November 1 can't get here fast enough. I've got to have cat food, bread, and a couple of ingredients for a recipe I want to try. Also, I will be giving out baked goods to my paralegals and secretaries the week before Thanksgiving on up until Christmas. I haven't yet calculated how much I'm really going to need for November. I might have to "fall off the wagon" for the next couple of months. I started this challenge at the end of June because, truly, I had to. I have very little income and I've got to make the most out of what is on the shelf. That is still my ultimate goal, but, the next two months are going to side-track me from that. I enjoy baking for others and have a great time during the holidays when I pass out the goodies. It may take me a few days to determine how much I'm going to need for November. December is too far away to know how much money I'm going to need.
I failed to figure it up exactly to the penny, but, I went over by $9.XX for October. Sorry about that, folks. I did my best.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I'm a bit over budget, again.
I just couldn't resist the call of the Michael Angelo's. I bought 14 and spent $18.52. That has put me over budget by about $9.
I've been making progress on using up leftovers from the past few nights. I have a bit of spaghetti sauce left and a chicken breast. I surprised myself. I didn't know I could prepare such a tasty chicken dish. I think it was the pineapple slices on top that made it special.
I usually make a lot of goodies for the holidays for my friends and family. I have an awful lot of ingredients in the house. There may be one or two things I need, but, overall, I think I can do my Christmas baking, no problems. Oh, I think the only thing I'm going to need to buy is cream cheese. I think it will be on sale sometime between now and Thanksgiving. I know that Walgreens sometimes has it for about $1 a brick. I'd rather have a coupon to double!
I feel like I need to apologize for going over budget. After all, it was for stockpile items and the whole point of this challenge is to use up what I have and not stockpile more. Please understand what a burden it is sometimes to prepare a meall for only one. These single serve entrees are just exactly right for me so much of the time. Those of you who live alone know what I mean.
I've been making progress on using up leftovers from the past few nights. I have a bit of spaghetti sauce left and a chicken breast. I surprised myself. I didn't know I could prepare such a tasty chicken dish. I think it was the pineapple slices on top that made it special.
I usually make a lot of goodies for the holidays for my friends and family. I have an awful lot of ingredients in the house. There may be one or two things I need, but, overall, I think I can do my Christmas baking, no problems. Oh, I think the only thing I'm going to need to buy is cream cheese. I think it will be on sale sometime between now and Thanksgiving. I know that Walgreens sometimes has it for about $1 a brick. I'd rather have a coupon to double!
I feel like I need to apologize for going over budget. After all, it was for stockpile items and the whole point of this challenge is to use up what I have and not stockpile more. Please understand what a burden it is sometimes to prepare a meall for only one. These single serve entrees are just exactly right for me so much of the time. Those of you who live alone know what I mean.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
I prepared dinner last night, all stockpile items.
I had chicken breasts in the freezer from a great sale several months ago. I used some Ken's Sesame Ginger marinade and baked them with pineapple slices on top. I had brown rice, corn, and brocolli w/ cheese sauce. All of it was already on hand.
I did buy a few things that I truly did not need at CVS this morning. The had a great ECB deal on Bic 3 Comfort razors and SoyJoy bars. I used $14 in ECB and $4 in Qs, put .91 on my gift card and got back $12 in ECB. So, no money oop there and I used some ECB that were about to expire.
I think tonight will be some leftover spaghetti sauce and pasta of some shape or another. I do have spaghetti, but, I've also got penne on the shelf and some other shapes. I'd have to go rooting around in the pantry to know just what. Tomorrow night will be the leftovers from last night. I don't want to do it 2 nights in a row.
This week Michael Angelo's single serve entrees are on sale for $2.50, regularly $3.75. I have several BOGOF Qs, so, I'd be stupid not to stock up on them at that price.
I did buy a few things that I truly did not need at CVS this morning. The had a great ECB deal on Bic 3 Comfort razors and SoyJoy bars. I used $14 in ECB and $4 in Qs, put .91 on my gift card and got back $12 in ECB. So, no money oop there and I used some ECB that were about to expire.
I think tonight will be some leftover spaghetti sauce and pasta of some shape or another. I do have spaghetti, but, I've also got penne on the shelf and some other shapes. I'd have to go rooting around in the pantry to know just what. Tomorrow night will be the leftovers from last night. I don't want to do it 2 nights in a row.
This week Michael Angelo's single serve entrees are on sale for $2.50, regularly $3.75. I have several BOGOF Qs, so, I'd be stupid not to stock up on them at that price.
Friday, October 24, 2008
I'm back in the black.
I received a $10 rebate from Kellogg's, so, I've got $9.XX left for the month.
My esophageal spasms have been quite bad lately, even after having my esophagus dilated last month. Because of this, I am eating a lot of breakfast cereal, yogurt, and applesauce. It's all things on hand. I'm not having to buy anything special to eat, but, I just can't eat meat and most veggies right now. I'm seeing the doctor again on Monday and see if we can figure out this problem.
I think I have enough cat food to last through the 31st. At least, I've got my fingers crossed. The raccoons got into some of it last night and cleaned out one tub, but, I had some in another container that they didn't get. I'm hoping he'll go for the trap tonight. I trap the raccoons that get in the basement (humane trap, don't think I'm hurting them!), my dad takes the trap out to the country and lets the 'coon out near a creek. Don't you know those 'coons see their life passing before their eyes when that trap shuts and then they get a new lease on life. They're thinking, "Sweet!"
I'm hoping to get this "eating thing" worked out soon. I had planned to prepare some chicken breasts with Lawry's something-or-other chipotle marinade. I had to put it on hold because of my spasms. Maybe tomorrow night. I can hope.
My esophageal spasms have been quite bad lately, even after having my esophagus dilated last month. Because of this, I am eating a lot of breakfast cereal, yogurt, and applesauce. It's all things on hand. I'm not having to buy anything special to eat, but, I just can't eat meat and most veggies right now. I'm seeing the doctor again on Monday and see if we can figure out this problem.
I think I have enough cat food to last through the 31st. At least, I've got my fingers crossed. The raccoons got into some of it last night and cleaned out one tub, but, I had some in another container that they didn't get. I'm hoping he'll go for the trap tonight. I trap the raccoons that get in the basement (humane trap, don't think I'm hurting them!), my dad takes the trap out to the country and lets the 'coon out near a creek. Don't you know those 'coons see their life passing before their eyes when that trap shuts and then they get a new lease on life. They're thinking, "Sweet!"
I'm hoping to get this "eating thing" worked out soon. I had planned to prepare some chicken breasts with Lawry's something-or-other chipotle marinade. I had to put it on hold because of my spasms. Maybe tomorrow night. I can hope.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I'm a bit over budget right now.
I had to have drain cleaner today and while I was in the store, I found a large bag of salad for .99 and a large fruit bowl for .99. I'm not eating enough fruits and veggies lately, so, I thought these would be good to have around. With the drain cleaner, I spent $5.24. I think I only had $4.63 to work with, which means I'm over by .61 or so.
I bought some other things, too, but, I think they can justifiably be put in office expense. I make up gift baskets for my lawyers, secretaries, and paralegals every Christmas. I bought the one-pot specialty coffees, flavored hot chocolate envelopes, and apple cider envelopes. Since these were purchased for a business use, I think it should go in office expense.
Well, I got the kitchen drain working again, so, there goes my excuse for not cooking! I found a recipe for a chicken pot pie using canned chicken. I have all the ingredients on hand, so, I think I will do that tonight. It says it makes 6 servings, so, I am going to do this in 2 smaller casserole dishes and just take the whole dish next door.
I've been eating pasta and meat sauce for the past 2 or 3 days. I don't really get tired of it very often, but, I'm going to take a night off from spaghetti and make the chicken dish. To tell you the truth, many nights I just have a bowl of cereal for supper. I will see the doctor again on Monday and see if she has come up with any clues about what is wrong with me and why I am so tired and losing weight. And besides, I have almost 40 boxes of cereal. Gotta eat what I have!
It depends on how I feel in the next few weeks, but, I think I am going to CA for Christmas. My cousin is a career Marine, now a First Sgt., and I don't think he can come home this year. I don't want him to be alone on Christmas, so, I'm trying to work out something to be there with him. He's one of my "baby" cousins, about 12 years younger than I. When he was a toddler, I tormented the crap out of him. I'm probably going to start getting it back in my old age. When he was about 3, I started calling him, "you smell funny." That was my name for him. He would get so mad and shout that he didn't smell funny! Then he would go crying to my grandmother and she would really get on my case for making him cry. His dad is about 14 years older than I and I was raised in the same house with him. He used to torment me when I was a small child, so, I guess it's a family tradition to pick on the smaller one!
My Rebate! Rebate! software just disappeared from my computer, so, I have no idea what rebates I have outstanding, how much to expect, or any details of what I have done in the past. I don't have any idea what happened to it; it just disappeared. I guess that means I'll just get "surprises" in the mail for a while.
I bought some other things, too, but, I think they can justifiably be put in office expense. I make up gift baskets for my lawyers, secretaries, and paralegals every Christmas. I bought the one-pot specialty coffees, flavored hot chocolate envelopes, and apple cider envelopes. Since these were purchased for a business use, I think it should go in office expense.
Well, I got the kitchen drain working again, so, there goes my excuse for not cooking! I found a recipe for a chicken pot pie using canned chicken. I have all the ingredients on hand, so, I think I will do that tonight. It says it makes 6 servings, so, I am going to do this in 2 smaller casserole dishes and just take the whole dish next door.
I've been eating pasta and meat sauce for the past 2 or 3 days. I don't really get tired of it very often, but, I'm going to take a night off from spaghetti and make the chicken dish. To tell you the truth, many nights I just have a bowl of cereal for supper. I will see the doctor again on Monday and see if she has come up with any clues about what is wrong with me and why I am so tired and losing weight. And besides, I have almost 40 boxes of cereal. Gotta eat what I have!
It depends on how I feel in the next few weeks, but, I think I am going to CA for Christmas. My cousin is a career Marine, now a First Sgt., and I don't think he can come home this year. I don't want him to be alone on Christmas, so, I'm trying to work out something to be there with him. He's one of my "baby" cousins, about 12 years younger than I. When he was a toddler, I tormented the crap out of him. I'm probably going to start getting it back in my old age. When he was about 3, I started calling him, "you smell funny." That was my name for him. He would get so mad and shout that he didn't smell funny! Then he would go crying to my grandmother and she would really get on my case for making him cry. His dad is about 14 years older than I and I was raised in the same house with him. He used to torment me when I was a small child, so, I guess it's a family tradition to pick on the smaller one!
My Rebate! Rebate! software just disappeared from my computer, so, I have no idea what rebates I have outstanding, how much to expect, or any details of what I have done in the past. I don't have any idea what happened to it; it just disappeared. I guess that means I'll just get "surprises" in the mail for a while.
Monday, October 20, 2008
I did a little shopping today, but, still under budget.
I told you that I had some great BOGOF Qs on Michael Angelo's single serve entrees. I bought 10 today, as well as milk and bread. I then went to Walgreens to take advantage of the BOGOF Dixie Ultra plates and bowls. I had a Q for a free 2L soda when buying 2 Dixie products. That's not exactly a grand slam, but, it's at least a double or triple. You see that I really do think baseball all the time.
I started this month out with $60 + the .76 I had left from last month and I've added $9.77 that I have received in rebates. So, I have $70.53 to work with. Here's a recap of what I've done so far this month:
$65.90 oop
$99.36 coupon use
I have $4.63 left in "real" money. I also have about $23 on my CVS GC and I have $26 in ECB, too. I have depleted my Walgreens GC and I only have about $2.20 left on my Rite Aid GC.
I know that the whole purpose of this challenge is to see how far my stockpile will take me. Buying 10 single serve entrees may seem like stockpiling; however, I have been in poor health lately and rarely have enough energy to cook a real meal. I've lost an enormous amount of weight and if it weren't for single serve entrees in the freezer, I'd be eating a lot less than I am even now. So forgive me for relying so much on "easy" food to prepare.
I made spaghetti last night for dinner. I used a baggie of meatballs from the freezer, a jar of sauce from stockpile, and pasta from stockpile. I also had a 1/2 of a garlic loaf in the freezer, so, I put that in the oven to go with my Italian meal.
I'm making more iced tea and drinking cokes a bit less. I have 89 boxes of quart sized tea bags, 24-30 bags per box. Definitely have to drink more tea, less coke. I really am trying to use more stuff that I already have!
Another reason why I can't cook right now; my kitchen sink is clogged and I have tried everything I know to get the clog to move. I've used a 1/2 a bottle of lye and I've used the plunger until I break out in sweat. I'm going to have to work a little harder today to get it fixed. In the meantime, I can't wash any dishes if I can't get the sink to drain. I realize that I'm really reaching for an excuse not to cook, but, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Cooler weather is about to get here and I think that soon I will start thinking of preparing soup for lunch or dinner (or both). That's one thing I have plenty of in the pantry. I really do have enough food to last for quite a while. I'll just keep on meeting the challenge as much as possible.
I started this month out with $60 + the .76 I had left from last month and I've added $9.77 that I have received in rebates. So, I have $70.53 to work with. Here's a recap of what I've done so far this month:
$65.90 oop
$99.36 coupon use
I have $4.63 left in "real" money. I also have about $23 on my CVS GC and I have $26 in ECB, too. I have depleted my Walgreens GC and I only have about $2.20 left on my Rite Aid GC.
I know that the whole purpose of this challenge is to see how far my stockpile will take me. Buying 10 single serve entrees may seem like stockpiling; however, I have been in poor health lately and rarely have enough energy to cook a real meal. I've lost an enormous amount of weight and if it weren't for single serve entrees in the freezer, I'd be eating a lot less than I am even now. So forgive me for relying so much on "easy" food to prepare.
I made spaghetti last night for dinner. I used a baggie of meatballs from the freezer, a jar of sauce from stockpile, and pasta from stockpile. I also had a 1/2 of a garlic loaf in the freezer, so, I put that in the oven to go with my Italian meal.
I'm making more iced tea and drinking cokes a bit less. I have 89 boxes of quart sized tea bags, 24-30 bags per box. Definitely have to drink more tea, less coke. I really am trying to use more stuff that I already have!
Another reason why I can't cook right now; my kitchen sink is clogged and I have tried everything I know to get the clog to move. I've used a 1/2 a bottle of lye and I've used the plunger until I break out in sweat. I'm going to have to work a little harder today to get it fixed. In the meantime, I can't wash any dishes if I can't get the sink to drain. I realize that I'm really reaching for an excuse not to cook, but, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Cooler weather is about to get here and I think that soon I will start thinking of preparing soup for lunch or dinner (or both). That's one thing I have plenty of in the pantry. I really do have enough food to last for quite a while. I'll just keep on meeting the challenge as much as possible.
Friday, October 17, 2008
I'm back.
I ran away from home, but, came back! I was out of town for a couple of days. I must confess that at one hotel, they had a snack shop and a Stouffer's lasagna in the freezer case. I didn't really want to go out to find something else, so, I paid FULL PRICE for this single serve entree. I know. I'm a bad girl. I also bought a candy bar at FULL PRICE at the other hotel. I promise never to let that happen again!
I'm trying to clear out some space in the freezer before I redeem my Michael Angelo's BOGOF Qs. I"m definitely going to stock up on those soon. I'm out of bread again. I was at the store to pick up a couple of items today and I forgot that. I guess tomorrow I'll have to make another trip to the store for bread. I hate that when I forget something. Gas is way too expensive to be running to the store every day or two for a forgotten item. Of course, when I buy a loaf of bread, I will have to go back to the dreaded grilled cheese sandwich. I'm never going to get through all that free cheese from last August. It's multiplying, I swear.
I have not been feeling well lately and really cooking dinner is just out of reach for me right now. I'm thinking that a bit of cheese and some crackers will have to suffice for dinner tonight.
In case you didn't know this, I have a tip for you. Whenever you have crackers of any kind, including graham crackers, that have gone stale, don't throw them out. Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at about 250 degrees for about 10 minutes. Take them out and let them cool completely. They will be as crispy as the day they were made. Be sure to let them cool. They will be mushy when you take them out of the oven while they are still warm. Yeah, you're right. I was looking ahead to cheese and crackers tonight when I found out my crackers were stale. Now I have a bag full of very crispy crackers.
To recap what I have left for the month: I started with $60.76 to spend, I have gotten $9.77 in rebates and I have spent $37.34. That leaves $33.19 for the rest of the month plus any of the GC balances I still have. I think I have $26 in CVS ECB. I feel like I'm in pretty good shape for the month.
The weather is turning so about now is a good time for me to see what I have in the soup category. I'm sure I have plenty in the pantry. Hey, that might be what I'll have to break out of the grilled cheese rut I've been in. Or maybe, soup AND a grilled cheese sandwich. Hmm, I'll have to think about that.
I'm trying to clear out some space in the freezer before I redeem my Michael Angelo's BOGOF Qs. I"m definitely going to stock up on those soon. I'm out of bread again. I was at the store to pick up a couple of items today and I forgot that. I guess tomorrow I'll have to make another trip to the store for bread. I hate that when I forget something. Gas is way too expensive to be running to the store every day or two for a forgotten item. Of course, when I buy a loaf of bread, I will have to go back to the dreaded grilled cheese sandwich. I'm never going to get through all that free cheese from last August. It's multiplying, I swear.
I have not been feeling well lately and really cooking dinner is just out of reach for me right now. I'm thinking that a bit of cheese and some crackers will have to suffice for dinner tonight.
In case you didn't know this, I have a tip for you. Whenever you have crackers of any kind, including graham crackers, that have gone stale, don't throw them out. Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at about 250 degrees for about 10 minutes. Take them out and let them cool completely. They will be as crispy as the day they were made. Be sure to let them cool. They will be mushy when you take them out of the oven while they are still warm. Yeah, you're right. I was looking ahead to cheese and crackers tonight when I found out my crackers were stale. Now I have a bag full of very crispy crackers.
To recap what I have left for the month: I started with $60.76 to spend, I have gotten $9.77 in rebates and I have spent $37.34. That leaves $33.19 for the rest of the month plus any of the GC balances I still have. I think I have $26 in CVS ECB. I feel like I'm in pretty good shape for the month.
The weather is turning so about now is a good time for me to see what I have in the soup category. I'm sure I have plenty in the pantry. Hey, that might be what I'll have to break out of the grilled cheese rut I've been in. Or maybe, soup AND a grilled cheese sandwich. Hmm, I'll have to think about that.
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