Since I have no job (breathe...don't cry...pull yourself together, Lindsay!) I decided that this week, I would do something I haven't done my whole marriage...grocery shop sans the husband. I hear your concerns, "you ALWAYS grocery shop together? Are you scared to go alone? That's slightly co-dependent...."
Since we always worked during the week, we just made a habit of going on Saturday's together. And the fact that we visit three stores on average each week (to try and save money...hello, gas is $4/gallon...do you think that even saves much??) meant that it was almost an all-day adventure. We got the cold items on the latter half of the trip so we could stop for lunch mid-shopping.
I figure that now I can get the shopping done during the week, and our Saturday's can be filled with fun things! (I dreamed of hikes and trips to Monterey, maybe even Half-Moon Bay...matinee movies, and restaurants where server's actually came to your table, not cafeteria-style lines...). Sigh....I told myself I would start next week...but this Saturday, we would still tackle the groceries together.
It's a good thing I challenged myself ahead of time; One phone call from the husbands boss early Saturday morning and my dreams were shot to H-E-double-hockey-sticks. I found myself at Winco, alone...grocery list in-hand...but, I felt oddly empowered. (P.S. download the "Buy Me A Pie" grocery list app...it's a lifesaver). We have an $80/week budget for groceries...which we can push to $100 on large weeks...
I zoomed through Winco, dodging people I knew...then off to Target (helloooooo TWAPP sisters!) and then to Trader Joes. Let's just say I failed. Failed. Failure. I've decided my in-brain calculator is broken. I got in my car, and tallied the receipts...$115 dollars! I didn't even get ONE sweet treat! And you know that hurt this sugar-addict! I passed all extra's...no chips, no crackers...even bought 4 bay leaves in the bulk section to avoid buying a whole bottle...9 cents for the bay leaves and I STILL wen't over budget. I had a weeping moment. The poor man in the blue SUV next to me...he probably thought my dog perished or something. But, that $115 has produced a "fab-o-lus" (in Fronk's voice) menu for this week....feast your eyes...
Diced chicken soft and crunchy tacos. Toppings: olives, shredded extra sharp cheddar, sour cream, dr'd up salsa w/cilantro, shredded lettuce, diced tomato and scallion. Red beans and rice on the side.
Homemade broccoli cheddar soup in homemade sourdough bread bowls. Caesar Salad.
Shepherd's Pie in a pie crust (homemade this time!) w/brown gravy and a green salad.
Teriyaki Crockpot chicken with pineapple over white rice. Carrot Slaw.
Frozen Key lime pie (for dessert one night)
Breakfasts: Blueberry waffles, yogurt parfaits, protein shakes, chocolate pb smoothies
Lunches: Leftovers, Lemony Shrimp salad over couscous
Snacks: Watermelon spears (thank you, Vinny, for letting Annie know these are scrumptious), yogurt cups, jarred peaches
LOL! dog perished... Well, challenge yourself to $75 next week. There is a lady I follow on facebook and she challenged her followers to get through to Friday only spending $20. That's cool in theory, but that would mean that I would have to spend more next week replenishing. Not a big money save there. but I am going to try to trim the budget a bit.
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