Monday, April 12, 2010

I Want to Stretch my Budget, Not My Waistline...

So last month, using my coupons and in store sales, I shaved off $100 from my grocery bill! ONE HUNDRED BUCKS YA'LL! I am thinking I should scan my receipts for you all just to prove it but, you believe me, right? Good...because I am too lazy to do that right now...

AND just yesterday, even with forgetting my coupons because I had the kids with me (I'm not perfect. psh) I still saved $30, paying attention to the in-store sales and promotions while making sure my kids weren't crashing into people with the cart or knocking over displays. I get a high from this people. Seriously I do. I bought whole-wheat pasta on sale this time around, for $1 per box, and was all giggly about it.

But of course, it's nearing summer and it's hot-er out and with all this healthy eating I need some frickin' ice cream. And the amount of ice cream I need to satisfy our family would zap our budget, and potentially snap the elastic in my swimsuit. So, I thought of another fabulous idea to stretch our budget and not expand our waistlines this summer. I too have to take the kids to the pool ya know...

So, I shielded my eyes from the Ben and Jerry's single serve containers for $1 a pop (have you seen these things? In theory it sounds so cost effective, but I am not sure if I want to buy them because of that or because they are so dang cute.) because I imagined my freezer completely overtaken by them for about 3 days, then mysteriously disappearing and reappearing on my hips and thighs on the 4th day.

Instead I looked right at the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and was struck with genius.

You get 6 sandwiches for about 4 bucks and change. Really, you could eat TWO and totally feel like you said a few curse words to your diet and splurged (it's like what, 280 calories and 4 grams of fat for two? Please, Ben and Jerry's has 200 calories but 8 grams of fat in their ONE little serving!) but, I know this isn't a good example for my kids, and sheesh, there goes calorie conservation! So, I bought two cartons, chocolate and vanilla, which if my math is right is 12 sandwiches. Wait it gets better, that's not the genius part. Maybe it is. Who knows keep reading...

So, time for dessert. Here's what I did:


Isn't it sooooooo cute??? Sometimes when your dessert is small, you just have it gussy it up for that satisfaction to kick in! My kids didn't even mention that they were sharing a sandwich, because they were cheering about the little topping of whipped cream and a cherry (which adds minimal calories). And of course, they ate it in sections, which meant three flavors AND it took longer to eat! They enjoyed the presentation, the flavor combination and that they were eating yummy ice cream (that is less calories and has fiber). And of course, with this genius act of genius, I just doubled the servings and stretched my dollar but no one's waistline!

Yes, yes, I am eating it the same way too**, mainly because I have been exercising, but it seems that my arms and the back of my thighs haven't received the memo. However, I recently realized this is because my mouth ate the memo, and anything else that came near it for the past month so while dutifully working out. So, my mouth is on probation and my stomach is in rehab/counseling. Someone has to stand up for my jiggly limbs!

Any of you have some fun stretch your dollar shrink your waistline tips? Let me know, I have about a month before I have to don the dreaded suits again...


**I just need to confess. I had my 1/2 today...with a whole one. And three cherries. Hey, don't judge. It was just that kind of day. At least I am being honest...

8 comments:

w said...

i'm not going to puditend that i don't like to eat. because you know i do.

i mantain my figure by dannycing. you know. the way they do in gymnastics in the oldlympics.

yummy.

better be one.

Macey said...

I want that.
Once I got icecream on sale and I ate it all.
So I got some more on sale...and I ate it all....
And it went on for a week.
I had to stop saving money. So I would quit eating. Gah.
That looks so good though.
I want that.

Vanessa said...

I don't have any suggestions, because while I am cheap, I don't eat healthy. I just buy anything that says it's low calorie. And on sale.

Mrs. Plank said...

Oh Kim, just as you are my Official Uterus Guru, I can be your Cheapskate Guru. I am a coupon-devotee! I love it!!! I get so much shit for free, you don't even know. I have seven deordorants chillin' in my closet right now, deodorant anyone???? Hit me up and I will hook you up with all my links and info. Do they have a Whole Foods where you live??? They have really good deals, we will talk. . .

Creative Junkie said...

I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE Skinny Cow fan (well, not huge anymore as I've lost weight, a huge part of which I attribute to Skinny Cow, actually) - they taste phenomenal!

I am always amazed at what people save with coupons ... I'm lucky if I $5-7 per trip!

Kearsie said...

Yum. That looks super delish, except I'm not a fan of whipped cream. I wonder if Cool Whip would work? Because I do love me some Cool Whip.

Yes, there is a difference. No, I can't explain it.

Curvee Th@ng said...

I love your modification of the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich!!!! I can't wait till I'm allowed to have some kind of dessert again because if it fits into the net carb formula, I'm making a Skinny Cow sandwich sundae.

Makes me hungry just thinking about it :)

Matty said...

You certainly are the queen of savings. I can't remember the last time I used a coupon. Not because I have loads of money which I don't, but I just never take the time to bother collecting and using them.

Dessert has always been my weakness. I have quite the sweet tooth. As for Ben and Jerry's, I don't buy their products because they are stout supporters of the Mumia Abu Jamal defense fund. He was convicted of murdering a Philadelphia police officer. For some reason, they have chosen him as their "cause" and for this reason I don't give them my money.
But as for ice cream, I can't live without it. I always have a supply on hand.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin