Monday, October 31, 2016

November 2016 Grocery Budget Challenge




   It's that time of year again where I challenge myself to keep within a tight grocery budget.  We had some extra medical expenses last month and more coming in November so I need to cut back in other areas.  We also need to buy a ton of wood pellets to heat our home with (we are working on some right now that are leftover from last year's heating season).   I am setting a cash budget of $150 and supplementing it with Walmart Gift Cards that I earn through Swagbucks.  I should have about $50 in Walmart gift cards by about the middle of November.

   Here is my plan for the month.  We celebrate Thanksgiving with our Heather's side of the family.  My cousin Jeremy has been adopted into Heather's side of the family as well so that works out great! :)  Jaysn and Rachel spend Thanksgiving with her side of the family since the roads are usually still good so they can make the 3 hour drive down to see them.  The dinner is done potluck style and after the "mashed potato disaster" one year when someone, who shall remain nameless, really messed them up to the point where they were gummy, I have been asked to take over with those. ;)  I also have a large  stash of wine here, so I shall be bringing a nice bottle of wine and possibly another side dish.  

   Another way I will be saving is that mid month Heather, Rachel and I will be having a girl's shopping day (already planned for about 2 months ago) where we are hitting various thrift stores in a large town up north of us.  That town also has a Big Lots and a Grocery Outlet.  We will be stopping there and I'll be searching for bargains. You never know what they will have in stock but sometimes I hit the jackpot and come away with phenomenal deals.

   The last way I am saving is that I am planning most of our meals around what we already have on hand.  I will have to pick up some fresh produce, dairy and a few other items that we need, but for the most part, we will just concentrate on what we have on hand.  Jeff and I have already got the first week's menu planned.  Here is what we are having for dinner this week:

~Sweet Italian sausages baked with sweet potatoes, sliced pears, green salad
~Chicken and green chili enchiladas, green salad
~Teriyaki venison meatloaf, brown rice, green salad, carrot sticks
~Tilapia cooked with lemon, green beans, brown rice (leftover from the night before), sliced apples, tomato slices (from our garden)
~Homemade soup and crackers (whatever sounds good at the moment and I pull out of the freezer since I have quite an assortment in there)
~Leftovers

   I realize the menu above is heavy on the green salads but that is because we have a large container of mixed greens to use up before they go bad.  It is healthy for us and is one of the things that my husband really enjoys so who am I to argue. ;)  We have the grandkids spending the night this Saturday so I may just grab a pizza from the Walmart deli and serve that with apple slices.  They love pizza!  I also have lots of yogurt and some of those mixed berry muffins (that I also froze) for breakfast while they are here.  Next week Jeff and I will sit down again and make out another menu together.  I find that my husband has wonderful suggestions about different side dishes especially and if he helps with the planning he looks forward to those meals all week.  Win Win! ;)

   Is anyone else challenging themselves to a certain budget this month?  I'll try to post updates on how mine is going throughout the month and am praying that I don't go over budget.  Wish me luck please!



16 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie, I am making soup tonight our of 5 or 6 containers of broth and odds and ends. I have been diligently, for about 3 months, trying to eat down our freezer. It needs to be defrosted. We are blessed to receive a 1/4 cow for Christmas (which I share with our grown children) and of course I will be stocking up on cheap turkeys this month so I want to defrost before all this happens. I am actually inventorying today to see if I am close to ready. So that is my grocery challenge at the moment: to make all meals from the freezer and not add to it! It has helped a lot money wise too.

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    1. Hi Angela. :) I used to make "freezer soup" all the time but have gotten away from doing so. Thank you for the reminder to start doing that again. It sounds like you will be eating very well indeed from your freezer! Be blessed!

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  2. In spite of the tight budget, it doesn't sound like you'll be suffering to much, Debbie. Your menu sounds delicious! We're on a tight budget too as we've had some unexpected medical expenses also. My thyroid is out of wack and I have to have monthly blood tests at $300 a pop. Plus all of the end of the year expenses such as property taxes, dog licenses, licenses plates, new driver licenses.

    Hugs
    Jane

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    1. LOL Jane, no we won't be suffering much. ;) I'm sorry your thyroid is out of whack. I have hypothyroidism and am on meds for that. I have blood work next week to do to make sure that everything else in in order (had the thyroid stuff done over the Summer) when I get my physical. I can't imagine having to pay $300 a month for blood work...that is ridiculous! Praying they can figure out the thyroid problem for you and get that stabilized so you don't have to have that $300 chunk of money going out each month. Be blessed my friend.

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  3. I miss Grocery Outlet. We don't have anything close to that here.
    When I lived in WA state, I had a pellet stove. The local feedstore would have a 'best price' sale about September. But the deal was, they would put the pellets 'on account' and I could come pick them up the bags as needed. So I didn't have to store my entire winter supply at my house. Just thought I'd share in case some store in your area did the same.
    BTW, so miss my stove. I'm on electric baseboard heat here.
    Having an 'in' day. Went to my Dr appointment yesterday but they had no record of the appointment. So I rescheduled for next week. I did manage to get my flu shot while there so it wasn't a total waste of time.
    Managing my food and pantry is one of my other big challenges. When I'm feeling punk, I have a hard time cooking. Cheers SJ

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    1. Oh SJ, I am so sorry they did not have a record of your appointment at the doctor's office. That is frustrating. ((((HUGS)))). We get out pellets through one of my husband's bosses who sells the pellets as a side business. They have been really kind and even allowed my hubby to use one of the company trucks to transport the pellets to our house. Be blessed my friend!

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  4. Hi Deb,
    Looking at your menu made me think of your snack issues for hubby. If he likes green salad perhaps he will like this snack. It's celery sticks filled with peanut butter(paste).My hubby likes these and our children loved them as little people and still do as adults.
    My daughter and I plan to go Op(Thrift) shopping early next week. I'm hoping to find some light cotton shirts. It's really getting hot here.
    Just did a bit of a pantry top up at Aldi today. We save quite a bit shopping at this store for pantry staples.
    Hope you're able to keep to your budget and can find those extra dollars that you need for other bills.

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    1. Hi Jane! I hope your daughter and you are able to find some nice cool cotton shirts. :) Funny you should mention the celery sticks filled with peanut butter...that is one of the things that my hubby actually talked about wanting. :) Great minds think alike! We have a store called Winco that is similar to your Aldi. I do most of my grocery shopping there.
      Be blessed!

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  5. Hi Debbie,

    That's a wonderful plan. I have been eating pretty much out of our stockpile the last month or so. But this month is our stock up month while prices are rock bottom. We stock for a year on baking goods and especially butter.

    Your menu sounds delicious. My husband loves salads too. You can't have enough salads around here.

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    1. Thank you! I noticed that one of our stores has butter at a stock up price for me right now with a limit of 4. I am going to head in here in a bit and get some. :)

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  6. Planning meals like that is a wonderful idea. So nice to have input into side dishes or desserts. It does make it feel like a combined effort.

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    1. Yes it does and we both are more likely to eat here at home and be less tempted to go out if we have something to look forward to that we both chose. ;)

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  7. I'm sure you'll be able to keep to your budget! Especially if you have a well-stocked freezer and it sounds like you do. I want to eat from my freezer for the most part, this month.

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    1. I really am hoping I can. I have been stocking up on baking supplies though so that has taken a big chunk out of my budget already. UGH!

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