I doubt I'll get a picture in to this post. Sorry.
So, we should just establish a point after which the cost of the items used in recipes no longer has to be accounted. For instance, if I've had something over a year, could I just not calculate the cost in to my recipes? I know, that's silly reasoning. If that's all it took, I'd just keep everything for a year before cooking it, then everything would be free, right? Yeah, it doesn't work that way. It's just that, for the fried rice, I'm using sesame seeds that I've had for at least a year, and I don't have a clue how much they cost.
Here's the best estimate I can make:
2 c rice - $.30
butter - $.25
Soy sauce - $.30
Smoked sausage - $.50
bacon - $3.00
eggs - $.30
sesame seeds - $.15
ramen seasoning - $.17
Total for a huge pot of fried rice - $4.97. I'll serve my veggies separate from the fried rice. 'Cuz that's how I prefer it.
That takes my total for dinner to just about $6.00.
I had to estimate the cost of most of the items. I know the smoked sausage is right on. And the eggs. But the rest, since I don't really use measurements, is pure hypothesis.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday's snack - homemade pretzels
Let's see if I can come up with a close approximation of the cost of this yummy treat:
1 1/3 c water - free!
2 T butter - $.25
1 1/2 T sugar - $.04
3/4 t salt - free! (Still using the giant vat of salt I received as a gift)
4 c flour - $1.42
2 1/2 t yeast - $.17
1 1/2 T baking soda - $.03???
Plus more water for simmering. Plus more salt to sprinkle on top. Both free.
I did rub the tops with butter after they came out of the oven, but I didn't use more than a teaspoon. Maybe half that. So let's say $.05?
Total for 15 delicious pretzels - $1.96!
I'm thinking about making these for my class as a treat for getting through the first week of school. I'll have to figure out how to make them tomorrow but save them until Friday. Not sure how that's going to work. Or if I'll manage to keep my hands off of them that long! I'll have to make two batches to get everyone. I am thinking of making them a bit smaller/skinnier. That will give me enough to give to my team teacher(s) and assistant and principal, too. I think that will help them hold their shape better, too. They puffed up so much - in rising, simmering, and baking - that many of them lost their pretzel-shape, as you can tell in the picture.
Publix, 8/20 - 90% Savings!
We went in to Publix early this morning (like 7:30) to see what deals we could find before other couponers swarmed in! I had two deals to work that would each give overage. We are tight in the budget this month, so I wanted to spend as little as possible. I have a good sized shopping list, but I only bought what would allow me to spend the least.
Here's the rundown:
2 Sundown Naturals vitamin D - $2.99 each
Used $6/2 Publix coupon from the Green Advantage Flier
Used 2 $1/1 printable coupons - link at http://www.hotcouponworld.com/
Paid: FREE for both, plus $2.02 overage
2 packs Paper Mate pens - $1.99 each
Used a rain check to get them for $.50 each
Used 2 $1/1 Target printable coupons (thanks, Terri!)
Paid: FREE for both, plus $1 overage
1 lb. Rico kidnew beans - $1.59
1 small Kikkoman soy sauce - $1.45
2 small yellow onions - $.55 ($1.19/lb)
2 gallons drinking water from the refill station - $.60
Total paid: $1.09
Total saved: $10.00
Percent saved: 90.1%
Side note: Since the pens have a shelf price of $1.99, using the raincheck saved an additional $2.98. Taking that into account, my percent of savings becomes 92.3%.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Today's Frugal Meal - Scones!
This delicious batch of scones cost less than $2 to make! That is the cost without coupons. They are delicious -- Talani ate 3 for breakfast! We ate them plain, with no butter or jam or anything at all. I don't want to add to them; they are just right.
I still can't believe that I made them myself.
I still can't believe that I made them myself.
They are shockingly easy. The hardest part was cutting in the butter to the flour mixture. You're supposed to use a pastry cutter or pastry blender (what's that thing called?), but I don't have one so I used a fork. I wasn't sure if I was doing an adequate job of combining the flour mixture and the butter, but I must have. They turned out so so so great.
I definitely feel like a success in the kitchen this morning. (I needed that. Last night was ROUGH!)
In a somewhat-related note, I started a new blog dedicated to cooking frugally. I've posted more detail about making these scones, although I didn't post any pictures. (I have to figure out the whole picture on the phone sent to the blog thing again and set it up for the new blog.) I didn't know I was going to start a new blog when I made the scones, or I would have taken more pictures along the way. :) Anyway, feel free to go on over to the new spot and let me know what you think. I posted the detailed cost breakdown there.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Publix, 7/30 - spent $14.92, saved $29.33
It's been too long since I posted a shopping trip. To be honest, it's been too long since I had a trip worth posting, and this one barely qualifies. Thank goodness for free marshmallows and super cheap Pop Tarts to inspire me to publish this trip. I am stuck in the habit now, it seems, of trying new recipes. I love that I am finding new favorites, and I'm really enjoying the variety I can serve my family. I have begun a good list of ingredients I need for these new recipes so I can know what to stock up on when the right sale hits. So, as I have for the past few weeks, I bought what I need today, not necessarily what was on sale, at least for the most part. I ended up noticing things in the store that I needed but had forgotten to add to the list, so I didn't have coupons for those items.
Here's how we did:
Pillsbury bread flour, 5 lb. - $2.99
King Arthur's whole wheat flour, 5 lb. - $3.99
1 dozen Publix eggs - $1.69
2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies - BOGO - 2 for $4.09
Publix mini marshmallows - $1.39
Used FREE peelie on Rice Krispies (wyb 2)
Paid: FREE!
6 boxes Pop Tarts - BOGO - $2.59 for 2
Used 2 $1/3 Target printables
Used 2 $1/3 MQ printables
Paid: $3.77 for all 6, or just $.63 per box!
Publix sliced pepperoni - $3.39
2 Cabot white cheddar cheese -- 2 for $5
Used $10 gift card I received as a gift
Paid: $14.92
Saved: $29.33 (includes $10 gift card)
Percent saved: 66.2%
The Pop Tarts are probably my favorite deal, followed by the marshmallows. I wish I had thought to look for Rice Krispie coupons to make this deal even better. I may get back to get a bit more of these things before the sale ends.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Doing Disney the Cheapskate Way
I have several pictures of our room that I hope to upload here, but I'm really awful with that stuff, so I may have to wait until my technology guru (aka my husband) can work on it.
First of all, I want to say that just because we are being cheapskates at Walt Disney World doesn't mean we're slumming it. Quite the contrary. My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying the standard view studio we have for 4 nights (only 3 left) at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Villas. This beautiful resort and spacious, nicely appointed room is anything but cheapskate-y. You can read more about Kidani Villas here.
To view pictures other than my own (which I Talani really will work on.), see the information about the Animal Kingdom Jambo House here. The rooms here are very similar to Kidani, and just a short walk or bus ride away, since they are both part of Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Our lovely room has a small kitchenette with a little sink, a microwave, a coffee pot, a toaster, and a mini refrigerator. It also is stocked with paper plates, coffee cups and glasses, and plastic knives, forks, and spoons. We even received a roll of paper towels, a dishcloth and sponge, and a tiny bottle of Palmolive dish soap. The bathroom is wonderfully spacious, bigger than our bathroom at home by at least 50%. The bedroom area has a queen bed as well as a sofa that pulls out into another queen bed. The room also came with a pack and play at no extra charge. We have free high speed internet access (not wifi, though).
Since I'm being honest about finances here, it makes sense that I be honest about other things, too. I do think our room has a couple of drawbacks. Our view is of the parking lot and bus transportation area. In the time we have spent in the room, we haven't heard any noise from down there. (We're on the fifth floor, though; second floor rooms might not enjoy such quiet.) In defense of the Lodge, we did reserve a standard view, knowing we'd be overlooking the pool or the parking lot. We are high enough that, if there were any parks in our line of vision (I don't think there are), we'd have a good view of fireworks. The other thing that I would consider a negative is the fact that it seems as though the lobby and transportation options are far away. This is something we've experienced at the larger Jambo House, too. The layout of the resort means that some folks have a VERY long walk to the main hub of the resort. I wish we were closer to the lobby.
So, curious how this great resort could be on the Wannabe Cheapskate's blog? Simple: we are members of the Disney Vacation Club. This membership requires a large purchase (upwards of $17,000), but is soooo worth it for families like ours that want to vacation at Disney as often as possible. Our membership is valid for another 45+ YEARS, and it has already paid for itself in the money it's saved us on accomodations. I looked up the room we have this weekend on the official Walt Disney World website, and priced it out as though I were willing to make a cash reservation (yeah, right!). If we had to pay for this room ourselves, the cost would be $1,597! Our whole vacation is costing less than half that! There is no way we could stay at such a lovely resort, with such a great room, without DVC. Because the cost of our membership is considered one of our regular monthly expenses until it is paid off, it feels like our room is free. I did a little figuring about the actual cost of our membership over the years of the membership, and it comes out to around $3 per point. Since this vacation cost us 68 points (less than half the year's allottment of points), we are essentially paying $204 for this room, or just $51 per night!
If you are looking for a way to make Disney more affordable and enjoyable for your family, you should consider buying into the DVC. You can tour the model rooms and see a very honest and informative presentation at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. And no pressure from the sales staff -- I mean it, NO pressure. When they ask you who introduced you to DVC, tell them it was Talani and Barbie Tupua of Pensacola, Florida. If you buy in, we get a kick back. :)
First of all, I want to say that just because we are being cheapskates at Walt Disney World doesn't mean we're slumming it. Quite the contrary. My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying the standard view studio we have for 4 nights (only 3 left) at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Villas. This beautiful resort and spacious, nicely appointed room is anything but cheapskate-y. You can read more about Kidani Villas here.
To view pictures other than my own (which
Our lovely room has a small kitchenette with a little sink, a microwave, a coffee pot, a toaster, and a mini refrigerator. It also is stocked with paper plates, coffee cups and glasses, and plastic knives, forks, and spoons. We even received a roll of paper towels, a dishcloth and sponge, and a tiny bottle of Palmolive dish soap. The bathroom is wonderfully spacious, bigger than our bathroom at home by at least 50%. The bedroom area has a queen bed as well as a sofa that pulls out into another queen bed. The room also came with a pack and play at no extra charge. We have free high speed internet access (not wifi, though).
Since I'm being honest about finances here, it makes sense that I be honest about other things, too. I do think our room has a couple of drawbacks. Our view is of the parking lot and bus transportation area. In the time we have spent in the room, we haven't heard any noise from down there. (We're on the fifth floor, though; second floor rooms might not enjoy such quiet.) In defense of the Lodge, we did reserve a standard view, knowing we'd be overlooking the pool or the parking lot. We are high enough that, if there were any parks in our line of vision (I don't think there are), we'd have a good view of fireworks. The other thing that I would consider a negative is the fact that it seems as though the lobby and transportation options are far away. This is something we've experienced at the larger Jambo House, too. The layout of the resort means that some folks have a VERY long walk to the main hub of the resort. I wish we were closer to the lobby.
So, curious how this great resort could be on the Wannabe Cheapskate's blog? Simple: we are members of the Disney Vacation Club. This membership requires a large purchase (upwards of $17,000), but is soooo worth it for families like ours that want to vacation at Disney as often as possible. Our membership is valid for another 45+ YEARS, and it has already paid for itself in the money it's saved us on accomodations. I looked up the room we have this weekend on the official Walt Disney World website, and priced it out as though I were willing to make a cash reservation (yeah, right!). If we had to pay for this room ourselves, the cost would be $1,597! Our whole vacation is costing less than half that! There is no way we could stay at such a lovely resort, with such a great room, without DVC. Because the cost of our membership is considered one of our regular monthly expenses until it is paid off, it feels like our room is free. I did a little figuring about the actual cost of our membership over the years of the membership, and it comes out to around $3 per point. Since this vacation cost us 68 points (less than half the year's allottment of points), we are essentially paying $204 for this room, or just $51 per night!
If you are looking for a way to make Disney more affordable and enjoyable for your family, you should consider buying into the DVC. You can tour the model rooms and see a very honest and informative presentation at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. And no pressure from the sales staff -- I mean it, NO pressure. When they ask you who introduced you to DVC, tell them it was Talani and Barbie Tupua of Pensacola, Florida. If you buy in, we get a kick back. :)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tonight's Frugal Dinner, 6/9 -- Chicken Taquitos
I'm planning to make Chicken Taquitos from http://www.ourbestbites.com/ for dinner tonight. I am setting myself up for success by putting the chicken in the crockpot already this morning. Stay tuned for the results and pictures.
I also have a loaf of bread in the works in the bread machine. I'm super excited about it. We'll have fresh bread just in time for lunch!
I also have a loaf of bread in the works in the bread machine. I'm super excited about it. We'll have fresh bread just in time for lunch!
Another Resolution
In my post yesterday about how I was planning to get back on the bandwagon in several areas I forgot one:
I plan to prepare more (all?) of our meals at home rather than going out. I really have no excuse not to do so. I don't have school work filling my evening schedule, and I am mostly past the nausea stage of pregnancy. Yes, I have every reason to do the cooking at home. Plus, the cost of one meal out could buy a week's worth of groceries. Since money is always tighter in the summer, I need to help all I can.
Last night's dinner wasn't an especially frugal one, but it was certainly more frugal than Chili's or even Whataburger. I made gnocchi that I bought at Fresh Market ($5.98), with a tomato cream sauce ($.15), and pork sausage ($2.79). I served it with garlic bread ($1.75). This dinner cost a total of $10.67. I liked it, although a commercial for Pizza Hut ruined my appetite. (Weird. Just 3 weeks ago I was CRAVING Pizza Hut like nobody's business. In fact, it was in the plan for today's lunch, but now I don't know if I can handle it. I did say I was almost out of the nausea phase of pregnancy, right?) The kids didn't seem to love it, either. That's probably because gnocchi is almost unheard of around our house. Oh, well.
I plan to prepare more (all?) of our meals at home rather than going out. I really have no excuse not to do so. I don't have school work filling my evening schedule, and I am mostly past the nausea stage of pregnancy. Yes, I have every reason to do the cooking at home. Plus, the cost of one meal out could buy a week's worth of groceries. Since money is always tighter in the summer, I need to help all I can.
Last night's dinner wasn't an especially frugal one, but it was certainly more frugal than Chili's or even Whataburger. I made gnocchi that I bought at Fresh Market ($5.98), with a tomato cream sauce ($.15), and pork sausage ($2.79). I served it with garlic bread ($1.75). This dinner cost a total of $10.67. I liked it, although a commercial for Pizza Hut ruined my appetite. (Weird. Just 3 weeks ago I was CRAVING Pizza Hut like nobody's business. In fact, it was in the plan for today's lunch, but now I don't know if I can handle it. I did say I was almost out of the nausea phase of pregnancy, right?) The kids didn't seem to love it, either. That's probably because gnocchi is almost unheard of around our house. Oh, well.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Happy 400th Post!
Time to get back with the program! (several programs, really) I've been so busy with school then so out of the loop with our vacation that I haven't posted anything in a really long time. I haven't stopped couponing or anything, although I haven't done as well as I feel like I should have. I have definitely been shopping for my needs and the needs of others rather than for what's on sale. And is it just me, or have the Publix sales been less than desirable lately? Anyway, we still have a few days of vacation left, and I want to get back on the bandwagon while it's easy and hope that I'll stick with it in the coming weeks.
Here are my summer resolutions:
1. Stick to stocking up on rock-bottom-priced grocery items and the basic perishable needs (milk, eggs, bread). Go back to a limit of $40 per week or less at Publix. (I spent $70 today. YIKES!)
2. Get back to following the fly lady's method of housekeeping. I loved the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with my home while I was working on my baby steps. I've gotten so far from that; my house is pitiful. Please don't ask to come over, because I will have to crisis clean. And it's in such disarray that I could crisis clean for 2 days and not get it all done. So, back to baby steps it is. (I feel the overwhelming urge to go shine my sink right now.)
3. Make bread. I really enjoyed making bread for my family last summer. I'm thankful for the time to do it again.
4. This one isn't a get-back-with-the-program thing, but it is something I've determined to accomplish soon. I want to have a yard sale. We have TONS of health and beauty aid stuff and lots of baby clothes and toys that I want to get rid off. I have to be careful on the baby clothes part, since we've got another one on the way and don't know if we should expect a Donovan or and Audrey, but we might be able to let some things go. And definitely a bunch of toys. We have way too many. Today I told Dianna and Jarod to go into their room and find 5 things that they could sell at the yard sale. Jarod quickly brought me 5 toys that are in good shape. Dianna cried and said that she didn't have anything she could sell because it's all special to her. We'll see. I guess even she can take baby steps.
5. Now this one I have to be careful with: I need to monitor my diet better. I can't go overboard with it since I'm carrying a baby, but I know I can do better than I am. I have a lot of extra padding. I wish I could direct my calorie intake to the baby while "living off the land" for my own nutritional needs. I want to keep my weight gain as minimal as possible. And I need to add exercise to my routine. (Notice I didn't say MORE exercise. That's because none exists in my current routine.) The dog might be able to help me with that. Even taking him on a better morning walk would be good for the both of us.
So there you have them . . . my summer resolutions. I'm gonna go shine my sink.
Here are my summer resolutions:
1. Stick to stocking up on rock-bottom-priced grocery items and the basic perishable needs (milk, eggs, bread). Go back to a limit of $40 per week or less at Publix. (I spent $70 today. YIKES!)
2. Get back to following the fly lady's method of housekeeping. I loved the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with my home while I was working on my baby steps. I've gotten so far from that; my house is pitiful. Please don't ask to come over, because I will have to crisis clean. And it's in such disarray that I could crisis clean for 2 days and not get it all done. So, back to baby steps it is. (I feel the overwhelming urge to go shine my sink right now.)
3. Make bread. I really enjoyed making bread for my family last summer. I'm thankful for the time to do it again.
4. This one isn't a get-back-with-the-program thing, but it is something I've determined to accomplish soon. I want to have a yard sale. We have TONS of health and beauty aid stuff and lots of baby clothes and toys that I want to get rid off. I have to be careful on the baby clothes part, since we've got another one on the way and don't know if we should expect a Donovan or and Audrey, but we might be able to let some things go. And definitely a bunch of toys. We have way too many. Today I told Dianna and Jarod to go into their room and find 5 things that they could sell at the yard sale. Jarod quickly brought me 5 toys that are in good shape. Dianna cried and said that she didn't have anything she could sell because it's all special to her. We'll see. I guess even she can take baby steps.
5. Now this one I have to be careful with: I need to monitor my diet better. I can't go overboard with it since I'm carrying a baby, but I know I can do better than I am. I have a lot of extra padding. I wish I could direct my calorie intake to the baby while "living off the land" for my own nutritional needs. I want to keep my weight gain as minimal as possible. And I need to add exercise to my routine. (Notice I didn't say MORE exercise. That's because none exists in my current routine.) The dog might be able to help me with that. Even taking him on a better morning walk would be good for the both of us.
So there you have them . . . my summer resolutions. I'm gonna go shine my sink.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Walgreens, 5/30 -- saved 57%
I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. A lot has happened since then. An end to a busier-than-normal school year, dealing with first-trimester pregnancy stuff, it's been crazy! I finally found a good time to try Walgreens again, though, and I'm glad. Here's what I got:
Transaction #1:
calcium supplement - $10
Used $5 coupon from the May booklet
Paid $5.38
Received $10 rr
Transaction #2:
Celsius green tea - 3.99
Got $3 rr
Icy hot - $.99
Got $.99 rr
Bc headache powder $1.50
Got $1.50 rr
Liquid makeup - sale price $3.59
Illy canned coffee - $2
Got $2 rr
1 triscuit
1 wheat thins
$2 each
I thought I would get $2 rr each back, but I guess these were part of the same promotion, so I only got $2 rr.
Used $10 rr from first transaction. Paid $6.08. Received $9.50 in rr.
Transaction #1:
calcium supplement - $10
Used $5 coupon from the May booklet
Paid $5.38
Received $10 rr
Transaction #2:
Celsius green tea - 3.99
Got $3 rr
Icy hot - $.99
Got $.99 rr
Bc headache powder $1.50
Got $1.50 rr
Liquid makeup - sale price $3.59
Illy canned coffee - $2
Got $2 rr
1 triscuit
1 wheat thins
$2 each
I thought I would get $2 rr each back, but I guess these were part of the same promotion, so I only got $2 rr.
Used $10 rr from first transaction. Paid $6.08. Received $9.50 in rr.
Friday, May 6, 2011
We're on Our Way to Disney!
A little weekend getaway for our family is underway. We are thrilled to surprise our children with a quick trip to Disney World. It's been almost 5 months since our last trip, and since our annual passes are expiring soon, we wanted to get one more trip in. We are staying at Disney's pop century resort, a very cheapskate choice. We are heading to Epcot tomorrow and Magic Kingdom for a bit on Sunday before coming home. We are not being especially cheapskatey, at least not any more than usual, but are planning to enjoy this trip without being obsessive about each penny spent. We will be on the road for at least 6 more hours. More to come!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Publix, 4/25 -- 84% Savings
What a fun trip! I love grocery shopping in the morning! I did have a little extra challenge today, since not all of the bogos and sale items were posted around the store. I really had to rely on my store ad to make sure I was getting the right things. I watched that check out computer like a HAWK to make sure things were ringing up as BOGOs.
I thought I had some more $/$$ from Apple Market, but I couldn't find them this morning. I was expecting to use a $10/$75, which would have brought my out-of-pocket to just over $10 for all that stuff. Oh well, I must have used those Apple Market coupons some other time and gotten the savings then. I can't wait until we get another Gulf Coast Shopper (or is it Gulf Coast Saver?) booklet. Those things have become my best friends since Apple Market stopped putting coupons in the paper every week!
Here's what I got:
8 Pace salsa/picante sauce -- BOGO -- 2 for $2.79
Used 4 $.60/2 from 1/30 RP
Paid: $8.76 for all 8, or just $1.10 each!
6 Bic disposable razors, 4 pk -- BOGO -- 2 for $5.49
Used 6 $3/1 from 4/10 SS
Paid: FREE for all 6, plus $1.53 overage!
2 Sominex -- $3.19 each
2 Phayzyme -- $3.49 each
Used 2 $2 printables for Sominex
Used 2 $2 printables for Phayzyme
Used 2 $5/2 from the Green Advantage flier
Paid: FREE for all 4, plus $4.64 overage!
4 Playtex tampons -- BOGO -- 2 for $4.29
Used 2 $3/2 from February All You
Used 4 $1/1 from Walgreens coupon booklet
Paid: FREE for all 4, plus $1.42 overage!
2 New York sliced garlic bread -- $1.74 each (50% off sale price)
Used 2 $.40 from 3/6 SS
Paid: $2.68 for both, or just $1.34 each!
4 Kozy Shak puddings -- BOGO -- 2 for $3.19
Used 4 $.40/1 from the 3/6 SS
Paid: $4.78 for all 4, or just $1.20 each
2 Tyson country fried steak -- BOGO -- 2 for $5.99
Paid: $5.99 for both, or just $3 each!
2 Purina cat food -- $2.79 each
Used 2 $2 coupons from 4/17
Used 2 $2 Target printables
Paid: FREE for all 4, plus $2.42 overage
3 Tangerines -- $1
1.26 lb. oranges @$.99 per pound -- $1.25
1.63 lb. apples @$1.79 per pound -- $2.92
1 refrigerated pizza dough -- $1.99
Total paid: $20.66
Total saved: $111.46
Percent savings: 84.4%
Feels good to have a trip like this one. I wish I could always keep my percent of savings in the 80's.
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