On the forum Joan had a few questions about my meat grinder and foodsaver. The meat grinder was initially purchased by my hubby to process deer meat into sausage, but we also use it 2 grind roast that we buy on sale. I believe the name of the grinder is "The Grizzly." Purchase price was a little over $200.00 I believe. The Foodsaver was purchased for about $100.00 (or less). I got a really good deal with a sale and coupon code. It's normally around $200.00. When I ordered that I was automatically put on their email list and am alerted to sales. I recently bought the roll of "bags" for about $5.00/roll. Normally the price is way more than I want to spend so I stocked up and bought several.


Ground turkey????? Why had I never thought of that? (slaps forehead!) I love the idea of lower fat meats. You are awesome Joan...

A family member is going out of state where the weather is so much different than here. We had to shell out a lot of money for appropriate clothing and such. Time to look at the budget and slow the spending down.

I'm adding $96 to the challenge for coupon savings. Total is now $708.50.

I had a sweet elderly lady behind me at the checkout lane. I was doing my price matching and coupons and she was explaining to her husband what I was doing. They were both impressed how much I saved. She was chatting with me about how she used to do that and how the savings can be huge. I thanked her for being patient and understanding. Nice change from the usual impatient and rude people.

Time for a new vehicle for the family member who was rear-ended a few weeks ago. The insurace company deemed his car a total loss as it would cost more to fix it than it is worth. We were givin one qoute if we were going to keep and another quote to relinquish it. We chose the latter. Now the car hunting begins...joy (can you hear the sarcasm?) The insurance is paying for a rental car for one week. That's not going to be enough time, but better than nothing I suppose. Wating on tow truck as we speak and on Fed Ex to pick up paperwork.

Adding $10.50 to the challenge for coupon saving bringing total to $612.50.

I have had five no spend days last week tho two of them were because I was under the weather. Adding $25.00 to the challenge for that. NSD's are quite a feat for me.
Also adding $37.50 for coupon savings. Challenge total is $602.50

Funny story... I was shopping at Wally World today and was doing my price matching and coupons and I could feel the lady behind me getting impatient. I tend to ignore people if they're pissy and just act oblivious. After a few minutes her husband told her to calm down and be patient. haha. Most times people are nice and even will ask what I'm doing or how much I save, but not today.

I'm seeing more and more people with coupon binders and such. Being organised is the key. It does take a lot of time but so worth it in savings. With PMing and coupons, I went from a total of $137 to a total of $76. Not too shabby.

That's whats for dinner tonight. Frugal and nutritious. On the stove as I type. Recipe follows...

3/4 cup dry lentils
3/4 cup brown rice
4 chicken bouillon cubes (didn't use that much. not a big fan of salt)
2 tablespoons dry onion ( didn't have any so use fresh)
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon basil
4 cups water
2 tablespoons oil

Bring water and oil t a boil. Add everything else. bring to boil again. reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 45 - 50 minutes. The water will mostly be absorbed. Top with a little shreaded cheese and serve!



On another note a family member was in a car accident last week. Not their fault. They are fine but car isn't. Dealing with insurance people presently. Smooth sailing so far. Adjuster is supposed to call today so we can get the ball rolling with the repairs.

Money is tight until payday so I am making a grocery list from my More with Less cookbook. Many great recipes with whole grains, beans, and vegetables. Meat and dairy are used in moderation so will be healthier also. I hope my two youngest kids will eat it. My oldest will as he likes the healtier things.

My printer went out on me so I am in the market for a lazer printer. Anyone have any sugestions on what I should look for? We have only had ink jet up til now so I know nothing about lazer printers.

Adding $30.00 to the challenge for using an online coupon code, $11.00 for store coupons, and $10.00 for not eating out (2 times) when we wanted to but came home to eat instead.
Total challenge money is $540.00

This past week I saved $6.50 with grocery coupons and $30.00 with coupons Christmas shopping.

Also found a reimbursement check in my glove box for $15.00. I had forgotten it was there....that is so not like me. Anyway it was void after 180 days. Luckily it was day 177.

My challenge total is now $489.00

On another note, my 14 yerar old daughter made a delicious hamburger stew today for lunch. It was a crockpot recipe but she adapted it to stovetop. It was a success. Everyone loved it and that is hard to do in this family. If anyone wants the recipe let me know.

I was checking my savings accounts today and noticed I have $151.44 in my vacation fund left over from last year. I am adding that to my challenge money as that is what my challenge is for.

Also adding $10.95 that I will be saving today with grocery coupons and $112.00 for coins that I rolled today and will be depositing.

Challenge total....$349.39

It has been over three months since I have been here.

I'm going 2 start my $20 challenge now and carry it til summertime. Hopefully it will pay for most of our vacation.

I saved $20 on a prescription for my son using a coupon I found in a magizine. I was deducted from my copay leaving me paying only $10.00 for 100 glucose strips. Yay!

I saved $25.75 at WM with price-matching and coupons, and $9.25 at CVS with coupons and ECB's.

I feel as if money is slipping through my fingers lately so hopefully logging my savings will help keep me more accountable.


Challenge total including the $20 to start with is $75.00. Not too bad for one day....

I ran across a good deal on a Cuisnahart hand mixer and picked up a couple for Christmas gifts. That's 2 gifts off my list already.

I went grocery shopping yesterday and found some butt steaks marked down more than 50%. They are in the crockpot already this morning. Cooking them on low for 8 hrs so they are good and tender. I found a recipe on Allrecipes that has great reviews and is very, very easy.

Paying bills today. My hubby gets paid on the 10th and 25th of ea month so I will be paying the first of the month bills for Sept. I actually enjoy paying the mortgage. For the past several years we pay extra principle pymts ea month. Watching that balance go down quicker than normal is exciting. Hubby wants to cash out the 401K to pay it off, but I don't (tho it has lost almost $20,000.00 in the last few months.)

Like I said I went grocery shopping yesterday. At one local store i just got the loss leaders and paired with coupons. The cashier was shocked i got some items for free. Next I went to Wally World (not many places to shop in my neck of the woods) and price matched and used coupons. I will post later how much I saved and start my $20 challenge.

I am trying 2 focus on the house since the kids r back at school. So far today I have only painted the kitchen cabinet doors. still 2 more coats 2 go. I will also paint the cabinets and grout the closet floor. This reno is taking way 2 long IMO, but when u do it urself big money is saved so worth it in the long run I suppose. To save money on light fixtures I plan to paint the outdated brass with an oil rubbed bronze spray paint. I have seen pics online and it is a great transformation.

I have 2 pick out my new appliances soon. It's been over a month with no dishwasher and stove. I'll feel spoiled when i finally get them. Doing dishes by hand isn't so bad but cooking in a toaster oven and with a 2 burner hot plate kinda sucks. I am making do tho.
I have done research online with cons repts and other websites but can't find a fridge with good reviews with my specs. I want a stainless steel side-by-side or freezer on bottom. All other appliances i will just buy 2 match. Anyone have any suggestions?

I have 2 say Moen stands behind their products. We have a kitchen fuacet that is at least 5 yrs old. The aerator was deterioated and totally fell out of the faucet. Knowing Moen has a lifetime warrenty with reciept (but we couldn't find it), my husband called Moen 2 ask 4 a part number so we could order it from another company. (cheaper that way). Moen asked a few questions and said the whole faucet replacement head was on it's way free of charge. Saved about $50.00 with that phone call and I will be sure 2 buy Moen 4 my future bathroom reno. Thanks Moen!

A friend of mine dropped off three doz. yard eggs 2 me this morn. I immediately made tuna and egg salad and saved some 2 make deviled eggs 4 tonights dinner.

I stopped by a local consignment store and found some large capiz shells. Plan 2 make either a hanging lamp out of them or frame a mirror. While I was there I asked about consigning some clothes. My hubby and I cleaned out our closet today and have some nice clothes we don't want anymore. Hope 2 make a few extra bucks there. Every little bit helps.