Do you find your pantry and freezer overflowing with food, yet you keep buying more food?
Would you like to join me this month in possibly saving hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill by eating out of your pantry and freezer?
We’ve been feeling lately, in the Simply Frugal household, as though we’ve got way too much food just hanging around not leaving the pantry and freezers. (umm, except for the ice cream, that mysteriously disappears 
!)
Since I’d like to use up what we have in the freezer and pantry to eventually replenish our supplies with fresher items and maybe give our deep freeze a good cleaning, I thought a challenge would get me motivated! Maybe it will help you as well?
Here’s the plan:
Starting on Wednesday, August 8, the Eating from the Pantry/Freezer challenge will officially start!
I’ll be sharing my menu plan and goals next Wednesday and would love to hear your plans and goals as well!
What you’ll need to do before August 8:
- Do a complete inventory of your pantry, freezer and fridge
- Decide what your goals will be for the challenge (how much do you want to save, how long do you think you’ll be doing the challenge for…etc)
- Write up a meal plan for at least the first five days of the challenge (Wednesday – Sunday)
- Make a list of the items you’ll need to buy to complete your meals. (I’ll still be buying produce and dairy and eggs)
Every Monday following (August 13, 20, and 27) I’ll be sharing my menu plans and progress. This would be a great time for those of you joining in on the challenge to share or link to your menus and progress in the comment section! I’ll also be tracking how much I’m spending on groceries for the duration of this challenge and sharing my totals.
Does this makes sense? Any questions? 
Here are some useful resources to help you out with the challenge:
- Printable freezer inventory checklist
- Tips for Successful Menu Planning, Part 1
- Tips for Successful Menu Planning, Part 2
Will you be joining me as we eat from the pantry and freezer?
I just can’t stop couponing, I just can’t, I know I can’t…I would have to avoid scooping the deals for a MONTH!!?? Have you no mercy, woman!??
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I swear you’ve been reading my mind. I’ve been thinking all last month that it’s time to use up some of my stock piles, save some money and make room for more great deals with coupons. You may just have given me the incentive to act on it this time. I’m off to make a list of things in my freezer and pantry.
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I wanted to mention a website where there are a tonne of free printable forms. Literally, I can’t count them all. The website is based on the book Organized Home by Cynthia Townley Ewer. I also have a question unrelated to organizing coupons. I have heard about Plum Inserts. I live in Edmonton, so I could either get them in the Edmonton Journal (which neither my husband and I are interested in reading) or the Edmonton Examiner. You can pick up the Edmonton Examiner for free at Libraries, but those ones don’t have Red Plum Inserts. The only ones that have inserts are the ones delievered to a home and I believe a condo. I’m trying to figure out if the Examiner is delivered to rented town homes, since my husband and I currently live in an apartment but are hoping to move into a rented town home. Any ideas on how I could find this out. I’ve also heard of Apartment dwelling couponing ladies trading coupons for red plum inserts. I could try approaching my friend who has a condo I suppose…..I know you can buy the Insert but I don’t use enough of their products for that to be worth by while….vexing!
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I’m definitely going to join in the freezer challenge , just last night I cooked hamburger meat that had lost it’s label. The meat was still good but had lost a bit of it’s colour. Thanks great idea !!
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As I’m already doing the “freezer challenge |” this month any way, why not.
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ok Im in!
I just ran out to my freezer and took inventory and meat wise we can eat like kings! We also have a weekly ritual of going down to the local farmers market every sat. and that would work well with getting everything else i need for meal planning!
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Last night, I sent my husband to do the groceries with my list and coupons.
He came back exhausted 4 hours later.
I think he’ll truly appreciate that we commit to this challenge
And since, it’s my Birthday soon, my last errand will be at Sephora next week for my free gift and I need foundation.
So, Yes, I’ll glady participate in the challenge, no purchasing of groceries and personal care besides milk unti the end of the month! ok, maybe a few produce if needed (we have tons in the fridge and the freezer) and maybe a few good deals with coupons, but I put my limit at 5 for the whole month.
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Yes! You read my mind as well. I’m running out of room in my pantry and need to use up what we have before it expires. The fridge and freezer could use a good cleaning too. Your tips and suggestions are going to help out a lot.
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