What's For Dinner ... From the Pantry... Quite Tasty

Tonight was a quick dinner from the pantry and really was tasty. We had 1/2 pound of hamburger that hubby browned up. We prepared a package of Velvetta Macaroni and Cheese and added the hamburger. Pour one can of Rotel Tomatoes and easy quicky spicy macaroni and cheese.





Slowly eating some of our food from the pantry. Feels good to rearrange as we pull out food. Lets me see what I am low on and what I have more than enough of for now.







We have spent very little money this week on groceries. Had 2 quick trips to Walmart, and one trip to Randall's for bread ( not pictured ). Total spent this week was $20.06. I had coupons for the coke, Starkist Tuna and Daisy sour cream.

If you are participating in the pantry challenge are are you and your family doing.

I love looking for ways to saving money on my groceries and eating out. Hope that I can be helping you as I help my household

Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together... Grace ..

Thrifty Cheapskate's Financial Challenges for 2010

Well it is just about two weeks into 2010. What will be the challenges and goals for this household.
Number 1 challenge is to make enough money for all the outgo in the budget. With our retirement income the basics are pretty much covered. By basics I mean
Rent
Utilities which also includes phone and cable
Life Insurance for both of us
Health Insurance for both of us
Car Insurance
and there is $35.00 left over for every thing else food included.

We have part time work with my nephew and goal is to add another $1200 a month there but that is not guaranteed. Assuming we make that we are still short $1300. Now this covers items like food, gasoline, clothing budget , saving for gifts for birthdays, Christmas, the giving jar ( feeding the hungry) , travel home to Minnesota, additional travel fund , plus $150 a month into our emergency fund , misc doctor bills etc..

Of these amounts emergency fund is number one. We still do not have our $1,000 in place.

Right now it is tax season and we are working with H&R Block part time for the 3rd year. If you are in Texas in the Rosenberg area call the local office 281 342 3344 and ask for either Grace or Lowell. We would love to meet you and help you with your taxes. Please let us know you are one of my readers.

So number 2 challenge is to get our $1,000 emergency fund in place after fulfilling the basics like eating and gas allotment

Number 3 is paying a small loan to family to move to Texas to be near family. Our financial life had gone into the toilet and the answer was to move to Texas, be near family and work part time for my nephew in his business.

Number 4 challenge is to attempt to pay off our car earlier.

What are your goals and challenges this year. I hope that by sharing my financial situation not only am I helping myself by facing my problems, but maybe helping you.

So for now I am working at making enough extra money to balance my budget this month. Every item is listed and prioritized to importance as we make money.

The important thing to remember how fortunate I am and hopefully you are. At least I have some money coming in, I have the opportunity to make extra money, I have a bed to sleep in, a full pantry and family.

We need to think of those who do not have these basic items and pray for them and help as we can by sharing with the food shelves, giving to our church or homeless shelter to feed the hungry and needy.

I was saddened to read in the Houston paper today that " Texas ranks last in feeding the poor the Fed says " Why is that? I have to admit I am ashamed to say I live in Texas today. I hope that that changes and next year the state I am calling home for now is not on the bottom of the list of helping the needy.

But for the Grace of God there go I.

Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together ... Grace

Menu Plan Monday during Pantry Challenge

Well with the start of the 2nd week of the Pantry Challenge I still have a full pantry. Freezer is just about empty but we did not have much there to start with.

This is our Menu plan for this week

Monday Left over Chicken Pasta Vegetable Soup with Pillsbury Biscuits

Tuesday Hamburger Patties with Baked Potatoes and Vegetables

Wednesday Left overs

Thursday Chili with crackers

Friday Hot Dogs with Chili and Chips and dip

Saturday Cheesburger Macaroni , vegetable and left over biscuits

Sunday Dinner out with Family

Breakfasts

Cereal

Eggs and Toast

Yogurt

For this menu plan I only need

eggs

2 pounds of hamburger

potatoe chips

sour cream

add some fruit

and I should be fine unless I find some great deals.

I love looking for ways to saving money on my groceries and eating out. Hope that I can be helping you as I help my household

Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together ... Grace