Grocery Budget Challenge- Week #4

While my intentions are usually very good, sometimes my follow through stinks!  What can I say- I'm a busy Homeschooling work at home Mom and it's been a super busy couple of weeks.  But here it is, we are down to the last week and I finally feel like I'm getting a handle on my budget. But I won't lie- it's been hard.  This week, I spent roughly $143- not too bad!

You may look at my meal plans and think "those are pretty cheap meals, why is she spending SO much?"  Well, the reason is that I like to stock up when items are on sale. I pack my husband a lunch each day for work- so that's where some of the budget is going.  I also include all toiletries and dog food in my budget.  And of course, occasionally I splurge and buy some organic ice cream or a big bottle of whiskey for my husband.

But there's another reason that it's been difficult to keep my budget under $150.  When shopping weekly, I am also adding to my stockpile.  Your what?!?

Ok, so if you read my blog, you know that I like to be prepared.  I keep emergency supplies on hand for my family and I try to buy just a little bit each week.  A couple cases of water, some toilet paper, extra jars of peanut butter- organic of course!  All these things really add up and make it difficult to stay under budget!  Hmm...do I hear another blog post in the future....

But let's get back to the Grocery Budget Challenge shall we....Week #4 Meal Plan, here we go!

Week #4

Monday

Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup w/Rolls

Biscuits and Gravy for Breakfast w/Fresh Fruit

Tuesday

Garlic Pasta w/Green Salad

Leftover Biscuits and Gravy w/Fresh Fruit

Wednesday

Taco Salad

Blueberry Muffins & Fresh Fruit for Breakfast

Thursday

Crockpot Cheesy Vegetable Chowder w/Rolls

Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies & Oatmeal for Breakfast

Friday

Leftovers

Saturday

My 10th Wedding Anniversary!!!

Sunday

Freezer Meal- Red Beans & Rice

I've intentionally kept this week's meals fairly simple and cheap to make because my husband has requested pizza for lunch this week.  I buy him the Newman's Own pizza's which are about $5-7 per pizza, yikes!!!!  I usually buy 3 of these and make them last all week but that's about $20 of my grocery budget just on 3 pizzas.  Not good....I have tried making my own pizzas and I just haven't found a crust I like yet- so for now, I will buy the best pizza's I can find and I highly recommend these Newman's Own ones!

I will be baking a Pumpkin Bundt Cake for us to eat this week and also my Mini Pumpkin Pies to put in my freezer for Thanksgiving.  When hosting a large holiday meal- do as much ahead of time as possible!   I have also ordered my $60 organic, humanly raised Turkey for Thanksgiving from a local farm- so there goes $60 of my budget this week.  Oh yeah- did I mention holiday meals are coming out of my weekly budget!!!!!  Want to read more about my tips and tricks for hosting the holidays?  Click here!

Last and most important is my 10th Wedding Anniversary this weekend.  SO excited!  My husband and I will be spending the night in a fancy hotel downtown, eating out, visiting the Chihuly Glass Museum and not caring about our budget at all!  It will be fabulous!  Since we will be home right around dinner time on Sunday, I've planned ahead and simply grabbed one of my many freezer meals from my freezer stockpile.  There's that word again....stockpile.  I highly recommend you do this!  Now I can enjoy a great mini weekend away with my husband and come home to a healthy, organic home cooked meal- now that's awesome!

Curious to see how the previous weeks turned out?

Week #1

Week #2

Week #3

10 Years!

We did it!  We've made it to another milestone in wedded bliss- 10 years!

In some ways it feels like it was truly only yesterday when my husband and I walked down the aisle.  And then in other instances, it feels like a lifetime.  I am by no means an expert on marriage, perhaps in another 50 years I may have it all figured out!  However, there are some things that we've learned along the way and I'm feeling pretty confident with 10 years under our belts, that they just might be useful to you all.

Listen

Love

Forgive

And there you have it.  Those 3 little words that I quietly repeat to myself during hard times.  We all know there will be times of difficulty in every marriage- you wouldn't be normal if there wasn't!  And of course, when things are great, it's easy peasy!  But those 3 simple words can really make a difference when things aren't so great.

Listen to what your spouse is saying.  Really stop and listen.  Hear their heart.  Listen for the words that aren't coming, listen to their hurt and frustration.  Say to them "I hear you".  Let them know you are tuned in and doing your best to hear and understand.

Love your spouse even when you don't really like them.  Love them when they are difficult, when they make you angry, love them through sadness and upset.  That's when we need love the most!  A love so deep that sometimes it hurts- this is what will sustain you.

Forgive all sins.  Forgive them for forgetting an anniversary or for not getting you a Christmas gift.  Forgive them for hurtful words said in anger or for coming home late (again!).  Forgiveness covers a multitude of sins and will heal your marriage and your heart.

If you're married then you know marriage is hard work.  And I'm super proud of my husband and I for reaching this big milestone.  Here's to the next 10 years!