Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Our $9 Thanksgiving Meal and more...

Money Saving Mom

MoneySaving-mom-ad-600x100

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode

UNI_WM_NCAA_Blog_300x250_102714

Here's What's New

:: Our $9 Thanksgiving Meal

IMG_2957

Guest post by Asheritah of One Thing Alone

Your Thanksgiving feast doesn't have to break the bank to be delicious.

This year, to help us reach our monthly financial goals, I decided to keep our Thanksgiving meal simple. I asked each of our family members which traditional Thanksgiving food is most important to them, and then strategized ways to make everyone (and our budget) happy.

Obviously, I haven't yet prepared the meal, but here's what we'll be having:

  • Turkey breast: $3.49
  • Peas: $0.89
  • Corn: $0.49
  • Mac & Cheese: $0.49
  • Sweet potatoes: $0.07
  • Stuffing: $0.69
  • Corn muffins: $0.47
  • Pumpkin pie (homemade): $1
  • Butter: $0.80
  • Eggs: $0.50
  • Milk: $0.20

TOTAL: $9.09

In all, the meal will cost us less than $10 for 3 adults and 1 child. I'd say that's a win!

Here's how you can do it, too:

1. Simplify the meal.

Ask your family members what's one item they each really want, and feel free to let go or downsize those foods that are never a big hit anyway.

My husband wanted stuffing. I wanted corn muffins. Our daughter wanted mac & cheese, and my father-in-law wanted something sweet. I felt like we HAD to have turkey, but we're not really a fan of the big bird, so the little turkey breast tenderloin fit the bill without hitting our wallet.

We also simplified the sides. Since we're loading up on carbs, I added some veggies to make our meal healthier but opted out of the typical casseroles.

2. Shop sales at discount stores.

I bought most of my ingredients at Aldi, but I also scored cheap produce at a local discount store that offers incredible deals (like two 10-pound bags of sweet potatoes for $1.69).

I also try to shop sales whenever I can, especially if they're cutting already-low prices. I bought the turkey tenderloin when it was on sale a few weeks ago and stuck it in the freezer for the future. I also got the butter on sale awhile back and keep a stash in the freezer. By buying sales in bulk year-round, I can stock up and save on staple pantry items.

3. Cook what you can from scratch.

Most pumpkin pies cost around $5 in grocery stores. By making it at home, I'll be saving 80%. I'm using a small pie pumpkin a friend gifted me for fall décor, a $0.65 can of evaporated milk, and a homemade crust that will cost a fraction of what ready-made crusts cost in-store.

Cooking from scratch means I can afford more variety because I'm paying less for raw ingredients.

At the end of the day, it's not the Thanksgiving meal that matters but rather a thankful heart. Whether you have a table overflowing with the richest foods or a simple meal shared with those you love, the important thing is to come together with gratefulness and express our appreciation for each other.

How to you keep your Thanksgiving celebrations frugal and fun!

Asheritah is a writer, speaker, and blogger at One Thing Alone. She helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus through devotionals, videos, and Scripture art. She's also the author of "Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional."

    

:: Gretchen’s Walgreens Shopping Trip

102_1413

Walgreens

I had a whole trip planned out but when I got to Walgreens I discovered that several items I was going to purchase as part of my plan were sold out. I had to re-work my original plan and ended up spending more than I hoped. At least I have $6 Register Rewards leftover to spend on Black Friday!

Transaction #1

1 Urgent Headache Relief to Go – $1 (Buy 1, Get $1 Register Rewards)

1 Reach Toothbrushes (3 pk) – $3 (Buy 1, Get $3 Register Rewards)
Used $0.50/1 coupon from the 8/17 SmartSource insert

1 Scope Mouthwash – $3 (Buy 1, Get $2 Register Rewards)
Used $1/1 coupon from the 11/23 SmartSource insert

Total with tax ($0.50) after coupons: $6, Received $6 Register Rewards

Transaction #2

1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste – $3.49 (Buy 1, Get $2.50 Register Rewards)
Used $0.50/1 coupon from the 11/23 SmartSource insert

1 Relief OTC Antacid – $3 (Buy 1, Get $3 Register Rewards)

2 Russell Stover Candies – $0.29 each (filler items)

Used $6 Register Rewards from Transaction #1

Total with tax ($0.51): $1.08, Received $5.50 Register Rewards

Transaction #3

1 Therapeutic Scalp Treatment – $6 (Buy 1, Get $6 Register Rewards)

1 Russell Stover Candy – $0.29 (filler item)

Used $5.50 Register Rewards from Transaction #2

Total with tax ($0.45): $1.24, Received $6 Register Rewards

Total for all transactions before coupons and Register Rewards: $29.59

Total for all transactions with tax after coupons and Register Rewards: $8.32, plus $6 Register Rewards leftover

    

Survey Spot

:: Gretchen’s CVS Shopping Trip: $67 worth of products for $12 out of pocket!!

102_1411

CVS Shopping Trip

Transaction #1

2 Robitussin Medi-Soothers – $1.49 (Buy 1, Get $1.49 ECBs)
Used $1/1 coupon from the 11/2 RedPlum insert

1 Peanut M&M’s – $0.79 (Buy 1, Get $0.79 ECBs)

1 Kraft Mac & Cheese – $0.99 (Buy 1, Get $0.99 ECBs)

1 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate – $0.79 (Buy 1, Get $0.79 ECBs)

1 Green Giant canned Green Beans – $0.99 (Buy 1, Get $0.99 ECBs)

1 Colgate Toothpaste – $2.99
Used $2.99/1 CVS coupon from in-store machine
And used $0.75/1 printable

1 Sour Patch Kids Candy – $1.50 (Buy 1, Get $1.50 ECBs)

Used $4 ECBs from previous shopping trip

Total with tax ($0.90): $2.69, Received $6.55 ECBs

Transaction #2

1 CVS Pantiliners – $0.99 (Buy 1, Get $0.99 ECBs)

1 Chex Mix – $1.99 (Buy 1, Get $1 ECBs)

1 Kraft Velveta Mac & Cheese Cup – $0.99 (I thought I was supposed to get $0.99 ECBs on this but they didn’t print since I’d already purchased the Kraft Mac & Cheese in Transaction #1.)

1 Total Home Laundry Detergent – $1.79 (Buy 1, Get $1.79 ECBs)

1 CVS Ultra-Soft Cleansing Wipes – $0.99 (Buy 1, Get $0.99 ECBs)

Used $5.05 ECBs from Transaction #1

Total with tax ($0.55): $0.76, Received $4.77 ECBs

Transaction #3

1 Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese – $3.99 (Buy 1, Get $3 ECBs)

1 5 Cobalt Gum – $1 (Buy1, Get $1 ECBs)

1 Starbucks Double Shot Espresso – $1.50 (Buy 1, Get $1.50 ECBs)

1 Vitamin Water – $1.50 (Buy 1, Get $1.50 ECBS)

1 Listerine Mouthwash – $2.99 (Buy 1, Get $2 ECBs)
Used $1/1 printable

Used $6.27 ECBs from Transactions #1 & #2

Total with tax ($0.89): $4.60, Received $9 ECBs

Transaction #4

1 Arm & Hammer Spin Toothbrush – $5.99 (Buy 1, Get $3 ECBs)
Used $2/1 printable

1 Benefiber – $10.89 (Buy 1, Get $5 ECBs)
Used $5/1 coupon from the 11/16 SmartSource insert

1 Snickers Bar – $0.79 (Again, I thought I was going to receive $0.79 ECBs as my cashier told me I would, but I didn’t.)

Used $9 ECBs from Transaction #3

Total with tax ($1.44): $4.11, Received $8 ECBs

Total for all transactions before coupons and ECBs: $67.85

Total for all transactions with tax after coupons and ECBS: $12.16, plus $8 ECBs leftover (Like paying $4.16!)

    

Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 365 Boston Post Rd, Suite 123, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA.