Anes Weblog » Pantry Challenge

Pantry Challenge

10 03 06

25

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-------- Reduce Waste

We where amazed at how much food we have in our pantry. Some of it close to its expiration date (useless if not consumed soon), and some other may go the same path if we leave it there, unused, for as long as we have left the soon to expire. It has happened before and I am sure it has happened to other people as well.

Unused food may become waste. Waste is wasted money and resources that could have been used for more fruitful and/or enjoyable endeavors. We decided to stop waste and at the same time we may be able to help the balance in our common expenses account stay at a healthy level.

For the month of March we will subsist on what is on the panty / fridge only, with very few exceptions: dairy and fish for Lenten Fridays.

We have the common ingredients like tomato, chicken broth, oil, sugar, flour, and rice in all its possible varieties. But that doesn’t mean that our diet will be boring, just challenging. We also have strange ingredients like foie gras, black currant syrup, molasses, steel cut oatmeal, tarragon mustard (green), canned crab meat, bulgur wheat. Our freezer has bags of lima beans, and assorted chicken parts suitable only for making broth. Fortunately, there is no SPAM in our pantry (that was gone in a similar experiment a few years ago). We will have fun in the kitchen trying to find out interesting uses for what is on the pantry.

So far our strategy is succeeding. 10 days have gone by in March and we have only spent $65.07. With some luck we will keep the food bill below $200 in March, down from its usual $500 / month. Not only that, we may be able to clear out some of the less used ingredients, making sure that they do not go to waste for not being used on time.

I can suggest you try the same thing. If not for a month, try to set up a week where you try to consume old ingredients. The creativity needed to consume them, or the research into exotic recipes may provide some variety and fun. And by reducing waste, you may be able to save a few bucks.

Other people who took on the Pantry Challenge:

Jonathan of My Money Blog

Other Links:

How about a Link trade? http://home-equity-lenders.blogspot.com/
Thanks
William () (URL) - 10 03 06 - 12:31

Good idea. I too have things in my pantry I haven’t eatten in a while. I want to try a similar challenge. I have to buy baby food and formula (2 more months left) but I think I can keep the rest of my grocery bill low. I will come back and post how I do or you can check my blog.
imelda () (URL) - 13 03 06 - 12:42

Yes, I have cut my grocery bill considerably, but I also have tons of stuff in my cabinets and freezer that I can eat. Once I spend my budget for groceries I get really creative with what’s left in the kitchen. I should try it before I buy groceries at all.
Debt Hater () (URL) - 13 03 06 - 18:42

I am sorry for the delay in getting this released. Your submission has been included in this week’s Festival of Frugality at the following URL:

http://neos-nest-egg.blogspot.com/2006/03/festival-of-frugality-14.html

Neo
Neo's Nest Egg () (URL) - 14 03 06 - 15:37

Nice piece. I am a sucker for specialty items that I use once and that just sit there for years!
Kay () (URL) - 15 03 06 - 01:14

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Pantry Challenge

Pantry Challenge

-------- Reduce Waste

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