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Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

Jan 27th, 2012 by

Our family was at a Conference (or preparing for the Conference) for the majority of the week.  I didn’t have time to really do a regular grocery shopping run and we tried eating up items that we had in the fridge already but I did pick up a couple of items for a get together early in the week.  It’s a very “quiet” week in terms of grocery shopping for our family.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

Groceries from Walmart

Walmart Groceries:

  • $3.66 at Walmart for 1 bag Toastidos Chips and 1 bag Potato Chips for a couple events that we had earlier in the week.

This week I spent $3.66 on groceries.  I was way under on my budgeted amount for the week because of the busy week with the conference and traveling so thankfully I have a little extra to use towards next weeks groceries.  The only thing I purchased was for an event we had this week.  I hope that next week is better week, back to normal, and we can come under budget!

It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

Posted in Budget, Coupons, Intentional Living, Living on a Budget, Weekly Ads | No Comments »

Recipe: Cinnamon Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa

Jan 27th, 2012 by

I recently made Cinnamon Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa to bring to a friends house.   The sweet chips and fruit salsa are a wonderful combination.  I received my inspiration for this recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.   My Fruit Salsa had a different blend of fruit in it (mainly because I used what I had on hand) and I cut the recipe in half.  The recipe was a hit!
Cinnamon Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa:

Fruit Salsa

  • 2 diced Red Delicious Apples
  • 1 peeled and diced Orange
  • 1 cup diced Strawberries
  • 1/2 cup halved Cranberries
  • 1/2 cup Pomegranate Seeds
  • 1 tablespoon White Sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Fruit Preserves (I used half Peach-Raspberry Jam and half Pear Honey made by my cousin Renelle)

Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

  • 10 (10 inch) Flour Tortillas
  • Melted Butter or Cooking Spray
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Cinnamon

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.  Coat both sides of a flour tortilla with melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray.  Dip the buttered tortilla into the sugar and cinnamon mixture (or sprinkle the sugar / cinnamon mixture over the buttered tortilla).  Use cooking scissors to cut the tortilla into wedges and place in a single layer onto a baking sheet.  Spray the top of the tortilla wedges with cooking spray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.  Repeat until you have finished the tortillas.
  2. Wash, peel and dice all the fresh fruit.  Place the fruit in a bowl and mix.  Add the white sugar, brown sugar, and fruit preserves and stir thoroughly.  Cover the fruit and chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
  3. Serve the Cinnamon Tortilla Chips with chilled fruit mixture. You can use this salsa with cinnamon graham crackers, cinnamon pita chips, or any type of cinnamon chips.

Posted in Events, Fresh & Healthy, Menu Planning, Recipes | No Comments »

Box Tops for School

Jan 26th, 2012 by

The girls are always on the look out for Box Tops for their school!  A couple months ago I spent an evening with the girls gluing all our box tops onto the sheets.  Every full 50 box top sheets that we filled gave the girls an entry into a drawing and a little special toy.

Since I have two kids I wanted to fill at least two sheets.  Each box top gives $0.10 cents to your child’s school so by filling up two pages our family would be helping the school get $10 to use.  Since it takes our family awhile to build up our stash of box tops I typically do this activity once a year, but when the girls went to bed we only had 88 box tops, we were still 12 short of filling up 2 sheets (100 box tops).  They were disappointed that we didn’t have enough for both sheets but went to bed hopeful.

After the girls went to bed I went through the pantry looking for all the extra box tops still on the boxes of food.  And guess what!?  I found 12 more to put onto the sheet for them to take to school.  The girls were so excited to see the completed box top sheet on their bar stools at breakfast the next morning.  Love being able to make my girls smile, even if it means removing the box tops off the items still in the pantry.

To get more information on Box Tops and how you (and your school can participate) can be found at Box Tops for Education.

 

Posted in Family, Kids, Raising Multiples, Teaching our Children, Twins | No Comments »

Versatile Blogger Award!

Jan 25th, 2012 by

I was excited to receive the Versatile Blogger Award from Save Green Being Green. Thanks!  Please check out Jessica’s great blog when you have a chance!

The rules for this award are:

1. Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them. (see above)
2. Tell 7 things about yourself. (see below)
3. Pass this award on to 10 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they’ve received an award.
Seven Things about Bridgette:
1.  I started my first business Junior High School and second business in College.
2.  I grew up on a farm in Kansas (the closest Walmart was an hour away).
3.  I saw ocean for the first time in Aruba when I got engaged to my handsome man!
4.  I love traveling around the world but my favorite place is to be home with my family.
5.  I have fraternal twin daughters who light up my world.
6.  I know how to drive a Combine Harvester.
7.  I love playing board games with family and friends.

10 Blogs that I have awarded the Versatile Blog Award are….

The Savings Momma

Close to Home

MichiGal

Rachel Ferrucci

Be Your Best Mom

Blogging Babies & Bayou

Coupon Clippin Texan

Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Mom Knows Best

Fun Being Frugal

Take a minute to check out these neat blogs!

Posted in Family fun, Intentional Living, Life Simplified, Rewards | 4 Comments »

Tips on Making Lunch Box Meals Fun & Healthy!

Jan 25th, 2012 by

School Lunch – PB&J, Chocolate Milk, Yogurt, Jello, Strawberries, Banana Pepper and Tomatoes

This year we made the decision to pack school lunches for the girls in effort to make sure they are eating a well balanced meal at lunch and to save a little extra in the budget.  Since Jake and I have pretty much as taken lunches to work the girls thought it was a great idea.  They now take their lunch bags to school every day but Friday, on Friday they eat the school lunch (usually it is a special meal like pizza or hamburgers or something else).  Brina and Karlie have enjoyed being able to bring a lunch and most days they pick out the majority of the items they are going to take.

Here’s what I pack:

  • Meat or Protein – PB&J, Soup, Sandwich or something easy to eat)
  • Diary – Yogurt or Cheese Stick
  • Fruit – Fresh Fruit or Applesauce
  • Vegetable – Fresh Vegetable
  • Snack – Pretzels, Teddy Grahams, Jello, etc…
  • Drink – Water, Chocolate Milk, Milk, Juice, Box / Bag

School Lunch – PB&J, Cheese Stick, Jello, Fresh Strawberries, Juice Bag, Fresh Tomates & Banana Pepper

It is important to me that the girls get a well balanced meal at lunch time.  One of the fun parts about packing lunches for your spouse and kids is you get to add in what our family calls a “special surprise”!  Typically the girls / Jake do not know that the surprise has been added because they were not there when I was putting the finishing touches on the lunches or I put it in later that evening.

Special Surprises for lunch boxes:

  • Something Sweet  – about 1 or 2 times a week I will put in a homemade cookie, piece of candy or something sweet.
  • Love Note – usually on a sticky note and sometimes written on a bag or sandwich container
  • Random Shapes – sandwiches cut into shapes (squares, triangles, hearts, etc…)
  • Special Drink – occasionally I will get a special drink (like one that fizzes when they add it to their water, chocolate milk, or something Jake enjoys)
  • Mystery Smiles – I try to sneak mystery smiles into their lunches by using food, sometimes a random smile on a bag or other ways of sharing a smile (see picture below)

The key is to let your family know that you are thinking about them. Special surprises do not need to take up a huge amount of extra time.  I keep a dry erase marker on the fridge and a sticky pad in the kitchen so they are handy for writing a quick note.  If I make cookies I just bag some up when putting them away to stick in their lunches.  Or if you find a special drink on sale stick that in the lunch box for them to enjoy.  The girls express great joy in discovering and sharing their goodies.  It doesn’t take me long to do it but it makes them feel loved and appreciated.

A banana pepper and two small tomatoes in a snack bag make the perfect mystery smile for a kids school lunch.

What items do you put in your spouse or kids lunches (food or special surprises)?

Posted in Budget, Family, Fresh & Healthy, Kids, Menu Planning, Teaching our Children | No Comments »

Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 25 – 31, 2012

Jan 24th, 2012 by

The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals.  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

Meats and Seafood

Port Side Polluck Fillets (16 oz) – $2.99

Port Side Salmon Fillets (16 oz) – $4.99

Curly’s, BBQ Beef or Pork (18 oz) – $3.99

Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

Fridge and Freezer

Mr. P’s Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (6.5 oz) – $0.79

Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (4 pack, 24 oz) – $1.79

Take ‘n Bake Pizza, Supreme or Pepperoni (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99

Take ‘n Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49

 Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (7.5 oz) – $0.99

Mantia’s French Bread Pizza (11 oz) – $1.99

Morning Delight Buttermilk Waffles (12.3 oz) – $1.69

Snack-A-Tizers Cream Cheese Jalapenos (8 oz) – $2.39

Household

Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.49

Grocery

Chex Mix Snack Mix (5.5 oz) – $0.99
Use $0.60/1 printable coupon from Eat Better America
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
As low as $0.39 each after coupon

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Fruit Roll Ups (4 to 5 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
As low as $1.49 each after coupon

Keebler Town House or Club Crackers (11 to 16 oz) – $2.49

JJ’s Pies, Cherry, Apple or Chocolate (4 oz) – $0.50

Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce, Assorted Variety (26.5 oz) – $0.99

Budget Gourmet, Fettuccine Alfredo or Mac n Cheese (7.5 oz) – $0.69

V8 Vegetable Juice, Regular or Low Sodium (64 oz) – $2.99
Use $2.00/3 printable coupon from V8 Juice
Use $1.00/2 printable coupon from Campbell’s Kitchen
Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
 As low as $2.33 each after coupon

Sweet Bunz Big Honey Bun (7.5 oz) – $0.88

Sun-Maid Raisin English Muffin (15 oz) – $1.49

J Higgs Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties (8 oz) – $1.29

J Higgs Pretzels (12 oz) – $1.19

J Higgs Tortilla Chips (11 oz) $1.49

Senora Verde Salsa (16 oz) – $1.49

J Higgs Cheese Bit Crackers (9 oz) – $1.69

Ginger Evans Pudding Cups (14 oz) – $0.89

 Mantia Spaghetti (16 oz) – $0.99

Mantia’s Pizza Crust Mix (6.5 oz) – $0.49

Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (16 oz) – $0.99

Wylwood Stems and Pieces (4 oz) – $0.69

Kaskey’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.5 oz) – $0.59

Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89

Morning Delight Syrup (24 oz) – $1.79

Bramley’s Honey Bear (12 oz) – $2.89

Ginger Evans Muffin Mix (4.5 oz) – $0.69

Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken or Beef (6 pack) – $0.99

Port Side Sardines – $0.99

Save A Lot Today Cereal, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00

Chef’s Finest Croutons (5 oz) – $1.19

McCormick Bacon Bits (4.4 oz) – $1.49

Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

Posted in Budget, Coupons, Deals, Menu Planning, Recipes, Save A Lot, Save A Lot | Rite Aid, Weekly Ads | 1 Comment »

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