Green Panda Treehouse

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Photo Credit: striatic

I try to save money with the grocery bill. We usually spend $200 a month for two people.

My husband I do a major grocery shop a Wal-Mart about once a month. While the prices can be good, the parking and crowds can be a turn-off.

Just last week a friend introduced us to their Dollar Tree. I’ve been there before and browsed some of their groceries, but wasn’t too excited. This Dollar Tree was larger and had a reasonable grocery area. I shopped there last week and was able to get some deals that were cheaper than Wal-Mart.

This lasts us for the month, with the exception of milk and bread. We just pick that up on our way home.

Since we finished our grocery shopping yesterday, here’s a general list of what we bought and where:

Dollar Tree (all prices are $1 unless otherwise noted)

Bread

• (Honey Wheat @ Wal-Mart is $2.29/loaf)

Frozen Section

• Pizza Bites
• Italian Icees

Juice

• 3-4 Sips (Wal-Mart’s comparable juice is about $1.29 now and they don’t have a lot of variety of flavors)

Spices

• Lemon Pepper
• Garlic Salt

Misc

• Rice
• Green Tea Bags

Wal-Mart

Meats (I buy the big packs and split them up into 4-6 meal sizes)

• Ground Beef
• Pork Chops (I prefer center cut)
• Fish (Tilapia, Whiting, Salmon)
• Pork Shoulder for Roast
• Lunch Meats (Honey Ham)

Frozen Foods

• 8 Bags of Different Stir-frys
• Spinach
• Green Beans
• *My aunt gives me some vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots. She’s always looking out for us. *
• Pizza (for the’ too tired to chew days)

Juice/Drinks:

• Orange Juice
• Lime-Ade
• 100% Juices (Cranberry, Grape, Apple, etc)
• What’s on Sale Juices (Sometimes we find some good deals) This week we got Pineapple Juice.
• Milk

Misc.

• 8 Yogurts (Vanilla, Strawberry, and I think Key Lime Pie.)
• Ice Cream (Cookies and Cream to Be Exact)
• Cheddar Cheese
• 2 Salad in a Bag (Mixed Greens)
• 1 Bag of Red Potatoes
• Red Beans
• Soups (Tomato, Chicken and Rice)

I guess I should’ve changed this post to ‘How We Shop’. The total came out to $150. I know I forgot some things, so I’ll probably update it later. I’m so tired and from this cold/flu/whatever it is, that I’ll leave it be right now.

What does your grocery list look like? Where do you get your groceries? How often do you shop?

Photo Credit: 46137

Some people our age think that that eating out for lunch is typical and is alright. They feel that getting a combo at some fast food place they’re saving money or if they go for a healthier option, it’ll help them in the long run. First off, eating out is not bad. It can be fun and a chance to talk with your friends. Eating out constantly, though, can affect your health and drain your wallet. Even with all the value menus, out there, it can still be cheaper to bring leftovers.

I work in a rural area and there aren’t many choices compared to where I live. There’s a strip of fast food joints on one street. It’s convenient if I forgot my lunch, but it’s not healthy. Brownbagging saves me time because I can just get up and eat. There’s no commuting to pick up lunch. I save gas by staying put, but if the weather is nice, there are tables outside for employees. There’s a great view from there and it’s nice be out in the sun instead of being indoors all day. We try to make well-balanced dinners, so my lunches include lasagna, pork chops with rice and veggies, roast pork shoulder with rice and beans, and more. Some dinners are better the next day and it keeps me from throwing out food out of the fridge that gets too old.

I do eat out with co-workers from time to time for certain cuisine, like sushi. It’s better fresh and the atmosphere is relaxing. I spend my money on the experience and food.

Photo Credit: 46137

My husband goes more for the sandwich route for his meals. We refill meats, bread, and cheese each week. He is pretty consistent with it and enjoys his lunches. I’d personally get bored having sandwiches, but if it works for him, great. He also eats out sometimes and that’s ok. You should enjoy your money, just try to use it wisely and on things that matter to you.

The money I save goes towards my emergency fund and paying off my car loan payment. I feel better knowing that I’m reducing the amount of debt I’m carrying and saving up for a rainy day. My husband keeps his money in his individual account, so kudos to him as well. He will splurge maybe twice a year on something for his computer. His latest purchase was a widescreen monitor. He found a great deal and had the cash to buy it.

What do you do for lunch? If you brown bag, what are your plans for the saved money?

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 Pizza is delicious dinner that can be as easy or as complicated as you like. I personally love a NY style pepperoni pizza, but there are many others that I enjoy.

I don’t have a recipe for pizza, as I don’t make it from scratch (pizza kit at Wal-Mart: $5). I did find this recipe at Food Network and thought I’d share it. For the first two installments of Quick and Easy Dinners, check out my ‘Best of’ Page.

Photo Credit: Sashertootie

Roman Pizza 

Recipe from: Giada De Laurentiis

2 (8-ounce) pieces of purchased or homemade pizza dough, recipe follows
1/3 cup homemade or purchased marinara sauce
1/3 cup (lightly packed) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
1 cup (lightly packed) shredded Fontina cheese
2 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 ounces pancetta, chopped

Position 1 oven rack in the center and the second rack on the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
Roll out each piece of pizza dough into a 13 1/2 by 8 1/2-inch rectangle. Transfer to separate large baking sheets.
Spoon the marinara sauce over the pizzas, dividing equally and leaving a 1-inch border around each pizza. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Fontina cheeses over the pizzas, dividing equally. Sprinkle the mushrooms and pancetta over the cheese. Bake the pizzas until the crusts are crisp and brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted on top, about 15 minutes. Cut the pizzas crosswise into rectangular slices and serve immediately.

Pizza Dough:
1/2 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for bowl
 
Mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl to blend. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Blend in the oil. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture and blend just until the dough forms. Turn the dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free area until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the down dough and form into ball. The dough can be used immediately or stored airtight in the refrigerator for 1 day.

Yield: 1 (16-ounce) ball of pizza dough
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Inactive PrepTime: 1 hour

Check out Giada’s show on FoodNetwork.

Does anyone make their pizza from scratch? Please let me know.