Now here's something to be really happy about!
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article5198537.ece-
My $25 gas fund was getting me only half a tank at during the summer months. We didn't go out too often. Now that same $25 is getting me just about a full tank! Yippee!
I am now going to try and cut the bill further by using only $15 a week for gas. That should get me about half a tank (what I have been used to for the past several months anyway.). I don't want to think that just because the gas has come down that I should be going out more and ultimately spending more because I am out and about (usually happens that way.
) Does that make any sense?
Hubby is still getting at least 40 hours a week. (Praise God!) They have 2 jobs that should last them until the middle of December. He says that there isn't much on the books after that.
We are used to him getting laid off during the winter months anyway. It is usually for about a month starting in Feb. It may be in January now. So no matter what happens, I don't want to get into the habit of going off the budget "just because."
God is good and in control! Praise His name now and forever! Amen!
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Good Afternoon Family & Friends! It is a COLD day here in NC. We rarely see these kind of temps. this time of year. (did I say that in an ealier post?)
If I did, you can really see that I am amazed to see that we are at 43* at 5 in the afternoon in the middle of November. This is usually Jan. or Feb. weather in our neck of ther woods.
Anyway, the kids and I went on our "yearly" turkey hunt today. We started calling it a hunt when my oldest Dd (18) was in the 5th grade. I am always the one who cooks in the family. So it has been up to me to find the biggest turkey to cook for Thanksgiving day. It was dubbed "the hunt" because it usually takes going to 3-4 different stores to find a 23 lb. turkey.
This year, I found what I was looking for at the first store I went to. That was REALLY nice.
The turkey was priced at .57 a lb. That was a really good deal. I had to buy $35 (minus the turkey) to get it at that price, but I had to purchase other sale items anyway, so it worked out really well. I actually got 2 turkeys and plan on going back next week for 2 more to stock the freezer with. Let's just say that this old homesteader is preparing for the winter.
Wal Mart had some good deals this week. Real Land O Lake Butter for $2 a lb. Green Giant corn, beans and peas for .50 a can. So I ended up with 6 lbs. of butter and 30 cans of veggies. I think the butter should last for the next month and a half. The veggies should also last until March or April, with what I already have stored in the freezer. I would love to be able to get enough veggies (canned) to last until July. That's when (prayerfully) the corn and beans we usually plant would be harvested.
I still need to get a better system in figuring out the exact amount of veggies I would need to last from one harvest to another. That really depends on "how the garden grows" though. With the last two years being in a drought, I never know just what I am going to harvest. (thank The Lord for Wally World and veggies on sale at.50 a can!)
I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. I am baking bread to sale at the local libray. I also need to get to the library and pick up a book. Then there is still school to do and a house that ALWAYS needs cleaning. (Thank you Lord for all that You allow me to do for my family.)
Well, I need to get off here and get ready for church. At least I don't have to cook tonight.
On the way home from "the hunt" we stopped and picked up Chinese to bring home for lunch. They always put way too much in the boxes to eat at one sitting. So hence, it's Chinese for dinner as well!
Have a blessed evening in The Lord!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Good Morning Family & Friends! It is a COLD morning here in NC. I can't remember it being so COLD this early in the season for a long time. I hated having to turn on the heater this past week. I was trying my best to keep the power bill under $100 this month. Not sure if it will be that low though. I just have to be thankful for my heater though. Thankfulness is the key!
I am going out this morning after having the baby for a few hours this morning. I am finally back to watching him full time (4 days a week.) It stopped for about 3 weeks but has resumed and I am ever so thankful that it has.
I will be taking DD to go fishing. Her Daddy left at 4:30 this morning and she was suppose to go then. She didn't go and has since changed her mind. So off to the sea shore we go.
After I drop her off I will head off to Sam's Club. They have a "special" going on right now that you can get 10 weeks of membership privleges for $10. It's a "trial" to see if you like them or not. I thought that it would be a good time to see if I could really save by rejoining for a few weeks. If not, I won't be out too much. We'll see!
After that I will head off to Wal mart to do the usual grocery shopping. Then DD (15) and I will go to Chick filet for lunch. That is something we haven't done in over a year. It will be a good time for some Mother- Daughter time alone.
I pray that you are all doing well and seeking to serve The Lord with all that you do. I try daily even though there have been many trials lately. He is in control though and working things to His glory. That's all that matters!
Have a blessed day in The Lord and remember to keep our country in your prayers!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7>>>>>>>>>>>> AN UPDATE!!!!!- After taking the time to go into town today to Sam's Club, I found out that this past Sunday was the last day of the "special." 
Oh well, I found what I needed anyway!
Family & Friends! It's another beautiful fall morning here in NC. It somewhat overcast and gray, but beautiful nonetheless. I am listening to the mocking bird and the cardinal chirping outside and trust me, they are as thrilled with the day as I am.
How did it get to be Thursday already? Monday really dragged around here (usually does) but the test of the week seems to have flown by. I guess that's just a sigh of getting older. I know, I'm rambling here. I'll move on now.
We will be taking our weekly trip into town today. It has become a weekly thing. I have taken to using one day of the week to do all of our appointments, shopping, etc. It saves on gas and time. Today it will be a trip to the dentist office for DD (18) and then to the grocery store for stock ups. There are some good prices this week on meat. Here's what I will be getting:
Chicken Breasts (boneless) $1.99 @ lb.0 (5 pks.)
Whole Chickens- $.99 @ lb. (3)
Ground Chuck @ $1.89 lb. (15 lbs.)
Sugar $1.79 for 5 lbs. (5 Bags)
As you can tell, I am running very low in the meat department. These will all be stock ups that should last at least a month and a half. I figured up that my family eats an average of 5 lbs. of meat a week. That comes to 20 lbs. a month. Once I get the art of stocking down, I will be better prepared for any emergency. I don't know why this is on my mind so much lately. I just feel the need to stock up while I can. Preparing for a "rainy" day not so far in the future? Just trying to do what I feel The Lord is leading me to do.
Here are some of the things that I have been doing in the area of saving:
No AC for the past 2 weeks now (YIPPEE!)
Half a tank of gas for the car
Going out only One day a week (church is the exception at 3 times a week)
Using less lights in the evening as well as TV (another YIPPEE!)
Going by a budget and keeping track daily of our banking account
Cooking from scratch (BIG saver)
The no AC for the past 2 weeks really helped. I was able to shave $55 off of our power bill this month. (Thank you Lord for the change in seasons. ) Next months power should be lower considering I will try and not use the AC at all this month. (Lord willing!) Every bit counts. It pays to be a good steward of all The Lord has entrusted me with. Always striving for that Proverbs 31 mindset.
I am so blessed! God has given us our land and our home. He has given us our health and each other. He has given us wonderful friends. He has given us our church and church family. He has given us His son to save our soul. What could I complain about? What more could I want? Absolutely NOTHING! To God be the glory now and forever!
Bless all who pass this way!
Here's the challenge:
You have ONLY the following in the pantry and $50.00 cash. What would your meal plan for the week look like? What would you buy with that $50.00 to feed a family of 5 with for one week? Post your meal planner on your blog or this one. Let's get creative and help one another.
1 dz. eggs
1 5lb. bag of self rise flour
1/2 a gallon of milk
1/2 lb butter
2 lbs. sugar
1 loaf of bread
1 jar strawberry jam
1dz. ears of corn
1 lb. of sausage
2 lbs hamburger meat
I'm going to use the following and see what I could come up with. Knowing what I have been spending for the past few weeks has made me get creative. It would be interesting to see what others come up with as well. Who knows, you might even help someone who needs new creative ideas for her household.
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Hubby went with me to the grocery store a few weeks back. He couldn't believe the prices he saw.
Just how does a family of 5 live off of $50.00 a week for groceries? Praying, planning and preparing is the only way I know how to.
The Lord will meet our needs, He always has and I know He always will! To God be the glory! Always!
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/05/05mar14c.cfm- This is a great site to go to to learn about price books and how to make one of your own. There are also ALOT of blogs here on Homesteader that deal with the subject too.
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Here is are great article on how Americans are changing their "spending habits.
" http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D921N71G0&show_article=1-
Here are some of the things that we have started doing around our home:
#1- I am trying to limit my weekly gas budget of $50.00 to $25.00. That would be a half of a tank instead of a full one. It means going out less. (I'm a natural Homebody anyway so it doesn't bother me.) That would save us $100 a month. That's a good thing.
#2- I am working on cutting the grocery bill too. No more colas and pre packaged meals. I make most of our meals from scratch and am working on only stocking up on sale items each week. Stocking up has really helped. I have actually been able to keep my grocery bill at about $35 per week (food only.) for a family of 5 for about a month now.
#3- Lowering the temp.on the air conditioning thermostat. (kids hate this one) I keep the temp. set at 85 degrees during the day using a fan in the living room to keep the air circulating. We don't use the air at night. Only fans.
#4-I am wanting to cut the cable. Hubby and kids are DEAD set against this one. It would save us another $50.00 per month. If hubby's hours go down any more, cable goes down too!
#5- I have changed plans on my cell phone. I was spending $55 a month and am now spending $28 a month.
It doesn't seem like much, but I know that every bit counts. How are you all making changes in your homes to STRETCH your Hubby's hard earned money?
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
This is an interesting article. I can't stand the thought of it actually happening. Although I can see it in the near future. There are just TOO many greedy people in this world!
http://www.nysun.com/news/business/gas-price-may-soon-cost-sawbuck
Have a blessed day and pray for our country!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
I found this site that keeps track of the ever rising wheat prices. It updates ever so often, so it would be a good idea to go back to often. Very informative.
http://www.gmiflour.com/gmflour/markettracker.asp#chart
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Okay, I think that I have finished my menu for the next 2 weeks. I have everything on hand that I will need for dinners that I will prepare (with a few items missing). I am praying that I won't have to spend over $60.00 for the next 2 weeks in groceries. Here goes the menu:
Tuesday- Tater Tot Casserole & Veggie
Wednesday- Bacon, Eggs & Grits
Thursday- Turkey, Pasta & Veggie
Friday- Rerun of Thursday
Saturday- Griled Burgers & Fries
Sunday- Reruns of Sat.
Monday-Turkey, Crock Pot Cheese Taters & Veggie
Tuesday-Spagettie & Salad & Home made Rolls
Wednesday-Rerun of Tuesday
Thursday-Bacon, Eggs & Grits
Friday- BBQ Beef, Fries, Veggie & Rolls
Saturday- Rerun of Friday
Sunday-BBQ Chicken Breasts & Veggie & Tater Tots
Monday- Homemade Pepperoni Pizza & Cheese Sticks
Tuesday- Pot Roast, Rice & Veggie
Wednesday- Rerun of Tuesday
These are the ingredients that I will need for the above menu for the next 2 weeks - Pepperoni, Moz. cheese (8 oz.), lettuce, tomato,mushrooms,tea, sugar,milk, chips, cheese slices, potatoes, cheddar cheese (1 lb.), orange juice, grape juice. I already have all lunches and breakfasts covered as well as desserts and snacks.
Now, once this menu is completed, the pantry will be just about empty. I will have to do my once a month grocery shopping again. I can honestly say that I LOVE doing the once a month grocery shopping. It keeps me from spending extra gas money running to and fro. It has also been nice to have "extras" on hand to help others when needed.
I will have about $150.00 to spend at the first of May. That is what I will use to do my shopping with for a month. I won't spend it all at once. I just make up a list of weekly menus and buy accordingly. I stock up on whatever meat that is on sale for that week.( I'll have about $25.00 put aside for that.)
Thank you Lord for supplying my needs. Thank you Lord for everything! To God be the praise!
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Good afternoon friends! I can't believe that I haven't blogged in almost a week. I have had NO desire to write about anything. We have been dealing with an "uck" bug around here. I am also dealing with spring fever. I just want to be outside in the garden and out of the house. Getting school done around here has also burned me out. I just want this school year to end. I need a LONG break!
Here is this weeks menu:
Monday- Spagetti and rolls
Tuesday- Edie Burgers, Broccoli & Home Made Bread
Wednesday- Rerun of Tuesday
Thursday- BBQ Chicken, Noodles & Veggie with Bread
Friday- Sausage, Crock Pot Mac. & Cheese & a Veggie
Saturday- Reruns of Friday
I did find a really good deal this week on bread flour. I bought (9) 5 lb. bags @ $1.25 per bag. It is usually $2.50-$3.00 for a 5 lb. bag. So I saved a considerable amount and won't need any for at least 4 months. I also stocked up on peanut butter at .99 cents a jar, usually $1.99 a jar. They also had butter on sale at Wal Mart for $1.50 a lb. That was a stock up price for me as well.
Let's just say that I have the basic pantry items on stock and got them at a good price. Now there's something to write about.
Have a blessed afternoon in The Lord!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
This is a great article on keeping the pantry full while reducing your budget using sale items.
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Monday's menu? It's Tuesday right? Every day seems to be running together lately. A sign of maturity or is it stress? I know, I'm rambling here. Anyway, here goes the week's menu. I have only spent $65 for the week. That was $20 in gas (half a tank) and the other $40 on food. I still have enough food to last for another week before I will need to do some major grocery shopping.
Monday- Sausage & Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Tuesday- BBQ Chicken & Mac. & Cheese & Broccoli
Wednesday- Hot Dogs & Chips
Thursday- Edie Burgers & Rice & Veggie & Rolls
Friday-Rerun of Thursday
Saturday-Tater Tot Casserole & Veggie & Rolls
Sunday- Rerun of Saturday
Breakfast will be the French toast that I made this morning. I had almost 4 dozen eggs that needed to be used. So I spent the morning before the kids got up preparing it.
God is ever so faithful to my family. He meets my every need and He is to get all of the glory!
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
I thought that this was an interesting graph on food inflation. The wheat, soybeans,corn and egg prices amaze me. I didn't realize that eggs had gone up so much myself until I had to purchase some earlier in the year when my birds stopped laying.
Eggs $ $1.99 for a dozen nation wide. We are just now starting to get about 7-8 eggs average per day with our birds. So I can say that they are "earning" their keep now.
I personally have been spending about $60.00 per week on just food for a family of 5.. There are no organics in this house. I would only have $40.00 per week to spend if I went that way. We are using more frozen veggies and less prepackaged foods for better health. Cooking fron scratch lets me know what is going into our food. Why does the basics of life have to be so expensive?
Either way, I thank The Lord for providing our daily needs. It is all in His control. I am blessed! To God be THE glory!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
http://www.generationswithvision.com/broadcast.aspx - Online conversations on rising prices and one income families. Solutions to keeping Mom's at home and still having our "NEEDS" by God.
Bless all who pass this way!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Here is a list of articles for those of you with families living on one income. http://www.stretcher.com/menu/1income.htm
It has stories of families who share their experiences. It's a blessing for me to go back and read these articles when I "feel" like I can't "tighten the belt," so to speak anymore. No matter what, I am BLESSED beyond measure with what the Lord provides for my family!
May The Lord bless all who pass this way today!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
I have decided that putting my weekly menu online, keeps me in line. I have actually done really well with my menu plans since I did my once a month shopping. I am starting my third weekly menu for Feb. and still have everything I need for the next two weeks. It has been nice not having to to do weekly grocery shopping. I have had to run out for milk and ice cream (special treat for Hubby and kids.) But other than that, my menu planning for the the past month has really worked.
Here is this weeks menu:
Sunday- Homemade Chinese Wontons (Race Day Tradition)
Monday- Sausage Casserole and Veggie
Tuesday-Rerun of Monday
Wednesday- Pot Roast, Rice,Veggie & Rolls
Thursday-Rerun of Wednesday
Friday-Taco Salad (more meat than actual salad)
Saturday- Church Chicken Bog (I'll take a dessert)
I think that I really did save money by doing my shopping the way that I did at the first of the month. I learn so much from this blogging community!
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Good morning friends! I pray that where ever you are today, that The Lord will bless you as you go about His work!
Speaking of "work," I have a lot to accompolish this morning. I'm heading off to try what I have heard others call "yearly shopping." Only I will only be doing it for a month. I have my list and have checked it twice. I only have $200 to spend, so that ends up being $50 a week for a family of 5.
I have been scanning the circulars for the past few weeks waiting for a good sale on meats. I found several stores this week that have the things I need at good "loss leader" prices. I pray that I can spend my husbands hard earned money wisly.
Got to go and get the kids up. It's 6:00 a.m. here and time to get on the road before 7:00 a.m. Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7
Good morning friends! It is cold here this morning as well as cloudy. A good day to do some baking. Here is the list of what I need to bake today:
Banana Muffins,cupcakes (strawberry and yellow),chocolate chip muffins.and blueberry muffins. I will make enough to last (hopefully) for the next 2-3 weeks. I pop them in the freezer and use them as hubby's snacks for lunch and for a quick breakfasts.
I had planned on going to the Bulk store this morning before I did my baking. I decided to save my gas for the rest of the week. Hubby's is down to working 4 days a week and our income has been drastically cut. So things are kind of "tight" right now. So staying home sounds like a better idea.
I was also going through my pantry last night and looking for ideas for supper. I want to use up what is left in both fridge and freezer before going out and buying more. I ended up with about 5 different meals I could make for dinner this week, that I didn't even know I had.
This is our weeks menu-
Saturday- Sloppy Joe Sandwiches & Tots
Sunday- Enchilladas & Cheesy Rice with an Eclair Cake that DD makes (this is what I am taking to our Church Dinner)
Monday- Pot Roast, Cheese Taters, & Broccoli
Tuesday-Rerun of Monday
Wednesday- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Rice
Thursday- BBQ Beef & Baked Taters & Veggie
Friday- Rerun of Thursday
Again, I use a lot of leftovers. If I freeze it for another time, it won't get used. Waste not want not!
I was amazing that I ended up with what I did. I didn't realize I had that much to choose from. I just started looking through some cookbooks for recipes for the things I knew I already had. With that, I came up with the "extra" food. Thank you Lord for supplying all of our needs.
I pray you all have a blessed day!
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7