What we ate while camping

Although I tried to make this trip as cheap as possible I still managed to spend about $300 before we left, but only a small portion was on food. I had to buy $80 hiking boots for my son, solar shower (not sure that was worth it yet), chips, soda, plates, utensils. We only went out to eat once and that was actually on the way there. I didn’t want to take the time to make dinner and clean up before we left, so we got a pizza and a sub before we even left town. I am comforted by the fact that I shouldn’t have to spend so much, next time we go camping, although I just spent about $13.50 this morning on some items we realized we would like for our next venture-hatchet, camp soap, big spoon, and starter sticks.

Here is what we had for meals;
Day one
Breakfast-Eggs, bacon, toast (all items taken from my pantry)
Lunch-Homemade Soup (made days before hand) LOVE Ziploc Twist and Loc!
Turkey cheese sandwich
Dinner-Cheese Burgers and Mac N Cheese
Snacks both days-Smores (duh), Jiffy Pop, tater chips, pudding (I made it before we left), cheez its

Day two
Breakfast-Bacon and Pancakes
Lunch-Soup for hubby and Mac N cheese Hotdogs
On the way home we stopped at Linville Falls to see a campfire program on Venomous snakes, spiders and ticks-And at the picnic area
Dinner-Cheeseburger, Hotdogs, Mac N cheese

So the only money that was spent once we left the house was
Pizza and Sub $30
gas and a candy bars (not enough pizza)
bottle of Ketchup-$1.50 (I forgot it!)
1 bottle Propane that cost $6+ that killed us knowing I had left a FULL bottle at home and it is only $2.77 at WALMART!
5 candy sticks from the camp store ($1.00)

Our next camping trip I want to try and do some different foods ones that are a little bit more involved, but I have 2 kids that are really picky and that really takes the fun out of it.

Memorial Day Weekend

Up until about 4 years ago you couldn’t pay me to tent camp. Then I came to realize that if I wanted to get away then I had better find a cheap way to do it or we will be stuck doing nothing. I wanted my kids to be able to look back at their childhood and say they actually did something. My older 2 do nothing but play video games, watch tv and play on the computer. So about 2 years ago we went camping with friends. And even though we didn’t have the best experience (but it was our friends that dragged us down with them) I decided after that first outing I would go again. The second time was OK, but we went with an additional family and I will never camp with them again.

First, what I did was a search on camping. I think I researched about tents specifically before I purchased the one I did. I was telling my friend yesterday that there are things people don't take into consideration before buying them. One is do you want to be able to stand up straight in the tent? For us the answer was YES so I made sure to get a tent with side walls rather than a dome, our tent is a 7ft high tent. We have a Eureka N!ergy 1310 Family Tent that “sleeps 10” yeah right!

You can see some dome tents in the background. And even though they say they are 6.5 ft tall, that is only in the middle. Also the people count. What they consider a 5 person tent, is what I would consider a 2 person tent. They mean that 5 sleeping bags would fit creatively. Not 5 twin size blow up mattresses. Also I think they assume the 5 would huddle together for warmth. Check out the sleeping arrangements on those smaller tents.

Our tent has a power pack that I purchased separately so we can plug cigarette lighter items into it, we have a fan and a lantern that we can plug into 3 outlets in the corners (the tent is wired in the corners to this power pack). We didn't use the power pack this past weekend BUT I do think we will use it when it gets warmer. You can see by what we are wearing it wasn't real hot out. Also in tent purchasing...One thing that we completely lucked out on was tent shape (specifically foot print). Our tent, which is 10x13, BARELY fit on the pad (you can see it hanging off). Most tent pads are about 10x10. We ended up moving to the next site after that picture was taken. If you had an 18x10 ft tent then really you are going to massively hang over the tent pad. The tent pad is gravel for a reason (which is also a reason to get the tarp for underneath). When it rains the water won't run under your tent.

As far as other gear, there are things that some people might have on a list. What I would hate for anyone to do is buy a bunch of things for camping then not like it and be stuck with things you won't use. I guess an argument can be made that if you did buy a FAMILY SIZE Tent (meaning 8-10 people) you could set it up in your back yard and use it. But would you use a stove if you decided to never camp again? Maybe you might use it if the power was out for a few DAYS. One more thing, you don’t want to set up a tent and leave it for weeks at a time unless there is a tarp over it. The sun will break down the threads and fabric; we are going to buy a tarp to put over the tent before we go camping again. Also I think it will help with the temperature inside the tent. When the sun Is beating down on it, it warms up quickly in the afternoon.

The first time we went camping as a family we used our neighbor’s tent. I did borrow some blow up mattresses and I think we had a few too. I even borrowed the sleeping bags from our other neighbor. The ONLY thing I bought were flash lights which would be the ONE thing I suggest you do buy. I know we ALWAYS need flash lights. Go to Walmart and buy the $1.97 small flash light and ONE FOR EACH PERSON. And if you manage to make you way into the camping area, resist the urge to buy those cute tiny little lanterns. Buy the flash lights or you’ll regret it. The second time we went camping our other neighbors went with us and she got those lanterns….all her kids wanted were our small flashlights. You can point at things with them, swing them around…just take my word on this one.

Since we have been camping and decided it is something we want to do I have purchased things specifically for camping:

Eureka N!ergy 1310 Family tent -$230 (I got mine on line but can’t remember where)

Coleman Stove/grill combo-$65 -we love this thing using it for hikes too

Griddle to fit the stove/grill- $20

Percolator- $9.00

7 blow up twin mattress $9.99-$14.99 (I suggest you ALWAYS have at least ONE more than what you need holes happen)

5 Sleeping bags 40 degree rated-$14.99-$19.99

3 lanterns (1 plug in battery, 1 crank, 1 battery operated)- $7.99-$14.99

Camp soap (biodegradable)- $2.19 (walmart)

Solar water warmer- $6 (walmart)

5 gallon collapsible water jug- $6 (walmart)

Telescoping marshmallow sticks- $1 each at Target dollar spot

Clothes line- Target dollar spot

Small propane bottles $2.77 walmart

Folding camp chairs $6-$9.99 Dicks has them on sale sometimes-Walmart-$8.88 (This is an absolute must, but we do use them for soccer/baseball games)

Tarp, for under the tent (I will be buying one for over the tent too) $12.00

Spoons, knives, forks-$1/6 at Walmart in silverware section

Plates $2.47 each

Cups-Target dollar spot

BIG cooler that keeps ice for 5 days-$80

The reason I bought eating utensils and cups and plates is I didn't want to generate a bunch of trash while we were out. Had I used paper plates, and plastic utensils we would have had to take the trash to the dumpster everyday. However, I do not suggest you do this, disposable is fine. Also if doing dishes is an issue then paper works. I don’t mind doing the dishes at the campsite. I had TONS Of fun boiling water over the campfire. I know, I am easily entertained, but my mother in law claims you can’t boil water over a fire. Once I proved her wrong I had to have a pot of water over the fire at all times boiling that water. Though it does come in handy, for dishes also one of our camping staples is Mac N cheese and I would rather get the water hot over the FREE fire than the propane bottle I had to pay for.

I also took things from my kitchen. I did take strainer, pots, utensils, plus I don't know what else. I did notice our vehicle (extended mini van with half back seat removed) was FULL and a lot of the vehicles that went buy didn't have nearly as much in them...BUT while we were out we were NOT going out to dinner. There are people that use the camp as a place to sleep nothing more. I like to be prepared so I tend to over pack. I have learned from the past 2 times we went that you can never be too warm at night either(I WAY underdressed for a 5000 ft elevation camping trip) 40 degree sleeping bags still mean you need warm sleeping clothes (which mine were long underwear and sweats and hoodie that I had on my head at night this past weekend at about 3500ft).

The cheap public campgrounds typically DO NOT have water at each site, or electric. Private places do BUT they charge twice as much AND the flat fee covers 2-4 people and you must pay for anything over. The place we were going to stay in NY charged $42 per night for TWO adults, I had to pay for one more adult and 2 kids PER NIGHT...Then there was a "resort fee"...For those fees we got electric at our site and water at our site, and fire ring plus whatever the resort has to offer as far as extras like the Pool and game room that you still have to pay to play, flush toilets and shower with hot water.

For $16 a night for 6 people we got a tent site, fire ring, flush toilets that weren't too far from our site, COLD water, and community water pump. We were allowed to collect sticks and stumps to make a fire (private places make you bring your wood or pay $5 per bundle). The collapsible water jug was handy it comes with a rope you tie to the lantern post and then hang the bottle, it is almost like running water…well it trickles but water none the less! The first 3 times I filled the jug (yes 5 gallons is heavy) then I decided that is man work and they needed to fill it for me.

Coupons for more than just groceries

The other day our microwave that is only about 4 yrs old died. The magnetron tube went on it which after reading about this make (GE Spackmaker 1800 over the range microwave) this happens rather often in them. The tube actually comes with a 5 year warranty, but only the part is covered, not the labor, or the $80 fee just to have them come to my home. Also the turntable stopped working a few months ago. I figure it will cost about $200 just to get this thing fixed. So I figured why bother? I will just get a new one. I personally don't like GE appliances, I didn't have much of a choice, they came with the house.

After much debate I decide on Whirlpool which I have always had good luck with. So after a little bit of research I go to Lowes and the one I want they are out of. She tells me there are 3 located at a different store about 15 miles from my home and I happen to be going over their that afternoon anyway. I talk with the salesman and he gets it for me, but then starts telling me how Bisque, the color I have in my home (again not my choice, it came with the house) only accounts for 5% of the total sales for all appliances. Then it occurs to me that I won't have much to pick from when it comes to replacing my stove and dishwasher, which I WILL replace (they are GE too!). I take my $248.00 microwave up front to check out. I use a $20 off a $200 home depot coupon (did you know Lowes and Home Depot accept each others coupons?), it ended up costing me about $244.53. I take it home and have my husband remove it from my van.

The next day I get an email from my "coupon buddy" that lives about 30 miles south of me. She tells me she has a coupon for $50 off a $250 order and if I want it I can have it. I have absolutely no problem returning what I bought so I can rebuy it to save $30 more. Additionally to all those nay-sayers out there, the Lowes is only 2 miles from my house, so yes it is worth it. I start thinking about it some more and when I go to get rid of my other appliances I want more than just 3 items to pick from. So I decide I will switch to stainless steel. Then I start my research, I find a Samsung microwave at Lowes and it is better than what I have already purchased, holds more, more watts, and has an additional rack mine didn't have. And any comparible one was about $50 more in other brands. I see if anyone has complained about this microwave and really there were no complaints though it is a new model that just came out this year. I then find it on sale at Best Buy for about $20 less than Lowes. I print that paper off. I grab the coupon my friend sent me AND I also have a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase at Lowes.

I went in and returned the microwave, explaining there is nothing wrong with it, we never even opened it. I just changed my mind. I had her give me the money back on a gift card. I then went and got a Mint plant (husband wanted mint julips derby weekend), bag of birdseed, bag of dirt and my $298.00 microwave. After my coupons and the gift card it only cost me an additional $10.21.

It never hurts to spend a few minutes looking for coupons on line. Here is the link http://www.lifetakesvisa.com/?id=lawn_editorial2& to a coupon for $10 off a $25 purchase at Lowes. It says you must use your Visa.

Why do I bother?

I am not sure why I bother doing this. Is anyone reading it?

I had taken some time off from blogging. I have been busy doing secret shops. My April payments will be well over $300 for that months shops. I am using my $400 grocery budget to do this secret shopping also for the most part. Sometimes I run low on funds right near "payday" and I will have to take my money the day before I am supposed to or I might use a credit card to pay for a mystery shop dinner. But all monies paid to me is not going back into my grocery fund. I guess my husband is putting it towards other things. I have 2 secret shops today to do. One of them is a product return so that won't cost me much, though I am going to have to buy something to prove I was there. We always need milk so I will just buy a gallon of it while I am there. The shop later today, that one I will have to buy atleast 4 things, I will try and keep it under $5.00.

Mystery Shopping trip

So yesterday I had a mystery shop to do. It is a shop where I had to observe a big order, it didn't matter whether it was my own or someone elses. I decided I would try and make it my own order. They only will reimburse $3 for this particular shop so I figured I would do as good as I could but still have more than just a few things. I went in knowing I needed sliced cheese, peanutbutter crackers, and cream cheese. It did take me awhile to come up with all these things. My total trip was just over an hour. Total cost ot me was $8.00, and I will get $3.00 paid back to me when I get the payment next month.