You know me. I'm a die-hard menu planner. But when I left the house today with only $38 in my pocket to buy groceries I was at a loss as to what to plan. So this week I'm winging it using mostly what I already have in my cupboards and freezer. About the only thing I DID plan was Taco Soup on Tuesday night because we have 21 people for dinner.
I know that I have enough to do New Mexico Pinto Beans for dinner tonight. (see Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly in my left sidebar) and Thanksgiving Memories Casserole for Wednesday night. And by then our paycheck will have cleared and I might be able to hit the store again. Wouldn't it be great if I could just stretch it till next Monday?
Breakfasts will be the basics; oatmeal, pancakes, maybe I can squeeze some muffins out of my supplies. And lunches will be leftovers, maybe hard boiled eggs and sliced veggies, lots of fruit, pickles, I'll be making some fresh batches of homemade yogurt, and homemade banana chips.
And just so you know I'm not a permanent Pollyanna, I did have a meltdown when I realized I only had $38. I cried, I panicked, I prayed and then I dealt with it. Laughter can work wonders.
Check back tomorrow to see what I DID buy with my $38. And go check out orgjunkie.com for more menu plan ideas.
20 comments:
Gayle,
I have so been there-many times, in fact. We get paid once a month only, so I have to plan carefully for the money to last until the end of the month.
DarcyLee
I missed you Gayle !! I was starting to worry you were sick.
Glad you are alright!!!!!!!!! Cheryl (from Pennsylvania)
We have a very important family mantra .. "you have to laugh or you'll cry." Sometimes that just holds so true!
I know you did well! And feeding 21 people ... WHOA!
Nicole
Sounds like a great plan. If anyone can do it, its you! Good luck!
I hate that scenario, because I too, have been there! BUT, isn't it amazing what you can find in the freezer/pantry when you have to? My chickies LOVE breakfast for dinner, so we do that about once a week.
I have often had to remind myself God will provide.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you stretch it again. Remember, one week you didn't have any money and all you got was a bunch of soy milk. You did great that week too? If all else fails, invite yourselves to dinner at the in-laws or something. ; )
If you can make tomato soup with ketchup and water you won't starve. Hope you have some hidden chocolate somewhere though.
Gayle, I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult day and week. Hugs.
I used to be in the same shoes. I shopped using the same methods as you use. For me it was a very unsettling feeling seeing my cupboards so bare and waiting for a paycheck.
I still use these same methods, but I have coupled them with the use of coupons. For example, I think it was last Feb or March there were coupons for FREE bread that came out. There was no purchase necessary. I had picked up any and all coupons from the tearpads and little blinky machines I seen in my store. I traded some of those coupons for FREE bread coupons. I froze all those loafs of bread. Not having to buy bread for several weeks saved me $3 each week. I took that $3 and went to CVS and bought the toothpaste that was on sale that first week (I also had coupon for this) that gave me ECB's back to use later. I watched the $5 CVS challenge every week. That started my stock pile and I feel so much less stress this month a year later. I only buy what's on sale that I have a coupon for, and I use lots of coupons for FREE items throughout the past year so that money could be put else where to build my stockpile. It's still hard, but if we have a tight month I only have to buy mainly milk and a few fresh produce.
There are several groups that exchange coupons, and if you would like more information my email is on my blog. Even if you dont have any coupons right now, if you post some that you could use, there are a group of us that will send to you. We are here to share and help everyone succeed. Hugs
Girl, you can do this. I'll bet you get in the store and find outstanding deals.
Ok, how do you make banana chips?
don't you have your own business? why do you need to wait for the paycheck to clear?
I'm checking in tomorrow to see what you did with the $38.
I salute you, you warrior shopper and meal planner!
You are a wonder-budgeter, I'm sure you'll handle it well, whatever you do get. Maybe there will be a huge sale jusy where you need it.
I know you can do it this week :). Sometimes this has happened to us and believe it the pantry is never fully bare! There's always something to create. God will provide for you guys.
This is a good way to look back & see how God has been providing for us all along. And when that $60's back, wow, it'll feel like a lot more & you'll appreciate it even better.
~Blessings to you, Gayle
I appreciate that you told us your triumph and than shared the trial.... it means a lot to see others who go through stuff and struggle but CHOOSE to pick up, brush themselves off and move on. You are an overcomer. You are encouraging and helping women ALL across this nation and you will be blessed.
I will be praying for loaves and fish scenario with your shopping trip!
thank you.
They say laughter is the best medicine sometimes right??? :) Good luck!
I so appreciate your honesty. We were there just this August/Sept/Oct. And now I have friends who are there. God always uses where we have been to have us bless others.
I'm trying to use what we have around the house this week too. I found some ground beef in the freezer from "I don't know when". It looks pretty freezer burned, but I was going to make Pierogies with it. So what do you think. Will it just taste gross? Or will it kill us???? ~K
You're seriously amazing, as always. I can't wait to see what you have planned. My husband has recently starting loving your blog since I'm actually planning all of our meals now. Our grocery bill has literally dropped by half. Just using what we have (which is always more than I think) to plan meals and not "stocking up" on things I can just as easily get when I plan for it has helped immensely. Plus it's nice not having to fret over what to make for dinner. I get to go to my little list on the fridge and "pick" a meal I've already planned for. When we get back to America and I have Winco again, I'm going to be practically shopping for free! :) We love you.
Your $38 was quite impressive. You should be so proud of yourself. My ripe bananas would become banana bread - a staple snack or breakfast for us. Thanks for what you do and being so brave to share it with everyone.
Sometimes it's so fun to have a challenge like that ahead of you... good for you for sticking to your budget!
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