Monthly Archives: January 2021

Monday Menu Plan on Tuesday

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It has been over a month since I last posted a menu plan and many of the meal that occurred in the mean time have been take out.  I am not even going to pretend that we did not enjoy each and every one!   But we are back on track with a goal of saving up all of our money to eat on at Disney in April.  I am working really really hard this week to use up most of the left-overs in the fridge. It is already crazy full! The one game changer may be if we get predicted snow on Friday.  This will mean hot soup is a must!

Breakfast– Saturday-pancakes and sausage links. Sunday- I made egg cups and everyone else found left-overs or bagels.   Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday-choice of breakfast muffins, eggs, sausage, oatmeal, cereal or grits, breakfast burritos, bagels or omelets.

Lunch-  Saturday–Matt and I ate out for our “date” to Costco, left-overs at home.  Sunday- Cagney’s (local restaurant)   I am taking left-overs every day this week. Matt is doing the same.

Dinner-  Saturday-  Nachos (frugal win as we used half a bag of meat and the rest will be used on Tuesday.)   Sunday-Crack Chicken Noodle Soup (definitely a repeat as of today none is left!) Monday-Pork Fried Rice (left-over pork from Christmas Eve. I also placed 2 additional meals in the freezer for future use.)  Tuesday-Soft taco and more left-overs  . Wednesday- Left-overs  Thursday-  Corn Dogs or another frozen sandwich from the freezer .   Friday- Chicken and Dumplings in the Crock pot. (I need to use the chicken breast I unthawed last week).

New Recipe

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I did not chose to establish a goal this year for recipes as I am finding between working and trying to reduce and control the food budget it is some times difficult to fit things in. But after seeing this recipe on Facebook, I definitely wanted to try it. Crack Chicken Noodle Soup. 

I did not have the bacon bits that are called for but I had several pieces of bacon fat that I had saved so I tossed that in the pot.   The carrots I used were just past peak and needed to be used as well.

But  EVERYONE loved this soup.  Lily did not try as she is attempting to go dairy free to help her Eczema.  But even Matt said that we should repeat it!   A HUGE win. This recipe did take about an hour for me to assemble and cook but overall a huge win!

Recap of 2020/ Goals for 2021

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I usually get this post completed in December and I usually look forward to reviewing and writing it.  Well like everything else in 2020, that did not happen. But I am going to take the time to recap the year and my goals and also include what we will be working toward for the next year.

Groceries– 2020 goal was $550 a month. I was able to achieve this goal four times this year, January, August, September and October. We have spent a total of $7578.12 on groceries or an average of $631.51 a month. After review and consideration I am going to increase the budget amount to $650. I will review that all household cleaning products and paper products are included in this amount. For January to kick start the year, I am going to complete a pantry challenge and plan to spend $100 or less for the month.

Auto/ Gas / Insurance: We did separate out our insurance and AAA membership from this budget. I transfer $99 a month to cover our car insurance and AAA membership. AAA is paid on a yearly basis and car insurance is every 6 months.  I am proud of myself for being more careful with keeping up with car expenses 2020.  We have had several unexpected expenses such as 2 replacement windshields in addition to a $500 deductible for repair of the passenger side of the van.  We are using our part of our stimulus money to cover the van deductible but both windshield replacements were included my records.  For 2020 we spent an average of $318 a month in auto expenses. My goal for 2021 will be $400 a month with any excess to be applied to debit.

Cash Envelope system- GOAL Met!   I do plan to keep using this system as I can see the benefit of it.  For the months of January-March an “extra” money will go toward our Disney trip in April to cover the food expenses.

Goal #4- Blogging- 15 post per month. This is more of an accountability goal for me. I met it this year 5 of 12 months. I am not going to change this goal as I can do it when I have time and focus.

Goal # 5- Fitness– Goal is to walk 3 times a week.  I struggle with this goal. But I know the accountability is important so  I am going to change the goal to Exercise of some type at least 10 days a month.  This should allow some flexibility and also encourage me just to move.

Goal #6 – Bible study- Goal- 3x a week –Again this is truly an area that I struggle with.  I am going to try and listen to a podcast on my way to work each day. So I am going to change this goal to Read or Listen to the entire Bible in a year. 

Goal #7-Attempt at least 52 new recipes this year.-  Currently on #59 GOAL MET!

Earnings- This has decreased significantly over the past several years. In 2014 I could earn $200 a month on a regular basis. In 2020 we struggled to earn $50 a month. I leave this at the bottom just to help me remember every bit helps.

No Spend Days- I am going to add this section each month in order to see if I can get a good rhythm going to saving money by not entering the store!