Week 3 of my no spend month has come and gone with no major inconveniences. Week 4 however is going to be a bit more of a challenge.
After I make a batch of chocolate chips cookies today we will be out of eggs for the rest of the week. The only remaining “fresh” produce we have is 1 butternut squash, 2 sweet potatoes, 1 carrot and 2 potatoes. I MISS bananas and cutie oranges! We do have plenty of berries, plus peas and corn in the freezer and enough broccoli for another stir fry dish so there’s that. And I did open our last can of frozen orange juice concentrate on Sunday, so while nobody is going to get scurvy and time soon, I still miss FRESH fruit and veggies.
Oh wait. I just remembered I have radishes to harvest in the garden. {Yes!}
In other news, the HB’s refrigerator was fixed on friday and so that means all their lovely condiments are gone. Luckily though they left me with a few containers of hummus. 🙂
Milk. Ya. We are down to half a gallon. Good times people. Good times.
5 days to go. And in it to win it.
Here are the meals I ate last week {minus the snacks}:
Monday
Breakfast – Steel Cut oats with brown sugar
Lunch – Beans and rice and a smoothie with peaches, strawberries and orange juice
Dinner – Chicken stir fry. {Thanks Hillbillies for the seasoning} 🙂
Tuesday
Breakfast – Homemade no knead bread, toasted with a fried egg
Lunch – Smoothie, No knead bread, toasted with tuna fish
Dinner – Homemade focaccia bread dipped in tomato sauce
Wednesday
Breakfast –Â Homemade no knead bread, toasted with a fried egg
Lunch – peas and carrots, smoothie
Dinner – Crockpot pork ribs, peas and carrots and bread
Thursday
Breakfast –Â Homemade no knead bread, toasted with a fried egg
Lunch – I don’t remember
Dinner – Waffles and homemade applesauce
Friday
Breakfast – Steel cut oats with raisins and brown sugar
Lunch – Tomato soup
Dinner – Old fashioned chicken lasagnaÂ
Saturday
Breakfast – Fruit smoothie
Linner – Soft tacos, beans and rice at the Mexican restraunt
Sunday
Breakfast – Fried potatoes, Â sausage and toast, small smoothie
Linner – Leftover chicken lasagna
How about YOU? How are you doing on your grocery budget this month?
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $0
- 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
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Tracy T says
I have been doing this challenge with you Mavis! I have spent ZERO at the grocery store by eating out of my freezer and pantry. I think I will be able to go most of the month of May too. I have not missed the grocery store at all.
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t really missed the store either. 🙂 Way to go Tracy.
Linda says
It’s going to be interesting to see how much you have to spend in May to stock up again, or if you have to stock up. I’ve never seen anyone with the discipline and determination you have Mavis, you’re so inspiring. You’re in the homestretch, and I know your going to be a winner. Congrats on a job well done.
Pam F. says
I think I can do this for May. I do need to stock up on milk and some fruit because I have daycare kids that need those. But my pantry and freezers are bursting!
Kristina says
Oh man, this has been so much fun to watch! Your dedication has inspired me to do a mini-no spend month, trying to use up the pantry and the freezer as much as possible before fair season, when we’ll probably buy part of a steer or a lamb at auction. I’ve been surprised how much I’ve enjoyed the challenge. I’ve also come to the realization that I have a serious beans and grain addiction — I’m a sucker for a pretty bean or exotic rice. So far, I don’t know if my peeps have noticed how many bean and rice dishes we have been eating….
Martha says
WOULd YOU PLEASE BUY SOME GROCERIES!!!!!!!!
Lauren says
Has anyone noticed? 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
The boys? NOPE.
Lisa Millar says
Nearly there! So impressive!
Imagine doing this challenge when you are getting all the stuff out of the garden? You’ll be able to breeze through it!
sharon says
I would love if you did a no grain or bean month. Off of grains for a bit and I would love to see some tips from Mavis the master! I think it would be fun and with summer coming you have the garden already. Think about it… 🙂
Pam and Paul says
You truly inspire me. I am going to hit some sales in May and fill my freezer and try this again in June. I have had to buy cottage cheese, milk, apples and some fruit. Total $40.00 for the month. So maybe in June I can be stocked up and not send anything. Medical condition requires the milk products. Thanks for all you share. You give me so many ideas. Now to put some more into play. Thanks again.
Julia says
I’ve been playing along, with some modified rules. The boys in my house don’t know I’m shopping at home this month so I have bought OJ and milk and salad. It has been rather fun to come up,with recipes to use up what we have. Today I made olive and caper tapenade and some hummus to take to a girls night tomorrow. I used those crunchy French fried onions on our salads since we are out of croutons.
Mary says
Video of How Different People Spend $100
I just saw this and thought of you immediately. I thought that the visual of the food in the categories with the dollar amounts was amazing!
http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/How-Different-People-Spend-100-Video-40613859?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=d&utm_source=savvysugar
Mavis says
That was so cool. I loved the visual, too. Thanks for sharing!