Monday, December 5, 2011

December Food Spending Week 1, Meal Plan Week 2



Last week's meal plan is in the books.  Here is what actually happened....

SUNDAY--Leftovers(Pot Roast)
MONDAY--Taco Bell
TUESDAY--Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti, Salad
WEDNESDAY--Chicken Casserole, Sugar Snap Peas
THURSDAY-- Leftover Tacos or Taco Salad, Mandarin Oranges
FRIDAY--Chinese Take-Out
SATURDAY--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

As I was knee deep in eBay last week, we had take-out food twice and leftovers thrice.  
We had chicken two days in a row.  My chicken breasts didn't thaw in time so I ran up to the ShurSave market to use my last $10 Reward and bought some breaded cutlets for the Parmesan.  
The following night I used up the leftover Thanksgiving stuffing by pan sauteing the now thawed chicken and concocting a Chicken and Stuffing Casserole.  I use to make this a lot when Hubs and I were newly married....come to think of it, I don't think I've made this since the kids were born.  To make it properly you start with dry stuffing mix, fresh onions/celery/etc.  I just deleted the large amount of chicken stock it calls for(to rehydrate the dry stuffing mix/bread)and heated it up until it was nice and bubbly.

Anyway, I think the only Turkey day leftover we still have are a few rolls and I will polish those off the next few mornings for breakfast unless some one else here gets to them first. ;-)

Total for all the food shopping last week came to $23.22.  Hubs picked up a gallon of milk.  I went to Weis and used a $2 Catalina Q that was expiring and bought burritos, ice cream and corn chips.....just a bunch of garbage I know!  
I had to use the last of my ShurSave Reward money by 11/30 so I spent $1.56 OOP on $14.52 worth of food using that. I'm counting this 11/30 receipt in Dec. bills since I forgot to add it into November's total.

My savings percentage was 54.12% last week, as the reg. retail was $50.61 on the groceries I brought home. 
My running total spent for the month is now at $23.22.


This week's menu.....

SUNDAY--Subway
MONDAY--Chili, Cornbread or Biscuits
TUESDAY--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad
WEDNESDAY--BBQ Chicken Legs, Sweet Potato Fries, Broccoli
THURSDAY--Seafood en Croute, Veggie Melangé
FRIDAY--Kielbasa on rolls, Boston Baked Beans
SATURDAY--Leftovers

Items needed for this menu.....Salad Greens, Puff Pastry Shells and Rolls.
I haven't even looked at the grocery ads for this week yet.  And I have everything I need to make these meals until I get to Thursday's so I have time to get to the store to shop.  I need easy to reheat type stuff the next 3 days as #2 son has pit orchestra rehearsals until 9pm until Wed. (The play is Friday/Saturday so those nights I need quick meals as well.)
The following week is Christmas Band Concert rehearsals and the show so next week we'll be living large on fast food and quick slop too. lol

 I was toying with an idea in regard to my food spending for the year.  I am $227.15 from hitting the $3K mark spent for the year.  That's pretty close to my usual $250 monthly food budget.  Maybe I'll tighten up December's food budget and try to go for staying at or under $3K for the year?
I've already spent $23.22 this month, so that would put me at $203.93 left for December.  With the kids coming home and Christmas?.....I don't know.  I don't want to make Christmas a chore by not fixing some favorite foods for the crew but staying under $3K for the year is sweet, right?

What say you dear readers?
Should I torture my family and only spend $203.93 more this year.....or just spend whatever I want?


Sluggy

10 comments:

  1. Sluggy, I don't care what you spend. I'm just sorry to hear that your breasts didn't thaw out in time. m.

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  2. Damn no fair I was at the dentist with Lauren..I wanted to make that comment.

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  3. Judy--You have to get up pretty early in the am to get a jump on Mark. Oh, did I just say jump on Mark?lol

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  4. I say spend the money and have a lobster. Just kidding white fish is the same thing, isn't it?

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  5. Your numbers looks great, love your savings too! Very impressive.

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  6. I just put a Stouffer Chicken Enchilada "Family Size" pan in the oven tonight. Do I get booed off the stage? I steamed frozen broccoli to go with it. Does that count? (I can't compete with you menu-makers)

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  7. Wait - I was wrong - it was "Party Size." Not much of a party, if you ask me. But whatever.

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  8. SonyaAnn--White fish, lobster...whatever, right?lol

    Sheila--Thanks lady! Now if only I lived in a NBPR state....lol

    444--Well just put those convenience foods on your menu. I am not above using them either. ;-)
    And how come you threw an Enchilada Party and didn't invite me? Aye Carumba!lol

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  9. Make Christmas memorable. I am sure your children away at college have great expectations. Scrimp next January. Make all the special foods now. You have done a great job all year long.

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