More Coupons from P&G

http://www.pgestore.com/PG-Coupons/secret-coupons,default,sc.html?srule=top-sellers

Coupons

http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=MKRU3JAAR6CCY&check=21744,22310,22309,22308,22307,22301,22313,22390

Herb Growth

I planted my herbs on March 10th and check out my tiny plants. I'm so excited!!

Company Coupons

I have to share something great that I found online. I often go to company websites and Facebook pages (Birds Eye Foods, Proctor & Gamble, Dove, Reynold's Wrap, among others...) and look for newsletters, coupons, an email list sign-up, etc...anything to get coupons or free products. Well...today in my mail was a $35 coupon booklet from Proctor & Gamble. That is a pretty sweet deal!! Research pays off!

My Gluten Free Bread

I think it should be a bit taller...oh well, for a bread-deprived person, it will still taste pretty great :)

Sheet Pan Dinner

I am pretty sure that a sheet pan dinner might be the best thing invented!! 
Parmesan Chicken with Caesar Roasted Romaine Quick Recipes: bonappetit.com

My pic:

Almost done for the night. I have a loaf of gluten-free bread in the bread maker. I can't wait to eat some homemade bread!

Granola

I made some great-tasting, healthy granola tonight. Here's the recipe I used: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe/index.html. I just changed out a couple of things and made it my own.

Herbs

I almost forgot! I have some small buds coming through on the herbs that I planted. Super exciting!!! I will take a picture when they get a little bigger; I'm not sure if you can see them on camera.

Grocery Shopping

I love to grocery shop and always have. Now it's even more fun because of my deal hunting. I added some new apps to my smart phone (suggested by a friend), The Festival Foods and Aldi apps. I get the deals and savings right on my phone. I can also save my grocery list right in my Festival Foods app. Pretty sweet! I am now also the person that adds up what I'm buying, as I go in the store. This does take me longer but I also now only buy what I really need. I have to stay within budget because I'm using the scrip that I bought, which is on gift cards, so I can't go over.

It's a gorgeous day out. Gonna go get my groceries, do a little cookin', and enjoy the weather.

Happy Sunday!

Gas Update

I guess I missed a gas update. It was $3.84 but I noticed today that it already went up to $3.89. Craziness!!

Single I am, and living single I do...great article

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/frugal/living-single-4-ways-to-save.aspx

Time to set a retirement date?

Found this article and stories inspiring about retirement. Someday...
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/retirement/early-retirement-without-fortune.aspx?ec_id=Tweet101#slide=1

I have my follow-up meeting with my financial planner next Thursday, March 22nd. I'm excited to tell him about my progress.

I decided to have a garage sale the end of March as well. I've come to the conclusion that less is more and...I don't want to have to move a lot, again.

I got a discount!

My month is up on doing Snapshot from Progressive...and the verdict is in: I will be getting an extra 7% off of my auto insurance for the next 6 months!! Awesome! Now, I just have to keep the Snapshot device in my car for another 6 months and see if I can get more of a discount. I love Progressive!

Saving Money on Your Groceries

There are many ways to save on healthy choices, including the following tips.

• Buy produce in season for the best prices. For March, it's mangos, strawberries, asparagus and artichokes.
• March is also National Frozen Food Month, so look for special promotions in the freezer aisle.
• Avoid snack-size packaging, which costs more per unit for the convenience of not packing your own healthy snacks.
• Shop on Tuesdays for clearance on the week's sale items because most stores come out with their new circulars on Wednesday.
• Buy basics such as brown rice, oats and yogurt in bulk if possible for healthier baking and cooking.
• Never leave home without your coupons.

Read more: Nutrition vs. your food budget | Bankrate.com http://www.bankrate.com/financing/saving-money/nutrition-vs-your-food-budget/#ixzz1oxIcRZ2J

Paying the Bills

This weekend my first payment was due on my consolidation loan. Since I have cut back on my spending, I was able to make 1 1/2 payments on the first one. I'm also able to add $10 extra dollars onto the payment every month to make sure that it is paid off within the 3-year time frame. I read the fine print for probably the first time in my life and learned that little tip. I also am able to add a little more onto my car payment as well. Here's my fridge for the week; it makes me so happy when it looks like this:

I'm very excited to make homemade bread this week. I can't remember the last time I ate bread. I am gluten free (not by my choice) and my mom borrowed me her bread maker. Grilled cheese here I come! I got my new issue of the Food Network magazine and they have 50 ways to make grilled cheese. Also on deck for the week from my Bon Appetit magazine, an easy "sheet pan dinner," Parmesan Chicken with Caesar Roasted Romaine. Looks delish in the mag!! Stay tuned for that picture.

Herbs are Planted!

Hopefully they will grow!!!

Things to Buy in March

March is National Frozen Food Month: Your Grocery Store might be offering great deals

March 19-25 is wellness week: your local spas, fitness centers, and yoga studios may be participants. There may be some great deals. 
Other good buys: Mangoes, strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, tulips

• Outdoor furniture: save 20-25%
• Shoes: March is the first round of discounts of summer shoes 

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/frugal/on-sale-march.aspx?ic_id=nwsltr_wkrdup_20120309

Green Thumb

My herb investment: growing my own. This is a brand new endeavor for me and I will be growing my herbs, inside for the first time. Reasoning: I am renting, my lease is up the end of May and I'm uncertain to where I'm moving yet. So, outdoor gardening is out for me this year. Plus, I love using fresh herbs. My new favorite thing is putting cilantro in my salads. It adds a refreshing flavor, like no other. I bought seeds for cilantro, basil, garlic chives, and lavender. I will be using my empty egg cartons (basically free-bought my eggs on sale for .89), plastic trays to set the egg cartons in, potting soil, and the 6 packages of herbs. Total: $10.89. Considering that buying fresh herbs in the grocery store in the small plastic containers, usually run about $2.99, I got quite the deal. OR...we will see how the growing goes :)

Gas update: $3.79.

I've noticed for me, that buying scrip helps because I don't have the cash available to spend; the money is on the gift card. I know what I'm spending every other week and how much is being donated toward my nephew's tuition.  

Grocery Shopping on a Budget

I've become a little fanatical now about finding the best deals, coupons, in-store savings, etc...I like to make all my food for the week on Sundays. I portion everything out and freeze the servings so they're available at any time. This also helps in not throwing money away by letting food go bad. I found a recipe for Leek Mac & Cheese and worked it into my budget and it is super delicious. It is definitely something I will make again and it portions out very easily. I added some petite diced tomatoes that I happened to have in the pantry for another extra healthy element.

Leek Mac and Cheese
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/leek-mac-and-cheese

Helpful Websites

5 Best Coupon-Clipping web Sites
http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/5-best-coupon-clipping-web-sites-23634/

29 Ways to Leap Out of Debt
http://www.daveramsey.com/article/29-ways-to-leap-out-of-debt/lifeandmoney_debt?ectid=bitlyified022920121323#.T07kmSCzhME.email