Planning - Save Time and Money

Hard times are upon us and our country as a whole. But, 'The Lord shall provide' and in his infinite wisdom he gave us the ability to care for our families in creative, money saving ways. We need only to - in the words of Winnie the Pooh "think, think,think. In the following posts I will share with you some of my own thoughts on how you can make healthy, filling meals each night of the week with out breaking the bank or taking too much time out of your already crazy days.

The key is a little planning.

For starters always try to keep your pantry and by your pantry I also mean your freezer and fridge stocked with the basics. Once you have established what the basics are in your household make a list that you can keep on your fridge or in your daily planner and check off items as they become depleted. (I am working on a pantry check list and turning it into a pdf. file that you will be able to download to help you get started so check back).

Next - In your daily travels go through your mail circulars and pull out the coupons or advertisements that pertain to your list keep them with your list in an envelope or some sort of organizer. By keeping them together in the same place it minimizes the times you have cut your coupons and then forget to bring them with you.

Do price comparisons. We have been brain washed into thinking that membership clubs (BJ's, Costco etc. are always the more inexpensive way to go...not always so. Some things are definitely worth purchasing in bulk (flour, oil, coffee, paper products) other items are not. It is worth your time (and your responsibility to do some research) and will save you alto of money.

Menu planning is another great way to organize your time and use your pantry goods to the fullest. Some ladies prefer a monthly menu but four our family that doesn't work as we travel often or other things come up and dinner will be out. I prefer a weekly menu plan. Do what bests suits your family. Always allow room for flexibility and changes of plans.

Keep recipe's handy in a book for the easy 'grab and cook'.

Use a crockpot (slow cooker) can save you an amazing amount of time and truly helps you use everything in your fridge so that nothing goes to waste!

If your schedule allows, start making some other staple items from scratch (it really save time in the end and money oh....and its healthier too) - bread, pizza crust, pie crusts etc.

Defrost dinner first thing in the morning (that way the decision is already made for you).

This is a little food for thought to help you perhaps organize and spend your time and money wisely. As the Proverbs 31 woman would have done.

It is part of our call as wives and mothers to make our home a peaceful haven for our children to grow and feel safe in and for our husbands to feel welcomed and stress free. By planning most things like menus and shopping we cut out that free falling feeling that hits many of us at around 3:30pm ahhhh....what's for dinner???? Our anxiety is ultimately passed on to our children and our husbands.

The bible also calls us to be hospitable...by planning our meals and having them ready (on most days) we are always ready to feed anyone be it family or friend who happens by without worry.

Planning should not be chore but a special challenge done out of love and respect for our families and the Lord himself.

Feel free to email me any other additions or suggestions as I love to learn a new trick or two to better use my time so that I have more of it for my family.

Blessings from the pantry,

Sandy