The sausage veggie spaghetti sauce fed five of us, and I put four containers that hold two cups each of left over spaghetti sauce in the freezer. It's labeled, dated, and there will be no guessing that's in this one.
I made a chicken dinner the other night. I saved all the stock in the bottom of the crock pot. I let the fat harden in the fridge. Tonight, I took off the layer of fat and put it in a container to go to the landfill. I took two more containers and placed the gelatinous chicken stock in them, labeled, dated and placed them into the freezer.
I work hard to keep all left overs and get them used in a wise manner.
The chicken stock and spaghetti sauce join the other hidden surprises I have in the freezer. This helps keep my expenses low and maintain my budget.
I still have some chicken to take off the small bones and turn into another meal.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Dinner 12/31
I chopped up three peppers, one red, orange, and yellow in a pan with some olive oil. I sliced up a whole onion, garlic, and basil. I opened a can of crushed tomato, and the only two cans of stewed tomato I had in the pantry. I took the stewed tomato and chopped it up. I used a small package of Italian sausage I bought and chopped up the four links. I tossed it with some olive oil and put it in a pot. I let the veggies and italian sausage simmer in the olive oil and added the tomatoes. It's simmering now. We are going to have some pasta with it. That's dinner folks.
Monday, December 30, 2013
January Shopping
I bought the following and spent 120 dollars. Th amount is being put towards January budgeting. I put aside 300 dollars for the month, used for everything, included HBA, and pet food/litter. I have 180 left for the month.
4 bottles dawn dish soap
1 jug of laundry soup
2 frozen pizzas
6 colored peppers (red, yellow, orange)
2 lb block colby cheese
1 lb cheddar cheese
3 boxes of cereal (generic raisin bran, chex, and mini wheats)
20 rolls of TP
3 jars of peanut butter
3 boxes of oatmeal
6 lb bananas
popcorn microwaved
1 46 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
canned crushed tomato
ritz crackers
2 lbs celery
5 dozen eggs
I head of cabbage
gallon of milk
ibuprofen generic
tylenol generic
3 lb hotdogs
4 lb various sausages
24 jellos
2 loaves of bread
5 lb corn
2.5 lb peas
2.5 lb broccoli
2.5 lb green beans
1 lb mixed veggies
4 bottles dawn dish soap
1 jug of laundry soup
2 frozen pizzas
6 colored peppers (red, yellow, orange)
2 lb block colby cheese
1 lb cheddar cheese
3 boxes of cereal (generic raisin bran, chex, and mini wheats)
20 rolls of TP
3 jars of peanut butter
3 boxes of oatmeal
6 lb bananas
popcorn microwaved
1 46 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
canned crushed tomato
ritz crackers
2 lbs celery
5 dozen eggs
I head of cabbage
gallon of milk
ibuprofen generic
tylenol generic
3 lb hotdogs
4 lb various sausages
24 jellos
2 loaves of bread
5 lb corn
2.5 lb peas
2.5 lb broccoli
2.5 lb green beans
1 lb mixed veggies
Being on call
So, my work has been affected by the economy and changes have been made. Such things as equipment that are patient specific are limited (IV tubing, needles, etc.etc) are being put on as they are emptied, instead of having a par level in each room, and the staffing requires overtime to be signed up for.
Well, we can sign up for overtime to cover the staffing issues, but then it depends on the acuity of the patients on any given day, and who has extra shifts that week. I have been working OT since September, but after January first, I declined to work any OT. I'm tired and worn out.
Anyway, I signed up for OT last night. I got the phone call late yesterday afternoon to see if I would keep an "on call status". I don't know why they ask, it's expected that you will take it due to the financial burden that the hospital has taken on. SO I was on call last night and didn't get called in.
As a result, I work tonight, then I don't have to be back until Friday. It works out for me. I'm planning on getting to the grocery store this morning, and using this cash I have towards January grocery expenses. We are running out of a few things and the kids are starting to revolt on me.
Well, we can sign up for overtime to cover the staffing issues, but then it depends on the acuity of the patients on any given day, and who has extra shifts that week. I have been working OT since September, but after January first, I declined to work any OT. I'm tired and worn out.
Anyway, I signed up for OT last night. I got the phone call late yesterday afternoon to see if I would keep an "on call status". I don't know why they ask, it's expected that you will take it due to the financial burden that the hospital has taken on. SO I was on call last night and didn't get called in.
As a result, I work tonight, then I don't have to be back until Friday. It works out for me. I'm planning on getting to the grocery store this morning, and using this cash I have towards January grocery expenses. We are running out of a few things and the kids are starting to revolt on me.
dinner 12/30
I had placed a package of five chicken thighs in the fridge to defrost on Friday. Well, I paid like 3.57 for the five thighs and the with an original cost from Aldi was 5.57 but it had a two dollar coupon off it. I bought it and placed it in the freezer.
I put this in the crock pot with a cup of water, one bouillon cube, and the one pound package of frozen carrots I had. I placed half an onion that was in the fridge with the chicken and some spices. The crock pot is on low for 8 hours, and we will be eating dinner around 3, since we are all home today, and I am the only one who has to work tonight.
We are going to have some stuffing (Aldi box mix that has been lurking) too.
I put this in the crock pot with a cup of water, one bouillon cube, and the one pound package of frozen carrots I had. I placed half an onion that was in the fridge with the chicken and some spices. The crock pot is on low for 8 hours, and we will be eating dinner around 3, since we are all home today, and I am the only one who has to work tonight.
We are going to have some stuffing (Aldi box mix that has been lurking) too.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Pantry/Freezer/Fridge Items for December 2013. Updated
Pantry/Freezer/Fridge Items for December 2013. Updated
I am over budget for November and have a house full of food. I need to work on what we have and stay out of the stores. I have a budget of 300 dollars a month for groceries. We have more than enough stuff to get through until I get paid (every two weeks) on the 12th. I'm hoping to make it through a good portion of the month with what we have.
As of 12/5/13, I need to be even more strict with feeding my family from the pantry. I spent 500 dollars on Christmas presents for my three kids. We will be working with items we have available, freezing all left overs. It's sometimes a challenge, but it's so worth it.
12/11/2013 A lot of these items are partially used, and I am working on getting them into the menu. I have a growing grocery list that includes a lot of HBA items that we are almost out of. My monthly costs do include ALL household needs, from groceries, HBA, cleaning items, laundry soap, and toiletries.
12/12/13 I included everything I bought today on my lists. I spent 21.43 at CVS, and 104.91 at Aldi. I have a total of 300 dollars for the month. I'm hoping to only have to buy milk.
12/17/2013 I worked hard at getting the left overs used, and using the hidden surprises. All I have left for surprises are a few containers of turkey stock that will be put towards a soup after Christmas or put into January's menu.
12/21/2013 Out of milk, bread and the kids are wanting snacks.
12/26/2013 I went to Target to use my gift card. I bought some dog food, cat food, and a gallon of milk. The gift card was for 25 dollars, and I spent 4 dollars to cover what the card didn't. I had another 50 dollars in cash. I gave it to my husband to stop him from complaining that he didn't have any money. It was my Christmas cash that was given to me. He spent his, apparently it shut him up after I gave the money to him. I choose my battles. I have spent a total of 108.91 so far for December.
Pantry:
two boxes of generic mini wheats
cream of wheat**********
mint baking chips*****
mini chocolate chips********
pumpkin banana pancake mix*****
2 bread stick mix******
cream of wheat**********
mint baking chips*****
mini chocolate chips********
pumpkin banana pancake mix*****
2 bread stick mix******
one box oatmeal
peanut butter
snack crackers
1 container of olive oil*
1/2 small container of veggie oil*
salt*
baking powder*
brown sugar*
powdered sugar*
bread crumbs
1 can tomato
hot chocolate*
popcorn kernels*
peanut butter
snack crackers
1 container of olive oil*
1/2 small container of veggie oil*
salt*
baking powder*
brown sugar*
powdered sugar*
bread crumbs
1 can tomato
hot chocolate*
popcorn kernels*
pancake syrup*
tea bags*
7 lb spaghetti
four lb of sugar
one opened bag of long grain rice*
egg noodles
tomato soup
progresso soup
pinto beans
dry milk
yeast*
Left overs:
7 lb spaghetti
four lb of sugar
one opened bag of long grain rice*
egg noodles
tomato soup
progresso soup
pinto beans
dry milk
yeast*
2 boxes of stuffing mix
peanut butter*
sugar*
1 can of bean soup
pancake mix*
2 cans of cream of chicken and 3 cans of mushroom soup
2 cans of pork and beans
1 cans of kidney beans
2 cans of pinto beans
flour*
3 cans of chicken noodle soup
ketchup
raspberry jam
raspberry jam
Fruit Bowl:
3 lb onions *
15 lb potatoes*
Open Condiments:
Ketchup**
mustard**
honey mustard
mayo
Fridge Items:
cheese slices
3 lb margarine *
cream cheese*
Parmesan cheese *
cheese ravioli in the freezer section
1 whole turkey
one package chicken thighs
tortilla shells
English muffins
chicken thighs 6 lb
pork lion
2 lb ground beef 85 %
1 lb ground turkey
turkey bacon
2 lb ground beef 85 %
1 lb ground turkey
turkey bacon
1 lb carrots
1 lb squash
Hidden Surprises:
2 cups of turkey stock
2 cups of turkey stock
3 containers of sliced/chopped ham
one container of beef veggie stock
one ham bone
3 quart mason jar of ham stock
Spices:
lots!!
Dinner 12/29/2013
My daughter finished up the eggs to make scrambled eggs. We also had English muffins. That's dinner folks.
Menu Planning Updates!!
Anyway, this menu I wrote works with getting rid of the hidden surprises (which I accomplished), uses all the left overs (which we did use them, and I don't have any to get rid of right now), and helps keep my meals intact. I'm hoping to stay on track and get to the grocery store at the beginning of January.
GOALS:
use hidden surprises DONE!!!!
use left overs appropriately DONE!!!!
balance out the veggies
use lurking produce
Grocery Shopping Jan 10th (MAYBE?????)
1. turkey, gravy, veggies, rice
2. left over bean/veggie soup
3. french toast, turkey bacon
4. kids have left over taco meat, mozzarella cheese, and taco shells
5. Chicken drumsticks, carrots, celery, onion, and a few potatoes
6. Chicken pot pie, steamed veggies
7. Chili
8. Left over Chili (freeze any after this left over for freezer)
9. Christmas Eve celebration (on 23rd, since my college kid is working on the 24th)
10. Christmas Dinner (Ham, and veggies, potatoes)
11. Left over Christmas dinner
12. Home made pizza, topped with chopped meatballs, veggies
13. Hot dogs, homemade mac and cheese, steamed veggies
14. Pancakes, turkey bacon
15. Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes
16. Chicken thighs, veggies in crock pot
17. Chicken soup, home made bread
18. cheese omelettes, English muffins
19. Grilled cheese sandwiches, canned soup (hit with the kids)
A couple of things:
The ham has been placed into the freezer for future meals. So, I was hoping to use the meat in January 2014. That needs to be taken out of this meal plan. We are also out of spaghetti sauce, and bulk cheese (I do have cheese slices). The only veggies I have are 1 lb of frozen carrots, and a lb of squash.
Meals are not in any certain order. But I do have everything needed in the kitchen to pull this off.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Dinner 12/28/2013
My daughter made second night of chocolate banana pancakes. They are pretty good. No pancake syrup needed. We ate them right off the hot plate. She only used a little milk, oil, and an egg that the mix called for.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Dinner 12/27
Dinner tonight is the last few strips of turkey bacon I had in the freezer, along with a chocolate banana pancake mix I found at Aldi on clearance. It needs an egg, some oil, and reconstituted milk. I have these things in the fridge and pantry. Easy meal for five.
Dinner 12/26/2013
The kids had a few choices for dinner. The options were left over mashed potatoes, sliced ham, pineapple, chicken noodle soup, or hot dogs.
My son had the hot dogs and chicken noodle soup. The girls each had the mashed potatoes, and sliced ham. I had a cup of tea and went to bed after I went to my previous commitment of community service. My husband ate ham and pineapple.
My son had the hot dogs and chicken noodle soup. The girls each had the mashed potatoes, and sliced ham. I had a cup of tea and went to bed after I went to my previous commitment of community service. My husband ate ham and pineapple.
Pantry/Freezer/Fridge Items for December 2013. Updated
I am over budget for November and have a house full of food. I need to work on what we have and stay out of the stores. I have a budget of 300 dollars a month for groceries. We have more than enough stuff to get through until I get paid (every two weeks) on the 12th. I'm hoping to make it through a good portion of the month with what we have.
As of 12/5/13, I need to be even more strict with feeding my family from the pantry. I spent 500 dollars on Christmas presents for my three kids. We will be working with items we have available, freezing all left overs. It's sometimes a challenge, but it's so worth it.
12/11/2013 A lot of these items are partially used, and I am working on getting them into the menu. I have a growing grocery list that includes a lot of HBA items that we are almost out of. My monthly costs do include ALL household needs, from groceries, HBA, cleaning items, laundry soap, and toiletries.
12/12/13 I included everything I bought today on my lists. I spent 21.43 at CVS, and 104.91 at Aldi. I have a total of 300 dollars for the month. I'm hoping to only have to buy milk.
12/17/2013 I worked hard at getting the left overs used, and using the hidden surprises. All I have left for surprises are a few containers of turkey stock that will be put towards a soup after Christmas or put into January's menu.
12/21/2013 Out of milk, bread and the kids are wanting snacks.
12/26/2013 I went to Target to use my gift card. I bought some dog food, cat food, and a gallon of milk. The gift card was for 25 dollars, and I spent 4 dollars to cover what the card didn't. I had another 50 dollars in cash. I gave it to my husband to stop him from complaining that he didn't have any money. It was my Christmas cash that was given to me. He spent his, apparently it shut him up after I gave the money to him. I choose my battles. I have spent a total of 108.91 so far for December.
Pantry:
one multi grain cereal
two boxes of generic mini wheats
cream of wheat**********
mint baking chips*****
mini chocolate chips********
pumpkin banana pancake mix*****
2 bread stick mix******
one box oatmeal
peanut butter
snack crackers
1 container of olive oil*
1/2 small container of veggie oil*
salt*
baking powder*
brown sugar*
powdered sugar*
bread crumbs
1 can tomato
hot chocolate*
popcorn kernels*
peanut butter
snack crackers
1 container of olive oil*
1/2 small container of veggie oil*
salt*
baking powder*
brown sugar*
powdered sugar*
bread crumbs
1 can tomato
hot chocolate*
popcorn kernels*
pancake syrup*
tea bags*
7 lb spaghetti
four lb of sugar
one opened bag of long grain rice*
egg noodles
tomato soup
progresso soup
pinto beans
dry milk
yeast*
Left overs:
7 lb spaghetti
four lb of sugar
one opened bag of long grain rice*
egg noodles
tomato soup
progresso soup
pinto beans
dry milk
yeast*
2 boxes of stuffing mix
peanut butter*
sugar*
1 can of bean soup
pancake mix*
2 cans of cream of chicken and 3 cans of mushroom soup
4 cans of pork and beans
1 cans of kidney beans
2 cans of pinto beans
flour*
3 cans of chicken noodle soup
ketchup
raspberry jam
raspberry jam
Fruit Bowl:
3 lb onions *
15 lb potatoes*
Open Condiments:
Ketchup**
mustard**
honey mustard
mayo
Fridge Items:
cheese slices
3 lb margarine *
cream cheese*
Parmesan cheese *
one dozen eggs
cheese ravioli in the freezer section
1 whole turkey
one package chicken thighs
tortilla shells
English muffins
chicken thighs 6 lb
pork lion
2 lb ground beef 85 %
1 lb ground turkey
turkey bacon
2 lb ground beef 85 %
1 lb ground turkey
turkey bacon
1 lb carrots
1 lb squash
Hidden Surprises:
2 cups of turkey stock
2 cups of turkey stock
3 containers of sliced/chopped ham
one container of beef veggie stock
one ham bone
3 quart mason jar of ham stock
Spices:
lots!!
Menu Planning Updates!!
Anyway, this menu I wrote works with getting rid of the hidden surprises (which I accomplished), uses all the left overs (which we did use them, and I don't have any to get rid of right now), and helps keep my meals intact. I'm hoping to stay on track and get to the grocery store at the beginning of January.
GOALS:
use hidden surprises DONE!!!!
use left overs appropriately DONE!!!!
balance out the veggies
use lurking produce
Grocery Shopping Jan 10th (MAYBE?????)
1. turkey, gravy, veggies, rice
2. left over bean/veggie soup
3. french toast, turkey bacon
4. kids have left over taco meat, mozzarella cheese, and taco shells
5. Chicken drumsticks, carrots, celery, onion, and a few potatoes
6. Chicken pot pie, steamed veggies
7. Chili
8. Left over Chili (freeze any after this left over for freezer)
9. Christmas Eve celebration (on 23rd, since my college kid is working on the 24th)
10. Christmas Dinner (Ham, and veggies, potatoes)
11. Left over Christmas dinner
12. Home made pizza, topped with chopped meatballs, veggies
13. Hot dogs, homemade mac and cheese, steamed veggies
14. Pancakes, turkey bacon
15. Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes
16. Chicken thighs, veggies in crock pot
17. Chicken soup, home made bread
18. cheese omelettes, English muffins
19. Grilled cheese sandwiches, canned soup (hit with the kids)
A couple of things:
The ham has been placed into the freezer for future meals. So, I was hoping to use the meat in January 2014. That needs to be taken out of this meal plan. We are also out of spaghetti sauce, and bulk cheese (I do have cheese slices). The only veggies I have are 1 lb of frozen carrots, and a lb of squash.
Meals are not in any certain order. But I do have everything needed in the kitchen to pull this off.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Christmas Aftermath
Well, honestly I am glad the holiday is over. I tend to find it a little overwhelming and stressful. The kitchen was cleaned up yesterday by the kids. I took care of placing leftovers to make sure everything got put away and not down the trash can.
We have a large container of mashed potatoes, and one cup of broccoli. We have no peas, apple pie, or rolls left.
The ham:
I took all the meat off the bones and placed the bone aside.
I have some large serving platter of sliced ham.
I have two bowls with about two cups each of sliced ham.
I have some serving snack plate with ham slices.
I took the stock that was in the crock pot and placed it in a 3 quart container, waiting for the fat to rise and harden. I'm going to take this off, and use the stock for soup in January.
The bone will be used in bean soup for flavoring. The large serving platter of ham will be used for picking at and left overs. The kids will enjoy this, as will my husband and I. I'm going to make breakfast for the five of us using some of the ham slices and eggs. The two bowls of ham will be placed in covered containers, labeled and placed in the freezer to put towards January meals. The two slices of ham that my daughter left in the fridge will be eaten today for sandwiches. The stock will be placed in the freezer today to be used towards a January soup. If there is any ham left over at the end of today from the large serving plate, it will be placed in the freezer.
I use a container in the fridge to keep solid grease from meat in. I don't want to place it in the trash (since I have three cats and a dog), and I don't want to place it in the disposal. When the container is full, I usually have my husband take it to the landfill when he takes the other trash and recycling out.
We have a large container of mashed potatoes, and one cup of broccoli. We have no peas, apple pie, or rolls left.
The ham:
I took all the meat off the bones and placed the bone aside.
I have some large serving platter of sliced ham.
I have two bowls with about two cups each of sliced ham.
I have some serving snack plate with ham slices.
I took the stock that was in the crock pot and placed it in a 3 quart container, waiting for the fat to rise and harden. I'm going to take this off, and use the stock for soup in January.
The bone will be used in bean soup for flavoring. The large serving platter of ham will be used for picking at and left overs. The kids will enjoy this, as will my husband and I. I'm going to make breakfast for the five of us using some of the ham slices and eggs. The two bowls of ham will be placed in covered containers, labeled and placed in the freezer to put towards January meals. The two slices of ham that my daughter left in the fridge will be eaten today for sandwiches. The stock will be placed in the freezer today to be used towards a January soup. If there is any ham left over at the end of today from the large serving plate, it will be placed in the freezer.
I use a container in the fridge to keep solid grease from meat in. I don't want to place it in the trash (since I have three cats and a dog), and I don't want to place it in the disposal. When the container is full, I usually have my husband take it to the landfill when he takes the other trash and recycling out.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Beginning 2013 to 2014
In the beginning of 2013:
Jan, 24 2013
Jan 2014:
Jan, 24 2013
- I made my very last car payment.......I received the title in the mail two days ago
- 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..
- Emergency Fund: 00000000
Jan 2014:
- Student Loan 15,000 now 14109.03
- Wells Fargo A 25,000 now 23,446.73
- Mortgage 73,283.92 now 71,932.53
- Emergency Fund 2,950 (includes living expenses) Goal 5,000.
Snowball Plan. I am working on Wells Fargo A. Interest payment, along with 600 a month.
I am paying 167 a month, and figured to make it to 170 a month.
Mortgage 643.34 a month. No changes.
Menu Planning Updates!!
Menu Planning Updates!!
12/23/2013 We went to Olive Garden for our Christmas Eve celebration, since my college daughter is working 12/24/13. We also saw The Hobbit. I took the cash out of my savings account to pay for this. We also received a gift card for 50 dollars each from my Mother in law. I'm using mine to buy some milk, bread, dog and cat food, and litter. Very exciting huh??? We had the best time last night and it wasn't frugal, but I did put the cash aside for this, and we didn't incure any debt for our celebration.
12/21/2013 We are starting to run out of things like bread and milk. I get paid this week, but not until after Christmas. My mother in law called the other day to let us know that she was sending out Target gift cards. I can't wait!! Mine is going to buy some milk and bread. My husband made chili for dinner, with some canned tomato, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and ground beef and ground turkey. That's dinner folks.
I wrote down about three weeks of meals on a piece of paper. Due to the BIG November shopping and busting through my budget, the Christmas shopping I did for the kids, and what I spent yesterday for my husband's gift, I am not going to be able to shop for anything except milk, bread, and eggs until January.
Anyway, this menu I wrote works with getting rid of the hidden surprises (which I accomplished), uses all the left overs (which we did use them, and I don't have any to get rid of right now), and helps keep my meals intact. I'm hoping to stay on track and get to the grocery store at the beginning of January.
GOALS:
use hidden surprises DONE!!!!
use left overs appropriately DONE!!!!
balance out the veggies
use lurking produce
Grocery Shopping Jan 10th (MAYBE?????)
1. turkey, gravy, veggies, rice
2. left over bean/veggie soup
3. french toast, turkey bacon
4. kids have left over taco meat, mozzarella cheese, and taco shells
5. Chicken drumsticks, carrots, celery, onion, and a few potatoes
6. Chicken pot pie, steamed veggies
7. Ham and cheese omelettes, English muffins
8. Chili
9. Left over Chili (freeze any after this left over for freezer)
10. Christmas Eve celebration (on 23rd, since my college kid is working on the 24th)
11. Christmas Dinner (Ham, and veggies, potatoes)
12. Left over Christmas dinner
13. Spaghetti, meatballs, and steamed veggies
14. Grilled cheese sandwiches, canned soup (hit with the kids)
15. Pancakes, turkey bacon
16. Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes
17. Chicken thighs, veggies in crock pot
18. Chicken soup, home made bread
19. Home made pizza, topped with chopped meatballs, veggies
20. Hot dogs, homemade mac and cheese, steamed veggies
21. Sliced Christmas Ham, baked potatoes, steamed veggies
22. Left overs
23. Left overs.
24. Left overs
Meals are not in any certain order. But I do have everything needed in the kitchen to pull this off.
Pantry/Freezer/Fridge Items for December 2013. Updated
I am over budget for November and have a house full of food. I need to work on what we have and stay out of the stores. I have a budget of 300 dollars a month for groceries. We have more than enough stuff to get through until I get paid (every two weeks) on the 12th. I'm hoping to make it through a good portion of the month with what we have.
As of 12/5/13, I need to be even more strict with feeding my family from the pantry. I spent 500 dollars on Christmas presents for my three kids. We will be working with items we have available, freezing all left overs. It's sometimes a challenge, but it's so worth it.
12/9/2013 The starred items are open.
12/11/2013 A lot of these items are partially used, and I am working on getting them into the menu. I have a growing grocery list that includes a lot of HBA items that we are almost out of. My monthly costs do include ALL household needs, from groceries, HBA, cleaning items, laundry soap, and toiletries.
12/12/13 I included everything I bought today on my lists. I spent 21.43 at CVS, and 104.91 at Aldi. I have a total of 300 dollars for the month. I'm hoping to only have to buy milk.
12/17/2013 I worked hard at getting the left overs used, and using the hidden surprises. All I have left for surprises are a few containers of turkey stock that will be put towards a soup after Christmas or put into January's menu. My overtime I was scheduled to work was put as a "on call" status. I stayed home at the on call rate of pay and wasn't called in at all. I slept eleven out of twelve hours of my on call shift.
12/21/2013 Out of milk, bread and the kids are wanting snacks. I'm working this weekend. Night two out of three.
Pantry:
one multigrain cereal
two boxes of generic miniwheats
cream of wheat**********
mint baking chips*****
mini choclate chips********
pumpkin banana pancake mix*****
2 bread stick mix******
one box oatmeal
peanut butter
snack crackers
1 container of olive oil*
1/2 small container of veggie oil*
salt*
baking powder*
brown sugar*
powdered sugar*
bread crumbs
1 can tomato
hot chocolate*
popcorn kernels*
peanut butter
snack crackers
1 container of olive oil*
1/2 small container of veggie oil*
salt*
baking powder*
brown sugar*
powdered sugar*
bread crumbs
1 can tomato
hot chocolate*
popcorn kernels*
pancake syrup*
tea bags*
7 lb spaghetti
four lb of sugar
one opened bag of long grain rice*
egg noodles
tomato soup
progresso soup
pinto beans
dry milk
yeast*
Left overs:
7 lb spaghetti
four lb of sugar
one opened bag of long grain rice*
egg noodles
tomato soup
progresso soup
pinto beans
dry milk
yeast*
2 boxes of stuffing mix
peanut butter*
sugar*
1 can of bean soup
pancake mix*
2 cans of cream of chicken and 3 cans of mushroom soup
4 cans of pork and beans
1 cans of kidney beans
2 cans of pinto beans
flour*
4 cans of chicken noodle soup
ketchup
raspberry jam
raspberry jam
Fruit Bowl:
3 lb onions *
15 lb potatoes*
Open Condiments:
Ketchup**
mustard**
honey mustard
mayo
Fridge Items:
cheese slices
3 lb margarine *
cream cheese*
Parmesan cheese *
2 dozen eggs
cheese ravioli in the freezer section
1 whole turkey
one package chicken thighs
tortilla shells
English muffins
chicken thighs 6 lb
pork lion
2 lb ground beef 85 %
1 lb ground turkey
turkey bacon
2 lb ground beef 85 %
1 lb ground turkey
turkey bacon
1 lb carrots
1 lb squash
Hidden Surprises:
2 cups of turkey stock
2 cups of turkey stock
Spices:
lots!!
Christmas Day Dinner
I have a 7 lb ham in the crock pot with some honey mustard covering it, along with a can of pineapple slices. It's in the crock pot because I need the oven for the apple pie and keeping the potatoes warm.
So we are going to have a small 7 lb ham (We are planning on having eleven people over).
I have a pound of broccoli and a half a pound of peas to steam.
We also have a few pounds of potatoes to cook and mash.
There's a package of rolls that need to go into the oven.
One Apple pie that my husband bought.
That's dinner folks.
So we are going to have a small 7 lb ham (We are planning on having eleven people over).
I have a pound of broccoli and a half a pound of peas to steam.
We also have a few pounds of potatoes to cook and mash.
There's a package of rolls that need to go into the oven.
One Apple pie that my husband bought.
That's dinner folks.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Frugal Christmas Eve Meal
So. after yesterday's lunch/dinner fun with the kids and husband, along with The Hobbit movie, we are staying home today and taking it easy.
I had some mozzarella cheese in the fridge and crackers. The cheese will be sliced and placed on a serving plate with crackers.
I thawed out some ground turkey. I mixed it with one egg, 1/2 cup of reconstituted milk, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, and parsley. I had four slices of oatmeal bread ends in the freezer. I put the bread into the blender and grated it into crumbs. I put it in the bowl with the other ingredients and mixed it up. I used a teaspoon to shape the meat mixture into balls, and placed them in the oven.
I have some lurking grape jelly (it is almost gone), and a lurking bit of BBQ sauce. I also had three packets of single serve jelly that need to go. I'm going to mix the BQ sauce and jelly in a pan until warm and simmering. I'm going to add the meatballs to this sauce and serve on a big serving plate, along with the cheese and crackers. I have 24 meatballs total.
That's dinner folks.
I had some mozzarella cheese in the fridge and crackers. The cheese will be sliced and placed on a serving plate with crackers.
I thawed out some ground turkey. I mixed it with one egg, 1/2 cup of reconstituted milk, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, and parsley. I had four slices of oatmeal bread ends in the freezer. I put the bread into the blender and grated it into crumbs. I put it in the bowl with the other ingredients and mixed it up. I used a teaspoon to shape the meat mixture into balls, and placed them in the oven.
I have some lurking grape jelly (it is almost gone), and a lurking bit of BBQ sauce. I also had three packets of single serve jelly that need to go. I'm going to mix the BQ sauce and jelly in a pan until warm and simmering. I'm going to add the meatballs to this sauce and serve on a big serving plate, along with the cheese and crackers. I have 24 meatballs total.
That's dinner folks.
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