Friday Frugal Five

Again, I want everyone to know that I am completely stealing Five Frugal Things from Katy over at The Non Consumer Advocate. I love her blog and if you have time, pop over there and check it out.

Five Frugal Things:

On Monday (before the March Madness Grocery Budget Challenge) I price shopped at Wal-Mart for avocados. I showed the cashier my receipt from Aldi and she rang my avocados up for 59¢ each instead of 99¢ (they price match). I’ll be hanging on to that Aldi receipt.
Took advantage of the warm weather this week and hung 3 loads of laundry on the line.
I cleaned and organized my kitchen cabinets, ending up with a large box of things to go to Goodwill. I’ll keep decluttering and hopefully get some things listed on Craigs List.
Returned my books on cd to the library on time and picked up more. (On time means no late fees which is frugal)
Started another batch of citrus (vinegar) cleaner with leftover orange peels. See my post titled “Orange Chicken” for the details. I organized the pantry, fridge and freezer preparing for the MMGBC (extra points for sharing what those initials stand for)
(OK 6 Frugal things) Bought a bottle of vodka yesterday because the ice cold Corona with lime has too many damn calories!!! (more on that next week) Vodka with seltzer and lime juice, only 90 calories, BAM! What???? That IS NOT groceries!!! I’ll start testing the frugality of the vodka tonight, stay tuned.

Now your turn. Do you have Five Frugal Things to share?

Till Next Time,

Lori

Grocery Shopping Pic

I’ve always wanted to do this. I don’t know why, but for some reason other bloggers grocery pictures have always interested me. I guess I’m just nosy like that.

We recently got a new Aldi store in town and this weekend I got a chance to shop there. It’s definitely different, but that’s not a bad thing. I had been hearing that their prices on fresh produce was good, so I wanted to check it out. I spent $27.35 for

2 bags of frozen edamame
pack of 4 zucchini
2 jars of artichoke hearts in water
2 large bags of carrots
bag of 6 small cucumbers
bag of navel oranges
bag of sweet peppers
2 bags of sunflower seeds
bag of celery stalk
3 avocado (I love that the avocado is 59¢ each)
1 container of mushrooms

I went to Kroger and spent $28.24 for

2 boxes of gluten free waffles (we do not have a gluten allergy, we just like these waffles)
1 jar of organic natural peanut butter
1 large bag of frozen pineapple (that was $11.49, but I had a $2 coupon)
2 containers of organic lettuce
1 container of cherry tomatoes
2 cans of olives (another coupon)

I always price shop Wal-Mart and Kroger, and the only store that isn’t in my line of daily travel is Aldi. I don’t know if I’ll travel across town that often to save a few dollars, but if I’m in the area I’ll definitely take advantage of it and bring my bags. Aldi doesn’t give you grocery bags by the way, which is fine because my trunk is full of reusable bags all the time.

I do like the accountability of this post in keeping the grocery budget in check. I suppose all those other smart bloggers were on to something when they started posting pics of their groceries.

Have you shopped at Aldi? What do you think of it?

Till Next Time,

Lori

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

Friday Fun

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