Thursday, October 31, 2013

Jif Hazelnut Spread

 
My children love Nutella.  I don't buy it often because it is rather expensive, nearly $4 for a small jar, but on the rare occasion it goes on sale or I find a coupon I will purchase it for them as a treat and thus I am dubbed a superhero. 

Jif came out with their own version awhile back and as a result a lot of coupons became available.  I finally broke down and bought some using a $1 off coupon which made it $2.65 for a 14.1 oz. jar. 

One thing that surprised me is that it comes in a glass jar.  I was thrilled.  As I made my way through the store to finish my shopping I had all kinds of ideas whirling through my head how I was going to recycle this jar.  With so many things now coming in plastic jars, especially mayonnaise, mustard and peanut butter it was really nice to find this in a glass jar. 

The jar is a nice size too.  Perfect to fill with homemade hot cocoa mix and give away this Christmas.  Oh yeah, I'll be doing that.  And the brown lid couldn't be any better for cocoa.  I'll make a cute label to put on the front of the jar after I fill it. 

So how does it taste?  Great!  I think it is every bit as yummy as Nutella and my children heartily agree.  They wasted no time "buttering" up a slice of toasted whole grain bread for their breakfast this morning. 

Sorry Nutella but as long as Jif comes in a glass jar I'll be buying it from now on and reusing those jars.  Have you tried it yet?

Happy Halloween!


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Next Week's Meal Plan

I wish my lasagna looked this pretty but alas, no food stylist at my home.
 
Even with a tiny kitchen I can whip up a great meal.  Nothing is better than sitting down together as a family to eat a nourishing and delicious dinner.  So this what I have planned for our dining pleasure next week. 

Sunday – Vegetarian Lasagna, Garden Salad
Monday – Minestrone Soup, Garden Salad
Tuesday – Ground Beef Tacos, Lettuce, Cheese & Salsa
Wednesday – "Egg McMuffins" & Fruit
Thursday – Tuna Casserole, Peas & Carrots
Saturday – Leftover Buffet, Pizza or Dine Out 

School Lunches: 

Monday: - Lasagna
Tuesday - Soup
Wednesday - Taco Melt
Thursday - PB & Honey Sandwich
Friday - Tuna Casserole 

What delicious items made it on your menu this week?

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Grocery Budget Update - October

 
I took the remaining $59.21 left over from last month and added it to this month's budget which gave me $184.21 as a beginning budget.  I spent more on groceries this month than I have any other month this year but, I still have $24.82 in reserve. 

You will most likely note that I bought a lot of frozen pizza this month.  It was on sale quite a few times throughout the month and there were plenty of coupons available.  I used frozen pizza in place of dining out.  With the sales price and coupons it saved me a boat load of cash over dining out this month. 

Our non-food budget came in at $13.10 (of our allotted $25) for 9 cans of cat food, 20# bag of cat litter, an 8 pack of paper towels, a box of facial tissues, a fabric softener refill, a new hand soap dispenser for the kitchen and a couple bars of soap. 

This is what I bought for groceries this month: 

 
 
 $$$
 
Sour cream (4)
 
              3.88
Sale 
Bread
 
              0.98
Store Promotion
Muffin mixes (4)
 
              2.90
Sale/Coupon
Flour - 5#
 
              1.67
 
Brownie mix (2)
 
              1.98
 
Tea
 
              2.94
Sale/Coupon
Coffee beverage mix
 
              2.67
Coupon
Taco shells (2)
 
              2.44
Sale/Coupon
Salad dressing
 
              1.50
Sale
Frosting (2)
 
              3.03
Sale/Coupon
Tortillas
 
              1.49
 
Bread  (2)
 
              3.00
Store Coupon
Milk - 1/2 gal (3)
 
              3.75
Store Coupon
Orange juice - 1/2 gal
 
              1.25
Store Coupon
Apple juice - 1/2 gal (2)
 
              3.00
Store Coupon
Canned tomatoes (4)
 
              2.00
Store Coupon
Soup (2)
 
              1.30
 
Rice - 3#
 
              2.89
 
Pizza
 
              1.66
Sale
Cereal (3)
 
              2.13
Sale/Coupon
Cereal (2)
 
              4.00
Store Coupon
Cole slaw mix
 
              0.98
 
Lettuce
 
              0.88
 
Less bag refund
 
            (0.25)
 
Crackers (2)
 
              2.00
Dollar Store
Green olives (2)
 
              2.00
Dollar Store
Pizza (2)
 
              5.67
Sale/Coupon
Bananas
 
              0.56
Markdown
Eggs
 
              1.48
Store Promotion
Canola oil
 
              2.98
Sale
Weiners
 
              0.98
Sale
Spinach
 
              1.87
 
Bread
 
              1.99
Store Coupon
Cookie dough mix (2)
 
              2.00
Markdown
Cherry pie
 
              1.50
Markdown
Pasta (4)
 
              3.08
Store Coupon
Cereal (3)
 
              4.14
Store Coupon/Coupon
Cinnamon rolls
 
              1.36
Sale/Coupon
Orange juice - 1/2 gal (3)
 
              2.31
Store Coupon
Frozen veg (3)
 
              2.04
Sale/Coupon
Pizza (4)
 
              8.98
Store Coupon/Coupon
Lunchmeat
 
              0.99
Coupon
Deli ham
 
              4.11
Sale
Bananas
 
              1.21
Sale
Cole slaw mix
 
              0.98
 
Lettuce
 
              0.88
 
English muffins (2)
 
              1.18
Markdown
Bread (3)
 
              4.00
Sale
Potatoes - 5#
 
              0.88
Sale
Crackers (2)
 
              1.98
Sale
Peanut butter
 
              1.50
Store Coupon
Cereal (3)
 
              3.00
Store Coupon/Coupon
Milk - 1/2 gal (3)
 
              2.97
Store Coupon
Soup (9)
 
              9.00
Sale/Coupon
Less bag refund
 
            (0.15)
 
Butter (2)
 
              3.76
Store Coupon
Chocolate chips (2)
 
              3.36
Store Coupon
Sugar - 4#
 
              1.88
Store Coupon
Pork roast
 
              2.96
Markdown
Crushed tomatoes - 28 oz (2)
 
              2.00
Dollar Store
Cream cheese (2)
 
              2.00
Sale
Cheese (6)
 
              9.00
Store Coupon
Crackers (2)
 
              2.32
Store Coupon/Coupon
Bread
 
              1.98
Markdown
English muffins
 
              0.59
Markdown
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 $      159.39
 

$159.39 ÷ 31 days ÷3 people = $1.71 per person per day! 

How did you do with your grocery budget last month?
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