$0 spend week

[Aleta]

meatloafkend: I had stated earlier that all you need is 1/2 gallon milk containers. I buy the usual gallon and will put less than 1/2 of it in a half-gallon containere and freeze it. You can either keep the gallon container in your fridge or get another 1/2 gallon milk container and transfer the remainder of milk to it.

[Emily26]

Good idea. I only go shopping once every couple of weeks, unless it's for products that I need to get more often (i.e. bread, milk). I try to make sure that anything I buy is something that I will actually eat (and is worth it for the price), so that I don't have things sitting in my cabinets for months that go to waste! Leftovers are great too.

[Walt_Pennsyl]

I spend $20/day on food. I've tried to do less than that, but it's more trouble than it's worth!

[SoCalifrugal]

I have been using Quicken Online for one year now, and I went back and calculated I spend about $30/week on groceries on average. This doesn't include when I buy chips or something for a potluck/group gathering. That has a separate category. This is purely meals eaten at home and for brown bag lunches.

This month, a blog I read is posting a Eat From Your Pantry challenge, where the goal is to make due with what you already have. I've allowed myself to buy perishables such as veggies and bread, and food for my upcoming birthday party (which is a separate budget category from groceries). One week in and I've only spent $5. Considering that my budget for January is $20, this is looking good. It's fun getting creative while using up stuff that's been sitting in my cupboards and freezer for a while.

[SavingSheila]

My husband and I are gearing up to start once a month shopping to do a no spend MONTH.

Obviously we will need to buy gas for our cars still and we've set aside $15 a week for milk, bread and fresh produce - the kids (8 and 2) can't go without bananas, carrots and red peppers! LOL But, other than that, if it isn't purchased on our once a month trip, we go without - unless it's something the kids need or a medicine, obviously.

We are cutting out all of the little extras we buy - a 20 oz pop and a pack of gum at the gas station, a donut on the way to work, that sort of thing - while we are saving for a house and paying off our credits cards.

We went two weeks with only spending $1.35.

[Mike75]

I can't believe how much food people waste these days. They just keep stacking more and more food in their refrigerator without bothering to check whether they even need it or not.

The no shop week is a good idea. But I think you should make it a habit to only buy things you need.

[Homebody]

How did it go Sheila? I am doing a "under $200.00" month for DH and I. We have a full pantry and freezer so it should be easy.

[Slandgie]

I only use maybe $20 of my $200 per diem from work! The rest is used to pay down debt!

[preciouslove]

I try to clean out my cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer at least once every two months. This not only helps me to save money but keeps my food much more fresh.

[Frugal]

I actually tried the no=spend week last week, and it largely worked. I went 13 days without going to the major grocery store I sink most of my grocery dollars into, and I was able to stretch all the food we had in our pantry and fridge, and use up almost every item before I bought new.

I also used a few coupons for free items at the grocery store. I then went to Target two days ago, when my no=spend week was up, and purchased some small necessities like napkins, etc. for only $1.00 total for about $20-25 worth of stuff with coupons.

[Homebody]

I believe this thread is for when you have a bunch of food in your pantry and freezer and to try to go a week or 7 days without buying anything. Milk routinely lasts 10 days or so. It was not meant to buy nothing if you have nothing.

[Homebody]

I said pantry and freezer which stores food for a longer period of time.

[smartinvested]

I was talking with my friend that is super-organized when it comes to her food inventory. Or, I thought she was because it seemed she always had the correct amount of everything.

She told me that she really isn't that good, but what she does every three months or so is have a "no shopping week" for food. They have whatever is in the cabinets, refrigerator and freezer. She said that if she didn't do that, she would have all kinds of extra stuff. The no shopping week cleans out all the excess food that otherwise would be passed over again and again.

I thought it was a good idea and I'm going to try and have one next week.

This I like of the idea, but it also symbolizes her ability or handicap to not budget.

[techgirlable]

Do you have issues with family members doing this? I have tried this "clean out week" challenge, and it never goes over very well. How do deal with it?

Perhaps, though, I am just a terrible cook. That is a distinct possibility.