Avoidance!

I think I have been avoiding this blog because I am not really sure what to write about. On top of that I know that I have a few family member that follow and a few friends. I knew that I went out on a limb when I followed my own blog as some of us tend to click on others our of curiosity. Or nosiness. ;) I'm not that one though. LOL Warning, this is a info post and a full blown vent at the end. I have bottled it up and am just going to let it out! (((ROAR)))

We have waited for over 5 years for stock $ from a job my husband had several years ago. He was automatically vested into the company and after his job change we knew we would watch it grow and have a certain amount of money in the end of a waiting period. We have come to that time where we have had to decide what to do with that money. Since we are huge Dave Ramsey fans we definitely know that we need to pull enough to become as close to debt free as possible. Knowing this made us a little lazy in being totally frugal. We have researched and know that we will make more money off not paying all the interest on the credit cards and line of credit we have then to invest or roll over the portion to gain money. When looking at our interest and how long we technically will be paying for these debts, it was way more outrageous. Remember our biggest financial success is from our income. So we know that we will be taking out enough for that. So in the next few months my blog will be saying we are SO close to being debt free. I know that this isn't an opportunity for many, we are blessed. With this I remind anyone who could even be reading this that we started taking baby steps and still are, and we have paid off almost 20 grand in 16 months. That is huge for a family of 6 that lives paycheck to paycheck.

We have had a lot of things come up that are not in our budget lately. ER visit for severe headache/migraine= strep, Urgent care visit for stitches on the back of head, several as in 12 dr visits at $20 per visit just in co-pays, ER visit for medicine reaction, ENT surgery and visits = $400 for dr/surgery center bill, ER visit for high fever after surgery that wouldn't come down, a baby shower for my sister, and a few expenses out of pocket for things for the school. These are areas where we did not include into our budget and KNEW that once we took them out we would regret it. We have no emergency fund. But we manage and know that at least the bills are being paid and on time. We are keeping our credit afloat.

I am not really sure why I blog about money. It's such a taboo to talk about and it's a risk to put it out for all to read. I think that there is a part of me that is not embarrassed because I know we are SO NOT ALONE. There is that other part of me where I have been so encouraged by others blogs that I wanted to write it all out myself. I love being on the computer typing away all my thoughts. I have been judged because I have done it but I really don't care. We are doing something about it and have worked SO hard for 16 months. We are too prideful to put others out and borrow from others. I think it's tacky when you keep making stupid financial choices and spending and every month are needing to borrow from people it's time to find another route. I know people who so this and it really bothers me. Lack of responsibility and maturity is everywhere. I may be too hard on some, we are no better, we just borrow from strangers call credit. But we vowed we would NEVER put out family or friends to rescue us because of our bad choices. I get so irritated when elderly, yes my grandmothers are used for borrowing money. I don't care who does and if they pay back but it's tacky. If you can't pay for something DON'T BUY IT with others money!!! If you need money every month, GET A JOB, get a second job. My husband did and it works. He's had 3 jobs at a time three times and two jobs almost constantly. I love my family but the more I hear the more angry I get. Especially when they are going out to eat, buying coffees, fast food, clothes and drive nicer cars and have new things. It's irritating. I am totally venting and willing to reap whatever comes out of this vent.
I know that we all hit hard times, and I am not opposed to borrowing from family or friends if needed for a last resort once or twice. I just think when it's abused its not ok. I have seen this too much. And truthfully, I never have done so, so maybe that is why it's easy to "judge" if that is how it's coming across.

So on a positive note, I am enjoying shopping for meals each week. I intended last time to jot that down. Not sure if it's to give you 3 ;) ideas or if it was to keep me accountable. So here I go with that:
Mon: leftovers
Tues: freezer meal- pasta primavera
Wed: crock pot chicken, rice a roni
Thurs: hot dogs, party potatoes
Fri: Left overs
Sat: misc
Sun: Dinner with family ??

Welcome Summer!!!

Freezer Meal Makin Mamma's

So this is the newest of my adventures. Four of us gals decided to meet up with two recipe's each and make our 8 meals together. We made quadruple the amounts and we each got one of each of the eight recipes to take home and freeze. I must admit I have eaten 2 of mine in just a few days. And one didn't even make it to the freezer. At this rate we will have to get together every other week. :)

There are more than a few reasons for encouraging you all to find other women to do this with. If you happen to be a male reading this, encourage your wife to do this. This is a great way to save money, enjoy some girl time, prepare healthy meals for your family and make life just a bit easier with a busy schedule. Taking a wholesome meal out of the freezer to thaw and throwing in it the oven, microwave or crock pot is extremely easy and awesome. Nothing like a day long to prepare meal made in just minutes.

So I encourage you to all get a group together and give it a try. Some tips:
1. Get together the week before and double, triple etc... your recipes to how many women are coming. Compile the grocery list.
2. One or more that can do the shopping. After, you split the cost. There you have it. (for 8/9 meals our cost was just less tahn $50 each. We got 2 meals out of the Taco soup recipe)
3.Bring plenty of crock pots, large pots, fry pans, cutting boards and be ready to be washing dishes hroughout the meal making process.
4.Start early on cooking day. Cook all the meats in bulk then measure to separate to each recipe.
5. Most importantly, if you are making soups or stews, start those first. Make them first. For a few reasons. The chopping and cutting take a long time. The cooking process for the ingredients to soften take quite a while AND you will want to pull off burner/turn off crock pot etc... and let cool some before measuring the soup our equally into freezer bags.
*Side Note... The freezer bags (Glad brand) DID NOT melt when we put the steaming hot stew into them. We gave it a try. So far it was a success.
6. Most importantly HAVE A BLAST!!!

Not only has this helped me with dinners it gave me new and fun foods for myself the the family to try. I also loved more than anything the fellowship I had with the women I did this with. That really was my favorite part. We have amazing conversations, laughed and left with only a few minor injuries. Okay, okay, so I was the only one who walked away with a small burn and a sliced open thumb. But all in all this was the most fun thing I have ever done.

I'll post some of the recipes soon. ;) Keep on living like noone else. Plan your meals so you are not tempted to waste money eating out. Continue to say NO to credit cards. Live on that zero balance budget. Happy meal making everyone.

Lots and lots!!

So this week marks a lot of things that have been happening. We celebrated our daughters 7th bday,(which we spend a whopping $5 for sidewalk chalk for her as her gift) Only because we bought the food for two meals for family. That was WAY more than we thought it would be but there are a lot of us between both families. My cousin got engaged, someone close to me is pregnant, (Can't say who yet), my daughter was asked to be a flower girl in my cousins wedding, my sweet hubby is graduating from college with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in management. We are smitten about this. (God has been good to us during this journey)! I am feeling better from my cold, my sister and I are beginning a journey to lose weight, and I am down 4 pounds in 36 hours. Just by cutting back.

The meals in this house will change drastically. No more fatty, greasy, and unhealthy cooking. Maybe a splurge every so often but come on, being this big isn't fun. My knee hurts, I'm tired all the time, no desire to get out in the sun in shorts (my favorite thing to wear) and tired of not treating my body like a temple. God has blessed me with working parts and I ought to make use of them to my best potential. So my meal plans will look different. I will include recipes if anything spectacular. And cost effective of course.

Meal plan:
Monday-Hot Dogs
Tuesday- Rice-a-roni, apples, and bread
Wednesday-hot dogs at church (mmm, kids aren't tired of em yet)Pinewood Derby night!
Thursday- Roast, veggies and homemade rolls or french bread
Friday- ?? Up in the air. If home then Mac and cheese, from a box. ;) Salmon for me!
Saturday- RJ graduation, something quick, not sure
Sunday- Dinner at in-laws ?

We are living scarcely this next few weeks. Doing the zero balance budget is a great way to be accountable to the extra spendy but makes for being bummed when you want to splurge but there isn't enough $ to do so. We have about 30 bucks for emergency food buying. We will live on what is here, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, etc... The freezer will be empty like the fridge is now. We are resorting to what is in the freezer and cupboards. But it will be enough. Just gotta get creative.

My weakness: I love Tupperware. I use it for everything and rarely use baggies. Saves me unnecessary $ on lunch Baggies that get tossed just to put bread or a sandwich in one time. I could spend on Tupperware like mad. It is lifetime guarantee. For life. They will literally replace anything that breaks. As long as you didn't put it in the microwave when it says not to. ;)

SO I am smitten this week with a lot of great things happening. God is good and remains faithful in our home, family, schools, friends, and even in our budget.

Have a great week and continue to find changes you can make to save money and not charge on credit cards. Summer is coming. Are you having a garage sale? If you haven't used it in the past year or worn in in the last 6 months, it must go. I'm having one soon. :)

~Blessings~ (and Monday Madness and Meal Planning)

I was stressing a little the past few weeks on my blogging. I was feeling really overwhelmed and wondering if it's even worth it. After a little venting I know that I am #1, documenting our journey! And second it is a hobby. I love to talk and blogging is such a great outlet. When I discovered people really didn't want to hear RJ and I talk about the things we were doing, this made perfect sense. Put it out here. If people want to read and know how we are doing it, what our progress is then they can visit here at anytime. If not, they don't have to. Makes sense. I also feel a little off about the content. I am at a stand point in the book. Sorta just in the snowball phase. Not much new info to go in depth about.

I didn't want this to turn into a "food blog" but must say that as the woman and care taker of the home, oh yeah, and the chef, I am doing so much food wise to help us save. I am excited so I want to share. I also LOVE the things that happen when you put yourself out there.



With Easter being yesterday I thought I would share some of our recent blessings.....

First and most important.... Our blessing of Easter! He is RISEN! I must say that as a follower of Jesus this is my most favorite holiday! The music in church is wonderful too. On my other blog I posted THIS so everyone could hear my most favorite song. I hope that you take a few minutes to listen to it and let it move in you. This was the most important blessing we celebrated this past week. Here are a few others....



Our friend Lisa made it through the past week as she layed to rest her infant son. If you listened to the song above you may have saw and clicked on her site and read her story. She is such an amazing woman. She is a blessing, her family is a blessing and baby Logan is a blessing! God is so good!



Some less important but special blessings~
Piano Lessons:
We decided to add to our budget piano lessons for the older two girls. I know that Dave may or may not support that. Sometimes there is so much focus on sports and other activities that as an adult you rarely get to continue doing. We both wish we would have had some sort of piano/music lessons. Hmm! Living through our kids?? ;) So we felt it was important. And they have been asking. We have the cash and it seems to be a small sacrifice with life long benefits. Blessing #1!

Teacher! The wonderful person doing lessons is doing it for a very small charge. He is incredibly talented with a music degree. He plays many instruments and leads the choir at our church and sometimes the worship. (and he is in his mid-twenties) He is blessed. Blessing #2!

A piano! We do not have one but my parents do. They literally live a half mile away so we can stop by there on the way home from school to practice. Blessing #3!

Ideas! We went to in-laws to celebrate my niece and nephews bdays. Another family there suggested our local Craig's List for a used piano. They found one for $100. They said it is great to have a piano so close by BUT it is hard to go each and everyday and has been beneficial to have one in their house. What a great idea. With that I began searching and saw many for around $100. Blessing #4!

Generosity! I decided to go out on a limb and post on my FB status that we were looking for a piano. I have had a few people message me regarding knowing someone who is selling one. A young lady from our church has one that they used as children in their home and she talked to her mom. Her mom said that we could have it!! Can you believe the generosity of people? BIG blessing #5!

I think we will say we are borrowing it long term just in case one of the kids want it back when they have a house/family! But this is a huge blessing. The girls were so happy when I told them.


Blessing #6 FOOD to nourish our bodies~
MEALS THIS WEEK

Monday~ Pork Roast, steamed broccoli, homemade bread of some sort.

Tuesday~ Mac and Cheese with fruit, green beans

Wednesday~ Homemade Pizza and homemade sauce, cheese and peppers.

Thursday~ Aunt Betty's Chicken. Will share this recipe soon. It is SO good! Corn and fruit.

Friday~ Breakfast for dinner. Homemade French toast using my white bread recipe in bread maker, bacon, and fruit.

Sat/Sun~ Leftovers and meal at in-laws. Trying to remember if there is a bday party this week. ;) (so many this time of year)

Enjoy your week. Monthly wrap up may not come for March. My intentions are their but we have had a lot going on and RJ is using the computer a lot more with his final home stretch in school before graduation. Will work on it though. :)

Monday Madness & Menu Planning

This week is quick and simple. RJ gone a lot again. He is down to the wire in school. Only a few shorts weeks before graduation. Wow! I recall when he decided to embark on this journey and we couldn't imagine 16 months of papers, research, power points, projects, late nights and more reading than he has done in ten years. Here we are on the final home stretch. I am so proud of my sweet hubby! He is a hard working man and has always worked hard so I can be home with the kids. What a GREAT man. A man following God's calling to serve his wife and children by being the provider. When he is not busy providing he is almost always home with us. I take this for granted sometimes and I really wish I didn't. I have to remind myself often of how greatly I have been blessed.I cannot imagine how excited God was when he had in his mind to bring the two of us together. I know how I feel, and I know my feeling are small to Gods.

This week we will have only 2 meals out of 5 as a complete family. We will have to make it a point this weekend to spend some extra time together. Speaking of this weekend, which actually has something to do with finances, or saving money..... I planted my seedlings today. RJ is going to rent some equipment Saturday and work on a small area in our yard for a garden. Well we are going to attempt it. We have a small yard, a dog, and a pool that goes up for the summer. So it will be a tight squeeze. I purchased things that are our favorite. If it works we will be saving about or between $20-$50 after everything. Worth it? maybe not BUT it is some money AND a great thing for the kids to do. It will be fun.

Our meal plan this week......

Monday~ We FINALLY had Creamy Chicken Enchiladas. They we so delicious! I also made homemade rolls. Mmmm! Feeling the total carb overload!

Tuesday~ Beef Noodle Casserole and green beans. This is my moms recipe and I love it. Will share one of these days on my family blog for Thursdays Radical Recipes.

Wednesday~ Papa Murphy's Pizza in Tillamook OR. Heading there to visit my dear best friend Trish. Cannot wait to spend a whole day together. The kids will have a total blast!!

Thursday~ Nachos, nachos, and more nachos with cheese, salsa, sour cream, and poss a meat. ? The kids love it when they get to eat chips for dinner.

Friday~ Baked Potato with all the fixens (chili, cheese, sour cream, and bacon, if the kids don't eat it first.

Saturday/Sunday~ Lots of bday parties and Easter Celebrations. He Is RISEN! Ah, love this time of year!


Sack Lunch tidbit:

I have chosen to use Tupperware, gladware and ziploc containers in the kids lunches instead of sandwich baggies. I have bought the containers slowly over the years, and with lunch meats so I think it compares in cost. Just a thought. I like using them. And the kids love em. Less garbage and less costs. We also use water bottles for juice or water or a sports drink instead of pouch or box drinks. The kids love water so I am happy about that. Anything different they love since I am always saying "no" to everything. ;)
If you have any lunch ideas, things that work for you PLEASE share. This is a big dislike of mine in the mornings. I try ot get most of it done the night before but I just wish they could have hot lunch each day. :)

Way behind on my monthly wrap up so March's is coming soon. I will be without a computer for a bit so maybe this weekend.

Hope you all had a great Palm Sunday!

Monday Madness and Meal Planning

I feel MUCH better this week than the past two weeks. I have a slight cough left but other than that the energy level is back up.

I have so many things I want to try and get done this week. Lots of cleaning and organizing and cooking too.

This Weeks Menu

Monday- Roast and Mashed Potato's w/homemade Gravy, Broccoli

Tuesday- Chicken Toquitos w/sour cream and salsa, corn for the kids. (I will have grilled salmon).

Wednesday- Crock Pot Lasagna half plain and half with peppers.and green beans, homemade French Bread.

Thursday- English Muffin (homemade) Pizza's with homemade sauce and cheese and peppers. Fruit.

Friday- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas SEE POST BELOW (since I didn't get to make them last week) corn, fruit.

Saturday/Sunday- Leftovers, misc meals, and dinner at the in-laws.

This month has quickly come to an end and RJ has had his paycheck for a week now. Our zero budget has been great and proven to get the bills paid and the snowball rolling. However this past paycheck we have had it sitting in the bank. I overspent at the local Warehouse, twice! and we went out to eat several times. Probably blew a good $50 in eating out. We have vowed not again until it is agreed upon and budgeted. I will do my monthly wrap up tomorrow. I will once again be candid in our bad choices and learning experiences. Also I will be delighted in the successes for the month of March. Yahoo! Have a great week.

And tell me....What kinds of things are cooking in your kitchen this week? Feel free to give recipe's. I am always looking for fun and new things to try.

Monday Madness and Meal Planning

I must admit after a terrible week of illness I am not up for any sort of meal planning. I am tired, run down and make it through a shower and then need to rest. I had no idea how much influenza can kick someone down. It has gone through our house like mad. I ended up the worst but my poor baby was a close 2nd. For those exciting few days you can click on this site: http://bestoftheworsts.blogspot.com/



My menu this week is going to be simple.



Monday- Leftover pizza, fruit



Tuesday- Quesadillas (Since we didn't have em last time), with cheese and Chx, fruit medley and corn.



Wednesday- Crock pot lasagna. Not sure on the recipe but if it rocks I'll post it.



Thursday- Breakfast for dinner. Eggs and french toast with strawberries & whip cream (If I can get to the store).



Friday- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas



Saturday/Sunday- Cannot even think this far. Will edit later this week.





I am lacking on groceries since we were all sick this past week. I learned a lot about unexpected things in the budget. Not only were we in survival mode this past two weeks with our budget we were in survival mode in surviving. :) Plagued by the flu, horrible coughs, congestion and fevers, this house was a sad place to be. We were a little stressed over RJ's unexpected less of a paycheck 2 wks ago and with several dr visits now under our belt we will be most likely putting a hold on lour snowball. We already borrowed from the E Fund, but that's okay. We are learning and have learned quickly that we need to be prepared. Without those credit cards to fall back on.....



SO with all of this it will feel good to go over our budget for the next two week. Get areas replenished and pay off those pesky unexpected nuisances. On top of that we need to budget better and lower for groceries since we did some drive-thru and take our while under the weather. Have to admit the hubby made lots of grilled cheese sandwiches while I was down. They weren't too bad either. Think the kids are a little worn out with them but he did good!



This week on my list in home made laundry soap. I'll let you know how that goes. 1st time to make it so we will see how it goes. We will need to have some sort of scent in there or it will drive us crazy. If we can handle it we will continue it, if not then o'well, we gave it a try.



Here's to a much better week.

Monday Madness and Meal Planning

SO, this week is a tough one. I have plenty of food but money is very scarce until the 24th when hubbies next paycheck rolls in. Not much left, well nothing at all. Not even for gas. RJ is going to donate plasma twice this week just to get us gas money. I guess there is the "E-Fund" but hate to touch that. We still need to pay that back on the 24th. Sad I know but we do what we gotta do. We will survive......

Monday- Shredded Chicken, Rice and Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.

Tuesday- Quesedillas with Cheese and leftover Chicken, with salsa/sour cream, and green beans

Wednesday- Leftovers

Thursday- Salmon (DH will be gone) He grew up on fish in AK so he will be happy to miss out. Green beans and possibly rice again.

Friday-Sweet and Sour Chicken (will link this recipe after I try it out.) Wouldn't want to post something gross. ;) And going to attempt Chinese Rice.

Saturday/Sunday- Homemade pizza. Crust and sauce from scratch.

Sack Lunch tidbit:
I have finally found a Wheat Bread recipe that I love. The kids and RJ and I ALL love it! I am hoping to replace store bought bread with a bread we love that is soft enough for sandwiches for the kids and DH lunches. This will save me close to or about $1.25 a LOAF (takes a loaf and half to equal store bought loaf. Although home made is much more dense which means using less). We go through about 2 loaves of bread for lunches alone. Not to mention if we have toast, or use bread for dinners (grilled cheese, french toast, sandwiches, etc..)

**ATTENTION**
I have tried a few recipe's and am still wanting to try new ones. Any ideas? I figure since we are all following one another for specific reasons, we can continue to share the wealth with one another. Please send me your recipe so I can find an award winning one. I have no prize for you; just the credit that it is yours and sending more veiwers your way. I will list it on my other blog as well.( http://bestoftheworsts.blogspot.com/ ) Can't wait to hear from you with your ideas and recipes. And thanks for your help in finding the best recipe to suit my family!!

My new #1 bread recipe:

Wheat Bread

1 cup warm water (I microwave 1 C water for 1 minute.)
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1.Mix the all-purpose flour, wheat flour and yeast in bowl.
2. Add the warm water, milk, oil, brown sugar, honey and salt.
3. Mix together with a wooden spoon as much as you can. When it gets into a ball form put onto a flat surface to knead.
4. Knead for a good 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface. Adding dusting's of flour as needed to keep it from sticking to your hands or mat. Knead until smooth and elastic. (If you knead for at least ten minutes it should be fine.
5. Place in bowl that is lightly greased (sprayed) and turn over. Both sides should have a light greasing on them. Cover with a clean towel.
6. Let rise in a warm place 45-60 minutes. Should be about doubled in size. What works for me is placing the dough bowl on top rack of stove with warm bowl of water under on lower rack. The warm water makes oven just warm enough without the draft of the air. Lightly grease (sprayed) loaf pan.
7. Punch dough and turn out onto kneading surface. Knead a few times and form into a loaf shape. place in greased loaf pan. Place back into oven to rise in warm place for about 45 minutes or until about doubled in size again.
8. Bake bread for 30 minutes on 350, covering with foil if getting too brown half way through. I personally like my loaf very light in color. I covered at 15 minutes. Ovens vary so keep eye on it for your top color liking. (My oven cooked this loaf in about 20-25 minutes total.
9. Cool in pan for few minutes then remove and cool on wire rack covered with a towel.
Last but not least..... Enjoy!!!!

My personal review: "Incredibly soft, dense and moist. I was very surprised. It tastes good toasted although I personally felt it made it more dry, but add a little butter and jam and it was good. MY FAVORITE is the PB and J sandwich I am shoving in my mouth as I type this out. Unbelievable and for sure the best PB&J I have ever, EVER had!!!!" (And I am not even using our homeamade jam).

** If you like homemade bread give this a try. I am determined to save money on things I can bake at home for a fraction of the cost. This loaf, roughly 69 cents. Maybe even less.It hasn't lasted long. I have to make another loaf today. May have to make 2 at a time. ;) **

Monday Madness and Meal Planning

Here we are yet another week has passed. I was so stressed last night as I didn't have my weekly menu planned. In just two purchases I have several meals for this week. We stayed within our budget with food. Originally we assumed that to feed the 6 of us we could do it on $250, which can be easily done, but that originally included household things like toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc... We now know that we need to cut back in some way or have those needs budgeted separately.

Meals for the week

Monday- Taco Soup
>

Tuesday- Left over baked Potato and fajitas or chicken burritos as the kids know it. (which was the chx/rice last week)

Wednesday-Broccoli and Cheese Soup. Not sure what recipe I am going to use yet. But I have broccoli that must be used.

Thursday- Taco/Burritos

Friday- Breakfast for dinner: French Toast and eggs.

Saturday- Pizza/pizza leftovers (Have neices bday party to attend).

Sunday- Dinner at the In-Laws. :)

Monday Madness and Meals Planning

This weeks Finding Freedon Friday from Phoebe was meal planning.

SO here was my repsonse:

I am so happy to say that for the 1st time ever I am meal planning. I plan 1 week at a time but purchase food for the month. I plan three good wholesome meals and 2 random ones due to schedules + leftovers. We keep our reciepts and I have a budget journal that I write it all in. I have been searching many cookbooks, family recipes and blogs to find recipes that I want to try so this is mainly how I get my ideas. It has helped us eat healthier, for cheaper, we are on strict budget and it helps us stick to it and most importantly we are eating more as a family. We have estimated we dropped our eating out by 90% in 5 weeks. (Sad to say we ate out a lot!) Happy to say we DO NOT anymore! :)

Here I am again getting my thoughts in order for what we are going to be eating for the week. SO here goes it.....

Monday- Pizza night. (DD has an awards night) This was budgeted about 3 weeks ago with cash set aside. (we will be spending $12 for the 1 pizza, drinking water.)

Tuesday- Leftovers. (DH has class) Yes it is Baked Spaghetti AGAIN. We made a little too much last week. With green beans and apples with PB. (Free Baked Spaghetti since it was already accounted for, green beans and apples with PB will land about $1.25)

Wednesday- Potato Chowder and sourdough bread. The bread was more than the soup. Eek! ($6.69 total)

Thursday- Chicken, rice and carrots. (Est. $5)

Friday- Leftovers. If leftovers are slim then I will make homemade Mac and Cheese and fries. Carb overload?? Owell, its cheap. (Free if leftovers. If not then $2.75)

Saturday/Sunday- Baked Potato with the goods cheese, sour cream, chili ($2.50) and/or grilled cheese sandwiches/tomato soup ($3.00). Fruit ($1)

Estimated total for the weeks dinners is around $31. (NOTE: This estimate is a little low as I did not look at my recipes and actually tally to the penny. My goal is to do this for the nest weeks menu. Obvioulsy it is cheaper to eat in than eat out but I like numbers so I will have it acurate next week.

There it is. I have a few other things I am anxious to try but will have to wait. I cannot cook big meals each and every night so I will have to be patient. Which I'm not real good at.

I am going to work on the sack lunches ideas. I am very simple and don't care for super strange lunches so my ideas are VERY easy that virtually anyone to do. Plus I'd love ideas, so if you have any leave me a comment. :)

Monday Madness and Meal Planning

Mondays are always a mad dash around this part. I have decided that part of saving money is to plan meals and try to go as cheap as possible. I am not good at this shopping stuff and especially coupon cutting but vow to work on it.
We do a huge amount of grocery shopping every 4 weeks and the other weeks is little trips for misc things. We are really trying to keep our monthly (or 4 wk) grocery bill at about $250. (Including bath/toiletries cleaning etc..) This is hard work, for we are feeding ourselves and 4 kiddos. Not only do I have to plan dinner I have 2 home for lunch. I have to really try and change things up. We are no longer going thru the drive-thru so it has made me more creative. Along with 2 home for lunch I must make sure I get lunch for the older two and daddy made. I will blog on healthy, simple lunch ideas another time since my kids only get hot lunch once a week.

For the next week our main dinners will be as planned. Tentative of course:

Monday- Pulled Pork Sandwiches and carrots ($12 max total, leftovers for 6+) This made at least 17 sandwich rolls. Rolls were about the size of the palm of my hand.

Tuesday- Dino nuggets/mini corndogs for the kids, apples with PB and baby carrots & Leftovers for us. (Daddy has class so we are on our own) ($2-3, only fed 3 kids)

Wednesday- Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti, french bread and fruit salad (apples/banana's w/cinnamon) ($6 total and have so much leftovers I'm trying to give to family)

Thursday- Leftovers for sure. MIL and FIL will help eat the baked spaghetti (DH has meeting/dinner we are going to) . (free) ;)

Friday- Bagel Pizza's ($4 total for all of us)

Sat/Sun- up in the air due to schedules and Bdays coming up. Leftovers it is though for sure!

You may be wondering "why all the leftovers?" Well, we have bird eaters here and I cook enough for about 2 meals worth when using the crock pot or making cassarole dishes. I will either freeze unused portion when using crock pot or we eat another night that week. (sometimes I even give my family leftovers when I'm not feeling selfish) :) When we are very busy we do "quick" like dino nuggets or mini corndogs. This is a huge treat now for the kids.

So this is my menu for this week. It helps tremendously to have it and have my shopping done for it. It keeps us from not having anything and going "out". (Which we all know how much that costs). And if you don't realize how much it costs go thru your receipts and bank staements to see where and how much of that money has gone. We were in complete SHOCK when we realized how much we blew on eating out. (nickle and diming might I remind you).

If you are interested in any of the meals I am making let me know and I will post the recipe's. When I get a little more organized I plan on getting the costs up here too for each meal/serving. I will learn right along with you which is cost effective and what is not.