Sunday - Roast Beef in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots served with green beans and corn.
Monday - Smoked Sausage, mexican rice, green beans
Tuesday - Leftover Roast Beef and veggies
Wednesday - Chef Salad
Thursday - Chicken and Dumplings
Friday - TBD
Saturday - Chili Cheese Fries
Easter Sunday - Baked Ham, Homemade Mac and Cheese, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Green beans, Harvard Beets with Apple Pie
I was at Publix today and had a great shopping trip. $100 worth of groceries for only $60. I practically got two dozen eggs for free and some other stuff, like canned pineapple, really cheap. What I didn't realize at the time was that the current sale runs through this Saturday because of the Easter holiday. So now, I'll take another look at my coupons to see if I can make another run. There were a couple of items I wanted to get that they didn't have or I forgot to pick up: Land o lakes half and half, Kentucky Legend hams, and Publix semi-boneless hams.
My freezer is so full but I can always find a little room on my pantry shelves. (We continue to build or stockpile/pantry in anticipation of unexpected events.) I recently moved all of my packages of rice into a single five gallon bucket with a gamma lid.
Some short term goals:
I need to get back into bread making. I started 2013 out strong but have taken a bit of a break.
I need to get my pantry organized.
We need to eat more beans and I'd like to make my own kidney beans and refried beans.
We need to eat more chicken - and I'm not talking about Chick-fil-A!
We need at least one meatless (or low meat) meal each week.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The chicken has landed!
I rearranged my work schedule to have the day off because my chicken was coming. Originally, I had scheduled to pick it up at 4pm but the more I thought about that, the more it seemed pointless. I changed my pickup location to a site that had a 1pm pickup.
Fortunately for me, the Zaycon truck was already set up when I got there so I was able to pick it up even earlier. I headed straight home and by 1pm I was trimming chicken. I trimmed the first box (40 pounds) and was able to place the chicken into the fridge using a plastic dishpan and a large plastic bowl. Since it was safely chilling in the fridge, I move on to the second box. (It took just about a hour per box to trim.)
I wrapped up that second box and took it down to the freezer. After some serious re-arranging, I was finally able to fit the 40 pounds of chicken into the freezer. I was surprised to find at least six packages of ground beef already in the freezer.
I moved back upstairs and wrapped the second 40 pounds for DD. After wrapping, I slipped it back into the fridge for safe keeping until she got here to pick it up. We now both have 40 pounds of chicken in our freezers. (I have considerably more - maybe as much as 70-80 pounds - since I was not out of chicken from the last batch.)
For the remainder of March, I will be limiting myself to only one meat product per week with the exception of deli meat for lunches and a ham for Easter dinner. For weekly menu planning purposes, we will be eating at least one chicken dish per week and I will focus on eating what is in the upstairs freezer as well.
It's been a long day including a trip to the dentist, fabric shopping for my next project, dinner for the family (tacos for the taco loving kid), and all that chicken. Broth is bubbling away in the crockpot ....
Fortunately for me, the Zaycon truck was already set up when I got there so I was able to pick it up even earlier. I headed straight home and by 1pm I was trimming chicken. I trimmed the first box (40 pounds) and was able to place the chicken into the fridge using a plastic dishpan and a large plastic bowl. Since it was safely chilling in the fridge, I move on to the second box. (It took just about a hour per box to trim.)
I wrapped up that second box and took it down to the freezer. After some serious re-arranging, I was finally able to fit the 40 pounds of chicken into the freezer. I was surprised to find at least six packages of ground beef already in the freezer.
I moved back upstairs and wrapped the second 40 pounds for DD. After wrapping, I slipped it back into the fridge for safe keeping until she got here to pick it up. We now both have 40 pounds of chicken in our freezers. (I have considerably more - maybe as much as 70-80 pounds - since I was not out of chicken from the last batch.)
For the remainder of March, I will be limiting myself to only one meat product per week with the exception of deli meat for lunches and a ham for Easter dinner. For weekly menu planning purposes, we will be eating at least one chicken dish per week and I will focus on eating what is in the upstairs freezer as well.
It's been a long day including a trip to the dentist, fabric shopping for my next project, dinner for the family (tacos for the taco loving kid), and all that chicken. Broth is bubbling away in the crockpot ....
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Another one bites the dust!
I am very pleased to share that my final payment has been submitted on my car. This represented a $20k, 5 year loan with a payment of almost $400! I'm still trying to decide how to apply those extra dollars each month.
My bonus is going into my savings account for now - just to keep it safe (from me)!
On a final financial note, I'm currently looking into refinancing our house. We could see a three percent decrease in our interest rate. Haven't decided yet whether we should:
1) refinance for a full 30 years (extending the term) to have the smallest monthly payment
2) refinance at the term we now have (21 years) to slightly reduce the monthly payment
3) refinance at 15 years to have about the same payment or slightly more for 6 years less.
Each has it's own pros and cons. The only reason to take option #1 would be to cash out some equity and remodel our kitchen. Option 3 would financially make the most sense. Option 2 is my favorite - I have some security issues having gone through three layoffs in the last 11 years.We're I'm really focused on getting our debt reduced as much as possible so a future bout of unemployment won't put us in a hard place.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to provide your input.
My bonus is going into my savings account for now - just to keep it safe (from me)!
On a final financial note, I'm currently looking into refinancing our house. We could see a three percent decrease in our interest rate. Haven't decided yet whether we should:
1) refinance for a full 30 years (extending the term) to have the smallest monthly payment
2) refinance at the term we now have (21 years) to slightly reduce the monthly payment
3) refinance at 15 years to have about the same payment or slightly more for 6 years less.
Each has it's own pros and cons. The only reason to take option #1 would be to cash out some equity and remodel our kitchen. Option 3 would financially make the most sense. Option 2 is my favorite - I have some security issues having gone through three layoffs in the last 11 years.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to provide your input.
Whoa, what a weekend....
What would you do if someone offered you an all expense paid vacation? It sounds like a simple question with an equally simple answer. Sometimes, though, it's not.
We were faced with that quandary this past weekend. After much thought, we decided to go for it and make the best of the situation. All in all, it wasn't too bad and we had fun. Sometimes in these situations, your time is not your own. Take dinner, we're normally sitting down to dinner by 6:30, 7:00 at the latest. (The older you get, the more important this becomes.) We found ourselves eating our entree Friday night at 11pm.
We did have a good time and enjoyed ourselves most of the time. We spent very, very little money thanks to most everything being paid for by our host and a generous cash gift. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn't have taken a trip like this and would have opted for a overnight road trip instead.
We were faced with that quandary this past weekend. After much thought, we decided to go for it and make the best of the situation. All in all, it wasn't too bad and we had fun. Sometimes in these situations, your time is not your own. Take dinner, we're normally sitting down to dinner by 6:30, 7:00 at the latest. (The older you get, the more important this becomes.) We found ourselves eating our entree Friday night at 11pm.
We did have a good time and enjoyed ourselves most of the time. We spent very, very little money thanks to most everything being paid for by our host and a generous cash gift. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn't have taken a trip like this and would have opted for a overnight road trip instead.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Wrapping up the weekend
I've got to say that I don't have any frugal accomplishments or great savings to report this evening. It has been a very busy weekend. Our Saturday was accented by a double hitter of softball. First we saw the four-year-old play his second ball game. Then we went to see the three-year-old play his first ball (t-ball) game.
You really haven't seen a kids game until you watch a game that includes a two and a half year old with a mo hawk, two three year olds who would rather play in the dirt and random other children who cry, chase their own hits and run to random bases. It was hilarious.
We ran a few errands which included returning a few items we had purchased. We finished off the day with a big pot of Spicy Chicken Vegetable soup and a Redbox movie.
Sunday was pretty ordinary. I cleaned the kitchen (including scrubbing the sink) and prepared dinner. I was able to replace the garage keypad. (I had tried, unsuccessfully, to reprogram both of the keypads we already had but it was pointless.) I didn't really want to spend the money but we needed a way to allow people in the house in case of emergencies.
I only purchased a few items at the grocery store this weekend, trying to make do with what we have on hand. I will not be preparing dinner at home for the latter part of the coming week. That gives me a little more flexibility not to do any extensive shopping.
I ordered 40 pounds of Zaycon chicken last week that will be delivered the third week of March. I also ordered 30 tamales from a local woman. I'm trying to put together some long term plans for food storage. We're still planning for at least a short term stint of un/under employment in 2013. It may not happen, but I'd rather be prepared than surprised. I've already converted a five gallon food bucket into bulk rice storage.
I have stock piled several cases of canning jars for this year's use.
Here's a quick look at our menu for the week:
Sunday - Kabobs with rice, green beans and salad
Monday - leftover Spicy Chicken Vegetable Soup
Tuesday - Fajitas
Wednesday - Leftovers or takeout sub sandwich
Thursday, Friday and Saturday *
*details to follow later
You really haven't seen a kids game until you watch a game that includes a two and a half year old with a mo hawk, two three year olds who would rather play in the dirt and random other children who cry, chase their own hits and run to random bases. It was hilarious.
We ran a few errands which included returning a few items we had purchased. We finished off the day with a big pot of Spicy Chicken Vegetable soup and a Redbox movie.
Sunday was pretty ordinary. I cleaned the kitchen (including scrubbing the sink) and prepared dinner. I was able to replace the garage keypad. (I had tried, unsuccessfully, to reprogram both of the keypads we already had but it was pointless.) I didn't really want to spend the money but we needed a way to allow people in the house in case of emergencies.
I only purchased a few items at the grocery store this weekend, trying to make do with what we have on hand. I will not be preparing dinner at home for the latter part of the coming week. That gives me a little more flexibility not to do any extensive shopping.
I ordered 40 pounds of Zaycon chicken last week that will be delivered the third week of March. I also ordered 30 tamales from a local woman. I'm trying to put together some long term plans for food storage. We're still planning for at least a short term stint of un/under employment in 2013. It may not happen, but I'd rather be prepared than surprised. I've already converted a five gallon food bucket into bulk rice storage.
I have stock piled several cases of canning jars for this year's use.
Here's a quick look at our menu for the week:
Sunday - Kabobs with rice, green beans and salad
Monday - leftover Spicy Chicken Vegetable Soup
Tuesday - Fajitas
Wednesday - Leftovers or takeout sub sandwich
Thursday, Friday and Saturday *
*details to follow later
Friday, March 8, 2013
An invisible windfall
Our state has traditionally charged an ad valorem tax annually based on the value of your car. They would bill this each year during the birthday month of the registered owner. It became known as the birthday tax. Depending on the value of your vehicle and the tax rate of your county, you could be paying anywhere from $50 to $400 or more.
Recently, they have changed the law and how the tax is calculated and collected. From here on end, it applies to new and used car purchases with the entire tax amount due when purchasing the car. Honestly, it seems to me like they're going to lose money but perhaps not.
The good news for us is that DH's car (that he purchased last year) has the option of paying the annual tax OR opting in to the new tax calculation. When the notice came in the mail last month, I ran the numbers and since he had already paid the sales tax on the car, we were much better off to opt in and pay it now.
Instead of his anticipated $200 tag fee (this decreases annually with the age/value of the car), his total due was only $75! We've estimated that he will save somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000 over the next 5 years by doing this. To me, it was a no-brainer.
The only difficulty was that he had to appear in person at the tag office to make it happen. I prepared his paperwork and off he went.
Mission accomplished. We'll really appreciate this next year. Unfortunately, I'm stuck paying the annual tag fee on my car since it was purchased prior to 2012. Anyway, every little bit helps!
Recently, they have changed the law and how the tax is calculated and collected. From here on end, it applies to new and used car purchases with the entire tax amount due when purchasing the car. Honestly, it seems to me like they're going to lose money but perhaps not.
The good news for us is that DH's car (that he purchased last year) has the option of paying the annual tax OR opting in to the new tax calculation. When the notice came in the mail last month, I ran the numbers and since he had already paid the sales tax on the car, we were much better off to opt in and pay it now.
Instead of his anticipated $200 tag fee (this decreases annually with the age/value of the car), his total due was only $75! We've estimated that he will save somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000 over the next 5 years by doing this. To me, it was a no-brainer.
The only difficulty was that he had to appear in person at the tag office to make it happen. I prepared his paperwork and off he went.
Mission accomplished. We'll really appreciate this next year. Unfortunately, I'm stuck paying the annual tag fee on my car since it was purchased prior to 2012. Anyway, every little bit helps!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
My new favorite thing....
I was really weary of paying $3 and up for each can of Pam. Even the store brands were almost as much. More frustrating was the fact that sometimes the oil product would be left in the can after the propellant was used.
I asked for a refillable sprayer for Christmas and I got a Misto. I've used it now for a full two months and found it to be very effective. I have to keep reminding myself not to shake but to pump. I can use either vegetable oil OR olive oil. I've only had to clean it once (after about a month) when the oil ran out. It was quick and easy and just needed time to dry between uses.
For only $9.99, it has the potential to save me many, many dollars in the long run.
I asked for a refillable sprayer for Christmas and I got a Misto. I've used it now for a full two months and found it to be very effective. I have to keep reminding myself not to shake but to pump. I can use either vegetable oil OR olive oil. I've only had to clean it once (after about a month) when the oil ran out. It was quick and easy and just needed time to dry between uses.
For only $9.99, it has the potential to save me many, many dollars in the long run.
Monday, March 4, 2013
This week's menu
Our schedule was a little fluid this week by having DD and DSIL have dinner with us Saturday instead of Sunday night. We switched things up a bit and here's what I've come up with.
Saturday - Smoked Pork Chops, Homemade baked Mac and Cheese, Green Beans
Sunday - Double rich chicken noodle soup
Monday - Ham Steak (from the freezer), leftover mac and cheese, steamed califlower and broccoli
Tuesday - Soup and Salad (leftover chicken noodle soup)
Wednesday - Chili (leftover in the freezer) over Baked Potatoes
Thursday - Taco Thursday - a kid favorite
Friday - Homemade Pizza
I'm working on a little project designed around "Chicken: 30 days/30 ways." Now I just need to come up with some ideas. My inspiration is the 40 pounds of chicken we order from Zaycon foods. That's a lot of chicken and eating it the same way every time can be really boring. I've got 10-12 recipes right off my head. Some are actual recipes, others are ideas and some are just concepts. Wonder if I can "sell" the idea to or through Zaycon? I'd like to make a couple of bucks.
Saturday - Smoked Pork Chops, Homemade baked Mac and Cheese, Green Beans
Sunday - Double rich chicken noodle soup
Monday - Ham Steak (from the freezer), leftover mac and cheese, steamed califlower and broccoli
Tuesday - Soup and Salad (leftover chicken noodle soup)
Wednesday - Chili (leftover in the freezer) over Baked Potatoes
Thursday - Taco Thursday - a kid favorite
Friday - Homemade Pizza
I'm working on a little project designed around "Chicken: 30 days/30 ways." Now I just need to come up with some ideas. My inspiration is the 40 pounds of chicken we order from Zaycon foods. That's a lot of chicken and eating it the same way every time can be really boring. I've got 10-12 recipes right off my head. Some are actual recipes, others are ideas and some are just concepts. Wonder if I can "sell" the idea to or through Zaycon? I'd like to make a couple of bucks.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Germinating seeds
I've started two large trays of seeds over the last three or four weeks. Some are going gangbusters (and will need to be moved to a larger pot this weekend) and some ... well, nothing. In particular, none of the peppers have germinated. I lamented this issue on facebook recently when I saw my brother with large seedlings of peppers. He has suggested germinating on a paper towel.
Tonight, I placed some jalapeno peppers and some green bell pepper seeds on dampened paper towels in ziplock bags. I have put the bags on top of the fridge where it should be warmer. I'll check in a couple of days to see if the pepper seeds have done their thing.
Tonight, I placed some jalapeno peppers and some green bell pepper seeds on dampened paper towels in ziplock bags. I have put the bags on top of the fridge where it should be warmer. I'll check in a couple of days to see if the pepper seeds have done their thing.
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