The "Well This Christmas was Different!" Edition--
Sorry to be MIA the last few days. It's been stressful around here what with nothing going as planned.
I haven't had time to do much online nor any inclination to.
I am just so tired. Gee, like I haven't said that before? lolz
I haven't even tallied my grocery receipts for this past week until now.....throwing them in my receipt book is all I could manage.
Let's just say that I thought my December Grocery Challenge was bust due to not being able to cook like I usually do because of demands on me and Hubs accident causing me to buy stuff I usually don't just to get through the day. I had no clue what I had spent especially this last week.
Wednesday evening I had a mini meltdown here. The kids kept coming downstairs asking about when dinner was going to be served while I was trying to deal with doing things for Hubs(who's been a bit demanding)and trying to prepare a home cooked meal that was a bit complicated.(Not a good combination for future reference.)
Not once did they offer to help me make dinner or help out in some other way and I just went off on them.
Right now I am taking everything one day at a time. If we can get through the day with everyone being warm, fed and clothed, I call it a win. The budget is just an afterthought for me at the moment. This is why I have been avoiding sitting down and calculating receipts.
Sorry to be MIA the last few days. It's been stressful around here what with nothing going as planned.
I haven't had time to do much online nor any inclination to.
I am just so tired. Gee, like I haven't said that before? lolz
I haven't even tallied my grocery receipts for this past week until now.....throwing them in my receipt book is all I could manage.
Let's just say that I thought my December Grocery Challenge was bust due to not being able to cook like I usually do because of demands on me and Hubs accident causing me to buy stuff I usually don't just to get through the day. I had no clue what I had spent especially this last week.
Wednesday evening I had a mini meltdown here. The kids kept coming downstairs asking about when dinner was going to be served while I was trying to deal with doing things for Hubs(who's been a bit demanding)and trying to prepare a home cooked meal that was a bit complicated.(Not a good combination for future reference.)
Not once did they offer to help me make dinner or help out in some other way and I just went off on them.
Right now I am taking everything one day at a time. If we can get through the day with everyone being warm, fed and clothed, I call it a win. The budget is just an afterthought for me at the moment. This is why I have been avoiding sitting down and calculating receipts.
Moving on......
Onward to the meal planning!
Here's what was planned last week--
1. Sunday--Flounder, Cauliflower, au gratin Taters
2. Monday--Soup Night or Fend for Yourself
3. Tuesday--Hot Dogs or Kielbasa, Potato Salad, Beans
4. Wednesday--Chicken Marsala, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli
5. Thursday--Tacos
6. Friday--Leftovers or ?
7. Saturday--Xmas Eve Chinese Meal Out(Take-Out this year as Hubs can't go)
And this is what actually happened--
1. Sunday--Flounder, Cauliflower, au gratin Taters
2. Monday--Soup Night or Fend for Yourself
3. Tuesday--Homemade Pizza
4. Wednesday--Chicken Marsala, Mixed Veggie, Alfredo Noodles
5. Thursday--Hot Dogs, Beans, Potato Salad
6. Friday--Fend for Yourself(I had a salad, Hubs had soup)
7. Saturday--Xmas Eve Chinese Meal(Take-out)
6 meals cooked at home, 2 of them nights of leftovers, and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
The Dec. Buddget update--
The Dec. Buddget update--
$10 more in rolled coins, $10.75 in Ibotta and $6 in SavingStar, making my totals as follows--
Gift Cards.....$64.36
Gift Cards.....$64.36
Cash Rebates--
Savingstar...$148.03
Checkout51..$42.25
Ibotta..........$44.25
Rolled Coins...$97.50
Other Cash(post coupons)...$42.00
Total.....$435.39
As for the grocery spending.....3 trips to Weis, 1 trip to the Bread Outlet since I was out taking Hubs to a dr. appt., and 1 trip to the Shursave Market for mushrooms only brought the week's spending to $137.89 and brings my December food spending Total to $404.69 so far this month. 4 Days left to spend in December and $30.70 left in my December budget.
I am amazingly still under budget(I am shocked really!)and I may squeak by on this food challenge. 8-)
My savings percentages this week was 55.04%.
Leftovers going into this week.......potato salad, ravioli in sauce, some Chinese take-out.
I am amazingly still under budget(I am shocked really!)and I may squeak by on this food challenge. 8-)
My savings percentages this week was 55.04%.
Leftovers going into this week.......potato salad, ravioli in sauce, some Chinese take-out.
Here is this week's "food plan".
Due to circumstances out of my control(no oven-details coming later), meals will be a bit different if not easier and quicker.
1. Sunday--Beef Eye Round Roast, Yeast Rolls, Green Bean Casserole, Mac & Cheese
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Chicken Enchiladas(premade Stouffer's)
4. Wednesday--Tacos
5. Thursday--Xmas Dinner 2.0
6. Friday--Clam Chowder and Biscuits
7. Saturday--NYE tapas(aka appetizers)
This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 2 night of Leftovers.
What I need to buy for this menu? Lettuce, milk.
And for the record I'll NOT have to buy anything dessert related or needed to make dessert type foods for at least 3 weeks.(6 pies, 7 types of cookies plus candy and cookies gifted to us & nephew made whipped cream on Sunday here. It's a sugar wonderland!)
Due to circumstances out of my control(no oven-details coming later), meals will be a bit different if not easier and quicker.
1. Sunday--Beef Eye Round Roast, Yeast Rolls, Green Bean Casserole, Mac & Cheese
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Chicken Enchiladas(premade Stouffer's)
4. Wednesday--Tacos
5. Thursday--Xmas Dinner 2.0
6. Friday--Clam Chowder and Biscuits
7. Saturday--NYE tapas(aka appetizers)
This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 2 night of Leftovers.
What I need to buy for this menu? Lettuce, milk.
And for the record I'll NOT have to buy anything dessert related or needed to make dessert type foods for at least 3 weeks.(6 pies, 7 types of cookies plus candy and cookies gifted to us & nephew made whipped cream on Sunday here. It's a sugar wonderland!)
What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?
Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?
Any great deals on food at your stores this week?
Sluggy
Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?
Any great deals on food at your stores this week?
Sluggy
Do you make all these items from scratch, like potatoe salad and clam chowder?
ReplyDeleteYes as much as possible I do make from scratch including P Salad and Chowder.
DeleteI fully support and endorse giving into a meltdown when due! So far, so good on our end other than stomach bug. I blew my budget plus we have meals out planned but in the grand scheme I'm just going to be Ok. We'll have steak and salmon a couple nuvhts, chicken parm, potatoes and salads. I've plans for soup. Two were eating canned chicken noodle.Did the help improve after you have the kids the what for?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say except "Oh My"
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an eventful week, not necessarily the events you wanted but eventful nonetheless. I am sorry, but glad you survived. Sometimes situations just call for a budgets be damned attitude. That you actually stayed within you might be a Christmas miracle. Hope things get substantially better and the demanding one quits demanding!
Wow! You have been so busy. I am so sorry that no one helped you with dinner on Wednesday night. I don't blame you for melting down about it. I would have too!
ReplyDeleteYou have done great with your grocery bills this month. Even if you have to order out more than you want, it's okay. Give yourself a break. You need some rest or you are going to get sick. I worry about you. I'd be opening bags and boxes from the freezer if it were me. Especially if no one is giving you help.
Hi Denise. I told you about the kids. They don't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we just have to let things go and not be so perfect.
Anyway, hang in there.
Can we run away together? Do we still have those matching bathing suits? Actually your post made me feel better. I am NOT ALONE! Smiling, always smiling.
ReplyDeleteI'm there with ya Kim! My invalid duty is short term though....I don't know how you cope with this long term. Geez!
DeleteOh, sweetie! I feel for you. It is impossible to think about a food budget when you are waiting on a patient hand and foot. As for grown ass kids coming and asking what time dinner is served! My response would have been, "when you get your ass down here and fix it". Okay....I never said ass to my kids, but I probably would now that they are adults. You are way nicer than me to put a meal on the table after that.
ReplyDeleteHope things get better. A piece of advice from one who has been there a lot...just worry about what has to be done and don't worry about the budget right now. Plenty of time to worry about that when hubby is back on his feet.
And I bet you are going to make your savings goal for the year too. Goodness! You are wonder woman Sluggy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rivulet. You ARE a wonder woman!
ReplyDeleteLoved your Christmas card btw... :) thx!
I have laid into it with my kids this week on occasion too about housework. The girls expect me to lounge with them when I'm on my lunch break... really??? How about you let me do some housework because you guys are kind of slobs!!! And why does the couch have to be facing the computer all the dang time. Go binge watch somewhere else!!!!
Well, that's my rant for the day. Oh and PICK UP THOSE CUPS FULL OF LIQUID ALL OVER THE DANG LIVINGROOM!!! As Leon knocks one over with his lightsaber...
I totally get the line of that song now. "and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again. NA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ha ha ha HA!"
I think it's fantastic how much you are still providing home-cooked meals on most nights! I wouldn't blame you for ordering in more often. We're still doing pretty good with leftovers, but then I have a smaller family.
ReplyDeletewe are either not eating or consuming leftovers - very frugal.
ReplyDeleteYou have been very subtle about your kids but I have been reading between the lines. They need a wake up call.
ReplyDelete