One of my goals for the week was to not eat out at all this week. Sooooo, there's this pie place. And they have a food truck. And they came to the area. So we went. Twice. I regret nothing.
Otherwise, we've done a pretty good job. I managed to cut our grocery bill in half of what it typically runs. Yes, half. I planned our meals around what we already had stocked in the freezer, so only had to buy fresh items, like dairy and produce. We still have plenty of snacks in the pantry, so I only purchased two non-perishable items: a carton of broth and a box of pasta. Again, the reason I was able to spend so little is because I'm using up items we already had. But, isn't that the point? Spend less, and use up the surplus.
I've managed to go out to the store several times and really only buy the items I went for, rather than purchasing any extras here and there.
Next week, my plans is more of the same. But this time, I'm already planning on more pie...
Would love to hear from you. Leave a comment to share how your Frugal February is going!
Kelly
Well, I have not restocked the thin mints, and donated some pantry items this week. I'm slow but I'm old.
ReplyDeleteI'd call not restocking the Thin Mints a huge victory!!
DeleteWe had a little set back this week too, in the form of chai tea latte concentrate & milano cookies that my SIL got me hooked on. Plus Garrett bought 2 boxes of popcicles (you read that right: 2!!). Otherwise we haven't spent anything.. actually our credit card bill is half what it normally is after 2 weeks, and we have had 3 large purchases: 6 months of car insurance, a new processional wardrobe for me, and a modem. 20% discount for being able to pay in full for car insurance!! Also, Garrett got into the swing of things and saved us 50% on our cable bill (!!) by getting a competitor quote & threatening to switch. Also in talking with the guy, he realized we are renting a modem for a couple hundred dollars a year.. and to buy it is $100. So, yea, go Team Brown! I managed to make homemade chicken noodle soup when Garrett got sick without going to the store! My creative meals are actually better than when I follow a recipe! Also this week: shredded chicken tacos (repurposed extra queso that I froze after the superbowl) and mexican rice thst i made with "extra" borracho bean watery broth. Yay!
ReplyDeleteHaha, understood. But you guys are doing a great job! Doesn't it feel good to actually see the difference in your credit card statement? I've been checking ours as well, and we are on track to maybe be about 2/3 what we normally run. This includes race registration fees that we weren't planning on, so I'm stoked with our progress. Keep up the good work!!
Deleteyou have inspired me Kelly. You are the best. Also your toast to Erin was so incredible. I was in tears!
DeleteAw, thanks Janie! You are so sweet! We need to get together!
DeleteLOL, I love you, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteAside from ice cream cartons we over-purchased because we didn't know the other was buying some ("I regret nothing!!" :-D), I've determined my biggest long-term freezer space taker: spices. I use a LOT of spices and buy in bulk at Costco or the Indian store. So I have 3 freezer bags full! But I use them! Think I need to re-think packaging and see if I can't re-arrange/reduce that way.
Other than that, I did find some "long lost" freezer stuff we've gotten to use up! (A whole chocolate chip zucchini bread loaf I'd forgotten about!)
Oh! I forgot to share my clean-out story!
ReplyDeleteInspired by this blog, I've started going through little spaces as I have time. One such space is the cubby under our stairs where amidst our own long-term stuff, we had been storing some beach chairs for friends of ours whom you know. I had forgotten all about those chairs! So I sent a picture asking if our friends still wanted them now that they had a house to store them in; of course that led to how much we miss them and should get together sometime and they said, "you free tonight?!" And we were!
So cleaning generated a spontaneous dinner with friends we hadn't seen in months!
The multiple benefits of simplifying!! :-D