Even though I
just started the year with a newly expanded grocery budget I like to do a pantry challenge every now and then
to make sure I’m using my resources wisely and ensure that I’m not wasting
food. I like to choose February to do
this because it happens to be the month when I get the highest heating bill of
the year, January typically being our coldest month. Having a little extra money to put toward
that bill makes me feel better when it comes due and helps to ease any
financial stress.
This time I hope
to use up odds and ends of things in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry, pare
down the extra condiments I’ve collected and eat up any leftovers I’ve
accumulated. A good pantry challenge will
go a long way to help me accomplish this goal.
I may need to get creative and think a bit outside the box in the
process.
With pantry
challenges I will often set some rules to follow and try not to spend anything,
or as little as possible, in the process. This time I’m going to try it without any rules. Just to see what happens. In truth, I don’t expect it to be any
different from any other time really, but I may surprise myself. We shall see.
Stick around and
at the end of the month I’ll let you know how it all went. Anyone else have any pantry challenges
planned? What kind of rules do you
set? What is your favorite “go-to” meal
during a pantry challenge?
I’m sure you’ll do a great job!
ReplyDeleteI organized and wiped down the freezer yesterday, and when I put things back I wrote down which ones I wanted to use up first. That helped me come up with a menu for next week. I don't have any rules with it, but I am looking to spend less at the grocery store, overall, just because I have plenty on hand for one person. My go to meals usually involve pasta because you can make it so many ways and use up up a lot of bits of things you have laying around: the rest of some cheese, a bit of sauce, whatever veggies you want to use up. I'm interested to see what you end up fixing!
ReplyDeleteI found that my Kroger has the best mark downs on Tuesday evening. I've skipped the last 2 Tuesdays because I really want to use up what I have and pare down the pantry some. I also have a lot of dehydrated produce from a couple of years ago I need to use. Most of that will become soup I think.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading how it goes for you.
PS. There's leftover sweets from Christmas in the freezer. I should use those up right?