We have a potential move looming and my pantry as well as my deep freeze are overstocked. I just threw out a ton of veggies due to poor planning prior to spring break in addition to a family emergency. All this to say, I’m tired of spending money that I don’t need to. We have plenty of food to eat and I’m ready to put my energy toward healthy creative meals.
Heather
I’m jumping in again this year. However, I can’t say that I’ve been really big into stocking up on groceries since last years challenge. But I’m going to try and cut our grocery bill in half for the month. Its a good thing I hit up the bulk food store today (OK I only needed brown sugar, cream of tarter and taco seasoning).
Susan
I’m in!! I was planning to clean out the pantry this week – pull everything out, wipe down the shelves, etc… – my post holiday clean up. So, while I’m doing that, I’ll take inventory of the stuff I have and then look for recipes to use up the stuff I already have on hand. When I did this for my freezer in the fall, I created an inventory list in Excel (I’m nerdy like that), and it’s really helped me from buying foods that I already have in the freezer.
Jessica Fisher
This is last year’s post. Watch for PC updates tomorrow.
Traci
I’m in, let’s do this!
Elizabeth
No pantry challenge for 2014?
Jessica Fisher
I took the week off. I’ll be sharing about pantry challenge 2014 next week. 🙂
Anna
Over the years, I’ve been on the involuntary pantry eat-down plan a few times a year, having about $25 a week to feed 5 people and 2 dogs. Creativity is key! Unfortunately, I’m in one of those times now and have reached the “stuff no one wants to eat” level. So, I’ll check out your recipes and read up for moral support.
Are you doing this in Jan 2014 too? I’ll probably be able to restock before then.
Oh, and do you have a list of “scratch cooking” essentials? I have the stuff to make breads, pizza crusts, etc. Just curious to see if I’m leaving any basics out.
Thanks!
Jessica Fisher
Hi Anna, bless your heart for making it work during really tough times. Yes, I plan to do some modification of this in January. And then we do it again in July.
You might want to check this series: http://goodcheapeats.com/2010/02/build-frugal-pantry/ I wrote that after a pantry challenge, realizing what I really needed to have on hand. I haven’t made a checklist per se, but I should do that soon.
Anna
Thanks, Jessica. I will read that post too. Everything helps. Have a great night!
Stephanie
I would love to do this…my freezer is busting at the seams. I might have to wait until March though as I have already bought a lot. We shall see…and I would love to cut down on my grocery bill…we are spending $800 a month for just 4 people and it is really frustrating me. My daughter was just diagnosed with acid reflux so this is making it a bit challenging for me and my son does not eat meat and is picky in several other ways. I a, going to try it though and see where it goes. Thanks for the great ideas.
Jessica
I’m confused as to why you have to start in March. Just focus on what you have this month and only buy the essentials. It’s okay if you “spent money” this month. The basic point is not to buy more.
Natalie Muoio
I would’ve so loved to try this out with all of you but I just today found your pantry challenge. 🙁 One big question I do have got you though how do you create your grocery budget? How do you establish a budget do you have a certain formula for this? I am eager too know, hope im not getting to personal..
Jessica
The bottom line formula is what you can afford without acquiring debt. But this chart gives you a good baseline: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodcost-home.htm The numbers are national averages based on food costs nationwide when all food is eaten at home.
RMFrancis
Im inn! My freezers are to full and so is my pantry. I cant wait to see how much money I can save. Also want to get rid of all the processed food in the pantry and eat more from scratch in the future. Thanks For the challenge
Kassy
We have a potential move looming and my pantry as well as my deep freeze are overstocked. I just threw out a ton of veggies due to poor planning prior to spring break in addition to a family emergency. All this to say, I’m tired of spending money that I don’t need to. We have plenty of food to eat and I’m ready to put my energy toward healthy creative meals.
Heather
I’m jumping in again this year. However, I can’t say that I’ve been really big into stocking up on groceries since last years challenge. But I’m going to try and cut our grocery bill in half for the month. Its a good thing I hit up the bulk food store today (OK I only needed brown sugar, cream of tarter and taco seasoning).
Susan
I’m in!! I was planning to clean out the pantry this week – pull everything out, wipe down the shelves, etc… – my post holiday clean up. So, while I’m doing that, I’ll take inventory of the stuff I have and then look for recipes to use up the stuff I already have on hand. When I did this for my freezer in the fall, I created an inventory list in Excel (I’m nerdy like that), and it’s really helped me from buying foods that I already have in the freezer.
Jessica Fisher
This is last year’s post. Watch for PC updates tomorrow.
Traci
I’m in, let’s do this!
Elizabeth
No pantry challenge for 2014?
Jessica Fisher
I took the week off. I’ll be sharing about pantry challenge 2014 next week. 🙂
Anna
Over the years, I’ve been on the involuntary pantry eat-down plan a few times a year, having about $25 a week to feed 5 people and 2 dogs. Creativity is key! Unfortunately, I’m in one of those times now and have reached the “stuff no one wants to eat” level. So, I’ll check out your recipes and read up for moral support.
Are you doing this in Jan 2014 too? I’ll probably be able to restock before then.
Oh, and do you have a list of “scratch cooking” essentials? I have the stuff to make breads, pizza crusts, etc. Just curious to see if I’m leaving any basics out.
Thanks!
Jessica Fisher
Hi Anna, bless your heart for making it work during really tough times. Yes, I plan to do some modification of this in January. And then we do it again in July.
You might want to check this series: http://goodcheapeats.com/2010/02/build-frugal-pantry/ I wrote that after a pantry challenge, realizing what I really needed to have on hand. I haven’t made a checklist per se, but I should do that soon.
Anna
Thanks, Jessica. I will read that post too. Everything helps. Have a great night!
Stephanie
I would love to do this…my freezer is busting at the seams. I might have to wait until March though as I have already bought a lot. We shall see…and I would love to cut down on my grocery bill…we are spending $800 a month for just 4 people and it is really frustrating me. My daughter was just diagnosed with acid reflux so this is making it a bit challenging for me and my son does not eat meat and is picky in several other ways. I a, going to try it though and see where it goes. Thanks for the great ideas.
Jessica
I’m confused as to why you have to start in March. Just focus on what you have this month and only buy the essentials. It’s okay if you “spent money” this month. The basic point is not to buy more.
Natalie Muoio
I would’ve so loved to try this out with all of you but I just today found your pantry challenge. 🙁 One big question I do have got you though how do you create your grocery budget? How do you establish a budget do you have a certain formula for this? I am eager too know, hope im not getting to personal..
Jessica
The bottom line formula is what you can afford without acquiring debt. But this chart gives you a good baseline: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodcost-home.htm The numbers are national averages based on food costs nationwide when all food is eaten at home.
RMFrancis
Im inn! My freezers are to full and so is my pantry. I cant wait to see how much money I can save. Also want to get rid of all the processed food in the pantry and eat more from scratch in the future. Thanks For the challenge