Last night I made a big batch of what we’ll call Italian slop it has a different name but as I got older I realized it wasn’t exactly PC.  LOL  It was nearly free to make and makes a ton so we’ll be having it for dinner again tonight.  Here’s the recipe for all of you inquiring minds

• 1lb ground beef (mine was about $1 when I bought it)
• 1lb italian sausage (free at Winn Dixie last month)
• 2 lbs of elbow macaroni (free at Publix all the time)
• 2-3 jars of spaghetti sauce (really cheap at Publix  .75)
• Mozzarella Cheese (.50 for a block a month ago)
• Cook up the beef and sausage.  Boil the pasta.  Add the pasta, meat, and sauce to a big pan or your crockpot and cook for awhile.   Right before serving add the grated cheese and stir really really well.  Serve, eat and enjoy.

So anyways that cost me about $2.25 and we’ll have enough food for at least 4 meals.  Twice this week and I’ll freeze the rest for next week.

Today I had to take Shawn to the doctors we left with 2 prescriptions.  $15 for the doc visit and $4 for the scripts.  Since we were there I had to buy some knock off kid’s Tylenol (darn recalls) for his fever and a couple gatorades.  I spent another $7 at CVS.  UGH

Then we headed to the new Staples.  They are having their grand opening sale today and had sent out $20 off a $20 purchase coupon last week.  I got a frame, Crayola Twistables, and 2 pks of HP Paper.  I spent $2.12 and I should be able to get $11 in refunds for the paper.  I love money makers!!!  Since we were out there I finally went into Verizon and got my phone fixed well actually I got a new charger and that should fix it.

JCPenney’s had sent out $10 off coupons and my neighbors don’t seem to read any ads before they throw them in the recycling so I picked out a few extras and used 3 of them today.  I got a new pair of flip flops since mine have had it for $3.20, 2 quick dry towels for $2.12 and 2 pairs of shorts for Shawn for $4.26

So today was spendy but I got some things we needed and I am done shopping for the week.  The only thing that I didn’t get done today was getting the batteries replaced in 2 watches.  The woman at Penney’s said that Walmart does it and it would be much cheaper.

Now that May has finally started it’s time to get back to the business of saving.  Since I’m a stay at home mom I’m making it my mission to save as much as possible to help fund our savings.  I went over my goals the other day they are a rough sketch but they are a start.

Yesterday started my mission to achieve those goals.  Unfortunately a sick little boy and me and Dave still battling colds can be hard on a budget.  Yesterday I spent almost $20 at Publix on lots of meal starters, juice boxes, a Powerade for the sick boy and a cookie for him too.  The starters will give me something easy to make with the meat that I already have frozen.

I also went to Walgreens yesterday I spent less than $5 and left with 2 shaving creams, 1 pack of floss picks and an Easy Mac cup for the little man that refuses to eat anything but Mac and Cheese.

This morning I went to the newspaper box hoping to avoid using gas and paying tax on my newspapers but it had yesterday’s papers in it.  Sometimes I wonder about the paper guy around here, lol so I loaded Shawn into the car and we headed to the gas station where I got 4 papers, 1 24oz free coffee, and 2 donuts for $7.xx  I told you being sick is wearing on a budget.  Thankfully the donuts were BOGO so I got on and Shawn was quite happy to have one.  I was actually just happy that he wanted something other than mac and cheese.

Between the warm weather and us all having fevers we’ve had the A/C on more than I would like.  I’m hoping to get a couple loads of laundry done today and maybe put them outside to dry and save $1 on the dryer.  Maybe I’ll even get caught up on dishes but I make no promises there. 

I will also be planning out a trip for tomorrow.  There is a Staples nearby that is having a grand opening and sent out a $20 off $20 purchase coupon good only for tomorrow so I’ll be headed there tomorrow and I want to make sure I do all my errands in one trip to save on gas so I’m going through the ads and coupons today.  I found a couple of $10 off coupons for Penney’s which is on the way to Staples so I’ll be stopping there too.

Feel free to let me know what you are doing to save money.  Remember every little bit helps everything from coupons to flipping off the lights helps you save.

At Lowes your little one can build this adorable school house for Teacher Appreciation Week.  Toss in a giftcard and you have a lovely gift for the person that teaches your kid all the stuff you’ve already forgotten.  LOL

Click on the picture to be taken to the form online so you make sure you can get a spot.  Lowes clinics are from 10-11

Home Depot also has a building clinic going on tomorrow from 9 to noon.  They are building a Picket Fence Planter pictured below, there is no need to sign up online for this event so just stop by if you are out that way and have a few minutes.

Both of these clinics are free and lots of fun for the kids!!!

So I’ve finally started to get serious again about my savings goals.  I don’t really have any number goals which makes this all very difficult it’s one of those times were I just went want to save as much as physically possible.  As you guys know we are trying to find a house to buy without a house picked I don’t know what the closing costs are going to be and what may need to be done to the house to get it ready to live in.  So I’m setting up 3 different goals

1. Someone (who will remain nameless) cracked the screen on my beloved camera, it still works but with the humidity in Florida I don’t know how long it will hold out.  So it needs to be replaced and I don’t really want to spend any money on it.  I’ve been considering taking photos semi professionally and having a working camera is a big part of that.  The camera I want is $399 on Amazon.  So here’s the plan:
• All loose change will go into the Bud Racing bottle which is already full.  Coinstar will change it into an Amazon giftcard for no fee.
• Swagbucks, MyPoints, Opinion Outpost, and RewardPort all cash out with Amazon Giftcards and they will all be put towards my camera.
• If I start a photography venture with the old camera all profits will also go towards the new camera
2. Goal 2 is to have some money to cover the actual moving expenses and basics like paint, doorknobs, etc when we move.  Again I don’t want this to be money I even notice saving.  The plan for that is really simple on Thursdays I take out a certain amount of money for groceries, gas, etc so instead of saving the extra and going out to dinner or something any extra money will into my adorable house bank and will get deposited once a month in a special account.
3. The third goal and the biggest is to grow the amount we have saved for closing costs and any larger things that need to be done.  This one might actually take a bit more creative thinking but so far I’ve decided that the debit card (aka the demon easy spender) is coming out of my wallet.  So is the Paypal card with the exception of one tank of gas a week.  I sell stuff on ebay and with my profits I pay for my gas but the rest will be left alone until the end of the month when I’ll transfer the profits to the savings account.

We’ll see how it goes but I have no doubt that I’ll have  2 very helpful savings account and be half way to a new camera by the end of May, now if only we could find a house to spend this money on already.

I was fortunate enough to receive this game free from Houseparty but this is a really great deal. Regular price for this game is $49.99 so hurry and order now.

I’m having a Mystery Hostess party this week and you are all invited.  Everyone who places an order during this event will be entered for a chance to win all the hostess perks!!!!  For everyone you tell who places an order you get an extra entry and another shot at getting the hostess rewards. (you have to tell me about them so I know they are your friend)

So stop by my Thirty-One page and click on My Events and go to the Mystery party or just click here and check out all the new stuff we have for Spring and Summer.

Plus all orders over $50 get free shipping!!!  While you are looking around don’t forget about Mother’s Day.  We have some great purses and totes for all the moms in your life.  Let me know if you’d like to host your own party May is double hostess rewards month and a great time to host a party.

This price won't last long so I'd order now!!!