My Goals for the Pantry Challenge

Now that I've told you what it is, I'm going to tell you my family's goals for the Pantry Challenge.  In pink you will see where I am at on that goal.

Goals:

• Inventory cabinets, freezer(s), and fridge.  I have done everything except for the fridge.  I have started that as well but we are eating from that this weekend.
• Create a menu for the first 2 weeks.  Done.
• Spend NO MORE than $20 a week or $80 a month on grocery products for January.  Starting Monday!  I am also including paper supplies like paper towels, plates, napkins, ziplocs, etc.  The money will be spend for produce, milk, bread, etc.
• Decrease food waste.   It makes me so mad to throw food away!  This month, I will post what I have had to throw away at the end of each week as well.  Hopefully it will be next to nothing!
• Use food that has been pushed to the bottom of my freezer and the back of my cabinets that I forgot about, which will in turn decrease waste!   Boy, did I find things that I had totally forgotten about!  

 So, what do you think?  Can you do something like this?  I didn't think I could do it at first but the more I talked about it, the more excited I got!  My husband has been a HUGE supporter for this!  He helped me inventory everything and looked over my menu.  He even complimented me on the it!  Such a good guy!

Coming up next will be my inventory list....I'm embarrassed!   



Still counting,
Joy

Pantry Challenge!

Okay, y'all!  I was inspired to create this blog after researching ways to save money.  I found several blogs from last January that did an "Eat From your Pantry Challenge".  I thought...hmm...I could get organized and save money...okay!  The premise is to stay out of the grocery store and eat from your stockpile for a set amount of time.  PLEASE use this as an idea but you really have to tailor it to meet your family's needs. 

The first thing you will need to do is figure out WHAT you have in your cupboards, freezer and fridge.  EVERYTHING.  WOW!!  This was a JOB for me!!  There are only 2 people in this house!  Grant you, I do cook for my dogs (I'll have to share some recipes later) so I do have stuff for them in the freezer and pantry as well....but still...!!  I will post my spreadsheets as soon as I can.  I entered everything into an excel document for my ease of use.  You definitely don't have to do this part.  That was just easiest for me.  If you have a notebook, you're good to go!

The challenge dates I have chosen are January 3, 2011 until February 3, 2011....one month.  I can do this and you can too! 

My goals and guidelines for this project will be in my next post.  Get ready!  Go get your notebook and start your inventory!  PLEASE don't make me do this by myself!  We can share recipes and other ideas.  Come on...it'll be fun!

Counting Peas,
Joy

I finally did it!

I've always wanted to blog about various life experiences, but fear of the unknown has stopped me until now.  I figured what better time to start it then on the 1st of a brand new year!  I am still trying to figure out what to do so please be patient with me!

I have always loved reading blogs....especially those about living on less $$ because...well....I'm cheap!  I have to be though...I am a teacher!  :)  My niece, Rosemary, who is also my shopping partner, bff, etc always says that even if she was rich, she'd still seek out bargains!  I agree!  Whenever I feel I have gotten something as cheap as I could get it, I feel accomplished!  Funny, huh but you understand, don't you? 

Things I would like to accomplish using this blog:

• Sharing my finds with friends as well as receiving tips from you!
• Challenge myself as well as all of you to do various things to save money or live a happier lifestyle.
• Being the Queen of Cheap, I am always on the lookout for new ways to save, esp. ideas that will help me with my "giving" issue.  I LOVE to give gifts to people out of the blue so being able to find good deals is imperative! 
• Going along with the previous reason, I love to create handmade, thoughtful gifts for people I care about.  I love sharing my ideas as well as hearing yours.  I am so not your normal "crafty" person.  I have to work at it...big time!

With all that being said, I truly hope we can build a relationship of give and take.  I welcome you to share your tips and idea with me so that my other friends will see them as well.  I also would love to hear your ideas as to what you would like to see in this blog.  I'm a newbie!  I have ZERO experience with this!  As a matter of fact, I haven't created my profile yet!  I'm heading to do that as soon as I'm finished here.  Let's do this together!  I am SO excited!!