Follow-up Friday--It's Finally Over!

Me and Charli have been doing this pantry challenge, as you know.  Anyway,  I really didn't follow the rules, but that doesn't surprise me either.  I have never been one to follow directions very well.  Just look at my old report cards from grade school, it has been my way since I was 6.  But I did manage to spend less than half of what I usually spend on grocery/household stuff throughout the course of the month and that is something I am proud of.  I did set aside the money needed for Christmas for my boys, again something that is great.  All in all, it was a success.  

Since this challenge started, I have decided to not buy any meat until the new year.  If you saw my freezer, you would totally understand.

Until next time, stay blessed.

Pantry Challenge Update Week 3

Okay, had I known that I would really suck at this challenge I wouldn't have brought it up.  I am not conceding in any way but this week was and will be way worse than last week.  I was doing pretty good until I realized that I am out of a lot of stuff that I would really like to have and light bulbs are 10 for 10 at Shop and Save and so on and so on...

Any way, the way I look at it is this-I may not be sticking to the $40 a week but I am learning that there are some things that can wait and maybe doing a big once a month shopping trip to Aldis would work for those things and really that list is pretty long.  And even though I haven't stuck to it, I know I will have saved 100s of dollars once the month is up, which is really one of the goals to this challenge anyway.

To see how Charli is doing, click her name.

On another note, I am doing another challenge called Making Your Home a Haven and the first challenge was to buy a candle and light it everyday and when you see the candle to pray for peace to saturate your home.  So, I went to Walmart and bought a yummy flavor of pineapple upside down biscuits and explained to my 12 year old what we were doing and he just shrugged his shoulders and said okay and I thought it was over, until...

So, we are on our way to a friends house Thursday and he says "Mom, would it be bad that I asked them to pray for peace in our home during Royal Rangers last night?"  Instantly I'm thinking, OH CRAP!, now everyone is going to think that we are having problems and that we are constantly fighting or something bad...you know what I'm talking about, especially if you have or have ever had young kids.  But, I used it as a teachable moment.  I explained to him that it is never bad to ask someone to pray for peace in your home and it is never bad to ask for prayer for anything.  And if someone thinks that there is a problem in my home, then they can ask.  But really, everything is fine.  Couldn't we all use a little more peace, especially in the world today.

So until next time, stay blessed.

Follow up Friday--Pantry Challenge Update

So this week I was going to work on decluttering, which I did.  I got through the cabinets in my kitchen and office and my stuff in the bedroom and my bathroom.  I got a garbage bag of trash and maybe a wheel barrow full of giveaway stuff (no, I did not put the stuff in a wheel barrow, it's just a visual).  Go me!!!

As far as the pantry challenge goes...I am doing okay.  I took Charli's advice and didn't spend all my money at once but I'm still not doing great.  Me and the boys have eaten out a couple times because I really didn't feel like cooking since Scott is working.  I will do better, just a little inconvenience of convenience.  I only have $62 left but I think I can do it, I only have 5 things to pick up today.   And thank you Susie for the advice, I have been craving a big ole salad.

Don't forget to check out how Charli is doing.

Until next time, stay blessed.

Eat from My Pantry Challenge Fall 2012

I am sorry I haven't posted anything this week, but I got back from a wonderfully, relaxing mini vacation with my husband on Tuesday and he decided to take the rest of the week off, so I have been running with him.  Since I have a few minutes I thought I would let you know more about this pantry challenge thing with Charli at wvurbanhippie.  She will be a stickler to this plan because, just between us, I think she is more disciplined than I am and she is more creative at meal planning, but don't tell her I told you.

So you ask "why are doing this?"  Well, the answer is this...I think I am a food hoarder and I need to clean out some stuff to make room for a new hoard of food.  And I would like to free up some money for Christmas.  Sometimes I wish Santa really did exist.  Could you imagine how much easier shopping would be?  Just send your list to Santa and put out some cookies and milk and "bam" he shows up with gift wrapped gifts.  Anyway...I will keep you posted on how things go.  We have set a few rules, one of which is we can only spend $40 a week on whatever it will take to run our household.  Yes, that means dog food and snacks.  I think I am going to take the $160 and see what I can do instead of breaking it down weekly.  We may be without by the end of the month.  I think I might have to shop alone to make this work.  I probably won't post a menu because I am not that planned.  I would rather wait and search through everything to find something to eat.

If you would like to join us on this challenge it isn't too late.  We are going to end this on November 16.  But if you do join, keep me posted on your progress or lack there of.

Until next time, stay blessed.