Happy Spring!

Can you believe we’re already in April? I’m really excited about April because I am due on April 10th, hopefully sooner if this little guy will cooperate with me! Check out this baby bump!

If you’re following on Facebook, or by e-mail I am sure you’ve already seen the early access to the full version of April’s menu on Etsy. If you haven’t, get your copy now! February AND March sold out, so make sure to scoop up your savings now. The full version of each menu includes a weekly grocery list, with steps to make preparing dinner easier on everyone, an Easter menu and a rotating breakfast and lunch menu with fun ideas for salads and make ahead breakfasts. The $4 menu also includes all of the recipes included in April’s Menu, with 9 recipes NEW exclusive to Etsy!

A lot of the new recipes are adapted from my favorite cookbook author, Addie Gundry. If you haven’t heard of her, check out some of her books; 103 Essential Chicken Recipes, 103 Fuss-Free Slow Cooker Recipes, and there are many more. Read more about Addie’s cookbooks here.

April’s menu has 30 days of dinners, and after grocery shopping only cost $248! I optimized my shopping and savings by shopping around at different stores for the best deals, utilizing the savings from store reward cards, using coupons, and earning cash back with iBotta. If you haven’t heard of it yet, sign up. Essentially, you scan in your grocery receipt, scroll through the deals, and collect! Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been able to save $83.40 in cash back. Sometimes I get $0.25 back, and sometimes I get $1.25 back. It really just depends on the week, and the rebates that they have, but I always get at least $0.25 back per shopping trip, and all of those quarters add up! Once you hit $20 in savings on the app, you can cash out for gift cards, or directly to your PayPal account. Use code hqsrpvf and get $10 as soon as you redeem your first rebate – even the $0.25 ones! Download in whatever app store you use, and start earning!

We utilize a lot of leftovers this month across different meals, and use the pantry to really save money! I am really happy with April’s menu, and am even more excited to plan May’s menu! The closer we get to summer, the cheaper groceries get! At least here in Colorado. Winter time is tough for fresh veggies, which is why I am still using a lot of frozen veggies.

The bulk shopping list above (scroll down to get your FREE downloadable copy), has everything you need to make the recipes on April’s menu. By shopping in bulk for a lot of things, you can save even more money. As a general rule of thumb, I buy meat, some dairy, eggs, butter and certain veggies in bulk at Costco, shop my canned good and non perishables at Walmart – they always seem to have the lowest prices, produce at Sprouts, and then shop the sales at our local grocery stores for the remaining items.

Click the links below for the recipes on April’s menu:

Slow Cooker Glazed Ham
Garlicy Green Beans
Mashed Sweet Potatoes

30 Minute Macaroni and Cheese

20 Minute Tacos with Hidden Veggies

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Strips
Oven Baked French Fries

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops
Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Ramen Noodles

Bean Tostadas
Mexican Street Corn

20 Minute Fettuccine Alfredo

Homemade Pizza