February already........where did January go?

Pleased to see February as it means another month of Winter is over with.  We have been so lucky (touching wood) with the weather I have nothing much to complain about weather wise.

Anyway I want to post a to-list for the month in the hopes it will make me accountable and actually do the things I post on the list.

• decorate the powder room - that is totally doable, so I see no problem doing that
• decorate the master bedroom - that is iffy, that job may go into March
• menu plan - that was only partly done in January, so need to work on that
• finish knitted baby blanket for dd, we should know the sex of the baby by this upcoming weekend - we hope
• finish two baby quilts.  One is cut out the other is not
• encourage dh and help him in the basement to get all the framing done and make a good start on the electrics.  There are a lot of bulk heads to make in the basement which equals a lot of work.
• sort out the basement and see what we don't want and try and sell those unwanted items.
• knit a pair of socks - this is proving to be a pain in the butt and I think it has something to do with the yarn I have?
• cut back on grocery spending and use what is in the cupboards - menu planning will help with this
• try and save as much money as I can and not buy anything online all month.
• sort out my blue air miles card, as I want to be able to cash in for groceries not just goods.

We have three birthdays this month.  All cards have been purchased and I only have one that I have to give a present for.   We do have a wedding the beginning of March, but the money is saved up for that and the card has been purchased.

I may add to this list throughout the month and re-post it as we go along

Haven't done a grocery shopping post in ages...

so took photos etc., of this week's for you.

First up Zehrs:

4 litres 1% milk: $3.97
3 x 2 litres icecream @ 99 cents each, a one day special
2 x Astro yogurt @ $1.99 each
Huge bag of frozen peas (can't remember size) $4.49

Total: $15.41

Then onto Giant Tiger:

2 x Parchment Paper @ $1.98 each
3 x 72 bags PG Tips Tea @ $2.00 each (SUPER PRICE!!)

Total after taxes etc: $10.45

Sobey's next:

Cereal: $3.00
Just over 2 pounds ground/minced beef:  $8.18
2 cauliflowers and 1 bunch broccoli 3 for $5.00 (actually charged $5.01) ANOTHER GREAT DEAL

Total: $16.19

Finally Wal-Mart

Highliner Salmon: $7.97 (price matched with No Frills)

1 lb Strawberries: $1.47 (price matched with No Frills)

Package coleslaw mix: $1.47

Bunch green/salad onions: 67 cents

1 x potato chips (crisps): 97 cents

1 x loaf bread: $2.28

1 x wholewheat baguette: $1.17

Total including 13 cents tax on potato chips: $16.13

Total spent: $58.20

As Canada does not have pennies in their currency we round up or down, so that's why when you add the four totals up it comes to $58.18, but I ended up paying $58.20.

So far this month I have spent $186.60, with only $3.25 in coupons used.  I don't count price matching as then it gets too complicated and too much work for me!!

As you can see there are no cleaning, paper or personal hygiene items in this week's shop.  I will probably pick up a couple of other items through the week, for example eggs, but otherwise that should be it.

I did discover a couple of things while out.  As the price of beef is high I see they have brought out a ground beef/pork mixture now.  Still pricey if you ask me.  Some bags of milk come in 3 litre bags instead of the 4 litre; very sneaky!!  I see big bars of cheese that used to be 500 grams is now down to 450 grams.

I was out an hour and a half in total.  I did a round trip visiting all those stores.  I could have tried price matching everything at Wal-Mart but I find they pull items off the shelves that are on sale at other stores at much cheaper prices.

I had a bunch of broccoli left over from last week, so I baked a broccoli and cheese quiche in the toaster oven.  We had half of it with garden salad and french bread for supper:

I was talking to a friend and she told me about a yummy sounding broccoli and cauliflower salad that I may have to try.

Any good deals this week where you live?

Oh and I finally got around to cleaning out my coupon wallet, I really need to knuckle down using coupons.

Let's see........

Devil Cat (aka Rhubarb), decided it would be fun to jump on the headboard, just as I was dropping off too sleep on Saturday night.

Then at 5 am start meowing, just because she can.  Never heard a peep from Olive!

Someone is admiring herself:

She was as good as gold..........well as good as any 18 month old is, when they have VERY selective hearing!!!  When Nana got home at lunch time on Sunday, she had something to eat and then went to bed for an hour..........could have stayed there all afternoon, truth be told.

Did go grocery shopping later in the day so closed off the month of May.  As usual was over, but it was a five week month for me.  Ended up spending $384.25, with savings of $58.92.  Luckily it's not the end of the world if I go over my monthly budget of $350, BUT once in a while I would love to be under budget!!

I did manage to make up a menu plan for the week.  It's such a help when I do that.

Sorry about the quality of the photo.  I haven't made scotch eggs in ages, so thought that would be good, as I have both eggs and sausage meat.  Also saw on tv someone making Pan Haggarty, so thought I would give it a go, may just have some salad with it.

Have you made a menu plan for the week?  Do you have a "devil-eyed cat?"  Do you know someone who likes to look at themselves in the mirror?

I finally gave in........

and went to the doctors.  It got to the point that breathing was/is painful.  Took him all of two seconds to announce I have bronchitis.  So hopefully the horse pills he gave me work wonders and I will be feeling as right as rain in a couple of days.

It was spring maintenance time for the shopping carts in Wal-Mart today when I stopped in to fill my prescription:

It looked as though all the dodgy wheels were being changed......Hallelujah!  Don't you hate it when you pick a cart with those horrible dodgy wheels, that go every other way than the way you want to go?

I updated and have closed out my grocery totals for April.  Quite surprised on how well I did considering.  Spent: $353.01 and had coupon savings of $61.37.  Hoping for better numbers in May.

Nice n' Easy type of day.........

well this type of Nice n' Easy!!

With our big night out looming and with us mixing with all the "well-to-do's" figured I better make an effort!!!  There are a lot of high flying folks that attend this event.  One year I stood and talked to a CEO of something or other, and he went on and on about the bloody value of all the pieces and how he chose his pieces on how much money they would make him in the future.

Me; well I pick what I like regardless of how much money they are or will be!!  And to my mind that's the way it should be.

Back to the hair I have been writing and complaining about my hair I think from day one of this blog, or near enough.  Here is a post back in May of 2008 that has me whining on about my hair.  (sorry about the deleted photos on that old post) Fast forward to April 2015 and I am still whining on about my hair. {SIGH}

Finally updated my grocery total's for this month and I can see me going way over budget now {{SIGH}}  It's because of the over the counter meds I have bought this past week or so.  Just worked out I have spent over $60 on those.  Now granted some will last for a while, but others are already gone.  Oh well some months you win, some months you don't!!

New Plant Stand.....

We popped up to the garden centre on Sunday and had a look around.  I had some money left on a gift card I had been given for my birthday so decided to buy a plant stand with it for the breakfast area in the kitchen.

It's metal and all folds up when not in use.  I may put cookery books on the bottom shelf.  The African Violet is on an old Tupperware container.  Perfect size for it.  It's that orangey brown colour from the 80's.

A closer look at the birdies on top of the unit.  Can you see the little squirrel door wedge to the left of the plant?  We bought it for the last house.  

Our menu plan for this week is very basic, LEFTOVERS!!  Not sure how long I can make the leftovers stretch, but I think they will last most if not all of the week.

We had ham, mashed potatoes, salad and coleslaw on Sunday night.  Ham, mashed potatoes, salad and baked beans on Monday night.  Ham quiche and salad on Tuesday night, with the last of the mashed potatoes.  Tonight will be ham quiche and salad again, with maybe a baked potato.  So that only leaves, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

I will make a pot of soup with the ham bone, and see how much we have left on Thursday.  Not bad from a ham that cost just under $10.

Goals and grocery budget

(photo credit)

A lot of people set goals for the year, month, week, day, I generally suck at this sort of thing.  I did though set one goal for this year and it was either learn to knit or crochet.  So I guess I have at least made headway on that goal.

I set a goal each month on how much I want to spend on groceries.   I barely ever succeed in this but I do find it helps me keep to a reasonable budget.

I do set myself a weekly challenge to to do a menu plan.  So far so good in that department.  Don't always follow it to the letter, but it does give me some sense of organization and as I am a lazy cook it keeps me motivated.

I guess I do set daily goals of making sure I get up, dressed, showered every day.  Make sure the house in order and meals on the table.

Are you a goal orientated person?

Did my first grocery shopping for the month of April.  Had a question.  I spent $100 this week.  I went and lost a receipt, so guessed what that would have been, so not overly concerned with the total........BUT.......in amongst the money I spent this week, I paid $24 for an ice cream cake for ds birthday tomorrow and picked up four plants as Easter gifts for a cost of $16.80.  Should I include them in my monthly total?  I think I should take out the plants, but not 100% sure about the ice cream cake?  What are your thoughts?

A few random things for a Monday.....

I have been growing my hair out.  It is now long enough to put into a short ponytail thank goodness, as it annoys me when it's down and makes me feel too warm.  So why don't I get it cut......I have no idea!!

I am on a house plant buying spree at the moment?  Bought a Martha Washington geranium and a Christmas Cactus this weekend.  As there is a bud on the Christmas Cactus, there is a good chance that will be flowering soon!!

I finished off my grocery shopping for the month of March and spent $331.80 this month with savings of $34.19.  It's proving to be practically impossible to keep it under $300.00 a month.

I am still doing my menu planning and it is keeping me organized.  Here is this weeks, Thursday's shepherd's pie is iffy, as I may make a double quantity of Monday's meal and have that again on Thursday.  In fact the more I think about it, the more I like that idea.  Cook once, eat twice.

Still knitting but it's not coming along very fast.  Still using the first ball of yarn; but it's been less than a week and it's not a race to get finished is it?

Best laid plans and all that..........

I had been muttering on all week that I was going to do a big batch cook and bake on Sunday when the hydro (electricity) is cheaper.  When I got up on Sunday morning, I had as much enthusiasm about doing that as flying to the moon.  However after lunch I did do a mini batch cook of sorts and made some things.

I had picked up a six pack of nice and thick boneless pork chops on clearance for $7.25 and a five pack of boneless skinless chicken breast on clearance for $6.50 at Wal-Mart.  I quite like their meat there and I generally buy from the clearance bin.

With the pork chops I made a pork and bean stew and two packages of bbq pork and onions.

The pork and bean stew consists of two pork chops cut up into cubes and browned off in oil with a sliced onion and a yellow pepper sliced.  To that I added four small diced up potatoes, a couple tablespoons of tomato puree and a can of baked beans in tomato sauce.  To season it I added salt and pepper and an OXO cube.  Cooked it over a simmer heat for around half an hour until the potatoes are cooked through.  

The bbq pork chops and onion, is basically an onion sliced and popped into a plastic bag with the pork chops and some bbq sauce.  To cook them I will pop them in a dish and cook in my toaster oven for half an hour at around 350 oF until cooked through.

With the five chicken breasts I made a chicken, mushroom and onion pasta sauce and a chicken pot pie using two of the chicken breasts.  I had three chicken breasts left over which I individually wrapped in cling wrap and popped into a bag and put into the freezer

I cut two chicken breasts into pieces and browned them off in a pan with two finely diced onions and half a pound of mushrooms chopped up until nice and soft.  In another pan I made a white sauce using 1/4 cup of marg, melted.  I added 1/4 cup of flour and whisked it together, along with a teaspoon of minced garlic.  I whisked in two cups of half and half, but you could use single cream and or milk.  I had probably 1/4 cup of Parmesan which I added in along with salt and pepper.

I added the chicken, mushroom and onion mixture to the sauce and then divided into two.

For the chicken pasta sauce, I added some frozen peas and it will be put over pasta or rice.  If it is too thick I will water it down with some milk.  There will be enough for the two of us for a meal and probably a lunch.

For the chicken pot pie I added a couple of diced cooked potatoes and some frozen mixed veggies.  I will add a sheet of puff pastry and bake in the oven at 425 oF for around 25 minutes......but will check it after 20 minutes.  

I closed out the month of February grocery totals yesterday and my figures were the following.

Total Spent: $310.45

Total Saved: $88.03

I am beginning to see that trying to keep my budget under $300 a month is getting harder and harder to do.

Now I do include all food, toiletries, over the counter medications, and all cleaning products in my monthly totals.  I think I will keep all receipts for the month of March and see what I buy over the month.  I really do need to plan a week's menu at a time.  I also need to be more focused with this.

I "think" this week's menu will be as follows:

Sunday: BBQ Pork chops, potato salad and salad
Monday: Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday: Chicken with pasta or rice
Wednesday: Pork Stew
Thursday: Mac and Cheese with garlic bread
Friday: Spaghetti Bolognese
Saturday: Chicken burgers and salad

Now the chances of me sticking to this menu is slim to nil but I will try to do it!!

Do you do a menu plan and does it help with your grocery budget

(I am planning on popping some cake/cookies in the oven when I am cooking the chicken pot pie on Monday)

Groceries and Swagbucks......

Another not too bad week for my grocery shopping, below is what I got:

4 litre milk - $3.97
1x hair elastics $4.99 (I am growing my hair out and it is in the in between stage and driving me crazy )
1 x Raspberry Jam - $3.49
2 x Heinz Baked Beans @ 99 cents each
1 x Pasta Sauce - 99cents
1 x Rotini Veggie Pasta 95 cents
1 x 1 litre Olive Oil - $6.99
6 pack energy drink - $2.00 (for dh lunch)
1 x Chunky Soup $1.67
2 x Soup @ 75 cents each
1 x Cookies $1.99
1 x lrg tub yogurt $2.49
8 pack vanilla yogurt $2.99
1/2 lb mushrooms $2.00
10 lb Russet potatoes $2.50
3 pack Romaine Lettuce Hearts $2.50
6 pack pork chops $3.97
12 pack garlic bread $2.09
2 x Whole Wheat Bread @ $2.00 each
1 x Downy Fabric Softener $5.99

Coupons/Rebates/Reductions: $12.09

Total: $49.96

I also got this on another trip out:

1 dozen eggs - $2.64
6 Lemon Muffins (reduced) - $2.98
1 litre half and half - $2.97 we use half and half in coffee ( http://culinaryarts.about.com/od/glossa ... d-Half.htm )
just under 4 lbs ground beef (mince) - $15.25

Total spent today: $23.84
Total saved today: $1.01

Monthly Total Spent: $115.10
Monthly Savings: $75.59

Best deal was the Downy Fabric Softener, as I ended up getting it for free; due to SCOP.

Also got two loaves of bread and a jar of raspberry jam and paid $3.49 for all three (look for the coupon in store; I found one on the Smuckers Jam this week)

I am astonished at the price of lean ground beef (mince) $3.99 per pound.  It has doubled in price.  Asked the butcher if he had any beef or calves liver, and he is having trouble finding either.  Luckily I don't eat a lot of red meat.

I have mentioned before I am a member of Swagbucks.  Its a way of earning things for free.  In my case I cash my Swagbucks in for Amazon.ca e-Cards.  This is available to a number of countries now, including Britain and Australia.  If you want to look into it more please click on this link  This is my referral link and I will earn some more Swagbucks if you do sign up.  I generally "earn" between $200 and $300 worth of Amazon e-Cards per year, for doing very little.  You can earn more if you do more surveys, play more games, or participate in other things.  If you have any questions or want more info just let me know.  Personally I am all for getting things for free.  I plan on saving mine up to be cashed in nearer Christmas.

Back again this time for good!!!

Well it took over three months before I got fed up of that online game; gosh they are addictive, but I was really good at it....LOL

Now to get back to blogging and saving money.  The saving money though is my main priority as we had an unexpected trip back to Britain a couple of weeks ago.  Dh's younger brother passed away at the end of December, so we went for the funeral and to see family.  It was a very fast week and VERY expensive.  How people manage to make ends meet in Britain is beyond me but they do it.

So back to the basics for me.  I have signed up again over at Frugaldom's Forums, to keep me on the straight and narrow and to make me accountable for what I spend etc.  I am going to post my grocery totals every week, so I watch what I spend.  I do need to do a pantry and freezer inventory; in fact I have been talking about it for a week or more and still haven't done it yet.  Menu planning which I HATE to do for some reason, is something I do need to tackle.  Eating out which I LOVE to do is something we shouldn't do anymore.

All the utility bills are under control, but there is always room for improvement.  I will be going through those over the next month.  We are currently with Bell Canada, for TV, Internet, home phone and my mobile phone.  Got a deal through the mail with Rogers for six months free service.  That could potentially save us $900+; so need to research that this coming week.

The new house is great and we have been in it now for nearly 8 months now.  Done some bits and bobs so need to catch you all up with that.  Our next job is to complete the basement.  I will take you through that in another post.  Need to save the money up for that job, but some things we can do a bit at a time.  

The grandchildren are all growing like weeds.  The eldest and the youngest are in India at the moment and will be there until the end of March.  Our little guy is coming up 5 months old.  Our Princess is now 25 months old and our little Munchkin is coming up 15 months old.

Here is a photo of her with her new tutu and her gold glitter Peppa Pig wellies on:

As isn't that what every fashionable 15 month old is wearing nowadays?  Yes she is growing and into everything.  She is very tall for her age and wearing 18 month old pants, but is right on age for the size of her body.  She is forever sick due to starting daycare, but that's normal.  Though she can now blow her own nose; sort of!!  Not talking much at all, but makes up for it verbally; and yes she can have a hissy fit when she wants.  Of course she is the apple of her Nana's and Granddad's eye.

Here is what I spent and saved this week grocery shopping:

Grocery shopping February 1st 2015 Exchange rate $1.80 CDN per 1 British Pound

Zehrs:
12 double rolls toilet paper: $3.99
Raspberry Jam: $3.49
3 x Granola Bars @ $1.99 each
1 x Quaker Chocolate & Banana Cookies: $2.49
1 x Lysol Wipes: $1.88
1 x Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner: $1.88
1 x package veggie rotini pasta: 99 cents
1 x canned tomatoes: 79 cents
1 x package crisps: $1.25
1 x Mini Wheats cereal: $2.88
1 x Peanut Butter cookies: $1.99
1 x 4 litre milk: $3.97
2 x Pizza @ $2.88 each: $5.76
1 x Jumbo Bag frozen French fries: $3.99
1 x breaded chicken fingers $3.88
1 x Breaded chicken burgers: $4.88
2 x loaf whole wheat bread @ $2.00 each: $4.00
2 x Old Spice Deodorant for dh @ $1.99 each: $3.98
1 x Gillette Shaving Gel for dh: $1.99
2 x Hairspray for me @ $1.99 each: $3.98

Coupons used $12.49
13% tax on certain items: $3.24

Total: $54.78

$50 worth of points cashed in.

Total paid: $4.78

Wal-Mart (same as Asda)

10 lb potatoes (Yukon Gold yellow flesh) $3.67
3 pk Romaine Lettuce Hearts: $4.97
English Cucumber: $1.67
1 red pepper: $1.47
3 Roma Tomatoes: 97 cents
Lysol wipes: $1.97
Dove Deodorant for me: $2.97
Frozen Garlic Bread slices: $2.97
4 x Lipton Side Kicks rice @ 94 cents each: $3.76
VH Pineapple sauce (for sweet and sour chicken or pork) $2.00
24 pack cheese triangles: $7.47 (for dh's lunches)
1 dozen eggs: $1.99

13 % tax on some items: 64 cents

Total: $36.52

Total spent to date: $41.30 (approx. 22.94 British Pounds)
Savings to date: $62.49 (approx. 34.72 British Pounds)
Best deal this week: two loaves of bread and a jar of jam after $4 and $1 coupon = $2.49 for all three.

Pleased with this weeks purchases, as I got a bit of everything including cleaning products, personal hygiene items, and all food groups.

Grocery shopping and other things........

Before taxes I had over a 50% savings on that little lot.  I paid $26.45 including taxes and used $13.74 in taxes.  Both the cereal and ground turkey were free.  The soap was $2.47 each and I had a $3 off coupon on two boxes, so that came to $1.94 for four bars of soap which wasn't bad.  I had never had the Beer and Onion sausages before and they were quite good, not spicy just flavorful.  I have updated my grocery total on my right sidebar.

One thing I am busy with is sorting out the baby shower along with dd best friend and a couple of other people.  The thing is I can't say or post anything about it as dd reads the blog.  So I will have to post photos and details when it's over with.  Suffice to say dd best friend is a creative whiz and it will be lovely thanks to her creativity.

On Wednesday I had a trip to the doctor to get some skin tags removed from the corner of the eye lid.  The one had gone black so it was going to drop off at some point but it hurt like crazy.  As this was a "cosmetic procedure," despite it hurting like crazy and was all inflamed and red, I had to pay $85 to have that and two other's removed. 

I read through dh's work's insurance book and have no idea whether I can claim it back?  I could have sworn when we first came to Canada this sort of thing was covered by OHIP (government) or am I just imagining it?  Granted things have changed a lot in the past 24 years.  I know my mother had the same problem and she got them removed at the doctors office for free; this is in Britain though.

I have a number of other skin tags that could have been removed, but as it took two lot's of injections to numb the eye area, I wasn't overly keen on having any more.  When I have forgotten how painful this was, which shouldn't be too long, as I am getting more senile by the day, I'll go back and get some more removed.

Some photos and bits and bobs......

As it was stinking hot on Sunday I went down the basement to my sewing room and put together my June block of the month.  It's another Pinwheel variation.  This was all cut on the bias, and I thought the most difficult one yet, not helped by the fact one of the fabrics they provided wasn't enough, so I subbed my own for the rectangle piece.  Not to fond of the colour way but still pleasing to the eye.

Dh decided to treat me to a Tim Hortons coffee; though due to the heat I had a frozen lemonade.  While in town we called in Zehrs where I picked up the three hair dyes, they were on clearance for $2 and I had $4 worth of coupons, so all three only cost me $2.78 and I have enough dye to last me the rest of the year.

We also called in at Sobeys as I had a free product coupon and a $1.50 coupon for the Dempster's Garden Vegetable bread. Personally I think it's an expensive product even when it's on sale at $2.99 a loaf as it's only a small loaf.  However with the coupons I only paid 75 cents a loaf.  I also had a $1 coupon for the sausages, and with cashing in $5 worth of points I only paid $1.96 in total.

Mind you I have managed to spend $288.58 this month with savings of $146.38.  So in theory I only have $11.42 in my budget for the rest of the month.

Not sure if you can see them in this photo but here are four of the baby squirrels.  I couldn't get the other three in the photo.  They are getting more and more adventurous and moving a little further afield.  

Visit to the doctors again & home of the week.......

Went to the doctors on Thursday as my poor ears are so sore.  Turns out I have an ear infection and so I am back on another dose of antibiotics.  Plus I got a Spacer for my inhalers as he wants me back on those to help me breathe.  I was struggling to use the inhalers without it, so this is so much easier.  

This week's "Home of the Week," is lovely; granted it's pricey at $2.8 million, but it does at least look like a lived in family home not a show place where you dare not touch anything.  The art work leaves a lot to be desired; otherwise I would leave it as is.  Love the kitchen so bright and airy.  If I had the money I would have it.

This week's "Condo of the Week," is NOT lovely.  If you are a single person, I guess it would be alright, but who wants a bedroom like that?  I could even put up with the frosted glass walls of the bathroom, but that "bedroom" would be like sleeping in the middle of a bowling alley.  The one thing I do like about this $850,000 condo is the view from the rooftop patio; great view of downtown Toronto.  However that isn't even enough to make me like this place, sorry.

Well it looks as though the "Cottage of the Week," is back again and what a stunner they have started off with.  However it begs the question, is this really a cottage?  No, it's a fancy dancy house with all the bells and whistles.  If I could afford the $2.35 million price tag I would take it though.  What views and great finishes to the place, but at the end of the day, that's no cottage!!

I finally got all my grocery receipts input into Excel and updated my totals on the right side of the page on my blog.  I have managed to spend $370.22 this month with $88.82 in savings, which is flipping crazy.  Even taking into account I bought $40 worth of allergy pills, that still leaves me way over budget.  I have been spending at least $125 a week instead of $75 a week, I need to take stock of what I have been doing.  I will be lucky if I can come in at under $500 this month (SIGH)  Oh well onwards and upwards as they say!!

What do I get myself into?

Cindy is having an exercise challenge doing squats.  Seems easy enough for me, I think.

Now granted I have to look up how to do a squat.  So of course go to exercising for dummies and figure out a chair squat seems the way to go: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-do-chair-squats.html  Now due to the fact I am having trouble just breathing at the moment, I may have to wait a day or two before starting this.

I did some grocery shopping on Tuesday and Paid $48.70 for this little lot:

and $3.19 for this.

I ended the month going slightly over budget, spending $304.77, but did have savings of $103.76. May is a five Friday month, so not sure if I can stay under the $300, we'll have to see.

Grocery Shopping and other things.......

*** AT 2.06AM THIS MORNING "R" & "M" HAD A BABY GIRL.  PHOTOS AND MORE DETAILS WILL BE POSTED ON SUNDAY...........I AM A NANA!!!!!!***

For those of you in Ontario (not sure about the rest of Canada) there is a great deal at Sobey's this week.  When you buy a certain amount of Proctor and Gamble products you get $5 off; plus you can use coupons as well.

My first transaction; (I split mine up as I wasn't sure how it was all going to work) was spend $15 before taxes on certain personal use items (toiletries).  My total before taxes came to $17.96.  They then took the $5 off and in this weeks local paper was the Proctor and Gamble coupon insert, so I used $6 worth of coupons from there.  So all in all after taxes I spent $8.78 on everything in the photo.

The next transaction was for cleaning items and you had to spend $20 before taxes to get the $5 off.  I bought three of the Swiffer clothes as I use them all the time and two bottles of washing up liquid. Prior to taxes that would have cost $22.35, minus the $5 plus I had $6.50 in coupons, my total came to $13.11 with taxes.  The cabbage was $1.69 and the red onions were $2.99.

I also popped into Zehrs and picked up what's in the photo and that cost $28.09.

The day before I also was in Zehrs and picked up a family sized chicken Cesar salad, a package of garlic toast, a package of deli meat, a carton of yogurt and a package of Kellogg's All Bran.  I had FPC for the yogurt and cereal, so they cost nothing and the rest was reduced, so all in all that trip cost me $8.05.

So, so far this month I have spent $75.21 on my grocery shopping, with $45.16 in savings.

I was lucky enough to win this quilted pillow cover from Debby.  Isn't it lovely?  She is a very talented sewer and quilter.

I haven't posted on my book review blog in a while.  Not because I haven't been reading books, but mainly because I have been lazy!!  Plus the books I have been reading are my own which I purchased from Bookcloseouts.  Anyhow I decided to post a couple of reviews of books I really liked here.

Grocery Shopping and other things...

Went grocery shopping on Friday and got this little lot:

I paid $64.90 for that lot; must admit it doesn't look a lot for the amount of money spent?  I used $8.50 in coupons.  Bought the three 4 litre bags of milk as they were on for $3.99 a bag and it's the "fancy" milk with a longer expiry date; it being December 23rd.  They are normally $6 + a bag; even regular milk is around the $4.50 a bag, so this was a super deal, no need to buy milk for the next three weeks.  Best deal, I guess was the Egg Creations on the right of the photo, were on for $1.50 each and had $1 coupons.  They're good when making quiches.   All the Pillsbury items were on for $2 had a 50 cent off coupon's for everyone, so paid $1.50 each.  The cinnamon rolls we'll have Christmas morning for breakfast.  I like their biscuits for this recipe and the cookies come in handy when you have unexpected visitors this time of year.

When I am in the other town this week, I want to pick up paper towels in Zehrs as its on sale for $3.99 a six pack, but am waiting until I have to go there later in the week.  I am also hoping the $5 Zehrs gift card will arrive this coming week, so I can use that along with a $1 coupon so I can keep my grocery shopping total under $75.  I would have price matched with No Frills but they didn't have the six pack in stock.  Managed to pay only $1.179 a litre on Friday for gas for the car, which was the lowest I have seen it in a while.

On Friday night we had something for supper I haven't had in years, mince/ground beef on toast.  You know when you make mince and gravy with veggies for a shepherd's pie, well instead of putting potatoes on top we just put the meat mixture over slices of toast that had been buttered.  It was so good and easy, plus it was a great way of using up the ends of bread and dry bread.  Reminded me of when I lived at home with my parents, as that was something my mam used to make.

This Christmas song is also one of the most requested Christmas songs on the radio.  Make sure you listen to all the words:

Home of The Week and grocery shopping...

Have to say this weeks, "Home of the Week," is a huge improvement on last week's eyesore!!!  Love the master bathroom, although having to clean the flipping place would be a full days job.  Great poster in the kitchen!!!  Overall I wouldn't say no to it, even the playset in the garden is great.  Only wish I had the $3.5 million to buy it!!

Finally an actual cottage for this weeks "Cottage of the Week."  I am pretty indifferent about it though.  All I can think about is all the biting bugs with it being in the forest.  I do like the views though.  Not sure about the tent thing, although if you are going to camp out, that wouldn't be too bad!!!  What are your thoughts?

The "Condo of the Week," is very..........white and would drive me crazy trying to keep it clean.  Again it's okay but nothing I would really want to own if I could ever afford the $2.3 million price tag.  Great views and super terrace, but the bathrooms are too modern for my tastes.  Kitchen not bad though.  The whole idea that the garage turns into a car wash, very interesting.  I wonder if that is why the place costs so much?


As I had to go out and run some errands on Thursday, I also did some grocery shopping, picking up a number of reduced items.  All in all I spent $54.29 and had savings of $25.52.  The only things I didn't get was fresh fruit and veggies, but I have enough left over I think from the week before.


For anyone who gets the Toronto Star newspaper, there is a coupon on the back page of the entertainment section, for $5 off burgers at Foodland.  We like their burgers, so took advantage of that deal.  I think the coupon expires at the end of August.


My grocery budget for the month of August is $300; however there is five Friday's in the month, so it will be interesting to see if I can manage that.

Good Sunday morning........

So we have gone from miserable cold weather to stinking hot weather.  I swear there is no in between over here.  As I say every year Spring is gone in a blink of an eye, so we end up thinking we had no spring.

Spent Saturday morning in the garden, by lunch time it was too flipping hot out there, so we ran some errands and picked up three more saplings at our friends house, so guess what I am going to be doing this morning!!!!  Lets just pray and hope my back holds out, as its sore this morning.  Dh is going to dig over more of the veggie garden.  However I am guessing by lunch time it'll be too hot again as we are expecting temperatures up to 30 oC today with the humidity...............oh yes, the dreaded "H" word is appearing again, HUMIDITY!!!  Heat I can tolerate, Humidity though just wears you down.

Finally input my grocery totals for the week and I spent a total of $54.96 with coupon savings of $12.40 this week.  So I have $51.05 left for the month, as my monthly totals are $248.95 spent and a HUGE $338.78 in savings.

I cashed in my air miles this week so have $40 in Metro gift certificates.  There are some odd cleaning things I need, like carpet cleaner which is a one off, so I may use the certificates for that.  Regardless I am super pleased with how this month has gone grocery wise.

Have you stayed on budget with your grocery bill this month?  Do you have a monthly budget for your groceries?

Happy Mother's Day and a "grocery shopping brag!"

It's Mother's Day over here.  I'll post a photo tomorrow of what me and dh got off the kids as it was a joint present.


Went to Shopper's Drug Mart and cashed in my points, as there were a few things I wanted.  Here is what I got:


 
Another shot of the same things:  
  
 If I had paid regular price for everything without coupons and my points I would have paid $250.71.  After using $31 in coupons, and cashing in $200 worth of points I paid $19.71 out of pocket.  I will say that took a lot of planning on my part, looking at the flyer and checking what coupons I had etc.  Then it took me another hour just to do the actual shop itself as they didn't have some of the items etc, so not a five minute job, but with those savings it was well worth while.


I shopped at No Frills also this week and used $50 worth of PC Points that I collect when I use my Mastercard, and along with coupon savings of $14.10, I spent $79.57.  I then cashed in $5 worth of Sobeys points at Sobeys bringing my total there to $2.79.  I am stocked up on a number of things, so although I am over budget on a week to week basis I hope to be under budget on a monthly basis.  My month to date totals are $193.99 spent with savings of $326.38!!!!


Wish every month could be like this!!