No Budget tracking for December

Well, if it hasn't happened by now, there is probably no point in starting. I was planning on posting how I spend the grocery budget like every other month, but I just isn't going to happen.

I really haven't been spending too much this month. I think about $20 so far this month. Jason has gotten most of it for my on his way home, basically when we need something extra to add for supper.

I haven't been going out much simply because it's hard to take Noah out alone with my pulled muscle. It really hasn't been so bad. I've enjoyed watching the snow fall because I haven't needed to be out in it and it's helped me think of using up my stockpile instead of adding to it so fervently.

I've pulled a few things out of the freezer, which is great because I need to use those things instead of let them become freezer burned. We also had a lot of fruit and produce in the fridge that came in a gift basket we received from church. We also haven't needed to buy milk due to the generous gift of MANY free milk coupons from Vicki Oldfather. Between the few coupons I had and all the ones she gave me we haven't had to buy milk all month. There are still 4 gallons in the fridge. Looking at the dates they should last through the end of the month.

My goal for the rest of the month is to figure out what I have in both freezers and start using it. I'm hoping to get a list made up of what types of meat I have and then start using it. I tend to leave things in the freeze for too long and then it doesn't always taste good. I want to make sure that I don't end up saving it for so long that I end up wasting it and the money that I spent on it. I'm hoping for a good response to the post about menu ideas so I'll have some fresh ideas of what to make with the food in the freezer.

Menu Ideas

I'm feeling very uncreative lately. It seems like I make the same few things over and over again. I was thinking it might be fun to have send out a call for new frugal recipes. What kinds of inexpensive dishes do you make for your family? Anyone willing to share one or two?

It could be anything you like, breakfast, dinner, snacks or desert. You can do a whole meal or just a dish. It's always fun to see what a dish will cost so you could add in approximate prices, but it's not necessary.


My thought is that you could either email them or just leave them as a comment here on the blog. I'll make a post with them so that everyone can see and get some new ideas.

I know for me, I only think about making specific dishes from certain ingredients. I know there is much more that I could be doing with my stockpile, but I just don't have the creativity most days. Hopefully some of you will share with me and add a little extra spice to my life and cooking.

A Couple of more IPs

Not sure how many there will be for this post, but there was one in my email so I thought that I would make up a new post.

$1/2 Philadelphia cream cheese

$1/1 Coffee-Mate

$2/1 Robitussin

$1/2 Any Pillsbury products. (haven't printed yet, but that's what the coupon description on SD said.)

$10/$20 at Officemax

Free $5 at Davanni's for completeing their online survey

I was going through my junk mail this evening and found this months email from Davanni's pizza. Every couple of months they offer a free personal pizza or $5 off anything coupon for taking a survey.

This month they have a survey about online ordering with a few other questions thrown in. I think it is 25 questions long. It took about 5 minutes to complete. At the end they ask for your address and will mail out a $5 off postcard.

Here is the link to their monthly newsletter. The surveys are usually located here. They also have an email sign-up if you are interested so that you never miss out on the coupons. Davanni's Insider

Check out their online menu to see what types of things you can get with your $5. I think subs are around $5. I usually get a personal pizza for just over the $5 mark. I also tend to do take out instead of eating in with the family and spending a lot more then the $5.

I think the survey is one per computer, but I'm not sure. I used to be able to go through my email and Jason's to complete a survey for each of us, but last time it didn't let me. I'll have Jason try at work on Monday and report back how it goes.

$5 RR at Walgreens up for grabs

I have a $5 RR that expires tonight 12-20-08. I've already been out today and come home and don't really want to go out any more so I am offering it up to those in town who would want to come get it.

The snow on the sidewalk is just too deep for me and being Jason isn't home to dig me out I'd rather let someone else have it then just let it go to waste.

There are some good deals this week, especially if you get a free $5 off. Give me a call if your interested. I put it up on facebook also, but not really sure if anyone will take it or not.