Wednesday, May 4, 2022

A Peek Into This Past Week (+ my 6 goals for this week) and more...

I got to go to a Foster Care Appreciation Dinner last week hosted by Church of the City. It was such a special night — and made even better by getting to sit with some of my favorite foster mom friends! I had no idea that fostering was also going to ...
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Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.

A Peek Into This Past Week (+ my 6 goals for this week)

I got to go to a Foster Care Appreciation Dinner last week hosted by Church of the City. It was such a special night — and made even better by getting to sit with some of my favorite foster mom friends! I had no idea that fostering was also going to mean the gift of a beautiful community in my life!

I had my 32-week ultrasound to check on the various issues I’ve had going on with this pregnancy. Good news — baby is finally head down and most everything is looking really good!! The ultrasound place just changed their visitor rules, so I got to bring Silas with me!

These two love to be on my lap — oftentimes at the very same time!

Kaitlynn got a disposable camera to use for prom and Kierstyn has been going around saying, “Say cheese” to us!

I also got to go to a paint night with other local foster moms, again hosted by Church of the City. It was my first time to do a painting night like this and I was honestly not sure what I’d think of it!

In addition to loving getting to hang out with my fellow foster mom friends…

I was actually quite shocked with how my painting turned out! For someone who is not artistic at all when it comes to things like this, I couldn’t believe that all the step-by-step help from the painter as we were working on this project really paid off!

I started my Red Raspberry Leaf tea, dates, and Evening Primrose Oil regimen in prep for labor. I can’t believe I only have 6 1/2 weeks or less until baby is here!

Silas has been on two baseball teams the past few months (his year-round travel team + seasonal middle school team). It’s meant lots and lots of time spent at multiple baseball games each week (we try to go to all of his games!), but I’m so grateful for the opportunity he has to pursue this sport he enjoys so much. Plus, there’s so much more than baseball being learned!

Kierstyn always loves it when there’s a playground at the ballfield!

This last baseball game, we found a nest of baby bunnies at the playground!!

My 6 Goals for Last Week

Personal/Family Goals

  • Delete 1000 photos and videos from my phone.
  • Finish cleaning out my office closet.
  • Go on a date with Silas.

Reading Goals

Business/Blogging Goals

  • Write & post a post on Weird Things You Can Do to Save Money.
  • Finish and submit devotional Proverbs31.org.

My 6 Goals for This Week

Personal/Family Goals

  • Delete 1000 photos and videos from my phone.
  • Finish cleaning out the basement storage closet.
  • Work on a craft project.

Reading Goals

Business/Blogging Goals

  • Finish video on habits for upcoming online conference.
  • Drafts done for upcoming sponsored campaign.

   
 

Gretchen’s $81 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 5

Aldi

2 Half & Half – $1.95 each

1 dozen Eggs – $2.31

1 gallon Milk – $2.76

1 box Macaroni – $1.12

1.03 lbs Roma Tomatoes – $1.02

1 Mild Salsa – $1.95

3 Avocados – $0.89 each

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.58

1 bag Potatoes – $3.59

1 pkg Taco Seasoning – $0.38

1 pkg Oven Roasted Turkey Breast – $4.69

1 can Refried Beans – $0.88

1 box Chocolate Puffs Cereal – $1.55

1 Chunk Cheese – $1.85

1 bag Bagels – $1.55

1 bag Corn Chips – $1.49

1 bag Spinach – $1.19

1 bag Spring Mix – $2.29

1 box Gelatin – $0.37

1.75 lbs Red Grapes – $2.43

1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.95

1 bag Kettle Chips – $1.57

1 loaf Bread – $0.97

2 Seedless Cucumbers – $0.89 each

1 Strawberries – $2.29

Total: $45.93

Harris Teeter

2 boxes Chloe’s Fruit Pops – $2.99 each, used 2 $1/1 printable AND 2 $1/1 Ibotta rebates – $0.99 each after coupons and cash back

2 Chobani Yogurts – $0.87 each, used $1.25/2 Ibotta rebate – 2/$0.49 after rebate

1 Simple Truth Yogurts – Marked down to $1.79

2 Clio Greek Yogurt Bars – $1 each, used $1/2 Ibotta rebate – $0.50 each after rebates

5 Ragu Pasta Sauce – $0.99, used 5 $0.75/1 Ibotta rebates – $0.24 each after rebates

1 pkg Pork Steaks – Marked down to $1.58 (I’ll freeze this to use in the future.)

1 pkg Ground Turkey – Marked down to $4.99 (I’ll be freezing this and combining it with ground beef for casseroles and soups.)

1 pkg Ground Chuck – $6.76

1 pkg Sirloin Tip – Marked down to $2.96 (I’ll freeze this to use in the future.)

1 pkg Strawberries – $2.74

2.16 lbs Bananas – $0.84

1 dozen Nellie’s Free Range Eggs – $2.99, used $1/1 printable – $1.99 after coupon

Received $3 Ibotta rebate for redeeming rebates midweek

Total after coupons and rebates: $25.32

Target

2 boxes Kraft Mac & Cheese – $1.49 each, used 2 $0.35/1 Ibotta rebate – $1.14 each after rebate (Best price I could find on Kraft Mac & Cheese this week.)

2 pkgs Tyson Chicken Breast – Marked down to $4.56 and $4.19

1 Good & Gather Yogurt Dip – $4.49, used Free Circle coupon – Free after coupon

Total after rebate: $9.89

Total for all groceries: $81.14

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Cereal, Eggs, Bagels, Banana Muffins, Fruit, Yogurt

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches/Carrot Sticks/Grapes x 2, Turkey Sandwiches/Chips/Cucumbers x 2, Mac & Cheese/Grapes, Leftovers

Dinners

Ground Beef & Gravy over Noodles, Steamed Broccoli, Sliced Apples

Taco Bar, Banana Muffins (using up old bananas)

Spaghetti, Biscuits, Tossed Salad

Pancakes, Eggs, Fruit Salad

Pizza, Breadsticks, Tossed Salad

Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls, Green Beans

Leftovers