updated Pantry Listings

dated pantry list for 01/30/2013


 soda
 tea bags
veggie oil
whole chicken
two rolls ground turkey

2 packs of hot chocolate
dry powdered milk
one gallon fluid milk
5 lb flour
5 lb sugar
apples
bananas
70 ct water bottles
10 lb potatoes
3 lb onion
4 garlic
two tomatoes
3 lb grapes
cream cheese
three packs hot dogs (oscar myer)
olive oil
pancake mix
pancake syrup
3 dozen eggs
2 loaves of bread
molassis cookie mix
2 mac and cheese
beef stock
cinnamon sugar
three cans diced tomato
two cans chicken noodle
two cans of jelly
2 jars peanut butter
ketchup
2 refried beans
2 cans mushrooms
pickles
2 lb bacon
cream cheese
lettuce
boneless pork chops
various peppers
sweet potatoes
lb broccoli
butter
whole chicken
hash browns
2 frozen squash
a package of  hot dogs
1 whole chicken
1 turkey sausage
Coke Cola
tea bags
several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    one almost empty bottle of ketchup
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup

onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
2 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
carrots
fresh green beans
brussel sprouts
1 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
1 lb rice*
a lb egg noodles
various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder
   basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   baking powder *
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
2 cans of tomato soup
one box old fashioned oatmeal*
rasain
4 noodles and sauce packets
1 box scalloped potatoes
one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

Dinner Jan 28, 29

My daughter made pasta and sauce for dinner on Monday. I had to work and this was the easiest thing for her to make. We had meatball sandwiches last night from subway that my husband bought.

Dinner 1/27

My daughter made chicken the other night. My husband diced up some of the left over chicken and added some taco seasoning to it. my kids chopped up some lettuce, tomato, and grated some provolone cheese. We had a pack of taco shells in he pantry. So, we had chicken tacos for dinner.

updated pantry list for 1/27/2013

12 cases of soda
100 count tea bags
veggie oil
whole chicken
two rolls ground turkey

2 packs of hot chocolate
dry powdered milk
one gallon fluid milk
5 lb flour
5 lb sugar
apples
bananas
70 ct water bottles
10 lb potatoes
3 lb onion
4 garlic
two tomatoes
deli cheese ends
deli meat ends
3 lb grapes
cream cheese
three packs hot dogs (oscar myer)
olive oil
pancake mix
pancake syrup
3 dozen eggs
2 loaves of bread
molassis cookie mix
2 mac and cheese
1 lb pasta
beef stock
cinnamon sugar
f our cans diced tomato
two cans chicken noodle
two cans of jelly
2 jars peanut butter
ketchup
2 refried beans
2 cans mushrooms
pickles

4 yogurt
2 lb bacon
chicken breast slices
ham slices
cream cheese
lettuce
boneless pork chops

various peppers
sweet potatoes
lb broccoli
butter
whole chicken
hash browns
2 frozen squash




Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available.

a package of  hot dogs
1 whole chicken
2 turkey sausage

Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
 
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    one almost empty bottle of ketchup
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup

onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
2 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
carrots

cucumber
fresh green beans

brussel sprouts


butter

1 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
1 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles


1 jar spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder
   basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*

   baking powder *
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
 
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt

2 cans of tomato soup
one box old fashioned oatmeal*
rasain

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
1 taco kit
1 box scalloped potatoes

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

8 dinner rolls
a gallon of milk

a very budget friendly day

Remember that whole chicken that wasn't cook all the way....well, I put it in the crock pot last night. I let tis simmer overnight, and this morning took the meat off the bones. We have a huge plate of nice looking cooked meat. I have three quarts of dark brown stock, and a plate of chicken for lunch today.

The big plate of meat is in the fridge, along with the stock. The smaller plate of meat, I diced up the chicken, and added 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce that was lurking in the fridge. We had bbq chicken sandwiches on some dinner rolls that were on clearance for 1.67 for 24.

the kids asked to go out for breakfast this morning. Instead, I made omeletes with eggs, dry milk, some butter (scraped out of the bowl to get the last bits, instead of opening up a new one), diced up two small pieces of lunch meat ham, and 1/4 thick peice of provolone cheese (about two tablespoons I guess). I added this to the omeletes and it was just awesome.

Dinner tonight will be left over BBQ chicken, and some egg noodles.

Dinner 1/24, 1/25

We went out to chipolte last night and had a fabulous time.

I had ACLS class today for eight hours. I asked my husband to put a whole chicken in the oven at 2:30 so it would be done at 5:30 when I got home.

It wasn't done, but I made mashed potatoes using some lurking older cream cheese, butter, milk and some parmesean cheese. I also warmed up some corn.

We had the veggies. I ended up putting the chicken in the crock pot, because after two and a half hours in the oven, it wasn't fully cooked. Now, it will finish cooking tonight, and in the AM I will take the meat off the bones.

Over monthly limit for groceries

YIKES!!! I am looking back over my totals for the month. I spent 125 dollars at the beginning of January, and then today's total of 208.00.

My total for the month of January is 333.00... I need to stay out of the stores.

Grocery Shopping

12 cases of soda
two bottles of clarifying shampoo
2 stay free pads 66 count
ten rolls of toilet paper
Gillette deodorant
apricot scrub
two boxes cheerios
100 count tea bags
veggie oil
whole chicken
two rolls ground turkey
18 lb cat food
14 lb cat litter
2 packs of hot chocolate
dry powdered milk
one gallon fluid milk
5 lb flour
5 lb sugar
apples
bananas
70 ct water bottles
10 lb potatoes
3 lb onion
4 garlic
two tomatoes
deli cheese ends
deli meat ends
3 lb grapes
cream cheese
three packs hot dogs (oscar myer)
olive oil
pancake mix
pancake syrup
3 dozen eggs
2 loaves of bread
molassis cookie mix
2 mac and cheese
1 lb pasta
beef stock
cinnamon sugar
f our cans diced tomato
two cans chicken noodle
two cans of jelly
2 jars peanut butter
ketchup
2 refried beans
2 cans mushrooms
pickles
pepperoni
4 yogurt
2 lb bacon
chicken breast slices
ham slices
cream cheese
lettuce
boneless pork chops
gallon of milk
various peppers
sweet potatoes
lb broccoli
butter
whole chicken
hash browns
2 frozen squash

Spent 208.00...I am over my limit of 300.00 for a month.

monthly finances and obligations

Updates on my finances

I made my very last car payment.......I received the title in the mail two days ago.

car taxes   PAID

My girl's graduation fees are paid in full, along with my other daughter's class ring....finally!!

inspection for one car DONE FREE!!!!!
Animals to vet on Jan 22 2013....

The only way to manage to get these things done, is to watch my finances very carefully. My husband does not work and has limited income (he sells things), and I can't count on any of that income to be steady. So, the best thing I can do is watch all income that comes into the house (mine is steady), and keep our expenses as low as possible.

I am going to list my debt, and my plans to get rid of this:

KIA 277.11 a month PAID IN FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JCPenny 202.00 total.l....100 a month (when KIA is paid off, the money rolls into my JCP account 277.11 plus 100.00) This will start in Feb 2013!!!!!!!  PAID IN FULL AND NOW CLOSED!!!!!!

Target 2680.31....150 a month (when JCP is paid, all is rolled into this account 377.11 plus the 150). This is my newest statement. Payment 150.00 today 01/24/2013

Wells Fargo  (A) 25,000 YIKES!!!!!! 90 a month at the moment (when Target gets paid off, then the money will roll into this account 572.11 a month)

Student Loan 15,000 total another yikes!!!! 167 a month...will keep this amount until Wells Fargo A is paid off. (when the above is paid off, then I will put 572.11 a month and the normal 167 towards this loan). Made a payment 01/10/2013

Mortgage 72,000 (was 90,000)  total....633.21 a month..

I just paid February's mortgage....I added the regular payment, along with one hundred dollars.

Emergency Fund: 00000000

Essentially, I could have my bills paid, and mortgage free come 2023....is this a reasonable plan??? Yes, provided I can stick to it.

updated pantry listing

Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available.

a package of  hot dogs
1 whole chicken
2 turkey sausage

Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    one almost empty bottle of ketchup
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup

onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
2 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
carrots

cucumber
fresh green beans

brussel sprouts

cream cheese
butter

1 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
1 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles
1 jar peanut butter

1 jar spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder
   basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*

   baking powder *
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt

2 cans of tomato soup
one box old fashioned oatmeal*
rasain

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
1 taco kit
1 box scalloped potatoes

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

24 dinner rolls
a gallon of milk
sliced cheese
8 eggs

Dinner 1/23

We had a strange dinner tonight. I used the last of the waffle mix and syrup to make belgain waffles for the kids. They had two each and the box was empty, along with the syrup.

My husband had some leftover beef chuck roast with veggies that was in one of our "frozen surprises". I had left over ham and bean soup, which is now gone.

Using what we have available keeps my expenses down.

Updated Listings for Jan 22nd

updated pantry list


Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available.




a package of  hot dogs
1 whole chicken
2 turkey sausage


Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    one almost empty bottle of ketchup
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup
 
onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
2 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
carrots

sliced turkey
cucumber
fresh green beans

brussel sprouts

cream cheese
butter


1 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
1 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles
2 jars peanut butter

1 jar spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder
   basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*

   baking powder *
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
 . pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup


one box old fashioned oatmeal*
rasain

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
1 taco kit
1 box scalloped potatoes

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

24 dinner rolls
a gallon of milk
sliced cheese
8 eggs

Second day of frozen surprises....

I have a nice ham bone that was waiting to be used in the freezer. I took that out, and used two quarts of frozen surprise, AKA chicken stock, and placed both of these in the crock pot. I diced up two carrots, and opened four cans of pinto beans...we are going to have ham and bean soup for dinner tonight.

Frozen surprises!!

Ok, so I have about eight containers of frozen surprises that I did not label. One of them is taco meat from the other night, along with two containers of homemade spag sauce.

I am using the two containers of spag sauce, the last bit of mozzarella cheese, and some homemade crsut (in my ABM) to make cheese pizzas for the kids tonight.

New pantry listing...

updated pantry list


Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available.


4 containers of mystery meals
container of taco meat
3 single corn dogs
a package of  hot dogs
1 whole chicken
2 turkey sausage
meaty ham bone

Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    one almost empty bottle of ketchup
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup
 
onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
2 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
carrots
celery
sliced turkey
cucumber
fresh green beans

brussel sprouts

cream cheese
butter


1 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
1 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles
4 jars peanut butter
4 cans pinto beans
1 jar spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder
   basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*

   baking powder *
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
 . pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup
bottled water

one box old fashioned oatmeal*
one box of cream of wheat*
rasains

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
2 taco kits
1 box scalloped potatoes

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

24 dinner rolls
a gallon of milk
sliced cheese
8 eggs

Dinner 1/20

Dinner tonight consist of grilled hot dogs, caramelized onions, and homemade french fries....

Updated listing

updated pantry list


Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available.


2 containers of mystery meals
container of taco meat
3 single corn dogs
2 packages hot dogs
1 whole chicken
2turkey sausage
1 beef roast
meaty ham bone

Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    two bottles of ketchup* One is almost finished, about a tsp left.
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup
    ketchup

potatoes eight left
onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
3 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
carrots
celery
sliced turkey
cucumber
fresh green beans
apple juice
brussel sprouts


cream cheese
butter

yogurt

3 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
2 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles

1 box hot chocolate*
4 jars peanut butter
4 cans pinto beans
1 jar spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder

  basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   all purpose flour*

   baking powder *
   dry milk*
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
   veggie oil* a tsp left...
   pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup
bottled water

one box old fashioned oatmeal*
one box of cream of wheat*
rasains

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
2 taco kits
1 box scallopped potatoes
bananas

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

1 bags of bagels

1 loaf of white bread
various bread ends
24 dinner rolls


a gallon of milk
sliced cheese
2 dozen eggs

Dinner 1/19

I took out a package of turkey "Italian" sausage, and browned this in olive oil. I diced up two roma tomatoes, three cloves of fresh garlic, a sliced whole onion, and four small red and yellow peppers...cooked this until it was brown and nice....smells good too. I opened up a can of crushed tomato, and put this in the crock pot with some parmesean cheese..this will simmer all day. I will only have to cook some elbow pasta (all I have int he pantry) and call it dinner!!

soft and wilted veggies....waste not.

I have celery that is beginning to look bad, and it's getting soft. I finished with the amount I was going to use in my dinner today. I diced it, including the leaves, and put it in a container for the freezer. I did the same with the fresh green beans, they were beginning to look like they have seen better days.

Waste not, want not....didn't throw them away!

Dinner 1/18

I had to buy a new crock pot yesterday, as I broke our previous one a few weeks ago. So, this morning, I put it to good use.

We are having a small roast that was bought on mark down. In the crock pot, I diced up three carrots, two sprigs of celery, half an onion, a few fresh green beans that were sliced by hand, two garlic cloves, some basil, and bouillon cubes. I added about one and a half cups of water, and a teaspoon of packet soy sauce. I'm going to let this cook all day on low, and make some long grain rice to go with it.

Dinner 1/17

I have several ends of bread crust int he freezer. I took those out to thaw, and will serve french toast. I will use some powdered milk, several eggs, and some vanilla...and top the french toast with some pancake syrup. I have little veggie oil left, so this will be used as little as possible on my hotplate.

Updated Pantry Listing

updated pantry list


Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available. This includes everything that I bought last week but didn't list.


2 containers of mystery meals
container of taco meat
3 single corn dogs
2 packages hot dogs
1 whole chicken
3 turkey sausage
1 beef roast
meaty ham bone

Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    two bottles of ketchup* One is almost finished, about a tsp left.
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup
    ketchup

potatoes eight left
onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
3 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
4 roma tomatoes
carrots
celery
sliced turkey
cucumber
fresh green beans
apple juice
brussel sprouts


cream cheese
butter

yogurt

3 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
2 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles

1 box hot chocolate*
4 jars peanut butter
4 cans pinto beans
2 jars spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder

  basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   all purpose flour*

   baking powder *
   dry milk*
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
   veggie oil* a tsp left...
   pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup
bottled water

one box old fashioned oatmeal*
one box of cream of wheat*
rasains

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
2 taco kits
1 box scallopped potatoes
bananas

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

1 bags of bagels

1 loaf of white bread
various bread ends
24 dinner rolls


a gallon of milk
sliced cheese
2 dozen eggs

Dinner 1/16

We are having english muffin pizzas tonight for dinner...

Ingredients from Pantry: English Muffins (a package of 6)

Ingredients Purchased: none

Recipe:  none

Ingredients from Fridge: Mozzarella cheese that will be shredded, open Spaghetti sauce, sliced onion, fresh garlic, olive oil with basil

Ingredients from Freezer: pepper slices (frozen months ago)

Freezer Friendly?:  YES

How is your family's pantry challenge going so far? Pretty awesome.

updated pantry list 1/15/2013

Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available. This includes everything that I bought last week but didn't list.


2 containers of mystery meals
container of taco meat
3 single corn dogs
2 packages hot dogs
1 whole chicken
3 turkey sausage
1 beef roast
meaty ham bone

Coke Cola
tea bags

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    two bottles of ketchup* One is almost finished, about a tsp left.
    blue cheese dressing
    hershey sryup
    ketchup

potatoes eight left
onions three left
2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
3 one pound bags of frozen corn
1 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
pineapple
4 roma tomatoes
carrots
celery
sliced turkey
cucumber
fresh green beans
apple juice
brussel sprouts


cream cheese
butter

yogurt

3 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
2 lb rice*
2 lb egg noodles

1 box hot chocolate*
4 jars peanut butter
4 cans pinto beans
3 jars spaghetti sauce

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder

  basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   all purpose flour*

   baking powder *
   dry milk*
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
   veggie oil* a tsp left...
   pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup
bottled water

one box old fashioned oatmeal*
one box of cream of wheat*
rasains

1 cake mix
4 noodles and sauce packets
2 taco kits
1 box scallopped potatoes
bananas

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

1 bags of bagels
1 bags of english muffins
1 loaf of white bread
various bread ends
24 dinner rolls

motzerella cheese
a gallon of milk
sliced cheese
2 and a half dozen eggs

Dinner 1/15

Dinner tonight consist of tacos, corn, and a packet of noodles and sauce. The corn is frozen, a one pound bag from Aldi. I am steaming this in a rice cooker. the packet of noodles and "sauce" is from Sharp Shopper at 0.69 cents. This will be made on the stove top. I had my last package of ground turkey, and a one lb package of ground beef that I combined. I cooked this, added some taco seasoning, and will serve a taco meal tonight. The kit came from Sharp Shopper at 0.99 a box.
I have roma tomatoes that I bought last week that will be used. I also have some lurking deli ends that need to be used for cheese topping. We don't have any lettuce, but do have salsa (from the kit).

Frugal fun

It's my day off. I've hing up some laundry to dry. It's 64 degrees in my house (a tad bit chilly), but I'm making my own from scratch bread, and boiling eggs for my hard boiled egg loving kids....

a little flour
oil
sugar
yeast
salt
water


and it combines to heavenly bliss...

I had a lurking 1/2 cup of generic rice krispies, and a small amount of generic frosted mini wheats...I crushed both of these into crumbs this morning, and now have 1 cup of much needed "breadcrumbs"...the cereal wasn't enough for a bowl (for the kids), but this way, it gets used and saves me money in the long run.

Dinner 1/14

I had a five pound chicken roaster in the freezer. I took this out and placed in the fridge a few days ago. It thawed, and I took the whole chicken and cut it up into pieces. I deboned the chiicken, and cut the skin off. I marinated the chicken with some lurking garlic and herb dressing, crushed some rice krispies cereal with garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, and parmesean cheese. I covered the chicken int he crumb mixture and baked in the oven.

We had steamed fresh green beans that I bought at the store last week for 1.49 lb. I also made some lurking egg noodles that were in the pantry.

Dinner 1/13

Since I have been working, we have been in a rut. I am so much more organized when I am off from work.

Tonight, we had a choice of a few things. I had left over elbows with spaghetti sauce. My husband had some lurking quiche that was bought at the store on Thursday. My kids chose to have grilled cheese.

What's been cooking...

I have been working since Thursday night, and have four nights in a row. I am on my fourth in about two hours.

Last night we had a lasagna that I bought when grocery shopping, along with some garlic bread. I bought thick Italian bread, My daughter sliced it, added garlic powder and butter and toasted it in the oven.

The lasagna was frozen, enough said. It was easy to prepare, since my kids wanted to "make dinner".

We also had a small salad, using the lettuce in the fridge that was lurking. One Roma tomato, a few pieces of sliced cheese, and a choice of dressings, Italian or Blue Cheese.

Dinner 1/11/2013

I have a 3 lb bag of elbows in the pantry, along with some on sale spag sauce for 1.50 I bought yesterday. We are going to have pasta and sauce. I have to work tonight, and need a no issue dinner on the table for the kids.

Grocery Shopping

My monthly challenge is to have 300.00 dollars for a family of five, three cats, and one dog. For the past few months, we have been able to keep within our budget.

Martins:
Scotch sponges 2.58  (1.00 off coupon)
Dawn dish soap 1.15  (0.40 off coupon)
Krustez cookie mix 3.98 (1.00 off coupon)
french honey mustard 1.99 (1.00 off coupon)
Prego sauce 3.00 (0.40 off doubled)
Pyrex storage 7.98 (buy two at 3.99 each, get third free, plus 2.00 off)
Snalware storage 4.99 (2.00 off coupon)
pork and Chicken sausage 3.50 (2.00 catalina off, one dollar off coupon)
reduced rolls 1.64
General Mills PB cookie mix 2.00 (0.40 off doubled)

Total 41.06 before savings
Bonus card savings 8.25
Manufacturer coupons 10.50
Doubled coupon 1.50
Total after savings and coupons 21.97

CVS:
9 twelve packs Coke 3 for 10.00
If you spend 30.00, obtain a 10.00 cash card
two 32 oz tressemme shampoo 6.67
2 gallons of skim milk 7.89
Two jugs Xtra laundry soap 3.98

I bought the coke and paid 30.75. I had a 7.50 in CVS bucks, along with a 2.00 off coupon, and the 10.00 cash card. It paid for the shampoo, two gallons of milk, and two jugs of laundry soap.

Sharp Shopper:

one lb brussel spouts
one lb fresh green beans
three lb bananas
one quiche
48 pk water
5 lb carrots
2 and a half doz eggs
two gallons oj
banana granola pb
granola bars
taco shells
italian cheese and herb bagette chips
egg noodles
two packages hot dogs


the list is to long...total spent 72.32  

Total 300.00
spent 125.04
Left for month 174.96

Finances II

Finances II

I made my very last car payment.......

Since the holidays are over....

car taxes   PAID


I owe 151.47 on my daughter's graduation fees, and 125.00 on my other daughter's class ring..
I made 50 dollar payments to both this morning....01/10/2013

inspection for one car DONE FREE!!!!!
 Animals to vet on Jan 22 2013....

The only way to manage to get these things done, is to watch my finances very carefully. My husband does not work and has limited income (he sells things), and I can't count on any of that income to be steady. So, the best thing I can do is watch all income that comes into the house (mine is steady), and keep our expenses as low as possible.




I am going to list my debt, and my plans to get rid of this:

KIA 277.11 a month PAID IN FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JCPenny 281 total.l....100 a month (when KIA is paid off, the money rolls into my JCP account 277.11 plus 100.00) This will start in Feb 2013!!!!!!!

Target 2680.31....150 a month (when JCP is paid, all is rolled into this account 377.11 plus the 150). This is my newest statement. Payment 150.00 today 01/10/2013

Wells Fargo  (A) 25,000 YIKES!!!!!! 90 a month at the moment (when Target gets paid off, then the money will roll into this account 572.11 a month)

Student Loan 15,000 total another yikes!!!! 167 a month...will keep this amount until Wells Fargo A is paid off. (when the above is paid off, then I will put 572.11 a month and the normal 167 towards this loan). Made a payment 01/10/2013

Mortgage 72,000 (was 90,000)  total....633.21 a month....I was paying 200 dollars a month extra...thinking that will change, as I need an emergency fund.

I just paid January's mortgage....I added the regular payment, along with one hundred dollars.


Emergency Fund: 00000000


I got a call rom the bank that holds my mortgage. Apparently, I am eligible for a fixed rate refinanice. I was at a fixed rate of 6 percent for 30 years. I have 72,000 left to pay. They offered me a no closing cost package at a fixed rate of 3.265 percent, and my payments will be 80 dollars less over a 15 year time frame.

Essentially, I could have my bills paid, and mortgage free come 2023....is this a reasonable plan??? Yes, provided I can stick to it.

Finances....

Since the holidays are over....

car taxes   PAID

daughters class ring Paid part of this bill 12/05, 12/19, 12/27   25.00 each pay period
daughters graduation package Paid part of this bill 12/05, 12/19. 12/27 25.00 each pay period.
I owe 151.47 on my daughter's graduation fees, and 125.00 on my other daughter's class ring..


inspection for one car DONE FREE!!!!!


The only way to manage to get these things done, is to watch my finances very carefully. My husband does not work and has limited income (he sells things), and I can't count on any of that income to be steady. So, the best thing I can do is watch all income that comes into the house (mine is steady), and keep our expenses as low as possible.

Bills


Well, I made a payment to KIA, I only owe 281 left!!!!!!!
I made normal scheduled payments to JCP, Target, and my other listed bills.



I am going to list my debt, and my plans to get rid of this:

KIA 277.11 a month  I got my new statement, and I owe 288.22 total!!!!

JCPenny 281 total.l....100 a month (when KIA is paid off, the money rolls into my JCP account 277.11 plus 100.00)

Target 2680.31....150 a month (when JCP is paid, all is rolled into this account 377.11 plus the 150). This is my newest statement.

Wells Fargo  (A) 25,000 YIKES!!!!!! 90 a month at the moment (when Target gets paid off, then the money will roll into this account 572.11 a month)

Student Loan 15,000 total another yikes!!!! 167 a month...will keep this amount until Wells Fargo A is paid off. (when the above is paid off, then I will put 572.11 a month and the normal 167 towards this loan).

Mortgage 72,000 (was 90,000)  total....633.21 a month....I was paying 200 dollars a month extra...thinking that will change, as I need an emergency fund.

I just paid January's mortgage....I added the regular payment, along with one hundred dollars.


Emergency Fund: 00000000


I got a call rom the bank that holds my mortgage. Apparently, I am eligible for a fixed rate refinanice. I was at a fixed rate of 6 percent for 30 years. I have 72,000 left to pay. They offered me a no closing cost package at a fixed rate of 3.265 percent, and my payments will be 80 dollars less over a 15 year time frame.

Essentially, I could have my bills paid, and mortgage free come 2023....is this a reasonable plan??? Yes, provided I can stick to it.

Updated Listing

Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available. I only get paid every two weeks. My first pay check will be on Thursday.


one pound  ground turkey
a pound of ground beef

2 whole chicken I took one of these whole chickens in the fridge to defrost. I plan on cutting it in peices, deboning the breast meat, and using the breast for a meal, then cooking the quarters, and using the wings and back in soup.

2 turkey sausage

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade* I am going to use the last of this to marinade the chicken breast when they are thawed and deboned from the whole chicken.
    two bottles of ketchup* One is almost finished, about a tsp left.

potatoes eight left
onions three left

2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
5 one pound bags of frozen corn
2 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
spinach
lettuce
pineapple


3 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
2 lb rice*


1 box hot chocolate*

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder

  basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   all purpose flour*
   whole wheat flour*
   baking powder *
   dry milk*
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
   veggie oil* a tsp left...
   pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup

one box old fashioned oatmeal*almost gone
one box of cream of wheat*
2 boxes of cereal*

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

2 bags of bagels
2 bags of english muffins

a gallon of milk* half empty....
sliced cheese
10count eggs

Today's meal

After baking the ham yesterday, we fed five people. I still have a nice large plate of sliced ham in the fridge, and a three quart bowl for the freezer. Tonight, we are going to have sliced ham, homemade french fries, left over peas, and apple crisp.


Ingredients from Pantry: Sliced Ham, seven potatoes, veggie oil, peas, 6 apples, butter, granola, cinnamon

Ingredients Purchased: none

Recipe:  none

Freezer Friendly?: What ham does not get eaten will be stored in the freezer for another meal.

How is your family's pantry challenge going so far? Pretty awesome.

sort of new format

Ingredients from Pantry:


Ingredients Purchased:

Recipe:

Food Grade:


Freezer Friendly?:

How is your family's pantry challenge going so far?

Dinner 1/8

I took out the last nine pound ham we have in the freezer. We will be baking this with some mashed potatoes, some left over peas (lurking in the fridge), a small amount of frozen corn, and some home made apple crisp.

Updated Pantry Listing 01/08/2012

Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available. I only get paid every two weeks. My first pay check will be on Thursday.


one pound  ground turkey
a pound of ground beef
2 whole chicken
2 turkey sausage

several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    two bottles of ketchup*

potatoes
onions

2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
5 one pound bags of frozen corn
2 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
spinach
lettuce
pineapple
apples

3 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
2 lb rice*

box of tea bags*
1 box hot chocolate*

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder

  basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   all purpose flour*
   whole wheat flour*
   baking powder *
   dry milk*
   baking soda*
   baking powder*
   4 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey
   a pound of salt
   veggie oil*
   pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup

one box old fashioned oatmeal*
one box of cream of wheat*
2 boxes of cereal*

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

2 bags of bagels
2 bags of english muffins
1 loaf of white bread*

a gallon of milk*
sliced cheese
18 count eggs

Dinner

I worked all weekend. For dinner on Sunday, we had KFC...it was fattening, salty, and greasy.

Tonight, since the kids loved the french toast we had on Saturday, I made it again tonight. I mixed a few eggs with some vanilla, and powdered milk, soaked some bread in it, and cooked it on my hotplate.  We fed six adult sized people.

Dinner 1/5

Tonight we are going to have vanilla french toast. I plan on using a few eggs, and some reconstituted powdered milk, mixed with some vanilla extract, and use a loaf of junk white bread that is in the freezer...the kids will love this!

Feeling deprived...

Ever get this deprivation feeling??? I do once in a while, but then I have to get motivated  move, open the blinds, turn on the local news station, and be productive. I opened the blinds, opened the front door, let the sunshine in!!!!

I am motivated, and have to think positively. I have a warm home, a great family, our bills are paid every month, and we do eat decent meals. My kids are not needing for anything, our home is not in a state of foreclosure, and our family is intact.


I need to remember that some folks are worse off. I volunteer at a homeless shelter and provide basic nursing care to folks who would otherwise not seek any medical attention. I am much better off then the folks who have to sleep in tents, wondering where their next meal is coming from, and have to battle the weather elements to keep warm and healthy.

Pantry Challenge

I have to say that I have not been to the store for a week. It's nice to be able to use what I have in our home for meals.

I have a huge new cell phone bill (switched providers), the three cats and dog go to the vet in two weeks for their annual check up and vaccinations. I did get my car inspected (free), and registeration is due on both vehicles by the end of the month.

My daughters graduation bill needs to be paid in full by April. I owe 151 and some odd change. I was paying 25 every two weeks, but I will have to increase the payments next week when I get paid.

My other daughter's ring I owe about 140 on. I can continue to make 25 dollar payments every two weeks (I spoke to the business manager, a friend of mine, to makes sure that this was ok).

I bought some powdered milk in December. I use it now for cooking, baking, and my tea. It keeps the skim milk available for the kids. This way, I can stretch our budget to make sure that they always have some milk available.

The only way I can keep my budget intact is to watch what is coming in, and watch what is going out. My car payment is a final and last payment this month. It will officially be mine in full. This money in February will be rolled over into my JCP account (which has about 300 dollars left to pay).

Dinner 1/4

We made the last of the spaghetti pasta. I cooked the lat package of bratwurst in some olive oil, added some basil and let this simmer. I diced up an onion, two cloves of garlic, and some of those frozen green, yellow, red, orange peppers in the freezer. I cooked this until the veggies carmalized, opened our last can of diced tomatoes and added everything to the meat. I did add some parmesean cheese to it. I put this over the spaghetti and called it dinner. It was awesome.

Dinner 1/3

We had two pork steak chops thawed. I baked these, cut them in half, and topped with BBQ sauce. I made homemade scalloped potatoes, warmed up some corn and peas...that's dinner!!

Dinner Jan 2

Tonight we are having the choice of rice krispies or life cereal (both generic). Along with the choice of these two, there are several apples, a banana, some apple cinnamon muffins my daughter made, and some lurking english muffins in the fridge. We also have some grapes that need to go.

Eating out of the pantry prevents me from having to spend any money (which I don't have, as my bills have not all cleared my account yet), and keeps me within my financial goals.

Complete listing...

Updated Pantry Listings going into 2013


Here is a complete listing of what is available. I actually went and listed every baking item, spice, and all the contents of our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I'm hoping to make some meals from what we have available. I only get paid every two weeks. My first pay check for January will not be until next Thursday.


one pound  ground turkey
1  package of brautworst
a pound of ground beef

2 whole chicken
2 turkey sausage
one nine lb ham


several open condiments in the fridge (things need to go)*
    two Italian dressings*
    one thousand island*
    bbq sauce*
    parmesean cheese*
    garlic herb marinade*
    two bottles of ketchup*


5 lb potatoes*
2 lb onions*


2 lbs frozen sour kraut
2 one pound bags of frozen peas
5 one pound bags of frozen corn


2 lb peppers* (these are frozen)
pearl onions
spinach
lettuce
pineapple
apples
two bananas

two pounds of spaghetti (opened)
3 lb elbow pasta
1 rice roni
2 lb rice*


box of tea bags*
1 box hot chocolate*

various spices (dried)*
   garlic powder
   onion powder
  cinnamon sugar
  basil
  parsley
  chicken bouillon
  beef bouillon
  yeast

Various baking ingredients*
   all purpose flour*
   whole wheat flour*
   baking powder *
   dry milk*
   baking soda*
   baking powder*

   5 lb sugar*
   powered sugar
   honey

   a pound of salt
   veggie oil*
   pancake mix*
   pancake syrup*

2 cans of tomato soup
one can of diced tomato

one box old fashioned oatmeal*
one box of cream of wheat*
2 boxes of cereal*

one bag of frozen french fries (for when I'm working and my husband needs a quick snack for the kids)*****

2 bags of bagels
2 bags of english muffins
1 loaf of white bread*

a gallon of milk*
sliced cheese
18 count eggs

Leftovers Jan 1st

I took out the left overs from the past few days. We have chicken (two breast, a quarter and a set of wings) and various veggies for the kids to have for dinner. I used one breast to make a small chicken salad. I used an apple that was going soft, and diced this up. I added a few grapes sliced, the chicken breast diced, a little bit of Colby cheese, some spices, and a half cup of mayo (used a spatula to get it out of the container)...served this with sweet pickle slices, wrapped in tortillas. This fed three of us...the other two kids are going to have the chicken warmed up in the microwave.

New Year's Day

breakfast today will be waffles with a recipe taken from all recipes.com.