Thrifty

I like to shop sales...in fact I would say that I am probably addicted to shopping sales. I can usually find some really good deals and when I do I always have that feeling of accomplishment. I try as a rule not to buy full price for anything retail. I however have a little bit of trouble at the grocery store. Having two boys and a husband that could eat a whole cow in one sitting my grocery bill gets up there. So I have actually started a new practice in the Slade household...the weekly menu. Oh yes people I am through coming home and trying to figure out what I am going to cook, I will have it all ready to go. You see I already make certain dishes in advance and freeze them. My homemade spaghetti sauce with spicy sausage and meatballs is always cooked in bulk, divided, and frozen for a quick yummy dinner. I also do this with my homemade chicken and dumplings, taco meat, Curry, and soups. I also shop at a wholesale retailer so I only have to buy meats, detergents, toilet paper, paper towels, and rice once every three months. I divide the frozen stuff up and tuck that in the freezer as well. My drawback is buying too many fruits, veggies and spur of the moment stuff. I average about $125 a week on milk, fruits, veggies, bread, and that sort of stuff so I wanted to see where I could cut back. I made my first menu this week and took off to the store. I stopped in at Caputos and picked up just what I needed.
The items were,
1 1/2 lbs Italian Turkey(Fresh Deli)
1lbs Cajun Turkey(Fresh Deli)
1lb of thick sliced pepperoni(Fresh Deli)
2 bunches of Bananas
2 honeydew melons
one cantaloupe
4lbs green seedless grapes (it was cheaper for the 4lbs container than the 2lb)
10 notebooks at .10cents each
1/4 lb of blue cheese(Fresh Deli)
corn chips
Doritos
2 Lettuce heads
1 bag of organic spinach.
This came to $49.61.

Then we headed off to Kellers Farm
12 ears of fresh sweet corn
Two tomatoes
6 peaches
That came to $7. 07.

Then I had to get bread and Milk so I stopped by wal-mart
2 loaves of bread, 1 white wheat and one cracked wheat.
milk
That came up to $5.76.

My Grand total for the week $66.44.
That's a savings of 58.56.
Now that's a week so if I can keep it up that is over $200 extra a month in our pockets.

I didn't pick up the muffins or the premade cinnamon rolls or any of the other impulses that I usually just grab. I actually have snacks for the kids that will last about 5 months. The local store had a 10 for $10 on fruit roll ups, gushers, chex mix, popcorn, pringles, mini oreos, mini chips ahoy, and mini golden grahams. Needless to say that was in May, I filled two cabinets full and still have 3/4ths of it full. That includes my husband stocking his desk at work. I did spend about $150 but the items don't expire until December of 2009 and some stay good even after that. I actually make some killer cinnamon rolls myself and have everything I need to do so at home. I was just picking up the Pillsbury because it was easier and faster.

Not bad huh. I am proud of myself if I do say so myself.

Here's a quick, yummy recipe. I always seem to be in a time crunch when school gets back in session and they boys sports are in full swing. The taco meat freezes well and reheats really quickly. Enjoy.

Throw it Together Taco salad
lettuce, chopped
carrots, diced
half of a red onion, chopped
pepper jack cheese, diced
fresh mozzarella, diced
cucumber, chunky
tomatoes, chunky
1 bag of corn chips lightly crushed
Ranch Dressing
French Dressing
ground beef
taco seasoning
chipolte seasoning

Combine lettuce, carrots, onion, cucumbers, tomatoes in a big bowl.
brown beef, drain and season with taco and chipolte seasoning as directed, place in separate bowl.
dice pepper jack and mozzarella, place in separate bowls.
Place some of salad mixture in bottom of salad bowl
add cheese of choice
add dressing of choice
add a sprinkling of corn chips
add taco meat
DIG IN