December No-Spend Challenge Day 1: Meal Planning & Pantry Inventory!

Hello again, savvy savers! As many of my readers and online friends may know, I am always juggling several projects, business opportunities, scholastic goals, and home projects at any given time. With so much constantly going on, it’s sometimes easy to forget one of my main passions, and antithesis for this blog, the ability to save money, while live a better live, in hopes of having a “whole living blog,” to help me have a better run life. So, I have decided to take an old-school approach to spending, and so today finds us with the first day of my last NO SPENDING month cycle for 2015!

Why this crazy idea? Well, a month of NO spending is an awesome way to both reset your spending patterns, as well as to either kick-start your budget or revamp and make changes to any existing budget you or your family may have. This is also a great challenge for personal responsibility; you can track what you have been spending your hard earned funds, and keep yourself on track, in terms of responsible spending thereafter.

I will be blogging daily about my NO SPEND struggles, victories, and suggestions from the previous day, and will be posting easy-to-follow daily challenges for my readers during my no-spend months. As well, each Sunday will share what I’ve learned, saved, and gained from this challenge as part of my Weekly Goals & Reflections Posts. I hope that many of you will join me in this challenge, as we can all you use more ways to save around the home.

The rules are pretty simple:

No spending on anything beyond absolute necessities.
Eat from your pantry & freezer as often as you are able.
And make changes to the way you purchase and consume goods, services, and commodities in your home.
The idea of the challenge is to keep up with your daily activities,, but the main goal is simply to stop spending.
This challenge can be a life changing experience, as you may just be amazed at how your mindset and perspective will change after just a month of seeing how you can enrich your life, without spending more!

There are a few exceptions to the rule as follows:

Unavoidable expenses related to employment, such as gas, are okay.
Unavoidable school related expenses.
Doctors appointments, veterinarian appointments, co-payments, family/pet prescriptions, and therapy sessions are okay.
Do keep existing service and repair appointments that can’t be rescheduled to “Spending” months, such as hair appointments, lawn care services, trash removal, in-home repair services, etc.
Do keep existing tithing and charitable giving.
Do have an adequate stockpile of necessities prior to beginning this challenge, such as pet food, bedding, litter, laundry detergent, dish soap, snow salts, bottled water and emergency staples (if you live in areas frequently affected by seasonal weather), etc.
Do keep up with healthy living habits. I will continue to use my envelope saving system to fund app purchase rebates (iBotta, Shopmium, Snap by Groupon) for fresh produce and milk savings that may pop-up during my no-spend months; due to my PCOS I need several servings of fruits and veggies daily, and these app savings help keep my freezer stocked on a budget.
And it goes without saying, please do pay all of our monthly obligations; rent, mortgage, insurance, utility payments, banking fees, student/financial/business loans, medical expenses, and assumed or credit card debt.

December is not just about not spending, although that will be our main goal, but ways to budget this holiday season, and start 2016 without the pervasive, oppressive debt of this current holiday season. As always challenge each of you to find ways to live well, live better, find new sources of joy, will spending less. You may just find out just how much we already have, and how little more we really need. And hopefully, by the end of this month, a life rich with family, friends, and creative planning, secured by fiscally responsible measures, will be who we truly are.

This month I will be setting a personal challenge to earn, save, and reallocate $1,000.00 to be used towards my families holiday expenses. Today’s challenges will help me create one-third of this funding. Here’s how:

Challenge 1: Part 1, Commitment

This first challenge has two parts. The first part of the first challenge is committing to the challenge itself. Knowing that starting any personal challenge, starts with following through with the challenge itself, and this no-spend month is no exception!

Also knowing that this October is not just about not spending, although that will be our main goal. I always challenge each of you to find ways to live well, live better, find new sources of joy, will spending less. You may just find out just how much we already have, and how little more we really need. And hopefully, by the end of them month, a life rich with family, friends, and creative planning, secured by fiscally responsible measures, will be who we truly are. In addition, I hope to make my posts comments section a place of encouragement and accountability for us all, too!

I’m not gonna lie, there presumably will be tough moments, and for that reason, with one week remaining, stock-up on any items you currently feel you cannot do without. But the biggest reason for following through with this month daily challenges? In the month of February, I was able to save $1,456.87!

This month is not about thinking what you won’t be spending and economizing on, but what you are saving for!

The second part of this challenge? To physically take a few minutes to make a list for this month, to include the following:

How much you plan to save this month.
What are your long-term financial goals.
What activities will you plan this month, to take the place of your spending.

So, for this part of the challenge you should create a simple, one-page spending commitment sheet. Keep in mind that this challenge is family-centered in nature. For it’s always easier when savers help to keep one another accountable. So be sure to discuss your plans with your immediate family, those living in your home and who will be enveloped in your pursuit of this month’s challenges. I’ve already filled my sheet out, and will have hubby sign our pledge this evening as well. For those who have signed their pledge, be sure to post a picture of your pledge to Instagram with the hashtag #DebtFreeHolidays2015.

Part Two: Meal Planning and Inventory:

The bulk of this month’s challenges will be holiday related, but in order to get onto the tinsel and bows, we must first tackle the practical issues first. If your families budget is anything like my own, then food, and its initial cost, is a big part of this budget. For this month’s challenge, we will be looking

Before beginning this challenge, we will need to address pantry and stockpile organization, meal planning, and freezer cooking meals.

Step 1- Pantry Organization:

My stockpile, though hard earned, is an immense blessing to my home. And as they say, to whom much is given, much is asked, and this rule equally applies to my stockpile! My stockpile saves my family thousands of dollars a year, but I must honestly admit is the most neglected area in my home. But no more! So today, I challenge you all to clean up your stockpile!

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Rotate your stockpile. “Rotating your stockpile” means rotating your stockpile per season. You will need to place goods in order of expiration date, my seasonal usage, as well as keeping climate into consideration; you may need to start storing it in one location for summer and another location for winter, in terms of baking tools, cans, chemicals, etc..
Long Term Storage: If you plan to store any item for longer than a week or two, you need to know its long-term storage requirements. Some items will only last months or longer if stored in a cool, dry place. Some items must be stored in a refrigerated or frozen environment in order to last longer. Make lists, and create sub-areas in your stockpile; examples are canned goods, cosmetics, paper products, etc.
Take Note of Patterns: Start a list of your product usage, this will allow you to see what you need, will use in a years time, and what should be donated accordingly. Unused goods are cash wasted.
Last Forever Items: Nothing lasts forever. Even goods such as bottled water, start to have an altered taste after a decade, so keep this in mind.
Canned and Preserved Goods: Keep inventory and note the dates of home-preserved items; a rule of thumbs is to keep items no longer than eighteen month.
Pests: Pests love your stockpile, almost as much as you do! Be sure to check goods monthly, especially in Summer, and any goods that look altered, chuck immediately!
Dehumidifier: Humidity can alter and mold many goods, so consider running a dehumidifier twice weekly. When able purchase an energy saving dehumidifier with accumulated survey gift cards for free, then deduct part of the cost off your tax return; the deductible amount will pay for the power used to dehumidify your stockpile space!

So, all-in-all, not bad for a mornings work! Keep in mind, this project took me a little less than three hours, during which time I was able to clean out three shelves of goods, and the best part… I assembled sixteen boxes worth of goods which are being donated today to a local women’s shelter and homeless pantry! This project took three hours, I was able to clean out three shelves of goods, and the best part… I assembled sixteen boxes worth of goods which are being donated today to a local women’s shelter and homeless pantry! Also, if you chose to donate goods to a registered non-for-profit with a 501 (c3) tax status, you can claim your goods at half the current market pricing value (so be sure to price goods, save receipts, and use price point guides as you prep items for donation), and the tax receipt you receive can ultimately reimburse you for all of the good, gas, ink, and paper expenses for your coupons thus far this year! Woohoo!

I have to admit, donating goods is an awesome feeling, but cleaning out my stockpile did take a good bit of work… because I’m a definite a stockpiler with clutter tendencies! The problem is for me, that I never seem to realize I have an issue with stockpile clutter, until the stockpile is well established and taking over multiple places in our home.

Keep in mind, three years ago I started off with a small shelf about three and a half feet long, but now I have a pantry, a set of five shelves, designated basement space, two build in cabinets, two refrigerators, and a deep freezer! This is in addition to the personal hygiene items are hiding in the bathroom cabinets.

You may think that stockpiling is 100% beneficial because of the money you’ve saved, but this is only until you find yourself drowning in groceries and perishable items! So, with this in mind… here are a few additional tips to help keep the clutter out of your stockpile going forward.

Not Having A Stockpile Limit: Your stockpile is out of control when it exceeds your storage space, period. If your stockpile is getting out of control, simply redesign your storage space. I looked at my available storage space and made a vow not to exceed my limits again. If you have a small space to work with for your stockpile, limit your goods by checking expiration dates, and anything that is set to expire in the next season, donate to a local charity, food pantry, or women’s shelter in your area.
Don’t Keep Items Past Their Expiration Date: Keeping your stockpile clear of expired foods will save space, money, and prevent you from eating stale, not so tasty foods. To prevent this, simply create a spread sheet or clipboard chart, and whenever you purchase a vast quantity of goods, write down their dates, and check over your sheet seasonally. Also, be sure to rotate goods quarterly so you are consuming or utilizing set-to-expire goods sooner than later—this will also allow you to evaluate what you have, and how much you’re actually using, before you go out and buy more in-store.
Don’t Stockpile Goods You Won’t Use/Donate: Items thrown away, is always equivalent to throwing cash down the drain. To prevent this, simply remember that all sales are cyclical and are guaranteed to rear their heads again within 3-4 months time. Also, when you are able to score freebies with deals, rebates, and coupons in-store, consider only purchasing goods you will be able to use with 12 months, or will donate within 6 months.
Weatherize Your Stockpile: One of the pitfalls of stockpiling is the location of your storage. Certain foods have to be stored in specific temperatures or not exposed to excessive heat. Not storing items at the proper temperature can cause food to expire more quickly and go to waste. A rule of thumbs, foods that are susceptible to insects or heat, such as most baked supplies can be bagged and frozen. Also, please click here to read my post on which goods from you stockpile can be winterized this season, too!
Give Your Stockpile A Safety Inspection: The most important thing to remember, stockpiles serve families, and should be safely stored for all members of your family, human and fur-babies alike. If the stockpile is stacked so high that items could fall and hit you on the head—it’s not safe. If your stockpile blocks a path you would need to exit in case of a fire—it’s a fire hazard. If you have flammable products near a fireplace or gas stove—you guessed it, a hazard! Organize goods in a safe, usable, functional manner.

Step 2- Meal Planning:

Starting earlier this morning, I utilized the #31DayLWSZ Pantry and Freezer Inventory Sheets (recycled from my October #LWSZ challenge), to help me compile a month of meals, using the discovered on-hand goods logged on my inventory sheets.

So, aside from this challenge, why menu plan? I generally consider menu planning a staple in my home budgeting arsenal, but for those who may now, here are three key points to keep in mind, in terms of both this challenge, and going forward:

1) Your Health: Your health should be one of your main concerns, as with most people, and one way to ensure your health and well being is in good working balance, is healthful food preparation. Having a menu plan in place helps you avoid sodium and fat-laden take out and fast food, and instead opt for a more balanced and nutritious diet.

2) Budgeting: Groceries cost a lot, period. Even with coupon shopping and app rebate deals, constantly going to the store can negate all of your best budgeting plans. Save yourself some financial stress by planning your meals in reverse; shop for cyclical deals, plan meals around what you have on hand, and essentially plan “pantry-ready meals.” By shopping in reverse, I generally spend $30.00 or less per week, for a family of four on groceries.

3) Time Management: Your time is important. Whether you work outside the home, from a home office, are a busy entrepreneur, or you’re a stay-at-home parent, we all juggle an endless task sheet on a daily basis. While planning a menu in the first place takes a bit of time, it will save you double that amount of time in the end. For when you have planned, purposed meal lists and ingredients on hand, you essentially eliminate the need to run to the store for a last minute item, saving you both time and money in the process.

With a plan in place, all you have to do is to look at your proposed weekly menu, prep, and serve!

So, today I came up with:

13 Breakfasts
13 Lunches
13 Snacks
13 Dinner Options
13 Desserts

Here are a few tips I used to plan my monthly menu:

1.Each option will be eaten twice for the remainder of the month, as the entire month will be rotated bi-weekly.

2. No-spend months are a great time for 5-can soups, dump cakes, casseroles, and pot pies.

3. This is also a great time to consider “Food Swapping,” with family, friends, and neighbors, where you will prep meals and then exchange the meals accordingly.

4. This is also the time to consider menu streamlining; eating the proper amount of meals, as well as small snacks throughout the day, as well as cutting your dependency on carbonated beverages, and instead eating healthier options all around, will not only fill you up more, stave off food cravings, which will ultimately end up costing you less the month over.

5. Consider using “Meatless Monday,” food options; you can save up to $240.00 annually using this method once a week!

6. If you have saved gift cards to local restaurants, calendar cards (such as from Chick-fil-a), or the like, this is the time to use those cards. I’ve planned dinner on Saturday’s out, which will be free including tax and gratuity, using gift cards (and coupons if applicable) I’ve earned from Viggle, surveys, or calendars.

7. My best tip for today’s challenge? Use “Rollable Meals,” or meals that leftovers can be made into different meals using the same ingredients; for example on day 1 you make double the amount of hamburgers and a pan of brownies for dessert. On day two, you can take one patty, broken up and make breakfast tacos, and as a beef topped salad(s) for lunch, and using your additional reserved patties, make crock pot beef patties and gravy for dinner, and using your leftover brownies you can make two additional desserts to last the remainder of the week, brownie parfait cups, brownie flurries, or brownie and berry trifle!

To get started:

Make a boxed grid; 11″x 8″, divide into a calendar, with seven boxes across, and four boxes down, and there you go!
I also list our families meals on a meal plan chalkboard, in our kitchen, so everyone will know what to expect for dinner, and when.
I also use my home recipe binder, with index, to browse through clipped, copied, and stowed away recipes I’ve put back for rainy days.
Have odds and ends you aren’t sure how to combine into meals? Check out sites like SuperCook, where you can add the ingredients you have on hand to their database, to find recipes to suit your stockpile of goods!

And for anyone curious, here’s what we will be having:

Monday
Breakfast: Meatless Monday low-fat Mozzarella and Spinach Omelette, with Green Tea.
Lunch: Almonds, Cheese Crackers, Cheese rounds, with celery, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Almonds, and Gala Apple Slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Three Bean Chili, cooked with Boca Crumbles, with Diet Cola.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Green Tea, Coconut Milk, and Strawberry Smoothie; made with Truvia.
Lunch: Freezer Cooking Chicken and Dumplings, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Frozen/Thawed Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Roll-ups; in lieu of taco shells I use Romaine Lettuce Sheets.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Brownies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Baked Frittata Cups, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Taco Salads, with crystal light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Curry, steamed peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Homemade Gluten-Free Truvia brownies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed Salad with Turkey, light vinaigrette, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Grilled Turkey Burger Patties, sweet Potato Fries, with Crystal Light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies; we use Edy’s Sugar-Free Ice Cream.

Friday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with homemade Greek Yogurt dressing, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and two pieces of Sugar Free Chocolate; candy is used as melted drizzle for berries.
Dinner: Barbecue Pork, Steamed Green Beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Diet Coca-Cola slushies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Chicken Salad, and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Gift Card to local restaurant.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Sunday
Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs, and Toast, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Grilled Sausages, Steamed Broccoli, Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese, with Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and walnuts.
Dinner: Crockpot Orange Chicken with Almonds, Steamed Peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Also, bee sure to check out my Weekly Menu Section and Pinterest Menu Idea Boards for more simple, affordable meal planning options.

Step 3- Freezer Cooking:

This is by far one of my biggest secrets in being able to stay on track fiscally during no-spend months, and that is with freezer cooking meals. I use my investory sheet to see what staples I have on hand, and using these items create freezer meals with what I already have at-home for week 2-3 meals.

For those who may wonder, why freezer meals? Here’s why. After a few year of being married I began to become both a work-from-home legal position, as well as a full-time caretaker for my grandmother. This new season of life turned my ordinary world, my ordinary life into a busy chaotic whirlwind of facsimiles, schedule medicine sessions, cleaning, care-taking, all while trying to cook dinner for my family. Often times, when I had an especially busy exhausting day I would turn to fast food, or home cooked fast food for dinner like boxed Mac n Cheese, hot dogs, or dare I say cold cereal.

In my heart, I knew this wasn’t the food I wanted myself or my family to eat, but because of being mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted I took the proverbial easy way out. It was during this time I heard about easy freezer meals, meal plans where in under a few hours I could cook, prep, and freezer crock-pot ready meals in under an hour, which would yield a months meals. I decided to try it out.

My first experience: I cooked for a whole morning in my kitchen, finished 30 meals, and was no worse the wear for having done so. I felt so wonderful and the rest of that month I didn’t dread the dinner hour. The biggest change? My husband was so happy to have real cooking again, he began requesting freezer-ready meals be placed onto our month menu planning sessions; this in turn spurned my love of freezer cooking. So, you may be thinking, are freezer-ready meals great for my family?

Make ahead freezer meals for a month are great for people:

Who have busy lives and don’t always have time to cook a nice meal.
People who eat at fast food a lot but want better healthy meals quick.
Brand new mothers who just had a baby and need to rest or enjoy every precious minute of a new one.
Folks who are sick, elderly or injured and cannot cook.
People on a limited budget.

What can be frozen and what cannot:

There are a few items that don’t freeze well: Lettuce, cucumbers, bean sprouts, and raw potatoes .
Egg-based products: Hard boiled eggs & Egg based sauces like mayonnaise will separate and curdle.

What containers are good to use for easy freezer meals:

Gallon or quart sized plastic or re-usable freezer safe bags.
Aluminum pans, with crimp lids.
Lidded plastic containers.

Here is a list of my favorite freezer meals:

So, that’s today’s challenge. If anyone else is gearing up to take this month’s challenge with me, I’d love to hear about it.

Here’s to saving,

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Nicole

Welcome, savvy savers! My name is Nicole, and I'm the LadyPrefers2Save. We believe in making the minimalist mindset manageable, through budgeting, upcycling, & healthy menu planning. I thank you for stopping by and giving us the opportunity to help you prefer to save, too!