Yummy Cake Adventure... fail

Week 6 of the grocery budget adventure and things are still on track. I am reading a book called "Influencer, the power to change anything"

First off, it is a great book! (adventure!) Second, it talks about how when people think about changing habits two questions arise: "Is it worth it?" and "Can I do it?"

YES! Yes, you can make a budget and stick to it! Yes, it is worth it! It is worth it to know where the food you eat is coming from. It is worth it to save money. It is worth it to feel like you have food to feed your family even when money is tight.

I cannot wait to keep reading and find out more this book has to offer.

Back to the groceries---

This week I planned for the following meals:

• Steak w/ potatoes and green beans
• Tilapia and rice
• hamburgers with homemade ketchup
• tuscan garlic chicken with salad and garlic bread
• homemade pizza with mushrooms and salami
• Rotisserie chicken

For dessert- Yummy Cake!

The story behind yummy cake: A colleague and friend made some yummy cake for the teachers my first year on the job. It is heaven! 

So I went to Aldi's and I found so many of the normally expensive ingredients. I believe it costs around $15 to make last time (Tom Thumb) and this time it was only $6. No problems so far with Aldi's, so I went for it. I bought the devil's food cake mix (which worked great for my rolo cookies!), evaporate milk, butter, and chocolate chips. The only thing I had to buy somewhere else was the caramels. 

Here is how it turned out :

Uhh.... Those do not look like my normal yummy cake heavenly treats. ugh!

I tasted it and sure, it is okay, but not amazing. So there you have it- from now on, I am skipping Aldi's for the sweet tooth desires. 

Week 4 of the Grocery Budget Adventure

Week 4! I did it! I made it four weeks on a grocery budget and oh my have I been impressed.

Let's begin with this week.

Dinner menu:

• Tacos, mexican corn, refried beans
• breakfast for dinner (sausage, eggs, biscuits, pancakes)
• steak, edamame, scalloped potatoes
• pot roast, salad, dinner rolls
• shrimp, rice, salad
• leftover stew

Grocery bill today- $55! This big ticket item this week was the pot roast at a whopping $13. However, we plan on having company over for dinner so it feeds four and probably some left overs for lunch later in the week. 

The total amount I spent for the four weeks, including meat, is $295. That is $25 under budget! I am very proud of this considering I was spending between $400 and $500 for one month of groceries in August. This meal planning for the month has truly helped. 

For one, I know in advance what I am cooking, so I can buy things in bulk for cheaper (onions, potatoes, etc) knowing that it will not go to waste and getting a better price for it.

Second, menu planning for the month took time, but a whole lot less time than it does to plan for the week. Knowing what is on the menu helps because I already have it planned. Sure, I look through circulars to plan side items or maybe change something up if I see a truly good deal, but for the most part I stick to my plan. This helps avoid the stress of menu planning and finding recipes and deciding what to eat and the worst... buyers remorse. I know what I am eating and have already made the decision- no need to regret it later.

Third, sticking to the budget helps me feel good about myself. I see myself practicing self control, and it  makes me feel good. 

Fourth, I do not feel bad about leftovers anymore. In fact, sometimes I over cook so I can freeze half and save it for later. Anyone who cooks for two (or one) knows how many recipes are great, but made for families of four or more. Planning for the month gave me a set time to eat those meals again, an extra portion for lunch one day, and the knowledge that the food would not go to waste. 

Finally, I feel good knowing my family is getting home cooked meals where I know for the most part where the food is coming from. I feel good knowing that we are eating good food, we are not spending a ton of money on food, and we are happy with what we have. 

Celebrations!!!

My husband and I had guests over for dinner twice this month.

I stayed on a budget, practiced self control, and ate good food.

My kitchen got used, my husband's belly was full.

I have an extra $25 to spend on myself this month.

Grocery shopping has taken WAY less time.

I have not had to fill my car up with gas as often.

Menu planning has taken less time away from my family.

Week 3 of the grocery budget adventure

So here we are in week three, and my grocery total for the week was... $50!!!

I feel good about that number, and even more so when I know that two of my six meals are enough for a second meal for later.

Here's the menu this week:
- Meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, salad
- Spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, salad
- chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese
- hamburgers, fresh fruit, french fries
- chicken bruschetta, broccoli, and...
- shrimp oreganato, rice

Desserts this week- fudge brownies and shortbread cookies

On the positive side of things, I feel good being able to feed my family on a budget. We are eating really good food :), and I am not left hungry. Many meals are enough for two rounds, so I know my grocery budget will go even better next month. Also, and maybe most importantly for me, I am able to save money. I know that this will leave extra money for other things (maybe even some "wants" rather than "needs") and I just feel better knowing I am not throwing my money away every month on food.

So here are some things that are frustrating me:
#1- I keep forgetting items on the grocery list! I make this list, and most of the time it is 100% correct. Every once in awhile though, I forget an ingredient. Luckily the store run is easy as I know the one item I need, but it does waste gas and time when I do this. Other times, like today, I knew I needed a roma tomato, but waited until Aldis. Guess who did not carry roma tomatoes this week? Aldis. I had to run into Target for one item (scary!) and it ended up costing me $0.32.

#2- I am still learning what Aldis has and their prices, so sometimes I end up spending more by buying an item somewhere else because I think it may be cheaper there or I go there first and want to buy it in case Aldis does not have it. I think this will get better with time, but for now it kind of stinks. Today, for example, I saw Ritz crackers were on sale for $2.50 at Wal-mart, so I bought them. I go to Aldis, and there they are for $1.79. I know it doesn't seem like much, but when you are budgeting every penny counts- that is the point of budgeting! There are a few other items this has happened to me with- Gala Apples, bread, cheese... but I am hoping this will only be the case for a little longer until I get the hang of things.

#3- The prices of food going up effects Aldis too :(... Today, the milk was $2.19. The past two weeks, I have gotten milk for $1.99 at Aldis. I hope it is only temporary, but something tells me it is not.

Well, that is all for this week- next week will be first full month (four weeks) of menu planning.

Week 2 of the grocery budget adventure!

Week 2 of my monthly menu planning/ budget adventure and we are right on track!

The menu this week:

• Stew 
• Pasta
• Chili
• Chicken
• Enchiladas
• Homemade Pizza

Apparently, the husband saw my list and was a little concerned. He said, "I need more to my meal than just a main dish. I need sides." As a woman, and a woman watching her diet, this turned my stomach. However, I quickly realized that I am his wife and he is a man who does need more calories than me. 

New menu

• Stew (meat, potatoes, carrots) with homemade bread and salad
• Cheddar Penne Pasta with Sausage and a side of fruit salad
• Chili, cornbread, rice
• Chicken cutlets, zucchini, broccoli with cheese, and bread
• Enchiladas, refried beans, rice, and mexican corn
• homemade pizza with pepperoni

Even after adding in the extras, my grocery bill was very reasonable at $55. I did spend a few more dollars than necessary by buying things at the regular grocery store instead of Aldi's. Live and learn.

Also, I know that the money was less because I already bought the meat. 

Still, I am right on track with my goal of $320 for four weeks. My freezer is getting lots of extras like soups, extra chicken pot pie, and other various leftovers. I am pretty interested to see what it will look like after week 4 and how the frozen dinners will help out in Month 2. 

Will keep you posted on the success rate of this adventure :)