Menu Monday

Sunday - Beef Stew, rice, green beans
Monday - Leftover Pasta Fagoili soup and grilled cheese
Tuesday- Leftover beef stew
Wednesday- Smoked sausage, red rice
Thursday - cooks choice: veggie dinner, ham fried rice or salad
Friday - out?

Rule Breaker!

OK, full disclosure here.  I obviously have a problem following my own rules.

My initial plan was to cook a turkey my DD had in her freezer for dinner Sunday.  I was going to pick it up Thursday evening and thaw it over the next few days.  That plan kept getting pushed back until it became impossible to thaw before Sunday. 

So, I stopped by BJs Wholesale today while I was out to pick up a roast.  Last time I got one from them, I got a very large roast for less than $18.  Unfortunately, the smallest one they had was over $20.  I opted for a three pound package of beef chunks instead.  I'll be making some beef stew tomorrow.  Although I had to buy meat, I already have potatoes, carrots and rice to go along with it.  I should be able to get at least three meals from the meat.  I spent a total of $40 at BJs.  Aggr!  That really didn't conform to my no spend weekend!  (See why I say I can't follow my own rules!)

I was VERY good during our trip to Walmart last night.  I confined my purchases to two boxes of margarine, bacon bits and two spools of thread.  I'll have to go by the P sometime this week to get some lunch meat and maybe some milk/coffee cream.  Other meals for the week have been planned around the pantry and freezer.

Adventures in frugality....

So, we're about 24 hours into our "austere August" and we've had a few opportunities to keep our money in our pockets.  We ate at home last night using only what we had in hand, especially some perishable produce.  After dinner, we went to Menchies for some fro-yo but it was FREE thanks to some loyalty credits we had built up.

Later, DH wanted me to cut his hair saving us at least $15.  Finally, we're both brown bagging it today with sandwiches and sides from our pantry.  I was able to use up all the deli meat and not throw any away this time.

I have homemade pizza planned for dinner tonight and a draft menu for next week using freezer and pantry items.  Grocery shopping will be minimal this week - only necessities and deep bargains.

Austere August

Well, what's left anyway!

I took a look at my bank account today and realized that several large purchases have diminished my balance.  On the good side, I have sufficient funds to cover my expenses and a small savings for the unexpected.

I also have a well stocked pantry and a freezer full of food.  To give my bank account a rest, I'm instituting some rules/guidelines for the rest of the month:

1.  Necessities and deep bargains only.
2.  No large purchases ( except house painting) until 9/1/12.
3.  One meal out per week.
4.  Eat from the freezer/pantry - be creative.
5.  Cheap/free entertainment.

Menu and Catching Up

Here's our menu this week:

Sunday - Burgers and Dogs with the fixins, Birthday Cake\
Monday - Beanie Weenies
Tuesday - Pasta and Sausage
Wednesday - Italian Chicken, Potatoes and Onions
Thursday - Salad or Ham Fried Rice
Friday - Homemade Pizza


First, a little explanation of the menu.  We had leftover baked beans from Sunday night so I added some cut up hot dogs (from the freezer) to create a cheap meal.  A sliced tomato and some rice rounded out the meal.

Now, for the catching up.  Since I was able to re-purpose our guest room, I found several opportunities to use my revised sewing space.  I put together a second sundress for my granddaughter (the other one did not want anything made for her) and she was able to wear it for the first day of school.

I also pulled out a quilting project that I put away - about this time last year.  I purchased a fat quarter at Walmart to pull the design together and I'm utilizing some unbleached muslin with the top.  I may need to get a second piece of muslin for the backing depending on how big it turns out.

I also purchased a few fat quarters and some embroidery thread at a recent Joann's sale.  I've got a couple of ideas for Christmas gifts if I can get it together. 

Spoiler Alert:  (If you're expecting a gift from me, you may want to stop and not go any further.)  I have a couple of things in the works for special gifts.  I have homemade vanilla extract 'working' and I will be starting some vodka cherries next month.  I've found some recipes that I'd like to make as gifts for special folks. 




Monday

Menu Monday

Sunday - Baked ham, Mac and cheese
Monday - Potato soup and BLTs
Tuesday - leftover ham
Wednesday - chef salad
Thursday - Tacos!
Friday - cook's choice