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! :)