I've been a bad blogger

These past two weeks have been crazy in our house.  Between traveling and baby showers, I've barely had time to think, let alone look for deals.  


But I promise I will start doing better this week.  I'll start with a deal from Walgreens:

EARN up to $20 in SUPER Walgreens JINGLE CA$H

Other

Offer Valid Dec 5 - Dec 11

Get $5 for every $25 you spend.
Good on your next in-store purchase.
Spend $25 ........... EARN $5
Spend $50 ........... EARN $10
Spend $75 ........... EARN $15
Spend $100 ......... EARN $20**
The more you shop, the more you earn!
REGISTER REWARDS®* are now Walgreens JINGLE CA$H.

*Coupon printed at checkout. Limit 1 coupon per offer. See coupon for exclusions, limitations and expiration. **Maximium $20 reward per transaction

So go get your Jingle on at Walgreens.  :)

Buy 1 get 1 Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks is having a great special today through November 21, 2-5pm.  Buy one drink, get one free of equal or lesser value.  So, grab a friend and have an afternoon coffee date.  It's a great way to enjoy this awesome weather we have been having lately!!!

Christmas gifts on a budget

As usual, I'm always on the hunt for a bargain.  But I also like fun and unique gift ideas.  Obviously, I can't list everything I've found for gifts since some of the recipients may read this.  LOL, I can however share with you the fun idea I have been putting together for a friend of mine.

First of all, get a basket or some sort of cute container.  I am loving the Square Utility Tote from 31 gifts. $24

It comes in six different styles and can be embroidered with the recipients name for only $6 more.

Next on blockbuster.com, you can purchase gift cards that can be used to rent movies.  I suggest getting one for $10.

At Target they have these super cute throws for only $9.99.  

They come in 5 different colors so you could match the container you get.  

Finally, choose some sort of snack popcorn, trailmix, or even make your own chex mix and put it in a cute plastic container.  Stick it all in the tote and add a cute bow.  You have an ADORABLE and functional Christmas gift for less than $50.  These would also make great wedding gifts.  

What's for dinner? Taco Soup

Have I mentioned that I love soup?  I really do.  I would love to live somewhere cold so I could eat soup every day.  Unfortunately, I live in Texas and we don't really have what would be considered a "winter" but it did drop below 80, so I decided i wanted soup.  


Tonight's dinner is one of my family's absolute FAVES!!  I got this recipe from my mother-in-law a few years ago but have adapted it to become my own.  

Taco Soup
1 lb ground turkey
2 tbsp Pampered Chef Southwestern Seasoning
1 package ranch dip mix
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn 
1 can water


Brown turkey in large pot seasoned with Southwestern seasoning and Ranch mix.  I use the Mix 'N Chop to get my meat chopped up very small and to avoid those big chunks you get with ground turkey.  Drain of excess grease.


Add tomatoes, beans, corn and water.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.  Simmer for at least 30 minutes.  


Serve over tortilla chips and garnish with cheese and sour cream.  

Easy Beef Stroganoff

Once again, I was challenged for a cheap dinner for the eldest child and her boyfriend.  LOL!  She picked up these ingredients, including garlic powder and she said the total was around $7.  Sounds like a deal to me.

Easy Beef Stroganoff
1 lb ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
6 oz sour cream
1 package egg noodles prepared

 Brown ground meat seasoned with garlic powder and salt and pepper.  Drain excess grease.  Add can of cream of mushroom soup and 1 can of water.   Add noodles and simmer for 10 minutes, the longer it simmers the better it is.  Turn off heat and add sour cream.

Optional: sliced baby bella mushrooms.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

As promised here is the post about the laundry detergent.  Honestly, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  I researched a lot of different recipes and decided I would use the recipe found on The Delgado Seven but slightly modified it.


Here is the basic recipe:
1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 3 bars of Ivory soap.  I also added 1 cup of oxy clean and bought some lavendar essential oil to add to the load for a great scent.  I put a couple drops in the fabric softener dispenser and it makes the clothes smell WONDERFUL.

A friend of mine who also makes this said you can use just one bar of Ivory soap and it works just as well.  So, that is what I did.  I used my Microplane grater to grate the soap, and it was super easy.  

I tried to use my food processor first but it just made the soap clump up and made a HUGE mess.  To store it I had a container that some very sweet student had given to the hubs with cookies in it for Christmas last year.  It worked perfectly.

I've done quite a bit of laundry with this so far and it works great!  I'm very pleased.  It was super cheap to buy, the most expensive thing was the essential oil and that isn't a mandatory ingredient.  It was 8.99 and honestly, I use such a small amount, that bottle will probably last me FOR-EV-ER!! 

Burger King Free Coffee Fridays

Don't forget every Friday in November Burger is offering a free 12 oz coffee.  No purchase necessary.

Find your local BK here

This morning my BFF, and sometimes oldest child, texted me that she wanted an easy recipe that could be made for less than $5.  It got my wheels turning.  I couldn't think of anything for less than $5 but I told her I could do something for less than $10.  With that I present, Loaded Baked Potato Chowder.  

Loaded Baked Potato Chowder

Ingredients:
3   baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 lb/1.1 kg) 3 1/2   cups (875 mL) milk, divided 4   oz (125 g) cream cheese, softened 2   tbsp (30 mL) butter 2-3   green onions with tops (1/4 cup/50 mL sliced)		4   oz (125 g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1 1/2   tsp (7 mL) salt 1/2   tsp (2 mL) coarsely ground black pepper Optional toppings such as chopped cooked bacon, sour cream or steamed broccoli florets

Directions:
1.	Slice potatoes in half lengthwise with Santoku Knife; place in Deep Covered Baker. Pour 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the milk over potatoes. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 11 minutes. Remove baker from microwave. Move center potatoes to ends of baker and outer potatoes to center. Cover; microwave on HIGH 8-11 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Remove baker from microwave. Coarsely mash potatoes with Mix ‘N Chop.
2.	Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese until smooth in Classic Batter Bowl. Slowly add remaining 3 cups (750 mL) milk, whisking until smooth. Add cream cheese mixture and butter to baker. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until mixture is hot. Slice green onions with Chef's Knife.
3.	Carefully remove baker from microwave. Grate cheddar cheese over chowder using Rotary Grater; add green onions, salt and black pepper and mix usingSmall Mix ‘N Scraper®; until cheese is melted. Serve with toppings, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings (8 cups/2 L)  Nutrients per serving: (about 1 1/3 cups/325 mL): Calories 390, Total Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 11 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 14 g, Sodium 880 mg, Fiber 3 g  Cook’s Tips: For a lighter version, omit butter. Substitute fat-free (skim) milk, reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) cheese and light cheddar for the 2% milk and full-fat cheeses.  U.S. Nutrients per serving: Calories 300, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 16 g, Sodium 890 mg, Fiber 3 g  © 2010 The Pampered Chef used under license. All of the ingredients, including bacon for the topping cost $12, cheaper than McDonald's.  Of course telling her about it, it made me want to make it myself.  So, this is also what we had for dinner tonight.  Unfortunately, for her, the BFF does not have the Deep Covered Baker, also known as the "magic pot".  So, I had to adjust the recipe for her to make it on the stove top.  If you are in the same boat as her, here is the adjusted recipe. Boil potatoes in water or chicken stock, drain and return to pot, add milk and cream cheese mixture.  Bring to a boil and then turn heat to low.  Pick up with step #3. If you are regular reader and are wondering about the homemade laundry detergent, well, I made it and have done several loads of laundry.  Hopefully, I will be able to post how it went tomorrow. Until then, happy clippin' and cookin'

Now that I'm an adult...

On October 1 I turned 30 years old.  I know that is not old to many people, but to me it was devastating.  I really had a hard time with the anticipation of it.  When the day came it was not as painful as I had originally thought it would be, but something happened that day.  I really can't explain it, but I really feel that I have changed in the past month.

I know it seems so silly, and honestly, it's not even something I have given a conscious thought to.  In the past month, I have started caring more about my house, decorating it, becoming more organized, and doing more crafty things.  I've also wanted to dress better, a friend of mine gave me some gorgeous dangle earrings for my birthday and I have been so excited to wear them.  To the shock and dismay of another friend who gave me a hard time for wearing the same James Avery earrings everyday.  But of course, I'm doing all of these things on my shoe-string budget.  LOL!!

So, I'm making some goals for this week and I will let you know how it goes.

First of all, I am going to try to make my own laundry detergent.  I found a recipe over at The Delgado Seven and I'm going to go buy the ingredients tomorrow and give it a try.  Of course, I will blog the progress.

I also found this super cute craft I am going to try with my girls
sometime this week.  I'm planning on cutting them with my circle cutter and them making them into ornaments.  Ideally, I would love to say I will do this every year, but first I'm going to just say I'm doing it this year and we'll see how it goes.

So, I'm hoping to keep up the momentum.  Of course, I'm also trying to do all of this, raise my girls, keep my house, and run my business.  But really, who needs sleep anyway?

Hey Carter's Fans!

Carter's is my go-to store.  Anytime I need something cute and casual for my girls I run to Carter's.  It is really sad, I do so often I can pick their clothes out of a line-up (of kids at a school program. LOL!)

Anyway, free shipping all day today!!  Plus,get 10 off of 50 with the code CUTIES!

Happy shopping!!!

Gap Give and Get

Don't miss this!!!

Give & Get is Here! Enjoy 30% Off and WWF gets 5% of what you spend Your awesome friend Renae Goyette invited you to our biggest fall savings event! And when you shop, we'll give 5% of what you spend to WWF, a non-profit selected by Renae Goyette. Shop   4 days only, November 11–14 At   Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Banana Republic Factory Store, and Gap Outlet in-store With   this email at checkout In-Store Barcode (for multiple uses) FIND A STORE:  Gap   Old Navy   Banana Republic   Gap Outlet   Banana Republic Factory Store GET EMAILS:  Gap   Old Navy   Banana Republic   Piperlime   Athleta Offer valid November 11, 2010 at 12:01 am ET through November 14, 2010 at 11:59pm PT at Gap, Gap Outlet, Gap Factory Store, The Gap Generation, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Store, Old Navy and online in the U.S. only (including Puerto Rico). Not valid in Canada at Piperlime.com, at Athleta.com, at Edition by Banana Republic, or at the Athleta store in Mill Valley. *Free shipping offer is valid online only on purchases of $50 or more in the same order. Offer valid on your order's first "ship to" address anywhere in the US (including Puerto Rico). Free shipping offer is not valid on international purchases. If you choose express or next day shipping options, additional charges will apply. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer applies to merchandise purchases and not to the purchases of gift cards, packaging, shipping and handling charges, taxes, prior purchases, catalog orders or telephone orders placed to stores or customer service 1-800/888 numbers. Not valid on Robeez®, diaper bags, and strollers at BabyGap, on Keds® at Gap, or on Everyday Steals merchandise at oldnavy.com. Gap Foundation will donate 5% of the amount paid for eligible purchases made with this offer card to the nonprofit partner designated by the Gap Inc. customer or, if no nonprofit organization has been designated, no donation will be made. Gap Foundation's total donations to all US and Canadian nonprofit organizations in connection with this offer shall not exceed US$2 million. Such donation does not entitle the employee or the Gap customer to claim a charitable contribution deduction. Employees may not use their gift match benefit with this offer. Merchandise cannot be put on hold during the offer period. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Exchanges for different sizes are permitted; however, the discount will not be applied to exchanges for different merchandise. Copies of offer card will not be accepted. Not responsible for lost or stolen offer cards. Offer is not transferable or valid for resale. Gap Inc. values its customers and respects their privacy. Please review our privacy policy for more information. If you have any questions about the Give & Get program, contact Customer Service via email at custserv@gap.com, call us at 1-800-GAP-STYLE (1-800-427-7895) or write us at Customer Service, 100 Gap Online Drive, Grove City, OH 43123-8605. © 2010 Gap Inc.

I know I will be shopping this weekend.  :)

Today's Groupon-Build-a-Bear

$10 for $20 Worth of Make-Your-Own-Bears or $25 for $50 Toward Any Build-A-Party Celebration at Build-A-Bear Workshop

Last year for the 4 year old's bday party, we did a Build-a-Bear party.  She absolutely LOVED it!!!  I definately recommend it.  If you have never been to BAB, today's groupon could potentially purchase 2 basic bears since they start at $10 each.  Or you could get one really awesome one with all the accessories.  

What are you doing this weekend?

There is so much fun stuff going on this weekend, a lot of it FREE!!!

Museums on us a program sponsored by Bank of America is offering FREE admission for BofA credit/debit card holders to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Houston Children's Museum,  the San Jacinto Museum of History in La Porte, and the Houston Zoo.  The free admission is for Bank of America account holders only and not their children.  Unfortunately, the Sugar Land Museum of Natural Science is not a participant.  But if you have Dinosaur Train fans in your house, take advantage of this and go meet Buddy the T-Rex at the Houston Museum of Natural Science for Dino Days on Saturday November 6, from 10am - noon.  


Sunday November 7 the Houston Museum of Fine Arts has Free family day.  The theme this month, Nature Inspires Us, features all kinds of family fun: storytime, crafts, storybook films, artist demonstrations, sketching in the galleries, and music by the Fidelis Quartet.


I hope everyone has a great weekend and takes advantage of the Free Family events!!  

Pizza Night - Pesto Pizza

I LOVE PIZZA!  Deep dish, pan, thin crust, stuffed crust, you name it, I LOVE it!!  I especially love making it at home.  I have discovered it is cheaper than delivery and quicker too.  


Tonight was Pesto Pizza.  It is roughly based on a Pampered Chef recipe for Mini Pesto Pizzas, which are great for parties, but for our family dinner it's easier to do it this way.


Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
1 prepared refrigerated pizza dough
2 tbsp prepare pesto sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 plum tomatoes, sliced


Pre-heat oven to 450
Lightly brush large bar pan with olive oil with silicone basting brush.  Unroll pizza dough and stretch the length of the bar pan.  Evenly spread pesto sauce over the dough.  Top pizza with 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, evenly place tomatoes on top of the cheese.  Scatter the rest of the cheese over the tomatoes.  


Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and browned.


The 4 year old ate four pieces of this and the baby LOVED it.


What is your favorite homemade pizza?

24 hours with no internet makes for a pretty crazy mama...

Thankfully I can facebook from my phone.  Okay, so I'm totally kidding, kind of.  LOL!  In all seriousness, I couldn't wait to share some of the great deals I found yesterday and today.  And the DELICIOUS recipe I made for dinner last night.  The hubs knew what it was from the moment he walked in the door.  :)


Creamy One-pot pasta

4 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 jar (7 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, undrained
3 cans (14.5 oz each) chicken broth (5¼ cups)
1 lb uncooked penne pasta
1 head broccoli (2 cups small florets)
2 medium carrots, peeled
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil (optional)
Thinly slice garlic using Color Coated Paring Knife. Place garlic and 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes into
(8-qt.) Stockpot. Cook garlic over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until garlic is golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat; add broth. Return to burner; increase heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta;
cover and simmer vigorously 8-10 minutes or until pasta is almost cooked but still firm, stirring occasionally using
Mega Scraper.
Meanwhile, cut broccoli into small florets; place into Classic Batter Bowl. Cut carrots in half lengthwise; thinly
slice crosswise on a bias using Santoku Knife. Drain sun-dried tomatoes; pat dry with a paper towel. Slice
tomatoes into thin strips. Add carrots and tomatoes to batter bowl.
Cut cream cheese into cubes. Add vegetables, cream cheese, salt and black pepper to Stockpot. Stir until cream
cheese is melted and fully incorporated. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook an additional 2-4 minutes or
until vegetables are tender. Serve immediately in Simple Additions® Dots Large Round Bowl. If desired, top with
grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil.
Yield: 6 servings
Light Nutrients per serving: Calories 410, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Carbohydrate 65 g,
Protein 15 g, Sodium 1000 mg, Fiber 5 g
Cook’s Tips: For an interesting flavor twist, omit salt, black pepper, Parmesan cheese and basil. Add 1 tbsp Moroccan
Rub or Greek Rub.
For a heartier version of this recipe, add grilled turkey Italian sausage or sliced grilled chicken breasts to pasta.
If desired, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes can be substituted for the sun-dried tomatoes.

Obviously, you can prepare this with the tools you have in your kitchen, you don't HAVE to use the Pampered Chef stuff.  It would make it a little easier though.  ;)  This makes a great week-night meal since it is so quick and easy, but it's so pretty in the bowl it makes for a great dinner party dish as well.  Plus, this is a super-cheap recipe.  Less than $2 a serving.  

Now on to the deals:

Has anyone not been to Dewberry Farm yet this year?  Well, if not then you can get tickets for 50% off on savvysource.  Hurry this offer expires November 4.

Just in time for Christmas, anyone on your list want to learn to fly?  $49 Private Flying Lesson offered by Travel Zoo.

Another great Christmas gift, how about Gallery-wrapped canvas including shipping and handling for $45  This is from the Chattanooga Groupon but is redemed online so you can be anywhere.

Any of you in San Antonio and Spurs fans?  The San Antonio Groupon is offering 63% off tickets to the game vs the Bulls on November 17.

Now get to shopping and cooking!

What are you doing this weekend?

I love this time of year!  So many fun festivals and carnivals, especially this weekend.  Many of the activities going on this weekend are FREE!  Which of course you know I LOVE!!!

Friday October 29:

Free Scary Face Pancake

IHOP will celebrate Halloween a little early and offer trick or treaters 12 and under a free Scary Face Pancake (one per child) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating locations. For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.ihop.com.

TW Davis Fall Festival and Haunted Hayride- Bring your little ghosts and goblins for a fun and safe night of games and much, much more.....Don't forget to wear your costume if you want to participate in the Costume Contest and bring a carved pumpkin to see who's going to be voted the Best Pumpkin Carver.

The Haunted Hay Ride will be appropriate for all ages. Invite all your family and friends for this Free community-wide event.

Miller Outdoor Theater-Jumpstart Halloween with a costume contest and this popular Dream Works 2009 animated film featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Kiefer Sutherland, Stephen Colbert and Paul Rudd. (Note: the DVD version is not 3-D) Prizes!

Saturday October 30-

Gifts Galore Greatwood -  This year’s rain or shine event features over 100 vendors with a variety of unique gift items for teachers, family members (even those picky ones!), friends and yourself! A variety of home décor, yard décor, candles, food products, kitchen items, jewelry, handbags, embellished clothing, baby and children’s items will be offered. Many of our vendors are Greatwood residents, so come out and see the talents of your neighbors! They will also feature local area restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A and Dominos who will be serving breakfast and lunch items. Admission is FREE and strollers are welcome!

Celebrate Halloween Town — Sugar Land Town Square is transformed into Halloween Town October 30 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Enjoy games, entertainment, and pounds of candy for the trick or treaters!

Carnival at Austin Elementary School, 1630 Pitts Road, Richmond.

Enjoy a day of family fun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including hayride, haunted house, 30-foot climbing wall, duck races, pit crew challenge, spin art, concessions and many more. Everything is $1! 

Ghost Town Haunted House at George Ranch High School

The Ghost Town will be open 4-8 p.m. for children ages kindergarten through eighth grade and parents. Cost is $5 per person.

Bullritos: Kids in costume eat free all day October 30, at Bullritos. One free kid’s Bull Bag ($3.99) per bowl, bullrito, or taco purchase ($6.29).

Sunday- Halloween

Kids eat free all over town!!!

Boston Market: Enjoy a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree from October 28-31.   Print this coupon to get this deal.

T.G.I. Friday’s: Kids in costume October 31 score a free kid’s meal on Halloween, with the purchase of an adult entree.  Take the kids out for free before trick or treating!

Bring the niños to Gringo's Mexican Kitchen for a pre-trick or treating meal. A free niños meal (a $4.69 value) for children 12 and under with the purchase of an adult entree. Two children per adult after 4 p.m. on October 31.

What's for dinner? and One more deal

When I was pregnant with the little one, my WONDERFUL cousin Bev stocked my freezer with homemade frozen dinners.  It was the most amazing and generous gifts anyone ever did for me.  She also included the recipes with each meal so I could duplicate later the ones we liked.  Well, one of my favorite ones was Chicken and Wild Rice casserole.  I had completely forgotten about it until Bunco a few months back when one of the girls served it to us for dinner.

CHICKEN AND WILD RICE CASSEROLE
1 can French style green beans, drained 1 sm. onion, diced 1/2 c. mayonnaise 2 cans celery soup 1 sm. jar pimento 1 can water chestnuts, sliced and drained 3 c. diced cooked chicken 1 3/4 c. chicken stock 1 box wild rice with herbs and seasonings Mix all ingredients and place in 3 quart (9 x 12) casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour with last 10 minutes, covered with foil.

And because you know I do things frugally (is that even a word?) I am using the leftover chicken from the fajitas last night.  :)  They had a little bit of a southwestern seasoning but I think it'll be okay.  I guess, we'll find out.

I just found this on some other deal blogs and I HAD to share it.  A friend of mine is looking for a play kitchen for her 2 year old for Christmas so I'm mainly posting this for her, but also for anyone else out there looking for a deal on one.

http://www.playkitchens.com/  Enter code HF-5549 for an extra 10% off.

Deal of the Day: Snapfish

I get a TON of emails and follow 4 different deal sites on Facebook everyday.  As much as I would love to share every deal, right now I just don't have the time.  So here in the beginning I will post my favorite deal of that day.  Today's deal comes from Freebies 4 Mom.  I follow this one on Facebook and also check her site daily.  She has some great deals over there.  


She posted this yesterday but I thought I would share it today since it is valid until Nov 2.  Get 100 free prints ($9.00 value) at Snapfish when you order two 8x10s with coupon code SCARYPRINTS(shipping costs $5.89 plus applicable sales tax). It will cost you $5.98 to order the two 8×10′s. This coupon code can only be used once per account and it’s valid thru November 2.  Love this deal?  Do it again with the coupon code HWPRINTS (same deal, same expiration date).


I think this is a great deal considering certain people on my Christmas list will be getting photos as gifts.  :)

Tonight's Dinner: Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday nights we have soccer practice at 6:00 pm. So, usually dinner is something quick and easy. Ashamedly, last Tuesday my 4 year old had Ramen noodles for the first time. I made myself feel better by boiling them in low sodium chicken broth but I still fed her Ramen.

Well tonight I have thought and planned ahead and we're having chicken fajitas with spanish rice and refried beans.

I am so excited to use my new Pampered Chef Grill Pan to grill chicken for the first time. I used it last week for pork chops and it was so quick and easy.

To grill chicken:

Heat pan over medium heat 5 minutes. Spray pan with vegetable oil. Cook chicken 7-10 minutes. Turn chicken over; cook 7-10 minutes or until Digital Pocket Thermometer registers 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.

The fajitas are the seasoned chicken thighs from HEB. These are on sale all the time and I usually have a package in my freezer. I got the tortillas last week at Kroger's, they were in the bakery for $1.

The refried beans are also the Kroger brand, as is the instant Spanish rice. I try not to use pre-packaged foods but it was so cheap and easy that I couldn't pass it up.

For the baby and myself, I have 2 fresh avocados that were also on sale last week. The husband or the 4 year old won't eat avocado.

There is usually some sort of cheese on sale, this week Kroger has them 3 for $5. So I have the mexican blend shredded cheese.

Total this meal probably cost less than $10 and is enough for us to have for dinner tonight and the hubby can take some to school for lunch tomorrow.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog and all the excitement that will ensue.

Let me first start by introducing myself. I am a stay-at-home mom to 2 wonderful girls. My husband is a high school football coach, and for extra money I sell Pampered Chef. I love my life and everything that goes along with it.

The purpose of this blog is to share with all of my friends how my family of four can comfortably live on a teacher's/coach's salary. Trust me, it's hard. But I do it and I've learned how to do it well. Some people find it hard to believe that our grocery budget is $500 a month or that we very rarely go out to eat without a coupon.

So, I hope you will follow along on my "cheap" adventure. I will share budget-friendly recipes, free local activities, and other online deals that I find around cyberspace.