Grocery Deals

We were invited out to a Summer Solstice party at the lake Saturday. It was an adventure for us. Unfortunately, between that and Father's Day Sunday, I didn't get to the grocery store until Monday.

The best deal was the Louana oil on BOGOF for 1.70 each, less $1 on a MQ, making the net price only .70. also picked up some $1 mashed potatoes and Campbell's soups. I picked up two bags of gold potatoes that were on sale for $2.99 for each five pound bag.

I spent $66 and saved $35. Not bad!

Menu Monday

Sunday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Monday - Hamburgers with Potato Salad
Tuesday - Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday - BBQ Sandwiches with Beans and Potato Salad
Thursday - Mexican with Chips and Cheese Dip/Salsa
Friday - TBD

Ya gotta love Redbox!

Redbox is currently running a promotion where two same time rentals gets you a free rental with a code sent by e-mail. I rented the two movies and somehow missed the e-mail until the expiration date had already passed. I sent an e-mail back to Redbox and explained the situation.

Redbox sent me an e-mail with a code for a free rental. That's customer service!

Don't be That Boss!

I just read this book today and found it facinating.

It's a account of two different managers and how their strengths and weaknesses in professional communications and managment styles affect their respective employees. I would recommend this to both employees AND managers. I'm sure you'll see your manager AND yourself in some of the scenarios given.

It should be required reading for anyone entering a field who manages people.

Menu Monday

Saturday - Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Burritos, Spanish Rice
Monday - Cubed Steak, Rice and Field Peas, Brussel Sprouts
Tuesday - BBQ Pork Chops, Mac and Cheese
Wednesday - Steakhouse Noodle Soup and Baked Potato
Thursday - Chef Salad and Breadsticks
Friday - Beanie Weenies or Coupon dine out

I made (saved) $120 today!

We use a mega bank for our primary joint account. Due to the effects of a year's unemployment, our bank balances have taken a hit. As a result, we fell below the minimum balance to have free checking and they've been charging us $20 a month.

I stopped by our bank branch this morning and took a few minutes to talk to someone about this issue. My goal was a determine why we were being charged and what I could do to stop it. We're very close to being at that minimum requirement.

To eliminate the monthly fee, I either need to change the account type or raise my balances slightly. While I determine what I want to do, the bank has agreed to charge back $120 in fees. WooHoo! Not a bad use of 30 minutes of my time.

My inclination is to change the type of account because we do not fully utilize the services that are included and we have access to a safe deposit box at another bank. I'm going to sleep on it a few days before I make that decision.

Best Grocery Deals, Philosphy and Menu Monday

First off, the best deal this weekend was two bottles of ready-to-drink Similac. These were less than $6 each at Publix. I picked up two and used two $5 Similac checks and a $3 Publix coupon. Other good deals were Margaret Holmes beans ($1 each less a .35 coupon doubled) and Wise chips for less than $1. I picked up a pound of Mahatma rice for just pennies. With Barber stuffed chicken breasts at 2 boxes for 4.99, I used two $1/1 coupons and got four ready to cook servings for only .75 each.

I'm also working on building my stockpile of canned vegetables. Currently I purchasing store brand Kidney beans at Walmart, store brand green beans at Publix and Bush baked beans wherever they are the cheapest. Alternatively, I'm working on using up some of the starch items I purchased last year.

Menu Monday:

Sunday - Hamburger Steak, Baked Potatoes and simple Green Salad
Monday - Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Scalloped Potatoes
Tuesday - Mexican soft tacos
Wednesday - Hash Browns, Sausages, Eggs with Cinnamon Toast
Thursday - Lasagna, Garlic Bread
Friday - Beanie Weenies

...gettin' things done.

If you're in a funk, the easiest, fastest solution is to accomplish something.

Today I managed to get several things finished that I had been procrastinating. I finally managed to get most of my coupons organized and filed in their appropriate place. (Wouldn't you know that I'd find a few more just after I finished that task!)

I got my car cleaned out and the car seats put back in. I cleaned out the cargo area but did not get the remainder of the car vacuumed. It still looks much better. Hopefully, I can get the vacuum to it this coming weekend.

My ironing is done and up to date. Most of my laundry is done. There isn't a huge stack of dishes in the sink. My bed is made. I finished up a book and expect to return several books to the library tomorrow after work.

The cherry on the top of this accomplishment sundae is spending the day with the littlest grandbaby. His mom, a school teacher, is just finishing out the school year this week.

"In the Funk" Menu

I'm not sure what happened when I went shopping this past weekend. I bought some stuff but nothing to bring a menu together. Add in a holiday, family dinner and a general funk, and here's what you get.

Saturday - Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Grilled Chicken, Potatoes, Pasta Salad and 3 Bean Salad
Monday - Crockpot Brisket on rolls with leftover salads
Tuesday - Takeout subs (free with stamped card)
Wednesday - Leftover Brisket with Mashed Potatoes
Thursday - Smoked Sausage, Savannah Red Rice, Steamed Broccoli
Friday - who cares! It's Friday.