ALDI Shopping Trip
Bananas — $0.44 per pound — $3.42 (Got $0.25 back from Checkout51.)
2 packages of Multi-Colored Peppers — $2.49
2 bags of mixed veggies — $0.99 each
Butter — $3.49
3 bags of Gala apples — $2.99 per bag (Got $0.25 back from Checkout51.)
Avocados — $0.99 each
Bag of onions — $0.99
2 cucumbers — $0.49 each
2 boxes of shredded wheat — $1.99 per box
Peanut butter — $1.69
Total with tax — $38.23
Kroger Shopping Trip
2 dozen eggs — $2.99 per dozen
Italian sausage — $4.99
Sliced cheese — $3.49
Travel sized toothpaste — $1
Travel sized body wash — $1.09
Half & Half — $2.69
1 gallon of milk — $2.99
Smoked turkey — $26.63
2 lbs. ground sirloin –5.99 per pound
Total with tax: $65.35
Total for all groceries: $103.58
Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Bacon & Eggs or Oatmeal
Lunches
Sandwiches or Leftovers (We had Protein French Toast and Pumpkin Protein Pancakes for lunch on Sunday.)
Snacks
Popcorn
Fruit/Veggies
Cheese
Apples with Almond Butter
Pumpkin Pie Smoothies
Healthy Cake in a Mug
Dinners
Dinner with our small group — We did a salad bar this week and we brought hard boiled eggs, chopped peppers, salad dressing, sunflower seeds, and avocados.
Leftovers
Italian Sausage and Sweet Potatoes
Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Dinner Out
What's on YOUR menu this week? Tell us in the comments!
My Sunday afternoon: At Jesse’s softball game, taking time to soak in a beautiful fall day, and enjoying perusing some magazines and reading a little from this thought-provoking book. (So far, I’m disagreeing with some of the premise of the book, but am being inspired to have more quiet in my life and to take time to engage in activities that really fill my soul.)
We had such a wonderful weekend! I was mostly offline — which was a needed change after spending most of the last few weekends completely focused on book-writing.
Jesse took the kids geo-caching for the first time and they loved it. They are already begging to go again! 
If you’ve never tried this fun activity before, they highly recommend it. I can’t wait until I can go with them!
We spend Sunday afternoon at the ball park for Jesse’s softball games. I got in a little reading and soaked up the crisp fall day and wonderful sunny weather!
My How I Saved tip for today is to always ask for a discount. We were shopping for clothes for some of the kids this weekend. As we went to check out, the cashier asked us if we’d like to open up a credit card with the store we were at so we could save 20% off our purchase.
We said no, but then Jesse asked lightheartedly, “Could we still get the discount?”
We expected the cashier to smile and say no. But instead, she said, “Well, I can’t give you 20% off, but I CAN give you 15% off.”
It never hurts to ask for a discount!
How Did YOU Save Today?
Leave a comment on this post telling us how you saved today. Just for fun, I’ll choose one winner and send them a $25 iTunes gift card.
The winner of the Papa John’s gift card was Amber {minimouse216@}
I’ve been acquainted with Jessica and Matthew Paul Turner for a few years, but it’s only been since we’ve moved to the Nashville area that I’ve really gotten to know them well. And let me tell you, these two are the real deal.
They’ve loved on us, invited us into their home multiple times, asked us to come with them to events, listened to us, and gone out of their way to truly welcome us to Tennessee. Their friendship has been a gift to us and has been an answer to many prayers we’ve prayed for authentic friendships and community.
You know how there are people who just make you feel so special and loved and cared for? That’s the Turners.
And I couldn’t be prouder of them today as they are launching their brand-new children’s book called God Made Light. They have poured years into this project and have funded it with a significant portion of their savings.
This book is a playful, whimsical adventure through the creation of light. It encourages children to remember that they were created for a purpose — to shine and make a difference in this world.
I am really hoping that this is the first of many children’s books they produce because it’s beautiful and so meaningful. The pictures are very well done and its rhyming lyrics make it so fun to read!
This book would make a great gift for Christmas presents this year. Plus, DaySpring has partnered with Matthew and Jessica to produce a line of adorable products you can purchase in addition to the book. My favorite product was probably the encouragement cards, but my kids thought the puzzle and night light were the best.
You can get free shipping from DaySpring if you purchase $35 worth of God Made Light products and use coupon code SHIPLIGHT at checkout.
You can read more about the book, the message behind it, and see pictures of the inside of the book over on Jessica’s blog. Also, be sure to check out Matthew’s post on What Happens When 11 Publishers Say “No”.
To purchase a copy or read reviews from others, you can head over to Amazon here.
Win a Copy of God Made Light!
I know not all of you can afford to purchase God Made Light, so I wanted to buy 10 books to give away to readers here. To enter to win, just leave a comment on this post telling us who you would give this book to if you win a copy.
I’ll choose 10 winners on Thursday and will notify the winners via email.
