Price Comparison

I get the biggest rush going through sale flyers for grocery stores. I created a spreadsheet with the items my family buys regularly. Then when I see a “sale” in a store or flyer, I know whether it’s a good deal or not.

I first got the idea from my friend Sarah Deveau’s book Money Smart Mom! It took a bit for the idea to grow on me, as I used to make fun of my Mom for being a “Coupon Queen” when I was growing up! I vividly recall my Mom giving me a coupon for admission when going on a date in high school, in front of the guy.

Now I’ve got over myself and become a domestic goddess in training! In November, before I did a big cook (froze a bunch of meals), I went to a different store than usual just to buy 2 boxes of chicken breasts on sale.

Often when I go to the store I have a copy of my most updated grocery list with me. You can find me jotting down notes – new items, revisions, etc, in the margins. Then when I get a chance, I’ll update my spreadsheet, print off my newly updated document and put it in my purse for my next grocery shopping date!

I don’t prefer to shop for groceries at Wal Mart, but if I can spend part of my grocery budget there and have more to spend on other budgets, I will!

Want to make your own? DOWNLOAD my Excel spreadsheet, so you have something to start from OR create your own (Type A personalities)!!

*Please note the prices found in the image are based on my own observation! As the creator of my Grocery Price Comparison document, I assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor do they represent or warrant that the information contained herein is in all cases true, accurate, appropriate, or legal.

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About a year ago, I decided that becoming budget savvy needed to become my middle name.

Why do I go out of my way to save on groceries? So I can justify having a house cleaner, pedicures, and nice clothes! As an example, say a house cleaner costs $60 every 2 weeks ($20/hr for 3 hrs) to clean bathrooms, floors, and dust. If I can save $30 on groceries and chose to eat at home more instead of dining out, saving another $30 – then I’ve paid for a house cleaner!! To me, having a house cleaner is living an amazing life. I justify delegating the house chores I don’t prefer, by extra time doing income producing activities.

The best part of life is that you get a choice, of how to spend your time and money. You can save in places, to spend in others. Everyone’s motivation is unique to them.

What do you do, to save money?

Stay Amazing,

Progressive Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite annual holidays to spend time with family and friends. I have many fond memories of spending it at my Grandma’s. This year my family of 3 decided to spend the day at home by ourselves.

Chef Beazley and I took turns in the kitchen creating our Progressive Thanksgiving dinner. Here are pictures from our feast!

Course #1: Butternut Squash Tomato soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons!!! Oh and every celebration deserves champagne.

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Course #2: Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Braxton loves solid food!

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Course #3: Chicken Fried Steak with white gravy, Green Bean Casserole and loaded Mashed Potatoes.

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Course #4: More Pumpkin Cheesecake…

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What delicious dishes did you enjoy for Thanksgiving?

It’s fabulous that I’m back to my 30 Day Challenge this week, as I really splurged on Monday!!

Stay Amazing,

Ta Da!

I have officially decorated my first cake! I was looking for inspiration the other day in my post Cake Goddess in Training.

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Raspberry Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

I debuted my finished product to John yesterday morning and he loved it.

Then he commented, “oh you didn’t put any lemon peel on top”

“No, I didn’t!” rolling my eyes

As John walked out the door he commented, “do you think any other couples debate over whether a cake should have a zest of lemon on the topping?”

We both laughed!

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So seriously, I’m curious to know if you and your partner have discussions like ours? Maybe we’re just strange!

I would LOVE your opinion – if you agree with John and his lemon garnish, we’re friends off – just joking!!

 

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(polls)
I’m off to enjoy a slice…

Cake Goddess in Training

One of our favorite TV shows lately has been Chef Ramsey’s MasterChef. Last week the competitors had to make a 6 layer sponge cake!

John’s Birthday is in a week and I was secretly planning to make him a cake for this special day. Well – he beat me to the punch! Chef Beazley got creative in the kitchen this week and made a sponge cake with lemon rinds!

He cut the cake in 2 pieces and then left to work for a couple days. Before he departed, he informed me that he “left the cook book open to the page with the lemon cream cheese icing”.

So here I am – looking for the domestic goddess angels to surprise me with their presence! I’m going to rock this cake – I keep telling myself.

I picked up a package of fresh raspberries to use between the 2 cake layers and garnish. If I’m going to do this – I’m going to do it amazing. Always striving to Surprise & Delight! Wish me luck…

Enjoy the summer heat,

Turquoise & Lime Green

I’ve been working on Braxton’s room…

Inspiration has come from the colors turquoise & lime green. John saw what I was creating and asked what the “theme” was. I was a bit puzzled and stumbling over my words came up with western, Texas and agriculture inspired!

My real motivation came from my awesome friend Jill. She showed me pictures of her baby’s nursery when she came to visit Braxton & I!

Check out pictures of Baby H’s room, it was featured on our friend Crystal.Cattle’s blog as part of her famous Turquoise Thursday series.

I look forward to giving you a video tour of Braxton’s room when it’s done!

Hope you’re having an amazing day.

Live Inspired,

Sunday Night TexMex Meal

Chef Beazley (my nickname for my husband John) is always so creative at making a fantastic meal from the crazy items in our fridge and cupboards! I’ve been wanting to start a series called something like What’s In The Kitchen?for a long time.

As John and I enjoyed preparing our dinner tonight, I decided to put the video camera on my digital camera to use!

This episode of What’s In The Kitchen? is inspired by:

A pot of cooked beans!


Before my husband went away for work a couple days ago, he slow cooked a pot of pinto beans. Then…they were moved to the fridge and have been waiting to be refried. I was tired of looking at them AND the bacon grease that was left in the pan on the stove BECAUSE I was dreaming about the most incredible refried beans that Chef Beazley made a few weeks ago. He got the recipe from the Homesick Texan blog! I proposed we make a TexMex meal and recreate the amazing beans (that’s almost an oxymoron – amazing & beans in the same sentence – but seriously they are fantastic!).

Success…

Have an amazing week!

Live Inspired,

Summer Project :: In Progress

UPDATE – Here is the Summer Project :: FINISHED!

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So here I sit after the magical month of July, facing reality! Needing to attack my Summer Project list.

#1 – Clean sweep and organize my collection under the stairs in our basement

It looks worse than it is, I’m convinced.

I kicked off this action item last night, by committing to 30 minutes to get started.

First order of business – remove everything!

Wow – much better energy. I swept the floor and then turned around.

Now, I’m left with these piles of excitement.

John bet me that the disaster will still be in the middle of the basement when he gets home…in a week.

I bet him that he was WRONG! Yikes…

As you may be able to tell, I’m procrastinating from doing my 30 minutes tonight…here I sit…blogging!

However, in order to win this…I need to get off my booty.

I WILL win this. I will…I will.. (just practicing my self talk)

Off to sort,

P.S. Anyone want to come over and help?? It’ll be fun… The fridge is stocked with cold ones AND I have Rhubarb Slush waiting for your arrival! My sweet hubby also insisted I be left with lots of groceries to ensure I actually ate real food, so I didn’t resort to eating cooking for one (Bach”ette”ing It) meals – so I’ll cook for you. He he…

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