November Month End Shopping and Eating Out Budget Update

I work hard to stay under my $160 monthly budget every month using sales, coupons and gift cards to get the best deals to stock up on.  Getting to the end of the year means that I know how I am doing for the whole year which has been a little bit higher then I have been in past years.  I am also above the average for both monthly grocery spending and take out spending.  The great news is that I already had a turkey in the freezer for Thanksgiving so I wasn't out looking for the deal on that this month.  The bad news is that the local paper only including Smart Source inserts and the prices of groceries increasing means I haven't been getting as many deals in recent months. 

I just realized that I didn't get the end of the month budget review posted earlier because I kind of missed the month ending.  I know that I was at the store a lot at the beginning of the month and not as much at the end of the month because of the holiday and family visiting.  The beginning of the month posts are broken down in my half post here so I removed the descriptions here but left the picture and the amount spent on each transaction.  All of the transactions from the second half of the month have the total spent, picture and the break down of what I got at the store.

Better late then never for my November shopping totals!!

Wegman's $2.03

Wegman's $2.03

Wegman's $23.82

Harris Teeter $13.09

Harris Teeter $0.61

Aldi $15.04 

Harris Teeter $11.38

Aldi $4.48 

Harris Teeter $5.65

Wegman's $3.04

Harris Teeter $0.61

Harris Teeter $0.61

Harris Teeter $0.61

Harris Teeter $0.41

Harris Teeter $0.61

Harris Teeter $0.61

Harris Teeter $0.61

Harris Teeter $0.61

Giant $2.04

There was a weekend deal to get cereal where they were $0.99 each and I had a coupon for $1 off 3.

Giant $2.04

I had a free coupon loaded for the bread and the cereal was on sale for $0.99 each but there was a coupon if you bought three boxes.

Harris Teeter $9.02

We were out of potatoes and iceberg lettuce so I got them here because they were cheaper then Aldi.  I got the turkey lunch meat on sale and my friend printed me a coupon because I used mine and couldn't print anymore.

Aldi $11.70

I was out of all of this and decided to run to the store to get  marshmallows for Rice Krispie Treats and celery for the Thanksgiving stuffing.  We needed shortening for the deep fryer.  We were out of cheese and bananas so I got some of them.

Target $0

I went to Target and used a gift card for these and got a little Christmas gift with what was left of the gift card.

CVS $0.08

I was super sick and went to the store to get medicine.  They gave me a coupon for $1 off Softsoap and I got a $1 ECB so this was free.  I got $3 back in ECB and I didn't make it back to the store to spend.  I hate doing that but I am so much out of the game that I am going to just call it a win on the one soap.

Harris Teeter $15.35

We went to get soda and we had to go to two different stores before we found the ones that we wanted.  It didn't seem like too hard of an order but the first store was out of all Fanta and the we almost those the second store was out of Sprite but my husband found it on an end cap.

Aldi $0

My parents went to Aldi to get a few things and ended up throwing in all this stuff for us so it was a great bonus grocery shopping trip that didn't come out of my grocery budget.

Total Retail $376.89
Total Savings  $250.81
Total OOP $126.08

Amazing stock up month with 70 boxes of pasta and 40 pounds of flour.  I also got a lot of meat which has been enjoyed and frozen to enjoy later.  I made a bunch of pumpkin and chili to freeze to add to my stockpile.  Love having quick meals in the freezer in case there isn't time to make dinner.

Eating Out

We got Pizza Hut for $8.47 at the beginning of the month and enjoyed some yummy pizza.  We got another pizza later in the month for $8.47 ad then again the next weekend for $8.47.  My parents bought us Chinese food which was a yummy dinner and leftovers for lunch the next day with even more leftovers to use in fried rice.  I took my parents to First Watch for lunch while we were out shopping and they super enjoyed it (looking at the calendar it was actually December but still including it).  Best part is that I used my gift card so it was nothing out of pocket.  Total Spending $25.41 spent for the month

Menu Plan Monday 12/9

Pasta with garlic bread and sauce
Salsa Sloppy Joes with mac and cheese
Philly Cheese Steak Pasta
Fried Rice with Egg Rolls
Leftovers
??
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade Fries

Last week was a little crazy but we got Pasta on Monday, Chili with Corn Chips on Tuesday and  then I forgot to take the pork chops out so we ended up with leftover Wednesday.  Pork Chops were Thursday with mac and cheese.  Friday we did leftovers again because we had so many.  Saturday was a Pasta Dinner at an advent celebration so I didn't even have to cook.  Sunday was my son's favorite dinner after basketball. So I didn't get two of the meals on the table as planned but I got dinner on the table every night so super happy to be ready to start another busy week.

Chasing Christmas Eve Book Review

I was shocked when I got to the 4th book in the series. I couldn't believe that I had gone through so many books.  Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel by Jill Shalvis was the next book in my pile so I just picked it up after finishing the last book.  I couldn't believe the pile next to my computer to review because I hadn't written a review on any of the books because I spent too much time reading.

Meet cute...Run for the hills—temporarily. That’s Colbie Albright’s plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie’s so over it that she’s under it. She’s also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she’s pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won’t be a stranger for long.
Make merry...Spence’s commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn’t have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot—chemistry he’s got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself... just because she’s gorgeous and a great listener…just because she “gets” Spence immediately doesn’t mean he won’t be able to let Colbie go. Does it?
…and hope for a miracle. Now the clock’s ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

Loved this book because I had liked Spencer in the previous books that I read and I was excited to finally get to know more about him and his new love interest, Colbie.  Spencer has had trouble finding love because he made a successful business and sold it so he had a lot of money.  He has been a lot more of a loaner because he only trusts his small group of friends after a college friend wrote a story about him bringing out more women who throw themselves at him.  Spencer is looking for love and trying to figure out how he will know if it is real.  He meets Colbie after he has a dog that he is walking knock her into a fountain.  He finds her a change of clothes and offers her a place to stay while she is visiting for three weeks.  Colbie ran away from the pressures of home because she was having trouble making her writing deadline. She decided that she wanted to go somewhere tropical since this was her first vacation away from home ever but there was a storm so she decided on San Fransisco.  She not only finds the freedom great for writing but she falls for Spencer.  The two of them enter into the relationship knowing that she is going to leave on Christmas Eve.  They both decide that they aren't okay with that but then Colbie reveals her secret of who she really is and it tears them apart.  You have to pick up the book to find out what happens but I promise that it is worth the read.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series.  I hope that you will enjoy the books as much as I did.

Accidently on Purpose Book Review

I can't believe how quickly these books have gone with reading at night and in the morning through our Thanksgiving break.  I am going to miss these slow starts to the morning when we go back to regular schedule.  I think that my reading might also suffer.  Accidentally on Purpose: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel by Jill Shalvis is the third book in the series and the first one that I had to have a hard back book from the library.

There’s no such thing as a little in love . . .Elle Wheaton’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . . 
There’s no such thing as a little in lust . . .Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco earthquake and he craves her 24/7, but Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .
There is such a thing as . . .As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along . . .

Elle has been in the other books but you don't really get to know her until this book.  It is nice to get to know the reasons that she acts the way she does which is sometimes off putting.  She is very strict in the things that she does and makes sure that everyone follows the same set of rules.  Archer runs a security firm and although he is the last person that she wants to be drawn to, she still feels a pull towards him.  Archer is very closed off and doesn't have long term relationships.  He runs his business and takes in people who become close friends and family.  It does make you wonder if he can make all these great friends, why he doesn't have other long term relationships.  Elle and Archer deny their feelings in many of the earlier books but their friends get them to tell the truth.  They share a history that you learn about and she is very thankful.  I thought that this was a great book and I liked reading it just as much as the others in the series.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series.  

The Trouble with Mistletoe Book Review

I was excited to start this new series after starting in the middle of the series and then going back to the beginning.  The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel by Jill Shalvis is the second book in the series.  I enjoyed getting to read a series that was in order and there were already a bunch out.  I can't wait to look into other books by this author.

If she has her way . . .Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her . . .
He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking. Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him . . .
Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice . . .Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work . . .

Willa works in the pet shop and is really great with the animals and saving some people that need help.  But she has never been lucky in love and always puts others before herself.  She ends up coming eye to eye to Keane who stood her up for a Sadie Hawkins dance in high school that she never got over.  Keane comes into the shop looking for someone to pet sit his cat for the day so that he can get some construction done which is his job.  Keane doesn't remember Willa from high school and is focused on a few construction projects that he needs to finish and make the money to move to his next project like he always does.  Willa watches the cat but doesn't loose the attitude towards Keane and he can't figure out why.  Wait for the reasons that he stood her up in high school and I think that you will be amazed.  You have to pick up the book to find out what happens next and promise you will be amazed at the roller coaster of emotions as these two deal with each other.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the great series.  I know that you will enjoy these fast reads and not be able to put them down either.

Sweet Little Lies Book Review

I started a new series from one book that I found at the free shelf at the library.  Sweet Little Lies: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel by Jill Shalvis was going back to the first book in the series so I was interested to catch up with all the people that I met in the 6th book.  It was great to find a new series to check out the whole thing.

In her Avon debut, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis launches a fun, sexy new contemporary romance series featuring a boy, a girl, and one wily wishing well.
Choose the one guy you can’t have . . .As captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru can handle rough seas—the hard part is life on dry land. Pru loves her new apartment and her neighbors; problem is, she’s in danger of stumbling into love with Mr. Right for Anybody But Her.

Fall for him—hard . . .Pub owner Finn O’Riley is six-foot-plus of hard-working hottie who always makes time for his friends. When Pru becomes one of them, she discovers how amazing it feels to be on the receiving end of that deep green gaze. But when a freak accident involving darts (don’t ask) leads to shirtless first aid, things rush way past the friend zone. Fast.

And then tell him the truth.Pru only wants Finn to be happy; it’s what she wishes for at the historic fountain that’s supposed to grant her heart’s desire. But wanting him for herself is a different story—because Pru’s been keeping a secret that could change everything. . . .

I thought that this was starting the series off on the right foot.  I really enjoyed getting to know Pru who is a captain of tour boat and enjoys her job.  She briefly dated her boss and really hasn't had great luck in love.  She is making her life with her friends in the small tight knit community around her apartment building.  Finn is working at the pub and one of her small group of friends.  Pru ends up hitting Finn with a dart and having to administer first aid.  It is interesting to watch the friendship quickly turn into more with these two.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series...stay turned for the next book in the series review.  I have a big back up of all the books that I read in a row because they were such page turners. I read five in a row very quickly and I am sure you will have the same trouble putting them down.

Menu Plan Monday 12/2

Pasta with garlic bread and sausage sauce
Chili with corn chips and cheese

Pork Chops with mac and cheese
Philly Cheese Steak Pasta
Fried Rice with Egg Rolls
Leftovers
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade Fries

Last week was so busy with family in town and we were always on the go.   We had pasta with garlic bread and sausage sauce on Monday.  Tacos and white rice was Tuesday night when my parents came into town.  Lasagna was my made ahead and thrown in the oven to get dinner on the table after shopping.  Thursday night was Thanksgiving dinner which we had Turkey, Sausage Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Yeast Rolls, Butternut Squash with apples, Asparagus, Black Olives and Cranberry Sauce with lots of pies for dessert.  We had leftovers for lunch and dinner on Friday.  Saturday we had leftovers for lunch and Chinese for dinner after a day out at two National Parks to get Junior Ranger badges for my son.  Sunday we had leftovers for lunch and did my son's favorite dinner of Chicken fries, Chicken Wraps and homemade fries.  Mostly the menu completed so super happy to have extra meals ready to go in case we needed them.  The biggest problem was all the dishes!!  UGH!!

I hope that this week is a little more calm but I know that we are still busy this week so we will try for an easy week to get the meals on the table.