Most of you know that I’m a coupon freak. I’m not as obsessive or on top of it as I was when I started, but I do have quite a freezer/pantry full.
I cleaned out my pantry a few weeks ago. As I expected, I found more than a few expired items. For a cheapskate, this is ultra-frustrating.
We’re also working on building up our emergency fund, step three of Dave Ramsey’s plan. The last few months have been difficult as we’ve started the month with great plans of the amount we should be able to save, only to have emergencies happen that keep us from saving. Garage doors break, and dogs have unexpected surgeries, and kids need ear tubes, but do all these things have to happen while you’re trying to save?
My husband and I have been discussing the need to really kick into high gear our emergency fund savings. In the fall we cut our eating out budget down by more than 50%. (And this is our favorite budget item.) I’ve been hesitant to cut down our grocery budget, but I’m going to give it a go with the pantry challenge that Money Saving Mom is hosting.
My goals:
Figure out what is in the pantry/fridge/freezer and EAT IT.
Get out 50 in cash each week and only use that.
Menu plan so we have balanced meals during this challenge.
Put whatever is left over in grocery budget into our emergency fund.
I’m hoping the 50 a week is more than we need. I have to buy meat, as we’re almost out, so that will be a big chunk of at least one week.
So I’m participating in the challenge. It’s the nudge to do what I already knew I needed to do.
As I work to change my slobbish tendencies, I have to accept that food (even free-after-coupon food), unless eaten, is just clutter.
Wow, $50 a week where I live would get me some veggies. Can't wait to see your menu plan. I know I spend way less when I have my meals planned.
Ooh! I'm doing that challenge, too! I have a feeling that you and I read a lot of the same blogs!
I could use some organization too, sometimes things actually fall out of my pantry! Good Luck with the challenge!
Most of your expired items were just fine. Check out this site for information about expiration dates:
http://www.stilltasty.com/
January should have some good meat sales. Another way to stretch your budget is to eat lots of potatoes. Have a baked potato bar one night a week.
Have soup several times during the month to stretch your budget further as well.
I'm doing the challenge also but I have my concerns also. But you can do anything you set your mind to! Good Luck!
WOW! $50 a week sounds lovely, but impossible for me. Granted I usually forget my collected coupons at home, and with a toddler I don't chase the sales as much, but I wish I could get my budget that low. Please share with us your secrets and how it works for you.
While reading your blog I start thinking this woman is living my life, she gets my brain. Girlie, I hear ya on the clutter thing!!!!!!! I am so disorganized and to top it off I am having to homeschool a bipolor child – more shelves, I need more shelves books are everywhere. Papers galore do you struggle with papers?? I gave up getting the newspaper because well, well, we don't want to go down that path lol Nice to find you…..Julie
Yes, papers most definitely make me crazy! I'm trying the new file box, we'll see how that goes.
And 2kids, the 50 a week is only because I have such full pantry. The budget is just to cover any extras I need to make meals out of the main things I already have.
Good luck with the challenge and great goals! It drives me nuts too when I find expired items. I'll be tackling the pantry clean out this weekend. I'm ready to dive in starting tomorrow… Happy New Year!
There is a blog called The Grocery Cart Challenge that you may be interested in looking at. She has 4 kids (I believe at least one is a teenager) and spends around $60 a week.
Fellow Dave Ramsey follower here too! We’re still on BS2, but knocking it out as fast as possible. Are you on the TMMO boards?
Super awesome that you are doing things Dave’s way!!! I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks and, as a newly-wed, really admire what you are doing. My excuse for being a slob was always that I wasn’t married yet so it didn’t matter yet. It turns out that getting married does not make you a cleaner person. I’m thinking that my new excuse of “we don’t have children yet” needs to kick the bucket… it is truly inspiring to read about your struggles and successes as I try to get my rear in gear.
God bless!!!
Yep! I know that “it didn’t matter yet” excuse so well!!