Favorite Things: Santa Bear saves the day!

Do your kids have a serious case of the gimmes? If so, consider reading them this book -- The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear. The cute story talks about thinking of others when making your own Christmas wish list. Brother Bear and Sister Bear decide to ask Santa Bear to bring gifts to others in need and to ask for a just a few gifts for themselves. My kids haven't stopped talking about the cute little bears since reading it this weekend. I'd venture to guess that it is totally worth the $3.99 if you can't find it at the library!

Favorite Things: Got game(s)?

I am always looking out for a just on the market or all time favorite game around holiday time. After all, a new game is a great family gift! I found this one that looks really fun. I haven't played it yet but it seems like an English teacher type of game!

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What's your favorite family friendly board game?

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: $300 Grocery Challenge Continues -- October Week 2

The savings continue! I did my "fill in" shopping trip this week and picked up fruit, milk, vegetables, pretzels, crackers, eggs, cheese, yogurt, and pasta. I spent $40.60 and also used Self Checkout for the first time ever! I've got about $150 left for the rest of the month. Any ideas on what to make?

Favorite Things: Let's Go Giants! (clap clap clapclapclap)

Get 'em while they're hot! There are some great deals on Giants gear here as the playoffs heat up! Or if you are less of a fan and more of a bargain hunter, wait a week and see who drops out of the next round and scoop up some 2010 gear. As for me, I am a true believer! Let's go Giants!

Favorite Things: Anne Taintor Engagement Calendar

Who would not love this? A fun just because gift or a go-to stocking stuffer, Anne Taintor's hilarious humor will make any hectic week seem a little more fun when recorded on this cool calendar. Available for under $20 on several websites or hopefully at a hip gift store near you.

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: And So It Continues ... $300 Grocery Challenge

So October is going to be a crazy month for us ... but I am continuing the $300 grocery challenge! My plan is to shop three times and spend $100 each time. Today, I got some great deals, stocked up on some of our favorite items, and only spent $104.91. So ideally, I'd spend more like $75 more on each trip and reserve some cash for a milk and fruit run if needed.

Here's the highlights of what I got:


4 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats (favorite cereal of 3 of 4 family members and on a buy 2, get 2 free promotion)


2 packages of ground turkey ($2.49 each) for burgers/tacos/chili


2 packages of italian sausage (buy one, get one free) for spaghetti sauce, etc.


cake mix and icing (used 3 different coupons) for Halloween cupcakes


lots of fresh fruit and veggies (grapes, apples, bananas, asparagus, corn, carrots, and celery)


lots of yogurt for snacks and smoothies (used 5 different coupons)


5 lb. bag of flour


chicken broth


tortillas


corn bread mix


wheat bread


... and more


Basically, I got about two weeks of meals during this trip and will do a quick shop for milk and maybe more fruits and veggies next week. We'll have pasta with spicy sausage sauce, chili and cornbread, risotto with asparagus, burgers and corn, and bean burritos this week.

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What great grocery deals did you find this week?

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: $300 Grocery Challenge, Week 4

I did it! Week 4 saw me spend $59.10 at Safeway. So I came in $31 under budget for the month of September. Saving $100 (well, actually $131!) off our grocery budget in one month certainly wasn't easy and I learned a bunch of shopping lessons in the process. I did yearn for a little more fresh fruit (apples and bananas got a little boring) and my husband missed his Diet Coke. The kids probably wished for more Goldfish! I've decided to do the challenge again in October. I will be working on my menus this week and shopping next Monday.

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: Are you in for October? And what's on your menu?

P.S.: Halloween candy does not count toward the $300. You can put that in your Entertainment column for your monthly budget. ; )