This Month's 2025 Grocery Spending – December & YE Totals

 

This year my grocery budget was exactly enough to meet my needs as well as the needs of others.  I had made plans to expand my LTFS and I hit that goal without any trouble whatsoever.  Also, throughout the entire year I was able to share and make food donations, which is always something I try to do and will continue doing next year.

 

Within the first half of the year my deep freezer was so full I could barely get the door closed and the freezer on top of my refrigerator was stuffed as well.  By the end of May I was looking to rein things in and by midsummer I was embarking on a pantry challenge in July and August in order to get some things used up.  In September I vowed not to make any meat purchases no matter how good of a deal it was and focused on restocking the deep freezer with frozen produce instead.  In October and November I shopped for the holidays and restocked a handful of pantry items in the LTFS as well as some meat for the freezer.

This month I kept my shopping fairly minimal with some fresh produce, fresh meat and dairy purchases.  I picked up a few pantry items to replace things I had used as well as vinegar, baking cocoa, lard and coconut oil to add to the LTFS.  Also, this month I donated food and non food items to the senior center.

 

Shelf stable milk for the LTFS

I began the month by literally cherry picking the ads to fill in the gaps which included adding two jars of mayonnaise on sale for $2.99 each.  I haven’t seen that price in a while but as I opened my last jar of mayo I was hopeful of a decent sale and was thrilled to see it happen this month.  I also picked up two five pound bags of potatoes on sale for 99¢ each.  A three pound bag of mandarins for $2.99 also made it into my cart.  Another FREE offer on salad dressing allowed me to add that to my donations.

 

Later in the month I was able to pick up some meat at Winco to fill in a few gaps I had made in the deep freezer.  I was running low on chicken and pork chops.  A pork loin at $1.98 a pound was sliced into chops, vacuum sealed and added back into the deep freezer.  I vacuum sealed two of the five chicken breasts for the deep freezer too.

 

I am thrilled to report that I am so very blessed to have a full pantry and full freezers.  As far as nonfood items go I feel really good about that area too.  At the end of summer I did come up with a list of things I wasn’t going to buy anymore this year and I stuck to it.  By doing that I was able to focus my nonfood budget on things like laundry supplies, facial tissues and a couple cans of Comet cleanser and a few other supplies.  It was a short list that restocked the shelf in the linen closet quite nicely.  

I used this coupon

on this package of markdown meat

This month, since I had the extra money in my budget, I restocked the vacuum sealer bags I like to use and added three more boxes of canning lids to replace what I used last month to can several pint jars of meat and some delicious cranberry sauce.

 

No BFF contributions this month

This is how the numbers look for my food and nonfood dollars this year.  I’m really pleased with the totals and with the extra budgeted money I did not spend this year.  I even had some money left over - $52.90.  I’ve decided to add that money to next year’s Fun & Leisure budget to be used for some camping trips I have planned.  It is enough to fund two extra trips if I want.

 

I'm rather pleased with this 😁

After much thought about how I want to improve my grocery and nonfood budget as well as my shopping strategies in the coming year I think I have come up with a solid plan.  Stay tuned for that post coming up in the New Year.  It’s going to be a good one!  You might even be a little surprised.  I’m already getting excited about it!

 

My Tireless Retirement - Week 195

 

The final full week of 2025 came quietly and joyously to a close with Christmas day being the highlight, of course.  I am very much looking forward to bidding the year adieu next week and embracing a new one.  I’m sure a lot of you probably feel the same way as well.  I am hoping and praying for change in the upcoming year.  Good change.

 

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, for those of you who celebrate.  It was a very lovely day for me – quiet, thoughtful and relaxed.  I spent time in the kitchen preparing a wonderful meal and dessert so I was pretty happy about that.  I was surrounded by love and spoiled with a handful of meaningful and useful gifts that I am quite excited about.

 

Discussions this past week revolved around future plans, hopes and dreams and making them into realities.  If this past year has taught us nothing else, it has given us a sense that we need to make the most of what we have and truly improve and enrich our lives in spite of outside influences and all of the ugliness out there in the world.  We need to protect ourselves, each other and do all that we can.  It almost feels like we need to build a special bubble to surround us and keep us safe.  We need to keep the ugly away.  Does that make sense and are any of you feeling the same way?

 

As I have already mentioned, I chose Focus as my word for 2026 and as we were talking they all agreed that it needs to be their word as well so I have comrades in arms, so to speak.  We will all be working hard to make tangible and intangible improvements to our lives in the coming months and supporting each along the way.  For some of us it is to eliminate debt and boost savings, cutting back on expenses, making a job change, making a relationship change, beginning a mental health journey, decluttering and making home improvements, planting a garden and so forth.  It sounds like we have a lot to do.  For me, it will be focusing on maintaining my mental and physical health and growing stronger while improving my quality of life.

 

I want to invite you to join us as well.  You are all welcome to be a part of our community.  After all, that is what this blog is all about.  Building a community.  What are some of the changes you would like to make in 2026?  How do you want to make improvements?  Are you ready for a new year and a brand new slate?  I am!  We can do totally this!  Let’s do it together.

 

 

Thank You 2025!

 

It has been another great year in my tireless retirement life.  I think each year is better than the last.  This past year I feel like I have really settled in and embraced this new phase of my life and truly become my own person.  A person I am very comfortable with.

 

I accomplished a lot in 2025, but not too much.  Taking on projects in small increments and doing them “one bite at a time”, season by season, with no hard deadlines seemed to make a huge difference for me this year.  I went at a much slower pace and when I was tired or hot or it rained or I simply ran out of time I took a break and tackled it later, plugging away at it until it was completed.  In the process I found I enjoyed these tasks so much more and, surprisingly, they seemed to turn out better.

 

For the third time I did another whole house declutter including the garage and the yard.  In the process I took a total of three loads of stuff, one very large load, to thrift stores for donation.  I filled up the trash wheelie bin twice and the recycling wheelie bin four times.  I shared food items with friends and co-workers and took a few loads in to set on the FREE table at work.

 

A huge and very unexpected blessing was the Subaru.  I popped out a couple dents, scrubbed and scrubbed, shampooed and vacuumed to make the car shine after years of neglect by its previous owner and I gave the truck the attention it deserves after twenty eight years of loyal service.  I am hopeful to be able to enjoy these two vehicles for many years to come.

 

I was able to sit down and do some planning for my future and come up with some solid ideas and goals.  I did the hard tasks too like my end of life planning where I updated my will, got it signed, witnessed and notarized and filed away.  I filled out and registered my Advanced Medical Directive in case I’m ever incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions.  I took care of what I needed to as far as what I want done once I am no longer living and how to go about it.  I also had those conversations with the people I am closest too.

 

Even some unplanned projects last month, including a flooded bathroom, didn’t derail me. I took those projects head on and was able to complete them in a one week period of time.  Doing the cleanup and repairs myself saved me a lot of money as I headed into the holiday season and for that I was incredibly grateful.

 

This past year I have been to several live theater productions, I went on a sleigh ride to see an elk herd, whitewater rafting, mini golfing (I got two holes in one!), out to lunch and dinner quite a few times with groups, picked fruit at the orchards, danced, sang, hugged and laughed so hard I cried all thanks to my wonderful job with the city of Boise.  I often find it hard to believe they pay me money to do this!

 

Me on January 1, 2025

I am so happy with how this year went and all that I was able to do and accomplish.  With all of the hard work I put in, my home is in good working order, I am at peace and feeling content and happy.  No BAD days!  My very part time dream job continues to be a dream and I am ever so grateful for that.  I am thankful to have everything I need and most of what I want, which really isn’t all that much.  I am prepared, I am healthy, I am fulfilled, I am happy and I am truly, truly blessed.  Thank you 2025!

 

Merry Christmas

 

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas

Amazing Meals From The Pantry #12

  

After Thanksgiving I was seriously carbed out.  I went strictly keto for a couple of weeks to clean things up and feel better and I did.  So much so, that I decided to just keep on going.  With Christmas and New Years ahead and those indulges I wanted to eat clean and healthy as much as possible.  I was super proud of myself at work because the temptation of sugary goodies is abundant.  But, I’ve been holding true to avoiding sugars.

 

NY Strip w/sauteed green beans & sliced mushrooms

Beef tips & gravy with steamed broccoli & cheddar

Salisbury steak w/onion gravy

Lots of delicious buttered & seasoned vegetables

My plate has been filled with proteins and vegetables with healthy fats.  Those meals are super satisfying, delicious and good for me.  I’ve been quite satisfied and I love how they manage my overactive sweet tooth.

 

Chicken enchiladas w/avocado & sour cream

Chicken breast with bacon & half an avocado

Chicken alfredo w/parmesan

Because it is the holidays the only real indulgence of late is a rum chata coffee every now and then.  Thankfully, that coffee drink doesn’t trigger my sweet tooth and cause me to do a face plant into a plate of Christmas cookies.  My plans to make fudge and cookies has been put on hold for now and I’m rethinking the Christmas Menu a bit with some keto alternatives.

 

I do best with less when it comes to carbohydrates, but I also don’t want to completely go without a few goodies.  Balance and moderation is always key to success.  I’m thinking a delicious keto cheesecake is in my future.  I can hardly wait.

 

 

My Tireless Retirement - Week 194

 

Oh my gosh you guys!  Next week is Christmas!  Did that seem to sneak up on you really fast?  It sure did for me.  Our year is rapidly headed to a close, and to be perfectly honest with you, I’m ready to put this one in the books.  It has been a weird one.  Good, but kind of weird.

 

Fried egg on a beef patty with cheese

I worked a very full and busy Friday at the senior center so Saturday I gifted myself a jammie day with rest and relaxation.  I slept in a bit, did some writing, enjoyed my coffee, watched some TV, drank some wine and ate some delicious, healthy food.  It was exactly what I needed because Sunday I was in Fall leaf and yard clean up mode.  After a good day off I was ready for it too - fresh air, a little sunshine and a lot of activity.

 

The leaves finally fell from the trees (much later than usual) so I got out my Toro blower/mulcher and got busy blowing all of the leaves into piles before I switched to the mulcher and sucked them all up.  It took me over two and a half hours, but once it was all done the results were more than satisfying.  I gave the hens a bag full of mulched leaves which freaked them out initially (first time), but they quickly figured out what to do with them.  I also filled up the thirty two gallon trash can I keep in the backyard so they’ll be getting more of these throughout the year as well as my trash wheelie bin and a paper leaf bag.  It was a lot of leaves.

 

I went through my card making supplies and was able to purge quite a bit of stuff I no longer wish to keep.  By the time I combined some things and reorganized everything I had another empty large container.  Go me!

 

I worked Monday afternoon and on the way home I stopped at Albertson’s for one final Christmas gift (a gift card for someone in need).  While I was at it, I also picked up four packages of cream cheese (loss leader) and two cans of whipped cream on sale for 99¢ each so I’ll be adding that expense to my January grocery tally because I am officially done with all shopping for December and the entire year for that matter.

 

With Tuesday and Wednesday off I enjoyed two days of paper crafting and sewing which I felt was long overdue.  I have a friend going in for knee replacement surgery and bless her heart she is scared to death so I made a journal for her.  She loves to journal.  I also have plans to make her a couple freezer meals for when she has the actual surgery.

 

Moving into the new year ahead I will be devoting more time to crafting, sewing and creative endeavors because I realize how important it is for me and my quality of life to do these things.  I always said that once I retired I’d “have more time” and would spend a lot of my time creating, but as it has turned out, I really haven’t made that a priority the way I thought I would have.  Time for me to change that, don’t you think?  Less work; more joy!

 

I worked all day Thursday covering for a co worker that smashed her hand in a door.  Ouch!  It pains me to even think about it.  This weekend will be a three day one for me so I’m going to make it a Christmasey funfest.  I hope all is well in your world.  Take care and enjoy the week ahead!  Ho, ho, ho!

 

Things I've Managed To Use Up This Year

 

Since retiring my goal every year has been to use up what I already have on hand before purchasing anything new.  I had stocked up my home in anticipation of retirement and college kids so I had a lot to work with at the begging.  This year however, I took it a bit further as I have re-evaluated each item I stock prior to repurchasing with a new set of eyes.  I needed to determine whether or not I even need this item and if so, how much I truly need.  It has been both rewarding as well as eye opening.

 

I tried the store brand sponges this year, but I like Scotch Brite better

At the beginning of the year I still had a lot of cleaning and laundry supplies in the linen closet.  I also had a fair bit out in the motor home so I decided to remove everything from there except the toilet paper as it is RV specific TP and added it to my stockpile in the linen closet.  The supplies in the motor home have been out there for a few years exposed to the elements so I decided I should probably use them up before they aren’t usable any longer.  With all that I was able to use up, along with some calculations on actual usage, I now feel like I have a good grasp on what I realistically need to keep on hand moving forward.

 

I haven't needed to open this yet, but soon 😀

I no longer have a plethora of open, partially used cans of Comet in my home.  I got them all used up and now I only keep one can under each bathroom sink plus one backup can in the linen closet.  I used up the last of the dishwasher tabs this year and replaced them with two new containers on sale with a digital coupon.  I finished up a refill bottle of dishwashing liquid along with the bottle from the motor home purchasing one new refill jug on sale at Costco.  I bought three small bottles of Fabuloso at Dollar Tree after using up what I already had on hand.  I used up one and now have one partial bottle that I am currently using under the kitchen sink plus one backup bottle in the linen closet. I also picked up a ten count box of Swiffer duster refills and one container of Lysol wipes both on sale with a digital coupon.  The Swiffer duster and Lysol wipes are not necessities, but it doesn’t hurt to have a little luxury in you cleaning repertoire as long as it is practical and affordable.

 

At the beginning of the year I had used supplies I already had on hand to make and fill a half gallon Mason jar with homemade laundry detergent.  I used that up this year along with a leftover bag of laundry soap pods my daughters did not need while in college as well as a box of dryer sheets.  This year I replaced my homemade laundry detergent with two jugs of liquid detergent I purchased on sale with a digital coupon after determining it would be more than enough to get me through 2026 and was less expensive than buying new supplies to make my own.  I also picked up two boxes of unscented dryer sheets, again on sale with a digital coupon, which will keep me going throughout 2026 as well.

 

I used up the last of the diluted shampoo and conditioner to refill the pump dispensers I keep in my shower and bought a new bottle of shampoo and conditioner to replace them which are still in the linen closet.  I still have a partial tube of toothpaste and some flossers in use and one tube of toothpaste, a package of flossers and four toothbrushes in the linen closet.  I also used up an open box of cotton swabs and I have a large unopened full box of cotton swabs in the linen closet to refill the container I have in the bathroom.  I did use up two bottles of Bath & Body Works lotion, two bottles of shower gel and several small bars of soap from my soap jar under the bathroom sink.  I no longer have the soap jar full of hotel soaps after I decided to let that go.  I still have plenty of lotion, gel and bar soap to work through in the coming year.

 

Behind the paper towels (I only used 1 roll this year) is the
10 pack of Kleenex (unopened) I bought at Costco this summer

My pandemic TP hoard has really been reined in and I am now down to just five packages of twelve jumbo rolls plus a few rolls under each bathroom sink.  Knowing how much TP I actually use each year now that it is just me living here my plan moving forward is to only keep one case that is open and in use and one as a backup.  I only plan to keep a dozen boxes of tissue on hand too as I use about one a month.  I did purchase a replacement package of ten boxes of tissue at Costco this year because it was a super good deal.  I now have enough TP and tissue on hand for 2026 and I’m sure I will not need to purchase anything new until the end of the year, possibly not until the first of 2027.

 

I made a lot of gifts using my craft and sewing supplies this year and I still have a lot more to work with in 2026.  I did not purchase anything new this year.  I also used up quite a lot of my office supplies, used up a stack of colored papers for journaling and making journals and was able to consolidate it all of my office supplies into one drawer.  I made a point to use those post it notes and cute little notepads I’d been hoarding for making my grocery and “to-do” lists as well as for notes.  I only purchased one package of loose leaf notebook paper this year, a bottle of Elmer’s glue and three rolls of tape.  I also made a good dent in my gift wrapping supplies and probably still have plenty left to use in 2026.

Shelf liners

I made myself some gifts as well by first finally making the flannel shelf liners I had long wanted for my shelves in my kitchen cabinets.  Then I made myself a couple of aprons that I use a lot, especially when I am meal prepping.  I love, love, love these aprons and the shelf liners have been absolutely wonderful!

 

This area holds canning supplies, pet food & pet supplies

This area holds everything I need to maintain the
house & vehicles plus the deep freezer

In the garage I used quite a few of my supplies to do maintenance around the house and on my vehicles.  It was really nice not needed to run to the store every time I worked on a project so for that I was really grateful.  I reused containers and lids that I already had on hand after decluttering this year to reorganize areas throughout my home and in the garage.  I have streamlined and consolidated that area of my home a lot this year.  I also got rid of a ton of “just in case” cardboard boxes I had been storage sending them off in my big blue recycle wheelie bin each week until they were gone.  Along with that I gathered up all of the Amazon bubble mailers I had been saving and let those go as well.

 

Kitchen freezer

Garage deep freezer

My long term food storage area

We added this small freezer last month to extend the LTFS
It has been really helpful to keep things better organized too

As far as my food stores I was able to pretty much use up or pass along a lot of things I was overstocked with because I wasn’t consuming as much of those items as I thought I would.  Pasta was a big item I was able to move along as well as some extra canned goods.  I have since modified my pantry list now so I am no longer overstocking on things I don’t eat that much of and increasing the amount of some items I do use more often.  I’m also utilizing the pull and replace method so as I am not running low or out of anything as well as the first in-first out practice so that everything is new and within date.  Nothing languishes and gets too old or freezer burns and ends up going to waste.  Thinning down my open condiments in the refrigerator was also something I focused on this year.  In addition, I did a two month pantry challenge and even put a moratorium on meat purchases the month after just to make sure I used things up and didn’t overstock.

 

Holiday decor, BBQ supplies & camping equipment

Canning supplies

This month I restocked the vacuum sealer bags & replaced
the canning lids I had used on my latest projects - pull & replace 😉

This year I really simplified and streamlined what I use to clean and maintain my vehicles, my home, do my laundry and even what I use each day to keep myself clean and well maintained (looking good!).  I let go of a lot of items that have just been weighing me down rather than being all that useful or enjoyable.  I have come to realize that I just don’t need that much stuff anymore to get the job done.  I have also saved quite a bit of money this year by not needing to purchase a bunch of stuff which has really gone a long way to help me stay on budget.  Bonus!  I also really enjoy the extra space I have in my closets, cabinets and drawers.  It feels surprisingly serene.  What did you manage to use up this year?