tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80206311141020789812024-02-20T08:36:48.995-08:00Frugal Food 4 FourJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-10175257529236744752009-02-06T08:25:00.000-08:002009-02-06T08:28:14.312-08:00Expensive and FreeWhat a weird title huh?!<br /><br />Last nights dinner was a bit on the expensive side. We had steaks and corn on the cob. <br /><br />Steaks were $7.75 and corn I'm estimating maybe $1.25 since we used about half a bag.<br /><br />$9 total.<br /><br />Tonight we are having leftover soup. Since I added the entire total in my last post I'm putting this down as FREE! YAY!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-84416076145668421542009-02-04T16:18:00.000-08:002009-02-04T16:20:00.150-08:00New RecipeWe tried a new recipe tonight for cheesy veggie soup. It made such a HUGE batch of soup. I have several containers left of it that I froze and some saved for lunch. Its expensive by the whole but when I use it up as leftovers it will help the cost.<br /><br />Frozen Hasbrowns~$1.93<br />California Veggies~$1.19<br />4 Bouillon Cubes~50¢ (??)<br />Velveeta (store brand) $3.99<br />2 cr. of mushroom soups~98¢<br />Milk~16¢<br /><br />Total is $6.82.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-40946158703566920122009-02-04T08:34:00.000-08:002009-02-04T08:37:23.047-08:00Adding in a few more daysMonday's nights dinner was OH so gourmet! NOT! LOL But I remind myself I don't have to cook elaborate meals often...we just need to eat not to be hungry.<br /><br />Hot Dogs and Buns~$1.50 ish<br />Green Beans~50¢<br /><br />Total=$2<br /><br />Last night we had Spaghetti and Garlic Bread.<br /><br />Noodles~50¢<br />Sauce~$1.00<br />Garlic Bread~$1.50<br /><br />Total=$3.oo<br /><br /><br />Tonight I'm trying a new recipe called Cheesy Vegetable soup. I'll be back later with totals!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-11447226181902512812009-02-02T09:09:00.000-08:002009-02-02T09:14:20.871-08:00Playing Catch-UpI haven't been posting, but I have been keeping track. I had a horrible cold which is still lingering and then the lovely snowstorm we had. <br /><br />Thursday we had spaghetti.<br /><br />Noodles~50¢<br />Sauce~$1.00<br />Garlic Bread~$1.50<br /><br /><br />Friday I made a taco casserole that we love.<br /><br />Tortilla chips crushed for the crust~50¢<br />Chicken~50¢<br />Taco Seasoning~30¢<br />Cheddar Soup~$1.49<br />Salsa~75¢<br />Cheese~50¢<br /><br /><br />Saturday I made a HUGE batch of chili. I was able to freeze several family size containers for future dinners and a a few smaller containers for hubby to take to work.<br /><br />Meat~$2.69<br />Green Peppers~$2<br />Seasoning~$1<br />3 cans of beans~$1.50<br />2 cans of tomatos~$1.50<br />Crackers and cheese~.50¢<br /><br /><br />Super Bowl Sunday we went to my sisters house to eat so nothing there.<br /><br />New total for all those meals=$15.73Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-20192653589545316382009-01-27T15:05:00.000-08:002009-01-27T15:08:55.854-08:00Tuesday's Night DinnerWe are in the midst of a winter snow/ice storm. So what better way to keep warm than with a big ol' pot of soup.<br /><br />I'm trying a new recipe from Taste of Homes Quick Cooking 2003. Its chicken enchilda soup. I'll post back if we like it. It looks...interesting...but smells yummy.<br /><br />Costs:<br /><br />Chicken Breast (I boiled and diced) $1<br />Fiesta Nacho Soup $1.42<br />Cream of Chicken 49¢<br />Milk (actually calculated this time!) 39¢<br />Enchilada Sauce $1.14<br />Green Chiles 67¢<br /><br />Total=$5.11<br /><br />We should be able to get several meals out of this but if and when we eat up l.o.'s I will just use it as a zero total instead of trying to calculate how much, what cost, etc.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-48592184086410786582009-01-27T07:08:00.000-08:002009-01-27T07:46:15.877-08:00Monday MondayLast night we had chicken pot pie. Hmmmm so yummy.<br /><br />I took 2 chicken breasts that I had bought on sale ($3.99 a bag) so I'm estimating maybe a $1 for that. 1 can veg all (55¢) 2 cans cr. of chicken (98¢) and a handful of shredded cheese (maybe 50¢) and put it into a pie crust ($1.52).<br /><br />$4.55 total.<br /><br />Tonights dinner is a new recipe that I will have to look at and cost later.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-5976271936860893772009-01-25T14:17:00.001-08:002009-01-25T14:18:48.461-08:00Sunday night foodNothing fancy here tonight. Me and Little Man are eating leftovers. Dh is eating a can of french onion soup that I'll add cheese and bread too.<br /><br />Soup~$1.00<br />Bread~15¢<br />Cheese~10¢<br /><br />$1.25 total.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-5460509632508635502009-01-24T07:48:00.001-08:002009-01-24T07:56:46.379-08:00Weekend Dining<span style="color:#336666;"><strong>Last night was an interesting mish-mash of food but it was actually quite yummy.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>We received a huge box of stuff from Hickory Farms so I sliced up some Beef Summer Sausage, Parmesan Herb Cheese (The best, yummiest cheese EVER) and served that with some crackers. I also made 4 ears of corn on the cob. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>We had quite a bit of sausage and cheese leftover so I packed it up for hubby to take to work today in his cooler. </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>The only cost to us was the corn and crackers.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>Corn~$2.24</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>Crackers~maybe 50¢ at the most</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>$2.74</strong></span><br /><br /><br />Tonight I'm making my version of mexican pizza. I take one of those small cheap- boxes of corn muffin mix. I make it according to the instructions on the box but I spread the batter out real thin on a pizza pan It turns out to be a cheap way to make a thin-cust pizza.<br /><br />Then I spread a can of refried beans over the cook crust, add some taco meat, top with sliced olives, and cheese and bake. Its actually quite yummy!<br /><br />Crust~50¢<br />Refried Beans~79¢<br />Half lb. hamburger ~70¢<br />Cheese and Olives~$1 total (????)<br />Sour Cream and Sauce served on the side maybe another 75¢???<br /><br />$3.74 total and we will def. get leftovers for tomorrows lunch out of itJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-48277826963311213372009-01-23T05:25:00.000-08:002009-01-23T05:30:29.024-08:00Running behindAck! I haven't posted for a few days! <br /><br />Tuesday night we had Chicken Fried Steaks. Yummy!<br /><br />Steaks~$2 (used half a package I found on mark down meat!)<br />Seasoning and Flour~75¢ (???) That may be high<br />Mashed Potatos~$1.00<br />Peas~50¢<br /><br />Tuesday's Total~$4.25<br /><br /><br /><br />Wed~We had grilled burgers and french Fries<br /><br />Burgers~80¢<br />Buns~20¢ (Hubby is the only one to eat buns)<br />Fries~$1<br /><br />Wed. Total~2.00<br /><br /><br />Thursday...I went to my nephews ballgame. Hubby cooked cheese omelets and sausage for everyone else. Not sure how many eggs he used so I'll guestimate.<br /><br />Eggs~40¢ (guessing 5 eggs)<br />Cheese~50¢<br />Sausage Links~$1.50<br /><br />$2.20<br /><br />When I came home I had a salad. I'm going to guess high and say $2 because I did load it up with lots of veggies which are expensive here now.<br /><br />Thursdays Total=$4.20<br /><br /><br />OK...I'm caught back up except for tonights dinner. Which I haven't figured out what we are eating yet. LOLJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-35752763013280018592009-01-19T14:34:00.000-08:002009-01-19T14:36:30.501-08:00Monday NightTonight we are having taco soup that I took out of the freezer. We will eat it topped with shredded cheese and tortilla chips.<br /><br />Since I made the soup back in November or Dec. before I started this challenge I'm counting the soup as a zero cost. I wouldn't have a clue how much to put it at anyways. From now on when I make big batches of soup I'm going to divide out the cost and write it down so I now when I take something out of the freezer the cost of it.<br /><br />So I'll put $1.50 for the chips and cheese.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-84274194342367162022009-01-18T06:14:00.000-08:002009-01-18T06:16:38.648-08:00Weekend EatingI haven't posted for a few days. Its been super busy around here.<br /><br />Thursday we went to a basketball game. We got home a little later than normal and just ate leftovers out of the fridge.<br /><br />Friday was my stepdaughters birthday party. We ordered pizza and breadsticks.<br /><br />Satuday...We grilled steaks, had corn on the cob (my 2 y.o.'s current fave) and mashed Potatos.<br /><br />Steaks ~$15.49 (eep!)<br />Corn~2.24<br />Potatos~$2.00<br /><br />I haven't figured out what we are having for dinner tonight yet. I'll post back later. Hope everyone had a great weekend!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-5298341413129473722009-01-14T09:24:00.001-08:002009-01-14T09:26:22.052-08:00Its taco nightI love mexican food!<br /><br /><br />Hamburger $1.39<br />Taco Seasoning (I Make my own) 25¢ ??<br />Refried Beans 79¢<br />Taco Shells FREE with coupon<br /><br />Now for the toppings. Not quite sure how to estimate the cost on these. We use olives, tomatos, cheese, sour cream, and sauce. I'm going to guess high and say $2 for all. <br /><br />Total: $4.43<br /><br />I'm drooling already.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-87956863606979118882009-01-13T15:05:00.000-08:002009-01-13T15:06:41.986-08:00Tuesday NightSpagehtti for the family. Since I can't eat noodles I'll be having leftovers.<br /><br />Noodles ~60¢<br />Sauce~$1.28<br />Garlic Bread~$1.00<br /><br />$2.88Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-88213546528979376142009-01-12T15:03:00.000-08:002009-01-12T15:04:11.978-08:00Mondays DinnerTonights dinner is expensive...atleast for us. <br /><br />Crab Cakes $11.20 (ouch)<br />Corn on the cob $1.29<br /><br />$12.49 total.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-81558126355952699112009-01-11T17:19:00.000-08:002009-01-11T17:20:07.393-08:00Sunday's Supperwas take out chinese. Does everyone else's restaurant give them insanely huge portions? Little man and I ate off of my order and I will still probably get 3 or 4 more meals out of it.<br /><br />Hubby is taking his to work tomorrow for lunch.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-54661902261847068992009-01-10T11:49:00.000-08:002009-01-10T11:52:24.664-08:00Saturday!Tonight's dinner should be super frugal. We are eating leftover turkey from Thanksgiving...so I'm counting that as FREE! I got a great deal on Betty Crocker instant mashed potatos when Kroger had them on sale and combined with coupons. Add some gravy and a veggie and we are set.<br /><br />Turkey~Free<br />Mashed Taters (including butter, cream cheese, milk) ~75¢<br />Gravy~.99¢<br />Green Beans~50¢<br /><br />Total=$2.24Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-90871698848444928442009-01-09T05:59:00.000-08:002009-01-09T06:02:21.139-08:00Fridays MealTonight we are having ham and beans cooked in the crockpot.<br /><br />The ham was free! My mom sent it home with us after Christmas dinner. I diced it all up and froze it in smaller batches.<br /><br />The beans were $1.82 for the bag. It was a big bag so after they cook I'll divide it in half and use the other part for another dinner or smaller portions for hubby to eat at work.<br /><br />Ham~Free!<br />Beans~91¢<br />Apricots~75¢ (half a can)<br /><br />$1.66 for dinner tonight. Wow! I guess when they say beans are a cheap food they are right!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-24001802361206507352009-01-08T16:46:00.000-08:002009-01-08T16:53:23.614-08:00Thursday's Oh So Thrilling VittlesWe got hamburger on sale today for $1.39 lb.<br /><br />So tonight for dinner we had grilled burgers, fries, and peaches. We made an extra burger to use up the little bit of meat for my hubby to take to work tomorrow.<br /><br />Hamburger $1.39<br />Buns (89¢ for 8 @ Aldi's) 2 Buns~23¢<br />Fries~$1.50<br />Peaches (Half Can)~75¢<br /><br /><br />$3.87 total!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-79505581522899122482009-01-07T17:45:00.000-08:002009-01-07T17:47:17.461-08:00Mish-Mash DinnerTonight was mish-mash night. I forgot to thaw something out so we just kind of scrounged. <br /><br />I had 4 spincach and cheese savorings....maybe $1.00. ??<br /><br />Dh had 2 frozen egg rolss $1.28<br /><br />Little Man had ramen noodles (only half the powder though) and some peaches. 10¢ for the noodles and maybe 40¢ for the peaches. He eats like a bird.<br /><br />Aren't you jealous of our wonderful, nutritious meal?!?!<br /><br />$2.78 total.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-88542097741835141612009-01-06T07:35:00.000-08:002009-01-06T07:38:00.198-08:00Tuesday's FoodWe are having sloppy jo's tonight. I have a lb. of hambuger thawing out. Its one of my last one's I got at the meat markdown counter. It was only $1!! Hope they have another sale soon!<br /><br />Hambuger $1<br />Buns~30¢<br />Ketchup~50¢ ??? <br />Country Bob's Sauce~25¢ ????<br /><br />French Fries~$1.50<br /><br /><br />$3.55 total.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-75333690127125933882009-01-05T06:36:00.000-08:002009-01-05T06:39:39.599-08:00Monday's DinnerTonight's dinner is French Dip Subs. I can't find my receipt from Aldi's where I get the frozen french dip meat but I know it was less than $3. SO:<br /><br />French Dip Meat: $2.99<br />Slices of Swiss cheese: 25¢<br />Sandwich Rolls 50¢<br /><br />Total: $3.74 <br /><br />We still have some leftover cooked veggies from pot roast I can pair with it.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-26124100916894566832009-01-04T07:32:00.000-08:002009-01-04T07:34:31.532-08:00Weekend DiningLast night we went to Mr. Gatti's with our friends and there 2 kids. I can't eat pasta or lettuce so that rule out a lot of what I could eat. O wouldn't touch any of it. So basically we paid $30 for dh and dsd to eat. LOL Probably why we rarely go there. I'm not counting eat out in our total though.<br /><br />Tonight we are clearing out the leftovers from the fridge. There is enough to feed us all. So I'm putting zero $$$ down for another meal.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-72657035808521087772009-01-02T14:47:00.001-08:002009-01-02T14:48:41.023-08:00Friday night DinnerWe are having pot roast tonight. It smells so yummy right now. I got a good deal on the roast...half price! Wish I could find more sales like that.<br /><br />Pot Roast $3.50<br />Carrots 50¢<br />Potatos $1.73<br />Seasoning and Bag $1.76<br /><br />Total =$$7.49 for 4 people.<br /><br />And I'm sure we will have leftovers! :)Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-29172924654879589012009-01-01T12:09:00.000-08:002009-01-01T12:23:45.883-08:00Jan. 1st~Happy New Years!Here's hoping 2009 is better economically that 2008!!<br /><br />Tonights dinner is a fast and easy one. <br /><br />Smoked Sause ($2.50) with grilled peppers ($1)and onion (50¢).<br /><br />Total: $4 for 3 of us.<br /><br />I went ahead and worked out my menu plan through Jan. 11th so I should be good at cooking vs. eating out for a while! :)Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020631114102078981.post-34593819287300230972008-12-09T08:56:00.000-08:002008-12-09T08:57:54.076-08:00Only a few more weekstil Christmas and then the NEW YEAR!<br /><br />I love the new year...and the fresh new start of everything. I'm ready to re-evaluate our budget, clean out the stash of paperwork, and try to find a new system that works for me.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191379392457374387noreply@blogger.com0