All You Grocery Challenge

I LOVE the All You Magazine because it is chucked full of GREAT manufactures coupons. In a couple days I will plan a more in-depth post about it, but while I was flipping through it's pages I came acress this great Grocery Challenge. July 12th is the last day to sign-up. This is going to be cake for us. That's not a challenge, but a way of life for all of us! Good luck! I would LOVE for one of us to win.

Here is what it says:

"All You Grocery Challenge Sign-Up
We're thrilled that you're joining the ALL YOU Grocery Challenge! Show off your shopping smarts by spending no more than $25 per family member per week on groceries over a four-week period beginning July 13. That's $100 a week for a family of four. You could win a $1,000 grocery card plus a year's supply of Knorr side dishes and the chance to appear in ALL YOU magazine.
Follow these guidelines:
During the contest, groceries that you purchase count toward your weekly total. However, feel free to grow, barter or use stockpiled food to supplement your meals. Creativity and ingenuity count!
If you eat at a restaurant or buy takeout, the cost must go toward the week's total.
Household supplies and toiletries do not count toward each weeks total.
Keep track of your money using the optional Spending Log.
Save receipts--you will be required to submit them if you are a finalist.
Post your strategies on our Grocery Challenge blog, and be sure to tell us your money-saving tips
Click here to sign up
Official Rules
The contest starts July 13 (we'll send you a reminder email), so start planning your strategies now. Good luck! "

I Scream for Ice Cream and Dinner

Mail in the original cash register receipt dated between 7/6 and 7/19 showing your purchase of any of the 4 participating items. Mail the receipts in with the down loadable rebate form here. Allow 8-10 weeks for delivery.

Dreyers

Dibs

Lil Drums

Skinny Cow-bars and sandwiches

Nestle Pushups

Eskimo Bars

Haagen Dazs

All fruit bars

This would make a great deal with Albertson's doubles. Do you hate giving away your receipts like I do? Request a duplicate receipt to keep for yourself and mail off the original for the rebate.

Here is one more current mail in rebate for Tyson Skillet Creations.

I LOVE these. They are super easy, fast and taste good. My family loves the fajitas.

"To receive your rebate for one Tyson Skillet Creations meal kit by mail, up to $4.99 value, you must:
• Buy any one Tyson Skillet Creations meal kit between 7/10/09 and 10/31/09.
• Mail this original form along with the original UPC from a participating product package and the original dated store cash register
receipt with your product purchase and price circled."

Also be sure that you use Tyson Skillet Creations meal kit, any $1/1 (9-7-09) SS-6/7.

Thanks to Pamala for this great rebate find!

Remember, you don't have to use rebates to save $100's of dollars on groceries, but for those of you who are experts and obsessed these rebates would make awesome deals!

Free 7-11 Slurpee

We are defintly going to go and get my kiddos one of these today. I can't remember the last time I had one. I loved the Coke ones in highschool. Remember it is always good to call ahead and make sure your location is participating.

FREE Arby's BBQ Bacon Cheddar Roast Burger

At Arby's get a FREE BBQ Bacon Cheddar RoastBurger with any soft drink purchase.

Click here to print off your coupon. When I printed mine out it didn't expire until 7/14.

Thanks Kay!

Meal Planning/Scenario

This week I am going to show you exactly how I plan my meals, their cost and what items I had on hand and what items I needed to stock up on.

(I highlighted the things I have to buy to make my meals work in pink. )

Breakfast

Yogurt and Toast
.29 for yogurt
$1.67 for a loaf of Grandma Sycamores bread
Cereal and Peaches
FREE Frosted Flakes last week
Peaches are on sale for 2lbs for $1
Omelets and Juice
Eggs $1.50 for doz., cheese on sale 2lbs/$3.99, and I have some bacon in the freezer
Simply Lemonade was on sale last week for $1.00
Pancakes and Chocolate Milk
Shake and Pours were on sale for .50 on the last G.M sale
Chocolate milk was FREE with my doubles at Albertson's last week
Oatmeal and Fruit
I have a huge stockpile of oatmeal
Kiwi is on sale for $6 for $1
Eggo Bakeshops

.50 at Target , they are still on sale too

Lunch

Yogurt, Crackers and Fruit Snacks

Yogurt (price shown at breakfast)

Ritz Crackers are $2.49+ a FREE box of wheat thins

Slices of cheese (shows cost at breakfast)

Fruit Snacks on sale for .99

Tuna Sandwiches

Tuna on hand (on sale for .75 last week)

Mayo (FREE in May)

Pickles (.50 for 46 oz last week)

Bread (you can see the cost at breakfast)
Hot Pockets

.89 this week

Macaroni and Cheese

It is literally coming out my ears, but it was FREE last week and .37 this week
Peanut Butter and Jelly, Grapes and Capri Sun

Bread (at breakfast)

Grapes .88 lb

Peanut butter FREE last week

Jelly homemade

Capri Suns FREE last week with the doubles

Michelina's Budget Gourmet with celery sticks and ranch

.50 (my kids love the pizza rolls)

Celery is .89 this week

Dinner

Spaghetti, homemade meatballs and green beans

Noodles (.25 for lb of American Beauty pasta in March. I bought a years worth for under $10)

Ground Beef on sale for .89lb

Stuffing I have on hand

Sauce I have on hand, but if you didn't it's $1.00 this week

Green beans I have one can last from last years garden. It was perfect timing because I can see my green beans starting on my plants in the garden!
BBQ Chicken

Chicken- on hand

BBQ sauce- FREE this week and a lot of other weeks =)

I cook it in the crock pot and then since it was an easy dinner and FREE, this is the night I would say lets go get snow cones or something FUN!
Marie Calendar Pasta bowls

My husband LOVES these and there on sale for $1.00 this week, but have been on sale less than that a few weeks ago.
Grilled Paninis

Bread (I have some homemade Panini bread in the freezer I made0

Cheese (cost shown at breakfast)

Basil (In my garden)

Tomato's (In my garden)

Bacon on hand, I can't remember when I bought it but it was a great price at the butcher block a couple months ago and I am on my last package. I hope it goes on sale soon!

Make your own pizza night

I use the same dough I made for Paninis so I have some in the freezer already, but a great substitute is Pillsbury's ready made pizza dough for about $2.50

Cheese (cost shown at breakfast)

Sausage (on hand)

Ground beef (cost shown above)

Pizza sauce (cost shown above)

Snacks

Cherries $1.69lb
Granola bars $1.49 a box
cheese and crackers (cost shown above)

Chips and Salsa chips $1.88 and salsa is on sale for .49

Desserts

Ice cream sandwich cookies

Breyers Ice Cream FREE last week with my double coupon

Cookie Dough $1.25 this week

S'mores

$1.60 for Graham Crackers, Chocolate and Marshmallows last week

Shopping List

Albertsons

Celery .89= .89

Red Cherries $1.69lb= $1.69

Yogurt Dannon Light and Fit .39x10= $3.90

Pillsbury Cookie dough $2.50x 2= $5.00

Santana's Tortilla Chips $1.88

Hot Pockets 6 boxes x $1.39= $8.34
Michelina's Budget Gourmet .50x4= $2.00

Wheat Thins FREE when I buy Ritz Crackers below

Buy 10 Get 5 off items

Kellogg's Special K Bars $1.99

Kellogg's Fruit snacks $1.99x2= $3.98

Marie Callender's dinners - Pasta Al Dente $2.50x3= $7.50

Reser's Baja Cafe salsa $1.99x2= $4.00

Ritz Crackers $2.99

Tillamook Cheese 2 lb $5.49

Total Before Coupons $49.65

-$1.00 off 10 yogurt SS 6/21

-$1.25 Pillsbury cookie dough IP on list

-$1.25 Pillsbury cookie dough IP on list

.50 off 1 Hot Pocket SS 5/17

.50 off 1 Hot Pocket SS 5/17

.50 off 1 Hot Pocket SS 5/17
.50 off 1 Hot Pocket SS 5/17

.50 off 1 Hot Pocket SS 5/17
.50 off 1 Hot Pocket SS 5/17

- $5.00 for Buy 10 participating Epic items

.50 off for Kellogg's Fruit Snacks IP on list

.50 off for Kellogg's Fruit Snacks IP on list

$1.00 off Pasta Al Dente SS 5/17

$1.00 off Pasta Al Dente SS 5/17

$1.00 off Pasta Al Dente SS 5/17

$1.00 of Salsa IP on list

$1.00 of Salsa IP on list

$1.00 off for Tillamock Cheese IP on list

- $2.00 Doubled coupons found in ad

Total After Coupons: $29.15

Buy Low Market

Kiwi 6 for $1.00= $1.00

Peaches 2lb for $1.00= $1.00

Grapes .89lb x1= .89

Ground Beef .89 lb x 5lb= $4.40

Bread $1.67

Total $8.87

Grand Total for the Entire Meal Plan, plus stocking up on a few things

$34.82

Here is another scenarios for under $5 this week:

Albertson's Scenario
2 Kraft BBQ sauce .992 Kraft salad dressing $1.99 x 2
2 Marie Callender's dinners - Pasta Al Dente $2.50 x 2
2 Reser's Baja Cafe salsa $1.99 x 2
2 Weber Grilling Spices $1.99 x 2

Total Before Coupons: $18.92

- 50 for BBQ sauce
-.50 for BBQ sauce
-$1.00 for Dressing
$1.00 for Dressing
-$1.00 for Pasta
-$1.00 for Pasta
- $1.00 for Salsa
-$1.00 for Salsa
.50 for Seasoning
-.50 for Seasoning
- $2.00 for double coupons
-$5.00 for buying 10 items

Grand Total After Coupons: $3.82

Freebie Wednesday at Arby's

Don't forget that today, July 8th, at Arby's you get a FREE Orange Cream Swirl Shake with any sandwich purchase.

Click here, to read more about Arby's freebie Wednesdays and see their summer calendar.

Free Sammie at Quiznos

I taught a class in Nephi last week and they told me that their new Quiznos was close to their Grand Opening! I told them I would try and find a coupon for them, so Hhere is deal that will make it even BETTER and GREAT for those of use who already go there!

"Get the latest word on all things toasty. Sign up now for exclusive Quiznos offers and promotions and receive a coupon for a FREE SAMMIE.* Plus, tell us your birthday and get a FREE COOKIE that day."

Click HERE to sign up!

After I signed up I confirmed my e-mail and then there was a coupon for a FREE Sammie with the purchase of a side and regular fountain drink. It expires 7/21.

Easy as 1, 2 FREE

Did you know that Walmart has a page on its website just for FREE samples. They come in the mail 4-6 weeks after you register. I rarely use the samples and end up throwing them into a shoe box, of maybe I will use things, but when they come, they come with COUPONS! I told you you would find coupons everywhere now! They change periodically, so never hesitate to take a look now and then to see if there is anything new.
Right now they are giving away a free sample of :

Viva Paper Towels

Here

Carefree pads

here

Stayfree pads

here

This offer isn't on Walmarts website, but Here is a sample for FREE Fiber One products. It also comes with $5 coupons!

Redbox Monday

Here is this month's FREE redbox code!

4J7LF6

Here is another code that expires July 7th!

7HE79B

One movie for me and my hubbie and another one for my kiddos! Yeah!

Happy movie watching!

ABC list of Coupons

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! My family and I have been vacationing in Park City enjoying the holiday. We shopped, golfed, rode the Alpine slides, ate out and celebrated the 4th at the Oakley rodeo! Wow, we sure were busy! We got home today and have been playing catch up after a week long vacation! I know you have all been wondering were I have been right!

Usually, there are absolutely NO coupon inserts in the Sunday's paper, but today they surprised us and threw in a Proctor and Gamble insert. YEAH! I was shocked. I thought I was getting a day off =)

ABC list of coupons:

Always .50 (7/31/09)
Bounty Napkins .25 (7/31/09)
Bounty Napkins or paper towels .25 (7/31/09)
Cascade $1 (7/31/09)
Charmin .25 (7/31/09)
Clairol product $2 (7/31/09)
Covergirl $1 (7/31/09)
Crest Rinse 440 ml or larger .75 (7/31/09)
Crest toothpaste 4.2 oz or larger .75 (7/31/09)
Crest Whitestrips $5 (7/31/09)
Dawn .25 (7/31/09)
Febreze Air Effects Free when you buy any Febreze Fabric Refresher (7/31/09)
Febreze Notice ables Starter Kit $4 (7/31/09)
Fixodent 1.2 oz or larger .50 (7/31/09)
Fixodent 1.2 oz or larger $1.50/2 (7/31/09)
Head & Shoulders Shampoo or Conditioner B1G1F (7/31/09)
Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner, Styler, or Color product $1 (7/31/09)
Olay Facial Moisturize $1 (7/31/09)
Olay Hand or Body Lotion $1 (7/31/09)
Oral B Manuel Brush Single Pack $1 (7/31/09)
Olay Bar Pack $1 (7/31/09)
Olay Body Wash or In Shower Body Lotion $2 (7/31/09)
Pampers $1 (7/31/09)
Pampers Swaddler Sensitive, Swaddlers, Cruisers $2 (7/31/09)
Pampers wipes 60 ct or larger .50 (7/31/09)
Pampers Extra Protection Diapers $1 (7/31/09)
Pantene Full & Thick $2 (7/31/09)
Pantene Styler or Treatment FREE wyb any Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner (7/31/09)
Prilosec $1 (7/31/09)
PUR or PUR Flavor Options Systems $3 (7/31/09)
PUR Pitcher or Faucet Mount Multi Pack Filters $3 (7/31/09)
Secret $1 (8/31/09)
Tide $1 (7/31/09)
Tampax .50 (7/31/09)
Venus Embrace or Venus Breeze Razors $2 (7/31/09)

Look at the next post of other coupons in the paper!

Other Coupons in Sunday's Paper

Here are some other coupons in the paper:

Salt Lake Tribune:

Twice the Value Albertson's coupons
7/5-7/7
pg. A9

Discovery Gateway 2 for 1
pg D3

Deseret Morning News:

Twice the Value Albertson's coupons
7/5-7/7
pg. A5

Discovery Gateway 2 for 1

The Daily Herald:
Twice the Value Albertson's coupons 7/5-7/7
pg. B8

Toys R US insert
$7 when you buy both Huggies value box of diapers (72-264 ct)
AND Huggies value box of wipes (360-576 ct)
7/5-7/11

$7 when you buy both Pampers value box of diapers (92-252 ct)
AND Pampers value box of wipes (360-616 ct)
7/5-7/11

15% off ANY one video game
7/5-7/11

Happy Fourth of July

Happy 4th of July. I hope you guys have a wonderful holiday. My family and I are enjoying our vacation and having a blast celebrating the fourth! I am so grateful for this wonderful country and my freedom! I am especially grateful to all of my readers! Remember that this weekend there are no coupon inserts because of the holiday. Enjoy the break! Have a happy 4th of July!

Tidy up Friday

Okay, its time to toss out some more inserts. If you missed this new post last week, here are some of the coupons you need to have thrown out.

Last week we threw away...

RP - 2/8 Purina Puppy on the front

P&G - 2/8 Mom & Son with Valentine on front

SS - 2/22 Eye Masters advertisement on front

RP - 2/22 Nature's Pride bread on front

P&G - 3/1 Dr. and Baby on front

P&G - 3/15 Woman wearing lavender shirt on front

SMITH’S 3/22- Smiths ad on front

P&G - 4/5 Child reading on front

This Week throw away....

SS-1/4 Red Lobster

P&G -5/3 Mom and Son

P&G - 5/17 Lady with coffee cup

Free Chocolate Friday

Don't forget today's FREE chocolate! Click here to get to the website. Remember you can have up to 4 coupons delivered to a household/mailing address. You will need a different e-mail address for each coupon. Have no idea what I am talking about. Click here to read all about FREE chocolate Fridays!

Macaroni and Cheese

Does anyone else have no room at all left on their pantry shelves because the Macaroni and Cheese is in the way. I can tell you this is becoming the case at our home. Now, remember I building up a long term food storage, so I am not planning on eating every box in the next couple months, but sometimes eating that plain recipe on the back of the box can get tiresome. I have been using some as a side to my dinners and I even made 2 boxes and served it at a family BBQ, but here are some recipes I have found using Macaroni and Cheese creatively.

Carolina Macaroni Salad

What You Need
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/2 cup KRAFT Sandwich Spread
3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
Dash of black pepper
Make It
PREPARE Dinner as directed on package.
ADD remaining ingredients; mix lightly. Cover.
Click here for complete instructions.



Chicken Cacciatore Macaroni

What You Need
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped canned seasoned tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
Make It
PREPARE Dinner as directed on package.
ADD remaining ingredients; heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally.
REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.
Click here for complete instructions.


Chili Mac


What You Need!
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/2 lb. ground beef, cooked, drained
1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp. chili powder
Make It!
PREPARE Dinner as directed on package.
STIR in remaining ingredients; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Click here for complete instructions.



Creamy Chicken Divan


What You Need
1 pkg. (12 oz.) VELVEETA Shells & Cheese Dinner
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
2 Tbsp. flour
3/4 cup milk
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen broccoli spears, thawed, drained
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/4 lb.), cooked, sliced
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Prepare Dinner as directed on package. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan on low heat. Add dressing and flour; beat with wire whisk until well blended. Gradually add milk, beating until well blended. Reduce heat to medium-low heat; cook until thickened, stirring frequently.
SPOON Dinner mixture into 10x6-inch baking dish; top with broccoli and chicken. Drizzle with the dressing mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
BAKE 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through.
Click here for complete instructions.

Cheesy Taco Mac & Cheese

What You Need
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/2 lb. ground beef, cooked, drained
2 Tbsp. TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
Make It
PREPARE Dinner in large saucepan as directed on pkg.
ADD remaining ingredients; mix well.
COOK until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Click here for complete instructions.

Old Navy Flag Tees $1

Old Navy is selling their FLAG tees for $1 on July 3rd. It is an in store deal only and the limit is 5. Don't forget that Old Navy Weekly has coupons you can print off and take with you too!

Have no idea what Old Navy Weekly is, click here to read all about it.

UPDATE* In the comment below you will see that a reader called the AF location to confirm this deal and was told that last min. O.N decided not to run the promotion. I myself have not called to confirm, but if you are planning on getting shirts, make sure you call your location to determine if they are participating.

Weekly Show and Tell

Here is this week's show and tell from Lindsey in Payson, UT. I can't believe how fast

she got the hang of this! I am so proud! Keep it up Lindsey!

She spent $19.62 and saved $52.06!

What she got:

5 banquet meals

6 packages of oscar mayer hotdogs

1 bag fritos chips1 bag ruffles

1 bag cheetos

2 cheddar cheese dips

1 bean dip

1 gallon orange juice

milk

Breyers ice cream

kroger ice cream

butter

3 tubs of mayonnaise

3 tubs of miracle whip

1 loaf of bread

goldfish crackers

Online Coupons Reset

It is the first of the month, so you know what that means! The online coupons, Group A-Group C have reset. I went to check them out this morning and guess what the .75 off any milk and $1.00 off cheese coupons in Group A reset. When I printed them off, they don't expire until 7/15! The .75 off yogurt one did not. Here are some tips about online or Internet printable coupons:

The IPS

• Manufactures set limits on the amounts of coupons printed. When the limit is reached they pull their coupons off. That means occasionally you will go the print a coupon and it will be gone unless you printed it off at the beginning.


• This is even more important toward the end of a month. Coupons group A-C are reset at the first of the month, so today when the coupons reset, they started out at zero.


• Sometimes manufactures will reset their coupons after the limit is reached, but don't count on it. Just consider yourself lucky if they do.


• I know some people are having problems with IPS. I wish I could help out in that area, but I am not tech savvy enough. I have heard that switching browsers can help. Example: On Internet Explorer and they won't print try Fire Fox or vice virsa. Another great resource is pinching your pennies. They have an entire forum to troubleshooting your IPS.

Some questions to commonly asked IP questions answered:

• Where are online coupons located? All over! You can see over the the left hand side of this there are online coupons, group A-Singles . You can also find coupons on manufactures websites, you can receive them via-email and sometimes websites will give them to you after you join their mailing lists or take a survey for them. When the Grocery Smarts lists are up you will see links that take you to online coupons. The best part about those lists are that if there are coupons online, they are on the lists. You will never have to search for coupons for items on the list yourself! Grocery Smarts lists do all the work for you.
  
• "Are IP'S worth it? It seems like a lot of paper and ink to be wasting." My answer is it depends. I think after you have a couple months worth of newspaper coupons its hit and miss. I only print ones of that make things close to FREE or if it is something I really like or know I will need. You'll never catch me printing of cereal coupons or toothpaste coupons. That is because I have DOZENS of them from my newspaper.


• Now, if you are staring out and only have a few coupons from the paper on the list then I definitely recommend using IPS to maximize your savings. My sister in law started out and only had a weeks worth of coupons, but wanted to start saving right away, so she maximized her coupons by using IPS. She told me her husband was frustrated by all the paper in ink she was using, but after she shopped she had saved over $50. That paper and ink WAY over paid for itself. IP'S are a great way of subsidizing newspaper coupons, but not a great substitute! Newspaper coupons will benefit you way more in the the long end.


• "How long do IP'S last". IPS have expiration dates on them the same way other coupons do. Most times they expire WAY faster than the ones in the paper. That's why I only print the ones off from the list that week. Otherwise they tend to expire before I have a chance to use them.


• "Can we print them off in black and white?" It depends on your store. Some stores will take black and white, some will not. Be sure to ask if you are planning on trying black and white. There reason behind that is they are trying to protect themselves from illegal photocopied coupons.


• Do all stores take IP's and the answer is no. Not all stores do take IPS. I do know that Albertsons and Smiths DO! My suggestion with other stores is call ahead and ask if you are planning on using them on your shopping trip.

Also don't forget the two IP's per HOUSEHOLD rule! Have fun printing!

Wednesday Summer Deal at Arby's

Don't forget that today, July 1st, at Arby's you get a FREE Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any soft drink purchase

Click here to read more about Arby's freebie Wednesdays and see their summer calendar.

Creating Your Own Meal Plan

I know, my meal plans are super simple, because honestly I don't enjoy cooking. The only thing that keeps me from grabbing take-out every night is the amount of money that would cost me and I guess the fact that my kids would be super unhealthy wink! I have had to find ways to enjoy cooking and meal planning since there isn't a practical and inexpensive way around it.

When I started Grocery Smarts I learned a few things that made the whole process of meal planning and shopping much more enjoyable and do-able! By planning my menu on Tuesdays and cleaning things out that day, it made for what seemed, a less time consuming task and then I actually looked forward to shopping the next day. I also learned that my way of meal planning was super expensive. I would plan menu items based on what I wanted or liked to eat, instead of making meals from sale items. I remember countless times asking my husband, "what would you like to eat this week?” And he never had an answer, so I would pull out my recipe books and files and sift through them until I found enough meals for the week. It took what seemed like FOREVER. Then I would go through and make a list of all the ingredients I needed. Then I would look to see what I already had on hand, which was NOTHING and then head out to buy those ingredients. Wow, looking back on that I realize how much time and money I was wasting.

Everything I use to do I learned to throw out the window, accept the meal planning part. Planning a menu is an absolute must for the following three reasons:

Money Saver: When you plan a menu you have all the ingredients you need for your meals at home, so there will be no need to make those last minute or uh-oh I forgot this shopping trips. Those trips always seem to be the most expensive because you see things you think you might need or you see something that sounds good (your usually hungry because you haven’t had dinner that night yet) and they are never on sale. Menu planning eliminates impulse spending. It also allows you to stretch your menus further. There tends to be leftovers, leaving you lunch for the next day. One less meal you have to spend money on.

Time Saver: You know exactly what meals you have to make that week, so there is no need to frantically search for something to make 15 min before everyone is expected to be home. You aren’t going to be searching through your pantry, freezer or fridge for that one ingredient you need to make that meal you want to prepare.

Nutrition Saver: By looking ahead you can see what types of things you are eating, so you can plan and make sure you are eating well-balanced and healthy meals. The things that go on sale tend to be seasonal, so you are getting a wide variety of food and exposing your family to all types of foods.

When I meal plan I look at the upcoming weeks sale ads on my preview lists. I figure out what is on sale and plan enough meals for the week. By using 4-5 star deals in my menu plans I save TONS of money every week. If I see that chicken and tortillas are both on sale I would plan a few meals around those items; chicken enchiladas, southwestern egg rolls, and chicken caesar salad wrap ups. This wouldn’t be a good week to plan lasagna or beef stew, because neither one of those items are on sale.

The first thing you’ll do is scan through the list and figure out what meats or staples are 4 and 5 star deals that week. Figure out that if ham is on sale you can make a breakfast, lunch and dinner from a ham. For breakfast you could have ham and cheese omelets, for lunch ham sandwiches and for dinner glazed ham. I would never plan on eating all three of those meals in the same day, but if I plan them on different days of the week it won’t become tiresome. Plan out the main ingredients of your meals and then go through and figure out what types of sides you can add to your meals. This lets you plan nutritious and well balanced meals.

After you plan out enough meals for the week walk to your kitchen and see what you already have on hand to make those meals. If I was planning chicken caesar salad wraps I know that I already having the caesar dressing and croutons on hand. I would cross those ingredients off my list.

I finish figuring out what on the list I am stocking up on, clip out the coupons and make sure I am within my $50 budget.

The next day I head out the store. By breaking the process up I never get overwhelmed with menu planning, cleaning out last week’s expired food, shopping, bring the groceries home and then cooking that night’s dinner. It seemed to be a never ending cycle and dreaded task. When I divide it up it seems to be something I look forward to doing.

Make sure when you are at the grocery store you stay flexible. Occasionally you’ll find things that have been marked down in the produce aisles or butcher department. Grab those things and plan on using them that week. Every penny counts. You can also plan a meal and then get to the store and have them be out of it. By being flexible then you won’t get discouraged.

When you get home put those finishing touches on your menu. Incorporate that container of mixed vegetables you found on a manager special and make chicken fajitas. I like to post my menu in my kitchen so I can see it. I think my husband and children appreciate knowing what meals I making that week. I also try to organize the meals to meet my family’s schedule. If I know we are having a night out after dinner I would never plan my Sunday meal that night, because I know we will be rushed to get out of the house. I would choose one of my meals that were fast and would allow for easy clean-up. I also don’t put a day to my meals because who knows what my day will be like. Sometimes my daily routine can change and then so does my menu plan.

The other thing I learned is that not every night as to be a grand masterpiece. My family truly enjoys making their own tacos, pizza, quesadillas and even eating the traditional spaghetti and garlic bread. It’s become a relief that I don’t have to “try” new recipes all the time to make my family happy.

All you have to do is commit to making a menu plan. Make it a habit. I also love to save my menus and file them away. Next time I see that chicken goes on sale I will pull out the week chicken went on sales menu and see if I can use those same ideas. Most of all have fun with it!