Comments on: Lessons I’ve Learned from The Pantry Challenge (Guest Post) http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:49:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Hannah http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-302286 Hannah Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:55:06 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-302286 <a href="#comment-301738" rel="nofollow">@Mar</a>, I live in Northern VA and heard about the craziness at the stores. However, I had already started on the pantry challenge so had no need to go out in the melee! I know it is hard for Northerners to understand the panic, but you've got to remember that up there when you have foot upon foot of snow, the roads are still cleared! Here they become impassable because the plows can't keep up. The pantry challenge is a great way to stay calm and even excited about being snowed in, instead of panicking! @Mar, I live in Northern VA and heard about the craziness at the stores. However, I had already started on the pantry challenge so had no need to go out in the melee! I know it is hard for Northerners to understand the panic, but you’ve got to remember that up there when you have foot upon foot of snow, the roads are still cleared! Here they become impassable because the plows can’t keep up. The pantry challenge is a great way to stay calm and even excited about being snowed in, instead of panicking!

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301957 Jennifer Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:04:48 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301957 <a href="#comment-301823" rel="nofollow">@Jaime</a>, I just checked out the SuperCook website. It is fabulous! I still have a few odd pantry items that I wasn't sure what to do with. This will help me get creative with those. Thank you! @Jaime, I just checked out the SuperCook website. It is fabulous! I still have a few odd pantry items that I wasn’t sure what to do with. This will help me get creative with those. Thank you!

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301941 Jennifer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:32:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301941 <a href="#comment-301750" rel="nofollow">@jamie</a>, I'm hoping that my baby steps down to $40 will dot he trick. I've decided that trying to get there all at once just isn't working for us. But allowing myself a limit of $60 and then trying to stay under that is working. Next I'll be dropping my limit to $50 and trying to stay under that. @jamie, I’m hoping that my baby steps down to $40 will dot he trick. I’ve decided that trying to get there all at once just isn’t working for us. But allowing myself a limit of $60 and then trying to stay under that is working. Next I’ll be dropping my limit to $50 and trying to stay under that.

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301935 Jennifer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:59:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301935 <a href="#comment-301699" rel="nofollow">@CC</a>, I guess the name of my blog (Saving and Giving) gives away my passion for giving, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of using grocery savings to help others! Yay!!! @CC, I guess the name of my blog (Saving and Giving) gives away my passion for giving, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of using grocery savings to help others! Yay!!!

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301933 Jennifer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:58:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301933 <a href="#comment-301679" rel="nofollow">@The Prudent Homemaker</a>, Great information about Sam's! I'm thinking that doing some investigating using the coupon policies in your area and the Sam's prices in your area is your best bet. Maybe shop at Sam's for the things that are priced best there and your grocery store for things you have coupons for, especially if they double like ours do. Brandy -- You would be proud. I used powdered milk (from my pantry!) in my baked goods today. Thought of you immediately! :) @The Prudent Homemaker, Great information about Sam’s! I’m thinking that doing some investigating using the coupon policies in your area and the Sam’s prices in your area is your best bet. Maybe shop at Sam’s for the things that are priced best there and your grocery store for things you have coupons for, especially if they double like ours do.

Brandy — You would be proud. I used powdered milk (from my pantry!) in my baked goods today. Thought of you immediately! :)

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301932 Jennifer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:56:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301932 <a href="#comment-301670" rel="nofollow">@Kathryn</a>, I'll be honest with you... I work 3 days a week, and the nights when I had worked all day were the ones where I was most tempted to not stick with the plan. Instead, I planned around the nights I knew I'd be most tired. I did either a Crock Pot meal or planned leftovers. That was a HUGE help! I feel like I set myself up for success rather than allowing myself to sabotage my own plan. @Kathryn, I’ll be honest with you… I work 3 days a week, and the nights when I had worked all day were the ones where I was most tempted to not stick with the plan. Instead, I planned around the nights I knew I’d be most tired. I did either a Crock Pot meal or planned leftovers. That was a HUGE help! I feel like I set myself up for success rather than allowing myself to sabotage my own plan.

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301931 Jennifer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:55:05 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301931 <a href="#comment-301661" rel="nofollow">@Melody</a>, I think that the pantry inventory was the biggest eye-opener of all. I would encourage you to do your freezer while you're at it. I found some things there that were WAY past their useful life! I also found lots of veggies for soup, so I know that I need to plan some soups in the upcoming weeks. I didn't stay away from the grocery store during the Eat from the Pantry month. Instead, I used that time to snag more of the rock-bottom deals. I had what we needed, so I focused on buying things for the next month. I was able to save about 30% more than I usually do. I was pretty exicted about that! :) @Melody, I think that the pantry inventory was the biggest eye-opener of all. I would encourage you to do your freezer while you’re at it. I found some things there that were WAY past their useful life! I also found lots of veggies for soup, so I know that I need to plan some soups in the upcoming weeks.

I didn’t stay away from the grocery store during the Eat from the Pantry month. Instead, I used that time to snag more of the rock-bottom deals. I had what we needed, so I focused on buying things for the next month. I was able to save about 30% more than I usually do. I was pretty exicted about that! :)

]]> By: Top 10 Links of the Week: 1/29/10 – 2/4/10 | Weight Loss Archive http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301861 Top 10 Links of the Week: 1/29/10 – 2/4/10 | Weight Loss Archive Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:44:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301861 [...] Money Saving Mom: Lessons I’ve Learned from the Pantry Challenge Recently, MSM readers took the Pantry Challenge, in which they cooked for a week using their [...] [...] Money Saving Mom: Lessons I’ve Learned from the Pantry Challenge Recently, MSM readers took the Pantry Challenge, in which they cooked for a week using their [...]

]]> By: Jaime http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301823 Jaime Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:47:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301823 I just started couponing before Christmas so didn't have a stockpile to do the challenge in January but am definitely looking forward to doing it in a few months. I have found a great website (www.supercook.com) that is already helping me cook with what I have on hand. You enter the items you have on hand and it searches lots of recipe websites to give you options! We already tried a simple dish called megadarra that only needed lentils, onions, rice, and some spices and made about 10 servings so I have some frozen for a lazy day! I just started couponing before Christmas so didn’t have a stockpile to do the challenge in January but am definitely looking forward to doing it in a few months. I have found a great website (www.supercook.com) that is already helping me cook with what I have on hand. You enter the items you have on hand and it searches lots of recipe websites to give you options! We already tried a simple dish called megadarra that only needed lentils, onions, rice, and some spices and made about 10 servings so I have some frozen for a lazy day!

]]> By: Jaime http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301821 Jaime Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:44:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301821 <a href="#comment-301738" rel="nofollow">@Mar</a>, So true Mar! I live in Maryland too and people were crazy at the store last night. Entire shelves of eggs, bread, and other items were wiped out completely. Originally being from Minnesota, I just don't get it! I wouldn't have even been there except that I'm cooking for a reception this weekend and needed just two more things. Now if the snow doesn't get bad enough to cancel the reception! @Mar, So true Mar! I live in Maryland too and people were crazy at the store last night. Entire shelves of eggs, bread, and other items were wiped out completely. Originally being from Minnesota, I just don’t get it! I wouldn’t have even been there except that I’m cooking for a reception this weekend and needed just two more things. Now if the snow doesn’t get bad enough to cancel the reception!

]]> By: jamie http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301750 jamie Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:12:33 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301750 I totally agree w/ you (and the others!) - I have been stuck in the $70 rut for about 6 months now and I am trying to get down to Crystal's $40 too! Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I totally agree w/ you (and the others!) – I have been stuck in the $70 rut for about 6 months now and I am trying to get down to Crystal’s $40 too! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

]]> By: Mar http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301738 Mar Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:51:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301738 I really like this post. We "sort of" did the pantry challenge in January, but I still bought groceries and didn't save that much. However, I live in central Maryland and I think I'm going to have a LOT of opportunity to stay inside this weekend and do some cooking - 1 to 2 feet of snow is coming our way! We bought milk and fresh fruit and veggies at Aldi's on Monday night and if the snow hasn't started by the morning, I will probably pick up another gallon of milk, but the stores around here are INSANE when snow is predicted, so I didn't even try to get it last night or tonight. I'll actually go to 7-11 for the milk; it might be more expensive, but I'll be able to get in and out of the parking lot. If you don't live in this area or a similar urban area, you just have no idea! I have several recipes I want to try and have made some room in the freezer, so I'll be making and freezing cookie dough and some small casseroles for our family of two. My daughter thinks I'm insane, but I am so looking forward to this - not the shoveling, but the cooking! I really like this post. We “sort of” did the pantry challenge in January, but I still bought groceries and didn’t save that much. However, I live in central Maryland and I think I’m going to have a LOT of opportunity to stay inside this weekend and do some cooking – 1 to 2 feet of snow is coming our way! We bought milk and fresh fruit and veggies at Aldi’s on Monday night and if the snow hasn’t started by the morning, I will probably pick up another gallon of milk, but the stores around here are INSANE when snow is predicted, so I didn’t even try to get it last night or tonight. I’ll actually go to 7-11 for the milk; it might be more expensive, but I’ll be able to get in and out of the parking lot. If you don’t live in this area or a similar urban area, you just have no idea!

I have several recipes I want to try and have made some room in the freezer, so I’ll be making and freezing cookie dough and some small casseroles for our family of two. My daughter thinks I’m insane, but I am so looking forward to this – not the shoveling, but the cooking!

]]> By: Heather http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301718 Heather Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:55:51 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301718 <a href="#comment-301590" rel="nofollow">@amancia</a>, I thought to put in my two cents. We used to do our shopping at sams and the I discovered coupons. I take the time to write a list of what is on sale at the regular stores and how much they cost with coupon savings. When we hit the sams I take that list with me. If it is cheaper at sams and I need ( notice I said need not want) the item we buy it there. Most times things are not cheaper when you have a sale and coupons. Also be careful of the per oz pricing they have. It will lead you to thinking you are getting a good sale when it actually costs more. We find this mostly with the laundry soap and things down those isles. Hope this helps. It takes time to figure out your family grove. @amancia, I thought to put in my two cents. We used to do our shopping at sams and the I discovered coupons. I take the time to write a list of what is on sale at the regular stores and how much they cost with coupon savings. When we hit the sams I take that list with me. If it is cheaper at sams and I need ( notice I said need not want) the item we buy it there. Most times things are not cheaper when you have a sale and coupons. Also be careful of the per oz pricing they have. It will lead you to thinking you are getting a good sale when it actually costs more. We find this mostly with the laundry soap and things down those isles. Hope this helps. It takes time to figure out your family grove.

]]> By: Heather http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301716 Heather Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:46:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301716 <a href="#comment-301578" rel="nofollow">@Jennifer</a>, I think if my food storage was in the basemnet I would forget about it 9 out of site out of mind for me) but my loving husband gave up his office space so that I could have storage right off the kitchen. It helps to be able to look right at what I have then make a list to go to the store. We are now shopping only from the list to help keep extra spending to a minimum. That helps so much for us. @Jennifer, I think if my food storage was in the basemnet I would forget about it 9 out of site out of mind for me) but my loving husband gave up his office space so that I could have storage right off the kitchen. It helps to be able to look right at what I have then make a list to go to the store. We are now shopping only from the list to help keep extra spending to a minimum. That helps so much for us.

]]> By: Diamonds http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301701 Diamonds Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:55:17 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301701 All i can is..... I absolutely LOVE this post!!!! All i can is….. I absolutely LOVE this post!!!!

]]> By: CC http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301699 CC Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:29:02 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301699 Thanks to the challenge to eat from the pantry we lowered our grocery bill this month from $300 to $50!!! With that savings we donated to Samaritan's Purse Haiti relief and Wycliff Bible Translators!! Woo hoo!!! Thanks to the challenge to eat from the pantry we lowered our grocery bill this month from $300 to $50!!! With that savings we donated to Samaritan’s Purse Haiti relief and Wycliff Bible Translators!! Woo hoo!!!

]]> By: Lisa http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301686 Lisa Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:00:57 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301686 My husband loves grilled cheese and tomato soup also. I was really surprised when he told me this is one of his favorite meals. Mine are not elaborate - trying to feed four young children and two adults, I don't put a lot on the table that could have heads and noses turning. I've been really surprised that my kid friendly meals are just fine with my husband. And I try to make something special for just him every once in a while - kids get sandwiches and he get salmon. It works out nicely for everyone. My husband loves grilled cheese and tomato soup also. I was really surprised when he told me this is one of his favorite meals. Mine are not elaborate – trying to feed four young children and two adults, I don’t put a lot on the table that could have heads and noses turning. I’ve been really surprised that my kid friendly meals are just fine with my husband. And I try to make something special for just him every once in a while – kids get sandwiches and he get salmon. It works out nicely for everyone.

]]> By: Alan Haft http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301685 Alan Haft Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:54:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301685 Great posts! You do know how to manage your finances. Thanks, I'll stop by another time. Great posts! You do know how to manage your finances.
Thanks, I’ll stop by another time.

]]> By: The Prudent Homemaker http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301679 The Prudent Homemaker Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:17:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301679 Amancia, I shop Sam's Club. Right now, everyone is blogging about the great Kroger cheese sale, where they are getting cheese at $1.50 for an 8 oz package, on the mega sale and with coupons. I can buy cheese at Sam's Club for $2 and under a POUND, every day, with no sales or coupons. That's 40% less! So, Sam's Club works for me. Also, our stores here don't double coupons. Many things are much cheaper for me at Sam's. Crystal linked to my Sam's Club post before, but here's the link again: http://theprudenthomemaker.com/SamsClub.aspx Jennifer, It's been fun reading YOUR guest post! Brandy Amancia,

I shop Sam’s Club. Right now, everyone is blogging about the great Kroger cheese sale, where they are getting cheese at $1.50 for an 8 oz package, on the mega sale and with coupons. I can buy cheese at Sam’s Club for $2 and under a POUND, every day, with no sales or coupons. That’s 40% less! So, Sam’s Club works for me.

Also, our stores here don’t double coupons. Many things are much cheaper for me at Sam’s. Crystal linked to my Sam’s Club post before, but here’s the link again: http://theprudenthomemaker.com/SamsClub.aspx

Jennifer,

It’s been fun reading YOUR guest post!

Brandy

]]> By: Amy http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/the-pantry-challenge.html/comment-page-1#comment-301678 Amy Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:16:49 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=8569#comment-301678 Jennifer: Thanks so much for sharing what you learned! I learned many of these things from my month of eating from the pantry, too. I was amazed a how much I didn't need to impress my husband with something fancy. In fact, a couple of times when I had planned to make dinner, he would come home overly full from a business lunch and just want a salad. We can live on a lot less than I though we could! Jennifer:
Thanks so much for sharing what you learned! I learned many of these things from my month of eating from the pantry, too. I was amazed a how much I didn’t need to impress my husband with something fancy. In fact, a couple of times when I had planned to make dinner, he would come home overly full from a business lunch and just want a salad. We can live on a lot less than I though we could!

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