I started this blog because I was really inspired by all of the cool frugal women that are out there helping each other save money, get free stuff and give back to communities. I have been following some of the women who have challenged themselves to live on and/or spend less on groceries than they thought they could.
So I decided to try my own challenge - the 2-week Menu Challenge. I want to see if I can plan and make two weeks worth of dinners using only what I already have in my pantry/freezer.I keep a well stocked pantry to begin with, something I probably inherited from my grandmother, who was definitely a depression-era frugal momma in her own right! So I want to use what I already have, without buying anything at the grocery store. That's where the challenge will be for me because I have discovered that the reason I often spend too much is that I shop on the way home, decide what's for dinner and then buy it - whether it's on sale, whether I have coupons or not. Not exactly the frugal way - but often the way of the full-time working mom. I want to plan ahead, use what I have and restock when things are on sale or I have coupons.
What are you going to do about produce, you ask? We subscribe to a local CSA program that provides us with a small box of organic fruits and vegetables every other week and this just happens to be that week. So I should be good. I didn't stockpile in advance of this attempt although I did assess that I had enough milk to keep my 4-year old satisfied.
Here's the menu plan for week 1 (not necessarily in order):
Meatloaf
Chicken parmesan
Sausage Lentil Soup
Fish Tacos
Pizza
I made the meatloaf and chopped up the soup ingredients so I should be able to just throw it into the crockpot. I took out the chicken for the parm and the dough for the pizza.
I have to admit that when I started reading the sale ads this morning, I had to just put the Fred Meyer one down and step away - telling myself that I can't care about what's on sale this week because I'm not going shopping!
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2 comments:
Good for you! It is so hard to break those habits. I feel for ya - I just barely stopped working full time. It is such a challenge to stay on budget when the last thing you want to do when you get home from work is make dinner (not to mention doing dishes, etc., etc.) I am down to working two full days each week and it is all I can do (or not do some weeks) on the days that I work to not pick up some fast food for dinner. Alas, the crockpot and cooking extra has become my saving grace for those days. Some days I just make a lame dinner. For example, tomorrow I work and we are having grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner! Anyway, Good luck, girl! You can do it! Keep us all updated!
-Michelle
I can be so wordy sometimes! Sorry that was such a long comment :)!
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