Kroger Sales 3.10.16

This weeks shopping trip was super successful.  I was able to get the bill to $50.31.  My budgeted goal for weekly shopping is $50, and I almost never get it right at $50!  So I'm really pleased.  I had a few packs of meat from the past few weeks in my freezer so besides menu items, I just stocked up on a few breakfast and pantry staples.  See below for my menu plan for the week.

Mix and Match Buy 5 Save $5 was the highlighted sale for this weeks circular.  I always find really great savings when they have this type of sale.  Here are a few of the items that I purchased from this sale: 

Post Cereal $1.77
Red Baron Pizza $2.79 (there is a digital coupon for $1 off when you buy two)
Gold Fish $0.99
Kraft Mayo $2.50
Land O Lakes Margarine $0.66
Hungry Jack Pancake Mix $1.50
Kens Salad Dressing $1.50
Kraft Salad Dressing $1.50

Some other noteworthy items:  Kroger brand canned beans and canned tomatoes are on sale for $0.50 per can!  I tend to stock up a bit on these.  They are perfect to add to a meal last minute because they are already cooked.  Red, yellow, or orange peppers were $0.99.  These peppers are both yummy and pretty, and typically cost at least $2 wherever you shop.

My proposed menu plan was possible due to the stock of meat I already have in my freezer.  For next weeks shopping trip, I'll have to purchase some more.  Menu planning has always been a struggle for me, so this loose plan is what I'll be cooking for dinner on whatever day I feel like cooking.  Also, whenever I cook, I make enough to have left overs.  I don't have the time to cook every single day. 

I have the following items already on hand:  ground turkey (Italian flavored, and taco flavored), family sized pack of chicken legs, lettuce, large can of tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, and brown rice (I buy my brown rice at Dollar Tree.  For some reason you can't mess this rice up even if you tried.  I love it!)

• Spaghetti with ground turkey and tomato sauce, garlic bread and tossed salad
• Tacos with black beans, brown rice , tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream
• Jerk chicken (making this for the first time!), rice and beans, roasted carrots
• Lunch:  PB&J, frozen pizza, salad, grilled cheese, leftovers
• Breakfast:  pancakes, grits, cereal, eggs, sausage, turkey bacon, and toast (hubby makes breakfast every morning, so he will choose from this selection of items)

Always check you sales flyer for you area by going to www.kroger.com

Stay tuned for next weeks shopping list and menu plan. 

Cut Your Cable For Good!

One of the main ways I have chosen to make cuts in my budget is cutting the cable off.  I didn't come to this decision lightly, but I couldn't get around the fact that I had to pay all this money for a crap ton of cable channels that my family doesn't even watch.  I work night shift, so my favorite shows come on when I am sleeping, working, or getting ready for work.  Because of this, I have to either purchase the higher priced packages for DVR purposes or compensate with online viewing.  Here are a couple of workarounds that can help you ditch your cable bill for good! 

A digital antenna is a one time purchase, no monthly fee!  These antennas give you access to digital channels like ABC, CBS, PBS (for those of you with little ones, I actually get two different PBS channels for the toddler to watch), FOX and more.  Antennas can cost as low as $10, all the way up to over $100.  The lower priced antennas will have to be connected to your individual TVs, while the larger, more expensive types can be hooked up outside your home.  Here is a great article on choosing and installing an outdoor antenna.  Crutchfield.com

Internet Based TV is really popular these days.  For those of you who don't already know about Netflix and Hulu, they are online streaming venues that allow you to watch TV shows, movies, documentaries and so on, over your internet.  You can purchase a Chrome cast ($30) or a Blue Ray Player ($60+) to stream them, watch from your computer or tablet, or hook up your tablet to be viewed on your TV screen.  There is also Rabbit TV.  This little USB can be plugged into your TV and stream in this fashion.  

An easy way to save money on internet TV is to share username and passwords.  Get a couple of friends and or family members to purchase one monthly subscription to Hulu, or Netflix and share.   Now if you have someone in the group who HAS to have cable you can share with them as well.  Using their password information will give you access to premium channels like HBO Go, and Showtime Anytime.  If that person has Comcast, you can use Xfinity online to watch cable shows streaming live!  Sharing passwords for these sites will save everyone money, and allow everyone to watch their favorite shows. Sharing is caring people. 

I do have a few drawbacks that I've come across.  If you go the cheaper route on antennas, you'll need to buy one for every TV in your house.  I started out with one antenna and have purchased two of the cheaper ones since then.  Also, for those who still own a couple of box TVs, you'll need to purchase a digital converter box in order to receive the digital channels.  Cheapest i've seen on this is $30.  

All in all, for as low as $10 per TV, you could be watching American Idol, Scandal, Fox Sports and more!  Keep in mind this is without any reoccurring charges.  You pay a one time fee to start up, and it's very inexpensive to start small.  How's that for saving some big dollars in the long run?

Do you have any tips on saving money on cable TV?  If so, what has worked for you?