The Quest to Lower my $OOP for Groceries in 2011!

[$avvy$hopper]

I'm excited to see how you've done so far this month! We're at $162 so far, and we have a budget of $200/mth for 2 people. I'm trying and trying to get it lower
I got my last two GC's from the Pepsi/Quaker MIR, so I will be shopping with those tomorrow!

Woohoo! Looks like you're on target as well. Great job! Tell us what you get with your free money!!!!!

[clarinetlaj]

wtg, inspiring

[lilac5]

This is an inspiration for me. And I love the details. What I have noticed is it takes organization skills. And that is what I need to work on.

[Marzenia]

Wow! What a great job! I already noticed I spend less but still long way to hit $60 with groceries including diapers and formula for my little guy. Keep doing that!

[$avvy$hopper]

This is an inspiration for me. And I love the details. What I have noticed is it takes organization skills. And that is what I need to work on.

Great, so glad this is helpful for you too! yes, it takes some planning but it's worth it. have fun!

Wow! What a great job! I already noticed I spend less but still long way to hit $60 with groceries including diapers and formula for my little guy. Keep doing that!

great job on spending less! Less truly is more in SC world! All the best with lowering the bills!

wtg, inspiring

thanks!

[$avvy$hopper]

headed out with dd for some bread and such...also had a few coupons expiring yesterday so I got:
Jakes bread $2.49 - .75 coupon
Country Harvest bread $3.29 - 50% pink sticker
Pillsbury crescent rolls $1.89 - $1 coupon
Green Giant veggies $2.99 - $1 coupon
McCain ultra thin crust pizza $2.99 - $1 coupon
Seedless grapes $6.37!!!!!!!!! OY! But super sweet and it's the main fruit that dd eats...loves her veggies but picky about which fruits touch her tongue.

Had to laugh though...the grapes cost almost as much as all the other items in my cart!

in other news...we're still enjoying some items stockpiled from June and early July. Even one of the regular cashiers at SDM commented that she hadn't seen me for a while. Don't worry hun...I'm planning another redemption very soon! Just need a few more points and I'm back to my double-cart redemption event! LOL!

[julyprincess]

WOW..u r soo organized! Keep it up......

[$avvy$hopper]

WOW..u r soo organized! Keep it up......

thanks julyprincess...I see you're juggling 3 jobs...that's super organized too!

gotta run...DD's AWAKE! more dancing to Four Square Beat Team is in my future!

[$avvy$hopper]

Hooray for mail in rebates! Received almost $15 back in MIRs this week and needed some groceries - a perfect match made in savings heaven. I don't have the receipts with me right now so I'm going from memory:

eggs 18pk
celery
tomatoes
red pepper
ham
cookies
vh sauce
juice
and i think one or two more items.

the bill came to $16 - less the $15 from MIR so $1 and change for everything!!!! Best part is I got three meals out of it: green lentil soup (had the lentils at home but needed the ham, celery, pepper and tomato) - yum!, fried rice (used diced ham, celery, peppers) and a quiche (used up last bit of ham and celery). Can't beat that!!!!

I took pics of the soup and rice dishes but not able to upload them just yet. will add those and the chicken cacciatore recipes to the Food section later...will be sure to post links here too.

hope your grocery trips are going well!

[$avvy$hopper]

Another MIR cheque in my mail box this week- just over $17! I LOVE THAT!

Got:
Minigo yogurt $1.99
Sour cream $1.99
popcorn $4 for 2 boxes
simply food popcorn $2.49 (love that salty/sweet kind!)
bangamary fish $5.94 for 6 bags! (wicked sale, these go for $3.29 reg price! tried one bag first and loved it so I went back for these ones)

Also used up some other coupons/fpcs: ice cream, Eggo waffles and Shreddies. Hubby was super happy. Got the family size @ $5.49 and the coupon is for "up to $5".

Another great deal...found a $5 coupon for Prime chicken (boxed) expiring same day. Gladly the one I picked up at Freshco also had a "Save $1" coupon on it and the cashier allowed both coupons to be used! Wouldn't buy it all the time but great to try for $3.99.

Easy, breezy shopping...and FREE! Nom, nom, nom.

[knitting nurse]

WOWWW...Absolutly Amazing Posts !!!... Keep up the Awesome Work you have been doing !!!

[coupon girl]

way to keep up posting for us -you are doing awesome -i havent worked in 3 months -so i have lived off our stockpile for awhile its awesome

[$avvy$hopper]

Okay so not totally on $0.10 but at a discount all the same. I posted on here when i found chicken thighs on sale for $0.99/lb and a few SCers (ciel and Pouf) mentioned Chicken Cacciatore. To be honest, I'd heard of it but never eaten it. Welll, wouldn't you know, I checked my recipe cards and there it was. So off to my fridge and pantry stockpile I went

1) chicken thighs $1.94 (8 thighs in pack)
2) chicken stock- on hand
3) onion - on hand
4) diced tomatoes in can - $1.27
5) garlic and italian seasoning - on hand
6) pasta- on hand probably paid $0.88 when it was on sale
7) green bell pepper- RAOK'd from my mom! {hugs!}
8) margarine- free at Walmart using overages!
9) shredded mozza- consider a brick at $3.99 so pennies for the bit i used. didn't have romano or parmesan on hand...gotta add that to the list!

Recipe is super easy and my fam LOVED it! I also had enough to share with a friend and her hubby! Yep this recipe is a keeper!

Here's what it looked like (i was so proud i had to take a pic! seems kinda silly but hey, whatever makes me smile! )

Okay, here's the full recipe:

Ingredients
2 tblsp butter or margarine
1 1/4 pounds boneless chicken breasts and/or thighs
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloved garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes or whole tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
8 ounces spaghetti or vermicelli
1/4 grated parmesan or romano cheese

Cooking:
1. Heat butter in large skillet or med-high heat. Add chicken, saute for 3 mins per side. remove chicken, pour off all but 2 tblsp of pan drippings

2. add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to skillet; saute until tender (about 4 mins). Add undrained tomatoes, broth and italian seasoning.
(variation- I actually drained my tomatoes and added it back to the mix in small batches...i didn't use all of the liquid)

3. return chicken to skillet. cover and simmer for 20 mins or until chicken is tender. meanwhile bring large pot of water to boil.

4. add pasta to pot of water and cook according to directions or your taste (al dente or fully cooked). drain well. place pasta in large/deep serving bowl or plate. add chicken. ladle sauce over top and sprinkle cheese on top. Voila!

[$avvy$hopper]

WOWWW...Absolutly Amazing Posts !!!... Keep up the Awesome Work you have been doing !!!

Thanks so much for your comment and encouragement! I'm so happy with our progress and am loving the freedom of a stockpile and great savings that can be used for other fun stuff!

way to keep up posting for us -you are doing awesome -i havent worked in 3 months -so i have lived off our stockpile for awhile its awesome

thanks coupon girl. truthfully, i was just thinking yesterday if people will get tired reading the thread but i'm reminded by your post that all of our experiences help each other out. so i'll keep the updates coming. I've got a doozy of an update to type up...SDM redemption...boy did I come out with some real savings.

great for you for living off the stockpile...and doing so well at building it for times like these. all the best with it and if you're looking for a job I hope you find the right one for you at the right time. and if you're just happy enjoying the break, well GOOD ON YOU!

[ssbean]

Great post. I love reading your detailed posts. Want to try the Chicken Cacciatore so thanks for the recipe.