I just MADE $40 at Walgreens!

Well, that was the EASIEST $40 I have ever made....and I got $160 worth of stuff while doing it!

This week Walgreens has 2 GREAT sales. One is on a weight loss supplement and the other is on prenatal vitamins. (No I'm not pregnant, but I take prenatals because they don't make me sick like regular vitamins do).

The Simply Slim and Brainstrong Prenatal vitamins are both on sale for $10 with $10 RR!! So they are already FREE. But...the Simply Slim has a $10 Peelie Q on top of them, making them a $10 MONEYMAKER! So exciting.

This was the first time that I got up early enough on a Sunday morning to be at the store when they opened, but I REALLY wanted to get in on these deals. And trust me, I'm not done yet! I hope to score some more before the weeks end.

Here is what I did.

Transaction 1:
Simply Slim: $29
Sale: $10
Minus: $10 Q
Total: FREE
Received: $10 RR

Transaction 2:
Simply Slim: $29
Sale: $10
Minus: $10 Q
Total: FREE
Received: $10 RR

Transaction 3:
Simply Slim: $29
Sale: $10
Minus: $10 Q
Total: FREE
Received: $10 RR

Transaction 4:
Simply Slim: $29
Sale: $10
Minus: $10 Q
Total: FREE
Received: $10 RR

Transaction 5:
Brainstrong: $20
Sale: $10
Minus: $10 RR (from Simply Slim)
Total: FREE
Received: $10 RR

Transaction 6:
Brainstrong: $20
Sale: $10
Minus: $10 RR (from Simply Slim)
Total: FREE
Received: $10 RR

Total Worth: $156
Total Spent: NOTHING
Total Received: $40 RR!!!!

I am so excited about this trip and so thankful that it went smoothly!

I am going to try the diet pills, just to see what they are about. But even if I decide not to use them, they made me $40!! :)

I'm back! And so is the End of the Year Hair Care Clearance at CVS!

I am SO excited! I have been waiting for this ALL YEAR!
CVS is having their end of the year hair care CLEARANCE!!!!
They have tons of hair care up to 75% off!
I took advantage of this sale last year, and I have only just begun to take advantage of it this year!!!

Also, I found out that my CVS takes EXPIRED ECBs!!! This made me super excited! Especially since I had $5 ECBs in my purse that expired at the beginning of the month!

I went to CVS today, but didn't get much because the big money Qs that will make this sale even sweeter will be in this weeks paper!

But here is what I got:

3 Herbal Essences: $4.49 each: $13.47
CLEARANCE: $1.12 each
Minus $1/2 Q

Tresemee Split End Cream: $5.49
Clearance: $2.74

5 Clairol Hair Dye: $8.99 each: $44.95
Clearance: $2.24 each
Minus (5) $2/1 Q

Minus $5 ECB

Total Before: $63.91
Total After: $1.30

That's about $.14 per item! Whoo hoo!!

Below is a picture of all the shampoo I scored last year during this sale, all for under $5!
I hope to get as good of a deal this year too! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Cider Glazed Chicken and Spicy Brown Sugar Carrots!

Tonight's dinner on a dime was finger kicking good! I'm serious....I liked my fingers it was so delicious. And it only cost us $5!!!!

The recipe we used is actually ,east for a thanksgiving turkey, but we had a chicken so used it instead, and it turned out great! You can get the original recipes HERE and HERE.

It was like our own mini Thanksgiving dinner. I was worried that Jonathan wouldn't like it since he doesn't like apple cider, but he loved it! And of course we had a ton leftover so we will definitely get a second meal out of this!

For the chicken:
Apple cider
Whole chicken
Thyme
Savory seasoning
Poultry seasoning
Rosemary
Brown sugar
Salt & pepper
Canola oil
Ice
Water
(I just sprinkled the seasonings on until I thought it was good enough, didn't use measurements)

What to do:
Brine:

In a large pot with a lid that is big enough to fit the chicken, add all but 2 cups apple cider and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the salt, thyme, rosemary, and Savory and stir to dissolve the salt. Remove from the heat, add 5 cups of ice, 6 cups water and stir. Put the turkey in the pot with the brine and hold it down so that the cavity fills with the brine. If the chicken is not completely submerged in the brine, add another 2 to 3 cups of water to the pot until covered. Cover the pot with a lid and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the chicken from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Arrange it, breast side up, in a roasting pan.

In a small bowl combine the canola oil, poultry seasoning and pepper. Brush the turkey liberally until completely coated. Put in the oven and roast until cooked (about 20 min per pound). About 10 minutes before the chicken is done, liberally baste the bird with the cider glaze.

Glaze:

In a small saucepan combine the reserved 2 cups of apple cider and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup.

Now for the carrots:

2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut on the bias into 2 1/2-inch pieces (I used baby carrots)
1/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

What to do:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat and add the carrots. Cook for 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and set aside.

In a medium-size pot combine all the remaining ingredients, except the parsley, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Add the drained carrots and toss to combine. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to incorporate flavors.

My Cost:
Apple Cider: $4
Carrots: $1

Total cost for this meal: $5!!!!

(Someone gave us the chicken, so we didn't have to buy one)

1st CVS Trip in a While!

It feels like it has been forever since I made a trip to CVS and I couldn't stay away any longer! I always love shopping their Black Friday sales, but this weeks sales are BETTER (I think) than their Black Friday sales this year! So I was super excited to go shopping today!

I have to give Addicted to Saving credit for my transactions today since they were modeled after her weekly scenarios that you can find HERE
Just a warning, when you have such a detailed (and big) shopping list like I had, and Addicted to Savings gives, sometimes you may not be able to find everything on your list, so you will need to adjust your transactions or go to multiple stores.
This happened to me today, I was unable to get 3 of the items I planned on, but just rearranged my transactions to make due and everything worked out!

Now for my 6, YES SIX transactions. (The items may be free/cheap, but you sure do work for it! At least it's fun!)

I had $10 ECB burning a hole in my wallet so I decided to spend it on something that would give me $10 ECB back. So I did. (Well, close enough) check it out!

Transaction 1:
Snapple: $.79
Youtherapy Collagen: $12
Sale: $9.49
Minus $10 ECB (from previous trip)
Total: $.28
Received: $9.49 ECB

Transaction 2:
Starbucks Refresher: $1.99
Sale: $1.50
Children's Advil: $2.37
Minus $1/1 Q
Carmex: $1.67
Sale: $1
Minus $.30/1 Q
Glade Plug In: $2.27
Sale: $1.25
Minus: $1/1 Q
Total: $3.82
Received: $1.50 ECB, $2.37 ECB, $1 ECB, $1.25 ECB ($6.12 ECB)

Transaction 3:
Nips Candy: $1.27
Sale: $.88
Powerade: $1.49
Sale: $1
ThermaCare Wrap: $3.99
Sale: $3.49
Charmin Single: $1.49
Sale: $.99
Minus $.25/1 Q
Play Dough: $1.69
Sale: $1
MINUS $6.12 ECB (from transaction 2)
Total: $.99
Received: $.99 ECB, $1 ECB, $1 ECB, $3.49 ECB, $.88 ECB. ($7.36)


Transaction 4:
Mac & Cheese: $1.77
Sale: $.99
Advil 10 ct: $3.19
Sale: $2.99
Coke: $.99
Sparkle Towels: $1.49
Sale: $1
MINUS $5.35 ECB (from transaction 3)
Total: $.61
Receive: $.99 ECB, $.99 ECB, $1 ECB, $2.99 ECB ($5.97)


Transaction 5:
Air wick Warmer: $1.49
Sale: $.99
Phillips Universal Remote: $12.49
Sale: $6.99
MINUS: $7.97 ECB (from previous transactions)
Total: $.01
Received: $6.99 ECB, $.99 ECB ($7.98)

Transaction 6:
Starbucks Doubleshot: $2.27
Sale: $1.99
SK Energy Shots: $5.49
Sale: $3.99
Scooby Doo Fruit Snack: $2.99
Sale: $2
MINUS: $7.98 ECB (from transaction 5)
Total: NOTHING!!
Receive: $1.99 ECB, $3.99 ECB, $2 ECB ($7.98)

Total Worth: $63.19
Total Spent: $5.71
I saved $57.48!!!
Received: $17.47 in ECBs!!!

And I was surprised when I scanned my card at the red machine and ANOTHER $5 ECB from Beauty Club printed!!
Now I have a total of $22.47 ECB for next time!

I was kind of bummed that they didn't have some of the things I wanted, especially since it would have lowered my OOP cost, but I am still satisfied! :)

And if you didn't catch on....everything that I bought ended up being FREE after ECB. Everything came with an ECB in the exact amount that I paid for it! So go out and get your free stuff at CVS! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Prosciutto, Spinach, and Pasta Casserole

So it's been a while since I have posted a dinner on a dime because we have been making normal (but cheap) meals and didn't see the need to post how to make red beans and rice. :)

But tonight we made Prosciutto, Spinach, and Pasta Casserole and it was AMAZING!--but only if you like onions, spinach and tomatoes.

Yu can find the original recipe HERE

Before I get into the ingredients let me say that if you don't like prosciutto (or have no idea what it is) I think this meal would be great with cooked chicken, bacon, or even ham!

Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups dried bow ties, penne, or ziti (8 ounces)
2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges, or 5 medium leeks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, crushed---I didn't have any so I used fennel
1 3/4 cups milk
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus some for serving
1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
2 ounces prosciutto, cut into thin bite-size strips
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

I also added some other seasonings from my spice rack!

Now here is what you do:
1. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain; rinse pasta with cold water. Drain again.

2. In a large saucepan cook onion and garlic I added a Roma tomato as well, in hot butter about 5 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and anise seeds and any other seasonings. Add the milk and chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Stir in the cooked pasta, spinach, and prosciutto. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.

3. Bake, covered, in a 350 degrees F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand about 5 minutes. To serve, stir gently and top with chopped tomato and Parmesan cheese.
We served it with salad and garlic bread (that we already had)

My Cost:
Prosciutto: $3.50
Pasta: $.50
Spinach: $1.08
Milk: $.45

Total: $5.53

And it definitely made enough for us to have leftovers Friday night and lunch for me on Friday!

So a total of around $5 for 2 nights of good meals! :)

FREE Shampoo at CVS!

Jonathan and I both woke up this morning feeling terrible, I still don't feel well but I felt we'll enough to make a quick trip to CVS!
I didn't plan on getting out today at all but when I saw this awesome deal I just couldn't resist eying this deal!

This week they have a P&G deal, when you spend $30 you receive $10 ECBs.
The herbal essence and Aussie shampoo/conditioner are on sale for $2.99 each!
If you have your smart source from 9/16 there is a BOGO FREE coupon for herbal essence that is auto deducting $6.99 when scanned. So when you get 2 bottles of shampoo for $5.98 and use a BOGO Q you will technically be making $1.01. So check out the deal I did to get 10 bottles of shampoo for FREE and receive $10 ECBs!

Now I need to find something to do with all this shampooing just got FOR FREE!


9 Herbal Essences: $4.49 each: $40.41
1 Aussie Shampoo: $4.49
Sale: $2.99 each: $29.90
Minus (4) BOGO FREE HE (auto deducted -$27.96)
Minus $1/1 Aussie Q

2 Candies: $1.19 each: $2.38
Sale: BOGO $.25
2 for $1.44

Minus: $1.50 CVSQ

Total before: $47.28
Total after: $.88 (for the candy)
received: $10 ECB

And I will receive another $5 ECB from the beauty club!

So I will end up getting paid $14.12 for all of this! :)

Dessert on a Dime: Nutty Pumpkin-Pie Pudding.

(Photo from better homes and garden website)

If I haven't recommended for you to sign up for Better Homes and Gardens 100 Days of Holidays daily email then I have failed you, and GO SIGN UP NOW.
They are amazing. You will get an email with holiday ideas (decorating, homemade gifts, recipes...) every day! They are so great.

Well yesterday's email was all about crock pot desserts, and you know how much I love my crock pot so I was super excited.
When I saw the Pumpkin Pie Pudding I decided that I just had to make it. So I did.
It was super easy and cheap and very delicious! :)

You an find the original recipe HERE

Ingredients

15 ounce can pumpkin
5 ounce can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
1/3 cup sugar (I used Splenda)
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
1-layer-size yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and chopped
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar

What to do:

- Lightly coat the inside of slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Stir together pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the pumpkin pie spice. -- - Spread batter evenly in the bottom of the prepared cooker.
- In a medium bowl stir together cake mix, nuts, and the remaining 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Sprinkle mixture evenly over pumpkin mixture in cooker.
- Melt butter over stove and stir in brown sugar until butter is melted.
- Drizzle melted butter and sugar over mixture in cooker.
- Cover and cook on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove crockery liner from cooker, if possible, or turn off cooker. Cool, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

A bit of a warning, it doesn't look pretty AT ALL. But I promise once you taste it you will forget all about how it looks.

What it cost me:

Walnuts: $2.50
Pumpkin: $2.24
Evaporated milk: $.74

Total: $5.48

And it made a lot!
It goes great with ice cream! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Braised Beef Tacos

Dinner on a Dime tonight was SO GOOD!
Braised beef tacos with (semi)-homemade salsa.
I'll be honest, I had my doubts for sure. I'm not a fan of cooking (or eating) London broil, but ti my pleasant surprise it was fantastic and so tender! It was so good in fact that Jonathan made the comment that it tasted like something you would order in a restaurant, and it really did.
Oh, and did I mention that it is a CROCK POT MEAL?!?? It doesn't get easier than that friends! :)

And a lot of the ingredients are things that you probably already have so that makes it even cheaper!

You can find the original recipe HERE

We used: (and by we I mainly mean Jonathan since he is the one that put it to cook this morning)
2 lb London broil
Can Rotel tomatoes w/ chilies
Minced garlic
Cilantro
Garlic powder
Onion powder
beef broth
Taco seasoning
Onion
Lime juice
Tortillas

So I am against cooking meat that has not marinated for at least 30 minutes, but I prefer to let it marinate overnight. So that is what we did. We rubbed the meat with onion powder, garlic powder and taco seasoning then added some broth (about 1/2 cup, water would do) and let it marinate.

What to do:
Put 1/4 can of tomatoes and 1/2 the cilantro at the bottom of the crock then place the meat on top. Rub the minced garlic on the meat then add the remainder of the cilantro and another 1/4 of the tomatoes and a can of broth and cook on low for 6 hrs. When done drain crockpot and remove beef and shred it. (I saved my liquid for my round 2 meal)
About an hour before the meat is finished make your own salsa, with the remainder of the can tomatoes (1/2 the can), 1/4 chopped onion, cilantro, lime juice and S&P.

The salsa is so good! We had some Tortilla chips that we ate along with our tacos and store bought (well I got it free) salsa.

My Cost:
London Broil: $6.78
Rotel Tomatoes: $1
Cilantro: $1
Beef broth: $1
Lime juice: $.20 (approximately how much I used from my new bottle)
Garlic: $.30 (approximately how much I used from my new bottle)

Total: $10.28

That may seem like a lot for a meal but we had a LOT of beef leftover and we have already planned a Round 2 meal for for the leftover beef that will give us meals for 2 more nights and a couple of lunches!

Braised beef Mexican rice bake extra cost:
Corn: $.89
Black beans: $1
Rice: $.20 (approximately how much I will use from my new box)

That brings my grand total to $12.37 for THREE nights worth of meals plus lunch! Now that's not bad! That makes it under $2 per serving!

This really is one of my favorite meals we have had lately, and they have all been good! What I love about this is that it's the amazing-ness of tacos but a bit more flavorful and sophisticated by not using ground beef but keeping the cost low.

So try it out and let me know what you think! :)

My First Winn Dixie trip in a While!!

It feels like it has been FOREVER since I have posted anything....or even gone shopping for that matter. Grad school has officially taken over my life, and if it hadn't been for me not feeling well and staying home today this trip would cease to exist. So thank goodness for the common cold/crap so I could finally go shopping!

I didn't do as we'll as I normally do, but oh we'll I did manage to get the ingredients for 2 of our meals this week. Shredded crockpot beef tacos and Mexican bake with leftover shredded beef, rice, beans, and corn (using leftovers from the first meal. And this will yield more leftovers too!)
I got more items this week that were not on sale/had no coupons for. But sometimes you just gotta do it.

Instant Rice: $2.39
Sale: 2/$4
$2

Beef Broth: 1.49
Sale: $1

Rotel Tomatoes: $1.29
Sale: $1

Corn: $.89

Black beans: $1.49
Sale: $1

Tomato Sauce: $.39

Lime Juice: $1.79

Minced Garlic: $5.49
Sale: $4.99

2 Wholly Guac/Salsa: $2.99 each $5.98
Sale: BOGO FREE (-2.99)
Minus (2) $1.50/1 Q
FREE!

Garlic Bread: $3.19 each: $6.38
Sale: BOGO FREE (-3.19)
Minus: $1/2 Q
$1.10 each: $2.19

London Broil: $9.84
Sale: $6.78

Cilantro: $.99

Bell Pepper: $.89 each: $1.78
Sale: 2/$.88

Minus: $5/$30 Q

Total Before: $40.19
Total After: : $18.90

Still managed to save a little over 50%! :)

How we Budget!

About a month ago Jonathan and and I started a budget.
Budgets have NEVER worked for us. Especially Dave Ramsey's envelope system. (No hate to Dave, but using cash just isn't practical for us. We are debit/credit card users. Plus, we love the rewards we get from them)

So when I saw THIS blog post/video on a budget system that works best with credit/debit cards I was so excited!
Seeing an easy and practical way to make and stick to a budget had me excited to try it.
It is a simple concept, and really easy to stick to.
And I found that just by having a budget in place I was watching more closely what I would spend money on. And that alone helped us save money because I would seriously ask myself if what I was about to purchase was really necessary.

I think you can see from the picture that the envelope is split in half then into 4 separate weeks. One side is the grocery budget which is strictly for food, household, and beauty/health items. The other side is for miscellaneous items like haircuts, date nights, weekly emergencies etc... (you are NOT allowed to borrow money from another week if you are running low, but you CAN borrow from grocery to miscellaneous or vice versa. Like one week Jonathan went over on the Sam's club budget so we borrowed money from that weeks etc money to cover it)
You have to decide for yourself what each budget should be.
Jonathan and I started with $250 grocery and $200 etc each month and $75 on the back for Sam's Club. (Our etc budget is kind of high but before we started this we had a $35/week date night allowance but since this also includes haircuts and such we decided to up the amount) but last month we had $137 in surplus for the month that went into our "fun" account. So after next month if we still have a lot of surplus each week/month we will adjust our numbers accordingly.

A lot of budgets have you look at the whole month which cane be kind of overwhelming. Plus you tend to spend more at the beginning of the month then by mid-month you have to be super strict about what you buy.
This system takes the month and breaks it into weeks. So you have a certain allowance for each week and you are NOT allowed to borrow money from the next week if you are running low. (If I'm confusing you just watch the video from the link I posted, it will save your budget I promise)

This system will definitely work for people who use cash, but I love it because it is debit/credit card friendly! And if you put all of your receipts in the envelope you can put it in a file cabinet and have all your months receipts in one place for tax season!

I am absolutely shocked at how much we were able to put into savings just by knowing where all of our money is going and by sticking to a budget. Saving money really can be easy!

Let me know what you think or if you have any questions! :)

Sunday Afternoon Winn Dixie Trip!

After church Jonathan wanted to go to Sam's Club.
So I told him if I have to suffer through Sam's with him, he can suffer through me couponing at Winn Dixie.
So he did.
Lucky for him it was a very small trip, unlike last week. (I didn't post my trip from last week but I saved $50 and spent $44)

We haven't done our meal planning for this week yet so that is partly why this trip was so small. But I do know that we will be cooking something with chicken so when I saw that Winn Dixie had whole chickens on sale for only $.89/lb I decided to go ahead and get one. I figured I could put it in the crock pot to cook while I am at my internship then we can make a meal with the cooked chicken. But we shall see. :)
Also they had Caribou coffee on sale BOGO FREE and I had some coupons to use on them. Since Jonathan is a coffee junkie I decided to jump on that deal as well.

So here is what I got:

4 Caribou Coffee: $8.99 each: $35.96
Sale: BOGO (-$17.98)
Minus (4) $2/1 Q
$2.50 each: $10 total

Sanderson Farms Chicken: $1.49/lb: $8.28
Sale: $.89/lb
$4.70

Almond Breeze: $3.49
Sale: $2.99
Minus: $.55/1 Q
$2.44

Minus $5/$30 Q

Total Before: $47.73
Total After: $12.14
Saved: $35.59!

Now Jonathan is stocked on coffee and we have the main ingredient for at least 2 meals this week! :)

FREE Razors and Cough Drops. My CVS & Rite Aid Trip!

I wasn't planning on making a shopping trip today but then I remembered that I had $8 ECBs that will expire TOMORROW.
So I decided to check out the weekly ad and make a trip.
Since I was going out anyway I went ahead and looked at the ads for Walgreens and Rite Aid. That's when I found a good deal on Cough Drops, so I decided to stock up. :)

CVS:

2 Venus Razor: $6.99 each: $13.98
Minus (2) $4/1 Q ($8)

2 Mach 3 Razor: $10.99 each: $21.98
Minus FREE wyb Gillette Razor ($23.98)

ThermaCare: $3.99
Sale: $3.79

Minus $8 ECB

Total Before: $39.95
Total After: FREE!
Received: $10 ECB for Venus & $3.79 ECB for ThermaCare. $13.79 total!
That is a $13.79 moneymaker!

And I still have $12 ECB from last week so I now have $25.79 in ECBs to use! Woohoo!

Rite Aid:

6 Halls 30 ct. $1.99 each: $11.94
Sale: 2/$3: $9
Minus (3) $1/2 Q
Minus $6 +UP
Total: FREE.
Received: $2+UPs

Total Trip Worth: $51.89
Total Trip Spent: NOTHING!
Total Received: $15.79

So now we REALLY have enough razors, but why would I pass up FREE plus Money BACK razors?!?!?

I will still be on the lookout for good cough drop deals. You can never have too many cough drops during cold/flu season! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Crock Pot "Pulled" Pork and Baked Potato!

So as I shared yesterday I am LOVING my crock pot! There are tins of different recipes that you can make in a crock pot.
Tonight we made BBQ "Pulled" Pork (in the crock) and Baked Potatoes!
It was soo good. And we have a TON of pork leftover!

check out the original recipe here!

And yes, this is another meal I got from Pinterest. I'm beginning to wonder how I fed us before I had Pinterest! :)

This meal really is so easy and so delicious. Jonathan and I are not the biggest fans of pork but love all things BBQ so when I saw this recipe and saw that Winn Doxoe had center cut pork chops on sale for BIGO FREE I decided to go ahead and try it. And I'm so glad I did!

Ingredients:
-2 packs center cut pork chops (original recipe calls for 6 but they were thick ones and the ones at Winn Dixie were really thin so I used about 12 (6 in each pack)
- 1/4 c water
- 1/4 c liquid smoke (I added this)
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- bottle of BBQ sauce
- rolls

Slice onion (if using)
Mix water, liquid smoke, and HALF bottle of BBQ sauce together. Place chops in zip lock bag, add sliced onion and garlic then pour in marinade mixture.
Let marinade for at least 30 minutes (I did overnight).
Lay chops in crock pot (I had 2 layers) then pour marinade with garlic and onion over chops.
Cook on low for 7 hrs.
After its cooked use a mixer to shred the pork. Pork will need more sauce before it is ready to serve.
We added some onion and cheese to our sandwiches but that is totally optional.
We baked potatoes to eat with our sandwiches as well.

The meat was so tender that it shredded easily. If you look at the original recipe you will see that I made some slight changes (like marinating the meat and using liquid smoke) but either way, it's an easy recipe!

And all I needed to buy for this recipe was the pork, bread, and potatoes. I had everything else!

My cost:
Pork: $5.80
Rolls: $.14 each: $.28
Potatoes: $.25 each: $.75

Total: $6.83

And I have a can of baked beans I got for $2 to eat when we have the pork for leftovers on Thursday!
So that is 2 whole meals for only $9.11!
And we will still probably have pork leftover for lunches!

It really is easy to cut cost my meal planning, stocking up on food when it's on sale, and cooking based on what you ALREADY HAVE! :)

Pumpkin Pie Granola!

Let me just say that I LOVE the crock pot! I made this tonight in it and our Dinner on Dime meal tomorrow will be another crock pot meal! :)

I'm not going to say too much about this since you can get the recipe HERE and she does a great job at giving the instructions!

It was super easy to make, just throw everything in the crock pot on high for 4 hours and stir every 30 minutes.

I added a bit more cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice because I REALLY like those flavors.

If you have most of the ingredients like I did its super cheap!
I had to buy the berries and oats which came to a grand total of $6. Not bad for 5 cups of yummy granola!
It made a lot more than what is pictured but I only had 2 jars so I had to put the rest in a Tupperware.

Hope you enjoy!

My Super Small Walgreens Trip

I'm still (kind of) suffering from this summer cold junk so when I saw that Walgreens had a sale on DayQuil/NyQuil I was super excited.

So here is how it went.

2 Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil: $9.99 each: $19.98
Sale: 2/$13
Minus $3/2 Q
Minus $1 RR from last week
$4.50 each: $9

And I got 2000 points on my balance card! (every 5000 points are worth $5)

So there is my tiny trip! :)

My Winn Dixie Trip!

I hadn't shopped this weeks sales at Winn Dixie yet because I wanted to wait until I did our meal planning for this week.
I meal planned today and originally planned to go shopping after my internship tomorrow but decided I might as well go tonight so I can work on the school work that I did not do on Saturday when I get home tomorrow.

As you an see, I bought 2 more razors. Jonathan now has PLENTY of razors to last him a while, but with the huge Make-A-Deal this week I just couldn't pass it up.
This week when you bought a Gillette razor for $10.99 you got: shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and dental sticks FOR FREE! And I still had a coupon for a FREE Mach 3 razor when you buy a Gillette razor! So I got that for free as well!

Make-A-Deal:
Gillette Fusion: $11.99
Sale: $10.99
Minus $5/1 Q

Gillette Shave Gel: $4.79
Sale: FREE
minus: $1/1 Q

Secret Deodorant: $2.99
Sale: FREE

Crest toothpaste: $1.49
Sale: FREE

Proxi Plus Dental Sticks: $3.99
Sale: FREE

Toothbrush: $1.99
Sale FREE

Mach 3: $10.99
Minus: FREE wyb Gillette

5 lb Idaho Potatoes: $3.89
Sale: $2.50

Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce: $2 each: $4
Sale: BOGO (-2)

Bush's Baked Beans: $2.49
Sale: $2

Center Cut Pork Chops: $6/l
Sale: BOGO (-$6)

Minus $5/$30 Winn Dixie Q

Total Before: $60.61
Total After: $12.20
I saved: $48!

We are using the pork for our meal on Tuesday (thanks Pinterest) and it will yield leftovers for at least one night but probably 2 nights.
So for about $7 we will have 3 nights worth of meals! :)

So I've had some people tell me how much they hate leftovers, then in the very next sentence complain about how they spend too much money.
NEWSFLASH I don't think anyone loves leftovers, but leftovers and second chance meals (where you use leftovers to create a completely new meal) are two ways to cut cost! And it makes for an easy dinner night when you don't have to cook a complete meal from scratch.
So no, leftovers aren't my favorite but I would rather put more money in the bank each week than buying more food and spending more time cooking.
Since I try to only cook meals from things I buy things on sale it really does save a lot of money to cook a little extra for leftovers. Plus, most regular recipes yield leftovers for us anyway. :)

Sorry about my rant. Happy savings! :)

My Walgreens Trip!

Even though I feel like death and dope up on cold meds I still managed to make a trip to Walgreens!
Now I must admit I did not come up with this trip on my own I used the amazing addictedtosaving.com and her wonderful Walgreen's Weekly Scenario.
Every week she does scenarios for Wags and CVS and tries to keep the OOP cost around $5!
It's a GREAT way to start couponing and learn how the drug stores work. That's how I began to "master the drug stores"!

Transaction 1:
2 Carmex Pamegranate: $1.69 each: $3.38
Sale: 2/$3
Minus $3 RR from last week
Total: FREE!
Received: $2 RR

Transaction 2:
Hair Bands: $1.50 (filler)
Clearance: $.49
Infusium Shampoo: $6.99
Sale: $4.99
Minus $1 Q
Minus: $2 RR from #1
Total: $2.48
Received: $3 RR

Transaction 3:
Jello: $2 (filler)
Clearance: $.74
Colgate Optic White: $4.49
Sale: $3.99
Minus $1/1 Q
Minus $3 RR
Total: $.73
Received: $1 RR

And I paid for everything with a $10 pre-paid card that P&G sent me FOR FREE! So I ended up spending none of my money.

Total Worth: $18.36
Total Spent (on pre-paid card): $3.21.
And I have $1 RR for next week!

I saved 87% today!

Dinner on a Dime: Creamy Chicken Enchiladas.

Tonight's dinner on a dime is our THIRD meal to come from the chicken I bought last week at Winn Dixie for $5!

We had the "Rotisserie Style"Crock Pot Chicken which had enough chicken leftover for the Chicken Pot Pie (which yielded leftovers so made 2 meals) and still had enough chicken left for enchiladas!

Sorry there is no picture, I was so hungry, and it was so good, that it wasn't until I was halfway through my enchilada that I remembered to take a picture, and then it was way too late!

We didn't have a TON of chicken leftover (obviously) but we did have enough to make to stuff 4 overstuffed enchiladas (could have made 5-6 regular) with the enchilada filling. They were so yummy!

Here's how you make them!

Ingredients:
Chicken (cooked and shredded)
Sour cream (as much as you want/think goes with the soup)
Cream of chicken soup (I used 1/2 a can since I didn't have much chicken)
Shredded cheese (you be the judge on how much you want)
Cilantro
Seasoning (whatever you want) we used S&P, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Tortillas
Salsa

Combine sour cream and cream of chicken soup then add chicken, cheese, cilantro, and seasonings. Spoon filling into tortillas and line in baking dish. Cover with salsa and bake at 375 for 10-15 min. Add cheese on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Cost Tally:
Sour cream: $1.25
Cilantro: $.50

This meal cost me $1.75 to make since I already had the other ingredients! :)

My Winn Dixie and Rite Aid Trip!

After my internship I stopped by Winn Dixie and Rite Aid.

Here is what I got:

Winn Dixie:

8 Old Spice Deodorant: $2.99 each: $23.92
Sale: $.99
Minus (4) $1/2 Q
$.49 each: $3.92

Roast: $9.16
Sale (-$2.38)
$6.78
(this is for dinner Friday and will yield leftovers for Sunday! And I already have everything else for this meal, so 2 meals will cost only $6.78!)

Roast Seasoning: $1.19 each: $2.38
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$1.19)
$.60 each: $1.19

Total WD Before: $35.46
Total WD After: $11.89

Rite Aid:

10 Pepsi Product 2 ltr. $1.69 each: $16.90
Sale: $1 each
$10
Received: $6 +up rewards!
It's like getting them for $.40 each!

Total Worth: $52.36
Total Spent: $21.89
Received $6 back!


We are definitely stocked up on soda, but we don't drink it often so we shouldn't be buying anymore for a LONG time!
Now I need to decide what I am going to buy at Rote Aid with my $6 +up rewards! :)

My 9/9 CVS Trip! Razors and Coke! :)

I planned on only getting some razors and body wash, but Jonathan was with me and when he spotted a sale on Coke zero with Peelie Qs he was über excited! So my OOP was a bit more than I had originally planned but what can I say, I'm glad Jonathan is finally getting excited about sales and coupons! :)

Transaction 1: (Jonathan's)
4 Coke Zero: $1.77 each: $7.08
Sale: 4/$5 ($1.25 ea)
Minus (4) $.50 peelies
$.75 each: $3

Now for my transaction:

2 Venus Razors: $6.99 each: $13.98
2 Mach 3 Turbo Razor: $11.99 each: $23.98
2 Right Guard Body Wash: $4.99 each: $9.98
Sale: 2/$6

Total before sales and coupons: $47.94
After Sales: $43.96

Used:
2- $4/1 Venus Razor (-$8)
2- FREE Mach 3 wyb Gillette (-$23.98)
2- $1/1 Right Guard (-$2)
20% off (-$7.60)
Total coupons used: $41.58

Total After Sales and Qs: $2.38
Received: $10 ECB from razors & $2 ECB from Body Wash.

Total Trip Before: $55.02
Total Trip Spent: $5.38
Received: $12 ECBs!

I still have $8 ECBs from last week so now I have $20 ECBs! :)

My Winn Dixie and Walgreens Trip!

After my internship today I stopped by Winn Dixie and Walgreens.

Winn Dixie was having a good sale on cheese and since the hurricane the cheese Jonathan has been eating on his sandwiches everyday at work is turning blue so I figured I might as well stock up! (yeah, im not looking to get the wife of the year award this year especially making my husband eat blue cheese!)
While I was in there I saw they had Old Spice deodorant on sale for $.99 each!

Walgreens was having a great sale on mouthwash and foil!

Here is what I got:

Winn Dixie:

4 Sargento Sliced Cheese $3.29 each: $13.16
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$6.58)
Minus (4) $.55/1 Q
$4.38 - $1.10 each

2 Old Spice Deodorant $2.99 each: $5.98
Sale: $.99 each
Minus $1/2
$.98- $.49 each

Winn Dixie Worth: $19.14
Spent: $5.36

Walgreens:

I ended up having to do several transactions in order to get all that I wanted.

Transaction 1:
4 Reynolds Foil $2.19 each: $8.76
Sale: $1.59 each
Minus (4) $1/1 Q
$.59 each: $2.36

Transaction 2:
2 Scope Mouthwash: $3.99 each: :$7.98
Sale: 2/$6
Minus (2) $1.50/1 Q
$1.50 each: $3
Received: 3 RR

Transaction 3:
Crest Mouthwash: $6.79
Sale: $3.99
Minus $3 RR from #2
$.99
Received: $3 RR

Transaction 4
2 Scope Mouthwash: $3.99 each: :$7.98
Sale: 2/$6
Minus (2) $1.50/1 Q
Minus $3 RR from #3
FREE
Received: 3 RR

Transaction 5
Crest Mouthwash: $6.79
Sale: $3.99
Minus $3 RR from #4
$.99
Received: $3 RR

Walgreens Worth: $38.30
Spent: $7.34
Received: $3
Its like paying $4.34 for it all!

Not my best trips by far, but after the rough day I had, it was nice to at least save something!

Total Worth: $57.44
Total Spent: $12.70
With $3 RR back!

Now we are stocked up on cheese, foil, and mouthwash for a while! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Chicken Pot Pie.

Tonight's dinner on a dime was a Second Chance meal that came from Tuesday's "Rotisserie Style" Crockpot Chicken!

Originally I had planned to make my own pie crust instead of buying one from the store.
But after returning home from school, I wanted something that was SUPER DUPER easy, not just easy. ;)
So I ran by the store and picked up a pie crist for $1 and went ahead and grabbed a tub of Philadelphia Cooking Creme (savory garlic) to use as the binding agent instead of making one out of cream of chicken soup. (super duper easy, remember?)

So here is what I used:

Leftover chicken (1 lb, shredded)
Philadelphia cooking Creme
Bag frozen mixed Veggies (steam bag)
Pie crust.

What I did:

Steam veggies in microwave
Combine Chicken, veggies, and cooking Creme (I ended up adding half a can of cream of chicken soup because I added a bit too much chicken.)
Add to 9 inch pie pan
Cover with pie crust and make 3 slits in the middle
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.
Then enjoy!

(if you are using raw chicken obviously you will need to cook it before adding veggies/Creme)

My cost:
Pie crust: $1
Cooking Creme: $2.98

For $4 I was able to make a whole different meal from leftovers! And it yielded leftovers!!!
I know what we will be having for dinner Saturday! :)
And we still have enough chicken to have tomorrow with some homemade mashed potatoes (we already have the potatoes) and the gravy from the crockpot chicken!

This brings my weeks total to $10.49....for FOUR meals! (pot pie leftovers are included)
WOW!! Can't beat that! :)

Dinner on a Dime: "Rotisserie Style" Crock Pot Chicken!

I am super excited about what we had for dinner tonight!
It was extremely delicious and extremely easy! And of course, cheap!

So of you read my Winn Dixie trip post you know that I got a 5lb chicken for $5.
Well as I was pursuing Pinterest (don't we all LOVE Pinterest!?!?) and came across a recipe similar to this one, but decided to google it to see what else was out there and came across the most amazing blog ever!
This lady used a crock pot everyday for a whole year and blogged about it. So there are literally hundreds (365+) of good crock pot recipes for you to try!
I can't wait to try more of them.

But anyway....she had a recipe for the rotisserie style crock pot chicken that was pretty much the same as the one I found on Pinterest but added a few more seasonings.

So here is what I used:

5 lb chicken
2 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 Tbsp minced garlic

I also stuffed the chicken with:
3-4 whole garlic cloves
1 onion, quartered

What I did:

Skin the chicken and get rid of the neck and other stuff from the insides

In a bowl, combine all of dried spices and garlic
Mix until paste-like.
Rub the spice mixture all over inside and out.
(my crockpot came with a nifty cooking rack that I set the chicken on so it wouldn't sit in the juices it made and wash off the seasoning on the breast. If you don't have a rack ball up some foil to place under the chicken to prop it up some. Or you can do what we will do next time and foil wrap some potatoes and put underneath the chicken and you will end up with a whole meal!)
Place breast-side down into the crockpot.
Cook on low for 8 hrs (or high for 3.5-4.5 hrs)

I also tied my chicken with twine because in the reviews for this recipe some people complained that all the chicken fell off the bone and they had to fish the meat out of the juices. I had no problem with that.
Now when I cut the twine the chicken did fall off the bone.
It really is a super tender and juicy chicken. And so flavorful!!!!

We took the juices and added Wondra to make a gravy to eat on top of the chicken!
We ate the chicken with some can corn we had in the pantry.

And talk about leftovers!!! We had SO MANY leftovers!
So I pulled all the chicken off the bone and put it in a Tupperware for Thursday night when I will make a chicken pot pie since I have ALL the ingredients for it.

My Cost:
Meal 1:
Chicken: $5.80
Corn: $.69

Meal 2:
Nothing!

So I will be able to make 2 delicious meals for a total of $6.49!

Jonathan is convinced that we have too much chicken for just a pot pie (which I'm beginning to think he is right, but shhhh don't tell him) so we may also be making chicken enchiladas from this meat as well! :)

My Winn Dixie Trip!

Before I start let me address the chicken in the room.
For the last 4 months or so Jonathan and I have not cooked any meat and rarely at meat at all.
And we like not eating meat, but have decided that if we can get a super good deal on chicken (fresh, not frozen) then we will most definitely cook and eat it.
Well i felt this was a great deal on a chicken, so I bought it and we will eat it. (whenever we are able to move back home that is)

Now to my trip!
I love when I catch good sales!

6 Lays Chips: $4.29 each: $25.74
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$12.87)
Minus (3) $3/2 Q
$.65 each: $3.87

4 Kraft Dressing: $3.39 each: $13.56
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$6.78)
Minus (2) $1/2 Q
$1.20 each: $4.78

2 Philadelphia Indulgences: $2.99 each: $5.98
Sale: 2/$4
Minus (2) $.75/1 Q
$1.25 each: $2.50

Sanderson Farms Chicken: $1.47/lb: $7.16
Sale: $1.19/lb
$5.80

Minus $5/$30 Winn Dixie Q

Total Worth: $52.44
Total Spent: $11.95

I'm super excited about my trip. I know I now have a ton of Lays chips, but at $.65 each I just couldn't pass it up! :)

Bath and Body Works Candles!

So as I'm sure you all know by now I LOVE autumn.
Well by default that means I love autumn scented candles, and my absolute favorite candles come from Bath and Body Works so I was super excited to get some so cheap!

A the bottom of all their receipts there is a website to fill out a survey and when you do they give you a code to get $10 off of a $30 purchase!

So I had one of those As well as a coupon for a FREE gift up to $14 when you spend $10!

This is what I got:

2 Three-Wick Candles: $19.99 each: $39.98

2 Medium Candles: $9.99 each: $19.98

Minus $10 from receipt
Minus $9.99 from coupon

Total worth: $59.96
Total Spent: $20!!!

I am so excited! And I should be pretty stocked up on my candles for a while! :)

Another Dollar Tree Trip! :)

I just had to go back to DollarTree today!
And I'll be going again tomorrow since my wonderful husband is bringing my coupons to our evacuated home tonight when he leaves work! I'm so excited!

Well here is what i got (I did 3 transactions)

2 Garnier Styler
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE

2 Post Shredded Wheat
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE

2 Hefty One Zip
Minus (2) $.55/1 Q
$.45 each: $.90

Total Worth: $6
Total Spent: $.90

Have I mentioned how much I am loving couponing at Dollar Tree?!?

My First Dollar Tree Trip Using Coupons!

I made my first couponing trip today to Dollar Tree!
It's a rather small trip but still exciting!

My cashier had never entered coupons so she had to learn, I had plenty of time and I was the only person on the store so I didn't mind the wait.
The manager asked why I was doing separate transactions. I explained that since I had almost all printable Qs I could only use 2 per transaction. The manager was sooo happy that I knew the policy that she called me the "honest shopper". It was nice to use coupons and be praised for knowing a stores policy for once. :)

My trip (broken into 3 transactions)

Colgate 4 oz
Minus $.75/1 Q
$.25

Olay Body Bar
Minus $1/1 Q
FREE

2 Efferent Denture cleaners
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE

2 Garnier Product
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE

4 Luden's Cough Drop
Minus (2) $1/2 Q
$.50 each: $2

Total Worth at DT: $10
Total Spent: $2.25

I am going back tomorrow for some more! Love this! :)

Since we are still "evacuated" and I didn't bring my coupons I only have printable coupons to use, so I'm definitely satisfied with my trip! :)

FREE Lay's Potato Chips!

Today before we brought my great niece Camille home I caught wind of an AMAZING Lay's coupon.
So of course I printed 3 of them! :)

I had originally printed them to use with the BOGO Free sale at Walgreens.

That deal would have looked like this:
2 Lay's Chips: $4.29 each
Sale: BOGO Free
Minus $3/2 Q
$1.29 for 2 bags of chips

Such a great deal but when we stopped by the Wags in Zachary they only had one bag left so we went to Walmart.
I had originally planned to price match to Wags, but when I got to Walmart I saw that they had Lay's for only $2.68 each and along with the $3/2 Q that I printed I also printed the $3/1 Q!
That made for FREE plus overage!

3 Lay's Chips: $2.68 each: $8.04
Minus (3) $3/1 Q ($9)
FREE plus $.96 overage!!

Total Worth: $8.04
Total Spent: Nothing plus $.96 back!

I really wish I would have printed more before I left (since I have access to 3 computers). I tried to print some more when I got back to my parents house but they were all gone. :(

Oh well. I'm still very satisfied with my 3 FREE bags of chips! (they are the big bags. Not small ones)

My CVS Trip! :)

I was excited to see the sale and ECB deal for Organix shampoo and body wash! (as if I need anymore sulfate free shampoo)

So I was even MORE excited when I realized that the ECBs were rolling!

While Jonathan and I were stocking up on bottled water in preparation for Isaac I decided to grab 2 bottles of Organix shampoo since I had my coupons with me.

Transaction 1:
Organix Shampoo: $7.99
Sale: $4.99
Minus $2/1 Q
$2.99
Received: $1 ECB

Transaction 2:
Organix Shampoo: $7.99
Sale: $4.99
Minus $2/1 Q
Minus $1 ECB
$1.99
SURPRISE! Received: $1 ECB

I didn't realize I was going to make another trip to CVS so I used the $1 ECB on the bottles of water Jonathan was getting. :)
But after I got home I just couldn't not go back and get some more shampoo, and a razor for Jonathan! So I did!

1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide: $10.99
Minus $4/1 Q
3 Organix Shampoo: $7.99 each: $23.97
Sale: $4.99 each: $14.97
Minus (3) $2/1 Q
Minus $10 ECB (from last week)
Minus $4/$20 CVS Q
Total: $1.96

Total Worth: $34.96
Total Spent: $1.96
Received: $8 ECB
$5 ECB from Gillette, $3 ECB from Organix!

Another Trip to Albertson's!

I can't believe I missed this great deal on Silk Almond Milk when I went to Albertson's on Thursday! So good thing I went to Baton Rouge today to meet a friend for lunch!

Since I was going back I just couldn't pass up getting some more cereal since they have such a great deal on it! And for all of you who are doing the math yes, I now have 8 boxes of cereal!
But....like I said it really is a great deal AND they don't expire until NEXT August! And I love eating them as snacks! :)

So here is what I got:

Cheerios: $4.39
Sale: $1.88 wyb 4
Minus $.60/1 Q
$1.28

Apple Cinnamon Chex: $3.79
Sale: $1.28 wyb 4
Minus $.60/1 Q
$1.28

2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $3.49 each: $6.98
sale: $1.88 wyb 4
Minus (2) $.60/1 Q
$1.28 each: $2.56

2 Silk Almond Milk: $3.49 each: $6.98
Sale: $1.99 w/ in-store Q
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
$.99 each: $1.98

Total Worth: $22.14
Total Spent: $7.10

I wish I had more coupons for the Silk! I would have totally stocked up on those too! But I'm still satisfied with my trip! :)

My Albertson's Trip.

After class today I decided to run by Albertsons on my way home!

Great thing about being in baton rouge on Wednesdays and Thursdays: I get to shop at Albertsons.
Bad thing about being in baton rouge on Wednesdays and Thursdays: the new sales start on Wednesday so if I want to make sure to get the best deals I will have to haul my coupons around in my car. Or shop with only printable coupons like I did today!

Now on to my trip.

2 Cheerios: $4.39 each: $8.78
Sale: $1.88 wyb 4 GM Cereals.
Minus (2) $.60/1 Q
$1.28 each: $2.56

2 Apple Cinnamon Chex: $3.79 each: $7.58
Sale: $1.88 wyb 4 GM Cereals.
Minus (2) $.60/1 Q
$1.28 each: $2.56

2 Right Guard Deodorant: $2.99 each: $5.98
Sale: $1.49
Minus $2/2 Q
$.49 each: $.98

2 Right Guard Deodorant: $2.99 each: $5.98
Sale: $1.99
Minus $2/2 Q
$.99 each: $1.98

2 Totinos Frozen Pizza: $1.39 each: $2.78
Sale: $1
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE!

Total Worth: $31.10
Total Spent: $8.08

It's a super small trip but since I was limited to only using printable Qs I'm happy!
And I got free pizza and super cheap cereal! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Tortilla Soup.

Before I go into the details of tonight's dinner on a dime/soup of the week let me clarify something.
I have had some people tell me that they can't make these meals for this cheap for whatever reason.
These meals are cheap for me because I choose recipes that I have at least 50% of the ingredients already.
That's all part of meal planning AND couponing. Planning meals based on what's on sale (and you have coupons for) and what you already have in your pantry.
My pantry is pretty commonly stocked so you may find that like me, you have most of the ingredients that are needed for the meals that I post. But if not, I still try not to choose recipes with expensive ingredients. :)

Now, onto tonights dinner on a dime which also happens the soup of the week!

Tonight we made Tortilla soup with white and black beans instead of chicken!
It was so delicious, and of course CHEAP! :)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup oil
Jalapeño
Onion
2 carrots
6 celery stalks
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
1 can corn
1 can tomatoes
6 cloves garlic
Red pepper flakes
Cumin
Paprika
Lemon pepper
5 cups Veggie stock
Cilantro (optional)
Lime juice from 2 limes (optional)
1/2 cup flour
Shredded cheese

Heat oil and sauté chopped onion, celery, garlic, and carrots for 5 minutes.
Add paprika, red pepper flakes, cumin, lemon pepper, some salt, and flour.
Cook until flour is dissolved.
Add broth, cilantro, and juice of 1 lime.
Let simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.
Add cheese and juice from the last lime.
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
We also added a dollop of sour cream to our bowls!

Cost tally:
Celery: $1.29
Jalapeño: $.14
Can tomatoes: $.62
Can black beans: $.90
Veggie stock: $1.98
2 Limes: $.40

Total: $5.33

Wow! And it made so much that we ate dinner tonight, I will have enough for 4 lunches and possibly leftovers again! All for $5.33! :)

My Winn Dixie Trip!

My Winn Dixie shopping has been VERY sporadic lately!
But I think it has a lot to do with the sales. I personally think they have better sales in the Fall/Winter. But that's just me.

Either way, I'm very satisfied with my trip today! :)

Here is what I got:

(6) Kibbles 'N Bits 4lb: $6.29 each: $37.74
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$18.87)
Minus (6) $1 Q

Celery: $1.79
Sale: $1.29

Smart Balance Milk: $4
Sale: $3
Minus: $1.50 Q

(4) Gushers: $3.29 each: $13.16
Sale BOGO FREE (-$6.58)
Minus (2) $.60/2 Q

(2) Eggo Waffles: $3.29 each: $6.58
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$3.29)
Minus $1/2 Q

(4) Chi-Chi's Tortillas: $2.49 each: $9.96
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$4.98)
Minus (2) $1/2 Q

Minus $5/30 Q from Miami Enjoy the City Book

Total Worth: $73.23
Total Spent: $22.02

I saved $51!!!! :)
I love saving at grocery stores!

My CVS Paper Goods Trip!

After spending the past week in Orientation at LSU I was excited to go couponing!

CVS has some good deals this week, but I wasn't in need of anything except paper towels. We are on our last roll!
So I was super excited to see that the Scott Paper towels were part of the buy $30 get $10 ECBs!

I also had $5 ECBs and a 25% off coupon to use!

So here is what I got:

(4) Scott 6 pk Paper Towels: $7.49 each: $29.96
Sale: $4.99 each: 19.96
Minus (4) $1.25 Q

Scott 12 roll Bath Tissue: $10.99
Sale: $6.77
Minus $1.25 Q

(2) Kleenex 186 count: $2.27 each: $4.54
Sale: 2/$3
(2) Kleenex Cool Touch: $2.57
Sale: 2/$3
Minus $.50/3 Q

Minus $8.16 (25% off Q)

Minus $5 ECB

Total Worth: $45.49
Total Spent: $12.80
Received: $10 ECB!

It's like I got all of this for only $2.80! :)

Homemade Cold Medicine- Thank You Pinterest!

Let me begin by saying that this is a recipe (and photo) that I have gotten from Pinterest!

The other day I ran across this Pin and was SO excited about it.
Once the weather begins to change Jonathan is ALWAYS sick since his job requires him to go in and out of peoples warm homes so often, he gets colds like crazy!
I'm confident that we spent well over $100 last year in cold medicine. (OUCH!)

I have never been a big believer in home remedies (I guess that's what 27 surgeries does to someone, you learn to rely on modern medicine).
But after reading everyone's positive feedback I had to save this "recipe" and give it a shot the next time one of us gets a cold.

Well, whether it's this whole "being a woman" thing or the fact that I keep my home FREEZING cold inside even though it's 100 degrees outside I woke up with a nasty cough and stuffy nose.
And what was my first thought when I woke up feeling so awful!?!? YAY, I get to try the homemade cold medicine!
So I did.
And I am a BELIEVER!!!
It is very spicy, but before I could finish swallowing it my nose was cleared!

It only requires 4 items that you probably ALREADY have in your pantry!!! (and water.)

1/4 t Cayene
1/4 t Ginger
1 T Apple Cider Vinegar
2 T water
1 T Honey

Dissolve Cayene and Ginger in Cider Vinegar and water. Then add the honey, shake, and feel better!

It makes a small amount but since none of the ingredients require to be refrigerated I doubles the recipe and put it in a tiny Tupperware container so I don't have to mix some up the next time we need it!

You can find the wonderful blog this recipe came from HERE

I am so happy I found this! And if you decide to pass this on remember to give all the credit to Nancy! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Tuscan Vegetable Soup!

Tonight's dinner on a dime is of course our soup of the week! :)
I'm sure you are wondering why I have been making so much soup lately...especially since it is still "summer" (so ready for Fall...if you can't tell)
Well soup is one of the few meals that I LOVE just as much (if not more) as leftovers!
So it makes a PERFECT lunch for me whether I'm at home or at work (thanks to my amazing soup travel mug from Bed Bath and Beyond).

With this being said...Jonathan makes sure that I always have soup in the fridge since he loves the fact that it has me wanting to eat leftovers. :)

So tonights meal, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, was super easy and super good! And of course, easy on the wallet! :)

Ingredients:
Kale
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Bell peppers (not in the recipe but how can I cook anything with onions without peppers?)
28 oz can plum tomatoes
7 cups veggie stock
4 cloves garlic
1 can Cannelloni beans
Seasoning (I used red pepper, cayenne pepper poultry seasoning)

You can find the recipe HERE!

My cost:
Veggie Broth: $1.98
Kale: $.96
Beans: $.68
Tomatoes: $.90

Total: $4.52
wow! Less than $5 for a whole weeks worth of soup!
This makes enough for Jonathan and I to have dinner 2 nights plus lunch for me everyday! :)

My Rite Aid Trip!

After returning from our wonderful Staycation in NOLA I had to run to the store to pick up some things for Dinner on a Dime tonight!
So I decided to stop by Rite Aid and pick up some FREE L'Oreal shampoo!

Here is what I did:

Transaction 1:
2 L'Oreal Ever Cream Shampoo: $5.99 each- $11.98
Minus (2) $2/1 Q
Minus $8 +UPS
FREE
Received: $5 +Ups

Transaction 2:
2 NYC eye liner: $.69 each- $1.38
L'Oreal Ever Sleek Shampoo: $5.99
Minus $2/1 Q
Minus $5 +Ups
Total: $.38!!

Total Worth: $19.35
Total Spent: $.38

I am so excited! But with this trip effectively puts an end to me getting anymore shampoo! (even if it is sulfate free)
I now have 18 bottles of sulfate free shampoo. Enough to last me A WHILE! :)

My Albertson's Trip!

Before I met my mother this morning to go clothes shopping in Baton Rouge I decided to run by Albertson's since I only had one thing on my list.
This week the 6 pack of Propel Zero bottles are on sale for $2.49 then when you buy 4 you get an additional $4 off making them only $1.49 a 6 pack.
Well if you have your coupons from 6/10 there is a $1/1 Propel Q making them only $.49 per 6 pack!
WOW!!
I was so excited! :)

Here is the breakdown:
4 Propel Zero 6 Pack: $4.79 each
Sale: $2.49 each
Minus $4 for buying 4
Minus (4) $1/1 Q
Total: $1.96!!! Or $.08 per bottle!

Total Worth: $19.16
Total Spent: $1.96
I saved $17.20!

Dinner on a Dime: Rosemary Potato Frittata

Tonight Dinner on a Dime was super easy and affordable! And not to mention delicious! :)

The recipe came from Rachel Ray's show on Food Network 30 Minute Meals. And that it was!

As Rachel Ray mentions in the episode where this recipe is featured what is cheaper than eggs and potatoes!?!
You most likely have them in your pantry already!
I had the potatoes, but not the eggs but that is all I had to buy!
So this meal only cost me $1.58 for a dozen of super large eggs!
WOW!! :)

Ingredients:
12 eggs- beaten
1 lb baby potatoes (I used russet and just pealed them before cutting them up)
1 small onion (or half of a large one)
1/2 milk, half and half, or cream
2-4 sprigs of rosemary (I used some of our fresh rosemary!)
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 clove garlic
Cheese

Super easy...in a oven safe skillet sauté potatoes and onion and add the rosemary, salt and pepper. When the potatoes are tender beat the eggs with the milk/cream. Add the eggs to the skillet and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes on the stove then transfer to a 450 degree oven for 12 minutes. When it's done sprinkle some cheese and eat!
And TAH-DA! A wonderfully delicious and cheap meal! :)

You can find the recipe HERE!

FREE Accu-Chek Nano!

So this week at ALL of the drug stores you can get the Accu-Chek Nano Blood Glucose meters for $9.99.
Well...there is this AWESOME $10 coupon from this past weeks paper that makes them FREE!!

Now I really try not to get things just because they are free but I totally did this time.
But, I do know some people that can use them.

I ended up going to 3 different stores to get the 4 meters.
2 CVS and a Right Aid.
(I didn't want to shelf clear anywhere)
And at Rite Aid I got back $1 for buying it! So I made $1!! :)

CVS #1
Accu-Chek: $19.99
Sale: $9.99
Minus $9.99 Q
FREE!

CVS #2
2 Accu-Chek: $39.98
Sale: $9.99 each
Minus (2) $9.99 Q
FREE!
(I had to do 2 transactions per coupon wording)

Rite Aid:
Accu-Chek: $19.99
Sale: $9.99
Minus $10 Q
FREE!
Received $1 +UP Reward:

Total Worth: $79.96
Total Spent: NOTHING!! And received $1 back!

While at CVS I scanned my card and out popped a $3 coupon off ANY Nexxus Shampoo so I grabbed a travel size shampoo for $3.19 and only had to pay $.19 for it! :)

Target Clearance: Olay Pro-X Moisterizer!

As I was at Target picking up some groceries I decided to swing by and look at the clearance, and as always I was not disappointed!

I found some Olay Pro-X face moisturizer on clearance for $7.54!! Those are normally $29.99 each!

So here is the breakdown:

4 Olay Pro-X Moisturizer: $29.99 each- $119.96
Clearance: $7.54 each- $30.16
Minus (4) $5/1 Q (P&G 7/29)
Total: $2.54 each- $10.16

I saved $109.80 today!!! :)

AND I'll be able to submit my receipt in for the Olay $10 Rebate that is going on now!
So I'll end up only paying $.16 for $119.96 worth of face Moisterizer!

I have been DESPERATE for some face moisturizer so I am super excited about this! :)

Copycat Panera Bread Summer Corn Chowder! So Yummy! :)

I was SO EXCITED for Dinner on a Dime tonight!
Ever since Panera Bread opened I have been ADDICTED to their Summer Corn Chowder.
So I went in search of the recipe and hit the jackpot!
It was like Christmas morning for me when I found not 1 but 2 recipes for Summer Corn Chowder!
There were some differences in the 2 recipes so I pulled from each recipe what I wanted.

You can find the recipes I used from HERE and HERE!

One thing I have learned from using online recipes is ALWAYS READ REVIEWS! Those who have used the recipe before you know best the tweaks that need to be made! And I'm glad I read them.

Many people complained about the chowder being bland, and it is if you follow the recipe, but that's why you have a spice rack, right?!?!? RIGHT!
After throwing in some spices and extra fresh herbs the chowder was perfect!

Ingredients I Used:
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Potatoes (cut in small squares
2 Bell Peppers (I used one red and one orange)
1 Large Onion
1 Celery Stalk
3 Tbs Flour
5 Cups Vegetable Stock (calls for chicken stock)
4 cups corn (I used frozen)
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Fresh Basil
Fresh Parsley
Fresh Cilantro
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (or 2, depending on how spicy you like it)
Salt & Pepper
Pinch Poultry Seasoning
Pinch Celery Salt
Pinch Oregano
(the only seasoning the recipe calls for is salt and pepper, so just use whatever you like)


1. Place the oil and butter in a pot over low heat. Add the diced onion and celery and wilt for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the onion; cook, stirring, for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the broth and potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, partially covered, for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the corn, red and green bell peppers, salt, pepper, and half-and-half; cook over low heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. (I added the fresh herbs after 4 minutes then seasoned to taste.)

Tally my Cost:
All I had to purchase for this meal were the 2 potatoes, Heavy Cream, and corn!
I had all the other ingredients already! (Yay for keeping a stocked pantry thanks to couponing)
So my total cost was only $6!!
And it made a TON of soup!

Let me know if you try it!
We will definitely be making this again! :)

Dinner on a Dime. Spaghetti Squash and Green Beans.

I have 2 more recipes to share!
Jonathan and I cooked tonight and made a wonderful meal for really cheap!
(we had plenty leftover so I think it it would definitely feed at least 4)

We had some "Blistered Green Beans" and Spaghetti Squash with Herbs.
Many of the ingredients needed for both dishes are a household staple which always helps to lower the cost of dinner!
(I'm quickly realizing that the more household staples you have, the more great meals you can cook for hardly any cost out of pocket)

I didn't have to get ANYTHING for the Spaghetti Squash since I still had some Squash that my dad had grown in his garden.

And we were able to use our FRESH herbs that we have been growing in out kitchen window seal instead of buying some in the store!

The ingredients are:
Spaghetti squash
Cilantro
Parsley
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Brown sugar

Even if you did have to purchase items for this dish, it shouldn't have to be that many so your cost will still be low!

HERE is the link for the Spaghetti Squash recipe! :)

The Green beans were definitely my favorite dish of the night!
And soo easy, and also affordable!

The ingredients are:
Green beans
Apple cider vinegar
Garlic
Green onions (it called for shallots but we used what we had to cut cost)
Olive oil
Cilantro (we also used some of our parsley)
(it also called for bacon, but we decided to forgo the bacon due to our dietary lifestyle)

These green beans were really good! It's definitely a dish for cilantro lovers since the bulk of the favors come from the cilantro.
(the recipe calls for it just to be a garnish but I added it for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. I also forgot to get a jalapeño so we just didn't use it)

HERE is the recipe for these AMAZING green beans!

Let's Tally My Cost:
All I had to buy for this entire meal was the green beans which were only $4.57 at Whole Foods!

As good as tonight's meal was, I am SUPER excited about what we are cooking tomorrow! ;)

My CVS & Albertsons Trip! :)

Love all of this great hair care that is on sale this week at CVS!
Since I've converted to using only sulfate free shampoo I was excited about the L'Oreal Ever being on sale.
And I have fallen IN LOVE with the Nexxus frizz control line, so I had to pick some more up! :)

I had 4 transactions:

Transaction 1:
2 Ever Sleek Shampoo: $6.99- $13.98
Minus (2) $2/1 Q
$4.99 each- $9.98
RECEIVED: $5 ECB

Transaction 2:
Ever Sleek Shampoo: $6.99
Minus $2/1 Q
Minus $5 ECB
FREE!!

Transaction 3:
Nexxus Frizz Oil: $14.99
Nexxus Frizz Creme: $11.99
Minus $5 ECB
Minus $10 ECB
Minus $5/$10 Beauty Item
$3.49 each- $6.98
RECEIVED: $10 ECB

Transaction 4:
2 Ever Sleek: $6.99 each- $13.98
Minus (2) $2/1 Q
Minus $10 ECB
FREE
RECEIVED: $5 ECB

Total Worth: $61.93
Total Spent: $16.96
Received: $5 ECB

I am very satisfied with my trip!
And I've passed another $50 in beauty club so I'll get another $5 before my next trip!
So I'll end up with $10 ECB! :)

I also ran by Albertsons to pick up some toothpaste!

8 Colgate Toothpaste: $3.29 each- $26.32
Used in-store Q that makes each tube only $.99!!
Total: $7.92!

Sweet Corn Mac 'N' Cheese Review

This past Thursday night I made a recipe that I had originally seen on The Next Food Network Star by one of the finalist Yvan.

It was a super easy and CHEAP and looked delicious so I just had to make it!

Check out the recipe HERE!!!

Disclaimer: I am NO chef, I'm just all about saving money and when I came across this recipe and realized how cheap it could be to make, I just had to share!

The basic ingredients for this meal are:
16 oz of creamed corn (I used a little more)
2 cups elbow macaroni
TONS of cheese.

That last ingredient is what had me a bit worries that this meal wouldn't be as cheap as I had originally thought.
Shredded cheese can get pricey and I really wanted to keep this meal as close to $5 as I possibly could.

So I decided to make it "Semi-Homemeade" by using a package of Kraft Homestyle Mac and Cheese instead of buying the noodles and cheese separately.
This cut cost significantly since a package of the Mac and Cheese is roughly $2!!
(I also added some shredded cheese that I already had, but only enough to texturize the meal!

The other ingredients in this recipe are:
Milk
Onion powder
Hot sauce (optional)
Nutmeg
Cornstarch
Egg

All of which you most likely already have in your pantry! (which SIGNIFICANTLY lowers the cost of this meal for you!)

For me, the cost for this meal was:

2 cans Cream of Corn: $.62 each
Kraft Mac 'N' Cheese Homestyle: $.55
(I have like 7 of these in my stockpile from when I caught an awesome sale!)

Making my OOP for this meal: $1.79
(not counting the ingredients that I already had in my pantry)

You can't beat that!!!

And this is a great base meal that will only get better with additions like chicken or bacon to make it more hearty! :)

My Target Trip!

It feels like forever since I have gone to Target, so I just had to make a quick trip before leaving for work today.

I took advantage of the Mossimo clothes on sale for $5 as well as stacking some Qs to get some super cheap cake mix and frosting flavoring! :)

3 Mossimo Camisoles: $8 each- $24
Sale: $5 each
Minus (3) $3/1 TQ
$2 each- $6

Mossimo Leggings: $8
Sale: $5
Minus $3/1 TQ
$2

3 Duncan Hines Cake Mix: $1.27 each- $3.81
3 Duncan Hines Frosting Flavor: $.94 each- $2.82
Minus (3) $1 off wyb mix&flavor TQ
Minus(6) $.35/1 Q
$.25 each- $1.53

Total Worth: $38.63
Total Spent: $9.53

I'm not a big fan of leggings but I figured since I got them for only $2 I'd try them out.
If all else fails I'll use them as pjs. :)
But I am super excited about my $2 Camisoles!

Pantyhose Jackpot!

After hearing about the pantyhose on clearance at CVS I just had to go and check it out for myself!
I'm not the biggest fan of them but I know once I get my new "social worker wardrobe" they will be necessary! :)

Well I hit the jackpot!
Not only did I find them on clearance, they all had $1/1 Peelie Qs on them! Yayy!

I ended up with 10 pairs! :)

7 Leggs Pantyhose: $4.99 each- $29.94
Clearance: $1.24
Minus (7) $1/1 Peelie
$1.44

Leggs Pantyhose: $5.99
Clearance: $1.49
Minus $1/1 Peelie
$.49

2 Leggs Pantyhose: $5.29 each- $10.58
Clearance: $1.32
Minus (2) $1/1 Peelie
$.64

I also had 20% on my Extra Care Card that I used and for some reason it subtracted $2.33.
(the only thing I can figure is that it took it off of my pre-coupon total, but even then it wouldn't be that much taken off)
So my total OOP was only $.24!

Total Worth: $46.51
Total Spent: $.24

My Awesome Rite Aid Trip! :)

I was so excited about my Rite Aid trip today!

Jonathan only has one can of shaving creme left and I have needed some eye liner for over a month now but as a couponer I can't stand paying full price for anything (esp something as trivial as eye liner) so I am on cloud nine right now!

The sales I took advantage of were:
Spend $15 on shave gels get $7 +UP rewards. Shave gels on sale 2/$5
Buy 2 NYC products get $1 +UP reward (40% off items)

Transaction 1:
3 NYC eye liner: $.99 each- $2.97
Sale: 40% off - $.59 each- $1.77
NYC Nail Polish: $.99
Sale: 40% off- $.59
Total: $2.36
Received: $2 +UP Rewards

Transaction 2:
3 Schick Hydro Shave Gel: $3.29 each- $9.87
Sale: 2/$5
Minus (3) $1/1 Q
3 Edge Shave Gel: $3.29 each- $9.87
Sale: 2/$5
Minus (3) $.55 Q
Minus $2 +UP Rewards from #1
Total: $8.35
Received: $7 +UP Rewards!!

Total worth: $23.70
Total Spent: $10.71
Received: $7+UP for next time!

It's like getting it all for $3.71!
Making each item only $.37 each!

My Drug Store Dash!

I made a quick stop by Walgreens and Rite Aid today to pick up some things that were on sale.

Rite Aid:
8 Milky Way Candy Bars: $.99 each- $7.92
Sale: 2/$1
Minus (4) $1/2 Q
Made them FREE!!!
(there are 9 candy bars in the picture because there was an issue with the Q so the cashier asked me to grab another bar to scan and she accidentally put it in the bag with the rest. And I didn't realize it until I got home)

Walgreens:
2 EOS lip balm: $3.29 each- $6.58
Sale: 2/$6-$4
Minus (2) $2/1 Q
5 Mitchum Deodorant: $3.99 each- $19.95
Sale: $1.99
Minus (5) $1/1 Q
Total: $6.95!
Received: $4 RR from the EOS

Total Worth: $34.45
Total Spent: $6.95
With $4 RR back!

We are stocked up on candy for a while now!! :)