AllYou!!grocerychallenge09

DAY TEN Continued:

2009-07-23T08:03:00.005-05:00

Lunch:
Me: leftover sweet and sour chicken ($0.00- Day 9 Dinner)
Natalie: Slice of Apple wood bacon cheddar cheese, strawberry milk, Cheerios ($0.00 Stockpile & Trip #2)
Husband: Chicken and Potato Pasta- microwave down at work ($6.47-French Corner)

Dinner:

Natalie: Loaded Mashed potatoes, strawberry milk, banana, green peas ($0.00 stockpile, trips #2 & #3)

Me and Husband: Steakhouse Shepard's Pie and green peas ($0.00 stockpile, Trips #1 & #3)

Steakhouse Shepard's Pie:

1 lb. ground Beef (I used the Nolan Ryan beef I got on sale for $0.99- Trip #3)
1/2 Onion diced
Gallic, salt, and pepper to taste
1/2 c. A.1. (I got these for less than $0.50 a bottle)
apx. 2 c. cooked corn (I used the Bird's Eye Steam fresh I purchased with a q.)
Loaded Mashed Potatoes (I used Betty Crocker instant I got for less than $0.50 with q. and part of a Sargento Potato Finishers-All American I purchased with a q.)
1/2 - 1 c. Shredded Cheese (I used Kraft 2% mild cheddar I parched for $0.49- Trip 3)

Brown Beef with onions. I added in a few diced tomatoes I had in the fridge too. Seasoned with minced Garlic, SALT and pepper. DRAIN. Add 1/2 c. A.1. to flavor and moisten.
Place in bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish.
Layer cooked corn on top.
Cover with loaded mashed potatoes. (I only put the white cheddar cheese sauce with chives in)
Sprinkle with bacon bits (from the Potato Finishers Kit)
Top with Cheese (I would have used the cheese from the Kit, but I used it in something else. :))

Bake on 350 for 20-30 min. Cheese should be completely melted.
Serve. :) (I served mine with Bird's Eye Steam fresh Sweet green peas)

Snacks:
ME: Starbucks Java Chip icecream ($0.00 stockpile-got for $0.50 at Walmart with 2/1 q)
Natalie: Apple juice ($0.00- stockpile)

TOTAL DAY TEN $6.47

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TOTAL WEEL 2: $15.12

DAY TEN

2009-07-22T09:39:00.003-05:00

BREAKFAST

Strawberry Pancakes: I added four diced strawberries to my normal pancake batter. I use the Bob Mill's gluten free pancake mix. I cut the recipe in 1/3 because that is all my daughter and I can eat. :) Top with 1 strawberry diced and powdered sugar. YUM!!! This is the first time I made these. THEY WERE GREAT!!

Me: Strawberry Pancakes & Chocolate Milk ($0.00 stockpile, trips #1, #2, & #3)

Natalie: Strawberry Milk, Strawberry Pancakes, & Strawberry Yogurt ($0.00 Stockpile, trips #1, #2, and #3)

Husband: Norm ($0.00- free at work)

Shopping Trip #3 & DAY NINE

2009-07-21T20:39:00.010-05:00

Shopping Trip #3- Kroger

Mega sale: Buy 10 items get $5.00- .50 off each item

(bought 8 food items & 2 non food- batteries)

3-16 oz. Daisy Sour Cream $1.99 each- (3) .50/1 q doubled = $1.47 ($0.49 each)

1- 8 oz. 2% Kraft Cheddar Cheese shredded $1.99 - .50/1 doubled q = $0.49

2- 3 Lt. Ozarka Drinking Water $0.99 each = $0.98 ($0.49 each)

2- 2 Lt. Diet 7-Up $1.29 each - 1/2 q = $0.58 ($0.29 each)

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1- Gallon 2% Milk $1.99 - .75 Kroger q = $1.24

1.53 lb. bananas = $0.87

3- McCormick Grill Mates marinade packets $0.89 each - (3) .50/1 doubled q = Free + $0.11 overage

2- Hillshire Farms deli meats $2.39 each - .65/2 q = $4.13 ($2.07 each)

1- Almond Snickers $0.50 - free q = Free

Total OOP: $8.65

Total Coupon savings including Mega sale: $13.68

TOTAL Savings including Kroger Plus Member discount: $19.27 = 69%

DAY NINE:

Breakfast:

Me:norm ($0.00 stockpile)

Natalie: Strawberry milk and strawberry banana cereal bar ($0.00 stockpile, trips #1 & #2)

Husband:norm ($0.00 free at work)

Lunch:

Me: Uncle Ben's ready rice-roasted chicken with mozzarella cheese, D.P. ($0.00 stockpile)

Natalie: Turkey cubes, cheddar cheese, Cheerios, strawberry milk ($0.00 stockpile)

Husband: Marie Calendar's Chicken pot pie ($0.00 stockpile- we buy these in bulk at Sam's)

Snack:

Natalie: 100 calorie pack Chips Ahoy

Dinner:

Natalie: Corn (leftover Day eight), Banana, and strawberry milk ($0.00- stockpile, Trips #1,#2, & #3)

Me and Husband: Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit- Sweet and Sour Chicken - I added onions and carrots. ($0.00 stockpile)

Snack/Dessert:

Me:Almond Snickers (Trip #3)

Husband: Pink Lemonade pie ($0.00 day six)

TOTAL DAY NINE: $8.65

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TOTAL WEEK 2: $8.65

Day Eight

2009-07-21T10:41:00.006-05:00

First Day of Week 2:

Breakfast:
Me: Instant Breakfast ($0.00 stockpile and trip #2)
Natalie: Strawberry milk & Cereal bar ($0.00 stockpile & trip #2)
Husband: Coffee at work ($0.00)

Lunch:
Me: Beef smoked sausage, Uncle Ben's Broccoli Au gratin Rice, and Bottle water ($0.00 stockpile)
Natalie: American cheese, rice, and strawberry milk ($0.00 stockpile & trip #2)
Husband: Oatmeal at work ($0.00)

Snack:
Me: Snickers & D.P. ($0.00 stockpile)
Natalie: Strawberry Apple Puffs ($0.00 stockpile)
Husband: David's Sunflower seeds ($0.00 stockpile- we buy in bulk at Sam's)

Dinner:
Natalie: American Cheese, toasted hamburger bun with Smacker's all fruit spread, Green Giant Corn (boxed frozen w/ butter sauce), and Strawberry milk ($0.00 stockpile, Trips #1 & #2)
Me: Beef smoked sausage, Uncle Ben's rice, and Green Giant corn ($0.00 stockpile)Husband: Beef Smoked Sausage with Fresh Express Cesar BLT completes salad ($0.00 stockpile)

Snack:
Me: Strawberry Lemonade Pie ($0.00 day 6)
Natalie: Sweet Potato Puffs ($0.00 stockpile)

TOTAL DAY EIGHT $0.00

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TOTAL WEEK 2: $0.00

WEEK ONE IN REVIEW

2009-07-20T11:18:00.006-05:00

Here is how week one went as far as money goes. I am hoping to do better this week in terms of fast food, snacks, & sodas. We were not at home much this last week and it shows!!!

DAYS SIX & SEVEN

2009-07-20T10:36:00.005-05:00

DAY SIX

Saturday Breakfast:

Me: Instant Breakfast (stockpile)

Husband: Cereal & Milk (stockpile)

Natalie: Strawberry milk & Quaker oatmeal raisin bar (stockpile & shopping trip #1)

Lunch:

Me & J.H. girls: Hamburgers on the grill w/ Borden Apple wood bacon cheddar cheese and Barbecue Ranch sauce, chips, homemade ranch dip, Coke & D.P., and Pink Lemonade pie for desert.

****2/3 c. Country Time Lemonade, 1 can Eagle brand, 8 oz. sour cream, 12 oz cool whip- mix 1st 3 ingredients, fold in cool whip- fill 2 graham cracker crust and freeze for at least 1 hr. Serve frozen- YUM!!!**** (some stockpile and shopping trip #1

Husband: McDonald's ($5.92-I hope he saved the receipt)

Natalie: Gerber Pasta Pick ups- strawberry milk, chicken and carrots, orange jello(stockpile & shopping trip #1)

Dinner:

Me and Husband:Hamburgers again

Natalie: Beechnut mini meal-Strawberry milk, Mac & Cheese w/ carrots, applesauce (stockpile)

Snacks:

Brownies one of the girls brought over and snickers bar (stockpile)

TOTAL DAY SIX: $5.92

DAY SEVEN

Breakfast: (stockpile)

Me: Instant breakfast

Husband: Cereal

Natalie: strawberry milk and Cheerios

Lunch:

Hamburgers

Natalie: Gerber Pasta Pick-ups, strawberry milk, peaches in strawberry gel (stockpile & trip #1)

Dinner: (stockpile)

Me: Bowl of Cereal

Husband: Ice cream and Milk

Natalie: animal crackers, cheese, and strawberry milk

DAY SEVEN TOTAL: $0.00

DAY FIVE plus Shopping Trips #1 & #2,

2009-07-17T19:54:00.005-05:00

Well I finally made it to the store. I just listed GROCERY items purchased. I think I did pretty good considering I had to buy things for a party tomorrow- I guess entertaining costs much count. :(

#1 KROGER

Crazy Meal Deal: Buy 3lb. Ground Beef, get lettuce, taco seasoning, & taco shells FREE

3 lb. Kroger ground chuck $6.73 - $2.00/1 meat q (when you buy A.1.) = $4.73 ($1.58 per lb.)

1- Fresh Express Shreds $1.00 = Free

1- Kroger Taco Seasoning $0.43 = Free

1- Kroger Taco shells $1.09 = Free

MEGA SALE: Buy 10 Participating Items get $5.00 off Total (.50 off each item)

2- Quaker Chewy Bars $2.20 each -.75/2 q = $2.65 ($1.33 each)

3- 16 oz. Daisy Sour Cream $1.99 each -(3) .50/1 q doubled = $1.47 ($0.49 each)

4- 4 pk. Dole Fruit in Gel $1.99 each - (4) .55/1 q = $3.74 ($0.94 each)

4- Frosted Mini Wheat's $2.69 each - (2) BOGO, took $6.76 off, (2) 1/1 q = FREE

2- 10 oz A.1. $2.99 each -(2) 2/1 q = $0.98 ($0.49 each)

4-Kraft Salad Dressing $1.69 each - (4) 1/1q = $0.76 ($0.19 each)

1- 2 Lt. Coke $1.29 = $0.79 (needed for party)

Items I needed for my J.H. girls party tomorrow:

1- Tomato $1.21

1- 16 oz Cool Whip $2.69

2- Kroger Pie Crusts $2.98 ($1.49 each)

1- Eagle Brand Milk $2.39 - .35/1 q tripled = $1.34

1- Lays wavy $2.99

1- Lays Cheddar $2.99

2- Kroger Jumbo Hamburger Buns $1.50 each = $3.00

Other Items:

2- Gerber Graduates Pasta $1.19 each -1/2 q = $1.38 ($0.69 each)

2-1 lb. Nolan Ryan Ground chuck $2.99 each - (2) 2/1 meat q, when you buy Kraft = $1.89 ($0.99 each)

1- Kroger cereal bars $1.99 - 1/1 q = $0.99

2- Beach Nut banana cookies $1.99 each - BOGO = $1.99 ($1.00 each)

1- 2 lb. Strawberries = $2.97

#2 CVS

1 gallon milk $2.69 = Free (paid with ECB, received 1 ECB for buying milk)

Total OOP: $43.23

Total saved with coupons & Mega sale discount: $46.05

Total Saving including Kroger Plus card savings: $73.90 -- 63% savings

DAY FIVE MEALS:

Breakfast:

same as before

Lunch:

Me: Carnation Instant Breakfast (stockpile)

Natalie: Turkey cubes and sliced cheese with Strawberry milk (stockpile)

Husband: Taco Salad $6.47 (I hoped he saved the reciept. I love online banking!!)

Snack:

Natalie: Strawberry Apple puffs (stockpile)

Dinner:

Me- well I haven't eaten yet, been to busy. I will probably have a bowl of cereal from stockpile

Natalie- Quaker oatmeal & rasin bar, peaches in strawberry gel (receipt #1)

TOTAL DAY FIVE $49.70

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TOTAL WEEK 1: $59.51

DAY FOUR- Last day of conference

2009-07-17T11:40:00.002-05:00

Well I have been trying to get caught up!!! I have gone through the All You blogs and tried to find everyone individual blogs and add them to my blog roll.
-I need to get organized for my 1st shopping trip of the contest. I will post later about that. Here is what we ate on day four.

Breakfast:
Me: Carnation Instant breakfast (stockpile-I drink this almost every morning)
Natalie: Strawberry milk and Cheerios (stockpile)
Husband: did not eat

Lunch:
Incredible Pizza buffet ($0.00- Youth Conference)
they had quite a selection from the normal pizza and salad to baked potatoes, fresh fruit, and nachos!!

Snack:
Sonic Drinks at Happy Hour!! $2.20- Husband did not keep receipt

Dinner:
Me: 2 hot dogs w/ cheese no bun (stockpile)
Natalie & Husband: Velveeta Shells and Cheese with Ketchup (stockpile)
Drinks-Strawberry Milk & Sweet Tea (stockpile)

TOTAL DAY FOUR: $2.20
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Total Week 1: $9.87

Day Three

2009-07-15T14:30:00.005-05:00

It looks like I am the only one in my family spending any $$ this week....

Breakfast:
Same as before- ($0.00- stockpile)
Husband: Oatmeal ($0.00 free at work)

Snack:
Same as day 2 -($1.00)

Lunch:
Me & Natalie- Hamburgers, chips at Church Conference- $0.00
Husband: Frozen Dinner ($0.00- stockpile)

Snack:
Me: Cheese nachos (stockpile)
Natalie: Strawberry Milk, 2 slices of cheese, mashed sweet potatoes (stockpile)
Husband:Flour tortillas and Cheese (stockpile)

As you can see we like our cheese. :) I knew Natalie wouldn't eat at Dinner(which was served after the service) so That is why her 'snack' is so much like a meal. :)

Dinner:
Loaded Baked Potatoes at Church Conference- $0.00

TOTAL DAY THREE: $1.00
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TOTAL WEEK 1: $7.67

End of Day One, On to Day Two

2009-07-14T16:48:00.003-05:00

This week is going to be a little different than most. Because of the Youth Conference most of our meals are paid for. We are workers and did not have to pay to attend. Next week will be more normal, but I am keeping still track.

Day one Dinner:
Taco Salad at Church Conference-
1-D.P.- $0.50 (no receipt- vending machine)

TOTAL DAY ONE: $5.67
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DAY TWO:

Breakfast:
SAME AS DAY ONE $0.00

Snack:
Candy & Coke- $1.00 (no receipt)

Lunch:
ME & Natalie: BBQ Beef and chips at Church Conference $0.00
Husband:Chicken Noodle Soup($0.00 from stockpile)

Snack:
Me: Cereal & Milk ($0.00-stockpile)

Dinner:
Natalie: Beechnut Mini Meal-Spaghetti has lots of hidden veggies including carrots- ($0.00-stockpile)
Whatever they are serving at the conference- Sandwiches$0.00

TOTAL DAY TWO: $1.00
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Total Week 1: $6.67

DAY ONE- Continues

2009-07-13T17:57:00.003-05:00

Well it is only the first day and I blew it!!!!! Our church is having a Youth Conference this week and I was up there most of the day decorating. So it was fast food for Lunch.

LUNCH:
Me: Jack in the Box- Sm. Cheeseburger, Med. Curly Fries, Med. D.P. = $5.17 (Receipt #1)
Natalie: Beach Nut Mini Meal- Mac and Cheese- ($0.00 from stockpile)
Husband: Frozen Dinner-($0.00- from stockpile)

Natalie Snack: Cheerios, Fruit Snacks, Pedialyte ($0.00- All from Stockpile)

DAY ONE-

2009-07-13T08:40:00.001-05:00

I am still not sure how this contest is suppose to work. I am still waiting to get my questions answered, but I will go ahead and get started. :)

Breakfast: $0.00
ME: Carnation Instant Breakfast ($0.00- stockpile)
Husband: Coffee ($0.00- Free at work)
Natalie 18 mo. old: Strawberry milk, dry Cheerios ($0.00- stockpile)

Let's Get Ready!!!

2009-07-01T15:53:00.000-05:00

All You is hosting a grocery challenge!! The winner receives $1,000.00 grocery card!! Go here to learn more. The contest will run from July 13th to August 17th. I am starting this blog to help keep me track of my spending. I don't think I'll win, but it will be fun to try and spend the least amount possible. I already have a good stockpile and lots of Q's. The hard part will be saving money eating out!!

Some of the guidelines are:

--$25.00 per person per week.

Children under the age of one do not count, so I will have three. :) My husband, daughter (18mo.) and me. That will be $75.00 a week for food. That includes groceries I buy and eating out, but not food I already have at home or someone else provides.

--Be creative an intuitive

I am guessing this means saving money by shopping sales and using Q's. Which I already do, so that should be easy.

--Be healthy

Now this one is really going to be a challenge. I don't garden and veggies can be expensive...so will see how this goes.

Go here to see Official Rules.