A Budget Challenge Meal Plan: Just General Shopping Part 1

 

I decided the other day it was time to bite the bullet and do another pantry challenge.  I went first to our local Dollar General.  Then I went over to the local grocery store.  I've debated how to do this challenge, and I think it's going to turn into three posts.  Two $25 challenge posts and one $50 challenge because that extra $25 opens up a few more meal plans than the $25 challenges allowed.

Here's my why: twice now I've seen some videos about what can be made for a 'budget' dinner with $25.  The food served four people.  I figured if one concentrated and only spent $25 for dinner 7 "budget" days a week, it would cost a family of four $175 for a week of evening meals only.  That's $750 for a month of dinners. That doesn't include breakfasts or lunches.  That figure to me is mind boggling.

Meal Plan for October, Week 2

 

Last week's menu plan proved to be difficult.  I was missing a few ingredients, but didn't realize it at the time I was planning.  I kept switching up the plans, meals stretched further than I thought they might, one meal was prepared but not enough for the number of people who'd be here, so that required a second thought.  

To be honest, this week I come to meal planning with planning fatigue, but not just because of last week.  I've been working on the Budget Meals Challenge I set myself.  Figuring out those meals plus last week's changes has just bogged my thinking down.

To Do List for the Second Week of October

 

1.  Zone 2 The Kitchen.  In my home this zone comprises the back entry and the laundry area as well.  I'm adding the back porch since it does come to my backdoor and serves as the main entry to my home for most everyone.  If I do, that will leave me a whole week for outdoor stuff at the end of the month. Of course, the hope is that by then it will be cooler and more comfortable for outdoor work.

My focus areas in the kitchen: cleaning small appliances (coffee maker, mixer, bread machine, toaster oven, microwave, slow cooker.

Journal of My Week: September 28 - October 4

 

Saturday:  It was lovely to come home yesterday and find no damage to the place.  That was an anxiety for us but as we traveled up the interstate and got closer and closer to our area of the state, we felt pretty sure we would find all was well.

Stock-Up Forecast

 

I had not planned another post for this week beyond the weekly Journal, but I was standing int he kitchen this morning and a thought popped into my mind again that has been recurring the past few days.  I thought perhaps I'd share these thoughts with you all, too.

First and foremost, Hurricane Helene did about as much damage as a hurricane could do to several states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina were severely affected.  Other states also affected are Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.   I am not saying these last five states were less affected than the four I mentioned. Truly I have little idea of what occurred in them.   I'm only going by what I've seen online, and the focus has been mostly on the first four states in my area.  

A Year of Stocking Up: October's Best Buys

 

October is such a lovely month!  It is one of my favorite months of Fall.  But it also challenges me a little.  After summer's plentiful and varied crops, I always think that October has fewer good things to offer us.

Part of my reason for starting this series is because I tend to focus on what I think is cheap: potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, apples and oranges.  I think there must be many more foods available that are in season and worth looking for.  I'll be interested to see what prices look like on these items, too.  

October Goals: Sugar and Spice

 

Spiritual and Personal:

We're about to enter the Jewish Holy days.  Even though we no longer attend synagogue, or participate in the feasts, I love these days of Yom Kippur and the Feast of Sukkot.  It's a time to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one, a time to appreciate the blessings the year has brought, and a season of plentiful harvests.   

I feel a little guilty for saying that I'm counting my blessings, knowing how many are living without things we consider to be basics just now, in light of the storm last week and the threat of more weather ahead.  But so many have shared not just pictures of destruction but blessings as neighbor reaches out to neighbor and family and friends and strangers find ways to get things to those in need.