happy at home

SADNESS...AND A NEW CHALLENGE

Unbelievably, the Discount Food Store is closing next week. I can't believe it. This store has been a lifesaver for my grocery budget over the last year and I am really disappointed that it is closing.

But, the closing of the store is a great impetus for a new challenge. Mary at Owlhaven is doing another 30 Days of Nothing for the month of September. She is starting with a stocked pantry, and a large garden, and hopes to spend no more than $200 on groceries in September...for her family of 12. Wow.

Since my Shop Local Challenge a year ago, I have routinely spent about $200 a month on groceries for our famly of 5, relying heavily on the discount food store.

With the Discount Food Store closing, and food costs reaching unprecedented heights, it is going to be quite the challenge to keep my grocery costs within the $200 a month range. But, you know I am a sucker for a challenge!

So, for the next 30 days, I will be challenging myself to feed my family of five for around $200 a month, or $50 a week. The main objective is to supply my family with nutritious and fresh food on a budget. I will be documenting what I purchase each week, and how much I spend. Additionally, I will documenting our weekly menus, including snacks.

What falls into the grocery category? Well, obviously, all food items. Additionally, all paper goods, home goods (light bulbs, trash bags, cleaning supplies, etc), and body care items (shampoo, conditioner, razors).

Now, I do have one caveat: items that my husband buys without my sanction do not count toward my grocery budget. So, if I ask him to run by the store for me, then those items will count toward my grocery budget. However, if he decides to stop and pick up ten boxes of Sour Patch Kids on the way home from work, then I am not counting that in my total for the month.

Additionally, I did not decide to do this until today. My pantry is not well stocked. I have not been stockpiling groceries to see me through September. What I spend in September is an accurate, feasible budget for our family. I have no idea whether I will be able to cook well for our family and friends on this budget. I may go way over. I may not. That is what makes this interesting. Plus, it is a great way to be reminded of the abundance that we enjoy every day. Even with cutting way back, and being more frugal with our grocery spending this month, we still have much, much more than we need. It is good to be reminded of this.

So, what about you? Want to join me? Set your own budget, your own guidelines. Choose another area of spending entirely. It could be eye-opening. Check it out...30 days of nothing.