I wasn't going to do a Frugal Fodder post this week.
But I changed my mind. :)
my recipe box.
Does anyone do this anymore? I have this box of hand written, copied recipes handed down from my grandmother, my mother, my mother in love...aunt's and sis-in laws. Some of these recipes have been snipped or torn from boxes, magazines, labels,etc.
I am showing the box for a couple of reasons.
- First, I hope to begin cooking some of these recipes in 2013; in hopes to save money from eating out, buying boxed meals, etc.
- Secondly,...to show you how this little box has preserved HALF THE INDEX CARD... that's right. Half an index card.
The half on the left, a recipe from The Tightwad Gazette; I copied this recipe for 'make your own: Baking Powder'
I've never made it.
- It's on my list of things to do for 2013--to help save money. Along with *make my own* other items. I already make laundry soap; I hope to make other household cleaners, hba items, etc.
The other half, quite worn...
Is a list of things to buy with $10...(that's right TEN DOLLARS) when money is tight BUT YOU HAVE TO EAT; also from The Tightwad Gazette. I say 'quite worn' because I carry this in my purse. I've carried it for years. It is just a reference point for me...I can NOT ever remember everything on this list.
AND YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE ALL THESE FOR $10 ANYMORE.
But it is still a good list---my mental list is slightly modified.
For instance--- I don't buy margarine, hamburger,or eggs (at all) and I don't buy salt or baking powder every time funds are low. I've also gone off Tuna-- it's too expensive and over fished.
You may be wondering, "why do you even carry this little card?"...like I said, just a reminder. It reminds me that even when funds are low...you can still eat and still make small meals to get you through the day. Even if it's just one meal.
I think I'll rewrite it and modify it for us NOW, for today's prices, needs, etc.
The other thing I wanted to share with you this week is
I had bought these groceries on Friday, Dec.21--- I had gone to the store with my daughter to make a few purchases of on sale items and to pick up a few things to stock the pantry.
You can tell, just by looking at the photo that I shopped off the list. The 2 wrapped packages of produce-- were *marked down/on sale fruits and veggies. Potatoes, flour, sugar...all marked down or on sale. In fact, everything on the table was either marked down or on sale...except the Velveeta. It was on sale and it had a coupon for $1 off making it $4.49, not great--but was needed for this week.
Even the meats were sale items. The roast (came to $2.88/lb) -- I bought as the *sell by date* was approaching and the store would be closed on Christmas-- they actually had lots of meats marked down for that reason. The roast made in the crockpot -- The Honey and I ate bar-b-que over the weekend, from half the roast; and roast beef sandwiches the rest of the weekend and part of the holiday. I must say-- $2.88/lb is cheaper than any "ground beef" you can buy right now. People have told me "I'm sick of eating hamburger, it's all I can afford." I tell them, "Well, I can't afford hamburger, so you must be eating pretty well." They're generally dumb-struck.
I try to limit the price of meat to $2.00/lb for any red meat that is harder and harder to do; in fact, since we stocked the freezer with chicken and venison we don't eat much red meat, unless it's on sale.
*edited to say the total for everything here was $43.50... not bad since most of this will stretch, when divided, frozen, cooked and stored properly. The left-over roast beef will make tacos one night this week. The roast has fed 2 people for about 5 meals so far!!!
I said all that to say: Precious @ Frugal Makes Cents *edited to say, this link is no longer working. the blog has closed due to unforeseen circumstances. It's sad...because I loved that blog!
has issued a challenge for 2013 to fix a budget for groceries and share our savings and shopping plans with her and with her readers. I'm going to try and do this. I had mentioned to her, in the comments, that it seems like we spend so little right now; but unless you actually track it you have no way of knowing what you spend and what seems like so little, can actually be costing quite a bit.
So-- these are my goals for 2013.
- Tracking our spending for groceries. I'm setting a goal of $200 a month-- to me that sounds HIGH...but this will cover, groceries, cleaners, HBA, and I'm thinking Chicken Feed too.
- *MAKE MY OWN*...fill in the blank
- Cook More Meals at home, trying new/old recipes.
Ok, so now if you're still here...your turn. Are there things that you'll be doing this year to help with your budget? Will you be curbing your eating out? Cutting out some frivolous spending? Finding ways to stretch the household earnings?
Oh, and do you know of any free downloads to use to track this type spending? Do you have a program that you use? Do you just use good ol' pencil and paper?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section! I'd love to hear your input.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways; and kind in all His deeds. ~ Psalm 145:17
Truly, this post was long....thank you for sticking with it
I made stars...but I strung them on a string, and stuffed them down in the bag...you know, for later? 
