I try to make the best use of my time, resources, and money to try and live a good life budgeting. This is my flex at of being thrifty and it can be challenging. I summarize on Thursdays as I keep looking for balance.
Time
- Might not fit here, but I chose to ignore a comment related to my $9 challenge. I decided defending my menu and rehashing the why of the challenge wasn't worth the time, but I do feel a bit defensive. It's wonderful some people are so time, knowledge, and food secure that this type of challenge was just "pointless, just to try and draw readers, sell clicks on ads, and promote unhealthy eating leading to obesity and premature death." They had other feedback as well, "No wonder you have knee and weight issues if that's how you make meals." Other than the robo spam, I tend to post even critical comments if respectful. This time, I chose not to as it would have given name to said person. Maybe there's truth to what was said, but I think I was pretty direct that it was a personal challenge, for fun and not recommendation on how to shop or eat. It was seeing what I could do for $9.
- Spent most of Saturday and part of Sunday on the spare room. Last night I tackled two kitchen areas. It's feeling/I'm feeling lighter! I'll keep going!
- Indulged DH and went to an empty movie theater to see James Bond. We did miss movie outings. They weren't frequent, but a nice change from staying home for movie night and this was a good end to the weekend.
- I ate my lunch outside on Monday and and Tuesday with pup, giving myself some free vitamin D and a real break. I need to push away from my desk more.
- Filled a small bag with recyclables while walking pup. Ridiculous that people left their bottles behind in the park.
- Furnace tune up got scheduled for November 3, but electric company installed a new more efficient meter. Not sure if that will mean more or less to spend.
- Donation's made of books, clothing, and bric-a-brac from purging. Regretfully, also filled a large garbag bag plus the recycling bin.
Money
- This is a usual one, but worth saying that I ate lunches at home every day.
- I made the 2 & 3 meals for my 3 at $3 challenge. Good thing because I sent DH to store for a few things and he thought he bought chicken on special. Nope $3.99 per pound! He read tag wrong, or the wrong chicken was in the $2.19 space. It was good quality as I used one of five breast pieces in a stir fry, but dang!
- Made extra rice intentionally to go with some chickpea masala for my lunches yesterday and today. It was nice variety rather than being tempted to grab something out.
- Have organized health and beauty products already owned so we don't duplicate. I also boxed up giftable things for others. What is not used through Christmas, or determined not going to be used, will be donated likely to the women's shelter.
- I cancelled our Fab, Fit, Fun subscription box. We'll get the winter box still as it was an annual subscription that ends before spring.
- Sluggy has me thinking more in the freebies and BOGO's so I can increase donations to the shelter for non food items.(She's fabulously generous and efficient in what she's able to donate) I got a deal on deodorant with a mix of sale, Walgreens rewards, and a coupon but not our brand. Three are ready for the donation box.
Your $9 challenge makes me think about what our meals cost. I dread breaking it down, it's not my thing lol. But, I am more aware of what I am spending on groceries. I buy as many BOGO items that we will use and Loss Leaders.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the time you took to post about the $9 challenge and I hope you will continue.
How was the James Bond movie??
I appreciate constructive feedback-loved what Chef Owings said last week after my shop. I know the sodium was through the roof and quality was lacking-point made. I love god conversation-not just affirmation. Bond movie was entertaining but dragged out. Some really good up and coming actors I think made the movie.
DeleteI'm sorry about the comment. There is enough misery in this world without people intentionally being nasty. I knew the $3 challenge was for fun, and to make us think what we would do if our funds were limited.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good week. You were able to have some fun, save some money and help others. Definitely a win!
I like comments on trying it, people being able to do better by shopping their pantry from loss leaders, etc. It is amazing how hard it would be to feed your family if you truly had only a fe dollars.
DeleteTrolls gonna hate....you do you!
ReplyDeleteThing is, this person had good points about the quality-but to imply I was promoting high sodium, fatty, foods to my 200 readers (LOL) in order to drive up clicks on ads was almost laughable if it wasn't so mean and off base. Maybe the comment was to drive readers to her/his blog?
DeleteI am also very sorry about the comment. The post reminded me about a time in my life that lasted about 10 years with my and my daughter starting when she was about 6 to about when she was 17. When she was age 6 I had about 12 dollars a week to spend for food. We are mostly like your challenge. By the time my daughter was 17 I had about 24 dollars a week for food. This would have been 22 years ago. Macaroni and tomatoes, a bag of carrots, a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread. This was typical of what I would get. Oh a Jiffy box vanilla cake mix for 34 cents that I could make 18 cookies with so my daughter could have a nightly treat for the week. People should not be so judgemental. Families will buy what they can to try to make meals. I worked full time and always a part time job. After rent, utilities, car insurance, child care for after school when she was young, has for car, I would be left with very little. I think this was a great post about low cost food you can make.
ReplyDeleteHad I not just bought the huge bag of basmati rice and was more ambitious, I'd have done something with beans and rice. But everyone does beans and rice for these challenges, and I know some people will not even try to cook dry beans. O have ideas again for another attempt, but with an eye to reduce sodium, increase protein, and better balance the vitamins. I applaud you for your tenacity while raising your daughter. Maybe someone got an idea or two, and perhaps I should have added a food resource to help those that might need access to help them through times of financial challenge. Next post!
DeleteI think it's awesome for all of us to be aware of how hard it is to meal plan on an incredibly limited budget. Many people do that out of need, and it's quite eye opening. I thought your challenge was very interesting & did make me think about how much my meals cost to make.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand why people spend time being nasty. Truly. They need to research what leads to happiness in life (spoiler alert - it's doing kind things for others, not bringing people down.)
I love the idea of following Sluggy's lead on all of the deals & funneling those towards donations. I'm not quite that invested from a time perspective, but still look for smaller options as they arise.
I am not sure if they were actually trolling, or thought their comment was appropriate for a community conversation-maybe they didn't mean to be nasty. I didn't take offense with the weight and knee (likley both true!)-it was the implication that I was trying t get people to eat low quality unhealthy foods in order to attract clicks made me defensive, but as Sluggy said, I'll do me! I'm not skilled at the deals or putting them together in layers week after week, but the deodorant deal sort of just jumped out at me. I might have passed had I not just gone through and created a box already of good healthy and beauty things to donate. I get a little retail therapy for cheap, plus needed items will reach women who want better lives for themselves and their kids.
DeleteThe entire point of the challenge (in my opinion) was to be fun and educational. To stimulate your brain into thinking differently, push yourself and then be honest about what you learned, the good and the bad. All those boxes were checked. If so and so wanted to comment, they could at least bring something to the discussion that was useful such as what could have done that was healthier but still fit the parameters or accept the challenge and provide us all their results. I wish I was so bored that I had the time to complain on the internet lol. I never am too busy to defend a friend though ;)
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, let’s get into my frugal fails this week! We ordered take from a place we hadn’t visited in awhile, got “the usual” and once we picked it up found out they raised the prices $20 more than we expected it to be. Good thing we enjoyed it cause we won’t be going there again. Waited too long to get gas and the price went up. Treated myself to a few things from the Halloween store since I work the whole weekend and can dress up but I needed some inspiration. I also got my daughter’s employee discount so I did save a little. I need to buy her cap and gown today, not cheap but non negotiable. I did notice they offer assistance for families that may need it. Also registering her for two dual enrollment classes, frugal but still not cheap. I picked up a birthday present for my son using some kohl’s discounts and need to grab something from Walmart as well as stop in the dollar tree for a 50 cent card. Turning 20 is cute but not very exciting! JoAnn
I could see getting a visceral reaction if I was saying "see how great I did" with no commentary about sodium, fat, reliance on cheap food. I basically bashed myself! It is tough to spend more when you thought you were budgeting for a treat, but I'm glad you enjoyed the food at least. I didn't track your daughter is working at the Halloween Store. Now I wonder if our pop up version opened this year? I drag out a witch hat, but that's the extent of my dressing up.
DeleteDon't you just love those perfect commenters. They never do anything wrong in their lives, do they? I tend to have come to the conclusion that those that have to be negative and rude in commenting (and I'm sure they do it on lots of blogs) are just trying to compensate for their own failures in life.
ReplyDeleteWhite Bread is pretty gross, so had it needed there, I'd have been glad to post. (I needed 1 more penny to take the wheat home with me.) I love all of you making me feel better in the comments. Thank you.
DeleteThere are a few commenters who seem to think their (often extremely negative) comments are necessary for the world to continue its orbit. If I were talking to you in person my advice would be phrased differently than who cares what they say.
ReplyDeleteAfter doing the EBT challenge for a month, I understand first hand how hard it is to cook for a family on a severely restricted budget. Until I had built some reserves the meals were much like what you made. The one thing that also gets overlooked is that most people on extremely tight budgets are also working their butts off, so the time it might take to create a more nutritional meal is not in the cards.
You keep being you and doing what you enjoy.
I think my main conclusion is if you say have only $9 for several days, you can eat, but be prepared it will not be the best. It will though taste moderately good and fill a belly. It also talked me into thinking of alternatives-but ones that require a stocked pantry and refrigerator with other basics, such as making white sauce with butter, flour and milk instead of a 57 cent can of soup. But what if a person didn't have butter, flour, or milk? What if a person bought the dry beans and worked a double shift then had child care pck up, and juggling kiddos and homework, so didn't get them soaked the night before, and cooked ahead. Well, the 48 cent cans of beans might do in a pinch. You people get me!
DeleteI actually read something this week saying that many people donate macaroni and cheese boxes to food banks, but that most of the recipients don't have the butter and milk to make it up. It is definitely an issue.
DeleteEye opening to think even cheap stuff is hard for do some families. I saw a YouTuber avoid can openers and vegetable peelers and stuck to things raw or microwave. It was a excellent point-what if family was in temp housing/ no real kitchen?
DeleteTo be honest, I was a little appalled with the food. Then, as soon as I thought negative thoughts about your food, I thought of some of the meals I eat. No one is immune from eating poorly once in a while. I forgot what I ate, but as soon as I finished it, I checked the sodium and could not believe I ate whatever it was. I do think I could have done better than you did, but, actually, that was only better for me, not anyone else. I certainly have never thought about your clicks or traffic. The post was good and interesting. It made me think. But, it was not enough to make me criticize.
ReplyDeleteSee-I'm totally OK with you saying that, even if the word appalled is a little strong. 1440 g of sodium in a meal? Insanely high! But, I think if people are honest, we've all gone the easy route time to time and this was a challenge. I still think a toastie dog is as good if not better than a fast food burger, which I know you have had. The tinned potatoes, rinsed off, then roasted, less salt (and I included the salt on the label, not factoring in the rinsing) and fat so no worse than French fries from a restaurant.
DeleteSAM,
DeleteI go a little bonkers over sodium. Then, I turn right around and consume too much! I love hotdogs and try to avoid them. But, I fail, time and time again. The food with too much sodium was a slice of bologna. I had to have a package and got it. I do this every six months or so. Then, by the time I had two slices of bread and a generous amount of cheddar cheese, I had enough sodium for two days or more.
I have had cans of potatoes and gave them away. the young woman to whom I gave them said to fry them in butter and they were delicious. I never tried them.
Yes, I have had fast food burgers. But, if anyone knew the exhaustion I suffer from all the time, they would be surprised and not blame me much. It is sometimes too tiring to do anything but exist. However, I know good nutrition is important. I say to myself "this is junk." I don't pass it off as something I need or is good for me.
I'm sorry you were on the receiving end of such a rude comment. And I think you were probably right not to publish it. Don't feed the trolls!
ReplyDeleteNow be sure to click on all the ads and help me make my fortune in Blog world! While you do that, I'll be busy turning my friends and family into obese walking heart attacks ready to happen. Now I'm kind of having fun with it.
DeleteOkay you just made me snort my diet coke up my nose and wet my pants.... thnaks
DeleteHappy to brighten your day, Kim!
DeleteI wish all the Bento-Box packing, Whole Foods shopping, organic ancient grain baking, food bashing judgmental mothers would go soak their heads. Your challenge was just that, a challenge--and if the type of food bothered that commenter so much, then maybe he/she should step outside the Blogosphere and change the system that makes healthy food so unobtainable to many.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your challenges. I also appreciate that you *always* have published my comments even when they are of a different viewpoint from yours. That you didn't publish this person's really speaks to its nastiness.
It was not comments related to the quality of the food-it was questioning my motivation and saying I was encouraging the use of low quality less nutritious foods. I felt I did the opposite-yes, a person could cook a meal to feed people, but do so with caution. If I was encouraging this, do they think I would have included the dire nutrition numbers? However, as you said, the problem is why is healthy affordable food so out of reach to so many? I knowingly bought these foods, but what about people that buy things that are marketed as healthy, but are actually as bad as these meals? I never mind different views as that is how I learn and grow, come back and ponder on things, admit when my mind is changed-or not. Yes it was nasty, but I didn't publish because the profile linked to a blog-didn't want to give the satisfaction of people linking to it-that's how I find new blogs I read.
DeleteForgot to say, I read "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich a few years ago. If I remember correctly she tried to live in 3 different areas of the States over the period of a year and survive on minimum wage! It was VERY eye-opening!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look that one up. I'm avid that food insecurity shouldn't be tolerated anywhere in the world-when it is in supposedly rich nations, it's obscene.
DeleteI read that book and it was very disheartening and really made me see what life could be like. Very good read.
DeleteI read it years ago and it impacted the way I look at nearly everything.
DeleteSAM
ReplyDeleteSometimes people can't see beyond their own world. I work with different individuals and your ideas help me help them. I have a adult student struggling to finish their last term and of course their car dies. So they are finding it hard to come up with the money and also pay bills and well eat. Ramen and mac and cheese only go so far.
I used some of your ideas coupled with some YT video ideas to help out. 63 days to go and hopefully the car is drivable soon.
Amy-what a very kind comment. It meant a lot to me. I hope your student gets over this hurdle an don with their career!
DeleteI rarely comment but I read your blog often! That person has some nerve. Get a life, get some fresh air! 3 meals for $9 is amazing whichever way you slice it. Ironically, the person making the comment probably also hates folks who might need to stretch $9 into multiple meals - go figure!
ReplyDeleteOh-there is a lot of thought about those that judge. No peep today from said commenter. It's full circle to me though, a bit. Last February, I made a comment about a referenced blogger in the post on someone else's blog. While I was trying to agree with the point being made about anti-masks/Covid denying, I knew it moved into being mean spirited, and I regretted it, owned it, and apologized via my blog that it was rude. It's easy to be behind a key board, and quite frankly, I deserved to be called out. Maybe all this support I am getting will get to that same commenter and they will have the same revelation I had-it is OK to disagree, have opinions, but as you say, "get a life" and move on.
DeleteExactly, we can leave comments without being mean, or just move on when it doesn't jive with how we feel. Your blog is enjoyed and adored!!
DeleteNow, you're being too darn nice but I appreciate it!
DeleteSorry you've had that SAM. Yet another case of someone putting their own spin on a post.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting but then, I've done stupid comment making myself, and learned.
DeleteWell personally I loved your challenge and I know you don't eat like that all the time. But it really got me thinking. Shame on some people who have to be so nasty. I can't beleive they would say those things. Shame. I guess Sluggy has very mean comments also sometimes. She read them to SIs and I when we were last together. I was shocked and hurt for her. Do you remember when my mother passed someone commented, I BET YOU ARE GLAD SHE IS DEAD AS YOU COMPLAINED ABOUT HER ALL THE TIME. I think of this blog space as a way to relate to others that are either like me or not like me. It is a great community to share ideas and well really vent. I need to vent sometimes. Just want you to know that I love you and think you are wonderful. Food insecurity is real and any challenge that shows how to get calories into bodies is a good thing. Don't let the mean spirited get you down.
ReplyDeleteI do remember that, Kim. That was 200 X's worse. I'm not down, just feeling a bit defensive as it was a fun challenge that someone decided was crap.
DeleteCarry on doing what you're doing Sam. People are sometimes quick to write things that they actually wouldn't say to you if they met you person to person. Arilx
ReplyDeleteEven when I made a snarky comment, likely I would have said it in person based on how I was feeling. I'd then apologize, but that's not right either.
DeleteIt's one thing to remark that you don't like/use processed food but to directly attack you is just rude and unnecessary. It was a personal food challenge that you posted on your blog. I can't believe someone had the nerve to say those things. Keep doing you!
ReplyDeleteI watch a lot of Youtube, like the crock pot ones. Now I feel bad for a couple that I watch that I know use a ton of processed cream soups, packets, etc. to help get their meals into the crock pot or oven. I hope these young women aren't being shredded in their comments because they have a whole lot more viewers than I have people read. I didn't recognize the commenter so I think she/he was a one time visitor anyway, so not worth any more time.
Delete