Operation $40K

I have been watching a certain table for a while and today, I noticed it was 50% off! We hopped in the car and zoomed over to get it. I liked this particular item because it was the right size for the space and had a lot of drawers to help keep surface clutter down. I hope this theory works! Some assembly was required -- so I had to get out the tools and get busy. Actually it was just a screwdriver but there were a bajillion screws! The frame had to be put together and then every drawer assembled. (sigh) It was a 5 hour job (while doing other things) but I do think the end result worked! What do you think? It was a better use for the space than what I had been using and I love the drawers to keep surface clutter away! It's just another small step in the constant battle of household simplification and organization, LOL! Do you have anything on your wish list anything that you are watching for the price to drop? If you do - make sure that you have strong wrists if any assembly is req

Quick run today...we didn't really need the cereal but it was only $.36 a box AND I wanted the coupon for the $3.25 off an order with milk. Transaction #1 6 assorted boxes of sale cereal (I kept them under $3/box) 1 box pasta @ $1 4 Butterfinger Candy Bars @ $.25 (I think we are passing FULL size out at Halloween) 4# bananas @ $.39/# 8th Complete vanilla soy milk @ $2 (was $3.49) 1 box granola bars @ $2 Coupons $.15 for bags (YES! I REMEMBERED THEM!!!!!) two $1 off 2 Butterfingers (doubled), two $3 off 3 cereal, $10 instant discount for 6+ cereal boxes, $1 off pasta (doubled), $1 off soy milk (doubled), $.75 off granola (doubled). I got $31.44 for $2.15 and saved 93% AND got coupon for $3.25 off my next order that has milk Transaction #2 10 packs Kraft Cheese (from the $2 sale) All 2x @$2.99 8th Complete vanilla soy milk @$2 (was $3.49) 2 Dannon Greek yogurt @ $1.19 4 Butterfinger Candy Bars @ $.25 (I think we are passing FULL size out at Halloween) Coupons: two $1 off 2 Butterfing

It was DOUBLE Double coupons today and I went to the store even though I am still fighting the mother of all migraines this week...I only did two transactions and here is what I got: Transaction #1 10 packs Yoplait Delites Yogurt @ $2.00 2 packs Ball Park Franks @ $2.00 1 Gallon of Milk @ $2.15 Coupons used: ten $1 off Yoplait (all doubled), two $2 off Ball Park Franks, $.05 for bringing a bag, that means $36.98 in groceries for $2.10, a savings of 94% ** I COULD have gotten 10 more packs of yogurt but my Mother loves this brand too and was with me - she got 10 packs for HER house while doing grocery shopping, LOL! Transaction #2 8 packs of Kool Aid Fun Fizz @ $2.19 1 pack Rhodes Rolls @ $2.39 1 pack Tornados @ $2.49 2 packs boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts (about 5#) @ $1.89/# $10.62 Coupons used: eight $1 off Fun Fizz (all doubled), $1 off Rhodes (doubled), $1 off Tornados (doubled)for $46.74 for in groceries for $13.02, a savings of 72% Grand total: $83.72 for $15.12 - 82% savings

Apples were on sale this week - and came to about $.50 a pound~ That is a GREAT deal! It's no secret that I didn't make jam this summer, we were too busy and simply had plenty left from last year. It's starting to run low so it's time to get busy in the kitchen. =) This recipe is SOOOO easy and SOOOO yummy! The best part is the fact that the end product freezes beautifully so there will be a devoted section of my chest freezer for the new preserves. If you like to get your canner out, you can process it that way to make it shelf stable! I do all the apple work - and pre-measure every thing else out so Ms Sarah can do her part by "seasoning" the apples! This makes it a true family event - the making of the apple butter! Enjoy the recipe -- it it great on lightly buttered English Muffins on a cold winter day! CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER Approx. 3-4 lb. apples 3 c. sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. allspice 1/2 tsp. cloves Dash of salt 3/4 c. water Fill cr

I get a few questions about what seems to be my lack of produce on my grocery lists. SOOO, let me try to fill in the blanks for you! Usually you only see me buy frozen fruits and veggies at the store: the fruits are great for smoothies and the veggies for soups, casseroles or side dishes. Once in a while I get canned veggies - usually only chili beans and tomatoes for stews and chili. All of those I can get at greatly reduced prices with sale pricing and coupons. We DO have a lot of fresh fruit bearing items in our backyard. Everything from apples to rhubarb. We freeze it, preserve it and munch on it. Occasionally I do get fresh fruit to add to the breakfast choices (grapes, grapefruit, bananas, strawberries, mandarin oranges) and use the aging items for making jam or breads. There are Freecycle offers for garden surplus. We have gotten tomatoes, zucchini and beans in nice quantities this summer which have led to salsa, pickles and oven roasted green beans. Then there is the swap opt

Copps will double TEN coupons this Wednesday...that makes for a whole lot of fun at the store. I can get $20 of groceries (or more) for FREE at a crack! Yoplait Delights are normally $2.50 each - so ten of them are $25...less $5 for the sale price...less ten $1 coupons that get doubled. Final total = FREE! =) I have two transactions planned so far...and may get more! 2 packs Ball Park Franks @ $2 (good for beanie weenies)(free) 8 KoolAid Fun Fizz @$1.99 (free) I will add some boneless skinless chicken breast to hit the threshold..if I need to. And then I will get: 10 Yoplait Delights $2 (free) 5 Quaker / Aunt Jemima pancake mix (2), 3 syrup (3)--$7 I am also looking at the following list but I need to flush it out with coupons: burger buns $.89 1 milk ($2) 2# carrots ($2) 2 Herbal Essence shampoo ($2.50) $1 coupons to double Tornados ($1 coupons to double...) What is on your grocery list this week?

We have a busy week ahead, starting on Tuesday! It switches up what we are doing for dinner a bit this week...He is working, I am working, we have a sitter for 3 nights. Here is how I do my meal planning. 1) I grab the calendar and see where we are for the week and what we are doing so I don't plan a meal for a night we are at a friend's party or working. 2) I grab the freezer list so I know what ** and *** items need to be used. 3) I look at the last 2 weeks so I don't feed my family the same thing, week after week. That's it! Here is my plan of attack: Breakfast is usually the same: Muffins, yogurt with granola, breakfast cookies, cold cereal* or oatmeal* with a piece of fresh fruit (apple, strawberries, grapes or banana). Lunch is either: leftovers, peanut butter* & jelly sandwiches, quesidillas, or cold plate with sausage or diced chicken - cheese* - crackers* & fresh fruit or yogurt. Dinner: Monday - it's a pizza party! Tuesday - curried chicken salad s

Sunday is a great baking day, especially since the weather has taken a dip for the cooler, crisper fall air! Today we made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, cranberry muffins, and beer bread. This should hold us a few days - muffins and juice for those mornings on the go, cookies and milk for an afternoon snack, yum! I had bought into a lot of those home parties where you spent $5 for a box of flour, add 1 can of beer and have bread. Here is my question: would you spend $6 (adding in the beer cost) for bread at the store? Of course not! Here is a beer bread recipe that you can make for $1.25 - including the cost of that beer: 3 Cups Self Rising Flour** 2 x 2 TBSP sugar 1 can beer Mix it all together, put into a greased bread pan and drizzle 1/4 cup melted butter over the top. Bake at 375* for an hour. That is it! All that is in that box is self rising four and sugar!!! Sifting flour for bread recipes is a must-do. Most people just scoop the 1 cup measure in the flour canister and level