April showers bring May flowers. I think I'm actually looking forward to a few April showers this year. I'm excited for Rebecca to try her new rain boots :) A new month. And it's going to be busy. We have something pretty much every weekend from now until the middle of May. And we'll be seeing both families multiple times. Plus we are celebrating Justin's birthday and Rebecca's birthday. So I have lots of cakes and menus to work on. But in addition to that I have my usual goals. Here's the rundown for this month.
I'm continuing with my cost savings plan. I got a good start last month. Here are the steps for this month.
1. Continue recording spending and sales.
2. Figure out homemade costs. I've been making so much food from scratch lately. I love it! But now I need to actually figure out how much I'm spending/saving by doing so. I'll probably start with the list of homemade items I made last month. I'll post the outcomes later.
3. Plan meals based on sales/what we have on hand. Up until now my weekly meal plans have been based only on what works with our schedule for that day/what sounds good/how I'm feeling and what my tummy needs. But then I end up having to buy a fair amount of items that aren't on sale for various recipes. So I want to start planning based on what we have in the house and what's on sale. That will be tough since I have my meals set by Sunday...and sale fliers come out Sunday. But I'll do my best. And know that I may have to make adjustments Sunday morning.
**Just wanted to clarify this one. This is not a totally new thing for me. I have always shopped based on sales. I look at the sale fliers every Sunday to make my grocery list. And stock up on items that I use regularly when they are on sale. Sometimes I'll have an item on my grocery list for 2 months or more, waiting until it's on sale! But I also don't usually not make a meal just because I have to buy an item or two that's full price. If it sounds good and works for our menu that week I go with it. So I'm just trying to cut out the few extras here and there. Every little bit counts.**
4. Continue to make as much food as possible from scratch.
5. 2nd hand shopping. I've never been big into garage sales and 2nd hand shops. But I'm realizing they can be a great resource. I went to two 2nd hand sales last weekend and got some birthday presnts for Rebecca and a fair amount of summer clothes. And I didn't spend much at all. So we'll give this a try.
For food goals this month I don't have a specific category. I will be making a lot of cake...5 different kinds! And a few new frostings as well. So that will take up some time. I would also like to try grinding my own flour. I bought some last month, so it's time to break in the new grain mill. I also want to research soaking grains. I've been reading a little more already. And it sounds like it can really help aid in digestion. Something I could definitely use! And Rebecca too it seems. From what I can tell all it takes is a little extra planning...and I've got that down :) I just need to read up on the science behind it and learn the process. Finally I want to use up some of my freezer and pantry storage. As it's getting warmer I'm anxious for fresh produce and food preservation. And we've still got a lot from last year. So I'll be planning my meals around some of that. Clean out the old to make room for the new.
Finally I also want to get going on my spring cleaning. I haven't really thought about where to start or how much I want to accomplish. But I know there is so much to be done. Maybe I'll start with the kitchen...where I spend half of my time :) And go from there. Plus bedrooms and swapping winter/spring clothes. See what we have and what we need. I know I'll need a few things. Since I gained weight last fall none of my newer shorts, etc. from last year fit. Hopefully I've got something for the warm weather!!
There are plenty more odds and ends but I'll leave it at that. This list is enough to try to wrap my mind around for now :) Here's the recap:
Cost savings:
~record spending and sales
~calculate homemade costs
~plan meals based on sales and what's in our pantry/freezer
~make food from scratch
~2nd hand shopping
Cakes
Grind flour
Soak grains
Use up freezer/pantry storage
Spring cleaning
Using REAL food to heal the mind and body. Trust in God and eat the food. Eet Smakelijk!
I always do my shopping a week or more in advance. I just buy things when they're on sale - often stocking up. I don't normally have a meal that requires me buying something for it that week... it happens every so often... maybe like once a month. I can't believe you have been paying full price for most things all along!! I didn't realize you weren't planning from things you already have or weekly sales. Wow, that will be a HUGE way to see some major cost savings!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how our views on things change so much in such a (relatively) short amount of time? I remember I had asked you if you'd ever consider soaking your grains a while back - after I'd been reading about all the digestive benefits of it - and you didn't have a very favorable view of it. :) I'm glad you are branching out even more and looking into it! :)
Good luck with all the cleaning and cakes!! Sounds like its going to be a great month!!
I do stock up on plenty and don't buy a lot that's not on sale (most weeks I save $20+ on sale items and they make up the bulk of my list). But it does happen. Maybe 1 item a week or something. Just a can of beans or roasted peppers or a specific cheese or something like that. And I want to cut most of those out. Not a major thing, but every little bit helps.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember talking about soaking grains. I did actually try it once a while back with pancakes...and the recipe turned out odd. I think I was looking at it from a standpoint of taking up time and not really understanding it. That's why I want to research more. I'll gladly do anything that will help with my digestion!!!