Using Time Wisely

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Start Saving from Scratch – Part 1 of 6

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Start Saving from Scratch

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Without constant attention, my kitchen, meal planning, coupons, and grocery shopping trips began spiraling downward. Yikes!

Now that life is getting back to my normal, which is still very busy but manageable, I am pressing the reset button.

If you have wanted to start saving on your grocery bill – using coupons or not, then tag along with me in this 6-part series on Start Saving from Scratch.

Part 1: Organizing the Food Supply

The best way to save money, energy, and time when feeding my family is to make meals with the food we have in the house. However, with numerous individuals helping in the kitchen recently, I’m not really sure what items I have. To start saving from scratch, I take an inventory while organizing my food supply areas.

Pantry

The time it will take to organize your pantry depends on the size of your stockpile. If you purchase multiple items at discounted prices, then you probably have lots of items in your pantry.

When I organize my pantry, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour. I have designated specific shelves for different items. This arrangement saves time and energy when retrieving a desired product.

While I organize my pantry, I jot down items that need replenishing on my grocery list and make notes of any meal ideas on my menu plan.

Freezer

My side-by-side refrigerator/freezer houses frequently used items. Organizing my inside freezer takes less than 15 minutes. This short time frame is nice because my outside freezer needs another deep clean complete with defrosting.

Organizing my well-stocked freezer takes somewhere between 1 and 2 hours. However, knowing what freezer cooking options I have available saves our family money, energy, and time.

Refrigerator

The easiest of the three spaces for me is organizing the refrigerator. Routinely having a leftover night keeps our refrigerator cleaned out. Spending less than 15 minutes, I can take a quick inventory while organizing my refrigerator.

To start saving from scratch organize your food supply. With the food supply areas organized and an inventory of what is on-hand, you are ready for part 2 – coming next week. To be continued . . . Happy organizing!

Question: Which food supply area takes you longer to organize: pantry, freezer, or refrigerator?

Freezer Cooking to the Rescue

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Freezer Cooking to the Rescue

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

On field trip day, the morning progressed along beautifully. By the afternoon, I was getting tired and my allegories flared. With a stuffy head and lack of energy, I made it through the activities and was ready to go home.

Upon arrival, I needed to rest. Getting the toddler tucked into bed and my older children settled to play quietly, I retired to bed for some rest. When I awoke, I felt a little better, but cooking or even standing in my kitchen required too much exertion.

Though the menu plan suggested baked chicken with sides, I needed something simple. So, I went to the freezer. Tucked inside were a number of options. Choosing Mexican Dip, corn, and a salad, our dinner came together without spending lots of time or energy.

In using time wisely, I often bake or cook double batches to save money, time, and energy on days that just don’t go as planned. As you plan for the best but prepare for the worst, freezer cooking can save the day. Happy saving!

Question: At your house, how has freezer cooking saved the day? 

MeetPenny.com: Free Oven-free Menu Plan

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Meet Penny.com's oven-free August menu plan

Photograph Credit: MeetPenny.com

For those who enjoy the warmth of summer, is it hot enough? I am amazed at how often my air conditioner kicks on during the day. The evening is more sporadic, but the daytime cycles seem much too frequent.

In keeping the heat out of the kitchen, Tabitha from MeetPenny.com offers a free printable August oven-free menu plan on her blog. Woo hoo!

To maximize your savings, compare her menu to what you have on hand. Start with those meals while you scour your store ads for sales and buy one, get one free items. Then enjoy feeding your family without turning on your oven.

Keep enjoying your summer before it’s gone. Stay cool, and happy menu planning! 😉

Question: What is your favorite non-oven-needed meal?

Beat the Summer Heat: Bake at Night and Oven-free Meals

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Beating the summer heat - oven-free options

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

The temperatures here in South Carolina have dropped to the high 80s. The “cooler” weather is a welcome change from the low 100s we have experienced already. In using time wisely to feed my family, these two solutions beat the summer heat.

Bake at Night

With the cooler temperatures in the evening, I bake before going to bed. This way, I escape upstairs to bed while the heat dissipates downstairs. Also, the heat from the oven does not seem to warm up the house as much at night as it does at dinner time.

Create Oven-free Meals

Using a crock pot, the grill, and stove to create meals minimizes the amount of heat needed to feed my family. I also like the free printable oven-free menu options from Penny at MeetPenny.com for June and July. Sometimes viewing someone else’s menu jump starts my creativity when planning our summer meals.

By baking at night and creating oven-free meals, my family can enjoy dinner without extra heat. In planning and using time wisely, you can save money, energy, and time while feeding your family. Stay cool!

Question: How are you beating the summer heat?

Food on the Table: Lifetime Menu Planning Subscription for FREE

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Photograph Credit: Food on the Table

Wow, Food on the Table extended their free lifetime subscription for another month! If February got away from you, then don’t delay.

Food on the Table is a menu planning service that combines sales at your local grocery stores with your meal preferences. For those busy seasons when you still want to save money, energy, and time, Food on the Table comes to your rescue.

Though I plan our family’s meals by what food I have on hand, I love the inspiration and recipes Food on the Table offers. To sign up for this free lifetime subscription, click on this link for step-by-step instructions. Just enter the new promotional code: MARFREE.

This service normally allows you to plan 3 free meals a month before receiving a $5 charge. With your free subscription, you will get free menu planning for life! Don’t hesitate. Go sign up. Even if you don’t need it now, you might need it next year. Happy savings!