Day 2 - $2 a Day

                     

Today, Hannah and I went to the allergist. She endured some pretty good poking and prodding, so we got a shake and a diet coke (i endured watching her being poked and prodded) from McDonalds when we were done. It's a good thing it was a low budget day. Our first treat cheat fit in no problem, but we weren't sure it would. We decided to declare it either way, just to keep ourselves honest.

Hannah had a major hand in every portion of the meal tonight beginning with the plan. She made the bread with only minimal final resting place help from me. She sliced all zucchini and insisted on making the marinara on her own. KC helped her with dredging and I did the frying, but she was master chef. I love that when I tell her, "Make a chiffonade," whether for basil or chard, she knows exactly what to do.

What we've learned so far - 

1. Hannah says, " Pasta is way easier than curry." I ask, "like between the marinara and the masala sauce?" Caleb responds, "The whole shebang." Hannah agrees. 

2. "It is great that we can use so much of our own stuff," Hannah adds. meaning, the most nourishing parts of our meals were from our garden or hen house. This would be really hard to do in the winter unless you had a greenhouse. Also, chickens. 

3. Leftovers are key. Because we didn't divide the cost of yesterday's dinner for multiple meals Several of us ate free lunch figured from curry and rice leftovers. Tomorrow will be the same except with pasta and sauce.

Breakfast - 

Eggs - free from our chickens

2 granola bars $0.40

2 Cups Milk $0.20

1 Cup Choco Milk $0.20

1 Cup Juice $0.20

Breakfast total - $1

Lunch -

Curry Leftovers - free lunch- already accounted for

1 Cup Milk $0.10

1 Cup Juice $0.20

Cup o noodles $0.50

Lunch total - $0.80

Dinner -

Homemade whole wheat bread 

    3 cups flour - $0.30

    1 tbsp yeast $0.05

    Salt and water - free

    Butter $0.25

    Jam from the neighbor, traded for eggs - free!

Sautéed chard 

    Rainbow Chard - free

    4 tbsp Butter - $0.25

Zucchini Parmesan

    Zucchini - free 

    1 cup flour (1/3lb) $0.10

    Parmesan cheese $1

    Egg & Spices - free

    1/2 cup Oil for shallow frying - $0.50

Marinara - 

     1 can tomatoes $1

     1 can tomato paste $0.50

      Herbs from the garden - free

1 lb Pasta - $1

1 cup homemade ranch dressing $0.50

3 cups chocolate milk $0.60

Dinner total - $5.90

Daily meal total - $7.85

McDonalds Cheats on Family Funds - $3.85

Daily total - $11.70

Goal >$14

Totally met!

P.S. After all meals were enjoyed and cleared away, KC chose to treat us all to half-price creme brulés from her work. If we counted it we would be $1.50 over budget. She said we shouldn't have to count it because it was her personal money, not family funds. A gift. Moral ambiguities and true confessions. You judge for yourself how you would handle it. Feel free to share your thoughts.

Day 1 - $2 A Day

Hannah at the Helm...Again

Heaven on Earth around the Dinner table. 6 of these beautiful people belong to me.  I claim the other two, as well.      

I won't lie. It was bit of a rocky start as we got this budget into place. Hannah and I went shopping last night for several items we would need. The rule is $2 per per person per day, and we are counting 7 people because we frequently have that many, even if our newlyweds don't join us. Tonight there were 9 of us. Still $2x7 = $14. We spent $12.56 at the store, then subbed some of the ingredients out for things we had here.

Another confession. There were a few minutes of heartburn figuring out how much each granola bar costs and if we really had to count them, Or the ice cream one might want in the evening, or any number of miscellaneous food items we might ingest that aren't necessarily meal related. There were several utterances of "I really don't want to do this experiment." But, before dinner was on the table, Hannah had the days budget figured down to the dollar, and when she answered the door for company and said, "I was just working on the day's budget," there was a clear note of pride in her voice. And, when she finished making the meal and crunching the numbers, her sense of accomplishment was evident.

KC keeps us honest. She said, "I think we need to do more of making the meals fit the budget of the day rather than just seeing what happens when we get to the end of the day. It should not be an option to go over."

So, we took that to heart, chose our curry recipe that didn't call for coconut only used one can of garbanzo beans when I thought we needed two, and we came in just under where we needed to be, making room for chocolate milk.

Tonight's dinner was in honor of Malala, the 18-year-old Pakistani girl, who at 15 was shot by the Taliban for daring, as a girl, to go to school. At 17, won the Nobel peace prize. And, just last week, in honor of her birthday, opened a school for Syrian refugees, especially welcoming girls. KC made a cake to celebrate! We are still looking for a cause to support with the funds we save through this experiment. Malala reminds us that by small means, great things can happen. If you are considering a $2 a Day Challenge, here's some food for thought. Also, this is our accountability, all figured by Hannah:

Breakfast - 

Waffle mix - $0.85

Syrup - $0.50

Milk - $0.50

Juice - $0.25

Butter - $0.25

Breakfast total - $2.35

Snack - 

Granola bars - $0.40 

Chips - $0.50

Salsa - $0.50

Snack total - $1.50

Submarine total so far: $3.85

Dinner 

Tikka masala 

Onion - $0.20

2lbs potato - $0.40 

1 can tomatoes - $1

1 can garbanzo beans - $1

Cream - $1.30 

Carrots - $0.40

Yogurt dip - Dip - $1 

Rice - $1 

Naan - $2

Cake - $1.25

Milk - $0.70

Spices and garden veggies don't count on budget!

Dinner total - 9.55

All together for the day - $14

Right on!

                                    

Hannah at the Helm - 11 Year-Old Girl Feeds Her Family All Week

Three weeks of No Grocery Shopping recorded, and it is tedious but enlightening.  Like, we had 4 days with per person totals of $2 or less when all ingredients are counted.  With three meals a day (okay, we can't necessarily call hot chocolate, for breakfast, a meal) that is some CHEAP eating.  Also, if kids are home for a long weekend, like they were this week, or any weekend, for that matter, we may or may not have breakfast and skip straight to lunch.

On the flip side of the frugal coin, we had some weekend cheats of eating out, NOT grocery shopping.  But, because we were so good the rest of the week it didn't throw our goal off at all financially.  Also, this was the cheapest week so far, coming in $11 under our first week and $30 less than the second.  I have a hypothesis about why this is the case and it has to do with our favorite resident novice sous chef, Hannah, who is also a proficient baker.

                           

"Mom, I want to learn to make things besides cakes and treats.  I love potato soup and I want to do this risotto I saw on Pinterest."  Hannah is 11, and always full of elaborate plans.

"Potato soup is a great idea.  Risotto is pretty tough to make.  I haven't even mastered a good risotto yet." I tell her.  I'm the mom who is always trying to temper her plans.  I think when she grows up she may use the word "stifled."

"But, look, it uses ingredients we always work with. Rice, garlic, tomatoes, sage, basil.  It can't be too hard.  Let's try it."

"Okay, put it on the menu." 

That was two weeks ago, and all week she has been looking forward to making ever since.  Then, when the day came to make the risotto, she nearly backed out because we were short on time.  Not wanting to stifle her creativity in the name of expediency I encouraged her to try it anyway.  It was not our best endeavor.  It was also not our worst.  On the scale of making Top Ramen and Boeuf Bourguignon, it comes in somewhere toward the upper end near Molten Lava Cakes.  I'm sure that italian short-grain arborio rice makes a difference, but went multi-cultural and used Japanese short-grain instead.  Though everyone enjoyed the risotto just fine, I don't think Hannah or I would call it worth it. You have to stir it almost the whole time for 30 minutes.  Bag that.  Even Martha Stewart has a no-stir recipe, and we might just check that out next time.

                              

Having an 11 year old at the helm for dinner means lots of days look like this.

"Ugh, I am so exauhsted.  I had so much going on today, and I don't even know what I am going to do for dinner." Oh, wait.  That was me.  Here's Hannah:

"Mom, I have dance tomorrow. Do you think I will have enough time between school and dance to make my potato soup?" She asks.

"Yep, you will have just enough time, if you hurry with your homework."  She did it.

Another day, "Mom, I have art and dance today.  What is on my list that is super quick and easy to make.  I know I am going to be dying when I get home?" 

We decided on the frittata.  And, she was really tired.  But, she did it anyway and I think this is one of the best lessons she's learning, and teaching me: Sometimes, 90% of the meal time battle is won just by having in your mind what you are going to make for dinner. 

As a reminder, here is what we were striving for according to the SNAP Challenge: 

Goal 

7 Day Family Total = >$157.50

7 Day Per Person Total = >$31.50

Actuals

Week 3 Family Total - $121.36

Week 3 Per Person Total $21.18

Now, go see how we did it. 

Day 15 Monday, October 20

Lunches - kids home DIY for 4

Mac & cheese - $1

pb&j $0.70

leftovers 

Milk $1

Family Lunch Total - $2.70

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.67

Dinner - for 9, Grandpa's Bday

Frozen Ravioli - $3

Homemade Pasta Sauce - $2

Tomato salad: 4 tomatoes from the garden $0.40, basil from garden $0.10,  1/2 cup feta cheese $0.75, olive oil  $0.15 - $1.40

Homemade bread - $1

From scratch chocolate cake - $2

Family Dinner Total - $9.40

Per Person Dinner Total - $1.04

Day 15 Family Total - $12.10

Day 15 Per Person Total -   $1.71

                         

Day 16 Tuesday, October 21

Breakfast - for 5

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal - $1.20

Milk - $0.15x5 - $0.75

Family Breakfast Total - $1.95

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.39

Lunch - for 6

Sliced Apples - $3

Homemade Bread & 3 tbsp butter - $1

Leftover Pasta Sauce 

Family Lunch Total - $4

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.67

Dinner - for 6

Potatoes Cheese Soup

1 large onion, diced - $0.25

3 cloves garlic, minced - $0.15

4 tbsp butter - $0.37

6 medium potatoes, diced - $0.40

4 medium carrots, diced - $0.50

4 cups veggie broth - $2

2 cups milk - $0.30

2 tbsp corn starch - $0.05

1 cup cream + a splash - $1

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded - $2

1 tsp garlic powder - $0.05

2 tsp seasoning salt - $0.05

Homemade Whole wheat Tortilla Triangels - $0.15

Family Dinner Total - $7.27

Per Person Dinner Total - $1.21

Day 16 Family Total - $13.22

Day 16 Per Person Total - $2.27

                         

   

Day 17 Wednesday, October 22

Breakfast - for 4

Toast w/ butter and jam - $0.75

milk - $0.60

Family Breakfast Total - $1.35

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.34

Lunch - for 6 

Potatoes - $0.40

Green Beans - $2

Applesauce - $0.50

Cupcake $0.55

Family Lunch Total - $3.45

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.57

Dinner - for 6

Macho Nachos

Chips - $2

2 cups Cheese - $2

2 cans beans $1

1 can rotel tomatoes $1

Homemade salsa - 6 med tomatoes $2, 1/2 bunch cilantro $0.30, 1/2 lrg onion $0.15, 1 spicy pepper $0.10 - $2.55

Family Dinner Total - $6.55

Per Person Dinner Total - $1.09

Day 17 Family Total - $11.35

Day 17 Per Person Total - $2

Day 18 Thursday, October 23

Breakfast - for 4

Milk/hot chocolate $0.15x3 = 0.45

Granola for 1 - $0.25

Family Breakfast Total - $0.70

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.17

Lunch - for 6

Macho nachos revisited

All leftovers, all ingredients previously counted, except

1 cup cheese - $1

Family Lunch Total - $1

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.17

Dinner - for 5

Frittata

1 large onion, diced - $0.25

1/2 stick butter - $0.37

3 small tomatoes, diced - $1

2 potato hash-browns - $0.40

2 cups cauliflower florets, steamed - $1

9 eggs  - $0.90

1/2 cup shredded cheese - $0.50

Family Dinner Total - $4.42

Per Person Dinner Total - $0.88

Day 17 Family Total - $6.12

Day 17 Per Person Total - $1.22

Day 19 Friday, October 24

Breakfast - for 4

Toast w/ butter and jam - $0.75

milk - $0.60

Family Breakfast Total - $1.35

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.34

Lunch - for 4

Mac & Cheese - $1

Family Lunch Total - $1

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.25

Dinner - Cheat!

Sandwiches for 6 from Jimmy Johns - 20.25

Family Dinner Total - $20.25

Per Person Dinner Total - $3.38

Day 19 Family Total - $22.60

Day 19 Per Person Total - $3.97

Day 20 Saturday, October 25

Breakfast - for 4

8 Eggs - $0.80

4 pieces of Toast - $0.40

Milk - $1

Family Breakfast Total - $2.20

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.55

Lunch - for 7

Farmers Market Food

Korean Veggie Cup Bop - $11

Doughnuts $3

French Fries $6.50

Family Lunch Total - $20.50

Per Person Lunch Total - $2.92

Dinner - for 4

Date Night for 2 - pizza and dessert $13

Kids - Dinner for 2

Mac & Cheese $1, 1/2 lb Steamed Broccoli  $1, Ice Cream $1 - $3

Family Dinner Total - $16

Per Person Dinner Total - $4

Day 20 Family Total - $38.70

Day 20 Per Person Total - $7.47

Day 21 Sunday, October 26

Lunch - for 4

Ramen - 4 packs of ramen $0.40, 4 eggs $0.40

Family Lunch Total - $0.80

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.20

Dinner - for 8 with Great Grandma

Garlicky Herbed Risotto

1 large onion, diced - $0.25

4 cloves garlic, minced - $0.20

1/2 cup butter - $0.75

3 small tomatoes, diced - $1

3 cups rice $0.25

1 cup apple juice $0.20

5 cups veggie broth $1

Splash of cream - $0.20

2 tbsp basil, chopped - $0.10

2 tbsp sage, chopped -$0.20

1 cup mozzarella, shredded

Salt and pepper to taste

$4.15

                        

  

Spaghetti squash - free from the neighbor

4 cloves garlic, minced - $0.20

1/2 cup butter, melted - $0.75

Salt and pepper 

$0.95

                        

Butter Braised Garlic String Beans 

1 1/2 lbs green beans - $2

2 cloves garlic, minced - $0.10

4 tbsp butter - $0.37

Salt and pepper

$2.47

Super Easy Homemade Whole Wheat bread

3 cups warm water

1 Tablespoon dry yeast - $0.03

1 Tablespoon kosher salt - $0.02

6 1/2 cups whole wheat flour - $0.35

$0.40

Brownies from a mix - $1.50

Family Dinner Total - $9.47

Per Person Dinner Total - $1.18

Day 21 Family Total - $10.27

Day 21 Per Person Total - $1.38

Week 3 Family Sub-Total - $114.36

Week 3 Per Person Sub-Total - 20.02

Adjustments

So, I quit counting snacks because they are too hard to keep track of.  But, here is a list of snacks and additional groceries I know we went through this week that may not be accounted for in the previous listing.

Misc Additional Snack Items - for 5

1 bag choco chips - $1.67

1 bag tortilla chips - $2

1 batch homemade salsa - $2.55

1 gallon milk - $2.40

1 box Mac $ Cheese - $1

3 packs ramen - $0.30

6 eggs - $0.60

Family Misc. Total - $7

Per Person Misc. Total $1.16

Week 3 Family Total - $121.36

Week 3 Per Person Total $21.18

Final Reflections

I am making a pact with fresh cilantro now: I will never treat you badly again.  Also, fresh bread is great, but ready-to-go-store-bought-sandwhich-bread is REALLY nice to have around.  Butter, you are safe this week, but I have my eye on you.  So grateful for the dairy and the farmers market.  Salad is officially off the menu until the end of the experiment.  Lettuce can not be found in my house any more.

Week 2 - SNAP/No Grocery Shopping Challenge

Reflections

I thought this week's totals would be totally high-jacked given the fact that we took a road trip through 4 states, including the one we live in, and ate out, or carried in a couple of pricey meals.  We stayed with friends in Idaho, but also visited Montana and Wyoming, ending up at Yellowstone National Park.   Staying with friends made breakfasts and lunches cheap and easy.  Dinners were a different story, but delicious and worth it in the end.  Following this plan just shows that if you are careful, even a couple of nights out to eat, or days that go beyond the budget, can be compensated for.  I am thrilled with the results.  Caleb, 13, gained a lot of new cooking and budgeting skills, and is thrilled to be done with his turn.

The best thing happened this week was on a busy evening when Caleb had to walk home from play practice, at 5 pm,  because I was off carting Hannah and her friend around for dance.  When I called home to say we were on our way, Gordon said, "Well, dinner's under way.  I don't know what he's making, but Caleb has it totally under control in the kitchen.  I could smell the garlic from the driveway."  And, when I pulled in, I could smell the garlic, too.  He had made Tomato Basil Bisque, something he'd never attempted before, and he mastered it on his first go.

Also, the night before our trip, the kitchen was crowded with a bunch of teenagers just hanging out,  and our newlyweds, trying to prep their dinner.  Caleb was asking about getting dinner ready and I said, "let's just..." 

He thought I was going to say, "go out to eat," or "go grab something at the store." So, before I could finish,  he interjected with "No, Mom. We are not going to the grocery store, or the convenience store, or anywhere else.  We're eating in...."

"I was just going to say, let's wait until Bren and Marissa are done making their food.  And, thanks for keeping us honest anyway."  

So, because we followed the plan, we stayed within the goals.  Yay, Caleb.

Goal - 

7 Day Family Total = >$157.50

7 Day Per Person Total = >$31.50

Actuals

Week 2 Family Total - $150.61

Week 2 Per Person Total $23.90

Day 8, Monday, October 13

Breakfast - This is our standard breakfast for 4

Milk/hot chocolate $0.15x3 = 0.45

Granola for 1 - $0.25

Family Breakfast Total - $0.70

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.17

Lunches - for 6

Bagels - $2

Cream Cheese - $0.50

Apples - $2

Cheese Nips - $0.60

Family Lunch Total - $5.10

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.85

Snack - for 4

Popcorn - $0.50

Milk - $0.60

Family Snack total - $1.10

Per Person Snack Total $0.27

Dinner - for 5

1.5 lb spaghett Pasta - $1

1/2 c butter $0.75

4 cloves garlic, minced $0.10

1 lb tomatoes, sliced - $1

1 zucchini, diced $0.50

Salt and pepper

$3.35

Salad

1/2 head green leaf lettuce - $0.50

1 cup carrots, diced - $0.30

$0.80

Dessert

Leftover Cupcakes - already counted on wk 1 budget

Family Dinner Total - $4.15

Per Person Dinner Total - $0.83

Day 8 Family Total - $11.05

Day 8 Per Person Total - $2.12

     

  

Day 9, Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Breakfast - Standard for 4

Breakfast Total - $0.70

Per Person Breakfast total - $0.17

Lunch - for 6

Pears - $3

Hummus and crackers $3

Family Lunch Total - $6

Per Person Lunch Total - $1

Dinner - for 6

Tomato bisque

1 large onion, diced - $0.30

3 garlic cloves, minced, $0.15

3 cans petite diced tomatoes - $1.50

2 cans tomato sauce - $0.40

2 cups veggie broth - $0.60

1 cup cream - $1

1/2 cup grated Romano cheese - $1

Garlic Bagels buttered and toasted - $1.50

Family Dinner Total - $6.45

Per Person Dinner Total - $1.07

Day 9 Family Total - $13.15

Day 9 Per Person Total - $2.24

Day 10, Wednesday October 15, 2014

Breakfast - Standard for 4

Breakfast Total - $0.70

Per Person Breakfast total - $0.17

Lunches - for 6

Samosas W/ homemade Flour tortillas

Leftover curry and Dahl  combo - recipes and costing counted on Week 1 menu

4 cups whole wheat flour - $0.30

3 tablespoons vegetable oil $0.15

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups warm water (not HOT)

Makes 15+, we only used 6 for lunch

$0.45/15 = $0.03 = $0.18

Riata Leftovers

Pears - $3

Family Lunch Total = $3.18

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.53

       

Dinner - for 6

Pizza crust for 2 - 12" pizzas

2 tbsp yeast - $0.10

2 tsp sugar $0.05

2 cups warm water

5 cups flour $0.40

1/4 c olive oil $0.55

2 tsp salt $0.02 

$1.12

Toppings for 2 pizzas

2 cups seasoned Tomato Sauce - $0.50

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - $2

1 cup diced Spinach - $1

2 Diced Tomatoes $0.40

1 diced spicy Pepper $0.10

- $4

Family Dinner Total - $5.12

Per Person Dinner Total - $0.85

Day 10 Family Total - $9

Day 10 Per Person Total - $1.55

                     

Day 11, Thursday, October 16

Breakfast - Standard

Family Breakfast Total - $0.70

Per Person Breakfast total - $0.17

Lunch - for 4 

Mac & Cheese - $1.50

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.38

Dinner - bagel Sandwiches/6

Bagels - $2

Butter - $0.40

Cheese/Eggs - $2.60

Cucumbers - $0.50

Baked Kale chips - $0.50

Tomatoes from the garden

Family Dinner Total - $6

Per Person Dinner Total - $1

Day 11 Family Total - $8.20

Day 11 Per Person Total - $1.55

       

Day 12, Friday, October 17, 2014

Brunch - for 6

Scrambled eggs - $1.20

Milk - $0.60

gifted bread

Family Brunch Total  - $1.80

Per Person Brunch Total - $0.30

Snacks - in the car for 6

Cheese crackers $2

Whole grain crackers - $2

Carrots, cucumbers and dips - $3

Family Snacks total - $7

Per Person Snack total - $1.16

Dinner - for 6

Homemade salsa w/ garden ingredients except onions & cilantro - $1

1 cup shredded Cheese - $1

1 cup Sour Cream - $1

Tamales from tamale lady $20

Family Dinner Total - $23

Per Person Dinner Total - $3.83

Day 12 Family Total - $31.80

Day 12 Per Person Total - $5.29

Day 13, Saturday, October 18

Breakfast - for 6

Cereal and Milk - $3

Family Breakfast Total - $3

Per Person Breakfast total - $0.50

Lunch - in the car for 7

Homemade Hummus and crackers - $3

Veggies and dip - $2

Chips and salsa - $2 (only counting chips as salsa was leftover)

Family Lunch total - $7

Per Person Lunch total - $1

Dinner - for 7

Pizza in Yellowstone! - $40!

Per Person Dinner Total - $5.71!

Day 13 Family Total - $50

Day 13 Per Person Total - $7.21

Day 14, Sunday, October 19, 2014

Breakfast - for 14

2 boxes waffle mix - $2

1 stick butter - $0.75

2 cups syrup $0.60

1 gallon milk - $3

Family Breakfast Total - $6.35

Per Person Breakfast Total - $0.45

Lunch - for 6 

Pasta salad - 

1 lb pasta $1

1/2 lb carrots$0.50

1 cucumber $0.50

4 sliced string cheeses - $1.20

Italian dressing - $0.50

1 loaf homemade bread - $1

Family Lunch Total = $4.70

Per Person Lunch Total - $0.78

Snacks - in the car for 6

Cheese crackers $2

Whole grain crackers - $2

Carrots, cucumbers and dips - $3

Family Snacks total - $7

Per Person Snack total - $1.16

Dinner - for 6

Fried Ramen

8 packs ramen noodles, par boiled - $0.80

1 med onion, diced $0.30

2 cups carrots, diced $0.30

2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced $0.30

2 tbsp canola oil - $0.10

3 tbsp soy sauce - $0.56

Family Dinner Total - $2.36

Per Person Dinner Total - $0.39

Day 14 Family Total - $20.41

Day 14 Per Person Total - $2.78

                         

Preliminary totals

Week 2 Family Total - $143.61

Week 2 Per Person Total $22.74

Adjusted totals

Sometimes kids are eating when I don't see or track it.  Based on my inventory, here's what I think we need to add to our weekly totals for 6 conspirators:

Gallon of milk - $3

2 cups of salsa - $1.50

Bag of chips $1.50

4 bags of popcorn $1

Family Misc. Total - $7

Per Person Misc. Total $1.16

Week 2 Family Total - $150.61

Week 2 Per Person Total $23.90