Product Review

I got a Kindle for my birthday last fall. I didn't think I wanted one since I was doing pretty well with checking books out from the library. I thought that a Kindle would require me to buy every book I read. I couldn't have been more wrong. So far, I've read 30+ books and have over 40 more loaded and just waiting for me. To date, I think I've spent maybe $10 on books. If you're not too picky about what you're reading and can be flexible, there are always a few new books available for free each week. I try to catch them while they are only $0 and load them. Later, I've seen some of these for over $9 each - sometimes the next day. The only thing I don't like is not being able to tell how close I am to the end of a chapter.

It's that time.....

Tax Time. I've finished my big work project and completed my coursework for my paralegal certificate so now I'm on to the next big project - taxes. If you're like me, you just started working on your taxes. I used to bundle up my information and take it into an H & R Block office. The last time I was there, my bill (to H&R not the IRS) was over $300 and I'm the one who collected all the receipts and organized it. After that year, I decided that I should be able to do our taxes even with the little side hustle DH had going. The software this year was $55 after discounts and I downloaded directly from H & R Block. I worked on this about 2 hours last night and I would estimate that I have 1/2 of the data entry done and probably about 1/3 of the way through the whole process. My goal is to get the whole thing done and filed before the 15th. No extensions for us this year if all goes well. I may not be able to post quite as much over the next week or so. Please be patient with me.

Menu Monday

Saturday - Trader Joe's Pizza and salad Sunday - Turkey, Dressing and Green Beans Monday - Hamburgers Tuesday - Leftover Turkey Wednesday - $5 pizza and lawn mowing? Thursday - Tacos

A Washout

The weekend has been a washout - both figuratively and literally. All of the outdoor stuff we planned was put on hold. It was raining when we woke on Saturday morning and didn't stop until Sunday. By then, the grass was too wet to mow. So, what did we do? We went shopping. I had been wanting to go to JC Penney's since Christmas. I was hoping to find a couple of outfits suitable for work. Unfortunately, I only found a single pair of pants. Penney's had a good sale going, just nothing that was right for me. DH needed a new pair of work boots so Sears was the perfect pick. After an icee, we headed off to Kohls where I had $10 bounce back cash. Again I tried to find a blouse but had no luck. BJ's Wholesale Club was next. We picked up a few items and headed home. Did you have a good weekend?

Whew!

What a week it's been. I'm so glad it's Friday.

We were hoping to be able to do a little work outside this weekend but I'm not sure the weather is going to cooperate. It's time for that first mowing of the year and some hedge trimming. We'd also like to get some new grass seed out since we're expecting rain and temperatures are near when they need to be for germination. Unfortunately, it's going to be a race to see if we can get this done before the rain comes in.

I also want to pick up some plants for my vegetable garden and get those planted. I like to stagger my planting so the harvest is also staggered. This year, I'd like to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapenos, bell peppers and a variety of herbs (basil, cilantro, rosemary and parsley). I have two "bowl" planters and I believe I will make each just herbs. They're small enough to move around if necessary. (I've tried my hand at root vegetables a couple of times and that just doesn't work for me.)

If it turns out to be a rainy weekend, we'll have to come up with a Plan B to tackle some inside chores. What are your plans for the weekend? TGIF!

Hot Deal Works

This deal worked and it was worth a picture!

I spelled out the details in my previous post about printing coupons for Ronzoni pasta. They're pushing the 'healthy' kinds and they are rarely on sale. Fortunately for all of us couponers, Kroger has included the Smart Taste, Healthy Harvest and Garden Delights in their $5 off 10 deal this week.

I was able to pick up ten packages of pasta for FREE! Yes, FREE! While I was there, I also picked up two packages of boneless, skinless chicken breast - always a great deal at $1.99 a pound and two personal care items that we were out of and were on sale.

My totals: OOP $14.67 including tax with a savings of $25.61 That's a 63% savings. Don't forget to print out five coupons AND take your Kroger Plus card with you. If you're only getting the pasta, you might want to pick up a cheap item just so you don't have a negative balance. Depending on how your store charges tax, you might just be paying tax. Happy Couponing.

Deal Alert!

There are some Ronzoni coupons here that you can use to get some really cheap pasta at Kroger this week.

Kroger has the Ronzoni healthy brands of pasta included in the $5 off 10 item sale this week. Normal price (in my area) is .99 less the .50 for the advertised deal makes them only 49 cents. Use these coupons - select all three and print twice - to bring that price way down. At face value of the coupon, these should be only .24 each or less if the coupons double.

I'm heading that way this afternoon to see if I can do this deal.

Don't forget, you need to buy 10 items to get the $5 off - not 8 and not 12 - 10!

Menu Monday

Sunday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes
Monday - Beanie Weenies, Sliced Cucumbers and Tomatoes
Tuesday - BBQ Grilled Chicken and Gnocci
Wednesday - Pancakes and Bacon
Thursday - Spaghetti with MeatSauce, Salad
Friday - TBD (Maybe $5 pizza)

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to DH!!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Sis!

Quick Weekly Menu

It's a busy week for us, four birthdays in one week.

Sunday - Low Country Boil
Monday - Crockpot Roast
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Wednesday - Leftover Roast
Thursday - Smoked Sausage and Macaroni and Cheese
Friday - TBD

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to DD!

HEADS UP!

Included in the deals this week is a $50 BP gas card for only $40 with $25 grocery purchase. Take a friend and divide up your weekly shopping (or make two trips). With gas prices as high as they are, take advantage of this discount.

New Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 1/2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
2 cans (approximately 3 cups) chicken broth (preferrably low sodium)*
1 can mild rotel
1/2 to 1 can of diced tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 Tablespoons prepared salsa
1 Tablespoon corn meal (optional)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
fresh cilantro

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. If desired, thicken with a small amount of corn starch. (*I substituted 1 generous Tablespoon chicken base and one cup of water for second can of broth.) Canned corn could also be added.

Garnish with fresh avacado slices, sour cream, monterey jack cheese, additional cilantro, and crumbled tortilla chips.

I wasn't too sure about this but DH said not to change a thing, make it once a week.

Menu Monday (tenative)

Saturday - Chicken Tenders and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Italian Chicken and sliced potatoes and onions
Monday - Stuffed Potato with broccoli
Tuesday - Pancakes and Sausage
Wednesday - Chicken Tortilla Soup ?
Thursday - Tacos
Friday - TBD

all items subject to change this week.

Weekend Review and Planning

Not much happened over the weekend grocery shopping wise.

I made a quick stop at the Publix Saturday night to just pick up a couple of things for a quick dinner. (We love their chicken tenders and mashed potatoes on Saturday nights.) Along with some bagels and cream cheese for hubby's breakfast this week, my total was just about $26. Not much saved since nothing had a coupon.

Sunday, while hubby had his hair cut, I ran into Kroger to pick up some chicken. They're currently running the $1.99 a pound for Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Along with the chicken, I got some deli meat and buns, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and bananas. Two kinds of chips. (Hubby and I will be taking our lunches more often now that the craziness of work has settled a bit.) My total was around $40 with a $12+ savings.

I'm still considering a second run to Publix. I would like to pick up some butter and oatmeal that are currently bogof. I haven't finalized my menu for the week either. I keep vacillating between smoked sausage and tacos for Thursday night. If I go with tacos, I'll need to pick up some tortillas and cheese. OOoh, cheese is on sale too. I think I'll plan to visit Publix Tuesday night. I'll get a short list and the relevant coupons gathered ahead of time.

The only real bargain involved some shopping at Kohls. We earned a $10 Kohls cash two weeks ago when we picked up a few things that we needed. This past week, a hang-tag was left on my front door for $10 off a $20 purchase. I went with the intention of getting a shirt for work but I simply could not find anything that would work. Hubby found some novelty t-shirts that were marked down from $22 to $14. We got two. As a surprise to us, they rang up as $11.99 each. After tax and the two coupons, our total was $4 and change. We saved over $44. (Now, let me just tell you that we NEVER would have paid $22 for these shirts but Hubby has no real dress code and he can wear these to work some days. Wish I were that lucky!)

Looking ahead to the week, I will be resuming my paralegal studies Monday evening. I hope to get my next lesson sent out by Thursday or Friday night. I'd like to be finished with this by the third week of March. After that is done, I need to move forward with our taxes. The taxman will be here before you know it.

I'll be back with a menu and maybe a deal of the week soon.