After spending over $90 in the third week in March, the plan for the rest of the month was to spend zero dollars on food and so far, so good. After today though, I’ll be out of milk and have to use powdered milk for my tea until the beginning of April. Which is just sad. But oh well.
Food wise, it was a bit of a boring week. On two occasions, we even ate tater tots for dinner!!! 🙂
Beans and rice.
Rice and beans.
Roast chicken bits with buttered rice and broccoli that I swear was dipped in sand before being put on the store shelf.
Rice, leftover beans from last week with a little leftover chicken on top.
We still had leftover chicken in the fridge and so I whipped up a batch of sheet pan party nachos. Chips, pepper jack and cheddar cheese, a can of Rotel, black beans, chicken bits and jalapenos. The nachos were delicious.
And with the remaining chicken and leftover rice from earlier in the week, the HH made a big batch of his homemade chicken which I served with bacon jalapeno cheddar biscuits I had stashed in the freezer from the last batch I made.
I also made a loaf of Dutch oven cinnamon raisin bread and a plain loaf of Dutch oven crusty bread. I LOVE making these breads! They’re cheap, quick and satisfying. Plus, they toast up beautifully and are lovely with butter and jam in the mornings or even when sliced thick for grilled cheese sandwiches.
It’s funny, I’ve been making this bread for a few years now, but only recently {since the bakery closed back in September} have I been making these loaves on a regular {about every 4 days} basis.
But now that mixing up the dough has become another part of my nightly routine, I’ll probably keep on making them even when the bakery re-opens for the summer.
And last but not least, the third and final pie from Southern Baked Pie Company. For this round Mrs. HB sent me a caramel and pecan pie {which was outstanding!}.
Pie, bread, beans and rice… I could live off those things forever. 🙂
How was YOUR week? Did you make anything exciting, or was it just the same old meals? Curious minds want to know.
Here’s to a happy and productive week,
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $0
- Total Spent in March on Groceries $114.12
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $94.64
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $96.58
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2022 $305.34 {$5.34 over budget for the year so far!!} 🙁
Aunt Diane from Streator says
This $100/month experiment saddens me. I’m not certain as to why…I enjoy learning from you, and appreciate all the effort you put into this blog. I just can’t read these Monday posts anymore…
Lisa says
I love and look forward to the Monday posts every week!
Kris R says
Me too! 🙂
Allison says
I love love love the $100 month challenges!
Stacie says
I think it’s a fun challenge! I love to see all the meals Mavis comes up with. I’d say she eats more vegetables and whole grains than many Americans.
Linda M says
Yes, I think especially in the current economy, it is so encouraging to see what Mavis has accomplished while eating well. I think she is very wise , creative and so fun to read her blog!
Jeanie says
I applaud you because I would never settle for powdered milk. It would take a small simple pleasure and ruin it for me.
We have been in a bit of a rut and I desperately need to break out of it. Always searching for dinner inspiration.
Tammy says
I agree. I have awful memories of my mother mixing powdered milk about 50/50 with regular milk and the vile taste is probably what turned me off drinking milk, ever.
Tanya says
I was raised on straight powdered milk, not mixed with regular milk, just straight watery white powdered milk. I hated it so much I wouldn’t drink milk at all. It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that I could stand whole milk. Just one of those childhood things that sticks with you into adulthood. I have the powdered milk in my hurricane supplies but every time I see that can my stomach turns a little, lol.
Rosemary Calhoun says
I made a box of spaghetti (1 lb), meatballs (1.25 lbs ground beef) and 2 jars of spaghetti sauce and got 7 servings from it. Thursday night – me, hubby and granddaughter, Friday night & Saturday night – granddaughter, Sunday lunch – me and granddaughter (PS: spaghetti & meatballs are my granddaughter’s favorite meal).
Depression Era story: My grandparents (in the 1930’s) were poor, lived in a poor neighborhood with poor neighbors. Even though they didn’t have much, they did have spaghetti! I was told the story of how my grandmother would cook a pot of spaghetti and homemade gravy (aka spaghetti sauce) and use it to help feed the neighbors. (I doubt they had meatballs, but I really don’t remember if they did or not.) They figured out how to take a few food staples and feed a crowd.
We may not need to know how to do that, but in this era with supply shortages, it would be helpful to have a few tricks up our sleeves. Even though a person may not need to know how to live on only $100 a month – it is good to know that it can be done if needed. Your meal ideas will help those who struggle with feeding their family if they have limited income.
One more memory (ha ha). Many years ago, there were stores that were in competition with each other and would offer free coupons for various food items – no purchase necessary to get the free stuff. Of course, their object was to get you in the store and hope you would buy stuff. At that time, I was not able to buy much food and had 3 kids to feed. I would get as many store flyers as possible (to get the free coupons) – the coupons were usually for a can of soup, a box of pasta, etc. And I had to swallow my pride and just get the free item without buying anything. Some days that was all we had to eat but it got us thru the tough times.
Thank you for being transparent and letting us into your lives – and inspiring us to get our own creative juices flowing!
Amanda says
Rosemary,
So interesting and inspiring! Thank you for your comment; so fun to read and learn!
Bonnie Baine says
today we have leftover meatloaf from the weekend so i,am makinf patty melts and i have a pot of slow cooker pinto beans simmering away also, so that will be supper. it is so cold here in southern pa. i’am so ready for spring.
Beth says
We were on vacation on the Oregon coast but we made almost all meals at our beach house. One exception was picking up clam chowder base at Mo’s-the cashier suggested it when he realized we had a place to make it which saved us a bunch of money…yay! We didn’t eat in any restaurants because we took our dog on vacation with us but that was fine with us. Restaurants almost always disappoint us so we bought groceries and cooked. We went to a local fish market and bought crab and chinook salmon and had a second dinner made from the leftovers…turns out my husband can make an amazing salmon patty…who knew?!!
Laura says
I took 10 days of food with us to Hawaii in checked luggage (frozen mostly in Food Saver bags). We carried on eggs (legal!) and some other things with us. It was the only way we could afford the trip. It allowed me to season things at home and do the “prep” there. Then we thawed and cooked at our condo. Did a quick stop at Costco when we landed for fresh fruits, local fish, milk, etc. It was an amazing way to travel and saved us a ton. Saved me time in the kitchen so I could mostly enjoy vacation with the family.
So grateful to have done this trip in Summer 2019. Who knew how much harder trips would become so soon after.
Beth says
Wow- that is inspiring! We shopped at Trader Joe’s for a few things and then went to Safeway in Lincoln City. Normally we make half our meals and go out the other half of the time but I didn’t miss the meals out at all.
Mel says
I’ve been making a bunch of freezer meals to stock my dad’s freezer before he has surgery in April. This weekend I made him personal pan chicken pot pies, Zuppa Toscana, Maryland crab soup, and chicken bacon tomato and spinach soup. I’m going to make a couple more soups this week, and he should be set.
My birthday is coming up, so I also went ahead and made myself a birthday cake since I won’t have time on my actual birthday. It was a lemon sheet cake with lemon cream cheese frosting and lemon curd swirled throughout the frosting, and it was amazing.
Terri Lindeke says
I’m feeling a little something coming on…. do you do deliveries? Everything you mentioned sounds so good!
Debbie says
I enjoy reading your blog but I dont understand having only tater tots for dinner in the name of budgeting.
Nutrition is so important as you get older – I would choose health & nutrition over budget everytime. Just my 2 cents.
Marlene says
I totally agree! Nutrition is of the upmost importance with me for maximum health. The money saved on a grocery budget may end up being multiplied exponentially for health care down the road. Nutritious meals do not need to be expensive, and are often the least expensive in my experience.
Mavis Butterfield says
Having tater tots had nothing to do with budgeting. They just sounded like a good idea {and they hit the spot!}. 🙂
Mel says
They are one of our favorite meals! We usually have them with scrambled eggs and maybe broccoli.
Rosemary Calhoun says
When I was a kid, our family had fish and french fries every Friday night. I hated fish so my mom would let me have plate full of just french fries. It had nothing to do with budgeting either. It was one of my favorite meals! (not every meal has to have 100% nutritional value – sometimes we can just have fun)
Ramona says
I’m 65 and have never bought tater tots at the store. I don’t ever remember my parents buying them when I was a kid either. I eat them if someone else made them with a meal.
I look forward to Mavis every morning, usually the first thing I read when getting online.
Joely says
First thing I read too!
Lindsey says
Really, I don’t think an indulgent meal of tots is going to kill anyone.
Beth says
I had sandy broccoli a few months ago, first time and hopefully the last! I’ve been buying, growing and eating broccoli for 40 years.
Sue says
I love everything about this blog.
I’v tried to do every challenge that I can, reducing waste, get right of plastics. I went for a month without buying anything in plastic.
Wasn’t easy but it worked until teens came for a summer visit.
In they walked with a cup with plastic straws. Guy at the supermarket said it couldn’t be done. I didn’t always buy what I went for but I stayed on task. I told this guy in the butcher shop that I wanted deli meat and wrap it in paper, please.
I rinse my veggies from the garden in salt water to get the grit off.
Maybe three times and no more sandy grit.
I have been following this site for a long time and have learned so much.
Makes me want to move to Maine. But, the Deep South it is.
Kris R says
Our grandkids came to stay with us for spring break so I have been making the same three meals for the past ten days, pizza – tacos -spaghetti! The kids left yesterday and I went on auto pilot and made tacos for lunch. LOL!
Vivian says
Tater tots!!! I have been having a craving for them! Haven’t had them in years. On my way to the store tomorrow!
andrea d says
Yum! We love tater tots- but my go to store, Aldi, has not had them for months. And no cream cheese. And barely any chicken. Fun times. I’m too lazy and cheap to buy these items at any other store so we make do.
I’ve been using the leftovers (yes, we have leftovers) of your cinnamon raisin bread to make french toast- the night before I cube the bread and spread in casserole dish. Mix eggs, milk, vanilla and pour over top. Fridge overnight. In morning pour some syrup over top, dot with butter, and bake until it’s done, maybe 45mins or so. It’s a hit even with my picky son who wouldn’t eat the bread itself.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m going to have to try it as French toast!!!
Sheila Hamblin says
I see the prices rise that my budget of $140(including pet food) doesn’t cover food anymore. To buy the same things it’s $210. Social security won’t stretch much more.
Dee Patterson says
I like your posts, and I think using up food in cupboards is brilliant.
I put food though above all other things in the house.
Not necessarily the most expensive but fruit and vegetables , preferably organic and preferably grown near me, even in the hunger gap is my priority .
I do admire you Mavis, but for goodness sake, I so wish you’d eat more veg and fruit.
I think you’re the bees knees, please take care of yourself.
Lisa says
I think you do a fabulous job eating fruits/veggies!
Jim D. says
When I was young, and things were tight, my mom used to buy us Carnation red-box powdered milk to mix with water (or maybe skim milk) to drink. I hated that stuff. When I started mowing lawns, I would give her some of my $$ to buy me a gallon of whole milk. I would then label it “Jim”, and mark lines on the side as I drank it. I still cringe when I see the red box at Market Basket.
Andrea says
You Rock Mavis! Great job. We were so blessed to go to the Florida Keys for 2 weeks at my sister’s timeshare. Paradise. Did a big shopping at Publix when arrived and also ate out many times. Expensive and I must over season my food because most of the food tasted bland. Now home I have been cooking up a storm. Had frozen my last ham bone and made ham and bean soup. Flounder on sale so made flounder lightly pan fried over greens with lemon caper vinaigrette. Yummm. Bought a big pork loin 1.99 lb and cut it into thirds and froze 2. With the other made a rolled pork loin stuffed with an apple, walnut, dried cranberries stuffing. Yesterday we had Turkey dinner with a Turkey I bought on sale at Aldi’s at Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted parsnips and carrots. I have never been more thankful for my very full freezer than now with such high prices.
Michelle says
It is pretty impressive you are able to get away with $100 for the both of you a month. I am curious what happens when your food reserves are out? Will you modify your budget or add on a pantry stock up option? Did you plan ahead to have your staples last for a year? I find I run out of our pantry foods pretty quick when I have to spend modestly and shop from the freezer and pantry. Granted I have a large family, but understanding these long term goals with food and budgeting is challenging for me. I can’t quite picture what that would look like in my own home. Plus add on picky eaters… I don’t even know how you negotiate it with your spouse. My very easy going spouse gets very panicky when he can’t find easy grab foods too. So many challenges in my home to accommodate. Our biggest budget is def groceries. When I am extra careful we spend about $100 per person a month but often it’s more like $150 per person. I could def utilize tips for spending less. We are a lower middle income family on a single income. I sure which we had some of those awesome inexpensive grocery stores near me. We have a Walmart and Safeway.
Carolin says
Michelle, I can totally relate to that. I also have picky eaters in the family, which adds a lot of challenges, together with the high food prices. I love the idea of simple left over meals like the beans on rice variations, but so often I find myself cooking two meals at the same time, which kinda defeats the purpose 😉
And the big problem for us with the well stocked pantry is space, you just can’t do as much in a small apartement, even though I try to be creative with storage.