This Week's Best Buys!

What Were the Best Buys I Found at the Store This Week? 

A.K.A - Feeding a family on just $320 a Month!   

 

In preparation for my big June food budget challenge, I decided to show you this week's amazing food deals!  I have been trying to stretch my May grocery budget to stock up on some items that I will use during June.  These are just my best deals, not my entire grocery haul. 

This is all a part of my quest to cut my family's budget by 25 percent!

I was so excited about my grocery store finds this week!  

Orecchiette Pasta:  $1.00 a pound on clearance at HyVee

This specialty pasta usually comes at a premium price.  The translation from the Italian means "little ears".  I've used it before and this pasta presents beautifully!  Taking it to a summer potluck makes you feel fancy!  At $1.00 a pound, it was a great deal!

EDIT!  Okay, I had to edit this post right before I published it!  I could, literally, hear that pasta calling my name last night when I was getting supper ready.  Two pounds of it was destined to be covered with my special homemade squash sauce!  Here's a link to the post that tells you how to make it. 

See?  It does present beautifully! 😋 No worries.  There are still two pounds of pasta left to use in June.   By the way, I have been creating in the kitchen with my 13 year old sous chef!  We have some exciting, brand new Cheap Eats recipes to share during my June Food Budget Challenge! 

Bacon:  $2.88 a pound at HyVee

The meat-eaters in my family are super excited.  I haven't bought bacon in, literally, years!  But, $2.88 a pound seemed like a great price.  Although I don't eat meat, my son's southern belle loves bacon.  So, I got two pounds and stuck it in the freezer.  When she comes to visit in June, Melanie and I will combine the bacon with some of the orecchiette pasta and a creamy sauce for pasta carbonara.  

Kroger Purified Drinking Water:  $1.99 for 32 bottles  

 

 

This amazing deal was Saturday only.  We had not digitally downloaded the coupon.  But, a wonderful fellow-shopper overheard us whining about not being able to take advantage of the deal.  "No worries," she said, "Just tell them at the checkout.  They have a code that they will scan so you can get the deal."  We tried it and it worked just like she said!  Yay!  You could get up to five at this price.  We got two (and I now wish we had gotten more.)  

Cottage Cheese:  $.69 at HyVee 

 

 

We had to show our gas-saver's card to get this deal.  Even though stores use loyalty cards to track your spending, I still think they are worth signing up for and using.  It was limit one.  But, since my 13 year old sous-chef son had to get some major oral surgery done on Wednesday and was limited to soft foods for 48 hours, this was something that he could certainly eat.  I feel so bad for him.  But, the orthodontist assures us that this is the only way to try to save the tooth.  

Organic English Breakfast Tea:  $.99 each on clearance at SAMS

 

 

I've been keeping my eyes on these for a while now.  SAMS has been slowly reducing the price.  In fact, I bought two packages when they were not quite so low.  But, when I walked in this week and saw them reduced to this bargain-basement price, I bought SIX of them!  There are 100 tea bags in each box.  We love sun tea and these will allow us to quench our thirst all summer long. 

That's it!  My five best buys!  What about you?  Have you found amazing deals this week?  Comment below and let us all know.  So, we can celebrate successes at the grocery store together!

Remember to Enter My June Contest!

If you've not already entered, head over to our contest page!  Click here!  You can read all about my June food budget challenge and enter for the chance to win a copy of  of one of my favorite books, Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half, by Steve and Annette Economides.

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Remember, 

Do all to the glory of God, 

Hope

My June Food Budget Challenge and a GIVEAWAY!

June Grocery Money

I have issued myself a "food budget challenge" and my family is less-than-enthusiastic.

I've decided to spend no more than $320 on food for the month of June.   

That's $80 each week!  

 For the record, my husband thinks I can't do it -  all the more reason to prove that I can!

The photo above shows my actual grocery money.  I have it all set aside in an envelope, labelled "June".  I'm ready to go!  

Quick Facts About Our Family Food Dynamics:

1.   During June there will be seven in our family.

Our oldest son is home from college and our son John's girlfriend, Melanie, is coming from Mississippi to visit.  So our family of five will become a family of seven.  Yes, I told Melanie about the challenge.  She is still coming.  So, I haven't scared her off.  In fact, she is excited about rolling up her sleeves to help me be creative in the kitchen.

I really wanted to try allocating just $10 per person each week - or $280 for the month.  But, I chickened out at the last minute and added another $10 bucks per week.  In reality, I didn't know if I could do it on less than $300.

2.  We eat mainly vegetarian. 

I try to eat seasonally, buy from local small farms, and purchase as much organic as possible. Some of you may know that I am vegan, eating a whole foods, plant based diet.  But, most of my family does not.  So, although meat, dairy, and eggs play a minor role in my monthly food budget, they do make an appearance.

3.  We are CSA members. 

The fact that growing season has begun should prove to be helpful in me reaching my food financial goal.  The CSA food is already paid for.  So, it will be food that does not come out of the available $320 for the month.  I'll take photos of our weekly CSA share and show you what we got.  Then, I'll tell you how I plan to incorporate that produce into my weekly menu plan to make the absolute most of it.


4.  I will be spending cash. 

Remember, that's a photo of my actual grocery cash at the top of this blog post.  Statistically, when you use cash you spend less money.  See this post for information on why spending cash reduces how much you spend.

That's it!  Within those parameters I will have $80 a week to spend on food! 

I'll be visiting the farmer's market, going to the store, and spending no more than $320 in total.

This really is a challenge for me! 

I'm super excited to go through this process with all of you.  I think we can prove to my husband that it can be done!  When I told him of my intentions he used the word "crazy" and jokingly prophesied that before the end of the month I would be asking him to eat grass in the back yard for his daily portion of "greens". 

 Nope!  I'm going to be a "food ninja" for 30 days and show him how it is done!

  But.... I Need Your help!!  

I need your encouragement and tips.  To thank you, I'm doing a giveaway of one of my favorite books, Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half, by Steve and Annette Economides.  

Here's what you need to do to enter the drawing.  

1.  Sign up to receive my blog posts via e-mail.  There is a link to do this on the main page of my blog.  Look for the "follow by e-mail" link and just fill in your e-mail address. 

2.  Share this original post to social media.  

3.  Leave a comment in the comment field below.  Be sure to tell me that have completed #1 and #2 AND  give me your best tip for saving money on food.  

That's it!  You'll be entered into the drawing. At the end of the month we'll wrap up our month-long journey, (hopefully) celebrate my success, and I'll announce the winner of the book!  

Best of luck to you and keep those tips and encouragement coming my way!

Remember, 

Do all to the glory of God, 

Hope

Reviews.com Guide on The Best Homeowners Insurance

Reviews.com recently reached out to me to make me aware of a great resource for homeowners insurance.  They have an on-line Guide on the Best Homeowner's Insurance. 

I was intrigued.  When Larry and I first got married, we didn't purchase a new appliance, tool (or pretty much anything else) without first consulting Consumer Reports.  They were the "gold standard" on research and recommendation of whatever could be bought or sold.

I took a look at Reviews.com and I was impressed!  I would compare their website to Consumer Reports.  But, I like Reviews.com better.  Here is why:

They don't paint purchases with a broad brush.  Not only have they done research, comparing various aspects of products, they have "personalized" their research.  By this, I mean that they realize that not every product or service is right to everyone.  If you are newly married, your insurance needs are different than a person like me, who has been married three decades.  If you own a lot of antiques or park a large boat in your garage, once again, your needs differ from mine. 

Reviews.com has broken down each company into pros/cons, strengths/weaknesses.  I noticed immediately that some of the insurance companies which we have been impressed with through the years were represented on their site.  I also became acquainted with some new products, services, and companies.

They compare a variety of markers as well to provide you with a well-rounded look at each company.  In the homeowner's insurance guide, they evaluate financial strength ratings, endorsements, customer service, and discounts.  Then you can browse through each company and read about their services. You can also see their top picks and learn why each company earned a Review.com top endorsement. 

The website is extensive!  But, it is well organized.  So, if you are shopping for insurance information, it is easy to look at their bold font headings and find what you want.

Just a note:  some, though not all, of the companies represented on the site do have advertiser agreements with Reviews.com.  But, they are very up front about this fact, and it did not make me feel that their research was less than honest or skewed to favor their advertisers.

There is a space to enter your zip code so that you can compare rates and get quotes.  But, this is not necessary to access the information on the website.  I was impressed that you can do plenty of research and comparing without being required give away your personal information to get a quote.  This tells me that Reviews.com is confident that their site, recommendations, and reviews are solid.  They don't feel that they need to compel you to give away your e-mail address in order to find the information that you need to make a well-reasoned decision.  When a company is willing to do this, they get high marks from me. 

If you want to take a look at the insurance guide, here is a link:

https://www.reviews.com/homeowners-insurance/

This link will take you to a list of all the reviews on the site.  https://www.reviews.com/a-z/  They say that it covers everything from "4G to Yoga Mats."  And, oh boy, they are right!  It is quite complete and you'll find a lot of interesting reviews to read! 


So what about you?  Do you find websites like this helpful when you are researching products?   Or do you rely more on recommendations from friends?  Or do you just head out to the mall and ask salespeople for their recommendations? 

Leave comments below and me know what you think.

As always,

Do all to the glory of God,

Hope

No overtime!!! Cutting my Budget to the Bone!

Our budget has me thinking like a minimalist!

It's time to get real with you! 

 After Larry got ill, he gave up his extensive overtime hours.  That money accounted for a full twenty-five percent of our income!

Larry announced that he would no longer work any overtime (a decision with which I whole-heartedly agreed).  I looked him in the eye, smiled, and replied, "Don't worry honey.  There are lots of areas that I can cut in the budget." I wasn't really lying.  I knew that I can be very creative when it comes to money.  It's just that at that very moment I had absolutely no idea which areas I could cut or how much. 

I crossed my fingers behind my back and hoped that I would really be able to follow through on that promise.  He had worked overtime for so many years that I had long ago incorporated that money into our monthly expenses.  Removing it would be painful! 

 Back to the Basics

I quickly realized that panicking would do very little to help our situation.  That's sort of like getting depressed about the lack of food in the house.  So you go out, get a gallon of ice cream, and eat the entire thing.  Now you are sick to your stomach, you've gained five pounds, and you STILL have no food in your fridge.  It is self defeating.

 It's time to "circle the wagons".  During Westward Expansion each night the wagons formed a circle for defensive purposes to ward off attackers.  I needed to devise a plan of defense, envisioning each element of our budget as a separate "wagon".  When combined, they would provide us with both safety and defense. 

 I went back to the basics.  I warped back into "newlywed mode".  When we were first married, we survived on practically nothing.  How?  We didn't spend money.  We worked, ate at home, took walks, read books, visited friends and family, and enjoyed time with with each other.

And you know what?  We loved it!  We didn't feel deprived.  We didn't sit around feeling sorry for ourselves.  We embraced simplicity.  Additionally, we (literally) gave thanks to God each and every time He brought unexpected blessings our way. 

Here are four steps to follow if you need to cut your budget in a hurry!  

 Step 1:  Ask Yourself, "Is this temporary?"

Take a deep breath and consider whether this downturn in fortunes is temporary or permanent.  Are there circumstances which would change the situation for the better?  If it is temporary, how long is it likely to last? 

 In our case Larry's diagnosis of heart failure forced him to downsize his work schedule.  Heart failure is exhausting - in a very literal sense.  When he returns from work it is as though someone unplugged his batteries.  He lays down for a deep, long nap every day.  He has to.  This really does not lend itself well to overtime hours.  

We began the budget hacking by asking ourselves how long the lack of overtime was likely to last.  The answer is:  at least a year.  Probably more.  We have made the decision that even when he regains his strength that never again will he work extensive overtime hours.  It simply isn't worth the loss of our family time to gain extra coin in our pockets. 

 

Step 2:  Concentrate on Your "four walls".  

Next, look at your budget and place a mark next to those items which are your "four walls".  This includes:  Housing, food, and transportation.  Look for ALL the items which encompass these categories.

HOME:

Mortgage
Home insurance
Property Taxes
Gas and Electric
Water
Sewer
Garbage
Home Owner's Association Fees

FOOD:

Groceries
Personal care items
Cleaning and hygiene products

TRANSPORTATION:

Car Gas
Car Upkeep
Car Payment (See this post for my advice on paying cash for automobiles.)  

See?  It's a lot more than just paying your rent or mortgage.  These areas must remain funded.

Step 3:  Isolate and Cut

Consider each category of your budget as a separate entity - or "wagon" if you think back to our "circle the wagons" analogy.  Ask yourself if there is any way which that category can be trimmed.  You may be able to lower some only a few dollars a month.  But, when you see the cumulative effect of your efforts, you will be amazed that you were able to shave that much off of your budget.

There are lots of ways that even the "four walls" categories can be trimmed down to size.  

 I give you great tips for cutting expenses in this post.  And also in this post.

Step 4:  Challenge Yourself!  Be specific!   Put it in writing! 

 

 I believe that people commit to things which are written down and posted in a prominent place in their home.  For me, that is using a magnet to attach them to my refrigerator.

  Be sure you have the agreement and help of either your spouse or an accountability partner.  You'll be more likely to succeed if you know that someone else may ask you unexpectedly, "So, how are we doing on those budgeting goals?"

To show you an example of how to do this, I am sharing my June budget challenges! 

My June Budget Challenges!

Here are four budget-related items that I will be posting about in the next few weeks.   

 1.  Simplify meals and use bulk cooking strategies, concentrating on entrees that are filling and go a long way.  I'll be posting some "cheap eats" and some menu plans. 

2.  Organize my pantry!  Disorder costs money!  You'll get a look at what an absolute WRECK my pantry is!  I show you how my son and I put it back in order.  I promise lots of photos!

3.  Being hyper-vigilant at tracking my expenses every week.  This way I will immediately be aware when adjustments need to be made.  I'll report any successes or challenges.   

4. I have issued myself a "food budget challenge".  My family is less-than-enthused about this one.  I've decided to spend no more than $320 on food for the month of June.   That's $80 each week!  Our oldest son is also home from college and our son John's girlfriend is coming from Mississippi to visit.  So our family of five will become a family of seven for most of June.  I'll lay out the details in the next few days and update you regularly on how it is going. For the record, my husband thinks I can't do it -  just all the more reason to try to prove that I can!

Don't miss my next post!  

Not only will I give you the low down on my June challenges, I'll also be telling you how you can enter to win a copy of one of my favorite books, Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half, by Steve and Annette Economides.  

Until next time,

Remember,

Do all to the glory of God,

Hope




 

 

Book Review: Meals Made Easy: Fat Man's Essential 40 Plant Based Recipes.

 Whew Hoo!  It's time for a cookbook review!  

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to receive a review copy of Fat Man's Essential - 40 Plant Based Recipes.  The subtitle explains the purpose of the book :  Quick and Easy Plant Based Food.  I have a LOT of cookbooks on my shelf.  This one stands out from the rest, because it is chock full of recipes that work in real life, are easy to follow, and don't take a lot of time.  Every single recipe that I have tried has been unanimously voted a "make again" by all of my boys!

Author, Tim Kaufman shares with the reader his story of being told by his doctor to "get his affairs in order".  Approaching middle-age, he had young children and a long list of medical disorders. He was obese with out-of-control blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.  It was a "change or die" situation.  He chose to take control of his health, beginning with his diet.  You will not believe the transformative photos in the cookbook!

Here is the best part of this cookbook: You all know that I am the queen of stretching my food dollars to the utmost.  I don't like to waste a penny, prefer to eat seasonally, and consume a whole food/plant based diet.  This cookbook is masterful at allowing the reader to do exactly that!  It is not a large book.  But, you won't be disappointed with your purchase.  Every recipe has been equally delicious and is comprised of easy-to find ingredients and easy-to-follow directions.  There is a full page color photo of each recipe.

Here are a couple of photos of my versions of some of Tim's recipes.



In the Smoky Cauliflower Chili recipe Tim noted,"Do not be afraid to substitute and experiment.  It's hard to screw up."  I did.  And he was right.  I had a bag of Normandy vegetables - which was a mixture broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and summer squash. Although the recipe called for just cauliflower, I made the substitute and the finished product was fantastic!  His choice of herbs and spices is spot on!  Like most recipes in the book, the portion sizes are very generous.  This recipe filled my pressure cooker to capacity and lasted us for several meals.

Smoky Chili before pressure cooking

Finished soup - thick, spicy, and delicious!

The Fat Man's BBQ Meat Ballz are hands-down the BEST vegan meatball that I have ever made or eaten!  (And I've made quite a few.)  The texture felt identical to ground beef when I was forming the "meat" balls.  They cooked up beautifully, froze perfectly, and were very versatile.  I made a double batch, which made nearly 60 "meat" balls.  They lasted my family of five for several meals.  Even my grown son, thought that 4 balls covered in sauce was a generous and filling portion.  I served them with some of Tim's BBQ sauce (recipe included in the cookbook).  You could add a bit of nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.  My non-vegan kids added a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  With a side of roasted beets and sweet potato, our meal was complete!

The quinoa corn fritters were very unusual, tasty, and were actually about the size of burgers when I made them.  The recipe made 15 generous-sized fritters.  We actually served them on buns for a couple of meals like a burger.  The kids loved them!

Quinoa Corn Fritters with Cheesy Onion Tater Cubes

Tim's Cheesy Onion Tater Cubes were divine!  They crisped up perfectly on parchment paper without a bit of oil.  My kids topped them with ketchup and then begged for them to be served again. 


As I mentioned, I have a lot of cookbooks on my shelf.  Fat Man's Essential has already become one that I will go back to again and again.  Well done, Tim!  I can't wait for the sequel, scheduled to come out in a few short months. 
 

Fat Man's Essential - 40 Plant Based Recipes is available as a Kindle download for the amazingly low price of $2.99.

Here is the link from Amazon to get your copy.
https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Mans-Essential-Plant-Based-Recipes-ebook/dp/B07CGB5BKY