Okay, so seriously. I don’t know how normal people do this. I can’t imagine working full time and having 2 kids in school, plus {multiple} sports practice, school activities, birthday parties, family functions and still have my wits about me to put a healthy meal on the table at the end of the day without having a mini meltdown. I thought working from home was challenging. HOLY CRACK.
You should give yourself a high five if you are a working parent!!! I have learned so much these past few weeks with my little side gig… it’s like I knew people struggled with trying to juggle everything, but seeing/doing it is WAY different. It’s fascinating. Okay, so that’s probably not the word you would use… but I’m kind of weird and totally enjoying this process. I am turning into such a micro time manager and I’m loving it.
yada yada yada…
I didn’t do a lot of meal prep this week because I already have a bunch of freezer meals in the freezer. Next week though, I except to fill the freezer up again though. Here’s what I bought/made this past week:
Fred Meyer $6.11 after iBotta rebates and Fred Meyer freebies, and ecoupons.
Fred Meyer $11.01 after a peelie and iBotta – I guess they didn’t sell as many vegetables at Thanksgiving as they had planned for because everything was on clearance. Yee haw!
Target $2.58 – Who knew Target had good prices on produce?
Albertsons $7.48
Seriously. I have been trying to buy oranges for the past 2 months now but every single time a store had them on sale the oranges were yellow/semi orange. FINALLY …. a good batch of oranges! Yay for little victories.
I Also made 5 mini cheesecakes and a batch of brownies. Cinnamon rolls rule. And yes, I did ice them.
Salmon salad.
Pasta salad with salmon. My lunch for this week.
Last weeks lunches pretty much looked like this.
Lentils and rice. I could pretty much live off if them.
Grilled cheese and a baby cheesecake. Plus, we ate a few freezer meals.
How about YOU? Did you buy anything exciting last week? And all you working women out there…. HOW DO YOU DO IT? How do you get everything done? Do tell!
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $27.18
Total Spent Year to Date $1831.93
- Total Spent in December so $27.18
- Total Spent in November $118.42
- Total Spent in October $382.79
- Total Spent in September $195.98
- Total Spent in August $111.42
- Total Spent in July $121.97
- Total Spent in June $167.81
- Total Spent in May $299.74
- Total Spent in April $0
- Total Spent in March $136.58
- Total Spent in February $106.85
- Total Spent in Janaury $105.36
Freebies we’ve been gifted or were earned in 2016: $200+
- $100 gift card to Whole Foods {Christmas gift from my parents}
- $100 gift card to Trader Joe’s {Christmas gift from my parents}
- 22 packets of vegetable seeds, meat from Zaycon
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories
Katelyn says
Here’s a fun fact for you: most navel oranges (that are “conventional” vs organic) have colored fruit wax applied to them to make them orange-r. Oranges that grow on orange trees are NOT that bright orange. Go into the store and compare a conventional orange vs an organic one – you’ll see the difference. So don’t worry too much if your oranges aren’t super orange – that isn’t reflective of their interior quality.
And, as a FT working mom, I am loving your epiphany about how hard it is! I can’t imagine how hard it is to stay home with kids but it’s definitely a different kind of hard than working FT. Isn’t it fun to walk a little ways in someone else’s shoes?!
Marcia says
I was thinking the same thing about the epiphany. I’ve got a FT job, two boys (10 and 4) who are in activities (fall and spring baseball for #1 and year-round swim for #2). I love to see how Mavis keeps her grocery costs low, but in my house…it’s just not happening. (I do work at it, but it’s hard. And I still spend a lot.)
This week I didn’t find much on sale. Some chicken I guess. I do a lot of prep on the weekend, but man, my kids are growing. Sat night the fridge is full and by Weds night/ Thurs am it’s empty. I feel like I spend all week washing, chopping, peeling, stirring, etc.
Anyway, how else do I do it all?
– I resigned from the PTA board, though I do have a position as head of a committee
– my husband cooks 2 nights a week
– I pay someone to clean my house every 2 weeks
– We are trying to train our kids to do dishes and fold laundry
– Costco frozen pizza
– A CSA produce box that is delivered. This makes it quite a bit more expensive than if we went somewhere to pick it up ($10 at least). It’s hard, ‘cuz I still have to wash all the stuff and figure out how to use it.
– Repetition. I eat salad for lunch every single day.
– The calendar on my phone. Meetings, swim lessons, parties, etc.
And still, I forgot my husband’s lunch today (we work near each other, and on Mondays, he bikes to work and I bike home. On Weds, we switch – we leave our bikes at the office in between). Anyway, since we are both taking spare clothing and laptops, there is no room for lunch on our bikes. So our deal is, Monday I bring his lunch to work with me. Weds he brings my lunch with him. Except I forgot his lunch today. In my defense, I remembered: my lunch, the 4-year old’s lunch, the 4-year old’s nap stuff for preschool, my laptop, my biking clothes.
Plus: low standards. I have low standards for cleanliness. Not gonna lie!
Brenda says
Ha!! Low standards are the bomb!!! They are a huge time & life saver.
Hawaii Planner says
I work full time, and have two elementary age kids with lots of sports & activities. The way I manage is to do all of the meal prep on the weekends. I’ll make bigger dinners on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, and we eat the leftovers during the week, with other frozen meals (prepped in big batches) added in if we run out. We try to limit mid week eating out to once a month. If we are out of town over the weekend, or busy with sports, it gets super tricky & I rely more on the frozen meals.
Lauren says
As a native central Floridian, I’ve around orange/citrus groves my entire life. While some places may use a colored wax, most of the co-ops around here use ethylene gas to cause the orange to become more orange in color. The fruit that’s destined for gift baskets and the like might be coated with wax, but it’s not colored. The fruits that have some green on them are fine to eat and the taste isn’t altered at all by exposing them to the gas so, feel free to buy those that have some green on them!
Jennifer says
where can I fond your pasta salad with salmon recipe?
Mavis Butterfield says
Here you go. http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/salmon-spinach-and-orzo-salad-with-lemon-dill-vinaigrette/
Vanessa says
How do you like your floors? I am deciding what to do in my house and I noticed yours are similar to what I am looking at.
Mavis Butterfield says
I wish I would have gone a little lighter. They show EVERYTHING.
Helen in Meridian says
Late yesterday I ran into Costco. They have large sized Meyer Lemons in a 4# sack for $4.20 or something close to that. Bought one, and know you like Meyer Lemons.
MEM says
I’ve worked outside the home for my entire 23 years of marriage, through two pregnancies and the loss of my home to a fire. The thing is, don’t try to do everything! Our new home has 16 rooms and I clean a little every day. My daughter is in college but commutes from home and my son is disabled and lives at home. He will help with the housework but has to be reminded every time what to do and how to do it. My husband is now retired but his cooking is limited to pasta and sauce. I use my crockpot a lot and sometimes we just have sandwiches for dinner. Where is the rule that you must have a 3 course hot meal on the table every night at 6:00? I take 3 minutes in the morning to make a smoothie to take to work for my breakfast and also pack a simple lunch, usually cheese, crackers and fruit. I did have to cut way back on gardening but that was mostly because my back cannot take it anymore. My husband also does all the food shopping and banking and walking the dog so that is a huge help. We each do our own laundry. Finding time for exercise is the most difficult as I am just too tired when I get home after a long day.
Brenda says
The trick to working FT and parenting FT is that you can’t do everything. Either you need help (spouse, family) or you cut out something. Maybe you don’t do as much homemade stuff, you volunteer less, only allow the kids to do 1 after school activity.It’s all about balance!
Personally, my husband helps a lot with the outdoor chores and hauling to kids to sports practices. I do more of the indoor activities (& stay up after the kids go to be for my tv/me time.)
Jfred says
Oranges are not super-orange naturally. They are closer to a yellow/light orange. The producers/stores add orange coloring. I actually find the ones we get that are pale in color, taste better. Mmmmm. We live 40 miles from florida, and some of the local grocery stores carry delicious and fresh oranges! Drool! Walmart….they truck those oranges in from california. FORTY MILES to Florida, and they sell CA oranges?! I cannot grasp this.
Jen@FrugalSteppingSTones says
I’ve done the SAHM, working FT mom, and now PT working mom,and I have to say what I am doing now if my favorite. The FT thing was awful, even though I like my work as a nurse. We honestly hired a maid service to come every two weeks and we ate out way too much, even when I meal-planned. That was even before our kids were school-aged and in scouts.
Carrie says
I work FT, have no children but do take care of my highly energetic, intelligent furbaby. She is an Australian Cattle Dog who needs hours of stimulation (exercise, play, training) a day. Having this breed is like having a child; a very smart child! On a working day she goes on 2 30 minute walks (morning and night), dad visits her during lunch, we play for 30-60 minutes and do some training or run through tricks for 10 minutes. On weekends we go hiking and have doggie play dates at Nana’s house or with neighbors. Winter is extremely difficult since I don’t want to be outside in the dark playing fetch or walking. I am thinking about putting her in a doggy day care once a week to help with boredom.
I use to cook homemade meals every night. I will now pick up a rotisserie chicken from Whole Foods and serve that with some frozen green beans or other veggie, and some quick rice. I also have a few “quick meals” that take minimal effort. Husband loves macaroni and tomato juice – no lie! I serve it with steamed broccoli and a grilled cheese. Quesadillas are also a quick meal and will vary depending on what leftover meat I have. White Chicken Chili is a staple in my house. I also use the crockpot at least once a week. There are many brands and flavors or already cooked chicken sausages that are easy to grill or pan-fry. I like Aldi’s brand spinach and feta but Sam’s Choice has a good chicken and apple one. I will slice a tomato and basil chicken sausage, add to tomato sauce and serve over pasta for a quick meal. And don’t forget about spaghetti! I make a big batch or sauce to eat for lunch or freeze. We do eat out once a week. Some nights when I’m really tired I will pick up Chickfila (the only fast food we will eat).
Martha says
Most produce managers will cut you an orange so you can taste it if you plan to buy a bunch. It never hurts to ask.
Lea says
The crockpot is my best friend working full time! We do at least 2-3 crockpot meals a week plus some really easy ones (a quick stir fry, breakfast for dinner, etc). Lots of things get set by the wayside when you work outside the home and help is necessary. Glad you’re fascinated by the whole process! Many are just completely turned off. 🙂
Lea
Stephanie says
I have worked full time for as long as I can remember and through 2 pregnancies (daughters are now 3.5 and 7yo).
I am still trying to find my balance. My husband stays home, but I still do 80% of the cooking for dinner as he is too picky of an eater, pack lunches, grocery shop, banking, etc, etc. A lot of it is a control thing for me.
When it comes to house work, he does the basics, vacuuming, laundry, trash, dishes, etc. And he does 100% of the outside work. But he is also raising our kids!! This is something I think most people forget when they hear “stay at home parent”. Kids aren’t just being plopped in front of a TV all day (lets hope anyway…lol).
Glad to hear you are getting a chance to see both sides of the spectrum Mavis.
I think I would love to do a part time home/part time work gig but my industry is marine technology and part time isn’t really an option.
Kari says
You suckered me into ibotta! Not sure why I have been afraid to try it. It is super easy!! Thanks for the nudge!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hey, it took me this long…. 🙂 It is totally easy though. I wish I had downloaded it sooner.
Jen says
I just got an instant pot, and its freaking amazing. I’m a SAHM, but I frequently find that its 4:30 pm and I haven’t even thought about dinner. Now I can have it on the table by the time my husband gets home at 5:30 no problem! AND I have time to do whatever else while it cooks.
Jennifer says
I so get where you are coming from. Just went back to full time work after being at home 15 years and WOW such an eye opener! I agree with the above comment you cannot be super mom and employee…my helpful ideas
* one load of laundry a night… That way the weekend isn’t so full
* when I buy a pork roast or make spaghetti sauce ( larger meals) I make double for leftovers ( pork for Mexican, fast reheat, sauce for pizza)
* my kiddos 14,12 & 10 cook one meal a month to help out during the week and hubby grills every Sunday night
Finally’ I have had to just learn to relax. The kids will survive in a slightly messy home with take for supper every once in a while…this has been the hardest for me to accept, but so worth it!
Mel says
We don’t have kids, but we do both work full time, and we often work opposite schedules. I still cook about 95% of what we eat from scratch, and I do all housework as well. My basic trick is just using any possible down time (daily or seasonally) to prepare for busier times. I don’t work in June and July, so I spend that time working on ways to streamline the following:
1. Housework
For example, it was too hard to wash all our sheets each week, so this summer I got extra sets to rotate and reorganized our linen closet to make them easier to put away or take out. I also do all the chores that take more time and attention (baseboards, vents, grout sealing, etc.).
2. Seasonal Changes/Holidays
This includes washing all winter clothes and gear so they are ready to go. I then carefully inventory and repack all holiday decor so it’s easy to find. I also start making as many holiday gifts as I can (ornaments, herb salts, candles, vanilla sugar, etc.). For gifts I can’t make that far ahead, I draft a more manageable schedule (e.g., one batch of 5-minute fudge goes into the freezer each week, starting in October) and begin stockpiling dry ingredients. I also use a Christmas shopping app on my phone so I can easily record gift ideas and progress throughout the year.
3. Meal Prep
This year, I made 150 freezer meals for the fall. I also made other meal shortcuts (homemade hamburger helper or other meal kits, frozen sauces, etc.) to save more time and homemade frozen appetizers (dips, meatballs, pastries, etc.) for easy last minute entertaining. All of this means I really only have to make bread and side dishes throughout the month, so it simplifies meal planning, and I spend far less time on grocery shopping and dishes each week.
We’re still extremely busy, but this all makes it far less chaotic.
Tracy says
I’ve always thought being a stay at home mother would be far harder than a working outside the home mother, but I suppose both just have different challenges. What I cannot even begin to fathom is being a single working mother. How on earth do these miracle workers do it? What happens when your car needs to go into the shop…when you get the flu…you have to work late…good grief. Now THAT’s a tough job!
As far as lemons, limes and oranges— I pay zero attention to color and always buy the fruit that feels heaviest in my hand. Citrus “bulks up” with water/juice only when it’s fully ripe, so the heaviest (which are the juiciest fruit) are the best. Learned this in a Master Gardener class!