Category Archives: Nico

Feb 8

Grocery Woes

We seem to be going through a lot of groceries… Thade and Dylan are eating a box of cereal a week each, and we’ve already used 2 loaves of bread this week too, all of these little expenses are adding up, fast. I’m making more from scratch to try and save the grocery dollars, but I think I’m still missing out on some local savings.

I do most of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart (I know) just because it is a one stop shopping trip for me, and both kids behave well for the outing. I’m going to try and shop the local stores next week, and see if I can save any extra 🙂 That also means a lot of getting in and out of the car with two boys, one loves to shop, and one does not. It is going to be an interesting experiment 😉 I hope to find some great savings locally, but we’ll see what happens. I had better get my coupons together!

How do you save the most money on your grocery budget. Do you shop locally, or do you drive out of town for the best deals?

Feb 7

Party Budget :)

I’m proud to share this Party Budget, and the great savings too 🙂 For Thade’s party I had set a budget of $24.75 for the decorations and all of the goodies that I would be serving. I shopped around, and came in under budget! Here is how my budget was broken down:

  • Aluminum Cupcake Liners: Budgeted $2.00-Spent $1.16
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: Budgeted $2.00-Spent $2.24
  • Chocolate Cookies: Budgeted $2.00-Spent $1.66
  • Chocolate Cake Mix: Budgeted $1.00-Spent $.88 (.50 Coupon)
  • Chocolate Icing: Budgeted $2.00-Spent $1.12
  • Candles:Budgeted $1.00-Spent $.76
  • 2 Liter Dr Pepper: Budgeted $1.25-Spent $1.00
  • 2 Liter Pepsi: Budgeted $1.25-Spent $1.08
  • 2 Liter Sprite: Budgeted $1.25-Spent $1.00
  • Red and Blue Balloons: Budgeted $4.00-Spent $1.00 on an Assorted Pack
  • Red and Blue Streamers: Budgeted $4.00-Spent $2.00
  • Spiderman Plates: Budgeted $3.00- Spent $1.00 on Sesame Street Plates
  • GRAND TOTAL of $14.90
  • EXTRA ITEM: Horns and Party Hats $1.00
  • EXTRA ITEM: Balloon Plates $1.00
  • GRAND TOTAL INCLUDING EXTRAS $16.90! I ended up $7.85 under budget 🙂

I shopped at Walgreens, Dollar Tree, and Wal-Mart for all of the purchases. I should have enough birthday plates for Dylan’s birthday party next month. I can’t wait to start planning and budgeting all over again 🙂

Feb 6

Midwest Dillons Deals

I spotted a few good deals at Dillons this week, the sale is 2/6-2/12 🙂

  • Dillons Milk one Gallon or Private Selection Organic Milk half gallon $2.99 each (Price with Plus Card)
  • Duncan Hines Brownie Mix $.88 ea (Price with Plus Card)
  • C&H Sugar 4lbs $1.99 ea (Price with Plus Card)
  • Chips A’Hoy Cookies 2 for $4.00 (Price with Plus Card)
  • Kroger IQF Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins 3lbs $6.57 ea (Price with Plus Card)

They also have a cool Daytona 500 sale going on this week too! You can get $2.00 off your grocery bill by purchasing 10 participating Daytona 500 items. Combine that with a few coupons and you’ve got some major savings 🙂

Feb 6

Back to It

Well I’m up, and feeling a little bit better, the evil sinus headache is gone, but the sneezes are still with me. My stomach is still grumpy, but I think the worst is over. The weather is awful today with lots of snow and ice, so I think we will be in all day, playing catch-up. Dylan is happily throwing Cheerios on the floor, so I need to add sweeping the Dining Room to the list.

It is kinda funny I’m really sick for one day, and there are more dirty dishes in the kitchen then I have even seen before and I have 7 loads of laundry waiting for me 😉 I had better get to it, and see what I can get accomplished today.

Feb 2

Decorating with a Head Cold

Well today is the big party for Thade, and Dylan and I are not feeling so great, it is our turn for the cold/flu/yucky stuff 🙁 I’m trying to rally and get everything ready for company at 3:30 p.m., but I’m just not feeling up to it. Thade thought it was pretty funny seeing Mommy climbing all around the dining room decorating with Balloons and Crepe Paper. Nico+standing on top of a chair+ balloons and tape= not a good idea 😉 Blowing up those 18 balloons has me feeling a bit woozy…