Deleted
Joined: May 19, 2024 1:23:19 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2013 23:20:45 GMT -5
Do you guys buy fresh fruit and veggies? Or just use from can/freezer when doing the challenge?
|
|
grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
|
Post by grits on Jan 21, 2013 23:27:58 GMT -5
Being that I am single, I hope I can keep February under 65 bucks.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 19, 2024 1:23:19 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2013 23:44:03 GMT -5
Being that I am single, I hope I can keep February under 65 bucks. We just got a little one, but I am hoping to keep the month to $220 and takeout/fast food to $40. Let us see how I do!
|
|
grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
|
Post by grits on Jan 27, 2013 1:51:29 GMT -5
It isn't going to be easy. My hardest time is when I am tired, and need to sit down for a while. I'll go into a little store with its own steam table, and burgers. I kind of feel obligated to buy something if I am going to be using their space. I use both fresh and canned. If i have a lot of canned in the pantry, I'll use some of them. If there is a great sale on fresh, I'll get them. I use a lot of meat stretchers like rice. Sometimes, I will cook a good pot of delicious beans, and they'll be the main part of the meal.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 27, 2013 10:40:22 GMT -5
I haven't bought too much this month so far. I have $180 listed under my grocery expenditures column but I also added my $40 Sam's Club membership in there and my dog's food so that isn't all food for me. I should separate it but I don't know if I will or not. I hope to have it extremely lower in February.
|
|
grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
|
Post by grits on Mar 3, 2013 18:10:10 GMT -5
I am going to try some more of this in March. I am trying to eat up everything in my small fridge freezer, and as much of the canned stuff as is possible. I am trying to eat meat protein mainly at lunch. I am working hard during the day, and will burn up what little fat there is in it. I do enjoy vegetables at night. I am trying to cook up my small stock of baby limas, and speckled butter beans.
|
|
Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,938
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
|
Post by Apple on Mar 3, 2013 20:52:08 GMT -5
Do you guys buy fresh fruit and veggies? Or just use from can/freezer when doing the challenge? I do if there is a good sale. The good thing about keeping the freezer stocked with fruits and veggies is that I can be selective about what I purchase at the store. My parents plant a HUGE garden, and we are surrounded by orchards, so have easy access to cheap/free produce in the summer and fall months. I've been trying to freeze more and more of this to get me through the winter months.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 3, 2013 21:10:54 GMT -5
I am also trying to stick to this in March. I really need to clean out my pantry and freezer.
|
|
Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,938
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
|
Post by Apple on Mar 3, 2013 21:27:04 GMT -5
I have a feeling I'm really going to need to rely on my stock more once April hits. I'm going to be only buying the minimum and try to stick to only things that are really good deals.
I made bean and ham soup last week from the things I had in my freezer and pantry. I don't think I had to buy anything.
As I clear things out of the freezer, I'll be cooking dried beans to use in place of canned beans. That should cut down on sodium intake and still be about as convenient as cans. I want to do refried beans as well. Maybe I can talk my mom or dad into helping me can salsa. I can do the work, they can make sure it's canned safely.
|
|
grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
|
Post by grits on Mar 3, 2013 22:09:24 GMT -5
I am trying to use up what canned stuff I have, and try to buy as little of it as possible. Since they started using BPA in the food cans, tests have shown a higher level of it in people who eat large amounts of canned foods. I prefer the taste of fresh, and frozen over canned.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 5, 2013 17:47:38 GMT -5
I really need to stop buying snack food at work and eat the stuff I bring from home but I work in a grocery store and I just need to buckle down and not give in to buying food. I have plenty of snack food at home and if I don't take it to work to eat my pantry will never get empty.
|
|
Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,938
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
|
Post by Apple on Mar 5, 2013 23:37:14 GMT -5
I really need to stop buying snack food at work and eat the stuff I bring from home but I work in a grocery store and I just need to buckle down and not give in to buying food. I have plenty of snack food at home and if I don't take it to work to eat my pantry will never get empty. I avoid the vending machine by never having cash at work. I know a grocery store is different, but could you leave your wallet in the car? Might help make that mental break.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 6, 2013 10:03:27 GMT -5
I never thought of that. I am going to not take any money with me nor credit cards.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 6, 2013 18:42:55 GMT -5
The simplest things usually just pass by me. Duh!
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 9, 2013 16:07:29 GMT -5
Today I am making burritos, cookies and hopefully 2 loaves of bread. Instead of buying these from the store I am going to make them at home to help empty my pantry and refrigerator. And last night I made chex mix. It will also keep me from emptying my wallet.
|
|
moosmommy
Established Member
Joined: Aug 1, 2011 9:16:26 GMT -5
Posts: 274
|
Post by moosmommy on Mar 14, 2013 9:08:07 GMT -5
While I was making dinner last night I realized that some grape tomatoes and mushrooms in my fridge were getting to be bad. So I cut the tomatoes in half with some olive oil and seasonings and make a yummy bread topper. I sauteed the mushrooms in butter. They were pretty yummy too. I was just happy they didn't end up getting thrown out.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 23, 2013 11:51:06 GMT -5
I am down to the point of having to come up with good ideas for meals. Tonight I am going to have homemade corn bread (haven't ever made it but I have a canister of corn meal so am going to try it), and vegetables. I have my last package of meat in the refrigerator thawing so I can make it in the crockpot tomorrow. That will give me meat with my vegetables for quite a few meals. The freezer is getting empty but the pantry still looks full. A lot of it is snack type items.
My food bill for January was $197, February $108 and so far in March $63. I am going to try for a $50 April food bill. I will see if it is possible.
|
|
moosmommy
Established Member
Joined: Aug 1, 2011 9:16:26 GMT -5
Posts: 274
|
Post by moosmommy on Mar 25, 2013 9:56:04 GMT -5
ilovedolphins that is awesome. Is it just you in your house? $50 would be amazing. My bill so far this month is around $200. I had to restock some items. But I did make a two week meal plan before I went shopping. Which used a lot of items we have in the pantry and freezer. Tonight will be chicken nachos from the crock pot. All of these items were already in my house.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Mar 25, 2013 19:31:17 GMT -5
Yes it is just me so that makes it easier.
|
|
moosmommy
Established Member
Joined: Aug 1, 2011 9:16:26 GMT -5
Posts: 274
|
Post by moosmommy on Mar 26, 2013 8:13:57 GMT -5
Still $50 rocks for one person. I have 4 to 5 depending if my DSS is at the house. Two of the kids our teenage boys and they can put the food away. You would think they were starving half the time.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Apr 7, 2013 18:44:52 GMT -5
I may not reach my goal of $50 for food for April. I splurged and bought some half priced Easter candy and my kids came to visit so I am at $48 right now. I am going to try to keep it around $60 and try for the $50 goal in May.
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Apr 20, 2013 18:58:40 GMT -5
I couldn't meet my goal of $50 this month. I am currently at $112. I bought $15 in markdown Easter candy, had to get food when my kids came to visit and then yesterday I decided to start eating healthier so spent money on heathy food. Maybe next month will be better.
|
|