Cuisinart + Cheap Cheese = $$ Saved

I'm planning on making this recipe that I found on Money Saving Mom.

My fiance and I received a very nice Cuisinart from my parents as a housewarming gift a couple months ago but I've been nervous to use it because it seems so complex. So many blades and attachments! Either way, I finally decided that today would be the day because I had cheese to shred to make my dinner.

I shredded a 8oz block of Big Barn Cheddar from my Hickory Farms order, rough price, $1.50.

Just referencing prices from Giant for the same cheese:
Giant Brand 8oz shredded bag = $3.00
Sargento 8oz shredded bag = $3.69
Kraft 8oz shredded bag = $3.99
Nature's Promise 6oz shredded bag = $3.69 (would be $4.92 for 8oz if existed)

Saved? Anywhere from $1.50-$3.42!

Hickory Farms II

I mentioned previously that I had put in another order after discovering that they had gone to 85% off some products. So, we basically have a lot of cheese and sausage. The fiance isn't complaining because he got a sausage, pea and egg omelet tonight for dinner and was super impressed when I said that this order cost me even less than the last one.

The items from Order #2 are:
1 Warm & Hearty Welcome Gift Box
1 Family & Friends Gift Box
1 Ham Smokehouse Collection Gift Box
1 Reduced Sugar Vanilla Torte (this freezes and will be dessert the next time my parents are over)

This amounted to the following items:
cheese
4oz Three Cheese & Onion Wedge
4oz Creamy Swiss Blend
4oz Creamy Swiss Blend
4oz Big Barn Cheddar
4oz Big Barn Cheddar
4oz Big Barn Cheddar
8oz Big Barn Cheddar shredded, eaten
12oz Jalapeno & Cheddar Blend (fiance's g-ma sent him this last year and it is amazing in macncheese - it's like an adult version)
12oz Smoked Cheddar Blend
4oz Smoked Bacon & Cheddar Blend
6oz Cheddar Cheese Ball
= 66oz of cheese = 4.125 lbs

meat
12oz Beef Summer Sausage
12oz Beef Summer Sausage
10oz Ham Summer Sausage
10oz Beef & Pork Summer Sausage
7oz Beef Summer Sausage
7oz Ham Summer Sausage
= 58oz of sausage = 3.625 lbs

spreads/mustard/crackers, etc.
3oz sweet hot mustard
2.25oz sweet hot mustard
2.25oz sweet hot mustard
2.25oz american dijon mustard
= 9.75oz of mustard

2-1.3oz packages of golden toasted crackers

4oz mini melt away mints (pastel colored)

And some of those little strawberry candies. I don't know how many because my fiance quickly stole them away from me to eat, I presume (or hide).

I spent $25.74 including tax and shipping and will be receiving 4% back (roughly $1.00).
25 items, roughly $1 per item.

Still curious about any mixes you guys can think of. I know I am already going to mix the jalapeno one with one of the other lighter cheese (maybe one of the cheddars) since it is very very hot - they aren't joking around with that one!

Hickory Farms & Ebates

Hickory Farms is having a great sale. A week or so ago most of their holiday sets were 75% off, this week many of them are 85% off and since shipping is calculated by the cost, not by weight, the shipping is even cheaper this week (it's pretty pricey to begin with so be forewarned). However, thanks to a special coupon offer: use SIZZLE or CLIPPER in the special coupon offer box, you will receive an additional 15% off and if you go through Ebates you'll get an additional 4% back from the purchase!

I'm not sure whether to include this in my weekly or monthly budget but I've made 2 separate orders. One last week that just arrived today and one this week which should be shipped soon. Some of the items are going towards birthday or holiday gifts this year, some of the items are things I know we will use (at least a couple of the sausages are going to be used for the south american dish I make fairly often), I plan to grate some of the cheese to freeze and use for other dishes - not sure which. Either way, either we or someone close to us will be using all of the items.

The items from Order #1 are:
1 Warm & Hearty Welcome Gift Box
1 Summer Sausage and Cheese Gift Box
1 The Sausage & Cheese Slicer Gift Board

This amounted to the following items:
cheese
6oz Smoked Gouda
7oz Edam
8oz Cheddar
7oz Sharp Cheddar
7oz Mission Jack Blend (I already know this I'm shredding for Mexican dishes)
4oz Swiss
7oz Havarti
4oz Three Cheese & Onion Wedge
6.5oz Apple Pie Cheddar

meat
3-12oz Beef Summer Sausage (36oz!)
7oz Beef Summer Sausage 1/2 eaten
7oz Ham Summer Sausage

spreads/mustard
2- 3oz jars sweet hot mustard

We also got a cutting board with cheese/sausage slicer but it seems a little wonky - will try to fix because I was hoping to gift that to my dad for father's day this year.

And some of those little strawberry candies. I don't know how many because my fiance quickly stole them away from me to eat, I presume (or hide).

I spent $30.63 including tax and shipping and will be receiving 4% back (roughly $1.20).

I would like to know from you, fellow bloggers, which cheese above would be good to shred and freeze? Would you combine any of it? What are some dishes you like including the above ingredients?

Just to break down this first Hickory Farms purchase.
56.50 oz of cheese = roughly 3.5 lbs
50.00 oz of sausage = roughly 3.11 lbs
1 cutting board
2 jars of mustard

Knowing how much cheese costs around here, I doubt I could get it for any cheaper at the local grocer, even on sale, so I'm pleased.