I spent exactly $50.19 after taxes on groceries this week. It doesn't seem like that much, but the 7 packages of string cheese alone would have normally cost close to $30! They were out of the sale size, so the cashier generously offered to sell these to me for the sale price! I was floored. It's just one of those weird ways that God finds to meet our needs!
We are SO thankful and happy to report that unemployment is ALMOST behind us. My husband starts his new job on Monday! It is going to be somewhat of a painful switch for us because for the first 6 months he will be working normal business hours. We are used to having him home Monday and Tuesday, so it's going to be a little sad! After six months, he will be working Tuesday-Saturday. We're thankful he was able to find a job with A work day off, but we'll sure miss having two!
My daughter also starts Kindergarten on Wednesday! (You can bet you'll be seeing a picture of that!) I am soooo excited for her. She's a great kid, and I know she's going to be a fantastic year.
All of this being said, our meal plan and grocery shopping is looking a little bit weird! We did finally at least get my husband's unemployment check, and we have another week coming (more on that in a minute,) but we don't know how long it will be until his first paycheck! That being said, we are STILL functioning with ZERO eating out, snacks out, etc. unless it is FREE! We've done it for six weeks, so I figure we can do it for 2-3 more. The problem I am having now is the need for brown bag lunches! Both my husband and my daughter will be needing them this week!
Along with that, the last few weeks I have been practicing the idea of stockpiling by spending 10% of your budget on items that are reduced to under $1. Three weeks ago, I got yogurt. Last week I got mac and cheese. This week, I got yogurt again! Being unemployed has given me a new appreciation for the idea of stocking piling, and I will tell you that our stock pile is looking SAD, SAD, SAD! We decided that it is going to be necessary to take an extra $50 from my husband's unemployment to try to bulk up the food we have in the house at the moment, and I'm going to try to continue this 10% stock piling practice. I have to say, at the moment, I'm not overly impressed because in three weeks I've already had to buy the same thing twice, but I know I need to give it a longer shot than that!
Our meal plan for the week....
Saturday - yogurt / lunch at a family birthday party (I took cantaloupe.) / homemade mozzarella sticks and frozen veggies
Sunday - pancakes and eggs / snacks at grandma's / frozen pizza with carrots and ranch
Monday - leftover pancakes / leftovers or PBJ / possibly a celebration dinner out
Tuesday - leftover pancakes / leftovers or PBJ / fish sticks and grapes
Wednesday - yogurt or whole wheat pumpkin muffins / leftovers or brown bag lunches / beans and rice with cheese and cantaloupe
Thursday - yogurt or whole wheat pumpkin muffins / leftovers or brown bag lunch / spaghetti with marinara and frozen vegetables
Friday - yogurt or whole wheat pumpkin muffins / leftovers or brown bag lunch / something from next week's shopping trip
It is DEFINITELY a "bare bones" kind of week. Unfortunately when I did our budget for these upcoming two weeks, I came up about $200 short. (This is why we HAVE to be a two income family. We're not both working for "extra money," like people like to think.) We'll make up what difference we have to from unemployment, but it still only left me with $40 for groceries for next week. I think I'll start praying now!
For more meal planning, see www.orgjunkie.com.
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Would have loved to have helped your during this difficult time but could not get a hold of you if you write me I will still do what I can to help your family we are at glossymoney
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Hi there! I just wanted to stop for a moment and say that I've really enjoyed following your blog recently. My husband and I are in a similar situation in that we are doing our best to live on basically no money at all. With a 4 year old and a 5 month old I understand when you start to feel overwhelmed and beaten down. Our family is currently surviving on $60/week. That includes food for us as well as for the cats, dog, chickens and turkeys, plus misc. things like toilet paper, oil for the car, cleaning supplies, etc. Keep trusting in God! If he can feed the sparrows, how much more can he take care of you?
ReplyDeletejust found your blog and I hope you find the answer to your prayers it can be tough and food is a must have. does your church have a food pantry you could use maybe? ours does and families use it all the time.
ReplyDeleteHappy first day of kindergarten my oldest started 5th grade and youngest kindergarten. I'm in a very quiet house right now missing my girls :(
I have a fun children's book blog with activities you might like (we use the library way way to much :) love the library unlimited free books is a win in my eyes)
I have a food blog but it is mainly vegan but I do plan to post snacks and stuff but check it out if you want the cinnamon chips are yummy and cheap!
I am sorry you are going through a hard time, but you can make it with $40 for groceries. For lunches, try making pizza bread. The recipe is here http://www.spendwise.org/2011/02/french-bread-recipe.html You can make it ahead and freeze it. You can also make your own tortillas and have them with beans. You can make it! I tried a $25 grocery challenge for a family of 4 and it was hard but we did it. I know you can succeed. Just look at it as a chance to see how creative you are knowing that it won't last forever.
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