Homemade Chicken Quesadillas & Hot Salsa

Quesadillas are hands down one of mine & my husband's favorite foods.  But of course, cutting back on our grocery portion of our budget isn't going to allow us to splurge to go eat mexican anymore.  So this week, I got a rotisserie chicken to stretch out over two meals for us (I will also add that this was SUPER easy to make). I decided to try my hand at making homemade quesadillas.  I SUCCEEDED! My hubby loved these more than our local mexican restaurants! And it runs roughly $10 to make 6 of them =)

To make them, I used::

1-1/2 lbs rotisserie chicken
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tomato, diced
1 onion, diced
1  16 oz tub of goat cheese 
Flour Tortillas

Start by dicing all of your veggies.  Then put them in a frying pan with some EVOO on medium high heat to saute.  While your veggies are on, tear your rotisserie chicken & heat up your goat cheese.  When your veggies are done, make a thin layer of them across your tortilla.  Then make a layer of chicken on top.  And then add your cheese.  I also choose to pour cheese on top of my tortilla once i've folded it up (My name is Amanda & I'm a cheese addict.) Then enjoy ;)

I also made my hubby a tub of homemade hot salsa as an added bonus!

To make my salsa, I use::

1  12 oz jar of hot jalapeno slices, not pickled!

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp cumin

1 onion, diced

1 tbsp garlic

Add all of these in your blender, mix & enjoy ;)

I Will Save Money.

So this year I've decided to set a pretty tight budget.  I want to have our finances under control and not to go spend just because we've had it.  Also, doing this will allow for some date nights, which we all know are essential. 

I've heard amazing things about the cash envelope system.  I'm in the process of getting my envelopes together.  I've written all of our expenses down.  IF we end up sticking to this budget or going below it, Christmas will be paid in cash that we've saved.  AND, we will also have a chunk to put back for our new home (or hopefully we will be in it by then!!)

Again, I'm hoping this won't be a NY resolution I think I can do and give up on immediately.  But so far, i've stuck to my grocery budget for the week.  And hopefully, with the help of coupons, I'll start going WAY below it.  

Anyways I'll keep you updated ;)

Resolutions.

So, I know just off the title alone, that the post is probably expected to be something I won't live up to.  I have made lists of resolutions year after year & given them up within the first week of the year.  This year is different, I have several reasons for wanting to stick to these.  I'll list them with the resolution.  And of course, I plan to blog on it ALL year.  

1) I plan to blog WAY more.  

Maybe daily.  I love interacting with mommies and getting and giving advice.  SO nice to see how we do things alike, and how we do them differently as well.  Also, I HOPE to eventually turn my blogging into writing & hopefully into an income.  My hopes are high but I have faith in myself.

2) I plan to stick to a strict budget.  

My hubby & I are trying to sell our current home & build our dream home.  I hope to be able to make these numbers work and make my Pinterest board for my home a reality!

3) I plan to coupon WAY MORE.  

As in, I hope to blog shortly with a grocery trip that I've saved 75% or more on.  Eventually I would love to ONLY be buying meat and things coupons aren't available on for my household.  Wiping that bill out of our budget or slashing it will make a tremendous difference for this household of 4.

4) I AM getting in shape.

Like right now.  I had surgery, as you know, December 2nd.  I go back to the doctor about my hernia January 7th.  I'm hoping that IF I need surgery, I can bounce back quickly.  I'm ready to be lifting weights and squatting with weight again.  

5) I plan to run my first 5K.

Today, I decided I felt well enough to add the C25K app on my iPhone again.  I started it and my legs feel just a tad like Jell-O.  Taking time off from running was silly, but necessary with all of my health issues.  As soon as I have a release from my doctors, I plan to train & make this a reality before the year is through.

6) I will attend my first (and hopefully not last) home school convention.

It's in March & it's right here at home.  I'm SO excited.  We have made HUGE progress since August and I'm hoping to continue homeschooling my babies until they reach college.  This year we picked from a few simple curriculums, but i'm hoping to find one I'd like to commit to =) Any suggestions ARE welcome ladies ;)

7) I Plan to be more organized.

Seriously, this is starting with my kids' room.  My cabinet for the kids' school is a mess however.  January 1st is a great time to start.

8) I want to stop hoarding stuff I don't use or won't need.

Craigslist, eBay, FB, yard sales.  It's going down.

These are just a few.  I have a few I'd like to keep to myself and work on without a soul knowing.  I'm just hoping I will stick to a few of these and be able to have something to show for it when December 31st 2014 rolls around ;)

Couponing on a Manic Monday

BEST Trip so far with coupons.  I had $5.50 in ECB.  And a recent addiction to Snickers Peanut Butter.  So I got 3 of the 4-go packs (Regular $1.87 each) for $0.11 today!!  My personal best since I really started couponing back in May. 

Then I managed to get a very decent haul from Bilo as well.

I Got::

4- 6 Packs of Ensure (Reg. Price: $35.96 for all 4 packs; Sale Price: $29.96; Price After Coupons: $23.96)

3 Packs of Little Debbie Santa Brownies (Reg. Price: $5.37 for all 3 boxes; Sale Price: $5.00)

10 Cans Paws Puppy Food (Sale Price for all cans: $7.00)

1 44 Count Pack Pampers Easy Ups & 1 Box Size 5 Luvs Diapers
       -Reg. Price Per Box: $16.97 
       -Sale Price Per Box: $14.97
       -Coupons: $2.00 Bilo Catalina off Easy Ups
                          $2.00 Bilo Catalina off Luvs
                          $10.00 Publix Coupon off 2 packs of Luvs or Pampers
       -Price After Coupons For Both Boxes: $15.94

3 Packs Pillsbury Crescents 

1 Jar Mama Mary's Pizza Sauce

1 Pack Southern Home Italian Shredded Cheese

Regular Price Before Coupons & Savings: $96.03
My Savings: $31.69
Total After Tax: $66.68

I was very pleased with my trips today.  I hope to eventually be a "crazy coupon lady".  I am NOWHERE near where I want to be still.  Most of my couponing has been put on hold since we moved 3 months ago.  Hoping soon to be able to get free groceries for us and my parents as well.  I'll keep you updated!

       

We LOVE Free!!

Okay, If you haven't joined Kellogg's Family Rewards, do it NOW!!  

As a mommy of 2 (with a husband who craves sweets as much as the kids do), we have to keep sweet, sugary cereal in the house.  Pops, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, etc.  Well about a month and a half ago I saw on certain boxes of the above listed cereals a promotion for Monsters University.  You enter your Kellogg's Family Rewards codes in and after 4 codes (4 boxes) get a free Mike pillowcase.  You could also enter codes for downloads & movie tickets.  

Today, my son's pillowcase came in and was FAR beyond what I expected.  I figured it would be a regular fabric pillowcase.  Nope.

SUPER soft, SUPER comfy & Plush.  AMAZING deal and I was buying these cereals weekly regardless of any promotions that came with the boxes.  

Again, if you haven't joined, this is just one of the few perks! We get all sorts of freebies from our rewards programs.  And chances are, if you're a mommy, you'll want to snatch up every freebie you can!  

Back To Couponing!!

Okay so i'm a tad behind.  Crazy busy with moving, church, etc and i've procrastinated a tad on blogging.  So now that I've been able to print & clip coupons again rather than clipping alone, I've started saving a ton as well.  Not to mention, Publix sent out their booklets for the month of August!  So here's what I snagged this past week at Bi-Lo.

2 Boxes of Size 4 Luvs
 Reg. Price per box: $16.97; Sale Price per box: $14.97
1 Publix Coupon: $10 off 2 boxes of Luvs or Pampers
Final Price for both boxes: $19.94

2 Boxes of Poptarts 
Reg. Price for per box: $2.48; Sale Price per box: $1.66
2 Target Coupons for $.50 off each box
Final Price for both boxes: $2.32

1 Bottle of Vegetable Oil
Reg. Price: $4.49; Sale Price: $2.50
No Coupons =( Final Price: $2.50

2 Boxes Kellogg's Fruit Gummies
Reg. Price per box: $2.99; Sale Price: $1.99
1 Target Coupon for $.50 off one box
Final Price for both boxes: $3.48

1 Jumbo Pack Dora Pampers Easyups (Since my 20 month old insists on potty training 
already)
Full Price: $10.88
1 MFR Coupon for $1.50 off one pack
Final Price: $9.38

& I donated $1.00 to Operation Care

The fact that I got a buggy of groceries that SHOULD have costed $61.25 for $32.62 with tax makes me a FIRM believer that couponing is an art, not a waste of time.  Which i'm told quite often when i'm walking through a store with my huge binder.  But I know the truth ;)

Thanks again for reading!

Will Work For Ink Cartridges!

And another trip without ink cartridges to print my own coupons.  This is slightly sickening.  I'm not much a fan of spending $80 a week in groceries.  Picking my own coupons according to sales and what we actually need had my bill around $40-$50.  I'd eventually like to get my monthly grocery/take-out bill down to $100-$150 a month TOPS!  The fact that one lady on Extreme Couponing spent a whopping $6 for a month's worth of groceries to feed her family of 6 baffles me.  I'm not on that level, but I want to be.   

Anyhow, I did my grocery trip this past week with the coupons that I had clipped, received from Bi-Lo, and still had left in my binder after printing.  I broke my buggy down into two transactions of $50 or more to save an extra $10.  Also this week (at Bi-Lo), if you spent $25 or more in P & G products, you got an extra $0.25 in FuelPerks.  I filled my 19.2 gallon tank in my SUV up for $39.01 after this trip!

Transaction #1::
Mueller's Lasagna & Jumbo Shell Pasta 
2-6 packs Hershey's w/ Almonds candy bars 
HMB Buns
5 Packets of Kool-Aid 
Mr. Clean
2 Bottles of Liquid Tide (P & G Products)
2-3 Pack Packages of Pampers Wipes ( P & G Products)
4 Count Ivory Soap Bars (P & G Product)
Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Kraft Cheddar Shredded Cheese
Digiorno Pizza
3.88 Lb Pack of Ground Chuck
Head of Lettuce
Vidalia Onion

Subtotal Before Savings:: $88.17
My Savings (Including Coupons):: $33.29
Subtotal After Savings:: $54.88
Tax:: $1.81
Final Total:: $56.69


Transaction #2::

2 cans Manwich
1 jar Ragu spaghetti sauce
1 can Dinty Moore Beef Stew
1 box Apple Jacks
1 box Corn Pops
3 cans Bush's Baked Beans (Ibotta**: $0.50 back)
1 canister of Kool-Aid
1 can Chicken Broth
Mentos Gum (Kids can't resist it at checkout)
Mane & Tail Shampoo
Playtex Sport 18 ct Tampons (FREE**In Mail Coupon)
Kraft Italian Shredded Cheese
Bird's Eye Asian Veggies Steamfresh

Subtotal Before Savings:: $49.19
My Savings:: $19.72
Subtotal After Savings:: $29.47
Tax:: $0.67
Final Total:: $30.14


**Ibotta Coupon App available on Apple devices.  Certain offers & bonuses are available at certain times.  To redeem the offer, you simply scan barcodes & take a picture of your receipt & this money goes can be transferred to your PayPal account (and is NOT taxed!).  HIGHLY recommended for anyone who is looking to save the most money possible.

Ink Cartridges are being bought TODAY, Thank Goodness! Again, not my best trip, and hopefully soon i'll have a good enough trip to include a breakdown of how cheap I got things, or more free things!

Thanks again for reading!

No Ink Cartridges Still...BUT Awesome Luvs Diaper Deal!!

So it's finally starting to get under my skin that I don't have any ink left in my printer to print off coupons.  And the fact that I can save coupons to my loyalty cards keeps slipping my mind.  However, I did score some awesome deals this week.  

I will tell any parent who is tired of paying out ridiculous amounts on Luvs & Pampers diapers, sign up for Publix coupons, Publix Baby Club, and P & G coupons.  ALSO for stockingspree.com.  I get their seasonal booklets with up to $40 in coupons and in about every other booklet, they have a coupon for $10 off any 2 boxes of Luvs or Pampers diapers.  AWESOME Deal!  And for anybody who doesn't have a Publix nearby, Bi-Lo (my regular store) accepts competitor's coupons.

Okay, so onto my deals for this week::

2 Boxes of Luvs Size 4 Diapers 
    *Regular Price per box: $19.99
    *Sale Price per box: $17.99
    *Publix Coupon $10 off any 2 boxes of Luvs or Pampers diapers
    *Final Price for both boxes: $25.98
Febreeze Air Effects
    *Regular Price: $3.29
    *Sale Price: $1.97
    *MFR Coupon: $1.50 off any one
    *Final Price: $0.47
2 Bottles Palmolive Soft Touch Hand Soap
    *Regular Price per bottle: $3.99
    *Sale Price per bottle: $2.50
    *MFR coupon for $1/2 bottles
    *Final price per bottle: $2.00

Okay so i got a TON of stuff i had to pay full price or sale price for this week.  But my total before savings was $117.83 and I still have my $10 off any $50 purchase so I still managed to save $46.64 between sales and the 4 coupons I had.  Still getting the hang & will hopefully have a better list and total next time =)

This Week's Couponing Trip

So I'm a tad bit behind this week.  I made a trip to do my couponing on Monday but I've just now got around to doing this.  I got a few freebies this week.  I'm trying to apply a few more of the tips I've learned about Bi-Lo's couponing policies to my shopping there.  Anyways, here goes::

Transaction #1
*Hawaiian Punch Aloha Morning Berry 1 gallon 
       *Reg Price: $2.50
        *Sale Price: $2.00
          *Target Coupon For $1.00 
            MFR Coupon: $1.10
           *Final Price: FREE
*3 Boxes Poptarts 
        *Reg Price For All Boxes: $7.44
         *Sale Price For All Boxes: $6.00
          *2 Bilo Catalinas For $1.00 off
           *Final Price: $4.00 for 3 Boxes, One Box FREE
*4 Boxes Kellogg's Fruit Gummies
        *Reg Price For All Boxes: $11.96
          *Sale Price For All Boxes: $10.00
            *Target Coupon For $1.00 off 3 boxes
              *Final Price: $9.00 for 4 boxes
*2 12 Packs of Cottonelle Toilet Paper & 1 Tub Cottonelle Flushable Wipes
          *Reg Price For Both Packs TP: $19.96
            *Sale Price For Both Packs TP: $12.00
              *Reg Price For Tub of Wipes: $2.77 (Not on Sale)
                *Price for 2 Packs TP & Tub of Wipes: $14.77
                *Coupons: $1.50 MFR for 12 pack & tub of wipes 
                                   $0.50 MFR TP
                                   $0.50 MFR Wipes
                                   $1.00 Ingles Catalina off TP
                                   $1.00 Bilo Catalina off TP 
                 *Final Price on TP & Wipes: $10.27
*Pampers 212 Count Wipes
            *Reg Price: $7.58
              *Sale Price: $6.38
               *MFR Coupon: $2.00
                 *Final Price: $4.38
*4 Boxes 12 Count Go-Gurt          
             *Reg Price For All: $11.96 (Not on Sale)
              *2 MFR Coupons For $0.75
               *Final Price: $10.46
*DiGiorno Rising Crust Pizza
             *Reg Price: $7.38
              *Sale Price: $5.00
                *MFR Coupon $1.50
                  Target Coupon $0.50
                 *Final Price: $3.50
*1 lb Ground Turkey
              *Reg Price: $4.79
                *Sale & Final Price: $3.99
*2 packs Oscar Meyer Turkey Weenies
              *Reg Price for both: $10.78
                *Sale Price for both: $7.98
                  *2 Target Coupons for $0.75
*Bi-Lo Coupon For $10.00 off $50.00 purchase

*Subtotal Before Savings: $87.12
*My Savings: $48.89
*Subtotal After Savings:  $38.23
*Tax: $1.18
*Paid: $39.41

Transaction #2
*3  8 oz bottles Kraft Salad Dressing
             *Reg Price per bottle: $2.09
              *Sale & Final Price per bottle: $1.00
*Ruffles Potato Chips
             *Reg Price: $4.29 
               *Sale & Final Price: $2.50
*Hot Dog Buns
             *Reg & Final Price: $0.99
*3 Cans Dinty Moore Beef Stew
             *Reg Price per can: $2.99
              *Sale & Final Price per can: $2.50
*1 box Corn Pops & Froot Loops Cereal BOGO
             *Reg Price per box: $4.44
                *Sale & Final Price per box: $2.22]
*2 Packs Mentos Gum
             *Reg Price for both: $3.16
               *Sale & Final  Price for both: $1.00
*Febreeze Air Effects
              *Reg Price: $3.29
               *Sale Price: $3.00
                *MFR Coupon $1.50
                 *Final Price: $1.50
*8 Cups Chobani Yogurt
              *Reg Price per cup: $2.78 
               *Sale Price per cup: $1.00 
*Broccoli Crowns
              *Reg Price: $2.34
              *Sale & Final Price: 0.93
*2 Zucchini
               *Reg Price: $1.73
                 *Sale & Final Price: $1.12
*2 Squash
               *Reg Price: $1.81
                *Sale Price: $1.17
*Bi-Lo Coupon for $5.00 off $35.00 purchase

*Subtotal Before Savings: $52.70
*My Savings: $24.21
*Subtotal After Savings: $28.49
*Tax: $.18
*Paid: $28.67

     

$139.82 of Groceries for $68.08

              

Extreme Couponing Deals For The Week

So this week I didn't have the absolute cheapest trip ( I HAD to take advantage of the deals on ground beef) ever but i saved a TON still.  I got several things for half price or close.  I've also learned recently a trick to couponing at Bi-Lo & saving a little extra cash.  When they have BOGO sales, if you look at your receipt, they're still charging you for both items.  However, they only charge you for half the price of one per item.  So, my example is Mt. Olive Pickles.  Regular Price $3.49.  My receipt shows the price I pay is $1.74 per jar on BOGO (Which you have to pay close attention, different variations may not be tagged as BOGO but still be included in the sale).  So since you are being charged for both items still, you can use coupons on both items to reduce the price you end up paying.  Just learned this one & thought I'd share ;)

Okay, so on to my transaction.  Please keep in mind, I SHOULD have broken it down into two transactions.  I had two of the SUPER saver Bi-Lo coupons from the mail.  However, I had two rowdy children in a racecar buggy and forgot to break it down until she had begun scanning.  Note to self for future trips: Be More Patient, Save More $$$$!!

*Mt. Olive Mini Stuffers Hamburger Dill Pickle Slices (the BEST pickles, by the way) 

     -Regular Price: $3.49    
     -Sale Price on BOGO (again, NOT labeled so I didn't know to grab more jars): $1.74
     -No Coupons
*Colors Goldfish
     -Regular Price: $2.49
     -Sale Price: $1.98
     -No Coupons
*Betty Crocker Gummies (2 boxes)
     -Regular Price per box: $2.89
     -Sale Price per box: $1.99
     -No coupons
*Kraft Salad Dressing 16 oz Bottles (2 bottles)
     -Regular Price per bottle: $4.59 
     -Sale Price per bottle: $3.00
     -Target Coupon: $1.00 off 2 16 oz bottles
     -Final Price: $5.00 for both bottles
*Mueller's Jumbo Shells Pasta 12 oz box
     -Regular Price: $2.29
     -Sale Price: $1.89
     -MFR Coupon: $0.55 off one box
     -Final Price: $1.34
*Mueller's Bowtie Pasta & Rotini ( 1 box per variation)
    -Regular Price per box: $1.88 
    -Sale Price per box: $0.94
    -MFR Coupon: $0.55 off each box
    -Final Price: $0.39 per box
*Mueller's Spaghetti & Elbows (1 box per variation)
    -Regular Price per box: $1.79 
    -Sale Price per box: $0.89
    -MFR Coupon: $0.55 off each box
    -Final Price: $0.34 per box
*2 Cans Dinty Moore Beef Stew
    -Regular Price per can: $2.99
    -No Coupons
*2 Bags M & M's
    -Regular Price per bag: $0.99 
    -Sale Price per bag: $0.49
    -No Coupons
 *3 Milky Way Candy Bars
    -Regular Price per bar: $0.99 
    -Sale Price per bar: $0.49
    -No Coupons
*3- 3 Musketeers Candy Bars
    -Regular Price per bar: $0.99
    -Sale Price per bar: $0.49
    -No coupons
*2 Packs Ritz Crackers (BOGO)
   -Regular Price per box: $3.99
   -Sale Price per box: $1.99
   -Bi-Lo Catalina: $1.00 off any cookie or cracker purchase
   -Final Price: $1.99 for one box, $0.99 for the other
*2 Bottles of A1 Steak Sauce (BOGO)
   -Regular Price per bottle: $4.49
   -Sale Price per bottle: $2.24
   -Coupons.com MFR Coupon: $0.55 off one bottle (2 Coupons)
   -Final Price: $1.69 per bottle
*2 Packs Arnold Sandwich Thins Bread (BOGO)
   -Regular price per pack: $3.89
   -Sale Price per pack: $1.94
   -No Coupons
*5 Cans Starkist Tuna 
   -Regular Price per can: $1.09
   -Sale Price per can: $1.00
   -No Coupons
*Cocoa Pebbles
   -Regular Price: $3.45
   -Sale Price: $1.85
   -IBotta Offer Redeemed: $0.50
*Huggies Big Pack Size 4, 60 Count & Huggies Wipes Tub, 64 Count
   -Regular Price for diapers: $20.98
   -Regular Price for wipes: $3.28
   -Regular Price for both: $24.26
   -Sale Price for diapers: $19.99
   -Sale Price for wipes: $2.50
   -Total Sale Price: $22.49
   -Target Coupon: $1.50 WYB 1 Big Pack Huggies Diapers & 1 Pack Huggies Wipes
   -Food Lion Catalina: $4.00 off WYB 1 Box Huggies Diapers & 1 Pack Huggies Wipes
   -MFR Coupon: $1.00 Huggies Big Pack Diapers
   -MFR Coupon: $0.50 Huggies Wipes
   -Price for both after coupons: $15.49
*Brita 3 Pack Replacement Water Filters
   -Regular Price: $29.99
   -Sale Price: $19.99
   -$3.00 MFR Coupon
   -Final Price: $16.99
*2 Packs Ensure
   -Regular Price per pack:$8.99
   -$1.25 MFR Coupon (2 coupons)
   -Final Price per pack: $7.74
*2 Tubs Cool Whip (BOGO)
   -Regular Price per tub: $2.00
   -Sale Price per tub: $1.00
   -No coupons
*3.40 lbs Ground Chuck
   -Regular Price for pack: $13.91
   -Sale Price for pack: $8.47

Subtotal Before Savings: $168.25
My Savings & Coupons: $81.58
Subtotal After Savings: $86.67
Tax: $2.52
Final Total: $89.19

Again, not my best trip.  Not my goal trip.  But I saved a good bit this past trip.  I hope to remember to be more attentive & patient my next trip & have a much lower total for my next post.  Our goal is to get our household budget for groceries and fast food consumption to about $250.00 or less (i'd prefer MUCH less) a month.  We have been around $500.00 a month in the past, so we've made an improvement so far.  

I look forward to ridiculous trips where I get freebies and moneymakers in the future ;)