Pantry Challenge Update ~ Week 1

(picture by goodplans, downtown Tulsa)

I'm glad Week One is over!  I proved to myself that we can have nutritious meals from our stockpile and a few fresh items we have on hand.  Overall I did pretty well, but I did spend over my $30 goal for the week.  Here's the breakdown of my spending, and rebates:

$00.00   3 salsa for free with coupons
$  6.24   8 Starbucks Christmas blend 10 oz. bags/2 Kashi Go Lean Crunch
$  0.68   1 Cranberry Juice (paid with RR from Walgreens and will get a rebate)
$  2.66   2 Jello No-Bake desserts/ 1 box crackers (which will be part of a rebate)
$  3.25   1 Gallon milk
$  2.56   1 20 oz. Tortilla chips/2 Fuze beverage
$  0.00   Taco Bell item free Fresco Taco with printable coupon
$  1.40   Wendys snack while out shopping
$10.40   Bottled water (have some to carry into Week 2)/ ground turkey/ bullion for stew
$ 7.09    1 huge bottle Ranch dressing

$34.24  Total spending for Week 1

(picture by goodplans, Outdoor Ice Skating @ the BOK)

The 8 bags of Starbucks were, by far, the best deal I got this week.  They are normally $7.99 per bag, but were on clearance at Target for $1.99 (look for the RED bags!).  I had $1.50/1 MQs, which made them $0.49 a bag!  Can't pass them up at that price.

The Hidden Valley Ranch was my budget buster, but it's the only dressing dd17 really likes, and it will last a month or more, so it is worth it.  I need to find a cheaper way to buy that, or learn to make one that tastes just like the HVR.  If you have a great recipe, feel free to forward it to me!

I was able to send for $16 in rebates this week.  These included:
$ 3.00   True North TMF, from a purchase earlier in the month
$10.00  Kellogg's Calendar Rebate (this is my 3rd one to send off.  There is a limit of 8 per household.)
$ 3.00   GingerAle Rebate NWPN rebate from Hot Coupon World

The cranberry juice I purchased will generate a $3.00 rebate, so I could take that off my total, which would drop my OOP to $31.24, so all in all I think I did really well.  I'm going to do my best to stay UNDER $30 for next week, though, for bragging rights and all!

(picture by goodplans)

We even went to the Outdoor Ice Rink at the BOK downtown, and took our own hot cocoa and snack so we didn't spend anything on food while we were out.  It only takes a little planning ahead to keep from spending while out enjoying time with family and friends.  (That's my good friend, Fay, with me.)

PS:  My dd17 knitted my blue hat & scarf for my Christmas gifts.  Aren't they cute?  Thanks, sweetie!