1.5 lbs New York Strip Steaks (3×8oz) - I have found that these steaks are not the best quality for grilling, but they are great in stir fry, but this month I am planning on chopping them up and making beef stew in the slow cooker.  I will buy potatoes, carrots and onions.

1 lb Steak Fajita Strips - This one is easy, fajitas are always a hit around here, this will require buying vegetables, the tortillas are provided in the box.

2 lb Chicken Stir Fry Meal - I am saving this one for a day when I am really rushed, all you have to do it dump it in a skillet and heat it up.  I may serve it with pitas or over rice.

1 lb lean ground beef - I will use this with the marinara sauce and pasta to make pasta with meat sauce.  I will serve it with some of the mixed vegetables and will buy garlic bread to eat with it (the vegetables, sauce and pasta are part of the food box)

1.5 lb breaded chicken tenders and 1 lb fish sticks - These I generally save for lunches.  They are quick and easy and the toddler loves them.

1 lb Center Cut Ham Steak - I will use eggs (also provided), milk and cheese to make a frittata

The box also comes with frozen lima beans, 2 lb bag of apples, a box of shelf stable milk and a family dessert item (last month it was a can of pears and a package of cookie dough), which will get thrown into the mix at some point, or just eaten

It is a very good deal, although I have heard it criticized because people feel they get better deals by shopping sales and double coupons.  For me though, this is excellent, I don’t always have time to chase sales and it’s nice to have at least a weeks worth of meals already ready.

Angel Food Ministries has other boxes you can also order, I tend to only order the standard box (which is what I talked about above), but they also have a Senior/Convenience Box (already portioned and prepared meals that only need to be heated), The 5 Lb Allergen Free Box (this is great for people with peanut, soybean, milk, fish, crustacea, tree nut, or gluten allergies), and A Thanksgiving Special Box (this looks like a great deal and includes a roasting hen, a ham, and all the trimmings, including a pie or cake, for$36!).  They also have their October Special boxes, the grill box (7 lbs of grilling meat), the steak box (4.5 lb of assorted steaks), the breaded chicken box (10 lbs of assorted breaded chicken), and the fresh fruit and veggie box.

If you haven’t tried Angel Food Ministries yet, please give them a try, the food is quite good and a great value.  Most pick up locations allow you to place your order online and pay by credit card or EBT card (yes, they take food stamps).

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Just in the past month or two I have received the following from FreeCycle:

1.  3 garbage bags full of toddler clothing for my daughter

2.  A grocery bag of tomatoes and another of green beans

3.  2 large zucchini  (a fungus killed all my vegetable plants so I was thrilled to get someone’s surplus)

4.  a large box of books

5.  a snowblower

That last one is not a typo, someone was getting rid of a HUGE old snowblower and posted it on FreeCycle.  I was one of the first to respond, so now I have a snowblower!

If you haven’t used FreeCycle, here is how it works.  You post what you have or what you are looking for and wait for replies.  Someone may reply back that they want something you are looking to get rid of or that they are looking to get rid of something you want, then you arrange the pick up.  Everything is done locally so all you have to do is pick up what you want.  This is usually done by leaving the items on the porch.

You can also browse what people have posted and reply back when you see something you would be able to use.

There are a few rules, everything must be free, no trades and no animals, but for the most part almost anything goes! I have seen some interesting things posted, like orthopedic  shoes and panes of glass, but almost everything gets claimed.

Find the FreeCycle group near you at FreeCycle.org

No where on the coupon does it state that it can’t be used in stores, nor does it state that it is for internet use only.  I complained at the store level and was told that there was nothing they could do.  I then called customer service and was told there was nothing they could do either, that it was clearly an internet only coupon and that it cannot be used in the store.  Both the manager and customer service told me that they could tell that it was an internet only coupon because of the “numbers”, but since I don’t speak Sears I had no idea how to read the numbers.  So how is a lowly customer supposed to know that a printable coupon with a scannable barcode is not for use in stores?

I not only wasted the time and gas driving to Sears, but I also wasted time shopping, then was embarrassed trying to checkout (especially when the manager acted like I was supposed to know that the coupon wasn’t for use in store), left the store empty handed and wasted my time and gas driving back home, then wasted more time on the phone with customer service.  I don’t know about everyone else, but I am not going to shop at Sears again anytime soon and it will certainly make me think twice before sharing any potential Sears deals with my readers.

Sears is currently running a promotion where you can get $10 off any juniors apparel purchase.  This is a great deal for some of the many shirts and pants they have on clearance for $9.99.

What a great chance to stock up on some trendy clothing for the new school year!

http://www.sears.com/ue/clth/link_jrfashion_coupon.pdf

This coupon is good until November 14, but I was recently informed that Sears has a bit of a reputation for refusing to accept their own coupons after a while so I would use this as soon as possible.

Thanks Freebies4Mom!

I just selected a $10 gift certificate for Grumpy’s Cafe in Tremont and a $25 gift certificate to Cadillac Ranch for a total of $2.80!

There are restrictions and minimum purchases, but no matter what you are still saving a ton on a fun night out.

And don’t forget to shop through Ebates for an extra 15% back at restaurants.com, it will end up costing you even less! And if you haven’t signed up yet you get a $5 bonus just for signing up.

Once you have added an item to your cart, use code BHWSEWING to get the sewing machine for FREE! I just did this deal and bought the pink quilt and my total was $9.98 including shipping!

Shop through E-Bates and earn 3% back on your purchase! Not a member of E-Bates yet? Get $5 just for signing up!

PYREX® 3-qt Sculptured Baking Dish

PYREX® Sculptured 8″ Baking Dish

PYREX® 10-cup Sculptured Bowl

Shipping is kind of high (about $7 for up to $19.98 order) so stock up (makes great Christmas gifts!) or order with a friend for the best value.   The last time these were on sale they sold out fast so hurry for best selection.

Check out their other clearence items too, they have dessert and custard dishes for under $1, mugs for $.99, saucers for $1.79 and bowls for $1.79.

This is yet another great deal through Wal-Mart!

I got:

Dunkin’ Donuts Coffe (makes 4 cups)

Prilosec sample (I take it daily so every little bit helps)

2 Splenda Flavor Packets (Mocha, mmmmmm, maybe try with the Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee?)

Coupon for a free Victoria’s Secret Panty (I know the girls at my VS don’t like me much, all I ever get there is the free panties )

Coupon for free Mars Chocolate from the Mars Chocolate Relief Act

and

Free quart of Glidden Paint

Overall, a very good week!

What did you get this week?