Walmart, they look up your information, and the saleslady says your husband ALWAYS spends more than he need when he comes there. THE SALESLADY said that. You know, the person who is supposed to sell you more than you need. Now that's bad...

ShopRite sneak peek- week of 5/16

Butterball turkey bacon- 1.50
use .75/1 coupon from 5/9SS doubled(DND5)- FREE


Totino's pizza rolls- .99(4 day price break)
use .35/1 coupon from 4/18SS doubled- .29

Sunny D drink- .99
use .25/1 coupon from 4/11, 4/18 or 5/9SS doubled- .49

Listerine mouthwash 16.9oz- 1.77
use .50/1 coupon from 3/7RP doubled- .77

Capri sun 10pk- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon for capri sunrise from 4/25SS- .99

Apple & Eve bottled juice- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)
use 2 .50/1 coupons for fruitables from 3/21SS doubled- 1.00 each

Quotable Wednesday

"Compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe."

-Albert Einstein

Super Cook!

As much as I love to cook, I absolutely despise when I have ingredients all over the fridge and freezer but don't know what to do to get them together for a real meal. Now, I don't mean my usual staple ingredients, like chopped onion, canned tomatoes, or even frozen chicken breasts; I mean those ones that seem to come into my life through some great clearance at my local store. Items like yellow peppers(we are a green/red pepper family), skate fish on deep discount, or a cut of beef that we've never had but was a total steal.

As a frugal shopper, I know I can't pass up deals on fresh meats, produce, or some new ingredient that we've never even heard of, even if I have no idea what to do with it. Why do I do this to myself? Because in this day and age, we have the INTERNET!! What a wonderful invention.  Better yet, as an avid cook, I love the internet when it comes to food.  And that brings me to Super Cook.

I was introduced to this lovely site by the awesome ladies over on the MSN message boards and I still love to use it to this day.  I've now made a point of not passing up any new and interesting item I can get from the store( or relatives that love to hunt and fish) because I know that I'll be able to find a great recipe to pair up with it. For example, this week on the meal plan we are trying bluefish for the first time.  I've heard of it once or twice, and was told is was a very "fishy" fish and it needed to be cooked a certain way.  By putting bluefish into the search engine, I was bombarded with great recipes. I'm now armed to try out this interesting fish.

The reason I bring this up is because it's sometimes difficult to be frugal and healthy when you are first starting out because you aren't used to using certain items.  The best way to start on this adventure is to use your resources to the best of your ability.  Ask frugalites that have been at it for a while, find a message board or chat room that's geared toward frugality, or use those search engines to find sites that can specifically answer your questions, culinary or not. So, if your are trying to cook new and different meals for your homestead but aren't sure where to start, start here.

Meal Plan Monday!

Keeping it short and sweet this week since I have military duty this weekend. It's my last duty weekend before the baby comes! Whoo Hoo!

Monday: Slow cooker chili with corn pudding
Tuesday: Mom and Dad have a business meeting, so Sonny's eating at Grandma's!
Wednesday: Baked bluefish served over rice with side salad
Thursday: grilled lamb chops with pomme frite and carrots
Friday: Pizza night!
Saturday and Sunday: boys are on their own while Mama's off to work

Dessert of the week: Hodge podge bread pudding with a lemon glaze

ShopRite Deals 5/9 to 5/15

4 day price break(Wednesday to Saturday)

Deal Idea:
Kingsford charcoal twin pack- 9.99
butterball ground turkey(1lb)- 1.99(price for whole week)
use 2.00/2 coupon from 3/14SS(2.00 off meat, when you buy kingsford)- FREE ground turkey
 ___________________________
International Delight coffee creamers- .99
use 1.00/1 printable coupon(become a fan on facebook)- FREE

Carolina rice mixes- .67
use .75/2 coupon from 4/25RP doubled- 2 FREE

Schick Hydro razor- 4.99
use 5.00/1 coupon from 5/9SS- FREE

Speed stick and lady speed stick deodorant- .99
use .50/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled(make sure it's not DND9)- FREE

Orville Redenbacher's cheese flavored popcorn- 1.59
use .75/1 coupon from 3/28SS doubled- .09

McCormick black pepper- 1.19
use 1.00/1 coupon from 4/25RP- .19

Duncan Hines cake mix- .88
use .55/2 coupon from 3/28SS doubled- .33 each

Kellogg's pop tarts- 3 for 5.00 (must buy 3)
use 1.25/3 coupon from 3/28RP- 1.25 each

Lysol deodorizing cleaner(pourable one)- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol kitchen antibacterial cleaner- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol bowl cleaner- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol all purpose spray- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol mildew remover- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Lysol basin, tub, and tile cleaner- 1.88
use .75/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- .38

Butterball ground turkey- 1.99/lb
use .75/1 printable coupon here(use zip 30013) or here doubled- .49/lb

Oscar Mayer deli lunch meats- 2 for 5.00
use 2 2.00/1 printable coupons(were available on facebook; hope you printed them!)- 2 for 1.00
plus, buy 2, and get a free package of kraft cheese!

Excedrin 20ct- 1.74
use 1.00/1 coupon from 4/25SS- .74

Air wick freshmatic(any variety)- 4.99
use 4.00/1 coupon for i-motion from 4/25SS- .99

Pedialyte- 4.99
use BOGO coupon from 3/7SS and get back 1.50 catalina for buying 2- 1.74 after coupon and catalina

Mrs. T's pierogies- 3.00
use 1.00/1 coupon from 3/14 or 5/2RP- 2.00

Purina friskies dry cat food- 2 for 7.99 (must buy 2)
use 2 1.00/1 coupons from 5/2SS or printable here)- 2 for 5.99 or 2.99 each
(this would be a good time to use your purina catalina designated for this week!)

Angel soft bath tissue 24pk- 5.49
use .50/1 coupon from 2/14RP doubled- 4.49
_______________________
Other Deals
ShopRite dozen eggs- .99
Red seedless grapes- .99/lb
Russet potatoes 5lb bag- .99
Iceberg lettuce- .99 each

ShopRite sneak peek- week of 5/9

International Delight coffee creamers- .99
use 1.00/1 printable coupon(become a fan on facebook)- FREE

Carolina rice mixes- .67
use .75/2 coupon from 4/25RP doubled- 2 FREE

Schick Hydro razor- 4.99
use 5.00/1 coupon from 5/9SS- FREE

Speed stick and lady speed stick deodorant- .99
use .50/1 coupon from 4/25SS doubled(make sure it's not DND9)- FREE

Duncan Hines cake mix- .88
use .55/2 coupon from 3/28SS doubled- .33 each

Excedrin 20ct- 1.74
use 1.00/1 coupon from 4/25SS- .74

In the home stretch( a preggo update)

Since I've gotten about 20 e-mails asking for me to at least give a few updates on how the pregnancy is going, I figured I better oblige before you all start a mutiny.

As of Monday, I am now officially in my 3rd trimester! Wahoo! It seemed to go by so quickly.  But, once I get kicked like crazy, I realized it hasn't gone by as quickly as I think. I feel like I've been abused from the inside of my belly for months now. Technically, its only be 8 weeks, but whatever.

We are getting anxious about everything now since we realized that not only will she be here in 2 months, but her brother's graduation and birthday are coming up and need to be celebrated accordingly.  I started to plan a get-together at the local county park for June to celebrate both at the same time and I think that will suffice. We'll have to do it earlier than Sonny's actual July birthday, in case the little Duchess decides to come early. She's effecting our lives already.

I'm starting to experience some things I didn't experience until the 8th month NOW. We had to run out and get me my exercise ball this past weekend because of the tummy and back pains i'm getting. I didnt get them until about a month before Sonny Boy was born, but they are coming full force now. I doubt that means she'll come early, just that I'll have to endure this for a longer period of time lol. Oh, I use the exercise ball to sit on when I start to have back issues, or to lay on while my knees are on the floor.  I also used it the night I went into labor to help me get to 4 centimeters before we went to the hospital. Hopefully it can do the trick this time around as well.

Something scary to report? I heard that my 14 year old sister is planning a shower for the baby. I pray that it doesn't involve a Jonas Brother or Twilight trivia game. Lord, help us.

Well, that should appease you all for a month or so. If not. sorry. It'll just have to do until I remember to do this again. Preggo brain is a horrible disease....

Quotable Wednesday- Cinco de Mayo version

"Better to die standing, than to live on your knees."

-Emiliano Zapata

Attaining one frugal attribute(a challenge)

One of my favorite things to do on 4 Hats is to share how our family tries to stay frugal, whether it works or not.  I think frugality is all about trying new things while cutting your spending or even your carbon footprint. But, I've noticed in these past years, that no matter what we share, there is always at least one or two people who love to say "wow, that's great, but I could never do that." Boy, oh boy, does this get me riled up.

Now, it doesn't make me upset that they don't want to try what we try. That would be silly and self-centered. I can't ever think I'm some frugal savior and can convert you to follow my lead.  It upsets me because I see my wonderful readers selling themselves short; failing before they even start.  I maybe the the eternal cheerleader, but I always see a point of encouraging anyone, even strangers, to try something new and put the idea of succeeding in their mind. I like to think this is why I have the friends I have and why I love my readers here. What can I say? I'm a geek.

When it comes to frugality, selling yourself short is the biggest enemy. You would think lack of money, lack of time, or nay-saying family members but that's just not true. It's you. Like they say, you are your own worst enemy. Just think of it this way, the person that racked up those bills or created that uncontrollable budget stares at you in the mirror everyday.  So, don't let that person knock your dreams of starting a frugal lifestyle!

Here is my challenge to all of my readers, old and new: attain at least one frugal attribute this month. Give yourself one little month to try something new and see how it feels before you decide to "fail" it already. Whether it's using a rubber chicken one week this month, clipping more coupons for sales, shopping at consignment or thrift stores, or cutting down on the electricity in the house to lower that utility bill, give yourself a chance to succeed. But remember to only choose ONE. Rome wasn't built in a day and your frugal lifestyle won't be either.

I'd love to know what you all choose to try this month! Leave me a comment and tell me what you are going to try.

Meal Plan Monday!

Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day all in the same week? How awesome is that?! Well, since during this pregnancy I've been craving Mexican food almost every day, I am pretty ecstatic.  I see tacos in my future for sunday, but I'll let Hubby "surprise" me with dinner that day.

Monday: Fettucine alfredo with spinach
Tuesday: Chicken Adobo with rice and green beans
Wednesday: Steak tacos and all the fixings, with spanish beans and rice
Thursday:  Veggie Lo Mein
Friday: Homemade pizza!
Saturday: Leftovers night
Sunday: Mom's Day! I'm off the clock!

Dessert of the week: I was tempted to make Strawberry surprise cake again, but we'll have sopapilla cheesecake in honor of Cinco de Mayo!

ShopRite Deals 5/2 to 5/8

Nesquik milk- 1.00
use .50/1 coupon from 5/2SS doubled- FREE

Mission tortillas- 1.49
use .75/1 printable coupon (select Kroger and look for coupon) doubled- FREE

Orville Redenbacher's cheese flavored popcorn- 1.59
use .75/1 coupon from 3/28SS doubled- .09

Sure deodorant- 1.79
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- .29


Purina Alpo canned dog food- 6 for 3.99
use 3 BOGO printable coupons(may need more than one computer)- .33 each

Wise snacks- 1.49
use .50/1 printable coupon(IE or FF) for cheez doodles doubled- .49
(this link also prints a .50/1 coupon for dipsy doodles!)

Barilla Pasta- .99
use 1.00/2 piccolini or whole grain pasta coupon from 3/7SS(expires 5/2!)- .49

French's mustard- 1.50
use .50/1 printable coupon(sign up for coupon) doubled- .50

Friendship sour cream- 1.29
use 1.00/2 coupon from 3/28SS- .79 each

Bush's Grillin' beans- 1.33
use 1.00/2 coupon from 4/18SS- .83 each

Blue Diamond almonds- 1.99
use .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .99

Dole fruit jars- 2.50
use .75/1 coupon from May All You magazine doubled- 1.00

Orville Redenbacher's popcorn- 1.59
use 1.00/2 coupon from 3/28SS- 1.09 each

Dole fruit bowls- 2 for 4.00
use .75/2 coupon from 4/25SS doubled- 2 for 2.50 or 1.25 each

Lay's Kettle cooked chips- 2 for 5.00
use BOGO coupon from their facebook page(become a fan)- 1.25 each

Tropicana orange juice- 1.99
use 1.00/2 coupon from 4/18 or 4/25RP- 1.49 each

Wesson Oil- 2.49(with minimum 10.00 purchase)
use .25/1 coupon from 3/28SS doubled- 1.99

Kellogg's special K cereal- 2 for 5.00(must buy 2)
use 1.00/2 coupon from 5/2RP- 2.00 each

Friendly's Ice cream- 2 for 5.00
use 1.00/2 coupon from 4/25RP- 2.00 each

4 Day price break(Wednesday to Saturday only):
Tony's crispy crust pizza- .88
use 1.00/2 coupon from 4/25SS- .38 each

Other Deals:
Perdue chicken leg quarters- .49/lb(rock bottom price!)
Perdue chicken drumsticks or thighs- .99/lb
Farm Flavor apple juice- 1.39

London broil twin pack- 1.69/lb
Fresh strawberries- 1.99
ShopRite Lactose free milk (64oz)- 2.99
Lactaid lactose free milk(64oz)- 2.99