Safeway's Bargain Meals of the Week - 05/20-05/26/09

Thanks for coming by to check out this week’s Bargain Meals at Safeway stores! I am excited to be part of Erin’s team providing money savings tips and suggestions for frugal meals each week!

With the Memorial Day holiday being celebrated by many this weekend, it is a great time to add some grilling to your menus! The following sale items are valid 05/20 through 05/26/09.

Be sure to check out the print ad when you visit your Safeway store this week as there are several in-ad coupons that may interest your family! In addition to suggested meals below, boneless skinless chicken breasts are also on sale for $1.77 per pound this week!



Meal #1 – Grilled salmon with green salad and cantaloupe slices

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Fresh Atlantic Salmon fillets - $5.99 per pound
Fresh Express salads - $1.98
Grape tomatoes – 99 cents
Kraft salad dressings – 3 for $4 ($1.33 each)
Cantaloupe melons - $2.99 – buy one get one free



Meal #2 – Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with baked beans and corn on the cob

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Fresh 93% lean ground beef - $1.77 per pound
Bar S Jumbo franks – 99 cents
Ball Park hot dog buns - $1.50
Bush’s baked beans – 28 ounce can – 3 for $4 ($1.33 each)
White or yellow corn on the cob – 50 cents per ear



Meal #3 – Meatloaf with baked potatoes and steamed vegetables

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Fresh 93% lean ground beef - $1.77 per pound
Russet potatoes – 5 lb. Bag - $2.50



Thank you so much for stopping by this week! Check back next week for more great ideas using Safeway’s current grocery sales!

Fry's Bargain Meals of the Week - 05/20-05/26/09 with Leftover Makeovers!

Thanks for coming by to check out this week’s Bargain Meals at Fry’s! I am excited to be part of Erin’s team providing money savings tips and suggestions for frugal meals each week!

It’s grilling season so there are some terrific items to purchase for your grill time this week! The following sale items are valid 05/20 through 05/26/09.

Be sure to check out the print ad when you visit your Fry’s store this week. There are some wonderful $1 deals this week including – 4 count Angel Soft toilet paper, Betty Crock brownie mixes, Colgate toothpaste and toothbrushes, Dial liquid hand soap, several deodorants and much more!



Meal #1 – Grilled chicken with chips and green salad

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Tyson Split Chicken Breast (Bone-in) – 88 cents per pound (first 4 packages)
Lay’s potato chips – $3.99 – buy one get one free
Dole premium classic salads - $1
Roma tomatoes - $1 per pound

Leftover makeover – Remove any leftover chicken from bones and reheat with BBQ sauce for quick sandwiches a second day! Both Cattlemen’s and Kraft BBQ sauces are on sale this week for only $1 a bottle!



Meal #2 – Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with watermelon and corn on the cob

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Biggie patties – 5 lb. Bag of ground beef patties – $6.99
All Beef Franks – save 50% off regular prices
Farmer John meat franks - $1
Sara Lee hamburger or hot dog buns - $1.50
Nature’s Own hamburger and hot dog buns - $2
Personal size seedless watermelon - $1.99 each
Corn on the cob – 50 cents per ear

Leftover makeover – Slice up any leftover hot dogs and add a few cans of baked beans (Van Camp’s are $1 per can this week) for a quick, kid friendly lunch of “beans and weenies”.



Meal #3 – Your favorite chicken casserole!

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Tyson Split Chicken Breast (Bone-in) – 88 cents per pound (first 4 packages)


Thank you so much for stopping by this week! Check back next week for more great ideas using Fry’s current grocery sales!

Albertson's Bargain Meals of the Week - 05/20-05/26/09

Thanks for coming by to check out this week’s Bargain Meals at Albertson’s! I am excited to be part of Erin’s team providing money savings tips and suggestions for frugal meals each week! It’s grilling season so there are some terrific items to purchase for your grill time this week! The following sale items are valid 05/20 through 05/26/09.

As always, be sure to pick up a print ad when you visit your store and glance through the pages for deals that might work well for your individual family. This week, there are two terrific coupons on the front page of Albertson’s circular. The first is a coupon for $10 off of your $100 or more purchase. If you ask your cashier, they will often allow you to scan this coupon BEFORE any of your manufacturer’s coupons. This makes a great deal!!!

Also, there is a great coupon for pork baby back ribs. The regular price is $6.99 per pound, but, you can buy one pound and get two pounds FREE with in ad coupon. That makes the final price only $2.33 per pound when you purchase three packages. The secret to saving the most with these type of coupons is to get your packages as close as possible to the same weight / price – the register will automatically charge you for the highest priced package and deduct the price of the two smaller priced packages.


Meal #1 – Baby back ribs with corn on the cob and fresh watermelon

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Pork baby back ribs - $6.99 per pound – buy one package, get two packages free with in ad coupon (front page)
Corn on the cob – 5 for $1 (limit 10)
Seedless watermelon – 50 cents per pound



Meal #2 – Grilled chicken breasts with green salad and chips

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts - $1.67 per pound
Fresh Express salad blends - $2.50 per bag
(check your store to see if other salads are lower priced for this meal)
Tomatoes on the Vine – 14 ounce package - $1.50
Lay’s potato chips – 10.5 to 12 oz. bag - $1.88 (limit 4)


Leftover Makeovers – Use any leftover grilled chicken as a topping for Caesar salad, as a base to chicken fajitas or in your favorite casserole!



Meal #3 – Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with fresh vegetable tray

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Moran’s big patty – 5 lb. Bag of ground beef patties – buy one get one free – regular retail $12.95 (10 pounds total for this price!)
Bar S Jumbo meat franks – 59 cents (limit 4)
Nature’s Own hamburger and hot dog buns - $2
40 oz. fresh vegetable tray - $9.99
OR, choose your own favorite vegetables from the produce section to make a more affordable version yourself, with your personal favorite veggies!



Thank you so much for stopping by this week! Check back next week for more great ideas using Albertson’s current grocery sales!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 05/18 - 05/24/09

We are back on the meal planning wagon this week - and I'm so happy to have our plans set! This week, we have two activity days so we planned our meals accordingly. I'm also excited to try out a new recipe on Tuesday which I think will be a huge hit with my kids. I'm going to have one of my older kids (probably my 8 year old) help out with this one as it is assembling a lot of pre-cooked ingredients. I like allowing my children the opportunity to be in charge of meal time when I can to help their self-sufficiency. My 8 year old in particular LOVES to be in charge in the kitchen - and this will add a recipe to his personal food arsenal!

Monday - crock pot roast beef with carrots and baby red potatoes

Tuesday - Chicken in a Pan with a Tan with green salad and homemade honey wheat rolls

Wednesday - appointment day - BBQ beef sandwiches using leftover roast from Monday - we'll add fresh vegetables and a pasta salad

Thursday - evening activities - Crockpot Pork Chalupa with rice and green salad

Friday - kid favorite - tater tot casserole with steamed vegetables

Saturday - we've been invited to a party so no planning - we'll eat leftovers if plans change

Sunday - oven roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and homemade rolls

I'm excited to free up some freezer space by cooking a turkey this weekend! Thanks for stopping by! Stop by later in the week for new meal suggestions using current grocery ads! And, be sure to check out hundreds of other great menu plans for this week at Menu Plan Monday!

Pork Picnic Roast at 99 cents per pound....

Last month, I went on a search to find some recipes that utilize bone-in pork picnic roast. This particular cut of meat has been on sale several times in the last month or two and I am still trying to find the time to try out some new recipes to maximize these great savings. This week, Albertson's is featuring Pork Picnic Roast for only 99 cents per pound. I still think it would be worth experimenting with this cut of meat. I love trying new recipes when I can obtain the main ingredients at a bargain price! Here is a re-post of some recipes I think may be a great fit for this pork roast.

• Pork Machaca - sounds easy and like a great starter for several meals (plus, I LOVE something that will utilize my crock pot while I can accomplish other household and school tasks with our family)
  
  
• Traditional Pork Tamales - I have not had the time to ever try making homemade tamales, but it is one thing I hope to learn in the not-too-distant future. This recipe calls for a large pork roast and may be a perfect use of this sale cut.
  
  
• Green Chili with Pork - this is another recipe that just sounds like an easy and delicious way to prepare pork. I love that green chilies are a tame enough chili to add some great flavor without being so hot that the kids in the family need to have a separate dinner. This is suggested as a filling for burritos or as a stew with a side of tortillas. Yum!
  
  
• Pulled Pork - I typically make my pulled pork sandwiches using my pressure cooker but am looking forward to trying this slow roasted version to see how they compare - the reviews merit a trial of this new recipe! Slow cooking should make the meat fall off the bone and be an easy way to separate the bones from this roast for a speedy preparation at dinner time.
  
  
• Crock Pot Pulled Pork - another recipe that sounds great for the crock pot. The carbonation of the soda in this recipe should result in a VERY tender meat! We use a small amount of carbonated beverage (usually either Pepsi or Sprite) when we cook beef roasts or brine a turkey so this should result in a similar, wonderful flavor!
  
  
• (Yet Another!) Crock Pot Pulled Pork - this recipe calls for a boneless pork roast but I think this bone-in roast would work just as well. This recipe intrigues me as it calls for apple cider vinegar and that is the key ingredient in my pressure cooker pulled pork recipe that makes everyone want more! I think the chipotle powder would also give an excellent flavor.
  
  

Thanks for checking out these meal suggestions for turning a thrifty cut of meat into a great meal! I will be sure to share personal reviews of any of the recipes above that I am able to try in the coming days - and would love to hear from you if you do the same! :)
Be sure to check back next week for more great ideas cooking with our current sales!

Albertson's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle of 05/13 - 05/19/09

I am sorry to have missed posting some bargain meals for last week’s sales cycle. However, I am back this week and happy to be part of the Bargain Meals of the Week feature at $5 Dinners! Here are a few thrifty meal ideas for this week based upon Albertson’s advertised sales running this week (05/13 through 05/19/09).


Meal #1 – Oven fried chicken with corn on the cob and chips
Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Bone-in whole fryers – 77 cents per pound
Sweet corn on the cob – 4 pack - $2.99
(watch for better prices on corn on the cob in coming weeks)
Lay’s or Doritos – 8.5-12.5 oz. bag - $1.88 (limit 4)

Check out how to cut up your whole chicken here (with photos) or here (video).



Meal #2 – Shake n Bake Pork Chops with roasted potatoes and green salad
Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Assorted pork chops, bone-in – 97 cents per pound
Red potatoes – 79 cents per pound
Fresh Express baby salad blends – 4.5-6 oz. bag - $2.50
(check your individual store as you may find
salad ingredients at a better price in store)



Meal #3 – Baked Salmon fillet with steamed vegetables and bread
Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Wild Sockeye Salmon OR Fresh Atlantic Salmon - $4.99 per pound
A bag of your favorite frozen vegetables for steaming
Loaf of fresh bakery bread


Thank you so much for stopping by this week! Check back next week for more great ideas using the Albertson’s current grocery sales. And, check back throughout this week for more ideas creating affordable meals with other store advertised specials!

Fry's Bargain Meals of the Week - 05/13 through 05/19/09

I am sorry to have missed posting some bargain meals for last week’s sales cycle. However, I am back this week and happy to be part of the Bargain Meals of the Week feature at $5 Dinners! Here are a few thrifty meal ideas for this week based upon Fry’s advertised sales running this week (05/13 through 05/19/09).



Meal #1 – Whole roasted chicken with baby carrots and baked potatoes

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Tyson whole fresh chicken fryer – 88 cents per pound
Private selection mini peeled carrots – organic – 1 lb. Bag - $1
Russet potatoes – 10 lb. Bag - $2.67



Meal #2 – Chili fritos with green salad (or chili frito salad!)

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Super Lean ground beef – 93% lean - $1.88 per pound (sold in 2 lb. Chub – first 4 can be purchased at this price)
Fritos – 9.25 – 11.2 oz. bag - $1.88
Dole premium classic salads – 10-12 oz. bag - $1
On the vine tomatoes - $1 per pound
Cucumbers – 2 for $1
Kroger salad dressing – 16 oz. bottle - $1



Meal #3 – Sloppy Joe’s with fresh vegetables and chips

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Super Lean ground beef – 93% lean - $1.88 per pound (sold in 2 lb. Chub – first 4 can be purchased at this price)
Kroger value buns – 8 count – 88 cents per package
Cheetos or Fritos – 9.25 – 11.2 oz. bag - $1.88
Cucumbers – 2 for $1
Private selection mini peeled carrots – organic – 1 lb. Bag - $1
Kroger salad dressing (ranch for dipping) – 16 oz. bottle - $1



Thank you so much for stopping by this week! Check back next week for more great ideas using the Fry’s current grocery sales. And, check back throughout this week for more ideas creating affordable meals with other store advertised specials!

Fry's Bargain Meals of the Week - Pork Roast Ideas

A few weeks ago, I noticed that Albertson's had a great sale on bone-in, whole pork butt roast (my kids laugh uncontrollably every time they hear "butt" roast). I still have not had the opportunity to try cooking with this particular cut of meat. However, it is on sale again this week - this time at Fry's stores.

They will allow you to purchase two whole pork roasts at a price of 99 cents per pound. To see some recipe ideas using this bargain cut of meat, check out my prior post. I'd love to hear any great recipes you have for using this bone-in pork as well. I am hoping to eat enough items from our freezer this week to make room for one or two and try our hand at some new recipes!

Safeway's Bargain Meal of the Week for 04/15 - 04/21/09 - including leftover makeovers, recipes and dessert idea!

Check out great bargain meals every week at $5 Dinners!
Here are a few meal ideas for this week based upon Safeway’s advertised sales running this week (04/15 through 04/21/09).


Meal #1 – Roasted turkey breast with mashed potatoes, gravy and steamed carrots

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Honeysuckle White whole turkey breast – 99 cents per pound

Leftover make-over – chop up leftover turkey and use it in place of cooked chicken in your favorite recipe. Consider using it for turkey pot pie, crock pot enchiladas or chicken and broccoli casserole!



Meal #2 – Crock pot beef roast with vegetables

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Rancher’s Reserve Beef 7 Bone Chuck Roast - $1.47 per pound

Leftover make-over – Shred up any leftover roast beef and add some of your favorite BBQ sauce for easy BBQ beef sandwiches! Or, use leftover shredded roast for tacos or burritos by adding a can of green chilies and some salsa for a great filling!



Meal #3 – Shake n Bake Pork Chops with your favorite steamed vegetables

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Boneless Pork Top Loin Chops - $1.97 per pound

Leftover make-over – Dice up any leftover boneless pork chops and toss with your favorite lettuce, cheese and other salad toppings for a great at-home salad entree!



Dessert Idea – strawberry shortcake

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Strawberries – one pound container – 88 cents


Thanks for checking in to see some of favorite meals using ingredients on sale this week at Safeway stores. Check out $5 Dinners for more great bargain meal suggestions - and stop by again next week for more thrifty menu ideas!

Quick Update - Pork Recipes for Albertson's Sale

I had the time to search a little and found a few recipes online that sound like a wonderful way to use some of the bone-in pork picnic roast on sale at Albertson's this week. I felt that, at only 99 cents per pound, it was worth experimenting with this cut of meat. Now, if it were a cut of fish on sale for $8 a pound, I'd leave it alone! :) I'd love to hear if anyone has any great tried and true recipes using bone-in pork!

Pork Machaca - sounds easy and like a great starter for several meals (plus, I LOVE something that will utilize my crock pot while I can accomplish other household and school tasks with our family)

Traditional Pork Tamales - I have not had the time to ever try making homemade tamales, but it is one thing I hope to learn in the not-too-distant future. This recipe calls for a large pork roast and may be a perfect use of this sale cut.

Green Chili with Pork - this is another recipe that just sounds like an easy and delicious way to prepare pork. I love that green chilies are a tame enough chili to add some great flavor without being so hot that the kids in the family need to have a separate dinner. This is suggested as a filling for burritos or as a stew with a side of tortillas. Yum!

Pulled Pork - I typically make my pulled pork sandwiches using my pressure cooker but am looking forward to trying this slow roasted version to see how they compare - the reviews merit a trial of this new recipe! Slow cooking should make the meat fall off the bone and be an easy way to separate the bones from this roast for a speedy preparation at dinner time.

Crock Pot Pulled Pork - another recipe that sounds great for the crock pot. The carbonation of the soda in this recipe should result in a VERY tender meat! We use a small amount of carbonated beverage (usually either Pepsi or Sprite) when we cook beef roasts or brine a turkey so this should result in a similar, wonderful flavor!

(Yet Another!) Crock Pot Pulled Pork - this recipe calls for a boneless pork roast but I think this bone-in roast would work just as well. This recipe intrigues me as it calls for apple cider vinegar and that is the key ingredient in my pressure cooker pulled pork recipe that makes everyone want more! I think the chipotle powder would also give an excellent flavor.

Thanks for checking out these meal suggestions for turning a thrifty cut of meat into a great meal! I will be sure to share personal reviews of any of the recipes above that I am able to try in the coming days - and would love to hear from you if you do the same! :)

Be sure to check back next week for more great ideas cooking with our current sales!

Albertson's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales week of 04/04 - 04/07/09

Here are some menus to try based upon Albertson’s advertised sales running this week (04/01 through 04/07/09). Check the weekly circular for some great 10 for $10 deals this week as well. Remember, you can mix and match these items – you do not need to buy 10 of the same item to take advantage of the great savings offered.


If you are on the look-out for a good movie deal, there is a coupon in the current Albertson’s ad for $5 off when you buy any 2 DVDs priced at $9.99 or above. This could work out to a great deal for an affordable Easter basket addition! Check your local store for individual titles and pricing. (Disney Favorites are shown in ad for $14.99 each and the new releases, Marley and Me or Slumdog Millionaire, for $16.99 each)


Bone in pork picnic roast is also 99 cents per pound. Sounds like a great price but I’m not familiar with any recipes using this cut. I will be sure to post any suggestions I find for this particular cut of meat if I have the opportunity to explore that option more. These ideas will hopefully help you to start your thrifty meal plans for this week!

Meal #1 – Shake N Bake style pork chops with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Bone-in assorted pork loin chops - 97 cents per pound
Betty Crocker pouch or boxed instant potatoes - $1
Green Giant frozen vegetables - $1

Meal #2 – BBQ – hamburgers (or steaks), pasta salad and green salad

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Moran’s beef patties – sold in package of 10 patties - $10
OR USDA Choice Rib Eye steaks - $4.77 per pound
Suddenly Salad boxed pasta salad - $1
Fresh romaine, green or red leaf lettuce – 99 cents
Roma salad tomatoes - $1 per pound

Meal #3 – Breakfast for Dinner

Items to buy on sale for this meal:

Albertson's Large AA eggs – one dozen - $1
Albertson's boxed cold cereals – assorted varieties, up to 18 ounces - $1
Farmer John or Brown N Serve sausage links - $1
Sara Lee Soft and Smooth sandwich bread - $1
Bakery Fresh cinnamon rolls – 4 pack - $1


Meal #4 – Easy Spaghetti with Meat Sauce with green salad and French bread

Items to buy on sale for this meal:

Albertson's pasta – 16 ounce - $1
Hunt’s spaghetti sauce – 26-26.5 ounce can - $1
Fresh romaine, green or red leaf lettuce – 99 cents
Roma salad tomatoes - $1 per pound
Loaf of French bread – normally $1 - $1.50
For meat in sauce – pick up a bag of Moran’s beef patties (10 patties for $10), defrost and cook until browned, breaking up patty into ground beef as it browns in pan (an easy way to stretch the on-sale ground beef this week)

Thanks for stopping by to see our meal suggestions based on what is on sale this week at Phoenix and Tucson metro area Albertson’s stores. Check out $5 Dinners for more great bargain meal suggestions - and please be sure to stop by again next week for more thrifty menu ideas!

Fry's Bargain Meals of the Week - sales cycle 04/01 - 04/07/09

This week, Fry’s is having a special 8 hour sale on specific items from 3 to 11 pm on Thursday, April 2nd. If you are in your store during these hours, be sure to check the advertised specials for some possible bargains. Also, be sure to ask for a rain check if they are out of any of the 8 hour advertised specials so you can still get a great deal if their current stock is depleted.

Here are some menus to try based upon Fry’s advertised sales running this week (04/01 through 04/07/09). Consider stocking up on the meats that are on sale this week if you have freezer space to store them. It will make your future meals more affordable during a week where these meats are not sale priced.

Meal #1 – Pork chops with scalloped potatoes and green salad

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Boneless half pork loin - $1.97 per pound (limit 2) **
10 pound bag Russet potatoes - $3.77
Dole salad mix – 10-12 ounce package - $1
Roma tomatoes – 77 cents per pound

(** Ask your butcher and they will happily cut and re-package the pork loin into chops or smaller roasts for you free of charge.)

Meal #2 - Beef Roast with carrots and potatoes

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Boneless beef cross rib roast - $1.97 per pound (limit 4)
10 pound bag Russet potatoes - $3.77

Meal #3 – Grilled steak with sauteed mushrooms, baked potatoes and green salad

Items to buy on sale for this meal:

USDA choice aged New York strip steak - $3.77 per pound
Sliced or whole mushrooms – 6-8 ounce package - $1.50
10 pound bag Russet potatoes - $3.77
Dole salad mix – 10-12 ounce package - $1
Roma tomatoes – 77 cents per pound

Thanks for stopping by to see our meal suggestions based on what is on sale this week at Fry’s. Check out $5 Dinners for more great bargain meal suggestions - and stop by again next week for more thrifty menu ideas!

Safeway's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle of 03/25 - 03/31/09

This week, Safeway is repeating their Buy 10, Save $5 promotion that appeared in last week's ad. Check out their online ad or in-store circular for some great deals. Items include in this promotion are indicated in shopping lists below.

Meal #1 - Oven fried Swai fillets with tossed green salad and oven glazed carrots

(My local butcher informed me that Swai is a Vietnamese catfish so this recipe calls for catfish but should easily work for the Swai fillets. We cooked some Swai fillets on the grill a few weeks ago and found it a bit salty but felt that may have been due to our particular seasoning so I'm looking forward to trying this recipe soon.)

Items to buy on sale for this meal:

Swai fillet - $3.99 per pound

Fresh Express garden salad - $1.25 (or 75 cents when you purchase 10 of the Buy 10, Save $5 promo items)

2 lb. bag baby carrots - $2.50 (or $2.00 when you purchase 10 promo items)

Meal #2 - Beef Roast with carrots and potatoes

(you can choose to cook the vegetables with the roast or substitute other favorite vegetables and cook them separately.)

Items to buy on sale for this meal:

Rancher's Reserve Beef Chuck 7 Bone Roast - $1.59 per pound

2 lb. bag baby carrots - $2.50 (or $2.00 when you purchase 10 promo items)

Meal #3 - BBQ beef sandwiches with your favorite chips and salad

(My favorite way to make BBQ sandwiches is to serve roast one night, then shred the remaining roast leftovers and serve them with BBQ sauce on our favorite bread or rolls as sandwiches a day or two later - two great meals for the price of one cut of meat! Plus, it reinvents your leftovers so your family is more likely to enjoy them a second time.)

Items to buy on sale for this meal:
Rancher's Reserve Beef Chuck 7 Bone Roast - $1.59 per pound

Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce - $1.25 (or 75 cents when you purchase 10 promo items)

Sara Lee bread or rolls (check to see if rolls are included in store sale) - $2.00

Fritos and Cheetos are each $2.00 per bag (or $1.50 cents when you purchase 10 promo items)

Fresh Express garden salad - $1.25 (or 75 cents when you purchase 10 promo items)

Thanks for stopping by to see our meal suggestions based on what is on sale this week at Safeway. Check out $5 Dinners for more great bargain meal suggestions - and stop by again next week for more thrifty menu ideas!

Fry's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle of 03/25 - 03/31/09

This week, Fry's has a terrific buy on whole chickens - only 57 cents per pound! You can buy 4 whole chickens at this price and store a few in your freezer for upcoming weeks. If you have room, you may even consider a second trip to Fry's during the sale cycle to really stock up at this price. I'm

providing a few meal options this week using this bargain priced poultry!

Meal #1 - roasted whole chicken with vegetables (consider roasted carrots using baby carrots that are on sale for $1 per bag)

After Meal #1, take a few minutes to completely de-bone your chicken. Get every single piece of chicken off of the bones and stash it in the fridge for the next two meals. Also save the chicken bones as we will use them for Meal #3! Reusing the leftovers from one meal by using them as the basis for another meal is a great way to stretch your grocery dollars. Plus, it helps minimize complaints from family members about eating leftovers!

Meal #2 - chicken enchiladas with seasoned rice and green salad

Use the remaining leftover chicken PLUS the chicken bones from day one to make a great homemade chicken stock for Meal #3.

Meal #3 - chicken and rice soup with homemade rolls

Use the chicken bones to make homemade chicken stock in your crock pot. Then use this as the chicken broth in your soup (if using recipe above - which is very, very, very yummy - use cooked chicken in place of chicken breasts and broth in place of water and chicken bouillon cubes).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy this leftover's remake meal plan for the week. Check out more great bargain meals at $5 Dinners and please be sure to stop by again next week for more thrifty meals cooking with weekly sales!

Albertson's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle 03/18 - 03/24/09

This week, Albertson's has a great deal on a few items that are regulars on your shopping list. Gallons of Albertson's milk are 2 for $3 (limit 2) and Oroweat bread is $1.88 per package in great, healthy varieties. Jimmy Dean bacon is also on sale for buy one package at $4.49, get two free (with in ad coupon) - 3 packages of bacon for $4.49. I wouldn't recommend bacon every day, but it, at this price, it would make a nice addition to a weekend breakfast, for sure!

Here are some meal ideas based on some of the cuts of meat on sale this week at Albertson's!

Meal #1 - London Broil (roast style) with green salad and steamed carrots

Items on sale for this meal:

Boneless London Broil - $1.88 per pound

Fresh Express salad blends - buy one get one free (with in ad coupon on back page) - 2/$2.99

Meal #2 - London Broil (steak style) with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli

Items on sale for this meal:
Boneless London Broil - $1.88 per pound

Bunch Broccoli - 77 cents per pound

Meal #3 - Shake n Bake pork chops with baked potatoes and cooked greens

Items on sale for this meal:
Boneless Pork Sirloin Chops - $1.99 per pound

Fresh greens (collard, mustard, turnip or kale) - 88 cents per pound

Jimmy Dean bacon - buy one, get two free - 3/$4.49 (with in ad coupon)

use this as part of the above greens recipe

While at Albertson's, you may also want to pick up a 4 pound box of fresh strawberries for only $4.77. The boxes at my local store looked and taste wonderful!!! It would be a great snack, breakfast item, or start of strawberry shortcake for dessert. You may even be brave enough to try some homemade jam to preserve the sweetness a bit longer.

Have a wonderful week and please be sure to check back next week for more meal ideas based on our current store ads.

Menu Plan Monday - week of 03/16 - 03/22/09

We are trying to participate again this week in Menu Plan Monday! Having a menu plan makes our dinner times run so much more smoothly that it is quickly becoming a "must have" item in our household. Here's what is in the works for our meals this week.....

Check out more great Menu Plans for the week to get fresh ideas for your own weekly dinners!

Monday - homemade chicken strips with french fries and fresh veggies - I may even try to slip in some funnel cakes for dessert (such a 'filling' meal but one we only have a few times a year)

Tuesday - something GREEN for Saint Patrick's Day. So far, we have on the menu steamed green beans and some great red potatoes - we're still going to have to look in the freezer for our main course. I may go with meatloaf as it just sounds like a yummy compliment to the sides I've already picked out! We may even try some making some Irish soda bread with the kids. :)

Wednesday - easy chicken pot pie and extra veggies on the side (Recipe added 03/20/09 - it is a nice and easy homemade version of a great comfort food - and a terrific way to use up leftover chicken, which we had on the grill over the weekend and need to finish!)

Thursday - Crock Pot Day - chili with either corn bread or bread bowls and a tossed green salad (I always make a big pot using my dry beans to ensure leftovers - these will appear again on Saturday!)

Friday - pork chops and scalloped potatoes because we didn't get to have them last week!

Saturday - Navajo tacos AKA Indian Fry Bread - so yummy and our favorite way to use up leftover chili!

Sunday - LEFTOVERS to clean up the fridge

Safeway's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle 03/09 - 03/17/09

Check out this week's Safeway ad for some great deals on items for your Saint Patrick's Day feast!

Meal #1 -St. Patrick's Day Meal!!!!
Corned Beef and cabbage

Items to purchase on sale this week for this meal:
Corned Beef Brisket (point cut) - $1.29 per pound
Fresh green cabbage - 25 cents per pound


Meal #2 - Beef Roast / Steak with red potatoes and steamed broccoli

Items to purchase on sale this week for this meal:
Rancher's Reserve Boneless Cross Rib Steak - $1.99 per pound
Red potatoes - 5 pounds - $2.99

Organic broccoli - $1.29 per pound

Please be sure to check back next week for more dinner ideas using our local grocer's sales! And, for other bargain meal ideas, check out the Bargain Meal of the Week section of $5dinners every week.

Fry's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales ad for 03/11 - 03/17/09

This week, Fry's is featuring a great Buy 10 and Save $5 Promotion. Check out your ad to see the wonderful deals that can be worked with this deal. And, remember - you can mix and match your groups of ten items to get great savings! Just be sure you have a total of 10, 20 or 30 items when you check out to save the most!

Some items in the below menus use items that are on sale as part of this Promotion. These items are marked with a double asterisks - **. Please keep in mind that to get that low price, you must combine the purchase of those items with others to make sure you have an increment of ten items for your purchase. Otherwise, the price of each individual item will be 50 cents higher than indicated below.

Meal #1 -St. Patrick's Day Meal!!!!

Corned Beef Brisket with green cabbage and red potatoes

Items to purchase on sale this week for this meal:
Corned Beef Brisket (point cut) - $1.27 per pound (limit 2)
Fresh green cabbage - 33 cents per pound

Red Potatoes - 5 pound bag - $2.50


Meal #2 - Grilled chicken breasts with Cole slaw and parsley potatoes

Items to purchase on sale this week for this meal:
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - $1.67 per pound

Fresh green cabbage - 33 cents per pound
Red Potatoes - 5 pound bag - $2.50

Meal #3 - Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and green salad

Items to purchase on sale this week for this meal:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - $1.67 per pound
American Beauty pasta - 16 ounce package - 75 cents (**)
Classico jarred Alfredo sauce - 10-24 oz. jar - $1.50 (**)

Dole Salad Kits - $2.50 (try Caesar or another blend for a change of pace!)

Please be sure to check back next week for more dinner ideas using our local grocer's sales! And, for more great meal ideas, check out the Bargain Meal of the Week section of $5dinners every week.

Albertson's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle 03/11 - 03/17/09

This week's Albertson's weekly ad features some great products for only $1 each! Be sure to look over the ad before going or while in-store to maximize your personal savings! These sale prices are posted for the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas this week.

Meal #1 - Roasted whole chicken with vegetables and French bread

Items to Purchase on Sale this week for this Meal
Sanderson Farms whole roasting chicken - $1 per pound
Red potatoes - 99 cents per pound

1 bag of carrots - 2 pounds - 99 cents
French bread - $1 per loaf (look for hot and ready loaves near check out stands!)


Meal #2 - Homemade chicken nuggets with green salad and french fries

Items to Purchase on Sale this week for this Meal
Boneless skinless chicken breast tenders - $1.67 per pound **

Fresh Express bagged salad mix - $1 for 12 ounce bag

Wishbone salad dressings - $1 for 7-16 ounce bottle

** This is a great price to stock up on boneless skinless chicken breast and tenders! **

Please be sure to check back next week for more great meal ideas. Other menu suggestions based upon this week's sales can be found at $5 Dinners!

Safeway's Bargain Meal of the Week - sales cycle running 02/25 - 03/03/09

This week, Safeway has a good sale price of $1.88 per pound for Boneless Beef London Broil. Below are a few great options on how to stretch your grocery dollars by making your family a delicious meal with this sale cut of beef!

Menu #1 - Crock pot roast with vegetables

Menu #2 - Grilled London Broil with a great dry rub marinade - consider grilling some vegetables to accompany the meat or add a tossed green salad

Menu #3 - Baked London Broil roast with gravy - serve over noodles, with mashed or baked potatoes or a green salad for a complete meal

If you have other shopping to do while at Safeway, be sure to grab a weekly sales circular from Customer Service or a cashier. There are Super Coupons on the front page for a free 2 liter bottle of Pepsi with a $10 minimum purchase. With that same $10 purchase, you can also buy a package of butter for 99 cents and a box of either Raisin Bran or Frosted Mini Wheats for 99 cents! If that wasn't a great enough deal, there is also a $10 off when you purchase $50 in groceries coupon that is valid 2/25 - 2/28/09!

Thanks for stopping by! For more great bargain meals using this week's sales circulars, check out $5dinners! And, be sure to visit again next week for more budget ideas!