Do you find your pantry and freezer overflowing with food, yet you keep buying more food?
Would you like to join me for an impromptu pantry and freezer challenge? You could possibly save 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 use up many items that are coming up on their prime, I thought a challenge would get me motivated! Maybe it will help you as well?
Here’s the plan:
Starting on Wednesday, April 18, the Eating from the Pantry/Freezer challenge will officially start!
I’ll be sharing my menu plan on Wednesday and would love to hear your plans and goals as well!
What you’ll need to do before April 18:
- 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, dairy and eggs)
Every Monday following (April 23 and 30) I’ll be sharing my menu plans and progress. (At this point I’m not sure how long I will be doing the pantry challenge, but I will know once I take inventory.) 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.
There’s a Facebook group that I would love to have you join! Click here to join the Simply Frugal Community. I think it will be a great place to share meal ideas, tips and even our struggles during the challenge!
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
- Menu Plan Not Coming Together? Try These Tricks
Will you be joining me as we eat from the pantry and freezer?
So, this comes at a great time! Spring cleaning will include lessening what I have in my fridge, freezer, pantry and coldroom! I think I have food to last me a good 6 months, even though we don’t do prepackaged meals! I’m in with this challenge!
we are moving (4 kms) at the end of the month- so this challenge is perfect timing!
who wants to move a freezer full of food?
So glad to have you along! Hope your moving preparations go smoothly!