Sign up for my newsletter and get a copy of my "28 Ways to Slash Your Grocery Budget"

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.


Instagram did not return a 200.

Mavis’ Almost Zero Waste Home in 29 Days or Less – Week 4

The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure
By on · 12 Comments

zero waste home

Last week was a wee bit crazy for me and even though it felt like I was taking stuff out to our recycle bins in the garage constantly, there was one day that I just stuffed our garbage in the trash can without sorting it. That, is what you see above.

As I was getting ready to do this week’s zero waste home in 29 days or less post, I went through that trash and gleaned a few more things for my recycle bins.  {Plastic bag, batteries, canning lid, tea tin}.

recycle

Apparently, you can recycle the giant potato bag from Costco. I didn’t even bother looking for the recycle logo the first time around because the side of the bag is mesh. But holy cow, it’s recyclable!

candle wrappers

Sadly sticky wax wrappers from the bottle of my used candles are not. Neither is the sticker from the ibuprofen bottle.
paint cup

When I paint trim, I use a plastic or paper cup to hold the paint. I suppose I could use a glass jar and rise it out afterwards, but old habits die hard. Anywho, even though I was able to peel off the paint from the interior of the cup, The paint on the outside of the cup wasn’t going anywhere so I had to trash it.

zero waste lifestyle

But seriously, take a look at this. Our trash from last week? It all fits in a tall Starbucks cup. How freakin’ amazing is that? This whole zero waste home idea… isn’t as crazy as I once thought it was. Although I don’t think we could be completely waste free, it just goes to show you how much of the stuff we buy/use, is recyclable.

Keep Calm and Recycle On,

~Mavis

Note: Most recycling centers have a bin set up to recycle batteries. Check to see if yours does. Luckily, ours does so I don’t have to save them up and make a special trip somewhere to recycle them.

Also, did you know it is against the law in California to throw away single use batteries? Yes, yes it is.

 

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.

How We Spend Less Than $100 a Month on Groceries Week 8 of 52

The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure
By on · 27 Comments

How We Spend Less Than $100 a Month on Groceries

You know when you send your husband to the store to buy 1 thing and he comes home with 3? It will kill your grocery budget every single time. I should know this by now, right?

big potatoes costcoCostco $17.67

I was craving a baked potato with BACON so I asked the HH if he wouldn’t mind running to Costco for potatoes {they are HUGE!}. He came back with the potatoes, 2 gallons of milk and a box of lemon bars. He knows I LOVE lemon bars and it was a totally sweet gesture… but because of those bars I am now over budget for the month. 🙁 Sadness. Now if I want to stay remotely on track for the year I am going to have to resist the urge to buy anything for the rest of the month.

By the way… those lemons bars…freakin’ delicious! 😉

produceHarbor Greens Market $10.64

We ran errands together {or really, the HH chauffeured me around town because I don’t like driving} and one of our stops was Harbor Greens. Until about 2 weeks ago, Harbor Greens was the only grocery store on that particular side of town. The QFC store had closed last year as well as the Old Safeway/Haggen store.

Then, on the exact same day, Safeway re-opened and Main and Vine opened up. It’s gotta be hurting Harbor Greens right now something big. Hopefully when all the hype dies down Harbor Greens will be back to normal. Luckily one thing Harbor Greens has that the other stores don’t have is a massive plant and garden section in the spring, summer and fall months. So hopefully, that will lure peeps back to shopping there.

captain crunchFred Meyer $ 7.38

Eggs $1.50 per dozen and sugary cereal for the boys that will stay hidden in my secret hiding place until I leave next month for the east coast, $1.69 a box.

Here are some of the foods we ate last week {minus the snacks}:

soup stew

Monday

Breakfast – Eggs, bacon and toast
Lunch – I have no idea
Dinner – Leftover Pot Roast Stew

pizzaTuesday

Breakfast – Banana, steel cut oats
Lunch – 4 slices Shirley’s cinnamon raisin bread
Dinner – Domino’s Pizza Deal

chicken soupWednesday

Breakfast – Cinnamon raisin toast, banana, orange juice
Lunch – Breaded chicken and sweet potato fries
Dinner – Chicken Soup and homemade biscuits

smoothieThursday

Breakfast – Steel cut oats, smoothie
Lunch – Panera chicken cobb salad and bread {My gift cards are now depleted} 🙁
Dinner – Smoothie

egg saladFriday

Breakfast – Eggs and sausage
Lunch – Egg salad sandwhich with homegrown sprouts
Dinner – Pasta and no knead crusty bread

baked potatoSaturday

Breakfast – Steel cut oats with strawberries and blueberries
Lunch – Soup: Clam chowder for the HH, tomato soup for me
Dinner – Baked potato with butter, sour cream and bacon {+movie snacks}

egg scrambleSunday

Breakfast – Big Breakfast sausage, eggs, and toast
Linner – Toasted ham and cheese sandwiches

All and all, not a bad week. Now, if I can just stay out of the stores this week I think I’ll be okay.

~Mavis

Total Spent This Week $35.69

Total Spent in February $102.89 {Noooo!}

Total Spent in Janaury $105.36

Freebies we’ve been gifted or were earned in 2016:  $200

  • $100 gift card to Whole Foods {Christmas gift from my parents}
  • $100 gift card to Trader Joe’s {Christmas gift from my parents}
  • 22 packets of vegetable seeds

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.

Mega Bloks, Homemade Laundry Soap and Supplies, Recipe for Lentil Soup and More

The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure
By on · 7 Comments

quotes - some people die at 25

Quote of the Day “Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.”

lucy the puggle dog

Remember Keds? I had no idea they still made them but man of man were they the coolest shoes ever to wear with your jeans {cuffs rolled up of course} when I was a teenager. Is it weird I want a pair of these shoes now? I think they’d last a whole 2 hours before I got them dirty in the garden though. 😉 Ahh the late 80’s, they were the best.
There’s a new post on Dig for Your Dinner this morning. I went to the nursery and only bought one plant. Miracles do happen. 😉

Have a great day everyone,

♥ Mavis and Lucy the Puggle Dog

*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!}

megabloks

Amazon Deal of the Day for 2/22/16 – Save up to 50% on select Mega Bloks construction toys

keds shoes

More Amazon Daily Deals for 2/22/16

the third plateAvailable 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! 🙂

marroboneSubscribe and Save Deals

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

How-to-Organize-Seed-Packets-photo-album_optUse these winter months to get your garden plan in place, including Organizing Your Seed Packets! Find more cool projects on my Arts & Crafts Pinterest Board.

vitacost-shopping-trip1

{An old photo, but these are just some of the products available}

Vitacost.com is offering $10 off ANY $30 order for new customers whenever you sign up for an account through this link {my referral link}.

Some of the Vitacost deals happening right now:

  • Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Vitacost Products {nuts included!}
  • Extra 20% off Tea with code DRINKUP
  • Spend $15 on Bob’s and use promo code POPCORN to get a 27 oz. white popcorn free!

Be sure and add the free sample of Tom’s of Maine deodorant to your cart at checkout as well. If you have not signed up yet, head HERE to receive $10 off your first order of $30 or more. A few minutes after you sign up, Vitacost will send you an email with your exclusive coupon code.

peeps cake panHome and Kitchen Deals

Vegetarian Indian-Spiced Lentils with Spinach and Rhubarb recipe

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Indian-Spiced Lentils with Spinach and Rhubarb – It has every ingredient except the kitchen sink–this soup is hearty and filling, and best of all, loaded down with nutritional goodness. Get the recipe HERE or {Pin it for Later}. Find more recipes on my Soup Recipe Pinterest Board.

bern bike helmet

REI Outlet Deal of the Day – Bern Brentwood Bike Helmet $31.73 {was $80}

cushe footwear

Today only Cushe is offering 70% off full price styles {plus an additional 20% 0ff sale styles} while supplies last! This offer expires tonight at 11:59pm EST.

play doh eggsAdd 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}. 

spring sale

Today only Cents of Style is offering 50% OFF  & FREE SHIPPING on their entire Fringe Jewelry collection w/code FRINGE50 at checkout.

easter mad libsKid’s Stuff

bees wrap

Bee’s Wrap Giveaway

Congratulations to Hannah who said “I wouldn’t sting anyone. Massive abdominal rupture after stinging someone sounds like a bad way to go.”

spring ebooks

If you’re looking for all of my very best gardening content in one convenient spot, these monthly gardening eBooks are a must.  Check out Dig for Your Dinner in February for ways to get a started on your garden, no matter what your climate!

prime pantry february

And don’t forget… If you are an Amazon Prime Member, you can get FREE Prime Pantry shipping {a $5.99 value} when you buy five qualifying items and use promo code PANTRYFEB at checkout. Shop Prime Pantry.

ocean spray grapefruit juice coupon

Check out these New Printable Coupons:

Find More 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.

My 12 Goals for 2016 : Week 8 of 52

The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure
By on · 14 Comments

staining a trellis

1. Pay Down the Mortgage

We were able to knock 4 payments off our contract in February {1 regular payment and 3 “principal” payments}. I was able to use my “rug hooking money” to go towards the extra payments.  Wahoo!

2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year. 

Just because I’m on a no spend year, doesn’t mean I can’t drool over stuff.

Black Dinah Chocolatiers Farmers Market Collection. I left subtle hints {for Valentine’s day to the HH} but he didn’t pick up on them. I think The Girl and I are going to have to go to Kate’s shop while we are in Maine next month. If we do that, it will come out of our vacation “food” budget. Because hey, a girl has to eat, right? 😉

Capiz 3 Tier Chandelier OH.MY.WORD. It’s glorious.

feta rolls

3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.

  • Paid bills online
  • Borrowed books from the library
  • Found a better deal on a hotel reservation and canceled then rebooked it
  • Made homemade bread and rolls instead of buying them

chicken soup4. Try 52 New Recipes.

I did try a new salad dressing recipe and a new variation of my crock pot chicken soup, both of which were delicious.

5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.

So far this month I’ve spent $67.20 on groceries.

quinn popcorn6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband 

This week we decided to stay in and watch a movie. The plan was to watch The Age of Adaline. But I forgot that we don’t own a dvd player anymore {I usually watch movies on my laptop}. So the HH picked out a movies for us to stream on the tv. Hoffa and Instrasteller.  So ya, not exactly the romantic comedy movie night I was going for. 😉

Oh well, at least the Quinn popcorn and red vines I bought with our “date money” were good.

So far this year we’ve gone on 7 dates and spent $74.52 out of pocket for our “dates.”

primitive hooked rug hooking wool whale

7. Turn My Wool Stash into $5,000.

I had a good week turning my rug hooking hobby into cash. I sold 9 hooked rugs. 5 items on Ebay and 4 on Etsy for a total of $389.76 {before fees and supplies were factored in}.

So far in february I’ve sold $504.56

In January I sold $1563.92 {wowza!}

yard-sale8. Get Rid of 1,000 Things. 

And the decluttering continues!

the plain choice9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.

What I picked up from the library this week:

apple espalier tree10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year. 

I picked out a beautiful 4-way apple tree and planted it next to my other espalier trees along the fence. The apple tree was one of my original exceptions to my no spend year.

I also harvested more beets, carrots and potatoes from the garden, planted more seeds and got to enjoy some nice weather this week {finally!}.

So far this year I have harvested 6 pound 2 ounces of fresh veggies from our backyard.

Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 3 hours, 15 Minutes

11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.

This week I worked on painting the trim and doors in the master bathroom. I’m almost done.

wax firestarters12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.

Last week I made a boatload more of firestarters. I think I’m up to 100 so far. My plan is to make a crate out of an old wood pallet and stuff it full of fire starters and gift it to my brother for Christmas this year.

How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?

~Mavis

Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.

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