The last few days have been unexpectedly busy….

On Friday, we decided to let our children share a bedroom, since they had been asking for weeks. (I know, usually it’s the other way around.) They’re still little, so to them it’s “really cool”.

My son’s old room ended up becoming a playroom filled with all the toys that used to be in the guest bedroom. Unfortunately, no one has played in it yet – my kids are still so excited to spent time in their new room together.

The weekend was spent shifting furniture from room to room, changing decor (Princess now splits real estate with Batman), and putting together my son’s new “big boy bed”. We decided to put his new mattress on a “bunk board”, instead of a box spring.

Why a bunk board? (In case you don’t know what a bunk board is, it is a thin platform used in bunk bed set-ups to help support a mattress.)

• My son can climb up onto his bed easily.
• No bed rail is needed. (If my son happens to roll off his bed, he is only a foot or so off the ground.)
• Mattress and bunk board fit into the mini-van easily. (Mattress + box spring = not so much)
• The bunk board costs $50 (Box spring = over $150)

If you’re looking for a good “transition” bed for your toddler, a mattress with a bunk board might be a good option for you. We bought both mattress and bunk board at a local mattress manufacturer that has been in business for decades.

I wish I had pictures to share, but babies are sleeping. Maybe tomorrow…..

There’s a new printable coupon for $.75 off one Muir Glen product. These coupons tend to go fast, so you might want to grab yours now. Remember you can print two copies – just hit the back button.

These Fire Roasted bad boys are one of my absolute favorite foods ever. They make great spaghetti sauces – in fact, I had some on hand and used them to make dinner tonight!!

Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes or French Toast are on sale this week at Publix – Buy One Get One Free for $2.69.

Buy two products and use this printable coupon for $1.50 off two boxes to get them for only $.60 a box!

Like the Publix Meal Planner? Become a fan of Once Upon a Coupon on Facebook.

Hello and welcome to back-to-school time! (In our area, the school year is beginning already!)

This week’s dinner’s are meant to be easy to prepare, easy to cook – and easy to clean up! Did I mention how much I love my crock pot??

Thank you to Michelle at i heart publix for posting all the coupon match-ups.

WHAT TO BUY
Grocery:

• 2 Kashi Cereal or Granola – 2/$5 – If your store accepts competitor coupons from Whole Foods, use this $1/2 PRINTABLE coupon
• 2 Quaker Instant Oatmeal – BOGO $3.83
• 2 Ronzoni Pasta – BOGO $1.39
• 2 Prego 100% Natural Italian Sauce – BOGO $2.55 – Use $1/2 PRINTABLE coupon
• 2 Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn – BOGO $4.99 – Use $1/2 coupon from 8/1/10 Red Plum

Refrigerated:

• 2 Eggland’s Best Organic Brown Eggs – 2/$7 – Use two $.50/1 coupons from 5/2/10 SmartSource (coupon doubled = $1 savings)
• 3 Dannon Danimals Yogurt or Smoothie – 3/$6 – Use three $1/1 coupons from 7/18/10 SmartSource
• 2 Kraft Chunk Cheese (one mozzarella and one flavor of your choice) – 2/$4
• 2 Kraft American Cheese Singles – 2/$4
• Gallon of Milk – $3.19

Produce:
If your store accepts competitor coupons from Target, you can use this $1/1 PRINTABLE coupon. Just hit the back button to print two.

• 2 Blueberries – 2/$5
• Eastern Peaches (1 1/2 lbs.) – $.99 a pound
• 2 Western Cantaloupes – 2/$4
• 2 King O’ the West Honeydews – 2/$5
• Small Onion – around $1
• Head of Lettuce – around $2
• 2 Broccoli/Cauliflower – 2/$4
• Baking Potatoes (5 lb. Bag) – $2.99
• Bag of Carrots – $.89
• 5 Sweet Corn – 5/$2
• 2 Cucumbers – 2/$1
• Vine-Ripened Tomatoes (2 lbs.) – $1.69 a pound

Meat:

• Boneless Top Sirloin Steaks (2 lbs.) – $3.49 a pound
• Perdue Fit & Easy Boneless Chicken Breast (2 lbs.) – $2.99 a pound
• Boneless Chuck Pot Roast (3 lbs.) – $2.99 a pound
• Whole Chicken (4 lbs.) – $1.19 a pound
• Ground Sirloin (1 lbs.) – $3.99 a pound

Deli:

• Loaf of Bread – $2.69
• Round Italian Pizza Dough – $1.79

WHAT TO MAKE
Breakfast:

• Oatmeal w/ Blueberries
• Cereal or Granola w/ Milk and Fruit
• Eggs w/ Toast
• Yogurt w/ Fruit

Lunch:

• Chicken Salad Sandwiches w/ Tomato and Cucumber Salad
• Grilled Cheese Sandwiches w/ Cantaloupe and Honeydew
• Garden Salad w/ Chicken, Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Cheese

Dinner:

• Grilled Steaks w/ Baked Potato – Rinse steak and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper, then grill 5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness is achieved. Serve with baked potato.
• Garlic Chicken w/ Sweet Corn – Marinate chicken breasts in 2 TBS oil, 1 TBS vinegar, 1 heaping TBS minced garlic, 1/4 tsp paprika and a pinch each of brown sugar, salt and pepper. Discard marinade and cook/bake or grill, as desired. Serve with boiled sweet corn.
• Homestyle Pot Roast w/ Potatoes and Carrots – Rinse roast and pat dry. Place half an onion (cut into large pieces) in bottom of crock pot with 1 cup water. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add peeled potatoes (cut into large pieces) on top of roast, then top with baby carrots. Cover and cook on high heat 6 – 8 hours or until roast is fully cooked.
• Spaghetti and Meat Sauce – A simple meal! Brown 1 lb. ground beef and drain. Add to a jar of spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over pasta.
• Tender Chicken w/ Baked Potatoes – Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place 1/4 of an onion (cut into large pieces) and 1 carrot (washed, peeled and cut into quarters) into the bottom crock pot. Add chicken and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Slowly pour in 1/4 cup water and 2 TBS oil. Cook on high 2 hours, then low 6 – 8 hours or until fully cooked and tender. (Save leftover chicken for lunches.) Serve with a baked potato.
• Homemade Pizza – Set dough out in dry, warm spot to let rise until it doubles in size. Roll dough out  to desired shape on lightly-floured surface. Sprinkle garlic powder on dough, then top with tomato sauce, cheese, and any vegetables or leftover chicken/ground beef you may have on hand. Bake in 400 degree oven 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is crispy. Let set for 5 minutes before cutting.
• This leaves you one night of leftovers or eating elsewhere with family and friends.

Snacks:

• Yogurt (or Smoothies)
• Cubed Cheese
• Popcorn
• Fruit (Peaches, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Honeydew)
• Vegetables (Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower)

Total Spent: $99.86 (before taxes)
$3.57 per person/per day (based on a family of four)

For more information about the Publix Meal Planner, check out my previous posts:

• How To Use The Publix Meal Planner
• Do I Really Eat What’s On The Publix Meal Planner?

Like to shop at Costco?? Want to know how to feed your family for less than $100 a week using groceries from Costco?

Check out the new Costco Meal Planner, too!

* Note: I am not a dietician – please consult your doctor to determine what you and your family’s nutritional needs may be.

Join me at BeCentsAble’s Grocery Gathering, too.

Bass Pro Shops is also having a great deal on their summer flip flops right now.

Currently, our local store has these “Wakiki” flip flops marked down on clearance to $2.77. They’re quite snazzy with their hawaiian print soles.

Our store also had Merrells for under $25. Considering most of the time these shoes run over $50 a pair, this is a good deal.

The protective cover on my cell phone got to “seen better days” status about two months ago. It was faded, torn, and overall just not very “protective” anymore.

Unfortunately, I could not find a replacement. I looked online and at superstores – and every store was either sold out or did not have the right size to fit my phone.

As a last ditch effort, I headed to the Apple store yesterday, desperate for a cover. Unfortunately, like all the other stores, they had no covers to fit my phone. Out of stock.

Thankfully, the sales rep was very helpful and gave me a great tip as to where I might find one: discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Hmm….

Right down the street was a TJ Maxx. A five minute visit yielded, believe it or not, TWO protective phone covers – all for a price of $3 for both. Awesome, if I may say so…..

If you happen to good looking for these at your store, I found mine in the men’s department by the electronic gadgets. I had to dig through the merchandise – but I felt it was worth it to look.

And my phone looks fresh again….

Today was a busy day. This weekend was “Tax Free Weekend” in our county, so I tried to cash in on as many deals as I could (and save 10% due to no tax!)

I hate admit this, but I haven’t even opened the newspaper yet. Nor have I sat in front of my computer at all until now (and it’s 10:15 pm).

BUT the good news is that I found some good deals today:

First – Old Navy:

Old Navy has good deals on clearance items – namely, summer things – going on in their stores. Two different stores today had terrific deals on flip-flops – the ones above were only $.97.

Second – Staples:

Staples has a great deal on filler paper. Spend $5, and get up to five packs of select filler paper for $.01 each pack.

Also of note at Staples: There are coupons for $4 off one pack of white Staples brand printer paper located on the shelf where the printer paper is located. The laser paper I needed to buy today cost only $5.99 after the coupon (it was the “good stuff – heavyweight higher “pound” laser printer paper).

I ended up picking up one pack of laser printer paper plus five packs of filler paper for just a hair over $6 (with no tax!!!!). Not bad, if I may say so.

Third – Winn-Dixie:

Lastly – not tax-free – but none-the-less good deals, Winn Dixie has a great deal on grapes, organic canned beans, and Breyers Ice Cream.

• Grapes - $.88 a pound (costing 50% less than most grocery stores right now).
• Organic canned beans - $.99 a can.
• Breyers Ice Cream – $1.98 a carton.

I also got an absolutely great deal on a protective cover for my phone (per a tip from the sales rep at the Apple store – thank you sir, thank you). That post will have to wait until tomorrow – as for now, it’s time for bed…..

Sign up for a free sample of Emergen-C Vitamin D & Calcium fizzy drink mix.

Our local Publix has a big supply of these tear off coupons at the deli:

Save $1 off two or more Publix Deli Kid’s Meals

These meals happen to be on sale this week (check out the front cover of the sales ad) for $3.99 each.

If you’re looking for quick take-out for your kids, here’s another solution that’s priced similarly to a fast-food meal.

Like the Publix Meal Planner? Be sure to like Once Upon a Coupon on Facebook, too!

Split Chicken Breasts aren’t a bad price ($1.69 a pound) this week at Publix. As you can see, I’ve used a good bit of them in this week’s Publix Meal Planner. By cooking them in the crock pot, they come out sooooo tender – and you don’t have to crank up your oven in this summer’s heat!

Thank you to Michelle at iheartpublix for posting all the coupon match-ups.

WHAT TO BUY

Grocery:

• 2 Lay’s Potato Chips – BOGO $3.99
• 2 Progresso 100% Natural Broth – BOGO $2.59
• 2 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta (spaghetti and one small shape) – BOGO $1.79 – Use $1/2 PRINTABLE coupon
• Can of Greenwise Oatmeal – $1.99
• Blue Diamond Almonds – BOGO $3.19 – Use $1/2 coupon from 5/23/10 SmartSource (Note: There is also a $.50/1 PRINTABLE coupon.)

Refrigerated:

• 2 Cabot Vermont Cheese Bar 8 oz. (Cheddar and Pepper Jack) – 2/$4
• Dozen Eggs – around $2

Frozen:

• 2 Breyers Ice Cream – BOGO $4.99

Produce:

• 2 Sweet Corn 4 ct. pkg. – $1.99 each
• 2 Florida Avocados – 2/$3
• Baby Portabella Mushrooms 8 oz. pkg. – $1.69
• Onion – around $1.49
• Sweet Potatoes (4 lbs.) – $.99 a pound
• Campari Tomatoes 16 oz. pkg – $2.99
• Red or White Seedless Grapes (2 lbs.) – $1.49 a pound
• 2 Western Cantaloupes – 2/$4

Meat:

• Split Chicken Breast (8 lbs.) – $1.69 a pound
• Bottom Round Roast (4 lbs.) – $2.69 a pound
• Large White Shrimp 31 – 35 per lb. (1 lb.) – $5.99
• Ground Round (1 1/2 lbs.) – $3.49 a pound

Deli:

• Breakfast Bread – $3.79
• Water Rolls 12 ct. – $2.49
• Italian Sliced Bread – $2.49
• Wedge of Parmesan Cheese – around $4.50

WHAT TO MAKE

Breakfast:

• Breakfast Bread w/ Fruit
• Oatmeal w/ Almonds and Fruit
• Eggs and Toast

Lunch:

• Curry Chicken Salad on Rolls w/ Cantaloupe – Combine pulled chicken w/ 3/4 cup mayo, 1/2 tsp curry, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add sliced grapes (and any pecans or walnuts you may have on hand). Serve on water rolls w/ a side of cantaloupe.
• Pepper Jack Roast Beef Sandwiches w/ Potato Chips – Top leftover beef from dinner with slices of Pepper Jack Cheese. (Melt cheese under broiler, if desired.)
• Pasta Salad w/ Chicken – Add pulled chicken to one box of cooked pasta (rinsed and drained), along with 1/2 (to 3/4) cup italian dressing. Sprinkle with grated parmesan, fresh basil, or a dash of paprika for seasoning.

Dinner:
* Note: For chicken recipe below, all I did was cook 6 lbs. of chicken in the crock pot with one box of chicken broth. Nothing more, nothing less. The chicken comes out extremely tasty (hence, the name) all by itself. The leftover pulled chicken is used to make lunches.

• Tasty Chicken w/ Baked Sweet Potatoes – For chicken: Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place in crock pot with one box of chicken broth – cook on high for 2 -3 hours, then low 4 -6 hours, or until chicken is fully cooked and “pulls” easily. For potatoes: Wash and peel potatoes, then cut into 1 inch pieces. Heat 2 TBS olive oil over medium in stovetop pan, then add sweet potatoes – stir to coat potatoes in oil. Cover and lower heat to medium low – cook for 30 minutes, checking and stirring often. Sprinkle with salt before serving.
• Beef Roast w/ Sweet Corn – Brown roast on all sides in stove top pan. Cut half of onion into large slices and place in bottom of crock pot. Add roast, along with one cup water to crock pot. Sprinkle roast with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cover and cook 2 – 4 hours on high, then 4 – 6 hours on low, or until fully cooked and tender. Slice thin, and use leftovers for sandwiches at lunch.
• Grilled Shrimp Kabobs w/ Curry Rice – Alternate shrimp and wedges of tomato and onion on skewers. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill for at least 2 minutes per side, or until shrimp is pink, opaque and fully-cooked. Note: If using wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling. For rice: Add 1/2 tsp of curry and a pinch of sugar to the water before cooking rice.
• Pasta w/ Fresh Tomatoes and Mushrooms – Dice fresh tomatoes and slice mushrooms. Heat 2 TBS olive oil over medium heat in stovetop pan and add tomatoes and mushrooms. Season with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper – let simmer. Serve over cooked pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Mini (Cheese) Burgers w/ Sweet Potato Fries – Use rolls to make mini hamburgers. Top burgers with slices of tomato, avocado and onion or make cheeseburgers. For fries: Wash and peel potatoes. Cut lengthwise into 1 inch strips. Toss potatoes with 2 TBS olive oil, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Lay in single layer on cookie sheet and cook in 400 degree oven for at least 25 minutes or until fries are lightly golden brown and slightly crisp.
• Sante Fe Chicken w/ Sweet Corn – Rinse chicken and pat dry. (You can keep skin on or off.) Marinate chicken overnight in 2 TBS oil, 1 TBS vinegar, 1/4 c water, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 TBS onion flakes, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp red pepper. Discard marinade and grill 5 – 6 minutes per side (or until chicken is fully cooked). Serve with grilled sweet corn.
• This leaves you one night of leftovers or eating elsewhere with family and friends.

Snacks:

• Potato Chips
• Almonds
• Ice Cream
• Fruit

Total Spent: $95.41 (before taxes)
$3.41 per person/per day (based on a family of four)

For more information about the Publix Meal Planner, check out my previous posts:

• How To Use The Publix Meal Planner
• Do I Really Eat What’s On The Publix Meal Planner?

Like to shop at Costco?? Want to know how to feed your family for less than $100 a week using groceries from Costco?

Check out the new Costco Meal Planner, too!

* Note: I am not a dietician – please consult your doctor to determine what you and your family’s nutritional needs may be.

Join me at BeCentsAble’s Grocery Gathering, too.