Frugal Friday, Organic Milk

Our one year old son recently made the transition from breast milk to cows milk. We try to buy organic milk for him, and have found Horizon to be a great choice.

The 1 gallon container costs almost $6.00--not so frugal. In an attempt to make this a more frugal choice I sought out coupons.

Click here: http://www.horizonorganic.com/coupons/index.php

All you have to do is sign up for the e-mail list, and you'll receive a link to print coupons! Easy!

What are your favorite not so frugal brands? Are you able to locate coupons for those brands?

Find more Frugal Tips at http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/.

Great Idea--Family Interviews!

I love reading all the creative ideas from fellow bloggers.

One of my favorite blogs posted a great idea--it won't work for Baby Koala this year unless I answer all the questions, but wanted to share it for all of you out there with older kiddos.

I'd love to hear about/read about their answers if you try this idea!

Here is Rachel's post at Small Notebook:

http://smallnotebook.org/2009/01/21/family-interviews-for-fun/

The idea was originally found here at Let's Explore:

http://lets-explore.typepad.com/weblog/2009/01/new-years-interviews.html

Do you have any fun traditions like this?

Frugal Recipes

I wanted to share a couple of recipes I've tried recently--we were pleased with the results.

I found the links to the recipes at Gayle's great site, The Grocery Cart Challenge. She details how she feeds her family of 6 on $60.00 a week.

Check out her site here: http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/

Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole, extremely affordable--ingredients and directions here:

http://www.recipezaar.com/Brown-Rice-and-Lentil-Casserole-74629

German Pancake Recipe, easy and affordable--top with syrup, jelly, or honey:

http://www.recipezaar.com/German-Pancake-16659

Here are a couple I'd like to try:

Rosemary White Beans

http://www.recipezaar.com/Rosemary-White-Beans-14410

Lentils, garlic and tomatoes

http://www.recipezaar.com/Lentils-garlic-and-tomatoes-16666

What are your favorite frugal recipes?

Target Clearance Finds

Have you stopped by Target lately? Most departments have 75% off clearance!

I was too late for the toy clearance, but found a few clothing items for Baby Koala.

Thomas the Train onesie 1.75
Zip up Sweat Shirt for next year 2.80
Dress Shoes 3.74
Tennis Shoes 4.50
PJs 3.75

I also found a maternity jacket for under 5.00.

Did you find any deals?

Check out this post at Money Saving Methods--incredible!

http://moneysavingmethods.blogspot.com/2009/01/sale-shopping-success-saved-over-1200.html

Dave, Here We Come!

This year, I asked for an experience type present for Christmas--and my hubby delivered.

I attended FPU late last year with my niece, and was wishing for tickets to see Dave Ramsey Live--wish granted, and we (me, hubby, and niece) will be in the San Antonio audience on January 31st!

I can't wait to learn more!

Menu Plan Monday, 1/19/09

We keep lunches simple around here, so I'll post the dinner plans.

My goal is to use what we already have, to make this week's grocery budget under $30.00.

Monday: Fish Fillets and Mixed Veggies (from the freezer)

Tuesday: Dinner @ Mom's house

Wednesday: Pork Chops (from the freezer) and Fried Potatoes

Thursday: Baked Potato Soup

Friday: Rotisserie Chicken Tacos, Tortillas, Avacado, Pico de Gallo

Saturday: Chicken (from the Rotisserie Chicken) and Rice Soup

Sunday: Leftovers

To purchase:

Bag of Potatoes 3.00

Cheese 2.50

Green Onions .75

Rotisserie Chicken 7.00

Tortillas 2.50

Avacados 1.50

Pico de Gallo 1.99

Estimated Total: 19.24

(Almost) Free Chocolate

I love chocolate, and it tastes even better when it is almost free.

Make a trip to Walgreens this week and grab some Mauna Loa Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts for .50 a bag! These bags are usually over $4.00.

Check out the details from Mercedes @ Common Sense with Money:

http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/01/the-best-of-walgreens-118-124/

Renew My Strength

The past couple of months have brought many ups and downs...

the highest up? Finding out we are having baby #2!

the lowest down? Losing my husband's Grandma last week.

Through it all the deal seeking/couponing, thrifty ways have gone out the window.

I'm ready to get back on track!

By NOT deal seeking I've definitely seen the impact to my bank account. It is truly amazing how much can be saved by meal planning, cooking at home, CVSing, and coupon clipping.

I'm tired, but ready to renew my strength...

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 31

On a fun note--I won a great giveaway at pennypinchingdiva.com! If you have not checked out Shynea's site, you are missing out. Head on over to find great deals.

http://www.pennypinchingdiva.com/

Frugal Friday, Cable Alternative

My Frugal Friday tip this week is Hulu.com. We don't have cable (too expensive), and that means we don't get even the "regular" channels in our area.

We watch movies, and now we can watch TV shows courtesy of hulu.com--for FREE!

Hulu.com has a wide variety of shows, and has recently added one of my favorites: Dave Ramsey.

Need more Frugal tips? Head on over to www.bibilicalwomanhood.com.

Menu Plan Monday, Rotisserie Chicken

We are stretching the rotisserie chicken this week for salads and soups. Here's the plan:

Lunches
Cilantro Chicken Salad/Crackers
Curry Chicken Salad/Crackers
Out for Koala's 1st birthday
PB&J/apples
Leftovers

Dinners
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and Rice Soup
Pizza for Koala's 1st birthday
Chicken Wings/Veggies
Dinner at Mom's house

What's on your menu? Need ideas? Check out orgjunkie.com.

Farewell Size 8!

A couple of months ago I was thrilled to buy a pair of size 8 jeans--that fit, perfectly.

You see, normally I'm a size 10 or 12--and post pregnancy, let's just say much larger.

Thanks to breastfeeding and a milk free diet (due to baby Koala's milk sensitivity), I was back in single digit sizes. I can't recall when I was single digit sizes prior to this perfect pair of size 8 jeans.

Did you notice I said was?

It's official, I'm back in the double digits again. That was short lived, huh?

Yes, but I have a good reason (or maybe one not so good reason, and one really good reason). I reintroduced milk to baby Koala through my diet--he tolerates it now (yay)! I am eating milk products, and my body is not loving it. I weaned baby Koala last week, so I'm not burning the extra calories any more (darn)!

That said, I think I'll blame the double digits on the really good reason--baby Koala is going to be a brother.

We are expecting around August/September-ish (I have the ultrasound this week to determine the due date).

This helps me understand why I've been too tired to coupon, deal hunt, and yes even blog.

I'm trying to scrounge up the energy to get motivated to do all of those things again. For me, the most severe 1st trimester symptom is extreme exhaustion--last time we found out the cause was anemia.

We are excited to welcome in the new year with the news of this blessing!

Oh, and size 8? I hope to see you again in around 18 months...