tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post6767471155220955148..comments2024-03-28T02:25:05.789-07:00Comments on Cooking and All That Jazz: 50 buck Challenge,Week 6Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-27236706993099727832016-10-09T14:07:32.845-07:002016-10-09T14:07:32.845-07:00For the most part it has been ok but I do miss my ...For the most part it has been ok but I do miss my really good coffee!Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-18257585935769522762016-10-09T12:46:44.214-07:002016-10-09T12:46:44.214-07:00It is hard to keep to a low budget if one is used ...It is hard to keep to a low budget if one is used to buying whatever one wanted without worrying too much about the price. I think you have done very well, keeping to your self-imposed budget for so long. Blesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16369267622517848850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-56662072366119881402016-10-07T05:56:14.515-07:002016-10-07T05:56:14.515-07:00It is a very different way of shopping because I a...It is a very different way of shopping because I am always stocking up on things with the money that I have available. There are only a few times that I am getting things that we need immediately. There are only three of us and my guy is little still so I am sure the budget will go up but I have been at $160 for the last 5-7 years so it something that I can maintain. It is something that we did so that I could quit my job and stay home with my son while he was growing up and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am starting to pick up part time jobs so that there is more flexibility but the grocery budget hasn't moved yet :) I make a lot of things from home like bread, rolls, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes and more so that we don't buy any of those things at the store. It helps us but takes up a lot of my time while trying to fit in two jobs!! Sounds like you did a lot with your budget and excited to read the other posts.NOVA Frugal Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10298382094101689880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-31592730487191281052016-10-06T20:53:19.218-07:002016-10-06T20:53:19.218-07:00I am interested how you manage to keep a 160 month...I am interested how you manage to keep a 160 monthly budget. How many do you feed on that amount. I have been doing it just 50 dollars a week which allows little stock up money.Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-41379310020383042932016-10-06T17:41:59.817-07:002016-10-06T17:41:59.817-07:00I just found your blog so I haven't been in on...I just found your blog so I haven't been in on the process leading to your goal and budget. I am not a coffee drinker so I don't feel your pain there but I keep a budget monthly of $160 and there are always choices to make to keep the budget but the great thing when you do it long term is that you get the lowest price on items that your family loves (like coffee) and then you can get more. I stock up and get lots of things when they are super cheap but I often hear sadness from mine when the larger store of those items run out because they are used to having them around :) can't wait to check out the rest of your blog now!NOVA Frugal Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10298382094101689880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-5614795850262785572016-10-05T15:56:04.473-07:002016-10-05T15:56:04.473-07:00I don't know if it will or not. I know I will...I don't know if it will or not. I know I will buy good coffee without blinking, and I know I will buy somethings just because we want them, but I imagine I will be a little more conservative in our "regular" meal planning.Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-17368904976815452592016-10-05T12:52:22.332-07:002016-10-05T12:52:22.332-07:00You are so right about the luxury of impromptu dec...You are so right about the luxury of impromptu decisions. And, like too many other things, it is a luxury we don't label that way until our noses are rubbed in it.<br />I wonder whether this challenge is going to permanently change the way you shop? I don't mean completely, but I am wondering whether its influence will linger.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-681736619410578142016-10-05T11:49:21.003-07:002016-10-05T11:49:21.003-07:00I probably do as long as we eat chicken, followed ...I probably do as long as we eat chicken, followed by chicken and then some more chicken. Right now my shopping is so exact with little margin for error (though I did have enough money in the budget to buy caramel sauce and ice cream on Tuesday) I have gained a tremendous respect for people who do this day in and day out. It is not only challenging but the work never stops. I see a slight mission change now because for someone who works outside the home, maintains kids and a house there needs to be some (a ton of) advance cooking/prep to maintain some semblance of sanity.<br />Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-58162352899472550152016-10-05T11:43:01.391-07:002016-10-05T11:43:01.391-07:00Six minute brownies are the bomb, made in the micr...Six minute brownies are the bomb, made in the microwave. It takes me about a half a minute to whip it together and 5 and a half cooking minutes. They are hot and gooey and perfect for us.<br />The chicken divan was chicken sparse but had a ton of broccoli. I don't put rice in mine, just chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, the sauce (I had to make the cream of chicken soup from scratch though) and a smattering of cheese. We are not picky about the buttered breadcrumbs so I just ignore that step)Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-90456459790657390872016-10-05T11:37:55.039-07:002016-10-05T11:37:55.039-07:00I am pretty good at cooking on the fly, and I do h...I am pretty good at cooking on the fly, and I do have a majorly stocked freezer and pantry, but I am trying to replicate what people who live through very difficult times go through. Trust me when I say it is not fun at all! I want to buy things I wouldn't even buy normally, like Count Chocula cereal. I have never bought nor eaten it in my life, but today while I was shopping I had a serious craving for a bowl of it (and I don't even care for cereal)Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-28809368402523198812016-10-05T11:34:13.357-07:002016-10-05T11:34:13.357-07:00I think we have all been where you were, so there ...I think we have all been where you were, so there is some weird sisterhood of understanding.<br /><br />Next week come hell or high water I am buying good coffee! (To be honest we are headed to the lake tomorrow and I have good coffee there!)Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-15152563974037228862016-10-05T11:31:46.684-07:002016-10-05T11:31:46.684-07:00We are headed for the lake place this weekend so d...We are headed for the lake place this weekend so date night will be on the deck watching the water and the world drift by. (Did I mention there will be a refreshing adult beverage in tow while we watch the drifting?)Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-63925726819795247832016-10-05T11:30:08.353-07:002016-10-05T11:30:08.353-07:00I will have good coffee or an herbal tea if necess...I will have good coffee or an herbal tea if necessary, thought I will stick to the coffee!Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-11009102683635884262016-10-05T11:28:35.190-07:002016-10-05T11:28:35.190-07:00I am entering week 7 of 8, Though I may call it en...I am entering week 7 of 8, Though I may call it enough of a learning curve after this week. I will tell you TheHub thinks this current grocery budget is a gift!Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-45961977108076289812016-10-05T10:59:45.049-07:002016-10-05T10:59:45.049-07:00If I come and visit will you have good coffee? I ...If I come and visit will you have good coffee? I am a morman so it really matters.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-68311194723967185922016-10-05T10:47:51.864-07:002016-10-05T10:47:51.864-07:00Maybe you're being a little too rigid with you...Maybe you're being a little too rigid with your goals so the challenge starts to feel like punishment. I congratulate you on what you've accomplished, but I urge you to take a break at least once a week.<br /><br />Love,<br />JanieJanie Junebughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10573607241326291404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-61416301347895594712016-10-05T09:05:37.070-07:002016-10-05T09:05:37.070-07:00I bet you end up with a surplus and will be able t...I bet you end up with a surplus and will be able to work things like COFFEE back in. I have read about people that cut back and were eventually able to buy a few luxuries again. I still feel bad for you about the coffee situation. Yes, let's refer to it as a situation. <br />And you have no idea how much your kind words/pep talk help me. I did cry again but over the kindness that everyone showed me. I know it is a stupid thing to be upset over but this one got to me. Perhaps it was lugging heavy furniture around over and over that got me. Again thank you, my dear friend.Sonya Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985227040902078422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-42926673950353339022016-10-05T08:28:08.108-07:002016-10-05T08:28:08.108-07:00I can't imagine. I do my best at planning, but...I can't imagine. I do my best at planning, but also have a freezer & pantry stocked for those nights where I just can't cobble together anything else. It would be extremely difficult for us if we only had a week's worth of groceries at any given time.Hawaii Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760426766801381563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-13178504652843319372016-10-05T08:16:28.339-07:002016-10-05T08:16:28.339-07:00It seems like you've been doing this for 2 mon...It seems like you've been doing this for 2 months now....when will the madness end? lolzslugmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728856166374248591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-48768285438518962192016-10-05T07:39:21.059-07:002016-10-05T07:39:21.059-07:00Six-minute brownies? Dense chicken divan? Is it ju...Six-minute brownies? Dense chicken divan? Is it just more dense with meat? Or rice?Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991571309786149363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-79407737011023671172016-10-05T07:09:46.764-07:002016-10-05T07:09:46.764-07:00Looks like you have enough leftover for next week ...Looks like you have enough leftover for next week if you want. Being frugal doesn't always allow for spontaneity. That's one of the hardest parts is always having to plan ahead.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.com