Nanny to Mommy

I finally found something that I felt was worthy of the Kroger Private Selection Angus Ground beef that I got from the Private Selection Taste of Summer campaign which I got from being a bzz agent. Just plain spaghetti and hamburger helper wouldn't do. And I have never been very good at making hamburgers.

My friend and I had a girl's night in. I made this and we watched 'Pay It Forward' (which I had never seen) while our girls played together. Fun night! :)

I got this recipe from Budget Savvy Diva (through pinterest).  

 

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Minced garlic cloves - I used garlic salt because I didn't have any fresh garlic
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 jars of pasta sauce
1 box spaghetti noodles
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese - I used pepper jack because I didn't have any parm
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup of chopped onions - I used onion powder because I didn't have any fresh onion (I mixed it and the garlic salt in with the other spices)
1 Teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
1-2 cups chicken broth
Olive Oil

Last week my goal was to work out at least every day. I found out at the doctor that I have gained 9 lbs since I have had my daughter. So not only did I keep all the baby weight but I also gained 9 lbs. I blame this mostly on my inactivity. So last week that was my first goal. I went swimming or walking everyday. This week, my goal is to make sure I don't eat after 8 pm. I feel if I make small changes and continue with them, that they will become habits and I will continually do them. So *fingers crossed* that I can stick with it. We are going to Florida in September and I am dreading buying a bathing suit. So hopefully I can make the process not so horrible by improving my body a little.



So do any of you have any good ideas for self improvement?

Today I did a HUGE shopping trip which I am not going into the details of everything because I only saved 37% total. But most of you may not know, I had a car accident on Thursday morning so my shopping trips have been cut in half. My husband said if it's free or a really good stock up price than he will take me but it has to be GOOD. Which is probably for the best because we live about 20 minutes from Publix and 30 from Kroger. Anyways...I am excited about the Mega sale Kroger had going on so I will give you the details on the deals I got from it. :)

The promo was buy 5 select products, get $5 off automatically at check out.

This is what I did:

2 Special K Fruit plus Yogurt - $2.27 each after mega savings
Kellogg's Corn Pops - $1.88 after mega savings
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes - $3.49 after mega savings
Kellogg's Fruit snacks - $1.69 after mega savings

TOTAL after sales: $9.33

Coupons Used:
$2 off Fresh Fruit wyb 2 Special K cereals from home mailer (I bought the cantalope which was on sale) - FREE cantalope
$1/3 Kellogg's cereals from 6/3 RP
FREE 8ct pop tarts wyb 2 Kellogg's cereals (peelie)
$3 off milk wyb 3 Kellogg's cereals - made for FREE milk!


NONE of the coupons used said can not be combined with any other offer and scanned at the register with no problem.

So savings after you consider all of this:

Total before sales and coupons: $21.31
Total after sales and coupons:  $8.32
Total Savings: 61% Savings!
I took my husband with me which is always a MISTAKE because he throws things in the cart that I don't have a coupon for and isn't on sale, so some things got past me and I paid full price. UGH! But at least he did get Kroger brand. I also used some coupons from my Bzz Kit because #imabzzagent. I also wished I got the Edy's Fruit bars instead of the Frosted Flakes but I left the coupon at home and hubby talked me into the cereal instead because we really don't need ice cream in the house.

Okay not literally, but let me show you what I mean. I would never have been able to afford all the clothes that come with having a little one if it wasn't for all the hand-me-downs others have given to me. My mother-in-law is a huge help and so is my mom. But there are still things that we just needed and I would feel bad for asking, couldn't wait until Birthday/Christmas, but really didn't have the extra money at the time to buy.

At the beginning of the summer, my in-laws took us to Stride Rite and paid half for my daughter two pairs of new shoes. They were having a BOGO sale so we got an awesome deal and they are quality shoes but with that they were still pricey so them chipping in really helped. We were hoping they would last until we at least went on our vacation. But they didn't make it. A week before we left, we needed new shoes for her. She went through a crazy growth spurt and we were scrambling trying to figure out how we would pay for them. My Hubby's bonus hadn't come in yet and we were thinking we were just going to have to bite the bullet and charge them.



I was randomly going through a box of clothes my sister gave me. And when I say random, I really thought there was no reason to be going through that box. In the bottom were size 6, girl, tennis shoes. Exactly what she needed. I almost cried.

Yesterday, going through the massive amount of hand-me-downs my former boss gave us, I was searching and hoping I would find some 24 month winter items. I had gone through the only 18-24 month bag of clothing in there previously. I only saw 18 month but thought she would be in that size anyway. She had been on the same growth curve since she was born, so why would that change. But that crazy growth spurt completely skipped her into a size up. And struggling to go through the closet, just searching and complaining to myself that I wasn't better organized, I found a whole other bag FILLED with 24 month clothing. Some isn't proper season but there was enough to last until her Birthday and Christmas.



With so many wonderful people in my life, who generously gave us hand-me-downs, we don't have to break the bank buying clothes for Sweet Pea. I feel so blessed.

My friend also gives her clothes too. She gets her nieces hand-me-downs and anything that she has two of (they wore the same size at the same time), she gives to us. So Sweet Pea and her best friend get to match. :)

So I guess I am using this post to say, thank you. Without you all we would go broke. I am not against shopping consignment shops or yard sales or using ThredUp, but I didn't have to. And I feel truly blessed.

Now, to just go through these clothes and reminisce without crying...

Side Note: These pictures were taken before our yard sale. Instead of the huge amount of clothes spread out over our spare bedroom, they are now shoved into closets.

I am not a 'yard saler'. You know those people who no matter what they were doing the night before will get up at 6 am every Saturday during the Spring and Summer to make sure they don't miss any good deals. I know people who are. And they score some pretty amazing finds...they also bring home a lot of junk.

I am having my FIRST yard sale. My husband works at a Kroger store, as most of you already know, and every year they donate to Children's Miracle Network. Well, this year they are having a yard sale in the parking lot! For only $25 you can buy a parking spot (all proceeds go to Children's Miracle Network). PLUS there is a Good Will in the shopping center. So once the sale is over, you can get a tax deduction by making a donation there. :)

I am very excited to get my spare bedroom back. There are mounds are baby clothes. I am very fortunate to have so many people in my daughter's life who are willing to buy things for her and that hand down their hand-me-downs.

I am also excited about getting my garage back. I miss parking in my garage. Especially on those cold mornings or when it's raining. And this Georgia heat is terrible for my paint job.

The issue is, I only have until June 2nd to get everything together. JUNE SECOND! I have 5 days! I have already started although I only found out earlier this week. Here are some pictures of my progress:









(I know, not very accomplished...YET! :] )

So if you would like to get a parking spot of your own, go to the Griffin Kroger and make a great donation for only $25. You can get rid of your unwanted stuff and make some money of your own in the process. And if you don't want to buy a spot, still drop by and see if there is something that you could use. :)