Ephesians 2:9-10
Recently, after reading about BeCentsAble's Grocery Challenge, decided to try to stick to a $60 every one and half week grocery trip (this plays out to approximately $40 a week over the year). This is for me, my husband, and my two toddlers in diapers. It includes food, diapers, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and so on. A lot of people who save money on groceries don't buy meat to save money (smart and healthy!), but we really like meat, so this significantly ups the budget bottom line!
I forgot to take a picture of my accumulated groceries, like a dork! I went to Albertsons and Kroger and hardly spent any gas because they are close to me and right across the street from each other. I spent about an hour planning.
Here's what I got for $59.32 (including tax):
2 bottles Lawry's marinade
Viva Big Roll paper towel
Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper -- 12 rolls
10 packages of Knorr/Lipton rice and pasta sides
5 2-liters Diet Dr. Pepper
Whole Rotisserie chicken
2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 lb. ground sirloin
half of a whole watermelon
Huggies Natural Fit diapers
Huggies Supreme diapers
Huggies Pull Ups diapers
2 packages shredded cheese
2 packages Ball Park franks
Lucky Charms
Golden Grahams
1 gallon milk
Wishbone Bountifuls salad dressing
Suave body wash
2 Softsoap hand soaps
Margarine
Big container of salt
French's mustard
French's Worcestershire sauce
2 -1/2 lb. bananas
Sara Lee hot dog buns
4 carrot pecan muffins (bakery clearance)
Loaf of bread
Package of 250 napkins
Spent: $59.32 after coupons, rebates, and promotions
Actual Cost: $150.23
Saved: $90.91
Fortunately, we already had a lot of veggies, so I didn't have to spend any money on them this week-and-a-half. And I got a ton of diapers -- enough to last for several weeks! I was a little under budget, but I forgot to buy juice, so I'm probably actually going to be a bit over budget overall.
I'm so thankful I was able to get these deals! I really feel blessed by the other people on the blogosphere who help my family be good stewards of the money God has blessed us with. Praise God!
So, what are your plans for Memorial Day? A lot of people get together, spend some time outside, BBQ, and so on. Though these are great activities (my family is getting together!), here are some activities you can do on Memorial Day to really commemorate this day of remembrance and to teach your kids more about this special holiday.
* Go to a local Memorial Day service.
* Visit cemeteries and put flowers or flags on the graves of fallen heroes.
* Visit national, regional, or local memorials.
* If you have a flag, fly it at half-staff until noon.
* At 3 pm, take part in the National Moment of Remembrance by pausing and remembering the sacrifices so many have made for our freedoms.
* Give a pledge or aid for the widows, widowers, or orphans of fallen soldiers, or to disabled veterans.
* Teach your kids about Memorial Day and its history here and here, and give them some coloring pages you can find here.
* Here are some Memorial Day crafts you and the kiddos can do together.
* Send up a prayer for the soldiers currently serving our country, for their safety, their resolve, and for their morale. Thank God for their service to our country and to your family.
* Check out the following pages for even more resources: Apples 4 the Teacher, Memorial Day.org, and TeacherVision.
Hope it a special and meaningful day for you and your family!
I am not a natural born cleaner. There -- I've confessed it! I am not one of those people who feel compelled to clean and keep their house in perfect order, though I desire to have it clean. If left unchecked, I will allow my house to become cluttered, messy, disorganized, and completely overwhelming. I know, I know -- it sounds undisciplined and those of you who were born organized are shaking your heads in sorrow.
But fortunately, I found the FlyLady about 9 months ago. She revolutionized my house and my attitudes towards cleaning. She knows the kind of person I am and what motivations, tools, and tricks I need to get my house in order. And now, though my house is not Perfect (the dreaded "P" word), it is in good enough shape that I'm not embarrassed if someone just drops by. This is especially telling since we moved into our house not long ago and we're currently renovating it!
What is great about her program is that she understands the naturally unorganized. Through shining your sink, taking baby steps, using a timer, and putting on shoes every morning, you will find your house looking cleaner than you could have imagined it would ever be weeks before. She has plans for the holidays, for losing your "body clutter", and for teaching your kids to clean. Plus, she provides lots of support through emails and radio programs. Though I don't follow her program exactly, I find it motivating and truly house-changing! Best of all, it's totally FREE!
So if you're like I was and looking for a way out of the chaos that is your home, check out the FlyLady website here. If the home page overwhelms you, go to the "Getting Started" page first, and then start your Baby Steps!
Happy Flying!
I got this idea from Metropolitan Mama -- I love reading Stephanie's Tuesday Tours!
Hopefully I'll find a way to devise a really cute button to go with the Thrifty Thursday Collection posts!
Check out the great Father's Day gift suggestions over at Amanda's and Kristin's blogs! And if you comment, you could even win a fantastic set of gifts for those special guys on Father's Day! I personally would love to get the Slanket for my hubby -- warm arms and no more fighting over our little fleece throw!
