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:
How to Turn Ramen Noodles Into a Healthy Meal Idea
It is no secret that Ramen Noodles are a staple in every college student’s pantry. However, ramen noodles are not just for the college student, bachelor, or preschooler anymore. I have even found some organic brown rice ramen by Lotus Foods at Costco that we love, making it a healthy choice for our family! Even if you buy the budget friendly packs of ramen, there are quite a few healthy ways to spice up a package of the fried noodles.
Ditch the Packet
Some people prefer ramen noodles simply because they are cheap, cheap, cheap. Others prefer them because of the beef, chicken, or oriental flavor that comes in the package. While that packet is full of flavor, it is also packed full of sodium and MSG. Make your meal a bit healthier, by ditching the packet, and adding your own herbs and flavoring. Boil the pasta in low sodium chicken or beef broth, and throw in some pepper and herbs, like thyme, or oregano.
Use Uncooked, as a Topping
That’s right. You can eat Ramen without cooking them first! Dig the recipe for your favorite Asian inspired salad out of your recipe box, and simply swap out the Asian noodles for Ramen Noodles. Just discard the seasoning packet and break the noodles up. Add them to your salad just before serving.
Stir Fry
Instead of opting for burgers and fries, pull out a package of ramen, and some fresh or frozen veggies. Cook up chicken or beef pieces, and throw some in some veggies, with a bit of low sodium soy sauce. Meanwhile, cook the Ramen in either plain water, or low sodium beef or chicken broth. Once it is all done, simply toss it all together, and grab a bowl and a seat.
Make a Hearty Soup
There is nothing like a hot bowl of hearty soup, on a chilly evening. Gather the ingredients for your favorite soup, and toss it all in the slow cooker. When there are just a few minutes left of cooking time, add a packet or two of Ramen, minus the flavor packets, and you have yourself an easy, healthy meal.
Limit the amount you eat
Even if you dish up Ramen Noodles to be healthier, you still need to limit the amount you eat. Many carbs come from ramen noodles, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Which is why adding them to a salad as a topping or using it as a filler, is an excellent idea.
The great thing about Ramen is that it’s so inexpensive. Once you get rid of the packet and figure out how to make it into the perfect healthy dish, you are good to go.
I'd love to hear how you use ramen noodles! Let me know in the comments below!
How to Create an Epic Easter Basket from the Dollar Store
Easter is rapidly approaching, which means you have to put together an awesome Easter basket. On a budget? No worries because the Dollar Store is an awesome place to put together an epic Easter Basket. Here’s how to do it.
#1. Find a “basket”
The cool thing about the dollar store is that they have all sorts of bins, baskets, and totes for $1. You don’t have to settle for a basket, you can pick anything! This step in itself can make the Easter basket epic.
#2. Pick a color theme your kids will love
One thing you can do to create an epic Easter basket for your kids from the Dollar Store is to pick a color theme they’ll love. The dollar store has so many different options that finding items with their favorite colors will be easy.
#3. Grab a few toys for the epic Easter basket
The dollar store is lined up with a full aisle of toys to choose from. Not to mention, they probably have an extra aisle full of toys just for Easter. You can pick out some fun toys like little army guys, a mermaid, or a bow and arrow set. If those don’t work, go the more creative route with stickers, bubbles, and play dough.
#4. Add a few extra “special” things
As you comb through the dollar store, just remember that you get to be creative. If you see something your child will like, throw it in the basket. Setting a budget for yourself is definitely a good idea too. For example, $10 for each child, this helps put a limit on what you put in the Easter basket. Everyone knows that shopping at the dollar store can get out of hand quickly. 😉
#5. Get a little creative
Do you know what your little ones will love most about their Easter basket? Is that the basket is creative and not just something that was bought already put together. They’re going to notice the cute little stuffed bunny you picked up. They are going to notice the gum that has five packs in it.
#6. Make it look pretty
Head down the birthday aisle and pick out some fun things to put in that Easter basket to make it pretty. Bows are plentiful in that aisle! You can pick up wrapping paper to wrap a few of the gifts. Making it pretty will make it epic, without a doubt.
How do you plan on creating an epic Easter basket this year? Let me know your ideas in the comments below.
When some think of the word frugal, words like restriction and limitation come to mind. While I do think that frugality is necessary to many families these days, I also believe it to be a choice. When frugality is a choice it can actually bring true contentment and joy, rather than feelings of restriction and limitation. But even if frugality is not a choice, I have some reasons for you to think about why you can find happiness in the frugal lifestyle:
Delayed gratification is an amazing feeling
Those living the frugal lifestyle usually find joy in setting goals. They'll do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal. When you're doing without in certain areas of your life so you can achieve a financial goal you've set for yourself, and the day comes when you get to reap your reward, the feeling is so satisfying! Knowing that you have no debt in the end and that all the hard work you did really paid off, can bring about an amazing feeling of accomplishment.
Frugal people don't focus on what they don't have
Frugal people don’t tend to spend their time focusing on what they don’t have, but rather on the things they do have. They don’t worry about having a brand new car, they focus on having a car, new or used, that will get them to where they need to be. What's most important to them is that they have the basic resources to get done what they need to get done.
Being frugal forces you to be creative
Rather than going out to buy something brand new, frugal people challenge themselves to think creatively And creativity is fun! Transforming or repurposing a simple object into something useful or fun can bring much joy. Take for example, the 5 best toys of all time, according to children.
More time to enjoy life
Typically, frugality brings along a more simple lifestyle. One that will allow you to enjoy life more with less financial worries and more time to do the things you really want to do.
You start taking pleasure in the basic things
Frugality brings about a sense of pleasure in doing the basic things in life. For example cooking and baking. It can feel so rewarding to make a beautiful loaf of bread with your own two hands. Or creating a delicious soup with some veggies that were a little past their prime. Connecting with the things that used to be a way of life for those in bygone eras can bring much joy.
You feel healthier
Feeling healthy is enough to make anyone feel good. Leading a frugal life often leads to healthier choices. Such as cooking from scratch more often than eating out, or choosing to go for a hike over a night at the movies because it's free.
There's joy in knowing we are helping our environment
Many frugal people opt to purchase anything they need secondhand. Not only is this a cheaper way of purchasing what you need, it also helps keep more things out of the landfills.
Your frugality can bless others
There's very little that makes me happiest than when I am using my skills or abundance to make someone else happy. Maybe it will simply be giving someone fresh tomatoes I grew in my container garden or mending a shirt when they don't have the time or knowledge. Seeing how happy and appreciative the recipient is of the generosity that frugality can afford me, makes me very happy I chose to be frugal.
In what ways would you say frugality brings you joy?
We've all been there: pay day is still a week away and you only have $20 to your name. This might feel like a reason to panic, but the truth is, you have options. There are certain tips and tricks you can implement so you can make that $20 go its very farthest and get the most grocery bang for your buck.
Take a look at these tips on how to get the most groceries for your dollar. So you can be sure to stretch your food budget the best you can until pay day arrives.
Purchase rice in bulk.
A 2 kilogram bag of rice will cost you about $5, especially if you buy generic. Rice is perfect for stuffing in tortillas, adding to casseroles, or serving as a side dish. You can even add some milk and sugar to it for rice pudding, an inexpensive dessert idea. ($5)
Purchase beans in bulk.
Consider a 2 pound bag of beans, perfect for using as a side dish, in soups or stews, or add them to wraps. They are full of protein, taste great, and cost pennies per serving. Just soak them to soften them and then cook to your liking. ($3)
If you're wanting to get the most groceries for your dollar, try out the 14-day free trial of $5 Meal Plan! If you decide to continue after your trial period, for just $5 a month, they will send you a delicious meal plan where every meal will cost about $2 per person, and in most cases less.
Frozen vegetables may cost less than fresh.
It can be hard to find fresh produce at a great price. If you can grab cucumbers or peppers for under $1 each grab them. If not, you may be better off buying frozen or canned. Head to a store such as Walmart or Superstore where you can grab canned tomatoes, frozen green beans, corn and peas for less than fresh vegetables ($3)
Apples and bananas are your cheapest fruit option.
If you thought fresh vegetables were expensive, fresh fruit can be even worse! When you're on a budget, fresh bananas and apples are your best options. Lately, buying a big bag of apples can cost about $6 - $7, while bananas are around .70 cents per pound. This is a great way to get the fruit your body needs while staying on budget. ($7)
Yogurt for calcium.
Keeping in mind you're close to pay day, a jug of milk might not be in the budget right now, but you could grab a tub of yogurt to get the calcium you need. ($3)
Chicken will be your most budget friendly choice of meat.
You can often find chicken wings, drumsticks or thighs for a low price so this is your most budget friendly option. Dress them up with salad dressing or simple olive oil and salt and pepper. Some other cheap "meat" 😉 options include deli meat and of course, hot dogs. ($5)
Opt for day old bread choices.
Visit the day old bread store or raid the clearance bin at your local grocer for bread items under $1. Bread is perfect for sandwiches, making garlic bread, making croutons, etc. Plus if you find a great deal on it, you can freeze it. ($3)
Don’t let pay day being days away keep you from eating well. Keep these tips in mind for how to make the most of your grocery budget between pay days and see how much they can help!
How do you make your grocery budget stretch in between pay days?
5 ways to challenge yourself to save more money this year:
Whether it's January or June, there is no better time to start saving more money than right now. Perhaps you've got some money goals that seem so far off or even impossible to reach. Added to that, saving money is never easy. Am I right? We are born to want things, whether we need them or not.
Today, I've got some easy challenges that will have you saving money in no time flat. You'll be seeing your bank account grow quickly when you thoughtfully implement these money saving strategies.
#1. Pack Your Lunch, Every Single Day
This is a bit of a no brainer, but think about how much money you spend throughout the month eating out. Not just for dinner though, think about lunch too. Do you buy snacks from the vending machines in the lunch room? Do you find yourself heading out for lunch to the nearest fast food joint, or even buying meals off the break truck? It may only be one meal a day, but 5 days a week, and four weeks out of the month can really add up! Challenge yourself to pack your lunches every day. It helps to prepare your lunch the night before, so you will not be able to use the excuse of oversleeping. I challenge you to pack your lunch every day to see how much you can save.
#2. Ponder Your Purchases Ahead of Time
It is important to consider your purchases before forking over your hard-earned money. When it comes to non-essential items, I suggest waiting three or four weeks before making your purchase. (A few days, at the very least!) This allows you time to really think about whether you need the item, or if it is just something that you really want. You’d be surprised at how much money you can save, when you really ponder your purchase before you say yes. Most often, you'll find yourself saying no instead.
#3. Use Cash Every Chance You Can!
It is so easy to just whip your debit card out of your wallet at the register, but try carrying cash, to make your purchases instead. (These printable Cash Envelopes for $3.99 are awesome at helping you allot your cash to the categories in your budget!) Paying with cash will limit how much you will be able to spend and help you cut down on picking up extras at the store.
#4. Drink More Water
Probably not the tip you want to hear. However, drinking more water throughout the day is great way to help you eat less. Start each meal by drinking a large glass of water. This will help fill you up, so you will not have to go back for a heaping plate of seconds, which most of us do not need anyway. Then you can save the leftovers for lunch the next day, or freeze them for another time. Not to mention, getting soda or another type of drink, when eating out or at home, can really add up. Be smart and stick with water, your wallet and waistline will thank you.
#5. Know When to Purchase Quality
There are times that it is okay to shop at the dollar store, but there are also times when it would be wiser to spend a little extra on quality items. For example, instead of getting a new couch at the local discount furniture store, head out to one of the more expensive stores for a quality one that will last you many more years than the cheap one. Don’t get me wrong though, you can still look for the best couch deal, just spend your money on a couch that has a lot more quality.
