Menu Planning

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.

February Menu Calendar

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

30 Days, Done!

30 days of no wine, DONE! I’m so happy and glad that I did this. So much so, that I think I’m gonna keep it up. I think wine consumption will be for special times, not just because It’s 5:00.

This is what the past 30 days brought me.

Well, it goes without saying that there was some serious money saved in the past 30 days. $275.00 Yep, isn’t that crazy?! I mean, think about $275 a month for 12 months… that’s $3,300. That’s a chunk of change for sure.
The Z Man and I decided to invest the wine savings into our health and purchased a Nordictrack treadmill.
I’m sleeping much better. I suppose not pouring myself in between the sheets each night allows for a good night sleep and not to mention a more pleasant morning.
I really don’t miss it. Not like I was during the first week. Actually, I don’t even give it much thought now.

Like I said, I’m really glad that I took some time for self-reflection. I’m glad that I did a little self check for myself. Even if the original plan to abstain from wine for 30 days was more for frugal reasons, I have to admit that it was good for me.

Take care!

Lori

Clam Chowder, YUM!

Clam Chowder

So good and so easy to make…

1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
4 medium size potatoes, chopped
2 – 8 oz. bottles of clam juice
2 cups of whole milk
2 – 10 oz. cans of clams
2 bay leaves
1 tsp of dried thyme
S&P to taste

In large pot, saute onion and celery in olive oil ( I use leftover bacon grease and olive oil) add potatoes and saute for 2 or 3 minutes more. Add clam juice and let simmer (covered) for 7 – 10 minutes. Add milk, clams, bay leaves, and thyme and turn heat down to a very low simmer for about 15 minutes. S&P to taste. (If I want to make the chowder a little thicker I’ll add a Tbsp of masa corn flour when I add the milk and stir well)

I love that this big pot of soup cost me about $12.00 and it makes 5 large servings. Or more like 1 dinner and 2 lunches for the Z Man and me. Because it’s SOOOOO good!!!

Enjoy!

Lori

Week Three, Done! And a Funny!

Week three is done. Thanks to 10 days of the flu for the Z Man and I, I had no trouble abstaining from wine. But, week three is done and I’m glad the flu is done too!

My husband, the Z Man is absolutely hands down the funniest person I know, or have ever known. It’s “one” of the reasons I fell madly in love with him. I don’t remember a day that he has not made me smile. It just comes natural for him to find the lighter side of life and that is a beautiful quality.

Since I’ve been taking a break from wine, I’ve been finding different beverages to sip on, like the grape juice spritzer. And, here lately, I’ve been sipping on a cup of chamomile tea before bed.

Last night I asked the Z Man if he would like a cup of chamomile tea, and his response was…

No, I don’t want any “camel milk”

REALLY? SERIOUSLY??? I couldn’t stop laughing.

He honestly thought I was drinking camel milk.

Now, to his credit, I have brought some crazy things into our kitchen in the past. But, he was not going to partake of any camel milk, NO WAY!

At least now I know where he draws the line.

Take care,

Lori