$50 For A Month of Groceries

I feel like I always see these posts on Pinterest where people are feeding their family's of four for $200/month or something.  Every time I see them, I immediately feel inspired. I know that this is a huge pit in my budget. The grocery store for me is like a carnival for children. I love everything about grocery shopping. Especially the expensive parts- bread from the bakery, bulk bins (heart eyes!), and a million types of coffee (duh).

But, I also love money.

And I love challenges.

Those Pinterest people, I think, always write the post after the mission is complete. I want to write posts AS I GO. That way, if I fail people can laugh at (and with) me. Plus, I imagine it helps with accountability.

First off, the guidelines: 

1. I only have to count food, not the other stuff I buy at the grocery store (paper towels, cleaning stuff, etc.)
2. I have to count sales tax.
3. Things I buy for other people/groups don't count (champagne for my bffs birthday, for example)
4. No meals out besides pre-planned events (bff birthday, boyfriend's birthday) or if someone else pays
5.  I can use anything in my fridge or pantry.
6. I can take advantage of gifts/free stuff

I think an important place to start is to say what was in my fridge/pantry when I started. It was mostly the basics:

Bread, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, spices/seasonings, oil (olive + canola), 3-4ish cans of veg,  frozen burgers, bacon, frozen corn, frozen broccoli, frozen tater tots, likeeee 2-4 frozen chicken fingers,  coffee, olives, instant mashed potatoes, ramen, mac n cheese, spaghetti noodles, rolled oats,  condiments (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, pb &j).

I also had a frozen container of spaghetti sauce from a month ago. Ha!

Now, confession time. It is only the 8th day of the month and I have already spent $38. BUT...I am not stressed. I still plan to come in on budget.

Let's take a look at the shopping trips so far...

1/31/17: $18.54 - Kroger

Items Purchased: Bacon bits, salad dressing, shredded cheese, cheese sticks, bagged lettuce, four yogurts, bananas

2/1/17: $1.46- Walmart

Items Purchased: Red Wine Vinegar (was already there for something and I was out of RWV)

2/2/17: $2.29- Aldi

Items Purchased: Gatorade and cereal
(This is where I purchased Jimmy's champagne as well as a few things he likes for his bday weekend-- Slim Jims, pork rinds, and cheez-its...boy food. It was a gift so it doesn't count.)

2/7/2017: $7.14 - Dollar Tree

Items Purchased: Onion soup mix, alfredo sauce, picante sauce, individual pizza, bag of rice, corn muffin mix, and blueberry muffin mix

2/7/17: $8.40

Items Purchased: crackers, four colas, beef stock, canned tomatoes, three small lemonades, angel hair pasta, rotini pasta, taco seasoning, two packets of tuna, Popcorners chips.

Total so far: $37.83

My goal is to wait a week or so and spend my remaining $12.17 on fresh fruit and vegetables to get me through the end of the month. I think I am solid on non-perishables and staple items, so it's just a matter of getting some vitamins up in my life. Possibly a little more meat as well. Those chicken fingers will only go so far.

In my next post, I'll give ya'll a peek into the meals I'm making...

We bought a farm!

Does the word "farm" imply a plan to make money? We aren't sure we are going to make any money at this and are more looking forward to a self-sufficient lifestyle. We are fully aware that it may take us several years to be fully self-sufficient, but we are taking the plunge!

I created this blog to celebrate our successes, find solace in our failures, and to just document our progress over time.

The land sits on a creek and according to the flood maps, it has been known to rise quite dramatically. Hence the name---- Rising Creek Farm.

Here are a few pictures of the property:


 


As you can see, we lucked into a few outbuildings and we are super excited for the creek. Also, the yard has 5 blueberry sprays, a small strawberry patch, and a Muscadine vine.


We are so excited to get started and we hope you'll follow along the journey. :)