Nanny to Mommy

So as some of you may know, we bought a 2005 Saturn VUE from Car Max. But it was a DUD! UGH! It has been very annoying dealing with this but since it was under the week (yes, week) return policy and 30 day warranty, we just returned it. The transmission was shot and a few other things messed up. So my husband is back to be my chauffeur (he has a manual and I can only drive an automatic). This week I went over budget but not by much and I did get things we desperately needed (cheese and dog food). Doesn't it seem that you run out of everything at once? I went to my trusty Publix and Kroger stores. Things didn't go as I planned at Kroger but I believe that was because my husband was annoyed by the whole process at that point. Any who, here is the break down of my shopping trips:



Went to Publix first (brought my trusty reusable bags):

4 Kraft Ranch Anything Dressing BOGO @ $2.85 = -$0.30 (2 $1/2 TQ & 4 $1/1 Manu)
2 Purina Busy Bones BOGO @ $3.49 = -$2.51 (2 $2 PQ & 2 $1/1 Manu)
4 Gerber Graduates crunchies and 3 puffs @ 4/$7 =$3.25 or $0.46 each ($2 off $12 TQ & 7 $0.50/1 Manu)
3 Dial Antibacterial Hand Soap @ 10/$10 = $0.40 (1 $0.50 TQ & 3 $0.35/1 Manu)
32 lb bag Purina Dog Chow (not pictured) @$17.99 = $15.99 ($2 off PQ)
2 Sargento Sliced Cheese @ 2/$5 =  $2.45 ($1/2 PQ & $0.50/1 plus $0.55/1 Manu)
Dozen Publix Large Grade Eggs @ $1.59 = FREE (FREE TQ)

Total spent = $22.47
Total Savings = $49.44


Then we headed to Kroger:

Kroger Fruit Bars @ $2 = FREE (coupon b/c #imabzzagent)
Kroger brand Swiffer pads @ $3.59
Kroger Pizza @ $3.99 = FREE (coupon b/c #imabzzagent)
2 Tennessee Pride Sausage biscuits @ $7.49  = $14.33 ($1/1 IP manu & $0.55/1 manu)
2 Kroger shredded cheese @ $2.19 = $3.68 ($0.70/2 Kroger mailer)
Bananas @ $0.57/lb = $0.82
2 Fresh Selections Salad @ $1.79 = $3.58
2 Kroger Croutons @ 10/$10 = $2
Kroger sliced cheese @ $1.79 = $1.39 ($0.40/1 Kroger home Mailer)
Dial Hand Soap @ 10/$10 = $1 (forgot to use $0.35/1 but did get Saving Star $0.50)

Mega Savings:
4 Huggies wipes @ $1.99 = $3.96 or $0.99 each (4 $0.50/1 Manu)
2 Ritz crackers @ $2.19 (last minute buy because I couldn't find the M&Ms) = $4.38
3 Original Cheerios @ $1.99 = $2.97 or $0.99 each (3 $1/1 Manus)
1 Skintimate Shave Gel @ $1.97 = $1.42 ($0.55/1 Manu from Kroger Mailer)

Did get $2 Catalina and 102 Fuel Points. Also Remember we get an employee discount.

Total Spent =$40.85
Total Savings = $34.56

TOTAL FOR BOTH: $63.32 ($13.32 OVER Budget)
TOTAL SAVINGS FOR BOTH: $84

TOTAL PERCENTAGE SAVED: 57%

I received free products from Buddy Fruits for the purpose of review, all opinions are my own.

Buddy Fruits

I am very pleased to share that Buddy Fruits was nice enough to let me share my families take on their products. I noticed on their Facebook Page that their products are sold at Publix, Winn Dixie, and Piggly Wiggly just to name a few. But I know they are also sold at Kroger (the pouches are only $1!) and you can also get them as an alternative to waffle fries in kid's meals at Chik-fil-A.

My daughter is 18 months old and we are constantly on the go. I am always looking for healthy, on-the-go snacks for her. When I first came across the Buddy Fruits brand, my husband mentioned that I should buy them to let her try since they are at such a great value.

My daughter is a picky eater and goes through stages where her once favorite item is now her least favorite. We had bought some pouched fruits before (never the Buddy Fruits brand) and she was becoming very finicky about them.

Since Buddy Fruits is a relatively new product on the market, they sent me samples to test. And boy did they deliver!



I have actually never seen the pure fruit bites before. So I was definitely excited to get my daughter (and my friend's little girl) to try them out.



The first thing they tested were the Blended Fruit & Milk peach flavor pouches. I was skeptical as my daughter has never been a huge fan of peach. But as you can see they both sucked the pouch dry! It's made with 100% pure fruits and skim milk. And one pouch equals a WHOLE serving of fruit! I feel complete knowing I am giving my daughter such a healthy snack.





Buddy Fruits mission is to:
-Simplify your everyday life
-Help your kids to eat more fruits
-Contribute to a healthier life
-Combine eating and fun

And I believe they have made a superior product that completes each of these goals. I am very excited to continue to buy Buddy Fruits products and continue adding their healthy fruit into my daughter's diet. :)

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.