Recipe Swap - Creamy Black Bean Dip

My mom loaned me a recipe magazine called Taste of Home Potluck - a great magazine full of great recipes! I made this for a family gathering last weekend and it was superb! Here is the recipe:

2 pkgs cream cheese

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained, divided

3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

6 green onions, chopped

1 1/2 t. ground cumin

dash cayenne pepper

Topping:

1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

2 T. diced fresh tomato

2 T. chopped green onion

In a food processor, cover and process cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/2 of the beans, cover and pulse until blended. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the cheese, onions, cumin, cayenne and remaining beans. (I spread it in a pie plate at this point.) Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Just before serving garnish with cheese, tomato, and onion. Serve with tortilla chips.

This is what it looked like before I put the tomatoes, onions, and cheese on top. Doesn't it look like cookies and cream ice cream?

I would also recommend leaving it out for a little while before serving it so the cream cheese can soften.

For more recipes this week check out The Grocery Cart Challenge!

Enjoy!

-Michelle

Frugal Friday - Substitution List

There are so many times that I run out of something when I am making a recipe. In the past I would run to the store and buy said item. Not anymore with my new frugal ways!

Today I wanted to make these Molten Chocolate Cakes, but I didn't have semi-sweet chocolate squares. I did some Swagbucks searching and found this awesome substitution list. I used 3 T. of cocoa + 1 T. of butter for each square. It worked like a charm. I have totally bookmarked this list. I know it will come in handy for many future baking adventures!

For more Frugal Friday ideas check out Life as Mom!

-Michelle

Reverse Tornado

I got this picture here.

My husband is so cute. I work full days outside the home on Monday and Tuesday and between that and the weekend, my house usually goes to you know where in a handbasket. Kudos to you moms who work full time outside the home and keep it together! Anyway, Wednesday is my catch up day. My husband never says anything about the house being a mess. I love that about him.

Today he came home from work to a spotless (more or less) house. He said to me - it looks like our house was hit by a reverse tornado! I laughed so hard I cried.

-Michelle

Works for me Wednesday - Shopping List

In order to save money at the grocery store, mission critical is having a list. I found in the past as I was making my list I would always forget things that we really needed, so I started keeping a magnetic list on my refridgerator.

Now, throughout the week as I run out of something/notice I am low on something I simply add it to this list. Then as I am reviewing the sales flyers, organizing my coupons, and planning my attack I can make sure to include the items on the list.

It works for me!

To find more great Works for Me Wednesdsay ideas go to We are THAT Family!
-Michelle

New Restaurant.com Offer

There is another great promo from Restaurant.com - use code PALATE to get 70% off! This means you can get a $25.00 gift certificate for $3.00! This is a great deal - see more details about how it works HERE.

This works for any part of the country - just enter your zip code for restaurants in your area.

Enjoy!
-Michelle

Weekly Shopping Trip - the $5.00 budget edition!

So, I seem to have a problem. I am chronically over budget. My goal is $50.00 per week. My current average is $65.00 per week. Not terrible by any means, but above what I have budgeted. I set a goal for myself to see how far I could stretch $5.00 this week.

Yes, $5.00!

I needed bread, milk, toilet paper, and distilled water. I started the week with a $5.00 catalina for Albertson's and a $5.00 Register Reward from Walgreen's. I wasn't hurting for sure. I knew I could get some or a portion of all of those items with those two coupons that I had. I have been really low on cereal, and I REALLY wanted to get in on the deal Albertson's was having, so I got creative and came up with a pretty dang good scenario. If I do say so myself. And I do! Are you ready...? Here we go!

Albertson's Transaction#1 was:

4 boxes of Post Selects - $10.00 (-$4.00 instant discount - 1 $1.00 off 2 coupon doubled) = $4.00

2 Velveeta shells & cheese cups - $2.00 (-B1G1Free coupon) = $1.00

Used $5.00 catalina - paid $.42 tax + I received a $3.00 catalina for the cereal and a $1.00 catalina for the mac&cheese!

Transaction# 2 was: 4 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats - $10.00 (-$4.00 instant discount -2 $1.00 off 2 coupons doubled) = $2.00

2 gallons milk(not pictured) - $3.98

Used $3.00 and $1.00 catalina from tran#1

Net OOP: $2.46!

Next I went to Walgreen's:

3 rolls of TP - $1.47

1 Soft Soap Serum - $3.99

Used $5.00 Register Reward

Net OOP: $.79 + I received a $4.00 Register Reward for the Soft Soap!

Transaction#2 was:

3 gallons of distilled water - $2.00 (w/in ad coupon)

1 can olives - $.99 (w/in ad coupon)

3 rolls of TP - $1.47

Used $4.00 RR from Transaction#1

Net OOP: $.73

So for everything you see here, I spent a total of $4.40! I have $.60 left and no bread.

Hmmm...we have been doing okay that past few days without it (we have 3 pieces left!), but I am going to make some bread and or bread items like Pita Pockets, rolls, and bread in my bread machine. I think we will make it until Monday!

Does anyone have any great bread recipes I should try?
-Michelle

See more shopping trips at The Grocery Cart Challenge!

Monthly Financial Check Up

In January, I set some financial goals for our family. We are getting closer to being 3/4 of the way through the year and I think we are doing pretty well - especially over last year.

Here is the update:

Grocery Spending - My goal for the year is $2,600 or $50.00 per week. This includes food, household items, and diapers. As of today, our total spending is $2,141.42. I have spent 82% of our budget, but we are only 63% of the way through the year. My average has been $65/week. Even though I am chronically over budget, I am happy with this. In 2008 I spent $6,111.87 or $118.00/week, so I have almost cut this in 1/2. I'm still sticking with this goal and am cutting back on my spending were I can. It's all about necessities. I just need to remember that ice cream is not a necessity!

Emergency Fund - My goal was to reach $1,000 by the end of the year. Thank goodness for my credit union! Every two weeks they take $38.46 from my paycheck and deposits it directly into my savings - I currently have $615.62 which is right on track. Woo hoo!

Car Savings - Yeah...about that...my goal was to save $2,500 toward purchasing another car. We were driving a 1996 Honda Accord and a 1986 Jetta. The Jetta died on me and it had been sitting in our driveway since the end of December! We worked it out with the Honda for about six months. During that time I was casually looking for a good deal on a minivan. A great deal landed in our laps and we purchased a 1999 Chrysler Town and Country with only 90,000 miles for a steal - only $4,000! My husband is such a good negotiator, he was able to get $1,800 off of the asking price. We both felt like it was the right time and we got a small loan to pay for it. We are working to get it paid off a.s.a.p! By the way...if you want to buy a Jetta that needs a new fuel pump (we think) send me an e-mail!

Christmas Savings - I have had my credit union pull $20.00 from each paycheck to go to our Christmas Savings. This has worked out great as well. I have been picking up items as I find them for great deals. It is great to have that money set aside!

So, that's it - I think we are doing pretty darn good - not exactly on track, but I am willing to make changes based on our needs/situation.

How are you doing with your financial goals?

-Michelle

Weekly Shopping Trip

This week I was under budget - YAY! I got some great deals and some fresh produce, so I was happy. Here is the scoop:

Fred Meyer

3 roma tomatoes - $.67 (which is funny because I didn't think the tomatoes in my garden were quite ready yet, the next day I was able to pick two roma tomatoes from my own plant!)

2 heads cauliflower - $2.73

several broccoli crowns - $.92

Green onions - $.50

1 coke zero - $1.39 (used FREE coupon I got from My Coke Rewards)

4 peaches - $1.57

1 cantaloupe - $2.59

1 bag "mojo mix" trail mix - $2.99 (clearanced)

Net OOP: $12.77 Albertson's was also good to me - however - there is some debate about the items in the rebate. I'm still going to send mine in and see what happens. My transactions did generate a rebate slip. Here is what I got:

2 Velveeta cheese cups - $2.00 (used B1G1FREE coupon) = $1.00

1 distilled water - $.99

1 Nilla wafers - $3.00

2 Kraft mayo - $5.00 (-$2.00 coupon) = $3.00

1 Ritz Cracker + 1 pkg wheat thins - $5.00 (used buy Ritz get Wheat thins FREE) = $2.50

1 log? velveeta - $5.99 (-$1.00 off coupon) = $4.99

1 Digiorno flatbread - $2.50 (-$.75 off coupon) = $1.75

1 California Pizza Kitchen - $2.50 (-$1.00 off coupon) = $1.50

1 beef roast - $5.35

2 pkgs ground beef - $5.32

Used my 3 $5.00 catalinas from last week

Net OOP: $16.66 + I got a $5.00 catalina back and may receive a $20.00 rebate!

So my total for the week was $29.43. My total for the year so far is $2137.75. My goal is $2,600.00 for the whole year so that means I only have $462.25 left and there are about 20 weeks left in the year that only give me just over $23.00 to spend each week! YIKES!

So, to even things out my goal/challenge for next week is to spend only $5.00 OOP. With the following needs:

1. I only have one gallon of milk - so I will need at least 1 gallon this week, maybe two.
2. We are down to 2 rolls of toilet paper. We use Scott and each roll lasts us about 1 to 1 1/2 days.
3. I just pulled my last loaf of bread out of the freezer - so I will need to make and/or buy some bread this week.

I have in my arsenal.

1. Some good Alberson's scenarios to get FREE groceries and/or catalinas back.
2. a $5.00 register reward my mom gave me because "she always forgets to use them"

Wish me luck. I am going to need it!

-Michelle

I'm a dot com!!

I am super excited to announce that I have gone DOT COM!

A few months ago I wrote a blog series about my experience called blogging for fun and profit. In order to make money blogging, you have to get your name out there. Sometimes that can be hard when you have to tell people the name of your blog is __________.blogspot.com. If you aren't a blogger, don't regularly read blogs, or don't read every URL when you click on a link - blogspot isn't always an easy thing to remember. I also read Mommy Snack's series Begin to Blog where she suggest to buy a domain name. I'm so glad I did that - first of all It was only $10.00 for a whole year through google - and it was super easy!

If you are a blogger - I highly recommend becoming a "dot com." If you aren't a blogger - please bookmark my new "dot com" address - www.savingsomegreen.com. If you are already a follower or have my blog bookmarked, my former address - www.savingsomegreen.blogspot.com will still take you here.

Now it is much easier to say - check out my blog saving some green DOT COM!
-Michelle

Works for me Wednesday - Scoops!

One of my favorite kitchen tools is my Pampered Chef scoop (or any scoop of this type will do!). They come in three different sizes and I use them ALL THE TIME! Here are some examples:

1. It makes perfect cookies!


2. The small one works great for deviled eggs!


3. It is perfect for meatballs (you don't have to touch meat!)


4. It is great for melon balls


5. Use the big one for pancakes/waffles

I love my using my scoops! It works for me. For more Works for me Wednesday posts check out We are THAT Family.

-Michelle

Johnson's Right@Home - Great FREEbies!

Click HERE to sign up for Johnson's Right@Home. I love them! I signed up for them several months ago and have received some great FREEbies. Their gift packs are great - I once even received a whole 50 pack of Ziploc bags in the mail!

Check it out!
-Michelle

FREE Stuff!!

There are some great FREEbies available this week...

Coupons:
$1.25 off Fiber One Yogurt

$1.50 off Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes

Samples:
Scope Outlast Mouthwash

Baby formula from Enfamil

Kotex Ultra Overnight Pads

Prilosec OTC Heartburn Relief

Bodycology Hand and Body Lotion

Goodnites Sleep Pants

Carefree and Stayfree Pantyliners

Enjoy!
-Michelle

Menu Plan Monday - August 10-16

Last week I did pretty darn well with the menu planning. I tried a few new things - the no-fry fried rice was delicious! We also enjoyed the potato bundles, but I had to cut back on the butter and cream. Holy cow - 2 tablespoons per packet was WAYYYY too much for me! So now, on to a new week!

Monday - Baked potato bar with chili, cheese, and sour cream

Tuesday - Apricot chicken (we didn't get to this last week), corn on the cob, rice (Lipton sides)

Wednesday - Creamy Chicken and Green Chile enchiladas, rice

Thursday - Pork roast (we didn't eat this last week), Crash Hot Potatoes, broccoli

Friday - Layered Nacho Bake

Saturday - Leftovers

Sunday - Leftovers

-Michelle

And the winner is...

I hosted a giveaway this week for Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes, read my product review HERE.

I chose a winner using random.org and the winner is...

#9 Emily who said...

I just sent you an e-mail, please send me your address within 48 hours and I'll get those right out to you. If I don't hear from you, I'll choose another winner.

Thanks for everyone who entered - and remember if you didn't win and would like to try these, you can get a $1.50 off coupon HERE.

-Michelle

Weekly Shopping Trip

This week was a really good week - other than the fact that I am over budget yet again! My goal is to spend only $50.00/week or $2,600/year for groceries. For me this includes food, toiletries, household cleaning products, and diapers/wipes. So far this year I have spent $2108.32 or an average of about $66/week. The good news is that my refrigerator and freezer are both full to overflowing and my stockpile is very well stocked. So I should be able to cut back for a few weeks. Stay tuned.

So here is my shopping for this week. I got some seriously great deals and would be under budget but I went to Costco with my dad. Oops - but I only spent $40.00, which is pretty darn good for Costco. I don't have a picture of it, or an exact total (I lost the receipt), but I got:

6 gallons of milk
2 gallons of vinegar
the largest bag of tortilla chips I have ever seen
a bag of pot stickers
a three pack of turkey breast lunch meat
3#s of cream cheese

I think that was it. Hopefully the milk will last more than a few days - my family have been drinking milk like there is no tomorrow!

My first shopping trip of the week was to Albertson's on Tuesday night. I was able to use a total of 7 doublers from three different ads, which made me very happy! Here is how the transaction went.
2 BC Brownie mixes - $4.00 (-.75 off coupon doubled) = $2.50
3 Wishbone dressing - $5.00 (-3 .75 off coupons doubled) = $2.75
2 Best Foods mayo - $5.00 (-2 $.60 off coupons doubled) = 2.60
2 Reese's puff's - $4.00 (-$1.00 off 2 coupon doubled) = $2.00
4 Breyer's ice cream - $12.00 (-$4.00 off coupon) = $8.00

Net OOP: $16.83 + I received $15.00 in catalinas + I received a coupon for a FREE Sobe life water!

Today I went to Fred Meyer and did 2 transactions: Transaction#1
4 Honey Bunches of Oats - $6.68 (-2 $1.00 off 2 coupons) = $4.68

Net OOP: $5.07 + I received a $3.00 catalina for my next purchase!

Transaction#2

4#ish ground pork - $2.89 (clearanced)

1 dole juice - $.99 (clearanced)

1 half&half - $.69 (clearanced)

2 FM orange juice - $2.00 (w/in ad coupon)

2 FM chocolate milk - $2.00 (w/in ad coupon)

4 cobs of fresh corn - $1.00

4 butter - $6.00 (w/in ad coupon)

Used $3.00 off coupon from Transaction#1

Net OOP: $13.51

So I wasn't going to "roll" my catalina from Albertson's because when I was there earlier in the week they didn't have everything I wanted, but I decided to do it anyway and get some "non-necessities" - and another $15.00 in catalinas!

4 Knorr rice sides - $4.00 (-2 $.75 off coupons) = $2.50

1 Sobe life water - $1.49 (used FREE coupon from earlier transaction)

6 chocolate cake mixes - $6.00 (I totally ran out of chocolate cake mixes recently - I have a ton of yellow and carrot cakes, though!)

2 BC brownie mixes - $4.00 (-$.75 off coupon) = $3.25

2 All liquid laundry soap - $7.00 (-2 $1.00 off coupons, doubled) = $3.00

2 BC fruit snacks - $4.00 (-.60 off coupon) = $3.40

2 Chex mix bars - $5.00 (-2 .75 off coupons) = $3.50

Used $15.00 in catalinas from the earlier transaction.

Net OOP: $8.52 + I received $15.00 in catalinas for a future purchase!

So, my total for the week was $83.93 - again overbudget! Ugh, but I still have $15.00 in catalinas that I can use at Albertson's - I think I am going get some meat.

How did you do this week?

-Michelle

New Restaurant.com Offer

Click on the banner to get a great deal with restaurant.com now through August 13th! Use promo code PORTION to get 80% off - that means a $25.00 gift certificate for $2.00!

Enjoy!
-Michelle

Recipe Swap - Bacon, Eggs, and Rice

For some reason I had an abundance of leftover rice and I was trying to think of something fun to make with it.

I started rummaging through the fridge and found a few pieces of bacon that were already cooked.

Hmmm...

Then some great memories came flooding back...my dad used to make bacon, eggs, and rice when I was a kid and I loved it. It was always a special treat. I'm sure my dad just sat back and smiled when we all wolfed it down because it is super cheap to make and super easy and a great way to use up leftovers. Win, Win, Win!

So I decided to make it - and it was just as good as I remembered - so now I am going to share it with you.

Bacon, Eggs, and Rice

3-4 pieces of bacon - cooked, and cut into small pieces (you could use leftovers, cook raw bacon then cut it, or cut raw bacon then cook it)

3-4 eggs (or 2 or 5 whatever your preference is!)

2-3 cups cooked rice (again, however much you want!)

Beat eggs, add to a hot skillet. Stir around until partially cooked. Add bacon and rice. Stir until heated through.

Enjoy!
-Michelle

I have to say I love this recipe swap - Gayle at The Grocery Cart Challenge hosts it every week. Please check out the other recipes and share yours too!

Favorite Blog/Site of the Week - Restaurant.com

This week I had my first experience with Restaurant.com - I am now a believer.

Basically, this is how it works:

• You enter your zip code and locate Restaurant.com restaurant new you.


• You purchase a $25.00 gift certificate from Restaurant.com for $10.00 (or whatever amount is offered)


• Be sure to review the stipulations - (i.e. spending requirements) to make sure you will be getting a good deal.


• You print the certificate and take it to the restaurant.


• They will take $25.00 (or whatever you purchased) off of your purchase price.

I went to Carino's in Meridian. The stipulations for their certificate is you must spend $35 (before the Gift Certificate) and they automatically add the 18% tip into your total (so you can't only tip on the amount you spent - not the check total). We really enjoyed it, it ended up being a great deal for our whole family.

Periodically, Restaurant.com will offer discounts on the $10.00 gift certificates. Last month they offered 80%! Today only you can get your gift certificates for 50% off - or a $25.00 gift certificate for $5.00 (still awesome)! When you make your purchase and go to check out use promo code SUPPER and your 50% off will automatically be calculated. Woo hoo!

If you enjoy Saving Some Green - this is one way you can support my site. I receive a small commission for every purchase that is made through this link. I'll be sure to update with any specials as they offer them.

If you are interested, go check it out HERE and let me know how it worked for you!

Enjoy!

-Michelle

Works for me Wednesday - Uses for Pork Roast

Up until a few months ago, I had never really been a fan of pork roast. Mostly I hadn't really ever had it and I didn't really know how to use it. I became a big fan when I was finding it at Winco for around $1.50/lb and a couple of weeks ago I even found it for $1.28/lb! I found out that I like pork roast and enjoy the versatility it offers.

When I make a pork roast, initially I cook it in the crock pot then I love getting creative with the leftovers.

To cook it in the crock pot:

1. Place the pork roast in the crock pot
2. Add 1 T. vinegar and 1 T. worcestershire sauce to a measuring cup and fill the rest with water.
3. Pour mixture over pork roast.
4. Sprinkle pork roast with your favorite seasoning. For us it is Montreal Steak Seasoning - we love this. We got one of the huge honkin' ones from Costco a few years ago and we are slowly but surely working our way through it. If you haven't tried it before, you should.
5. Cook on low for 8ish hours.

We eat it this way the first night - it basically just shreds apart.

For leftovers I have tried:

1. Making my quesadillas replacing the chicken with pork.
2. Shredding then adding BBQ sauce (which there is a lot of in my stockpile!), serve in a burrito or on a bun
3. When it started to get a bit dry, I once shredded it and added mayonnaise and made a sandwich out of it (like a tuna sandwich) it was delicious.

I must say, I love the frugality and versatility of pork roasts - it works for me! We are THAT Family has some other great Works for me Wednesday ideas HERE. This week the theme is back to school ideas...this doesn't apply to me yet...hence the Pork Roast Post!

-Michelle

FREE Stuff!!

There are some great FREEbies available this week! Get yours before they are gone!

I always find great FREEbies on Absurdly Cool Freebies - here are just a few that I was interested in:

Get a FREE sample of Honey Nut Cheerios plus $1.00 off coupon HERE.

Get 2 FREE tacos at Jack in the Box on Tuesday, August 4th click HERE.

Other great FREEbies:

Get a FREE sample of Enfamil baby formula HERE.

Crafty? Sign up for Free Crafts Newsletter and receive a FREE e-book HERE!

Planning a trip? Receive FREE travel information from FREE Travel Guides HERE.

Get your FREE summer sample pack from Quality Health HERE.

Get your FREE sample of Kotex Overnight HERE.

Get your FREE sample of Prilosec OTC (heartburn relief) HERE.

Enjoy!
-Michelle

Menu Plan Monday - August 3-9

I can always tell the weeks that I don't plan a menu. I wander around the kitchen and the pantry looking for something to cook. Last week was one of those weeks and I totally regret it! I need to be better at planning a menu each week and sticking to it! So here we go:

Monday: Hot roast beef sandwiches, cucumber, fried zucchini strings (yes - our garden is starting to produce, we have picked 4 so far!)

Tuesday: Spaghetti, sauteed zucchini, garlic toast

Wednesday: Polish sausage in Ginger Sesame BBQ sauce, no-fry fried rice

Thursday: Apricot chicken, baked red potatoes (in the microwave!), green beans

Friday: Dinner with friends, I am bringing something - haven't been assigned yet!

Saturday: BBQ and pool party with friends - not sure what (if anything) we have to bring

Sunday: Pork roast, potato bundles, peas


How's your week looking? Be sure to check out The Happy Housewife who is hosting Menu Plan Monday this week!

-Michelle

Weekly Shopping Trip - and finding a new gem!

For some reason I ended up shopping a lot this week on several different days. I didn't get pics of everything...but I think you all know what spaghetti sauce looks like!

Long story short I am over budget. I am happy with what I bought, but I need to cut back if I am going to reach my $2,600/year goal. I just have to. However, I got an insert from Albertson's in the paper for a catalina that starts today, so I really want to stock up on this stuff while I can get it for nothing! (Spend $30 get a $15.00 catalina for your next shopping trip - it is General Mills/Betty Crocker/Lipton, etc. - all stuff I use all the time!)

Anyway, here are the trips for the last week and the breakdown.

Wonder Bakery Outlet:

I'm not sure on the individual prices, but the total here was $8.64.

Then I went to Fred Meyer (use your imagination)

8 cans Classico spaghetti sauce $12.00 (w/ in ad coupon) - this isn't the greatest deal on the planet, but we LOVE this spaghetti sauce and I never see it below $2.00. At $1.50 each, I wanted to stock up!

1 cantaloupe - $2.00

4 bottles Root Beer - $2.00

1 cold diet coke - $1.69

Net OOP: $18.22

For you locals - did you know that Honk's $1.00 store on Cole/Ustick sells everything for $.88 on Tuesdays? It is a fact! I don't usually go there, but I happened to be there on Tuesday so I stopped. I found some great stuff, but was excited that they had some food stuff that was a good deal. I got (again, use your imagination):

1 bag of 6 sourdough rolls

1 bag of Orowheat wheat hamburger buns

4 cans of spaghetti sauce (I know what you are thinking, but the Del Monte garlic and onion is our second favorite, and $.88 is a good deal!)

Net OOP: $5.60

Then I discovered a hidden gem of a store (for all you locals!) on Broadway (between Linden and Boise Ave) called Boise Bargain Basket. I was a bit skeptical because it looks kind of trendy, like the Boise Co-op and I thought their brand of bargain may not be my brand of bargain. But I was pleasantly surprised.

They have close-outs and scratch and dented items for really cheap. Some items were a bit overpriced, but as you will see I got some great deals. Their produce selection is small, but very reasonably priced.

I got all this stuff for $15.35! I was pretty impressed. Here is the breakdown:

2 loaves Classic white bread - $2.76 (this is good hearty white bread!)
2 pkgs Hidden Valley ranch dip - $.50
2 cantaloupes - $3.56
2 boxes of Honey Smacks - $3.32
5 individual bags of doritos - $1.00
1 pkg of muffin cups - $.48
4 cans of green chilies - $1.00
1 5# bag of potatoes - $.88
1 bag of Swedish Fish (yum!) and sour patch kids (yum!) - $.98

Net OOP: $15.35

IF I had stopped there (like I was planning to) I would have been under budget. HOORAY! But we ran out of milk, sugar, eggs, shortening, and butter (I was cooking for a bake sale!) So I had to go to Winco and I found a few "necessities." I am such a bad girl.

1 10# bag of sugar - $4.44
2 8ct package of Yoplait - $2.98 ($.37 each!)
2 pkgs butter - $3.92
5 dozen eggs - $3.96
2 gallons milk - $3.96
2 boxes Post Shredded Wheat - $4.96 (- $1.00 off 2 coupon) = $3.96 (there is a story here, my husband wants better cereal than what we have. I told him we should wait for a sale and he didn't agree :), funny thing - Fred Meyer has a great sale this week (3 for $5.00) on the same stuff, so I'll stock up!)
1 box Kellogg's Corn Pops (they are in there somewhere!) - $1.48
1 box Kellogg's Corn Flakes - $1.48
1 Breyer's ice cream - $2.78
2 whipped topping - $1.48
4 candy bars - $2.32 (-2 $1.00 off 2 coupons) = $.32
1 M&M peanut (not pictured) = $.48 (used FREE coupon) = FREE
1 shortening - $3.12
2# roast beef - $5.99 (another request of the hubs)
1 4# strawberries - $5.98
2.5#ish bananas - $1.12

Net OOP: $50.02 - yes, my budget for a whole week! Ugh!!!!!

Let's just say in the next few weeks, I'll be doing some "challenges" like my $100.00 budget mission I did last year. Stay tuned!

-Michelle