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One Hundred Dollars a Month

I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.


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Daily Deals for 5/23/17 – Online Grocery Deals, Gardening Magazines, Candles, Fudgesicle Recipe and More

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Quote of the Day “Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.” Lao-Tzu

Hello Tuesday!

Yesterday was a high of 80 degrees in our backyard and I think Lucy spent most if it lounging in the sun. 70 degrees is my happy place… But the sunshine? Well, I’ll take that any day of the week.

In other news… I planted my squash a cucumber seeds about 10 days ago and yesterday the first one popped through the soil. I like to start my squash and cucumber seeds in little pots each year to protect the plants from the slugs. In another week or so I’ll transplant them to the garden beds.

Life is good here in maximum security, how’s life on the outside?

♥ Mavis

*This deal post will be updated throughout the morning so be sure and check back for deals. * Amazon prices can change without notice. Please verify price before ordering. Amazon offers Free Shipping with a $49 purchase or Amazon Prime. {Sign up for a free Amazon Prime 30 day trial!}

Amazon Deals of the Day for 5/23/17

Available Kindle Books I think look interesting…

The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can. Don’t have a Kindle? Download the kindle app on your other devices. It’s easy! 🙂

Subscribe and Save Deals

Subscribe and Save prices reflect a 15% discount for ordering 5 or more items in 1 month.

Gardening Magazines with out all the fluff. 😉

Home and Kitchen Deals

Do you have your eye on something at REI? Are you a REI Member? If you are you can save $20 off 1 full priced item as well as 20% 1 REI Garage item with code ANNV17 at checkout through May 29th. SHOP REI

Banana Fudgesicles:  All of the sweetness. NONE of the added sugar.  Get the recipe HERE.

Add on Items

*These are all Amazon Add-on Items and they will ship with qualifying orders over $25 and are eligible for free shipping on $25 orders with Amazon Prime {or will ship FREE on $35 orders without Prime}. 

How to do you organize your days? Are you terrible at time management? Check out these tips on How to Improve Your Time Management Skills

Prime Pantry Deals

If you are an Amazon Prime Member, you can get FREE Prime Pantry shipping {a $5.99 value} when you buy five qualifying items. Shop Prime Pantry.

Amazon has 30 Kids eBooks on sale for $1.00 each. Go HERE to see the titles available.

Kid’s Stuff

Find Printable Coupons

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

Helping Mrs. HB Get Control of Her Grocery Budget – Week 20

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This post was written by Mrs. HB.

Well you knew this day would come and since its summer and everyone is so busy doing outdoor stuff (as it should be), I am backing off a little and going to start writing monthly updates. I can’t believe that it has been 4 and 1/2 months that we have been on this journey! Can you? Time flies for sure and faster and faster as I get older! So from this point forward I will only be writing a monthly update on the first Monday of each month.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about why I am how I am. That can go pretty deep and I think I will stay away from trying to analyze myself on a public forum. However, I am quite intrigued that I do some of the things I do and was wondering if other people do them as well.

For instance, take evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. I am not a baker, although I make a mean cheesecake. My only connection to these two items is that my Mom told us as kids stories of her DRINKING sweetened condensed milk as a treat and in hard times they may only had evaporated milk to drink. Don’t know why. Maybe the cows ran out of milk during a drought or something.

However since I have been buying my own groceries, I have ALWAYS had a can or two of both types of canned milk on hand ready to be used. It would be fine if I used them on a regular bases but I don’t. In fact when I have the occasional need to use one of them the expiration date is almost always expired. Yet I go to the grocery store and purchase another can or two. Just to leave them on the shelf for the next discovery of expiration.

So thinking of my budget I am asking myself why? Its the same thing with cheese and crackers. Or a better example is Pick a Peppa sauce and cream cheese. You know for when that occasional guest drops by unannounced and you need to have something to offer them to eat. But it just doesn’t happen here like in the south or maybe the times, but I still have it on hand . It seems when I clean out the frig I always end up throwing out 3/4 a bottle of Pick A Peppa sauce. Though to its credit does have a long self life. but the cream cheese is a goner or the kids have eaten it on something and therefor negates the reason I had it in the first place.

So I say pause and think Why? Habits probably…. cultural? Maybe but it also makes me question why I am not baking more and why aren’t friends just popping by like OLD times? Let’s ponder on this one for a while.

Totally off subject……of my deep reflection I did very well on my budget this week. Only spent $48 at grocery and no Costco for me. I did have to provide buns and beans for a baseball pot luck. I found the beans on sale at FM for 3 for $5 and one was on the dented clearance bin! Yay. HB hubby bought the buns … for course form Costco. But I didn’t go!

I was also able to make and freeze bean and sausage and a meat spaghetti . Two nights each for later stressful evenings. I have to say this has become a nice unintended habit for me. When I have time and the ingredients, I will make meals for sometime in the future.

Lets face it as much as I LOVE my day cooking with Ms Mavis that isn’t reality. We have to make it happen when we can. So that’s what I have started to do. I will still plan other meals too but this is like an insurance policy just in case I can’t cook on that special day. With baseball and 4H season this has become more the norm. Weekends are meant for family so I do what I can do when I can do it. But have that plan and still shop once a week.

Well expect this week. HB daughter had extensive oral surgery. I knew if I shopped too early HB boy and Hubby would dive in so I waited and went on a special day and bought all her soft liquid foods. I know I should puree everything….. but I didn’t. Good thing I have that slushy fund. 😉 FYI she did very well and is recovering nicely.

Random thought….. I love nature but am learning to hate deer!!!!! They keeping eating my apple tree. Help!

Until first Monday of June,

~Mrs. HB

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$250 a Month Food Budget – Groceries, Take Out and Date Nights – May 15th – May 21st

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Well, it finally happened. I used up my giant roll of saran wrap from Costco {I had been working on it for the last 3 years} and now it’s gone. Sniff sniff. It’s been over 16 months since I have bought any new ziplock bags and now I am saying goodbye to Saran wrap. Because seriously, I’m tired of buying products that I am just going to throw away.

So now, I’ve resorted to re-using produce bags and packaging up the HH’s lunch in recycled take out containers my mom saves for me. Monkey boy is beside himself. Fifty bucks says he breaks down and buys HIS OWN ROLL of saran wrap to package up his peanut butter sandwiches. 😉 Actually now that I think about it, a roll of Saran wrap would make a nice birthday gift for him from my parents {they already give him a jumbo pack of Charmin every year because I won’t pay for it}. HAHAHA! Luxuries. Everybody defines them differently I guess.

Winco $47.85

Highlight of the trip: Wheat Thins and Tricuits for $1.58 a box, Zoi yogurt for $2.78 and canned beets. Sadly, Little Debbie didn’t make it into the cart this week. I also stocked up on dried beans for an upcoming recipe post I’m working on.

Does your dog inspect the groceries you bring home too?

Fred Meyer $22.33

Fred Meyer had their Founder’s Day sale last week so grabbed a few of their deals. Butter $1.49 a pound, Bread $0.99 a loaf, Eggs $0.79 a dozen and Tillamook cheese $4.99 for a 2 pound loaf. I also picked up my Friday freebie deals; tortilla chips and Ritz but was totally disappointed that I forgot to load the free Lind chocolate from a few weeks ago. 🙁

Lucy was totally unimpressed with my purchases and thew herself on the floor like a toddler. She perked right up though when I feed her some frozen blueberries. Once a drama queen, always a drama queen. 😉

Fred Meyer $5.40

My sources say an apple crumb pie is in our future. 😉

Albertsons $0.99

Hot dogs are gross. But the boys like them. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

And last but not least… With all this warm weather we’ve been having I’ve been drinking 2 -3 giant jugs of iced tea a day. The only problem is it’s so cold that I have to walk around the house with a blanket wrapped around me like a total weirdo. 😉 Oh well. I can’t possibly be the only one who does this… right?

Next week is a no spend week for me {thank goodness} because I’m totally over budget for the month. I’m hoping our food bill will go down during the summer months and it will all even out by the end of the year.

Have a WONDERFUL Monday!!!

~Mavis

Total Spent This Week $76.57

  • Total Spent in January on Groceries $202.99
  • Total Spent in February on Groceries $143.94
  • Total Spent in March on Groceries $183.35
  • Total Spent in April on Groceries $205.67
  • Total Spent on Groceries in May $248.60

************

  • Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
  • Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $118.45
  • Total Spent in March on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $25.29
  • Total Spent in April on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $62.50
  • Total Spent in May of Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $54.52

Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

Daily Deals – Dry Rub Steak Seasoning, Online Grocery Deals, Hunter Boots, Garden Gear and More

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Quote of the Day “Take care not to let cares take you.” Arabic proverb

Ahhh Mondays…

On the agenda for today:

  • GET OUTSIDE
  • Dye more pumpkin colored wool
  • Work on new rug hooking pattern
  • Get down on my hands and knees and clean the hardwood floors {the BEST way to clean them if you ask me}
  • Remember to water plants {I’m not turning on the sprinklers until I absolutely have to
  • Plant pole beans
  • Make homemade tortillas for tonight’s dinner
  • Find 20 items to add to garage sale box

How about YOU? What’s on your to do list for today?

♥ Mavis

*This deal post will be updated throughout the morning so be sure and check back for deals. * Amazon prices can change without notice. Please verify price before ordering. Amazon offers Free Shipping with a $49 purchase or Amazon Prime. {Sign up for a free Amazon Prime 30 day trial!}

Amazon Deals of the Day for 5/22/17

Available Kindle Books I think look interesting…

The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can. Don’t have a Kindle? Download the kindle app on your other devices. It’s easy! 🙂

Subscribe and Save Deals

Subscribe and Save prices reflect a 15% discount for ordering 5 or more items in 1 month.

Discount Mags is offering a 1 year subscription to Do It Yourself Magazine for only $9.99 a year when you use code MAVIS at checkout. This deal will expire 5/23/17 at midnight EST.

Home and Kitchen Deals

Planning on grilling this weekend? Check out my friend Amberlina’s Dry Rub Steak Seasoning recipe.

Add on Items

*These are all Amazon Add-on Items and they will ship with qualifying orders over $25 and are eligible for free shipping on $25 orders with Amazon Prime {or will ship FREE on $35 orders without Prime}. 

6pm has Hunter Boots on Sale!  FIX LINKS!!!!

These Vegetable Themed Painted Rocks might be the most frugal garden markers yet! See how I made them HERE.

Prime Pantry Deals

If you are an Amazon Prime Member, you can get FREE Prime Pantry shipping {a $5.99 value} when you buy five qualifying items. Shop Prime Pantry.

Amazon Baby Registry Sweepstakes

  • Go to or create an Amazon Baby Registry
  • Add a minimum of $75 worth of Summer Infant items to your registry to be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes.
  • One (1) winner will be selected each month from March, 2017 – June, 2017.
  • 10% completion discount; 15% completion discount for Amazon Mom members.
  • FREE 90-day returns on Baby Store purchases.
  • It’s universal – add items to an Amazon Baby Registry from any site.
  • Go HERE for more details.

Kid’s Stuff

Shop Now at Zaycon Fresh

Zaycon Foods is now taking orders for their upcoming events. Below are their offerings and prices in my area.Go HERE to find out what is available in your area.

  • Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.89/lb X 40.00 lbs| $75.60/case
  • Fresh 93/7 Super Lean Ground Beef $3.79/lb X 40.00 lbs| $151.60/case
  • Fresh 80/20 Ground Beef $2.79/lb X 40.00 lbs| $111.60/case
  • Wild Argentine Red Shrimp $7.99/lb X 20.00 lbs | $159.80/case
  • USDA Choice Chuck Roast $4.49/lb X 24.00 lbs | $107.76/case
  • 90/10 Ground Turkey $2.19/lb X 40.00 lbs | $87.60/case
  • Premium Hickory Smoked Bacon $3.99/lb X 36.00 lbs | $143.64/case
  • Premium Pork Tenderloins $2.99/lb X 32.00 lbs | $95.68/case
  • Boneless Turkey Breast Roast $4.29/lb X 24.00 lbs | $102.96/case {My FAVORITE Zaycon product!!!}

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This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

Mavis Butterfield Etsy