My Provider

I practice stockpile moderation. For *me* the desire to have more, more, more, becomes overwhelming at times. Envy and even jealousy can rear their ugly heads. For me it has become a spiritual discipline to not spend/get something just because I *can* if I already have plenty. Do I really need another body wash when I have 15 already? Do I know someone who needs it? Will I even actually give it away, or will it just be stockpiled with good intentions? These are questions I have to ask myself. Sometimes I do get anxious about skipping good deals, "what if I can't get it again? what if I will have to actually go without for while?" But *I* have to remind myself that the Lord has always provided for my family in the past, we have never gone hungry, had dirty clothes, or had body odor. :) He is/and does continue to provide for us, I don't need to get worried, if I miss the good deal or choose to skip a good deal. Yes, using coupons is being wise, stockpiling is also being wise, but *I* have to remind myself that it is always the Lord who is ultimately providing.

Image from lanitaslegacy.blogspot.com/2010/09/jehovah-jireh.html

Money Saving Meal

Tonight we had chicken tacos/fajitas

chicken .77¢ pound

green bell pepper .50¢

taco shells .60¢

cheese .99¢

salsa free

torillias free

sour cream free

onion forgot price

Leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Menu planning

By shopping sales *and* combining/using coupons I have a small stockpile started. My menus are based around what I have in my stockpile and what is on sale.

*Beef Lo Mein- sale $3.00

*Chopped chicken BBQ sandwiches-chicken .77¢ pound, KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce .78¢

*Homemade pizza

*Hamburgers-extra lean ground beef sale $2.88 pound + it was marked down an additional $3.00 per package since it was 9pm.

*Buffalo Chicken Lasagna-Bella's birthday supper-chicken .77¢ pound, Franks Hot Wing sauce used 1/.55¢ got it for $2.33. ( Not a super good price, but it is for Bella's birthday supper.) Spaghetti sauce from my stockpile.

Mother's Day!

My husband cooked breakfast for me, and then my family made dinner. Bella gave me a pedicure and Emilie brushed my hair. Very nice to be pampered. I'm so blessed with a wonderful family!

Taco Rice

This is an excellent way to stretch ground meat for tacos, burritos, nachos or taco salad.

1 pound ground meat ( beef, *chicken or turkey)

1 cup diced onion

1 package taco seasoning

16 oz canned tomatoes

2 cups cooked rice, brown or white

Brown meat and drain. Combine meat, onion, seasoning, rice and tomatoes in saucepan, simmer until thick, about 30 minutes.

Use anywhere you would use taco meat.

*I've also made this with cooked shredded chicken too.

Yearly grocery sales cycles

January- diet foods, super bowl snack foods, oatmeal, chili, soups, soda

February- canned food, hot foods such as waffles and oatmeal, dog food, chocolate, Chinese food

March-frozen food: dinners, waffles, ice cream, veggies, etc. Easter items go on sale too depending on when the holiday falls such as eggs ham, etc.

April- other years you’ll get your Easter items here: eggs, ham, candy, sugar, cookies, Jewish foods, also Earth Day promotions for organic foods.

May- Summer kickoff begins: BBQ items, hot dogs, hamburger, condiments, produce, grilling items such as charcoal, outdoor items such as sunscreen & allergy meds.

June- National Dairy Month: milk eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Father’s Day promotions including BBQ items, grilling meats

July- even better BBQ sales: grilling meats condiments, chips, bread products, produce, ice cream, baked beans etc.

August- Back to School: breakfast bars, cereals, Kellogg’s promotions, Lunchables, juice boxes, snack items, peanut butter, jelly, and school supplies, many years ago (like 24) I worked at Walmart and feminine hygiene products seemed to be a back to school item, double packs. Along with make-up & deodorant, and shampoo

September- back to school continues: pasta, pasta sauce, tomatoes, and baby items such as diapers, creams, feeding products, etc.

October- Candy chocolate, pumpkins, and fall baking items.

November- Thanksgiving items: turkeys, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pies, and marshmallows, canned vegs, hot cocoa, oatmeal, soups, baking

December- Holiday baking and dinner items; frozen rolls, green beans, potatoes, cream soups, ham, butter, flour, bread, pie crusts, turkeys


information gathered from The Power of Coupons by Sarah Roe.
Excellent book, highly recommend it.

weekly Menu plan

Roasted Chicken

Beef Roll Ups

Chicken Divan*

Tacos

Pizza

* Chicken Divan

5 cooked Chicken Breasts ( I usually don't cook the chicken before hand, I throw it in frozen)

2 pkgs chopped broccoli

Sauce: 4 TB milk, 4TB chicken broth, 2 tsp. lemonjuice, 1/2 cup mayonnaise ( I have used Miracle Whip no problems), 2 cans of cream of chicken soup ( or 1 chicken soup and 1 cream of celery soup)

Place broccoli in 9x13 pan chicken on top, cover with sauce and parmessan cheese, bake at 350 for 1 hour.