2 Weeks In!

So this is what our pantry and freezer looked like 2 weeks ago when I started my little project for this month. I have to say, so far we've done well.  I spent 45 dollars last week on milks, bread, bagels (a new addiction) and fresh produce.  I went over by five dollars, however, I stocked up on cereals and granola bars, since Kroger was having a great sale and I had some great coupons.  I haven't done the shopping for this week yet, but I think I can stay in budget.

This is what the pantry and freezer look like 2 weeks in.

It's safe to say you can see a difference!  Part of me is beginning to wonder if we'll make it just buying necessities each week!  Then I think "You're crazy!! You've got enough food here to last til spring!"

What I hate most is that we spend anywhere from $12-$16 a week on milk.  We have been trying to reintroduce cow's milk to Wheeler.  We've had success with yogurt and cheese (thank goodness!! He's really missed these!) We didn't have luck with milk, so it's almond milk for now.  I have told John I am going to have to limit his consumption of milk, though, or he's gonna have to buy a cow to put out back!

I am excited to continue this venture.  I have to admit, though, part of the reason for the excitement is that I am becoming quite addicted to coupons.  I used a good chunk of my snow day today (of course there was no snow, though!) going through my coupons, the internet coupons, and the Kroger add to figure out the best way to use them all.  I am looking forward to stocking up next month because I have a ton of Target coupons that will stack with manufacturer coupons.  I am also going to admit, I am a shopaholic!  I am not bothered by the fact that it's grocery shopping, I love it.

On a side note, I added some pics to the side, and I wanted to give credit to the fabulous photographer who took these pics, my friend Kelli B. of KelliBPhotography!

I Think I Might Like This

Since my first post, I have been thinking a lot about this blog thing, and I think I might like it.  I have all kinds of ideas.  It also occured to me, this is kind of like journaling, only publicly.  So what's been on Rebecca's mind today, you may ask, well, I will tell you.

I started a new endeavor this month (my months go from paycheck to paycheck since I get paid once a month, in the middle of the month.)  It is insane how much this family of three spends on groceries in a month, especially since one of the eaters is a finicky 2 year old who would rather not eat. I decided I wanted to do better in this department financially.  So I made a meal plan for dinners for a month.  I mapped out what we will have each night.  I even included nights where we eat leftovers every third or fourth day because I am sick of the food we waste.  If there are no leftovers, we'll have soup and sandwiches (there is an abundance of soup due to a great sale matched with lots of great coupons.  That's another post, though!)  I went this weekend and bought all the shelf stable and freezer items needed for the month.  We are lucky enough to have a stand up freezer in the basement thanks to my wonderful mom, so this helped a lot.  I even made out grocery lists for each week of fresh items needed.  I spent way less this weekend than I thought I would.  For a month's worth of shelf stable and frozen groceries (this includes frozen waffles, which the two year will eat, as well as a few other items that are for breakfast and lunch such as cereals, cereal bars, and fish sticks) my grand total for the month was only 250 bucks.  That's HUGE!  For us at least.  I have decided to limit us to only 40 dollars each week this month for other items.  I think a normal family could spend less, but John alone drinks 3 gallons of milk a week, and Wheeler and I can only drink almond milk.  That coupled with the dairy free cheese I have to buy, puts my bill up there a little.  If I can stick to this budget, I will have spent less than 450 dollars on groceries for the month.  I hate to admit it, but that's almost half what we were spending a month at one point.  For three people! 

So, we are on day four of this grand plan of mine.  So far, so good.  We'll see how it goes.

I Can't Believe I Am Doing This!

I have always wondered why the every day person would post to a blog.  I have wondered if people are self centered enough to think the whole world was interested in them.  I have perused mommy blogs and I was hooked (and wrong, I think!).  I saw so many other moms out there I could commiserate with.  It got me to thinking, maybe someone would be amused by my ramblings, so why not try my hand at this blog thing.  I also thought maybe it would be a fun way for some of my friends or family I don't see often to stay up to date with what is going on in the Lewis household.  Don't expect too many posts, grammatically correct posts, or hey, even coherent posts for that matter!

I'm not sure I should even be trying my hand at this, as my husband would say, I already have so much going on!  Currently we are trying to get our house on the market (anyone need a cute little house in South Knoxville!), I teach 1st Graders, an hour away.  I have an indescribably amazing two year old little boy with more energy than the energizer bunny!  I am seeking my Ed.S (Education Specialist) degree from LMU in Curriculum and Instruction.  I am trying to catch up a little on my scrapbooking (I'll never be caught up!).  I am currently trying my hand at the Knifty Knitter and just finished my first scarf (Yay me!).  I am beginning a new Bible Study (Boundaries with Children!).   

I don't consider myself an intellectual thinker.  I don't keep up with world issues or politics like I probably should.  I am passionate about my family (I do have the best in the world!)  If you become at all interested in my life, let me know.

I will update and figure this whole blog thing out, pictures included.  Just bear (or bare, not sure which!) with me. 

Til we meet again..........