Comments on: Eat From the Pantry Challenge: My Goals and Plans (and come link up yours, too!) http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 25 May 2012 18:26:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joyce http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-301946 Joyce Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:39:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-301946 I always love a good challenge! At age 62, it's an empty nest for me and my hubby, but we can always learn new ways of saving and budgeting. We allow ourselves $300.00 for everything down to the T.P. and dog food. I keep a spreadsheet on the kitchen counter and update our balance after each shopping trip. So far this month, (February) we've spent $139.00. At the end of the month, any overage will be given to our local food bank. Seeing the declining balance every day, makes me aware of the need to be wise stewards with all God has given us. I always love a good challenge! At age 62, it’s an empty nest for me and my hubby, but we can always learn new ways of saving and budgeting. We allow ourselves $300.00 for everything down to the T.P. and dog food. I keep a spreadsheet on the kitchen counter and update our balance after each shopping trip. So far this month, (February) we’ve spent $139.00. At the end of the month, any overage will be given to our local food bank. Seeing the declining balance every day, makes me aware of the need to be wise stewards with all God has given us.

]]> By: Inumidun http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-301819 Inumidun Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:17:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-301819 I plan to begin the challenge in March after we return from vacation. I envision trying new recipes to get out of making the same, unexciting dishes day after day. Hopefully, this will inspire my toddler to try something new; anything new is a bonus. This will hopefully save my family at least $100 a month, which can be deposited into a savings account! I plan to begin the challenge in March after we return from vacation. I envision trying new recipes to get out of making the same, unexciting dishes day after day. Hopefully, this will inspire my toddler to try something new; anything new is a bonus. This will hopefully save my family at least $100 a month, which can be deposited into a savings account!

]]> By: KellyH http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299712 KellyH Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:08:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299712 Hello! So far so good. My folks were here from out of town last week, so a few extra things were bought then. But, as far as the regular family stuff, only a loaf of garlic bread. I even have a menu planned for the week, which is a first. And I think we are down to around 57 quarts of green beans. I didn't really realize how much canned stuff I still had down in the basement. KellyH Hello! So far so good. My folks were here from out of town last week, so a few extra things were bought then. But, as far as the regular family stuff, only a loaf of garlic bread.

I even have a menu planned for the week, which is a first. And I think we are down to around 57 quarts of green beans. I didn’t really realize how much canned stuff I still had down in the basement.

KellyH

]]> By: Felicia http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299711 Felicia Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:46:11 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299711 Joining in! What a great idea. Joining in! What a great idea.

]]> By: Robbie @ Going Green Mama http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299710 Robbie @ Going Green Mama Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:35:11 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299710 This is a great idea even though I'm slow to respond! My goal is simply to offset some of the unforseen expenses our family had this month and clean out our freezer! Simple I know, but there is little point in buying meat on sale or shopping seasonally if you're not using it. This is a great idea even though I’m slow to respond! My goal is simply to offset some of the unforseen expenses our family had this month and clean out our freezer! Simple I know, but there is little point in buying meat on sale or shopping seasonally if you’re not using it.

]]> By: Anne http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299709 Anne Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:10:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299709 This is a great project! I posted a similar challenge on my website last November and posted today about my own results. You will learn so much and be amazed at how much you have to eat in your own fridge and pantry. <a href="http://www.beruly.com/?p=573" rel="nofollow">http://www.beruly.com/?p=573</a> This is a great project! I posted a similar challenge on my website last November and posted today about my own results. You will learn so much and be amazed at how much you have to eat in your own fridge and pantry.
http://www.beruly.com/?p=573

]]> By: Green Me Alison http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299708 Green Me Alison Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:00:08 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299708 Sorry it took me a week to post, but I've been on board for the get go! Thanks for the "peer pressure" to make this a success! Sorry it took me a week to post, but I’ve been on board for the get go! Thanks for the “peer pressure” to make this a success!

]]> By: Shiree http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299707 Shiree Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:43:27 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299707 I love this challenge. I would go to several stores a week to get all the great deals around town. One the goals I posted was to shop once a week at only one store. I had a very successful first shopping trip with stock up items as well. You can read about the adventure at survivingrecession101.blogspot.com. Thanks for the inspiration! I love this challenge. I would go to several stores a week to get all the great deals around town. One the goals I posted was to shop once a week at only one store. I had a very successful first shopping trip with stock up items as well. You can read about the adventure at survivingrecession101.blogspot.com. Thanks for the inspiration!

]]> By: Jenn http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299706 Jenn Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:04:51 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299706 I'm excited! What a great way for me to use what I always freeze and forget! And since January is the slowest month for our business its perfect timing. I’m excited! What a great way for me to use what I always freeze and forget! And since January is the slowest month for our business its perfect timing.

]]> By: Christy AKA Trippin' Mama http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299705 Christy AKA Trippin' Mama Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:45:30 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299705 Just linked up. A great challenge ladies! Our goal is to save at least $200 on groceries so we can add it to our kids' college funds (daughter and triplet boys). We try to put $50 per month per child away for college, so an extra $200 is a whole extra month's worth of savings. Maybe we'll even manage more than that. My boys are 1, so I will have to go to the store. Can you say MILK? I'm going to buy only essentials, some fresh produce and the occasional ingredient to complete a dish. I'll be sharing recipes along the way! Christy Just linked up. A great challenge ladies!

Our goal is to save at least $200 on groceries so we can add it to our kids’ college funds (daughter and triplet boys). We try to put $50 per month per child away for college, so an extra $200 is a whole extra month’s worth of savings. Maybe we’ll even manage more than that.

My boys are 1, so I will have to go to the store. Can you say MILK? I’m going to buy only essentials, some fresh produce and the occasional ingredient to complete a dish.

I’ll be sharing recipes along the way!

Christy

]]> By: Ami http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299704 Ami Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:22:38 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299704 I planning on a bit of a laid-back participation in this challenge. Money saved will be used toward our transition to healthy eating. Specifically, I'll be stocking up at the Amish bulk foods store and saving more money for 1/4 a steer and perhaps some chickens my friends are willing to raise for meat. I planning on a bit of a laid-back participation in this challenge. Money saved will be used toward our transition to healthy eating. Specifically, I’ll be stocking up at the Amish bulk foods store and saving more money for 1/4 a steer and perhaps some chickens my friends are willing to raise for meat.

]]> By: jodie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299703 jodie Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:57:48 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299703 Well, I officially decided to join up with you all after checking out my stash of stuff. It's insane. Besides... I'm always up for an adventure!! :) My goal is to spend less than $40 a week on ONLY fresh stuff (fruit, milk, juice, veggies) and to use up most of what we have in our stockpile. Fun fun fun! Well, I officially decided to join up with you all after checking out my stash of stuff. It’s insane. Besides… I’m always up for an adventure!! :) My goal is to spend less than $40 a week on ONLY fresh stuff (fruit, milk, juice, veggies) and to use up most of what we have in our stockpile.
Fun fun fun!

]]> By: Ursula http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299702 Ursula Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:56:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299702 This a great challenge and was ready to do it anyways to rotate my foodstorage....I have to say, going to some of the blogs and seeing the pantries ...oh,my what dream pantries there are ....are there any of you, who also are limited on space and how do you deal with it, not having a semi big pantry or storage room ..? thanks This a great challenge and was ready to do it anyways to rotate my foodstorage….I have to say, going to some of the blogs and seeing the pantries …oh,my what dream pantries there are ….are there any of you, who also are limited on space and how do you deal with it, not having a semi big pantry or storage room ..?
thanks

]]> By: DJ (Deb) http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299701 DJ (Deb) Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:35:44 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299701 I am so glad to read about the “Eat From The Pantry Challenge” because there is plenty of room for my family to improve on cutting/saving dollars with coupons and in our creativity with weekly menu planning. About this time last year, I started our own little pantry because of wanting to budget our food money better. Then, last summer we found out my one daughter needs to restrict spicy, acidic, high fat foods which helped with cooking more from scratch. Now, I want to see what else we can do with our pantry by cooking more with what is on hand in this new month/new year. My dollar figure will probably be different because we go to the store for fresh dairy and I plan to purchase bargains/on sale items for re-stocking our “pantry” because of continuing this after January. I'm not sure how much I can participate with comments but I look forward to reading and getting lots of great ideas to help us with our own pantry challenge. I'm particularly interested in seeing if there are any others with food restrictions and how their pantry and meal planning works. I plan to post on my own blog and will add to the above list. Thank you so much for doing this! I am so glad to read about the “Eat From The Pantry Challenge” because there is plenty of room for my family to improve on cutting/saving dollars with coupons and in our creativity with weekly menu planning. About this time last year, I started our own little pantry because of wanting to budget our food money better. Then, last summer we found out my one daughter needs to restrict spicy, acidic, high fat foods which helped with cooking more from scratch. Now, I want to see what else we can do with our pantry by cooking more with what is on hand in this new month/new year. My dollar figure will probably be different because we go to the store for fresh dairy and I plan to purchase bargains/on sale items for re-stocking our “pantry” because of continuing this after January. I’m not sure how much I can participate with comments but I look forward to reading and getting lots of great ideas to help us with our own pantry challenge. I’m particularly interested in seeing if there are any others with food restrictions and how their pantry and meal planning works.

I plan to post on my own blog and will add to the above list. Thank you so much for doing this!

]]> By: Steph in Canada http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299700 Steph in Canada Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:08:32 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299700 Count me in! We've got a very well-stocked kitchen pantry, basement pantry, chest-freezer and cellar.... so we could probably do this for 3 months, but let's see how the first month goes. Part of being well-stocked is taking advantage of the sales when they happen - so everything in my freezer, pantry, etc. was bought on sale (except for those things I canned/preserved myself). This week's menu: Mon - Broccoli soup (bone broth from freezer, already had broccoli, cheese, onion, carrot) Tues - Bangers n Mash (sausage in freezer/potatoes in cellar) Wed - Ribs, Salad and Rice (already have everything - ribs were in freezer) Thurs - Eggs and Toast (quickie dinner before heading out to class) Fri - leftovers or something quick from the freezer, such as chicken strips, fries, pizza, etc. This weekend will be shopping trip 1 of 3 and I will plan next week's menu then. Count me in!

We’ve got a very well-stocked kitchen pantry, basement pantry, chest-freezer and cellar…. so we could probably do this for 3 months, but let’s see how the first month goes. Part of being well-stocked is taking advantage of the sales when they happen – so everything in my freezer, pantry, etc. was bought on sale (except for those things I canned/preserved myself).

This week’s menu:
Mon – Broccoli soup (bone broth from freezer, already had broccoli, cheese, onion, carrot)
Tues – Bangers n Mash (sausage in freezer/potatoes in cellar)
Wed – Ribs, Salad and Rice (already have everything – ribs were in freezer)
Thurs – Eggs and Toast (quickie dinner before heading out to class)
Fri – leftovers or something quick from the freezer, such as chicken strips, fries, pizza, etc.

This weekend will be shopping trip 1 of 3 and I will plan next week’s menu then.

]]> By: Justine http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299699 Justine Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:47:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299699 I, too, am in for a modified "eat from the pantry/freezer" challenge... at least for this week! If it goes well, I might go for week 2, but since kitchen creativity drains me (and I started back to work today after 2 weeks off) I'm not sure how this will go. Definitely hoping to glean some ideas from others! I already like the unconventional lasagna uses... I've got 1/2 box from a while ago and hate making lasagna! I, too, am in for a modified “eat from the pantry/freezer” challenge… at least for this week! If it goes well, I might go for week 2, but since kitchen creativity drains me (and I started back to work today after 2 weeks off) I’m not sure how this will go. Definitely hoping to glean some ideas from others! I already like the unconventional lasagna uses… I’ve got 1/2 box from a while ago and hate making lasagna!

]]> By: Kellie @ Greenhab http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299698 Kellie @ Greenhab Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:20:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299698 I'm joining in - better late than never! :) After having an energy audit done recently, we've decided that the cost of running our older model chest freezer negates the savings from stock-piling food when its on sale. So I guess we'll be eating our way through the freezer this month! I’m joining in – better late than never! :) After having an energy audit done recently, we’ve decided that the cost of running our older model chest freezer negates the savings from stock-piling food when its on sale. So I guess we’ll be eating our way through the freezer this month!

]]> By: Stacey http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299697 Stacey Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:12:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299697 Kudos to you guys with full pantries. My cupboard is barer than bare at the moment. I'd like to get in on the challenge once I've restocked though. Kudos to you guys with full pantries. My cupboard is barer than bare at the moment. I’d like to get in on the challenge once I’ve restocked though.

]]> By: Stacy http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299696 Stacy Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:36:09 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299696 sounds like fun. will be doing this!!! i spent $85 this past week but it included stuff for ds's slumber birthday party this past weekend (about $25 worth of extra groceries) so we are well on our way to this end as well. sounds like fun. will be doing this!!!
i spent $85 this past week but it included stuff for ds’s slumber birthday party this past weekend (about $25 worth of extra groceries) so we are well on our way to this end as well.

]]> By: Wendy http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html/comment-page-2#comment-299695 Wendy Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:27:45 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/12/eat-from-the-pantry-challenge-my-goals-and-plans-and-come-link-up-yours-too.html#comment-299695 Menu tonight from the freezer and pantry - Day 2 Pulled BBQ Buns Home Made French Fries Fruit Cocktail Menu tonight from the freezer and pantry – Day 2

Pulled BBQ
Buns
Home Made French Fries
Fruit Cocktail

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