Finer Things Friday: Prom Dress Shopping!

It's that time again!! Prom!! I loved prom!! I love it so much, I ended up going to about 6 of them... My own, then other schools with guy friends of mine. There's just something about prom. The dress, the dancing, the midnight breakfasts afterward, then going to the shore that weekend. Those were the days! (I wish they had a prom for husbands & wives! My husband chaperone's his High School's prom, but I'm not allowed to go! Believe me, I asked, and begged!!) Oh well, guess I have to wait for the Senior (as in Senior Citizens) Prom when I grow up!!

My niece (she is 5'9"...tall, thin, and beautiful!!) is valiantly shopping for her dress, and has asked me to come along for my fashionista opinion!! Oh, I feel valued!!
Here are the final contenders:

My favorite...looks absolutely stunning on!!

This one...

And this one...only in red

Updated to say: And the winner is... Dress #1 (my fave) in the green (the color of dress #2). Turns out that was her favorite color, and she is wearing the dress... The dress will be in next week! What fun we had!! It was such a difficult process though. Best of luck to my sister when it comes times for Bridal gowns!!

Linked to: Finer Things Friday

January Challenge/Pantry List

I'm always up for a good challenge. And some ladies around the blogosphere has put a shout-out to those who want to "stay out of the stores" this month (January) and eat from their fridges, freezers, and pantries. So...I might as well hop on board as much I can. Saving a little money this month wouldn't hurt!!
I don't know if I can strictly "stay out of the stores" all month long, but I'm certainly going to try to cut down my trips to bi-weekly at most. And here is a list of items to start off your stocking your fridge, freezer, and pantries:

Pantry

EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
light brown sugar
Canola Oil
powdered sugar
Vegetable Oil
honey
basil pasta (all different kinds)
nutmeg rice (white and wild)
ginger
canned fruits
oregano
nuts (peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.)
cinnamon
baking soda
onion powder
baking powder
garlic powder
dried cherries
oats (not quick cooking)
raisins/craisins
peppercorns (and a mill)
canned potatoes
crushed/diced canned tomatoes
boxed mac and cheese (at least in our home)
tomato sauce
pretzels
chicken stock (I make my own)
kosher salt
all-purpose flour
yeast
sugar
Lemon pepper seasoning
Lawry's Seasoned Salt
cocoa powder
white vinegar
dry white wine
pure vanilla
apples
bananas
potatoes

Fridge

ricotta
salad (lettuce, etc.)
yogurt (vanilla)
eggs
cream cheese
mozzarella
parmesan
lemon juice
carrots
herbs
milk
half and half
apple juice
butter
cheddar (block)
swiss (block)
White american (sliced)
light sour cream

Freezer

homemade bread crumbs
frozen chicken stock (freeze in ice cube trays)
chicken breasts
ground beef (in pkg. or cooked/seasoned)
corn
peas
string beans
pearl onions
broccoli
cavatelli
filled pastas (ravioli, tortellini)
berries
roasts
steak
apple juice concentrate (has saved me many times)

Did I leave something out that is a must in your pantry, etc? Let me know!! I may be missing out!!
Visit MSM or LifeAsMom for some more challenge ideas!!

Super Savings Saturday- $9.42 Summer Snack Attack Edition

With summer comes playdates, extra kids in the house, and the infamous, "Mom, we're hungry" and they want snacks! Here's what I scored between two stores this week...

4 Trix Yogurts: Sale for 4/$6. (2) .80cent coupons, doubled. $.70cents each. $2.80

3 Luigis Italian Ice: Sale for $1.33. (3) .75cent coupons, doubled. Free

4 SuperPretzel/Pretzel fils: Sale for $1.84. (4) .75cent coupons, doubled. $.34cents each. $1.56

8 Cheerios: Sale for 4/$6. (4) $1 coupons, (2) $1/2 coupons, (2) .55cent coupons, doubled. About .48cents each. $3.80

2 Apple Jacks and Froot Loops: Sale for 3/$5 ($1.66 each) (2) $1 coupons. .66cents each. $1.32

Total: $9.48

I figure we're stocked for the rest of the summer in cereal. I'm going to stick popsicle sticks in the yogurts and freeze them in my new freezer for yogurt pops. Missing from picture: 4 Cheerios boxes...I sent them with Daddy to basketball camp at the State University this weekend. Hopefully he'll snack on them instead of the customary late night pizza delivery!!

Shopping in the Country

So excited about my shopping trip today. I was without my children this afternoon, so of course, I was able to take more time to scour the deals and do a better job at matching the coupons! It certainly paid off!

My total was $52.08 ...with stockpile items, tons of veggies, and two roasts!

1/2 gallon whole org. milk $2.89

1 gallon org. milk (free...from Catalina 2 wks. ago)

6 Skippy Natural Peanut Butters $4.50 (sale 2/$3, used 3 75cents coupons doubled to $1.50 to take $4.50off!)

2 OJ's $3.76

Ketchup $1

Juice Boxes $1.99 ($2.99 1$ coupon)

1 gallon org. apple juice $2.59

3 Cake mixes $1.97 (sale for .99 each, w/ $1 coupon off 3)

4 Colgate toothpastes FREE (sale for .99 each, w/ .50 coupon each, doubled = FREE!!)

(I will be dropping these off at the soup kitchen tomorrow for use in the toiletry bags we're making for the patrons for Easter)

1 Colgate Childrens Tooth paste $1.59 ($2.59w/ doubled .50coupon)

2 lbs butter $3.18

6 Steamfresh bags of veggies $3.94 (sale for .99 each, 2 $1 coupons)

2 bags Organic french fries $3.58 (sale for $2.79each, 2 $1 coupons)

2 Oscar Mayer bacon (I usually buy uncured organic, but couldn't pass up this price!! ) $3.76

1 bag Wholegrain mini bagels $2.50

Brawny paper towels $1.49

Bananas $1.56

Conv. grapes $3.22

All Natural Bottom round roast $5.99

All Natural Eye round roast $5.14

18ct. eggs $1.48

CVS: $2.41 (but could've done better!)

We've had colds here this week so I ran quickly to pick up a prescription and a few necessities. My total was $2.41 OOP (out-of-pocket) but I could've done better! After I got in the car and went to put my receipt in my CVS envelope, I realized I had a ton (about 8) coupons for $10/$50!! I had just made $50, so that would've been a good one! Oh well...just goes to show it helps to be organized!! (which I thought I was!!) Also proves how lack of sleep can impair your abilities!!

Here's what I got:
4 Pepsi 12pks and 3 Lays/Tostitos Chips for $20 purchase deal: $21 (got $10ECBs) *Great for the Super Bowl!!* I will be sending in for Pepsi/Lays Rebate in form of coupons
The rest didn't generate ECB's but were things we needed!
5 Pks Duracell : $2.99each (used (3)$1.50 coupons and (2)$1 coupons)
2 Cascade: $2.99each (used $1/2 coupon)
2 CVS select-a-size paper towels: $1.99each
1pk straws: $1
2 Gold Emblem fish: .99cents each ($1/2 CVS coupon)

Used ECB's and spent $2.41OOP. I received $10ECB's and I have another $8 remaining.
To see more CVS Superstars go here...

A Shopping Trip to BJ's and Sam's Clubs

Today I did my bi-weekly trip to BJ's and Sams Clubs. They're about 30-40mins away and both relatively near one another, so the deals justify the trip. With gas down so affordably now I'll make the trip, but when gas was so high I didn't- the cost to get there outweighed the bargains. I must say that in the past I was partial to BJ's, since they had so many more organic products and I thought their prices were better, only going to Sams for organic milk and things other than food. However, today I saw a HUGE change and was astonished that BJ's was so much more expensive than Sams! And to top it off, BJ's didn't have half of the things I get there on a regular basis! How disappointing! Read further as I explain!

This shopping trip supplements my freezer and dry good pantry/stockpile. I still have quite a bit of chicken and ground beef left! It's lasting longer than I thought!

6 organic 1/2gallon milks (Sams): $19.68

1 gallon conventional whole milk (Sams): $2.99 (BJs gallon was $.04cents less for the record!)

2 half and half's (Sams): $2.74

5lbs shredded mozzarella (Sams): $10.37 (BJs same bag was $15.89!!) *I'm not finding organic cheeses these days at our grocery store...maybe not a market for them?

3lbs. Kielbasa (Sams) for our Super Bowl party: $6.37 (BJ's price $9.99!)

3lbs. red Domestic grapes (BJ's) (Domestic (prod. of USA) is as safe as organic grapes) $6.99

5lbs. organic apples (BJ's): $6.99 (these went way up in price!)

300ct. Flinstone equiv. childrens vitamins (Sams): $8.37 (this will be almost a once a year purchase, since they'll last 300 days...we're unable to get the polyviflor vitamins anymore with the flouride and vitamins in one, so 6y/o needs to take flouride pill and Flinstones as recomm. by ped.)

(2) 2lb. bags organic baby carrots (BJ's): $4.98

*150 tall kitchen bags (Sams): FREE!! w/ free $10g.c. for renewing membership. If you're a new member, get a $25 g.c.!!

Total for 2 weeks: $69.48

I'll only need eggs, bread if necess., lettuce/salad, and maybe another gallon of whole milk to last through the two weeks! Not bad!! And...believe it or not I didn't use any coupons! That's a first!!

A Quick Shopping trip...

I ran home from grocery shopping with a few things melting in the van...the ice-cream and my three year old (for him, it was actually a melt-down!!) So I was unable to snap a picture before putting everything away...but here's the run-down of what I got this week:

Keep in mind the hamburger meat and chicken I stockpiled last week...
6 organic half-gallon milks: $21
2 Ben & Jerry's : $1.98. ($3.99each, 2/$3 coupons)
2 Juicy Juice Apple Juice bottles: $1.98 ($1.99 each, 2/$1 coupons)
4 Ronzoni wheat pastas: $2.16
Activia yogurt 4pk: $1, ($2each, $1 coupon)
Kids organic yogurt $1.79 ($2.79each, .50c coupon doubled)
Lysol wipes: .49cents ($1.49, $1coupon)
Lysol spray $1.49 ($2.49, $1coupon)
Box of clementines: $3.99
2 boxes Cheese Nips: $1.38
Perdue Dino Nuggets: .99cents ($1.99, $1coupon)
3 Kids Iron fortified bread: $5 (3/$5special)
1pk organic beef hotdogs: $4.29
Organic OJ: $2.50
Bag organic carrots: $1.99
Bag organic apples" $2.99

This replenishes items that we needed: snacks, juices, bread, and quick fill-in meal options (nuggets and hotdogs). Not to mention the Lysol items...stomach virus is on the rise here in our elementary school. This is the ONLY conventional (non-organic) cleaning agent I use. There is nothing better for the stomach virus bacteria, and that's the only time it's used in our house!! The rest of the weeks meal items were already in our stockpile.

Total this week: $55.02

A weekly shopping trip...And time to stockpile the freezer!

I was conflicted as to whether or not to post pictures and particulars about shopping trips on my blog. I certainly don't want to bore anyone! But then I thought about how fascinated I was to see some on other blogs from other parts of the country, like Kansas City, SanDiego, etc, and see the differences in prices of things (and how much further or much less a dollar goes elsewhere)! We don't have an Aldi, Kroger, or a Meijer here (actually had never heard of them until I read about them on blogs!! I was floored to see how much was bought with just $40! I even suggested to my husband we move! BTW...he didn't even entertain the thought!!) Just high priced, retail grocery stores of the northeast!!

So, here goes:
I went to CVS, SuperWalmart, Sams Club, and the grocery store.

CVS: $9.36, received back $9.98 ECB's
2 paper towels: $2.68 (buy one CVS item get one 50% off)
wipes (can't remember price!!)
2 childrens sore throat pops : $4.99 BOGO coupon, get $4.99 ECB on each
2 boxes freezer bags: can't remem. price, but CVS item so sale applies
2 spices CVS sale applies
(Used $3 off CVS item coupon and some ECB's)

(5) 1/2 gal. organic milks: $16.40 (cheapest at Sams Club. We usually buy 6, one being whole milk for my son, but they didn't have any this trip)
Juice boxes: .98cents ($1.98 w/ $1 coupon)
Kids Iron enriched bread: $1.78
Half gal. conventional whole milk: $2.18
2 yogurt 6 packs: $3.56 (had $1 off 2 coupon)
Bagged salad: $1.75
4 boxes Macaroni Grill Dinners: $9.32 (we use these when entertaining family, or when bringing a meal to someone.) Two are already accounted for for that purpose. (I had 2/$1 and 2/$1.10 coupons)
3 packs of 4 Rubbermaid storage containers : $3.75 Totally not a necessity! (these were $1.25 each because they had a fall colored lid!! DH uses these for leftovers, but does NOT microwave in them, and we use them for puzzle storage boxes and crayons! I might go back and get more!!)
2 EnviroKids cereals: $5.98

2 Totinos Pizza Rolls: Free. 10/$10 (2/$1 coupons!!) These make a great snack to have on hand for drop-in guests! It makes entertaining so often more affordable!

(Another shopping trip not pictured:)
1 bag organic potatoes: $3.99
Bag black organic grapes :$4.29
2 bags organic apples: $7.98
1 bag organic baby carrots: $1.49
big bag of clementines: $3.99
bananas: $1.19

Now...onto the meats!!
I scored some GREAT deals on meats these past two days. All natural ground beef for $1.49lb and all-natural free range boneless chicken breasts for $1.79lb. These are at a local deli that gets all produce/meats from local farms.

7.7 lbs all-natural ground beef $11.04

So...I got 7.62lbs of chicken and 7.7lbs of ground beef! I take the chicken and put the packages in the freezer for about two hours so they get a little firmer, then take them out, slice each breast in at least half (most of them I could go into thirds they were so thick!) so to make thinly sliced breasts (the way we like them) clean them, then package in freezer bags. Thats how you to stretch your dollar! The ground beef came in huge packages, so I just divide the packages into 1 lb freezer bags and freeze. I have at least two weeks worth of meat for $24.67!

7.62lbs all-natural free range boneless chicken breasts $13.63

I have a huge stockpile of frozen veggies, so that's why they were not on the list. Goes to show how having a stockpile (when deals are so great) really helps the budget!!

Total: $102.64 (if you want to figure each weeks meat costs, then it's $90.31 for this week!) Not bad for organic, all-natural, healthy foods, a few extras, and stockpiling the freezer for at least a few weeks with meats! And I have $9.98 in ECB's for next trip!!