My faith

I'm a Mormon.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Savvy shopper deals

WOW! Reams Foods (Springville) 7/28-8/02:

Kiwi = $0.10 ea WOW

Cantaloupe = $0.29 lb WOW

Bananas = $0.29 lb WOW

Broccoli & Cauliflower = $0.69 lb WOW

Roma Tomatoes = $0.79 lb WOW

Red, Romaine and Green Leaf Lettuce = $0.69 ea WOW

Artichokes = $0.79 ea WOW

Zucchini & Yellow Squash = $0.49 lb !!!

Cucumbers = $0.33 ea WOW

Cello Whole & Sliced Mushrooms = $0.99 8 oz. pkg. WOW

Radishes & Green Onions = $0.33 bunch WOW

5 lb. Cello Carrots = $2.50 !!!

Fresh Express 12 oz. Tossed Salad, 16 oz Cole Slaw, 9 oz. Spinach = $0.99 WOW

ALL WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Springville 489-0684

Monday, July 28, 2008

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Meal planning edited...

I realized when I went shopping for the meals I planned that I spent about 2 weeks worth of food budget, which isn't bad, but I don't usually shop 2 weeks at a time. We've already made 2 bonus trips to the store to pick up things I forgot, so we're a little over our average weekly budget. Jenny's comment made me realize how I really should be more creative with the foods I already have. I have lots of rice. And oats. And wheat. It's a good thing our ward does montly canning!

Anyway, I'm already planning a new menu, and I haven't stuck to the menu I made because I don't always feel like making or eating what is scheduled. So I guess it's good to be flexible. Taco Salad ended up being LAST night! So if I can avoid going to the store again this week I'll be in good shape!!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Lower Monthly Car Insurance Payment

I have a tip in saving money. Its by lowering your monthly car insurance payment.

To lower your monthly premium, request a higher deductible and ask for automatic monthly withdrawals. This can lower your car insurance premium by $20.00 a month. You can put the $20.00 that you are used to paying your insurance premium into a savings account. This savings account can be used as a slush fund to purchase unexpected gifts, presents, house necessities, emergencies or what ever you want to use the money for.

Friday, July 25, 2008

2 week planning.

Meal plans for the next 2 weeks.
Several nights we have planned to eat leftovers from the previous days. I always make enough to serve 6. Also, since we have a wedding coming up, we'll be eating with family a few of those days. So I only have 9 days planned. I linked some recipes that are very similar to the ones I used. And I'm all about changing things to suit my tastes, or experimenting if I don't have a desired ingredient! And frozen fruits and veggies will save money, because they won't go bad before you can use them!! :)

Day 1: Leftovers from Rosalee's baby shower!
Chinese chicken salad
Pasta Salad (rotini, 1/2 c mayo, 1/2 c. italian dressing, shredded carrots, cucumbers, diced ham, black olives) You can really add anything to it!
Potato rolls

Day 2: Cajun Cabbage
1lb. ground beef
med onion, chopped
1 can tomatoes, 1 can chilies
1/2 c uncooked rice
1/2 tsp garlic (or 2 cloves fresh)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp black pepper
4-6 drops Tabasco sauce
1 small head cabbage, chopped
1 c shredded cheese
In skillet, brown beef with onion, pepper, and garlic. Drain fat. Stir in tomatoes, rice, and seasonings. Spread into ungreased casserole dish. Top with cabbage and cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 65-75 min until rice is tender. YUMMO!

Day 3: Grilled chicken with avocado, tomato, and corn salsa
1/4 c lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 ripe avocado diced
1 large ripe tomato, diced
1 c thawed or canned corn kernals
1/4 c chopped red onion
1/4 c cilantro (I omit this, I don't like cilantro)
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 c shredded lettuce

Mix lime, oil, sugar, and salt in med bowl. Add avocado, tomato, corn, onion, and cilantro. Toss to coat. Heat great or broiler. Season chicken with spices. (can coat with olive oil if you'd rather roast) Grill and cook thoroughly. Divide lettuce among 4 plates and top each with chicken, then salsa.

Day 4: Omelets with sausage, peppers, tomato, onion. Hashbrowns (I use cheese grater and dice onions, then cook over low medium heat for about 15 min in canola oil for the HB's)

Day 5: Chicken Manicotti

Day 6:
Taco Salad

Day 7: Chilli & Baked potatos

Day 8: Lasagna

Day 9: Stir-Fry

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Thanks Jenny

I just read Jenny's comment on my last post. I have since calmed down a bit, and with all of our car trouble, it seems like maybe the Lord was helping me know it was ok to take out student loans.

Anyway, Karen Kent told me about a great site called savvy shopper deals. It is through the daily herald, and I already found tons of great coupons. They list the coupons in ABC order, and you can find almost anything that is on you shopping list. You just have to make sure the store accepts them. You also can sign up for emails that will tell you about the great deals!!

We don't get paid until Friday, so I'm trying to be really creative with our meals. We have potatoes, lots of rice, frozen veggies, and things like that.

Tonight, I'm thinking of making wheat pancakes with hash browns.

We have a steak leftover from the Dearden cow, so maybe tomorrow we'll have mashed potatoes with corn and meat.

Thursday we'll be in SL, so maybe our families will feed us.

Friday...I'll have to brainstorm something. Maybe I can use leftover meat in a stir fry with rice?
I'll go shopping then, so I need to plan out the next 2 weeks worth of meals. I'll post what I plan just to give ideas to anyone who happens to read this!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Not doing so well

I just looked at my goals today, and it seems that they require a lot more work than I realized! Planning meals takes a lot of time, especially if you are going to cook with what you have, shop the ads, and use coupons!

After talking with Jenny about this blog, I considered changing the name. I was thinking about what I really want to accomplish this blog, and also thinking about parenting and families and provident living. The church has a great site, providentliving.org... But I really would like to encourage people to come unto Christ, while reaching out to moms, dads, students, families, and everyone who would like to implement better money and time management skills, as well as be better parents!

So, today is the 4th of July. Alana is sleeping. Stuart is enjoying some time with his brother, and I'm procrastinating doing the dishes. I still haven't made the bed, and I have laundry to fold. I really need to find the motivation to do these things.

I'm also incredibly stressed (and driving Stuart nuts) about our finances. We just found out we have to replace the fuel pump in our car (Click here for THAT story)and last week I ordered a crib for Alana that will arrive at Walmart this week. If I don't go pick up the crib, matress, and bedding set, then I'll be refunded the $220. But I REALLY want to have a crib for her. So where do I draw the line between wants and needs? She is fine sleeping in her pack n play, but my back is killing me from bending down. Since when did a bed become a want and not a need? I'm also really thinking I need to get a job. The thought of having $30,000+ in student loans really freaks me out. If Stuart would make 6 figures when he graduated, it wouldn't be as big a deal. But I don't want to be paying student loans off for 20 years!

So, this post is kind of a vent, kind of a stress relief. I think I'll go read a book!