Eating From The Pantry Challenge

Back in February I did a challenge along with others to eat from my pantry and not buy what I did not need that month unless it was a special deal and FREE or almost FREE.

I have decided it needs to be done again. We have chosen to move back to Minnesota near the shores of Lake Superior. Big difference from Texas. Instead of the horrible heat we will have the horrible winters.

With planning and saving we would like to leave Minnesota for about 3 months during the winters. Chances are slim the first winter but we have hopes and will plan and save towards that goal following years.

Most of our family is in Minnesota and I want to spend time reconnecting with my sons and 10 out of 13 grandchildren as I am a senior citizen even though I do not feel or act it. The other 3 grandchildren are on the east coast.

Our move will take place end of July. My pantry is full and I want to see it almost empty. Would be good to just buy as needed the last weeks before we move.

I do love a full pantry, almost an addiction with me.

Tonight I am making home made spaghetti and pulled out a box of spaghetti noodles, notice it was almost empty and panicked for a moment. Sure enough I had 2 more boxes. If you click on this link you will get my recipe. I think it is better than our local Italian recipe http://couponloversunite.blogspot.com/2009/06/as-much-as-i-love-to-go-out-to-eat.html

My challenge is to start with what I do have and buy what need to make a meal.

Did you do the pantry challenge in February, have you thought of giving it a try in the future. Join me if you would like I would love to hear from you. If you have a blog I would enjoy reading how you are doing...

My goals for the rest of the week is to list what is in the pantry and plan some menus around what I have.

I will officially start as tomorrow since my pay and budget week begins on Fridays.

Thanks for stopping by... Will do posts as I eat from my pantry.

David Ramsey and the Legacy Drawer

The following was sent to me through and email from David Ramsey... I enjoy reading his books and listening to him on the radio. You can visit him at http://www.daveramsey.com/
Thought this was worth while sharing with you and printing out to share with my husband. It is now on my to do list in case something happens to either one of us or both of us.

Start A Legacy Drawer Part three in our series of getting your life organized is about the Legacy Drawer. If you've listened to Dave for any amount of time, you've heard him talk about the Legacy Drawer. So what is it?
Basically, it's a drawer that houses all of the important information your family needs in case something happens to you. Preparing for when you are no longer here is not a fun task, but it's crucial to do this for your family. Every household needs a Legacy Drawer. It doesn't matter if you're single with no kids or 76 and have 12 grandkids—you need a Legacy Drawer. It's the last gift you will give your family, so make it a good one. If you truly care about your loved ones, you will take the time to create a Legacy Drawer.
The drawer should be somewhere in your home and contain everything your spouse or family needs to know if you aren't around—anything that has to do with your financial life should be in that drawer. You must organize it in a way that anyone can find a specific document in 30 seconds. All files should be clearly marked, in order, and easy for a grieving family member to find. There's no need to go into extreme detail when creating your Legacy Drawer. Simply include the appropriate documents in an easy-to-understand format, and you're good to go! We recommend that your Legacy Drawer contain 11 things. Although it may seem daunting to gather all of this material together, you will be happy you did once the Legacy Drawer is created.
Cover Letter. This is simply a letter stating the purpose of the Legacy Drawer. Nothing fancy, just a way to introduce your loved ones to the contents of the drawer.

Will & Estate Plans. All information pertaining to your will and estate, including names of the executor and Power of Attorney should be located in one file.

Financial Accounts. Anything that has money in it and your name on it should be listed in the Legacy Drawer. This includes account names, amount and account numbers.

Funeral Instructions. All details and specifications for funeral plans should be listed so the family can fulfill your wishes. If you are married, you need one for you and one for your spouse.

Insurance Policies. All insurance information, including health, car, disability, term life, etc., should be combined into one single document for easy reference. List the type of insurance, who the policy is for, contact information and policy numbers.

Important Documents. Any legal or other important documents you have should be noted in the file. This includes deeds, birth certificates, Social Security cards and titles.

Legacy Letters. Since the intention behind the Legacy Drawer is to keep your legacy going after you've passed away, it's a great idea to include letters to your loved ones.

Monthly Budget. Add a copy of your written budget, so your spouse or loved ones know how to operate your household once you're gone. This will help your family keep track of bills and focus on more important things.

Tax Returns. Keeping tax returns in your Legacy Drawer is like an insurance policy for yourself in the event that you get audited from the IRS. Hopefully you never have to pull them out, but if you do, at least you are prepared.

Safe Deposit Box. Keep copies of all your Legacy Drawer papers in a safe deposit box—you can never be too careful. Include information in your Legacy Drawer on where your safe deposit box is and who has access to it.

Passwords. Write down all passwords, combinations, usernames and PIN numbers. This information allows your loved ones access to any documents, money or information that is left when you are gone.

If you put your mind to it, you can create your Legacy Drawer in 30 days! It's tedious to gather all of the documents and paperwork that goes into the drawer, but it's a necessary task in order to protect you and your family. Interested in learning more great ways to keep you and your family ahead of the game? Check out Financial Peace University, a 13-week course that teaches you about insurance, investments and preparing for the future. During April 5-12, a free FPU lesson will be open to anyone. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! Sign up today!

Hope that you enjoyed reading this and that you will give it some thought. Grace

Decorating The Thrifty Way

I was in need of some new chair cushions, mine were faded and falling apart from being on the deck in California. I had to go to Walmart to pick up medicine and while heading to the cards to pick up a birthday card for granddaughter Dani I spotted these cushions. They have pretty colorful roosters on them and I collect roosters. My love of chickens and roosters started years ago.
My only memory of my patenal grandfather Perry was visiting him in Washington state. I got up early every day and would help him collect eggs. One day about 25 years ago I went to an estate sale and spotted a matching rooster and chicken. I had to buy them, since then I have bought a couple more plus my cookie jar is a rooster and makes a lot of noise when I take off the lid.
Well back to Walmart, they had 4 cushions and a matching table cloth, plus matching place mats. So here is my pretty new table cloth and chair cushions and in the kitchen my small appliances rest on pretty place mats. They were on sale at $9.00 each ,the table cloth was marked down to $5.00 and the placemates were $1.50 each on sale. Total $44.00 plus tax out of pocket.
I need to move a few things around so there are pretty dishes and my chickens on the book case behind the table. The collection of books will go on another bookcase.
So the old chair cushions are gone, except for the one Spooky the cat lays on.
What are you doing to decorate your home on a budget. Would love to hear your ideas.

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

75 Frugality Blogs

This should make for some great reading . Go to this link and from there you can find 75 blogs that could change your life.

http://www.accountingdegree.com/blog/2010/75-frugality-blogs-that-will-change-your-life/

Thanks $1200 Frugal Challenge 2009 for the heads up on this one..

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

Menu Plan For Week .. What's For Dinner

Menu Plan For Week .. What's For Dinner

Monday Family Style Pizza

Tuesday left overs from last couple nights ( I have to work late at seasonal job)

Wednesday .. dinner out with friend visiting from California

Thursday Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Friday .. dinner out ( going to a book signing )

Saturday ... Our Special home made Chili

Sunday ... Sunday dinner with family after church

We will have a few dinners out this week so I plan to make do with what I have in house with out buying to many groceries.

Menu Plan For Week .. What's For Dinner

Menu plan for the week Wednesday to next Tuesday
Wednesday... Mexican Taco Casserole from new cookbook
Thursday .. Family Style Beef Pizza from new cookbook
Friday ... left over Mexican Taco Casserole ( working this evening will take to warm up at work)
Saturdays... Chicken Enchilda's sister's recipe
Sunday .. dinner out with family ... left overs later in evening if hungry
Monday... String Cheese Spaghetti and Meatballs from new cookbook
Tuesday ... to be decided

What's For Dinner Mexican Layered Casserole Incredibly Easy Weeknight Meals

Dinner from my cookbook ( paid 99 cents for it ) that I bought at the thrift store was fantastic. Probably not real low in calories with the cheese and all but I will make again. Could make a salad to go with it but I did not do that tonight.

Cook book is Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Weeknight Meals.

Tonight we made our first recipe.. Layered Mexican Casserole.

8 ounces of ground beef

1 (12 oz) can of whole kernal corn drained

1 (12 oz ) jar of chunky salsa

1 (2 1/4 oz) can sliced pitted ripe olives drained

1 cup cream style cottage cheese

1 ( 8 oz) carton of dairy sour cream

5 cups of Tortilla chips ( 7 to 8 ounces)

2 cups ( 8 ozs ) shredded Wisconsin Chedder Cheese divided

1/2 cup of chopped Tomato

Brown ground beef in large skillet ; drain.

Add corn and salsa; cook until thoroughly heated. Reserve 2 tablespoons of olives; stir remaining olives into beef mixture.

Combine cottage cheese and sour cream in bowl.

In 2 quart casserole, layer 2 cups chips, half of meat mixture, 3/4 cup of chedder cheese and half of cottage cheese mixture.

Repeat the layers

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.

Line edge of casserole with remaining 1 cup of chips; top with tomato, reserved 2 tablespoons of olives and remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.

Bake for 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and chips are hot.

makes 4 to 6 servings.

Serve with more chips if desired.

I loved the taste and the texture. Next time will had add a salad. We have enough left over for another meal this week.

Favorite recipe from Wisconsin Milk Marketing Brand.