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Apple Market 4/1 – 4/7

Published
by
Cara
on April 1, 2009
in Apple Market
. 0 Comments

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All coupons listed are from Sunday inserts, unless otherwise stated. Apple Market doubles coupons every day up to and including 50¢ value; not to exceed cost of item.

  • Bananas 39¢lb., Tuesday only!
  • Best Choice 64 oz. Apple Juice $1.68
  • Best Choice Canned Vegetables 6/$2.98
  • Best Choice Cream Cheese 98¢
  • Best Choice Whipped Topping 88¢
  • Skippy Peanut Butter $1.38, there are a handful of coupons out there to make this cheaper
  • Kool-Aid Drink Mix 12/$1
  • Kraft Mac & Cheese 78¢
  • Post Cereal 2/$5, use in ad $1 off Q to make them 2/$4
  • Angus Ground Beef $1.88lb, sold in 10lb. tube
  • Fast Fixin’ Breaded Patties $18.90 for 10lb. box
  • Boneless, Beef Arm Roast $1.88lb.
  • 4lb. Farmland Ham & Water Product $4.88
  • Cantaloupe 98¢ ea.!
  • 15lb. bag Russet Potatoes $2.48
  • Imperial Margarine 2/98¢
  • 6-8 oz. Best Choice Shredded Cheese $1.48
  • Westpac Frozen Vegetables 88¢
  • Grands!Biscuits 10/$10, use 50¢/2 printable Q to make these 50¢, or use 35¢ printable Crescent Roll Q to make these 30¢ ea!
  • Old Orchard Frozen Apple Juice Concentrate 10/$10
  • Green Giant 8oz. Whole White Mushrooms 2/$3
  • Broccoli Crowns $1.29lb.
  • Dole Classic Iceberg Bagged Salad or Classic Cole Slaw 99¢ ea.
  • Fuji or Braeburn Apples 99¢lb.

There are lots of baking items listed this week as being on sale, but their prices don’t compare to Aldi so I did not list them. If you see a really good deal or coupon that I missed leave a comment so we can all share in on the wealth. :)

While you are at Coupons.com printing your Pillsbury coupons make sure you print of the Cottenelle Q. You can get a free 4 pack of toilet paper with it at Dillons!

Finish off your grocery list for the week by stopping by The Grocery Weekly to see what Shannon has listed as the best deals to be found at Topeka’s Hyvee and Dillons stores!

What’s For Lunch? 3/29 – 4/4 ***Updated

Published
by
Cara
on March 31, 2009
in Menu Plans
. 7 Comments

Views: 1,717 Downloads: 549 Added: 29.05.06 2400x1600 (255.6 KB)

This week’s menu plan has a hidden meaning, let’s see if any of you ladies (and gentlemen) can guess what I am getting at! :)

Sunday
B:  Glass of Chocolate Milk, with 6 Green Olives
L:  Carrot Sticks dipped in Mud

Monday
B:  Oatmeal w/tomato juice
L:  Ice cream w/ pickles

Tuesday
B:  Chocolate Shake w/ a hand full of french fries
L:  a piece of Chalk w/ a side of sardines

Okay, I am having a hard time coming up with more weird combos. Has anyone guessed what I am hinting at yet?

Baby #4 is on the way!!!

Stay tuned for the REAL menu plan. I would never force my family to eat these things…or would I? (Enter evil laugh here.)  ;)

For more “interesting” menu plans, stop by Menu Plan Monday.

***Updated with our REAL menu plan for the week:

Wednesday
B:  Baked Oatmeal, Milk (This is my second time making this, it makes a HUGE batch. I traded 3/4c. of honey for the sugar and we really liked it that way too.)
L:  Biscuits and Gravy, Steamed Carrots, Apple Slices

Thursday
B:  Baked Oatmeal, Milk
L:  Garlic Spaghetti w/Ham, Corn, Sliced Oranges

Friday
B:  Baked Oatmeal, Milk
L:  Black Bean and Cheese Burritos, Sweet Potato Fries, Grapes

Saturday
B:  Baked Oatmeal, Milk
L:  Cabbage Stew, Yogurt (I am going to attempt to make this myself…again), Bread

Tuesday’s CVS Run 3/20 – 4/4

Published
by
Cara
on March 31, 2009
in CVS
. 0 Comments

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Here is what I managed to get this week at CVS. I had some ecbs that were going to expire so I splurged and bought the Soft Soap pumps, otherwise, I didn’t think they were a really good deal this week. I have a coupon to get a rebate for the Soft Soap pumps that I found awhile back at Dillons, so I hope to get a little back that way.

Shopping at CVS has been quite discouraging lately. They hardly ever have the items on the shelf that are on sale. Even with going shopping on Monday morning I still have a difficult time getting the items I hoped for. I guess there are a lot of coupon ladies in Topeka! Anyone else have this problem?

Anyway, I am still thankful for the products I am able to get.

  • 2 Rimmel Mascaras B1G1 $7.49, used free Q from the ALL YOU Mag (you can get this magazine at Wal-mart or through mail order) this coupon only took off $6.47
  • 2 Soft Soap Ensembles Hand Soap Pumps $15.98, use 2) $1 off Q’s
  • Used $10.97 in ecbs

Total OOP:  $1.75, with $4 ecbs for next time! Not my greatest week, but still good and cheap.

I am so thankful for how the Lord keeps providing for our family little-by-little.

How did you do this week?

Stop by Money Saving Mom or The “Cent”sible Sawyer sites to see what else is on sale this week. Don’t forget to read through the comments section. There are always lots of helpful hints that are sometimes missed on the main page.

What’s For Lunch? 3/22 – 3/28

Published
by
Cara
on March 25, 2009
in Menu Plans
. 0 Comments

This is the late version of “What’s For Lunch?” I had my menu plan done up on time, but I was not able to get it posted until now.

Sunday
B:  Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, Milk
L:  Corn Beef & Cabbage, Carrots, Rolls…this quickly turned into Spaghetti when I got home from Church and discovered that I had forgot to turn my crock pot on! We ate it for dinner w/friends instead. ;)

Monday
B:  Cereal, Milk
L:  Left-overs of Spaghetti and Corn Beef & Cabbage

Tuesday
B:  Baked Oatmeal…which was very good and makes a BUNCH.
L:  Lentil Rice Casserole, Broccoli Salad, Zucchini

Wednesday
B:  Whole-Wheat Waffles with Strawberry Syrup
L:  Chicken and Black Bean Nachos, Guacamole, Corn

Thursday
B:  Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins, Milk
L:  Cantonese Dinner, Rice, Fried Cabbage, Mandarin Oranges

Friday
B:  Baked Oatmeal, Banana, Milk
L:  Salmon Quiche, Hash Brown Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes

Saturday
B:  Not sure yet, probably more of the Baked Oatmeal
L:  Out-to-eat

Apple Market 3/25 – 3/31

Published
by
Cara
on March 25, 2009
in Apple Market
. 1 Comment

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Well, this week is not as exciting as last week, but there are still a couple of items worth stopping by the Apple Market this week. They are having another 4-Day Sale, a Cookout Sale for Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday, March 28, 2009. Is it cookout season already?!

Any coupons listed are found from the Sunday paper inserts, unless otherwise stated. Apple Market doubles coupons everyday up to and including 50¢ value; not to exceed cost of item. All prices listed below will show the coupon already doubled.

4-Day Cookout Sale 3/25 – 3/28:

  • Seedless Watermelon $4.98 ea.
  • 5-qt. Best Choice Ice Cream Pails $3.98
  • Hormel Deli Ham $1.99 lb., Topeka’s store does not have a deli
  • Post Cereal $1.88, use $1/2 Q to make these $1.38 a box
  • 24oz. Roberts, Hiland, Blue Bunny or Meadow Gold Cottage Cheese $1.68, use 50¢ off Hiland Q to make this 68¢
  • Yellow Onions 68¢lb.
  • 24oz. Hunt’s Ketchup 98¢
  • Van Camp’s Pork and Beans 2/88¢
  • Best Choice 4ct. Light Bulbs 68¢
  • V05 Shampoo or Conditioner 78¢
  • Corn King Bacon $1.88

Sales all week long:

  • Ground Beef $1.68 lb.
  • Bananas 39¢ lb., Tuesday only!
  • Split Chicken Breasts 98¢ lb.
  • Assorted Pork Chops $1.88lb.
  • Seedless Green Grapes 98¢
  • Red Delicious Apples 58¢ lb.
  • Yo-plait Yogurt Cups 10/$4, use 40¢/6 Q to make these 26¢ ea.
  • Nice ‘n Fluffly or Xtra Laundry Detergent $1.88 ea.
  • Best Choice batteries $1.49
  • Roma Tomatoes 89¢ lb.
  • Medium White Onions 49¢ lb.
  • 4lb.  Bag Navel Oranges $2.99

There you have it! I have listed what I think are the best deals, if you see something I have missed, please leave a comment.

Don’t forget to stop by The Grocery Weekly to see what deals are to be had at Dillons and Hyvee this week!

Tuesday’s CVS Run 3/22 – 3/28

Published
by
Cara
on March 24, 2009
in CVS
. 0 Comments

No run for me this week!

The only thing free this week is more toothpaste, and I am up to my ears in toothpaste, so I am going to pass. But I will be running to Walgreens for the free tomato sauce!

Happy Shopping!

Super Savings Saturday-Apple Market

Published
by
Cara
on March 21, 2009
in Apple Market and freebies
. 3 Comments

I had to share what I got at Apple Market today. If you didn’t know, today is the last day for this week’s 4-day sale and I would highly recommend you stopping by to stock up on pasta sauce and pasta. All the different kinds of Ragu Sauces are on sale too; like Alfredo, Cheese, Chunky, etc.

There is an in-ad coupon for:  Buy 2 Ragu Pasta Sauces (on sale for $1ea.) and get free pasta (up to $1.50).  That is $2.25 (including tax) for two meals! How can you beat that. You have to do separate transactions to keep taking advantage of the coupon. Read here for more info on this deal and to see what else you can pick up while you are shopping.

Here is what I got:

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Transaction #1

  • Pork Loin 12.65 lb. (on sale for $1.48lb.) $18.72 …this will be used for 4 or 5 meals! :)
  • 2 Crab Classic free w/ 2¢ overage! , used 2) $1 off printable Q’s
  • 2 Organic Ragu Pasta Sauces $2.00
  • Best Choice Whole Wheat Noodles free w/1¢ overage! (these noodles are on sale for $1.49), used in ad Q
  • Fuji apples 3.49 lb. (on sale for 68lb.¢) $2.37
  • 2 packages of strawberries $2.96

Total OOP:  $28.20!

Transaction #2

  • Best Choice Whole Wheat Noodles $1.49, free w/1¢ overage!, used in ad coupon
  • 2 Organic Ragu Pasta Sauces $2.00

Total OOP:  $2.25!

See how others saved big this week at Money Saving Mom with Super Savings Saturday!

Where Have I Been?

Published
by
Cara
on March 20, 2009
in Gardening
. 6 Comments

I thought this week would be different. I had planned on blogging frequently since my children are on spring break. Any one who reads my blog has already figured out that did not happen. Sorry!

This week has flown by! Between planning our last nine weeks of school, getting my next book order ready for the Home School Conventions that are coming up, preparing our tax paper work,  laundry, and a host of other things, I didn’t get meal planning done, or my CVS run posted. We even ate out three times this week…unheard of!  But I did manage to find some time to plan and start planting a garden.

I am so excited! This is my first go at trying a garden. So that is a quite plea for…HELP! If  you have any tips I would love to hear them.

So far, with a friend’s help and the Lord’s blessing, I think I am off to a good start. Last fall I dug up my area and turned in a bunch of mulched leaves and food scraps. Turned in some mulched grass right before spring (again, my friends helped here, thanks guys).  And after a long afternoon today I got a few things planted.

I feel I am really being adventurous, because I normally kill everything green in my path. That translates into:  I have no clue about gardening. I am borrowing The Joy of Gardening, by Dick Raymond to get a head-start. This book really has some good ideas, especially if you only have a small garden space to use, like I do. The book is very user friendly and uses some simple, but I think different approaches to gardening. Like planting with what the writer calls “wide rows.”  This is basically planting tons of seeds in one wide row instead of single row planting. It seems to be working for him, so I am going to give it a try.

Here is a link if you are interested in learning more about wide row planting.

I am using the writer’s plan for a small garden plot. Here is my plot based on his design(mine is slightly larger than his):

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And what it looks like in real life today!

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I have planted my potatoes, peas, carrots and radishes, onions, spinach, lettuce, onion sets and radishes, basil, parsley. Can you tell? That big hump in the back is the potato “patch.” I had to leave extra dirt to “hill” the potatoes later. I just read a few minutes ago that I should not have planted my basil yet. Live and learn! Maybe the Lord will still allow it to grow, as well as, the rest of my garden.

I am looking forward to seeing what sprouts up first. I will keep you updated!

Anyone else planning on starting a vegetable garden this year? What are you going to try growing? Please don’t hesitate to share any helpful tips you have.

I am linking up with The Heavenly Homemaker’s, The Little Green Project this week. Head over there to see what others are doing with just about anything green!

Apple Market 3/18 – 3/24

Published
by
Cara
on March 18, 2009
in Apple Market
. 0 Comments

Looks like there are a couple of really good deals this week! There is an opportunity for a really cheap Spaghetti Dinner during their 4-day sale, so be sure to read below for more info. I will probably go shopping this week earlier than my normal Tuesday shopping to catch some of these great prices.

All coupons listed are from past Sunday’s coupon inserts, unless otherwise stated. Apple Market doubles coupons everyday up to and including 50¢ value; not to exceed cost of item. This is great! I got free sour cream last week since they changed the doubling value from 49¢ to 50¢ .

4-Day Sale Wednesday, March 18 to Saturday, March 21, 2009

  • Whole fresh, boneless Pork Loins $1.48lb.
  • Flounder Fillets $1.98lb.
  • Bar S lunch meat or franks 88¢
  • Lay’s Potato Chips $1.88
  • 1-lb. Strawberries $1.48
  • Best Choice canned fruit 29-30 oz. 10/$10
  • Bar S Jumbo Jumbos, 20 quarter pound franks, $4.98
  • Banquet frozen dinners 88¢
  • Trans Ocean Crab Classic 98¢, use this $1 off printable to make this free!
  • Cargill or Willowbrook Oven Roasted Turkey (from the deli) $2.99lb., Topeka’s store does not have a deli
  • Fuji apples 68¢ lb., this is my favorite kind of apple!
  • Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits10/$10, use 50¢/2 printable Q to make these 50¢ ea., there are several other Q’s out there to use
  • Pillsbury Chocolate Chip cookie dough $2.98
  • Kraft American Singles 16 slice count $1.68
  • Rotel Diced tomatoes with green chilies 10/$10
  • Duncan Hines Brownies 10/$10, use 35¢ off Q to get this for 30¢ ea!
  • Little Debbie snack cakes 10/$10

Meal idea!
These three are also part of the 4-day sale:  Use the in ad coupon to get free pasta (up to $1.50 value) when you buy 2 Ragu Pasta Sauces. That is only spending $3 for 2 meals (if you include the bread and only use half of the pasta for each meal)! I don’t think it gets much cheaper than that! Even better; there are Q’s out there for Ragu pasta sauce to make this even cheaper, I just don’t have any. :(   You can also go to Ragu.com for all sorts of budget friendly meals ideas.

  • American Beauty Pasta 2/$3
  • Ragu Pasta Sauce 10/$10, use $1/2, 50¢/2, 75¢/2 Q’s to make these 50¢ ea, or 75¢ ea, or 62¢ ea!
  • New York Texas Toast $1.98, use 50¢ cent off Q to get this for 98¢

This week’s sale items:

  • bananas 39¢ lb., Tuesday only!
  • fresh, boneless, skinless Pilgrim’s Pride 100% Natural Chicken Breast or Tenders $1.98lb., use 55¢ off Q
  • fresh, boneless beef Bottom Round Rump Roast $1.98lb.
  • 10lb. bag Russet potatoes $1.98
  • Best Choice Shredded Cheese 6-8oz. $1.28
  • Coke Products 3/$10 with $1 off in ad Q
  • 64oz Best choice Apple Juice $1.38
  • 48oz. Wesson cooking oil $2.69
  • Broccoli crowns $1.29lb.
  • 3lb. bag Red Delicious apples $1.99
  • Mission Avocados 79¢ ea.
  • Fresh mango 79¢ ea.
  • Cantaloupe 2/$4
  • Blackberries 2/$4
  • Wholly Guacamole 2/$4, you can sign up for coupons at their site to make this cheaper, or there is a 50¢ off Q out there that will make this $1, or $1 off printable to make it a $1

Happy Shopping!

Let me know if you see something I missed, or find another useful coupon out there.

Stop by The Grocery Weekly to see what great deals are to be had at Topeka’s Hyvee and Dillons!

Tackling a Pineapple

Published
by
Cara
on March 13, 2009
in Cooking
. 8 Comments

****Update: I found a printable coupon here for 55¢ off of a Del Monte pineapple. Aldi does not take coupons, but this may be helpful at another store. Produce coupons are rare!

Would you like to join me? I am trying something new.

I picked up a pineapple for $1.99 at Aldi the other day, which seemed like a really good price to me at the time. Normally, I just walk past a pineapple; they seem so intimidating. It is just so much easier to open up a can to enjoy some pineapple. You know? Or at least that is what I thought before I challenged myself to try to cut my own pineapple, just this once. I really came to this decision when I noticed that the pineapple had a tag hanging from it that told you exactly how to cut it (with pictures even). It looked easy enough.

And guess what? It really was easy and fast. It probably took me about 10 whole minutes to do this. And the taste! So much better than any canned pineapple I have ever had.

Are you ready? Here we go!

Here is the beauty, my tools and trusty instructions.

Here is the beauty, my tools and trusty instructions.

Make sure your knives are sharp before you start!

First, slice off the top. Or my technical name:  the poky part. :)

Now, slice the whole pineapple in half, and then into fourths the long ways. Or like the pictures below.

Now you’ll want to cut the core away on all four pieces, like this:

You may want to switch to a paring knife for this next part. We are going to cut around the “peel” of the pineapple; kind of like making a boat.

Pry the flesh out with your fingers. And now you are ready to slice and dice to your preference. I left some in large slices to eat out of hand, and then wedged the rest to freeze on a cookie sheet to use in smoothies.

Here are the final results:

If you have never tasted a fresh slice of pineapple before, I have to tell you, you are really missing out! This pineapple was so juicy and sweet with just the right tartness to it. I won’t be walking by cheap pineapples anymore. And now, I am thinking I need to make another trip to the store and pick up one, or two, or three more!

What do you think? Does it look easy enough, or still too difficult to try one for yourself?

I also wanted to add how frugal this idea of cutting your own pineapple can be. One 20 oz. can of Chunk Pineapple at Aldi costs around 99¢. You get about 2 cups of pineapple after you pour off the juice. That equates to 49¢ a cup.

I got about seven cups of chunked and sliced pineapple for $1.99. Which ends up being about 28¢ a cup.

Until I did the math, I always thought a fresh pineapple was too expensive. Even if it is $3.00 for a pineapple you are still getting a better deal buy cutting it up yourself.

For more kitchen tips, stop by Tammy’s Recipes for Kitchen Tip Tuesday!