Grocery Deals Round-Up: 3/21 - 3/27

LOTS of good deals this week! There is a new deal at Aldi- from the ad it seems they will be doing a weekly "Fresh Meat Special Buy Day" on Wednesdays. Today the deal is $0.89/lb split chicken breasts.

Asparagus- $1.38/lb @ HyVee 
Blackberries- $3/ 2  6oz pkgs @ HyVee OR $2.99/ 12 oz pkg @ Target
Cantaloupe - $0.99/ea @ Aldi
Carrots (baby)- $0.88/lb bag @ Checkers
Celery- $0.58/ stalk @ Checkers
Corn on the Cob- $2 / 5 cobs @ Dillons
Grapes (Green)- $0.89/lb @ Aldi
Green Beans- $0.88/lb @ Checkers
Lettuce (Romaine, red or green leaf)- $0.78/ea @ Checkers 
Oranges (Navel)- $1.48/ 4lb bag ($0.37/lb!) @ Aldi
Pears (Anjou)- $0.99/ 4 ct tray ($0.23/ea!) @ Aldi
Pineapple (whole)- $0.99/ea @ Aldi
Strawberries- $0.99/ 16oz (1lb) pk  @ Aldi


Butter (reg or unsalted)- $1.99/ ea @ Aldi
Chicken Breast (split)- $0.89/lb @ Aldi WEDS ONLY
Chicken Breast (bonless, skinless)- $1.68/lb @ Checkers
Chicken Leg Quarters- $0.79/lb @ HyVee 
Cream Cheese or Neufchatel- $0.99/ea @ Aldi
Entrees (W. Watchers or Smart Ones frozen)- $10/ 5 @ HyVee
Flour- $1.48/ 5lb bag @ HyVee
Fish Filets (battered)- $2.49 / 19oz box @ Aldi
Ham (Smoked shank) - $1.19/lb @ Aldi
Ham (Spiral)- $1.69/lb @ Aldi (if you can wait, hams will go on sale after Easter!)
Olive Oil Cooking Spray- $1.49/ ea @ Aldi
Pasta Sauce (Organic!)- $1.99/ea @ Aldi
Pasta (Whole grain! penne or rotini)- $0.99/ 13oz box @ Aldi 
Pineapple (canned)- $0.89/ea @ Aldi
Pizza (Margherita, frozen) - $2.99/ea @ Aldi
Pork Roast (Boston butt)- $1.58/lb @ Checkers
Tofu (Melissa’s Organic)- $4/ 2 blocks @ HyVee
Tortilla Chips (Clancys)- $0.99/ 13 oz bag @ Aldi
Salsa (Casa Mamita)- $1.49/ 24 oz jar @ Aldi
Vegetables (Birds Eye frozen)- $5 / 5 bags @ HyVee

Yogurt (non-fat Fit & Active)- $0.39/ea @ Aldi

Easter/ Spring baking stuff- cake mix, frosting, sprinkles on sale @ Aldi


Here are some tasty, easy, healthy recipes I've made lately that will work perfectly with our deals this week! :  Easy Baked Garlic Chicken & Roasted New Potatoes & Asparagus  These link to their direct sources, but I originally found them on Pinterest. Click to Follow me on Pinterest!

Do you know that we have a Facebook Page and a Twitter account? Click the links to check them out, I post a lot of good tips on those pages.

photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1189704

Some new Pinterest recipes:

I'm looking forward to the weekend for many reasons, including trying out some new recipes! The first 2 are recipes I tried already earlier this week (all in one meal!). The last 3 are new to me (found on Pinterest of course!) that I'm planning to try this weekend.  Trying anything new this weekend?


Baked chicken fingers- these were super tasty but a bit messy to make. (Chicken was on sale last week.)

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Roasted new potatoes and asparagus- REALLY good, and easy to do! (Asparagus was on sale last week.)

Source: cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com via Jessica on Pinterest

To try this weekend:


Chili's-style salsa: (tomatoes are on sale this week)

Source: sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Smashed & Baked potatoes (still have half a bag of potatoes left from last week):

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Cheesy Broccoli Bites (I think these will be perfect with turkey meatloaf & smashed potatoes):

Source: staceysnacksonline.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Pinterest Projects

It's no secret that I love Pinterest. I liked it from the start, but something amazing has happened- I've actually been DOING some of the things I've pinned! Have you tried anything you've pinned? Here are some of the projects and recipes I've done so far:

Source: realsimple.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: allthingsthrifty.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: glamour.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: neverhomemaker.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Frugal blog round-up

It could be winter talking, but I've been feeling pretty low-energy lately, and when that happens, I want to shop! I've been pretty good, but I did buy a dress and boots online last week (I really didn't need them.)  They were delivered yesterday... and neither fit! Ha! Laughing at myself now- that's what I get for spending money on a dress and boots I couldn't try on. So, planning to either return or sell them- we'll see which will get me more of my money back.

ANYWAY... that is neither here nor there. The point, here, people, is that when I feel my "frugal vigor" slipping, it always helps me to read some really good frugal blogs I follow. And of course, it is always helpful to revisit the book that inspired it all, The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn. (pictured) I follow dozens (perhaps... hundreds?) of blogs on various frugal topics: personal finance, DIY projects, couponing, cooking and so forth. (Full disclosure: None of these blogs know I'm "promoting" them, so no worries, they didn't buy my love!)

Here are a few of my very most favorite frugal blogs, in no particular order:


Give Me Back My Five Bucks: "A quest for financial independence through the eyes of a 20-something Candian blogger" by Krystal. I love that she posts her actual weekly spending totals!

Budget Bytes: "On a mission to save money and eat well!" by Beth.  Really great healthy and tasty recipes here, and she posts very detailed accounts of what each ingredient costs.

Get Rich Slowly: "Personal Finance That Makes Cents" Give them a pass on the dorky subtitle- I have learned a lot of valuable information from this blog, and it's fun to read, too.

Mr. Money Moustache: "Financial Freedom Through Badassity" I LOVE THIS BLOG. Love the quirky attitude, and even more, I love that this man retired before he was 40 and he tells us how he did it.

Tip Junkie: "15,000+ tutorials on Crafts, DIY Decor, Food, Holidays, Gifts, Parties, Printables and more!" by Laurie.  This site was like Pinterest before there was Pinterest. She's got it separated by category, and I find a zillion great projects on here.

I'll keep the rest of my favorites for next time. What are you favorite "frugal blogs"?

DIY Cleaning Solvents and Laundry Tips

Make a New Year's resolution to get your home in shape? Vow to save money on household expenses? Or maybe like me you can't stand the chemical smell of commercial cleaners? Perhaps you're interested in environmentally-friendly products? Then this list is for you! A good source for spray-bottles and other containers for your cleaners is a dollar store (Dollar Tree is the only one in Lawrence, I believe.)

• Hand Sanitizer, Yoga mat cleaner, Produce Wash from Fit Sugar -- I particularly love the idea of making your own produce wash. 
• To clean grills, oven racks, etc.- "On a hot, sunny day place them in a dark plastic bag. Pour a cup of ammonia into the bag, seal with a twist tie, and leave out to cook in the sun. At the end of the day take out the grills and wash under hose water. Most of the crud will wipe off. - Marian Hukle Tonganoxie, KS" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• Bathtub Scrub "Wet the surface, sprinkle it with cream of tartar, and rub this with the cut surface of a lemon. Then, with some elbow grease, the tub will be as white as new within 20-30 minutes. I use two lemons and about 1/2 can of cream of tartar on my tub, and it does not have to be done very often. -Sally Weitlauf Dayton, OH." (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• Pots, Pans, Burner Plates "Here's a tip for pots with burned-on gook: Put enough water in the pot  to cover the stain. Add 2 tablespoon of any brand of powdered dishwashing detergent. Boil for 15 to 30 minutes. This also works for dirty burner plates if boiled in a pot of water.-Anna Johnson Kingfield, ME" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• Drain Cleaner "When drains get sluggish, use this tested, inexpensive remedy: 1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain. 2. Follow the soda with 1 cup of vinegar. 3. Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and follow through with the plunger. -Jan Mitchell Salinas, CA" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• All Purpose Cleaner  1/2 cup ammonia, 1 pint rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon blue Dawn dish soap, add water to make a gallon. From my Great Aunt Daisy Atteberry! (She says blue Dawn specifically- but perhaps another soap would work.)
• Hardwood Floor Cleaner "Mix 1 cup of distilled vinegar with 1 cup of vegetable oil, says the Michigan State University Extension Service. Apply a thin film of it to your floor. Rub it thoroughly. The N.Y. Consumer Site says that even without the oil, vinegar is a great hardwood floor cleaner. Simply add 1 cup of it to a pail of hot water, and damp mop your floors. The vinegar's odor will evaporate with the water. This cleaner is suitable for other floor surfaces as well." from Ehow.com
• Swiffer mop refill alternative:  use old socks, towels, or rags cut to size and dampened with your DIY all-purpose cleaner or hardwood floor cleaner. When it gets too dirty, just drop it in the washing machine with whatever else you're washing. 

• Static Eliminator "Mix 1 part fabric softener and 20 parts water. Put in a spritzer bottle and spray just the amount that is needed. -Elaine Hodgman Ludlow, MA" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn) Note: I am trying this SOON- I hate the smell of StaticGuard! -jgb
• Laundry Pretreatment "1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup Wisk, 1/2 cup water. Spray on grease or food spots, or dirty collars and cuffs. Wash garment as usual." (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)

photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1193877

Frugal holiday sweets

Lots of people make sweet treats for the holidays, but have you considered the expense (especially if you are buying pre-made dough, frosting, etc.)? There are certainly some goodies that are more frugal than others, and here is a list of my favorite "budget friendly" holiday treats! Better yet, they are pretty easy and won't take up too much time.

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/920495

• Slice & Bake Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies I haven't made these but they sound DELICIOUS and look really easy! 

• Chocolate Butter Cookies  I like these with buttercream-frosting accents, and they are really adaptable.

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Very similar to my grandma's recipe.

• Sugar Cookies This is the same recipe I use. I cut out shapes and decorate with buttercream frosting and/or sprinkles.

• Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies I omit the nuts and add a few drops of green food coloring to make them "mint green". 

• Quick and Easy Gingerbread Classic!

• Betty Crocker's Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Easy to make and tastes so much better than store bought!

• Easy Microwave Fudge

• DIY Vanilla Extract!

And remember, homemade treats are a great gift!

Frugal Christmas Dinner Shopping List & Favorite Recipes

Sample Menu: Cheese Ball & Crackers, Frugal Hot Chocolate, Fruit Salad, Ham w/ Brown Sugar & Pineapple, Roast Turkey & Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Dressing, Rolls, Sweet Potato Pie (or Sweet Potato Casserole).  Click the linked items to see my favorite recipes. And remember, even if a recipe lists a name-brand ingredient (Campbell's Soup), it's always more frugal to substitute the store brand! Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/

Shopping List with Best Deals in Lawrence, KS: (prices good until 12/24 unless otherwise noted)

Brown Sugar- $1.49/lb @ Aldi
Butter- $1.78/lb @ Checkers, $1.99 @ Aldi
Clementines (Cuties)- $4.98/5lbs @ Checkers, $4.99/5lbs @ Target
Crackers (gourmet style) $1.19/box @ Aldi
Cream Cheese- $0.99/8oz @ HyVee (until 12/20), $0.89 @ Aldi
Eggs- $1.19/dozen @ HyVee (until 12/20), $1.88/18 eggs @ Dillons (until 12/20)
Green Beans (canned)- $0.44/can @ Checkers, $0.49 @ Target,
Ham (Spiral)- $1.68/lb @ Checkers, $1.69 @ HyVee
Ham (Whole)- $1.19/lb @ Dillons (until 12/20)
Hot Chocolate- Make your own! See recipe here.
Milk- $2.99/gal @ Aldi, $3.19 @ Target
Onions- $1.69/3lb @ Aldi
Onions (French-fried)- $1.99/6oz @ Aldi,
Pie (pumpkin)- $1.48 @ HyVee (until 12/20)
Pie Crust- $1.89 @ Aldi, $1.99 @ Target
Pineapple (canned)- $0.78 @ Walmart
Pineapple (fresh)- $0.99/ea @ Aldi, $1.88/ea @ Checkers
Potatoes- $1.98/10lb @ Checkers, $1.99/10lb @ Dillons (until 12/20)
Rolls $1.00/12ct @ Dillons (until 12/20), $0.99/12ct @ Aldi
Soy Milk- $2.39/64oz @ Aldi
Soup (Cream of Mushroom)- $0.59/10oz @ Target, $0.69 Walgreens
Stuffing/Dressing- $0.99/12oz @ Target, $0.89/12oz @ Aldi
Sugar (granulated) $1.99/4lb @ Dillons & Hyvee (until 12/20), $2.79/5lb @ Aldi
Sweet Potatoes- $0.48/lb @ Checkers, $0.99/3lbs @ Aldi
Turkey- $0.78/lb @ Checkers, $1.09 Aldi
Whipped Topping- $0.69 @ Hyvee, $0.99 @ Target

Don't forget to share this list by clicking the buttons below!

DIY Vanilla Extract, and Easy Fudge Recipe

Two of my favorite frugal (and easy!) holiday recipes:


Make your own vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is expensive! Make your own for way less money and use it for your holiday baking, or give it away as gifts! There is a great DIY vanilla tutorial on JoytheBaker.com.

Easy microwave fudge: I used this recipe after I tried to make fudge the not-easy way that involves candy thermometers and soft balls (?). I ended up with chocolate soup. This recipes from Cooks.com is much, much easier, and IS DELICIOUS.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1360809

My Frugal Holiday Baking shopping list

Hi all! I've researched the best deals on baking supplies in Lawrence (prices good through 12/3 unless otherwise noted.) I have not gotten to Checkers to get their baking goods prices yet- please let me know if you go before I do and see some deals that beat these. Their ad did show a lot of good deals on fresh produce this week. Also, I did check Target, but they did not make the list on any item. Happy shopping!

My Holiday Baking List:

• Butter Quarter- Aldi 16oz $1.99
• Candy Canes - Walgreens 32 pk Mini $0.99 (with in-ad coupon)
• Chocolate Chips-  HyVee 10oz. $1.38 // Aldi 12 oz. $1.69
• Corn Bread Mix- Walgreens $0.34 (with in-ad coupon)
• Eggs dzn - Aldi $1.59
• Flour 5lbs- Hy-Vee $0.88 (12/1 &12/2 only, limit 2) // Aldi $0.94
• Icing, Betty Crocker cookie squeeze icing, 7oz.- Aldi $1.99 // Walmart $2.98
• Icing, Spreadable- Aldi 16 oz. $1.29
• Oil, Cooking Spray 5 oz- Aldi. $1.29
• Oil, Vegetable - Aldi 48oz $2.49
• Oil, Olive - Aldi 16oz $3.49 // Walgreens 17oz $3.49 ($2.99 w/coupon)
• Pie Crust (2pk) - Walmart $2.46 Pilsbury ($2.21 w/coupon) // Aldi $1.89
• Pumpkin, canned- Aldi 15oz $0.99
• Sandwich or Storage bags - Walgreens $1.19 (with in-ad coupon)
• Sugar, Granulated- HyVee 4lb $1.49 (limit 1) // Aldi 5lbs $2.49
• Sugar, Brown- WalMart (Dixie Crystals brand) 1lb/ $1.18 ($0.63 w/coupon) // Aldi 2lb/ $1.49
• Sugar, Powdered- WalMart (Dixie Crystals brand) 1lb/ $1.18 ($0.63 w/coupon) // Aldi 2lb/ $1.49
• Whipped Topping- Aldi (regular or lite) $0.89
• Vanilla Extract- Didn't spot any deals, but you can make your own!

See this weeks ads here: Aldi Weekly Ad, Dillons Weekly Ad, HyVee Weekly Ad, Target Weekly Ad, Walgreens Weekly Ad, Walmart Weekly Ad. As always, Couponmom.com was a great help in my research!

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/591704

Two Frugal Recipes (sweet potato pie and hot chocolate!)

Frugal Hot Chocolate from The Complete Tightwad Gazette (p 81) by Amy Dacyczyn

1/3c dry milk

1tsp cocoa

1c hot water

Marshmallows to taste.

How easy is that? And it only costs about 10 cents per serving. Mixed up in a pretty jar this would be a nice gift as well. 

This recipe is from my friend George. He brought this pie to our staff picnic and it knocked my socks off. I'm now completely obsessed and making it for Thanksgiving, plus a few extra to freeze. I asked if it is a secret family recipe, he says its from The California Cookbook from LA Times.

George's Sweet Potato Pie

1 ½ c mashed cooked sweet potatoes

½ c butter or margarine, softened

4 eggs

1 c granulated or brown sugar (I used brown)

1 ½ t nutmeg

1 ½ t vanilla

½ c milk

1 -9 inch unbaked pie shell

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.  Let stand in refrigerator overnight.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours.

Photo courtesy http://www.sxc.hu/

Thanksgiving leftovers, bulk buys, and recipes

There are some amazing grocery deals this week, as I noted here.

For example, boy are those potatoes at Checkers and Aldi cheap! But I find that when I buy a big bag of potatoes, they almost always go bad before we can use them all. So, I've done a little research, and I'm going to freeze them! GoodCheapEats has the info here: How To Freeze Potatoes.

Good deals on sweet potatoes also abound. (I got a 3# bag at Aldi for $0.75!) A good way to save these is to bake sweet potato pies and then freeze them. Great recipe from my friend George here!

If I had more room in my freezer, I'd buy an extra turkey or two. But I'll just have to hope for some nice leftovers. What to do with turkey? Obviously, you can freeze it, but you can also make a stock for soups. Also from GoodCheapEats, a How to Cook at Turkey has good info about leftovers. Some ideas:

Easy Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Enchiladas
Shredded BBQ Turkey Sandwiches

Grandma Betty's Thanksgiving Casserole:
Chop up leftover turkey, layer in a casserole dish with leftover stuffing, vegetables, gravy, whatever, top with mashed potatoes and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes to re-heat. You can sprinkle the top with shredded cheese before baking to make it extra-delicious.

Have I mentioned how much I love my Grandma Betty? She called me yesterday and had a whole list of "Tips & Tricks" she'd written down for my first Thanksgiving. This "recipe" was one of her tips. Sounds delicious!

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/

A Frugal Thanksgiving

I think I might be doing that thing where I decide to do a huge thing and then later when I'm actually doing the huge thing, I'm like, why did I decide to do this huge thing?

That being said, I've decided to host a "mini-Thanksgiving" at my house the day after Thanksgiving Day for my close relatives that I won't see on Thanksgiving Day (since I will be seeing other relatives). I would like to publicly thank my husband for agreeing to this most exciting and possibly disastrous undertaking. This will be our first Thanksgiving as married people, and what could be more grand than hosting our own (mini) Thanksgiving meal at our own house?




Here's what I'm thinking for a menu:

-Turkey (something like a 12-pounder?)
-Dressing (hoping someone else can be talked into bringing this)
-Mashed potatoes (I am a master potato masher)
-Turkey gravy
-Green bean casserole (hoping my Mom will make this)
-Cheesy corn (don't actually know what this is called, but Grandma Gish makes it and its delicious. I'll post a recipe later.)
-Rolls
-Sweet potato pie (never made this before but had some recently and it was SO TASTY.)
-Cheesecake (certain I can get my Dad to bring this)
-Wine!

I think I can do this meal really frugally (I'll tally it up and report!), especially since guests will bring things. With one expception- I don't know where to get a good deal on a turkey! This is where I ask for HELP! Am I missing anything really important? And where can I get a good deal on a turkey?

**NOTE: I later did the research on turkey and Thanksgiving foods! Check out this entry: 

Photo courtesy of http://www.everystockphoto.com/

2 Frugal recipes

Tried 2 new frugal recipes this weekend.

Split-pea soup in the crockpot: It was SO GOOD, and really easy. Served with corn muffins.

Photo by Paula G

Purchased ingredients:
16 oz bag of dried split peas - $0.99 (regular price at Hy-Vee)
Smoked ham - $2.00/lb, used 2 lbs. (sale price at Hy-Vee)
The rest of the ingredients (onions, carrots, salt, etc. I already had on hand).

Betty Crocker corn bread mix - $0.33 (on sale 3/$1 at Walgreens)

Recipe here: http://www.food.com/recipe/slow-cooker-split-pea-soup-83008 (I omitted the celery, because I don't like celery. Ha.)

Easy fudge: also SO GOOD and SO EASY. I'm thinking this might be a good one to make and give to people for the holidays.

Purchased ingredients:
2 lbs powdered sugar (used 1 lb for the recipe)- $1.50 (on sale 2/$3 at Dillons)
The rest of the things I already had (cocoa powder, milk, butter, etc.)

Recipe here: http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1729,150161-231201,00.html (I used powdered milk, made following the directions on the package. I also did not use nuts.)