Menu Monday

Welcome to our first, weekly "Menu Monday"! We're so excited to share with you in this way about our new project! Each week we'll reveal what the game plan is for the upcoming week and how we're utizlizing that week's food items. But first...

The Big Idea:
This is a take off of our original Food Pak Adventure, but this time it's bigger! For an entire year, we are going to take what we learned from living off a Food Pak and apply those experiences to a new set of rules. This time we are really stretching our dollars! Our plan is to spend only $10 a week for both of us! This includes all food and drink purchases, grocery and dining out. To add variety, we aren't setting limits on the types of foods we eat, only the amount we spend. Creativity is key this year! If we want to eat out, we have to plan ahead and save money from our weekly budget until we can afford it. Also, any and all freebies and coupons are fair game! We follow this really great blog that makes this part really easy! She posts all sorts of deals, coupons, and freebies that we regularly take advantage of!

So that's how we're going to do it!


Here's an update of our first week (officially started on 1/3 - 1/9):

• Spent only about $16 for the first 2 weeks. (Budgeted a little less since we already have some groceries at the house.)
• Enjoyed a free Burger Meal at Daily Grill, free Chicken Finger Combo at Raising Cane's, and free Fresco Tacos from Taco Bell. Frankie also had two work lunches this week (this happens occasionally and is paid for by the clients) and we picked up a free bag of Stacy's Pita Chips!
• Had a lot of rice, beans, and quesadillas!
  

This week we are looking forward to free ice cream cones from Ben and Jerry's and whatever other deals that come our way! We also still have some beans and rice, a bag of pasta, canned soups, canned veggies and fruits, half a loaf of bread, a couple slices of cheese, lots of snacks and lots of Christmas popcorn! Stay tuned for picture and meal highlights!