Week 3

I know I said I was done for the week, but we were passing VG's and I had to stop. I wanted to get a few more of the GF baking mixes and I had some more coupons for the Starbucks Frappuccino drinks.

So I got:
2 packages Hodgsons Cinnamon Muffin Mix
1 package of Gluten Free Pantry Muffin/Scone MIx
1 package Mochiko Rice Flour
4 pack Vanilla Starbucks Frappuchino drinks
3 lbs Fugi Apples

The total came to $8.10.

I seem to have misplaced the receipt though, so I don't have exact totals of the items. My coupons also rang up wrong, actually for higher than they should have, so my total was kind of bizarre.

Also, still haven't charged my camera, I know BAD blogger, but I'm hoping my husband will do it tonight. I'm kind of electronically challenged and I really have no clue how to do it myself.....

So I'm down to having $16.90 left. I may not even bother adding it to next week, I don't think I'll need it. I'm so excited that I only spent $24.10 this week! I never thought I could get that low.

Week 3 - Update

This week is officially just a mess. My daughter kept getting sicker and sicker... found out today she has bronchitis and an ear infection, I've had a migraine on and off the whole week. Nothing got done. So I'm done with shopping this week. I never made it for my 2nd trip, there was just too much going on here.

So.... I'm really excited about this....

Wait for it.....

Wait for it.........

I'm adding my $25 from this week to next weeks budget. That means I'll have $65 to work with!! That's an extra 2 tens and a 5.... or 25 ones... you get the idea. The thought of having all this extra money is making me a little giddy with excitement. You feel it too, admit it.

AND IT GETS BETTER!

Because I had a coupon, when we filled my daughters prescription we got a coupon for $20 off of our next grocery purchase. So I think next week I'll have a lot of wiggle room. We'll probably have filet mignon and caviar every night. With a budget this extravagant I can indulge. Except that I don't think I'd like caviar, and red meat everyday would raise our cholesterol through the roof. Sometimes reality can be such a downer.

Anyways, I'm really excited about next week's shopping. The sales at Meijer look promising, and I have a couple of good store coupons to use up.

As far as What's for Dinner goes... tonight is take out. I was at the a lab center for several hours getting tests done, my daughter is still sick, my head is still pounding from not being able to eat in the morning, and no one feels like doing much of anything. But to make it a little better.... I had a coupon for the take out.... :)

Shopping List - Week 3

So today I shopped at VG's, a store that I usually avoid, because they have higher than average prices. They do, however, double coupons up to and including $1.00. I (as usual) spent more than I was planning on, but I got some really great deals.

First off I'll say, that they seem to be discontinuing a lot of their products, especially gluten free baking mixes and such. So I bought more of that type stuff than normal.

Here's what I bought-

$3.09 Starbucks Vanilla Frappachino 4 pack - I bought 2 - These were 50% off cause of being discontinued - Minus $2.00 in coupons = $1.09 each (such a great deal for a 4 pack!)
$2.00 Kraft Shredded Cheese with a Touch of Philadelphia - Bought 2 - Minus $2.00 coupon = FREE
$.64 - Tasters Choice Stick Pack Decaff (also being discontinued)
$1.00 - Freshlike Frozen Veggies - Bought 2 - Minus $1.50 on 2 coupon = $.25 each
$2.39 - Organic Envirokids Koala Crisp (discontinued item - 50% off... these make great rice krispy treats)
$1.89 - French's Spicy Brown Mustard - bought 2 - Minus $1.89 in coupons = FREE
$2.99 - Cherrybrook Farms GF Cookie Mix - (discontinued item 50% off) - Minus $2.00 coupon = $.99
$2.00 - Colgate Kids Toothbrush - Minus $2.00 coupon = FREE
$2.99 - Apple and Eve Fruitables (8pk) - bought 2 - Minus $2.00 coupon = $.99 each
$1.99 - Kikkoman Soy Sauce - Minus $1.99 in coupons = FREE
$2.74 - Gluten Free Pantry Muffin/Scone Mix (Discontinued 50% off)
$2.99 - Kleenex Hand Towels - bought 2 - Minus $2.00 = $.99 each

Total with tax - $14.69

Total remaining $25.31

I'm sure I'll use some of the baking mixes for entertaining, but I don't know which ones so I'm not exempting anything. I am considering taking some of next weeks budget and going back for more because normally GF baking ingredients are at least $5.00 per package. I'm not sure if that's allowed though (I'm very indecisive, even if this whole thing is an invention in my mind and I make the rules).... anyways, I'm thinking about it.

I'll be making a Meijer run later in the week and may buy another turkey to freeze for another time. I love turkey and this is the best time to buy it. I get all giddy getting a good deal on something like a turkey because meat is something most people think is impossible to get a "deal" on. I really am a huge nerd. I get excited about things like reading a new cookbook and finding a good deal. I do really love saving money. I'd rather spend my husband's hard earned cash on something fun, not groceries. I'm currently saving my extra grocery money for a vacation to Discovery Cove next year. I'd love to take the kids there and to Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Aquatica. If I was spending $100+ a week on groceries, that vacation just wouldn't happen. I love being able to do my part to make the trip happen by cutting my budget. And it's so much more fun to save when you have something exciting to save for!