Oatmeal–inexpensive, tasty, filling, healthy

You see, we love food and we are on a pretty super-squished-tight budget while in school, so most all of any extra dollars we have goes to food. Where else? We were spending more and more on food, not realizing how those $10 or $25 transactions at the grocery store add up. In addition, we have more space in our home than 2 people need, and our stuff is getting out of hand. Something’s gotta change.
Not only will our budget be tight again all year, but we’re getting ready to move in December…into a place 1/3 the size of our current townhouse. One-third! Instead of panic (like all of you shopaholics out there), we’re actually SO EXCITED. I’m living the simplest I ever have, and cleaning out our closets (oh, so many glorious closets) forces us (okay, me) to prioritize what to keep and what to give away. I say it’s a personal challenge because Matt has mastered the art of decluttering his life. I’m not quite there, but it’s a work in progress. (smile)

Frittata–cheap, delicious, quick, full of veggies

We have dreams of lifelong health and travel and exploring new places and people. I finally realize that, if I am serious about opening my heart to new people and new places, I have to be serious about not letting my physical belongings get in the way of that. It sounds silly, but my 50 pairs of shoes (now 15) and 100 shirts (now 40) get in the way of such freedom. If you tend to clutter like me, you know what I’m sayin’.

Homemade spaghetti–inexpensive, delicious, tastes better the 2nd night

With every pair of jeans I give away, every drawer I clean out, comes a little more freedom. Note: I didn’t say opportunity for more shopping to replace those items. The irony in it all (and the value) is that we won’t be replacing 99% of the things we’re giving away. Our budget doesn’t allow that. But the true value is in knowing what you really need for a joyful, happy, fulfilling life.

“Fried” rice and stir fry–two great options to use what you already have at home

I’ve said it before and I’m sticking with it…4 years of grad school would have been 500% less stressful if finances were not part of the equation. Dare I say it, grad school would not have been stressful much at all if tight budgets and difficulty in getting jobs weren’t issues in our time here. Matt & I have learned so much, and we’ve done it together. Of course, we’ve had cheerleaders in our corner, but we still had to get out there and figure things out.
So, on to a $35 weekly grocery bill. It’s possible because we do it each week. Matt & I eat all of our meals at/from home and allow ourselves one cheap date night a week (if we have the same free night together, which doesn’t always happen). It takes planning, but no coupon cutting at all. It feels good to leave a grocery store with a half full cart and a full menu of meals. We use what we already have and merely supplement it. We don’t eat many processed foods (granola bars and tortilla chips are the main ones), and we seek any window of opportunity to add produce into a meal. We cook for more than 2 people to always have leftovers, and we’ve gotten so much better at actually eating the leftovers. It works.
Working at a pharmacy attached to a grocery store, I see customers with carts full of frozen, processed, and fried meats and snacks wobbling over to the pharmacy to pick up their diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol medications. Not everyone of course, but many of these individuals have small children who are picking up on those bad habits–eating poorly and spending way too much on that processed, low nutrient, expensive, low quality food. I am convinced that a family can eat healthily, economically, and prepare meals quickly. Matt and I have committed to figuring out how to do that for our own family, as well as others who might not obsess over cooking as much as we do. 🙂

I encourage you to take the $35 grocery challenge! 
1. Check your fridge, freezer, and cupboards before even starting a grocery list–you’ll be surprised by what you already have.
2. Think of 6 evening meals you can make with what you already have, and add the needed supplements (like parmesan cheese for your lasagna) onto your grocery list.
3. Then fill in the list with needed items that you regularly purchase each week for breakfast and lunch (yogurt, bread, cheese, etc.). Add in ONE treat item to make it more fun. Try to stay under $35…you can do it!

A recent grocery store splurge, Mint Aero bar.

 Matt & I are buying for 2 (very well-fed) adults, but we easily buy enough for 4 adults or 2 adults + 2 kids. (My point? You and your fam can definitely do this.)

Good luck! Enjoy the extra money in your wallet!

Happy eating.
Laurel