A big THANK YOU to everyone who sent in their photos for the $20/$20 Challenge in 2015. I hope by sharing those pantry pictures and organization stories, you were able to gain a little useful information. The challenge might be over, but I’d love to still see those pantries! If you’re willing to share, I’m willing to share, so keep ’em coming. If I end up using your submission, you score a $20 Amazon gift card! See details below.
~Mavis
Our latest submission comes from reader, Barbara, who shows us how she’s downsizing her pantry and shopping habits after the kids have flown the coop!
Hi Mavis,
Your $20/$20 challenge is a terrific idea! We can all learn so much from each other : )
After rearing and launching three kids, my husband and I have moved to a smaller home. The way I grocery shop is similar, but we have made some adjustments. When our children were young, I shopped mostly grocery store sales, stocking up on things that were great deals. I would buy HUGE amounts of say, chicken thighs, separate them into family dinner size packages and freeze. I also had a big garden, and shopped at Costco a few times a year . . . for gigantic jars of pickles, cases of tuna, etc… I would generally purchase a carload of stuff on those trips. Now I do some of my shopping at Aldi and find some great prices without having to buy in large quantities.
Lately I’ve been figuring out how to arrange a ‘pantry’ in a smaller kitchen while continuing to save lots of money, efficiently cook for two, and always be ready to serve a crowd!
Here’s what I’ve done so far . . .
I even place the paper plates atop the regular plates!
So that’s how we’ve continued to save money and stay organized even though daily life has changed a lot around here.
We’ve added a couple of luxuries (as you might notice in the photos) now that our budget isn’t stretched so tight from buying carts and carts full of groceries all the time:
Mom and Dad buy more than one bottle of wine when it is on sale, and we brew single cups of coffee whenever we like!
Thanks much for giving to food pantries . . .
Best regards,
Barbara from Michigan
- Your Garden Pictures and Tips – I’d especially like to see your garden set ups, growing areas, and know if you are starting seeds indoors this year. If so, show me some picture of how you are going about it.
- Your Pantry Pics – Submit at least 5 HIGH QUALITY pictures of your pantry/fridge/cabinets, as well as a short blurb {at the very least} about you and your food habits.
- Your Chicken and Chicken Related Stories – Coops, Chicks, Hen’s, Roosters, Eggs, you name it. If it clucks, send us some pictures to share with the world.
- Cool Arts & Crafts – Made from your very own hands with detailed {and well photographed} pictures and instructions.
- Your pictures and stories about your pets. The more pictures and details the better.
- Garage Sale, Thrift Store and Dumpster Diving pictures and the stories behind the treasures you found including how much you paid for them.
If I feature your pictures and the stories behind them on One Hundred Dollars a Month, I will send you a $20.00 gift card to the greatest store in the world: Amazon.com.
Go HERE for the official rules.
Marilyn says
Love these ideas. We are at the same stage of life. We have raised three kids and am now selling our home to downsize. I will have a smaller kitchen as well. So appreciate your tips.
suzanne says
Beautiful pantry. Clean, simple & homemade.
Sharon@MLT says
I too am trying to downsize my stockpile as my kids are in their 20s and now rarely eat at home. We are empty nesters to be. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Pat says
My 3 kids are grown and on their own, also. I have 8 grand boys from ages 18 to newborn. I find myself in a very unique situation!! I just added onto my kitchen about an year ago!! In it is my first real pantry ever!! I love it. It was always one of my dreams. I am cooking almost every night and always need to be prepared for 4 to 6 at dinner. My kids all live within 20 miles of us and they come over a lot!!! We are a close knit family and tend to do a lot together. I have a sign in my kitchen that reads…”Nana’s and Poppa’s place…. Where the flock gathers.” Indeed we do! I have a nice big eating area with a big table that just about seats us all, unless we have guests. Then our dining table holds the overflow!! I seem to be gearing up in the food area and not down! I am always happy to have my family for dinner when ever they can make it and anyone else for that matter. I don’t have pictures right now of my kitchen and pantry. I promise to send them soon so that you all may join me in my favorite place, the kitchen table!!!