Do you ever need to remind yourself… “nothing you’ve done well was done perfect the first time”
Salvaging the out going trash that is full of empty hanging file folder boxes because you are sure you can use them for something.
You decide which is which……
Till Next Time,
Lori
I know there are a trillion blogs out there that have menu planning ideas, instructions, down loads and there is a good reason for that. Menu planning is key to a frugal lifestyle. You are probably already aware that the best area of your budget to save money is in the grocery column. The best way to save money at the grocery store it to make a list of what you need and stick to it. But in order to make the list of what you need, first you need to know what you and your family will be eating that week / month. That brings us right back to menu planning. Here is a download of my February menu plan.
As you can see it’s just a simple excel spreadsheet listing each day’s dinners. I don’t include lunches because that usually is either leftovers or a salad in a jar for us. Weekday breakfast is usually something I make over the weekend like muffins, whole wheat waffles and /or boiled eggs that we eat on all week. The main thing that helps me is a dinner menu, so I’m not stopping at the grocery store on the way home because everything I have is frozen. Planning = savings.
I make my menu around what I have in stock. The things we grow and “put up” including fruits, vegetables, eggs, pork and the venison that the Z Man harvests. That means that my grocery list is mostly made up of fresh veggies, milk, butter, flour, sugar…. the main staples of cooking. I make a monthly menu and then I do one large monthly grocery purchase. I buy all the things that will keep for the month without spoiling. Once a month grocery shopping has saved us quite a bit. Making a menu, making a list and sticking to the list, I have found is the best way for us to stay on budget with our grocery shopping.
It’s also important to include special dates in your monthly menu plan. For example you’ll see that for Super Bowl Sunday I have seafood nachos and buffalo wings on the menu. Both of those recipes I had to buy specific items for, so I put crab meat and wings on my shopping list. It’s not about depriving yourself of good food or eating cheap food, it’s about planning so you know in advance what you can afford and there are no emergency shopping trips because I forgot to set out the whatever to thaw. It’s just a little tool that keeps me on track, and one less thing I have to think about each day. It also helps me with meal ideas, I can refer back to a menu or add a new recipe that I want to try. How many of those do we see on FB every day? Yep, it’s that simple, but such a big help.
So, what’s on your menu for dinner tonight?
Till Next Time,
Lori
Get this, so not very frugal of me but I had to buy lunch out today. I went to Subway and ordered a 6″ sub. The person waiting on me pulled out (what I assumed was) a 6″ bread to start making my sandwich. Then he cut about 1″ off of it and threw it in the trash!!! He would rather waste food and throw it in the garbage instead of giving it to a paying customer. Honestly the bread then looked more like 4″ or 5″ He could tell the frustration on my face as I do not have a poker face. I’m standing there with my mouth wide open and he says what would you like on it. I changed my order to a chopped salad, when what I should have done was walk out the store and not given them my business. I am seriously thinking about calling the manager of the store, but one thing is for sure I will not be going back there, ever!
The reason I had to buy lunch out was because I had no leftovers in the fridge. I had an eye appointment yesterday and my eyes were still dilated by dinner time, which meant no cooking as I do value all of my fingers.
So, do you think I’m over reacting? What would you have done?
Till next time,
Lori
I know can you believe it…. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve written either. Where did the summer go? We have been so busy on our little semi homestead and with work that I’ve neglected my blog. The thing is that I really really love blogging, even though I know I’m not that good at it. But, I’m looking forward to a long slow fall and winter and looking forward to getting back here.
Friday Fun…. The Z Man is hunting today, and he is a very good hunter so I’m expecting to come home to a surprise that will keep me busy this weekend. Yes, we process our own venison. I like knowing that the deer that’s in our freezer is the deer that the Z Man brought home. Plus it saves around $100 and that’s a great thing.
Tonight is homemade pizza night. I think we’ll go with just cheese and pepperoni because that’s what I have on hand.
I have a busy to do list this weekend… process venison, meal plan for next week, I need to rake up all the pine needles and put them in storage for the chicken house for later this winter, clean my car especially the windows, start getting the house ready for the holidays and for the kids to come home for Christmas…. Oh, how I can’t wait to see my kids and beautiful granddaughter!!! Lots and lots to do.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Lori
Z Life Homestead 