Meal planning on a budget

When I took on this new job position of CEO of StayatHomeMommyINC, I took on a whole new list of job responsibilities (totally self inflicted, by the way... the only job responsibility my husband gave me was keep Holden happy. Easier said than done sometimes, but hey...). One of these responsibilities was to save us as much money as possible so I could keep my current position....wouldn't want to be let go due to lack of funds and my position in the Rispoli company being eliminated, ya know?

One of the ways I am attempting to do this is by meal planning, and yes, clipping coupons. I am no extreme couponer yet...I go to the grocery store and get crazy excited if I save $20 off of my $120 shopping order. Problem with coupons is that I don't need things like taquitos, Macaroni Grill ready dinners and Chef Boyardee!

I've realized that it's very hard to plan 6 or 7 dinners, some lunches and breakfast for under $100 ~ especially because we are somewhat snobby eaters...no hamburger helper in this house. So, I scour the Internet for $5, $10 dinner sites, clip, print and buy coupons (yes, buy. I purchased a bulk lot of 100 coupons on ebay for $1.35 cents. I saved about $5 in total with a few of them...don't think I'll do that again) and only purchase what is totally needed for said meals. This is not an easy task for a girl like me ~ I have to curb my expensive random imported cheese buying binges. This is also probably a good thing, since my freakin' cholesterol is at 270 (thank you heredity...).

So, what's on the dinner menu this week? Here we go:
-Matt's favorite Sausage Pasta (made with the fresh ziti I made on Sunday)
-Chicken Enchiladas (found on Pinterest)
-Baked Rosemary Garlic Chicken Thighs
-Calzones (with the yummy dough from my dad's restaurant)
-Shrimp Creole (if this tops my delish Shrimp Jumbalaya from last week, I will be shocked!)
-Slow Cooker Shrimp Curry (The large bags of frozen uncleaned shrimp are a great deal- I can usually get 3 dinners out of one bag)
-Crab Cakes (ok, a little bit of a splurge. Lump crab meat was on sale, and we get dinner and lunch out of it)

Bon apetit and happy couponing (good grief)!

$25 worth of stationary and stuff for free...Happy Thursday!

Saw this on another mommy blog this morning, and it's legit, so I thought I'd share. Click on the referral link below and get $25 off orders of $30 or more at Minted.com when you. Credits will be applied to your next purchase. Excludes shipping, handling, taxes or other fees. Coupon code BEMINE35 gets you free shipping on orders of $35 or more through 2/7.

The site sells baby announcements invitations, Valentines Day cards, “Mommy calling cards" (this is what I am buying because they are so damn cute) and more... Another idea I had for deals like this for when Holden gets a bit (like, years) older, is to order little "love" notes. i.e. notes for his lunch box, notes from the tooth fairy, even design cards to use as chore incentives or good deed incentives. Hmmm...maybe I should pinterest that?!

http://www.minted.com/referral/landing/9ft3y4
Buy some cute V-Day stuff for the hubby,grandparents, and kiddies...have fun!

Free Stationery card!

Fun little coupon for your Monday...use the promo code CARD4U at Shutterfly.com at checkout and receive a free card! Great time to order a photo Valentine's day card for your honey from the kiddies. <3 E

Many Hugs Kisses Valentine's Card

Click here to browse Shutterfly's modern graduation invitations.

View the entire collection of cards.

I think I should buy stock in Rogaine...

When you're pregnant, you expect your body to go through changes. When you have a 3 month old, you expect everything to go back to normal. Being a mom has taught me not to expect anything...

For the past year, since the moment I conceived (or so..), I have had the most beautiful silky hair of my life. Whether it be the prenatal vitamins, the hormones or that pregnancy glow...my hair was shiny, thick and frizz free. Holden turned 3 months old last week, and since then, I am starting to get nervous that I won't have any hair left by the time he's 4 months old. Seriously, why did no one tell me that all of the sudden I would start losing my hair in mass clumps! It's kinda scary when it looks like a small animal is in your shower drain after a 5 minute shower. To add insult to injury, I saw 3 (THREE!) gray hairs while blow drying my hair this morning. I may want to start saving those hair clumps and make myself a wig, because by the time I hit 30 (holy crap- I'll be 30 in 3 months!) I might be bald or totally gray. Ok, ok, maybe I am being a bit over-dramatic...but the dog started barking during Holden's nap, making said nap over after only 22 minutes, leaving me without my morning cup of coffee. Hence, my Sunday morning rant ~

 On a side note- Hubby and I decided to start the workout regiment P90X this week. I'm scared, but I also want to loose 10 lbs. I'm down to my prepregnancy weight (yay), but I wanted to loose 10 lbs. before I got pregnant...so I'll give this craziness a try.

Happy Sunday ya'll....and GO G-MEN!!!

Officially a stay at home mommy. wow.

So, I have about 2 minutes to write this post. I have to do the laundry, wash a sink full of bottles, make the bed, eat breakfast, shower and make my self look presentable to the world, cuddle the dog, clean the bathrooms and pump all before my baby wakes from his nap. This is my new job description- the description of a Stay at Home Mommy. Matt and I made the decision to make some major lifestyle changes (i.e. sacrifices) so I can stay home with the little one.

I always thought I'd be a working mom but after actually having a baby, I knew I needed to be home with him. I knew I was willing to eat cereal for every meal for the rest of my life if that's what it took ( and I only like 1 type of cereal. Kashi Blueberry- it's yummy, try it...). This decision did not come easily- at this time we are a one vehicle family and we cut out our cable (which seriously, is no biggie...I can watch everything by hooking up my laptop to my tv). But, knowing that I can stay home and raise my little Holden myself, watch all of his milestones in person would make any sacrifice worth it! My husband is now (even more) my hero. He is working so hard just so we can make this work, and I know he totally loves having dinner cooked every night and not having to worry about anything around the house. I'm hoping this new found profession will also allow me write some more on my blog!

So what if my new uniform might have spit up stains on it...I have never, ever been more happy.