SUPPER 12-4-09

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS

5 chicken leg quarters ($1.92)
---it was a half package of Kroger chicken that was a manager special @ $3.84
1 two cup package shredded cheddar cheese ($1.20 Kroger Value)
1 can cream of chicken soup (.27 cents)
--found Campbell's in the scratch and dent bin marked down then had
coupons on top of that!
1/8 cup (2 Tablespoons) diced red, yellow, green peppers and onions (.10 cents)
---I buy assorted packages of bell peppers from Aldi's. Chop them up then blanch them and store them in ziploc baggies in the freezer. I only put this on the adults quesadillas.
1 package of 10 Kroger Tortilla Shells ($1.50)
Kroger ranch dressing (free)
--Had a free coupon that Kroger sent me snail mail for their dressing.

Put chicken in crock pot with some water on high for about 5 hours until tender. Shred chicken off bone. Gently stir a can of cream of mushroom soup into chicken, do not dilute. Salt and pepper.

Spray skillet with cooking spray. Place tortilla in warm skillet, add shredded chicken, cheese, bell peppers/onions. Drizzle ranch dressing on top. Fold tortilla over. Flip over after 1-2 minutes and golden brown other side.

TOTAL COST OF MEAL: $4.99
Makes 10 servings at .50 cents a serving

Most recipes I make are with stuff I have in the pantry. I don't make menus and then go grocery shopping. Instead I take what I have and get creative.

I have a sweet tooth today and might make fudge. This is also easy and cheap to make for those who need something to make as a Christmas gift.
And if you were watching there was coupons on these items recently.
This can make many combinations of fudge!

1 bag of any kind of chips (chocolate, butterscotch, peppermint, white, etc) (.99 cents)
1 tub of any kind of frosting (.50 cents)

Melt chips in microwave safe bowl stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted.
Stir whole container of frosting into chips.

Pour into a greased baking dish. Refrigerate until hardened. Cut and serve.

TOTAL COST TO MAKE FUDGE WITH COUPONS AND SALES: $1.49 !!!

You could also add things like nuts, raisins, coconut, marshmallows, dried fruit, chopped up candy bars, crumbled cookies and so on if you have on hand. Don't run out and make a special trip for extra items!! Find uses for any extra Halloween candy that you may have or found discounted!

Save your frosting or Pringles containers throughout the year. Glue or tape Christmas wrapping paper to sides and put fudge inside to give as gifts.

Here are some combinations of chips and frostings:

--Peanut butter chips with milk chocolate chips (like Reeses)
--Chocolate chips with chocolate fudge frosting (for chocolate lovers)
--mint chocolate chips with chocolate frosting (like an Ande's mint)
--Cherry Chips with chocolate frosting (like chocolate covered cherries)
--milk chocolate chips with coconut pecan frosting
--Vanilla chips with Funfetti frosting

FRIDAY 12-4-09 WALGREENS

Me and mom went to Walgreens to pick up her prescription.
I strolled around the store while she did some shopping.
I found in the clearance section a couple small gifts for Tony:
2 Jeff Gordon note cards with envelopes
(total of 6 in each package)
was $1.00 marked down to .50 cents each
1 LED white light key chain for $1.29.
When Tony goes on call he never has a flashlight.
This way he'll be able to have one right on his key chain
and it will always be with him. No having to hunt for one.
It's really bright!

Total spent at Walgreens was $2.29 for 3 gifts.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS
CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS!!

I always check my receipts before leaving the store.
Today I found that they charged me full price
on the Jeff Gordon note cards.
I took it back to the cashier and got $1.00 back.

It seems like every week I am being overcharged for something.
These mistakes add up and it only takes a couple minutes of your time to double check those receipts!!

One week I think I counted over $15.00 of overcharges from stores I had visited.
$15 x's 52 weeks is $780 a YEAR being thrown away if you're not careful!!

I don't care if it's at a grocery store, thrift store or fast food!
One thrift store punched in $5.00 accidentally for a .50 cent item.
I caught that mistake though.
Have a figure in your head when heading to the check out of what your items cost.
If your amount isn't around that figure you know something is wrong.

If you don't like a product then write the brand and tell them!
If you get bad service write corporate and tell them!
All this information is available online and so easy to access.
Sometimes I get free coupons for products and gift cards!
Other times I get an apology.
Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself!!
It's your money and if they want your business they will rectify the situation!

Then me and mom treated ourselves to Arbys for lunch. Had a coupon sent in the mail this week for 2 subs for $4.00!
Very filling!
BUT when I went to get a refill on my pop the machine was out of syrup and only dispensed carbonated water, YUCK!
And when visiting the potty there was no TP.
Paper towels were a little rough on the bottom!
So while lunch was good everything else sucked during our visit, lol.
I did tell the cashier about the TP being out.
Good thing they had paper towels
because if it was a blower I don't think I could have gotten my leg up that high!
ONLY KIDDING!

RETURNED RECALLED TOYS TO THRIFT STORE

I went back to the Ohio Thrift store to return the recalled toys I purchased yesterday. They had me go ahead and get other things in the store today for the same amount as the toys I bought yesterday. They gave me no hassle at all!

It kinda sucked because I had already shopped the store the day before and got what I wanted then. I can't complain and did some more shopping.

This is what I got today:
Trash Can Cart
(gift for step dad to work in yard with)
It started out at $10.10
then to $4.92
then marked down to $2.92!

I found 5 grab bag packages of toys for the boys
at .90 cents each. ($4.50 total)
There 21 other smaller toys in the bags (no pic)
I basically got them for the Matchbox cars inside.
There was a total of 18 cars/trucks/motorcycles.
Those boogers go for at least $1.00 to $3.00 or more each
at stores new and would have cost at least $18 new!

10" solar lantern
Had a price sticker of $10 from a store.
Thrift price was $2.92
marked down to $1.91
marked down to .90
and lastly marked down to .50 cents
I took it out of the box and it does work!

Wonder plastic sandwich box .50 cents
great for those packed lunches
to reuse instead of buying baggies that get thrown away!

Cylinder ice cube tray .50 cents.
We reuse 20 ounce pop bottles
and sports bottles and it's so hard to fit regular ice cubes into them.
I hope this helps!

6 spiral notebooks with paper.
I love my notebooks and carry them everywhere
to write notes, recipes, addresses and so on.
They were .30 or .50 cents each.

FREEBIES/ SAMPLES 12-4-09

EARPLUGS
These will come in handy at the racetrack!

WATER BOTTLE
Says limit 2 per household. I couldn't get the 2nd one to go through but will keep trying.

2010 PILLSBURY CALENDAR

2010 FORMETCO CALENDAR

2010 BETTY CROCKER CALENDAR
If you are already a member sign up again
with a different email address to be able to get one!

2010 ORIENTAL TRADING CALENDAR