nomifyle
TB Fanatic
God bless you and I'm praying for you too, you have a lot on your plate.
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 28 ~ June 3, 2023
- Thread starter ReneeT
- Start date
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Same.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Someone upstairs is helping. The drop coordinator for tomorrow lives in the same town I do. She said she'd grab my order and bring it up to me. That's one thing off the plate.
And another friend thinks that maybe the passenger side tire threw off its balance weight. Which is quite possible. But the steps to get handled are complicated when son is involved.
Now to just figure out the doctor appt on Friday.
And another friend thinks that maybe the passenger side tire threw off its balance weight. Which is quite possible. But the steps to get handled are complicated when son is involved.
Now to just figure out the doctor appt on Friday.
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John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
I'm praying for you and your vehicle situation!
This morning I hoed the entire garden and this afternoon we had the blessing of showers. Not a great amount, but some is better than none. Before the showers the soil was powder so doubt this rain will improve that situation much. It should green up the grass though. I was tempted to plant a row of beets and my flowers in hope of rain, but decided against it since every time rain has been forecast in the last month, we didn't get any. I'm not sure the ground would be moist enough to germinate seeds with what we got. Earlier rain was in the forecast for tomorrow but it has now been taken out.
Prayers for all.
Prayers for all.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Another beautiful day in our forecast. High of 87 and sunny. We plan to do yard work, today. Cary will be mowing, and I'll be working in the gardens and flowers.
Tomorrow is our big shopping day. Since it's been a month, since I've been, I'm expecting it to be rather large. I have to replace a month's worth of food that I've used from the pantry, plus fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, and meat. If it saves me money by only going once a month, I'll continue to do it. If it comes out cheaper by buying every two weeks, I'll go back to doing that. We'll see. I also have to stop in at TSC for doggie treats/food. I can get him all natural treats there that doesn't upset his stomach. The Wine Shop to restock on our favorite wine and Cary's beer. I've also got a load of laundry in the dry cleaners to pick up. I put some things in the cleaners just to have pressed. I hate to iron but do so on occasion.
Next week is going to be a full one. I have 3 doctor's appointments. One to see my PC doctor, one to see my dentist for a cleaning, and one to cardio for all the testing for PAD and CAD. The 6th, 7th, and 8th. If all goes well with all the testing, I need to make an appointment to have this cataract removed. The blind spot is affecting my overall vision.
Tomorrow is our big shopping day. Since it's been a month, since I've been, I'm expecting it to be rather large. I have to replace a month's worth of food that I've used from the pantry, plus fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, and meat. If it saves me money by only going once a month, I'll continue to do it. If it comes out cheaper by buying every two weeks, I'll go back to doing that. We'll see. I also have to stop in at TSC for doggie treats/food. I can get him all natural treats there that doesn't upset his stomach. The Wine Shop to restock on our favorite wine and Cary's beer. I've also got a load of laundry in the dry cleaners to pick up. I put some things in the cleaners just to have pressed. I hate to iron but do so on occasion.
Next week is going to be a full one. I have 3 doctor's appointments. One to see my PC doctor, one to see my dentist for a cleaning, and one to cardio for all the testing for PAD and CAD. The 6th, 7th, and 8th. If all goes well with all the testing, I need to make an appointment to have this cataract removed. The blind spot is affecting my overall vision.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
That's what I'm thinking, too. BUT, the size and quantity of my shopping list is scary for a whole month.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I know what you mean, my total today was almost three times what I spend every ten days or so, but I'm good for awhile. WM was out of the ezekiel bread that I like so I had to go to two other stores to find it and I got the last they had. And they were out of the Dave's killer bread thin slice and they substituted the thicker slice. I'll keep that in case things get bad. In one of the other stores I found the thin sliced, so all in all I ended up with 8 loaves of bread and that is for 2 people that don't eat much bread. About 3/4's of what I got has to be either refrigerated or frozen. What in the world would I do with bread if the power went out and we were out of fuel to run the generators.
At the last minute I added two of the one pound propane canisters, they are twice the price of what they were before the Texas freeze a couple of years ago,
Only a couple of things I might need in two or three weeks. I eat a lot of cottage cheese with chopped up grape tomatoes. It would be nice if our garden tomatoes would be ready when I will need some more, but its not likely. We planted late.
It looks like I've been to wm three times in the last ten days, that's way too much shopping in that amount of time.
It looks like I only bought two cans of something. And that was sausage gravy.
As I expected the "rain" yesterday did nothing for the soil. It is still powdery dry. The potato plants look better which is because they only thing with foliage to collect moisture. Tomatoes and peppers are new transplants and still tiny. The newspaper weather forecast is showing showers possible for the next few days, but the computer forecast has no rain for today. It is sunny and 87º with a 11-mph breeze so very comfortable.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
From the looks of the size of my shopping list, I've no doubt that it will be almost $1000 for a month's worth of groceries. I started shopping at Food Giant to keep me from buying other things besides food. I hope that cuts down on the cost, tomorrow. I've got a huge hole in my freezer to fill back up with meat. Not to mention a month's worth of yogurt, fresh produce, milk, eggs, cheeses, bread, etc. to last us a month, then to replace everything I've used out of the pantry. I just don't know if I want to put out that kind of money all at one time. We'll see how it goes.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
And I thought $300 was bad, but you've always spent more than I have. You have some pricey necicities that I don't have, thank God. There were no real holes in my freezer, but I did buy two packages of shrimp that we don't usually eat. Its a nice change from our usual ground venison and pork. Although we are not tire of that at all, not even close. And I could go for a month without buying bread because we basically not bread eaters. I got what I did in case there are shortages. The anxiety that I've been feeling about stocking up has been abated with today's shopping.
LOL, DH said no more dog food and cases of water for awhile. We didn't need either but I got a 27# bag of dog food and 4 more cases of bottled water, I drink about a case of 24
a week.
And speaking of water, I have a nice blue 55 gallon barrel for water. Unfortunately it sits in the sun and I'm thinking about getting a cover for it.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, we do buy a lot more than you do. We don't have fresh milk, yogurt, eggs, cheeses, and meat of all kinds like a lot of folks do that have a farm. We don't have the land for it. Cary won't raise our own chickens, because he'll make pets out of them, and won't be able to butcher them. We both don't like venison or wild hog for meat. All we can do is to raise some of our own veggies and can some of it. Everything else is totally dependent on the grocery store. That's why I have such a large pantry with 2 + years' worth of food stored up in rotation. I keep going to the grocery store to keep that pantry up and running and for all the necessities we need. We do eat a lot, so I cook a lot, compared to a lot of folks. We eat full course meals.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I can understand, I'd be pretty dependent on the grocery store for animal protein if DH wasn't here. As for raising chickens, we don't butcher them, they die of old age, but we do have a wonderful supply of fresh eggs. And to me an egg is the perfect food. And LOL neither of us are that fond of chicken, but of course we do love fried chicken, fried by someone else. Fortunately we do like venison and pork.
Got a bit done today - sprayed the tomatoes (they seem to always get a fungus, but I can treat with copper), watered the garden, straightened up for an overnight guest, ran errands, made dinner and muffins, did a locad of laundry, and attended a meeting for work.
A friend at work was showing me a thing called "Nerdy Nuts". Basically peanut butter with a lot of delicious goodies added. Looked it up online - $13-15 for a 14 ounce jar and $12 shipping. No thanks - I'll make it at home. Tonight I tried a knock off of their 'Avalanche" - peanut butter, marshmallow creme, caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, and rice krispies. Sounds and smells yummy - will have for part of my snacks tomorrow. And it's high calorie, which for me is good.
I'm finding that if I make a detailed list, I get more done. Not sure if it's age, chemo, or too many carbs!
A friend at work was showing me a thing called "Nerdy Nuts". Basically peanut butter with a lot of delicious goodies added. Looked it up online - $13-15 for a 14 ounce jar and $12 shipping. No thanks - I'll make it at home. Tonight I tried a knock off of their 'Avalanche" - peanut butter, marshmallow creme, caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, and rice krispies. Sounds and smells yummy - will have for part of my snacks tomorrow. And it's high calorie, which for me is good.
I'm finding that if I make a detailed list, I get more done. Not sure if it's age, chemo, or too many carbs!
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Probably a combination of all three
briches
Veteran Member
Can’t remember who commented earlier in the thread about the birds eating your tomatoes, but if so, they are trying to get the water in them. Put out a bird bath/waterer for them, and it should solve the problem. Hubby is a (self-proclaimed) heirloom tomato nerd and does this. It works.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, it does work. We have a nice bird bath next to our raised beds. Birds play in it all the time, and we've never had a problem with them eating our tomatoes.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We've watered the gardens and sprayed the tomatoes with copper spray this morning. We also put garden dust on everything. I'm watching for the late squash and cukes to come up any day now. Maybe, Monday, Cary will get to put his little tomato plants in the garden. These are Atkinson's tomatoes, so we can save seed from them. We've never tried them, before, so we hope they turn out good. Cary ordered the seed from Southern Exposure, and they are supposed to do good in our area.
I'm getting ready to make my shopping trip. Need to get that out of the way, because tomorrow and Saturday, I have a lot of household chores to get done, before Sunday.
High today of 88 with sunny skies. It's getting a bit humid, too. It's almost time to turn on our floor fan.
I'm getting ready to make my shopping trip. Need to get that out of the way, because tomorrow and Saturday, I have a lot of household chores to get done, before Sunday.
High today of 88 with sunny skies. It's getting a bit humid, too. It's almost time to turn on our floor fan.
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SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We just got home from our shopping trip, and I'm tired. I've got everything dated and put away, so now I can rest.
I shopped for a month's supply, today, I was surprised at how much it cost. It was only just a bit more than what I've been spending every two weeks. I guess you really don't buy as much when only doing it for a month at a time. Both my freezers are full, fridge freezer is full, and the fridge is bulging. The pantry has been restocked, too. I'm going to try this one more month and see if the cost comes out about the same. If so, I'll be a once a month shopper from now on.
Went to the bank, TSC, and The Wine Shop, then picked up laundry from the dry cleaners. The dry cleaners will be closed for the next 2 months or so for repair on the roof from the tornado damage. Guess I'll be ironing more in the near future.
It's been a good day, and I'm so thankful to Father for all His blessings!
I shopped for a month's supply, today, I was surprised at how much it cost. It was only just a bit more than what I've been spending every two weeks. I guess you really don't buy as much when only doing it for a month at a time. Both my freezers are full, fridge freezer is full, and the fridge is bulging. The pantry has been restocked, too. I'm going to try this one more month and see if the cost comes out about the same. If so, I'll be a once a month shopper from now on.
Went to the bank, TSC, and The Wine Shop, then picked up laundry from the dry cleaners. The dry cleaners will be closed for the next 2 months or so for repair on the roof from the tornado damage. Guess I'll be ironing more in the near future.
It's been a good day, and I'm so thankful to Father for all His blessings!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have generators and plenty of fuel just for that reason. Learned that lesson when an ice storm went through years ago. We were out of power for 2 weeks. I lost it all then and said we would never be in that situation again. We even have generators to back up generators.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
We do too.
aviax2
Veteran Member
We got several boxes in from my Sam’s order this week from many different states, but what do they with coffee, nuts, tortillas, canister of Gatorade and 14 lbs of brown sugar? Why pack it all in the same box! One (at least it was only one) canister of coffee burst open and got into everything else. The bags of brown sugar were slightly torn but oh, it was just enough to get coffee grounds all down in the bags. Sometimes they ship the coffee shrink wrapped in plastic so the lid stays on, or with nothing heavy in the box, but this is the second time they’ve done this. What a mess I’ve had to clean up, and I’m still working on calming down before I get in touch with them to make things right, again. Besides the above items, we got regular sugar, powdered sugar, tea, chips, white vinegar, braggs apple cider vinegar and popcorn.
SB~ We don’t even shop once a month for the most part. Now DH will stop by a local store if they have a really good buy on something and we try to stock up as things go on sale, so one month we may spend way more than the next two months. And he‘ll drop in for a few needed items along but we really don’t go grocery shopping on a regular basis anymore.
Our grocery budget is just for food, anything else has its own category. Outside of a little gardening and a beef about every other year we don’t raise much of our food either. Not even eggs anymore since something killed my last two chickens about a week ago. I’ve told DH we aren’t getting any more unless we can have a coop/pen closer to the house and make it where we can keep them safer. At one time we had several breeds of chickens, turkeys, Guineas, ducks, geese and two livestock guardian dogs that kept them all fairly safe but not anymore. We have raised/butchered some of the birds for food in the past but its too much for me and I don’t want to if I don’t have to.
Speaking of groceries, our fridge is looking really bare! We’re going to have to make that shopping trip to Sam’s and maybe ALDIs soon that we’ve been putting off. I have been doing pretty well with stretching and using things up out of the freezer, fridge and pantry, so there has been little to no waste.
SB~ We don’t even shop once a month for the most part. Now DH will stop by a local store if they have a really good buy on something and we try to stock up as things go on sale, so one month we may spend way more than the next two months. And he‘ll drop in for a few needed items along but we really don’t go grocery shopping on a regular basis anymore.
Our grocery budget is just for food, anything else has its own category. Outside of a little gardening and a beef about every other year we don’t raise much of our food either. Not even eggs anymore since something killed my last two chickens about a week ago. I’ve told DH we aren’t getting any more unless we can have a coop/pen closer to the house and make it where we can keep them safer. At one time we had several breeds of chickens, turkeys, Guineas, ducks, geese and two livestock guardian dogs that kept them all fairly safe but not anymore. We have raised/butchered some of the birds for food in the past but its too much for me and I don’t want to if I don’t have to.
Speaking of groceries, our fridge is looking really bare! We’re going to have to make that shopping trip to Sam’s and maybe ALDIs soon that we’ve been putting off. I have been doing pretty well with stretching and using things up out of the freezer, fridge and pantry, so there has been little to no waste.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
My issue with fridg and such getting way down, what if things go bad over night.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I guess it's just how Cary and I both were raised. Both families went grocery shopping on a weekly basis. Before Cary retired, we still did it that way. Now that he is retired, we have been going twice a month as we both get paid twice a month. I've been noticing, more and more, that the grocery bill was higher the first of the month than two weeks later. I always bought more. So, this past month, I tried to stretch out what we had to make it last a month. It did. So, I decided today to buy for the whole month. The bill really did surprise me, because my bill only went up around $80 from what it has been on a bi-monthly basis. So, it really saves me money if I don't have to go for the rest of the month. If I run out of milk or yogurt before I get back, I can just run down to the country store and get it. Being so far out in the country, we can't just stop by a certain store just to pick up sale items. It would make for a special trip into town to do that.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I was really ready to get to town today. I had this huge empty hole in my freezer that was making me nervous. I don't let things get too low, before restocking. Shopping once a month will be stretching my limit.
aviax2
Veteran Member
I understand that. I like to keep our pantries and freezers well stocked too.
Our fridge is really just a short resting place for dairy, some produce, bacon, condiments and leftovers for a short time, things that aren’t going to last long anyway. When I have too much in the refrigerator, it’s hard for me to keep check on things and use it up fast enough to keep it from going bad. Tonight I’m using up some lettuce that DH bought for granddaughter but got overlooked and I was surprised it was still halfway decent. I’ll have to make some applesauce again in a few days to use up the rest of the slightly wrinkled apples.
I told hubby we are both like that meme that says “I wish I was the person I thought I was when I bought all this produce”! LOL!
SB~ Yes, that’s how I raised too. Then DH got paid every two weeks and that’s when I shopped. Things changed as the kids came along, grew, left home, etc. So right now our normal is what I stated above and what works for us.
We‘re 10 miles from the nearest store (a small Walmart and a Cash Saver, we have to go 35 miles for a Kroger and to Sam’s and Aldi about 70 miles away) so I hear you on not running to the store anytime. DH usually has farm business to attend to in the two nearest towns on a weekly/bi weekly basis so that’s when we usually get some things.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, doing what works for you is the important part. Really, right now, I'm just looking to see what works best for us. I might even try doing it as a "need to" basis, and not be on any particular schedule at all. That would be really nice. Just pick up what's needed while already in town for doctor's appts. and such.
herbgarden
Senior Member
I am getting ready to make soap. Rendered down the beef fat yesterday.
I had something happen that I have never had happen in 50 years. My fat is soft. usually it is rock hard after a night in the ice box.
When I went to trim the stuff off the bottom of the blocks it was too mushy to hold.
Anyone else have this happen to them. All beef fat no pork. I am thinking about cooking it again.
I had something happen that I have never had happen in 50 years. My fat is soft. usually it is rock hard after a night in the ice box.
When I went to trim the stuff off the bottom of the blocks it was too mushy to hold.
Anyone else have this happen to them. All beef fat no pork. I am thinking about cooking it again.
Daughter started using walmart delivery and says she saves money by planning meals and has per meal ingredients delivered to office each day.
She plans her meals for the week.
Having just having to deal with fridge going out and loosing 2 garbage bags of food I can see an advantage to this for perishable items.
She plans her meals for the week.
Having just having to deal with fridge going out and loosing 2 garbage bags of food I can see an advantage to this for perishable items.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
If I remember correctly you have been canning ground beef so your stash would be going down.
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So interesting and helpful how people shop.
We made a Costco run. It is 2 hours away so we like to go quarterly though I don't think we had been since January. We can also stop by Sprouts in same city for bulk items, vitamins and fresh produce. They have alot of organic things. I go to local grocery once a month on senior day with 10% discount. That trip is mostly meat and dairy. I don't like Wal-Mart but go a couple of times a year to stock up on non food/personal care items.
Only downsize to Costco is meat has to be repackaged for 2 people before freezing. This time I easily had room for pantry items so we are not overbuying. I am going to try cooking some dried beans and quick breads for convenience and freezing.
It seems to be a balancing act to eat healthy without running to the store all the time. I have never ordered groceries online
for home delivery.
We made a Costco run. It is 2 hours away so we like to go quarterly though I don't think we had been since January. We can also stop by Sprouts in same city for bulk items, vitamins and fresh produce. They have alot of organic things. I go to local grocery once a month on senior day with 10% discount. That trip is mostly meat and dairy. I don't like Wal-Mart but go a couple of times a year to stock up on non food/personal care items.
Only downsize to Costco is meat has to be repackaged for 2 people before freezing. This time I easily had room for pantry items so we are not overbuying. I am going to try cooking some dried beans and quick breads for convenience and freezing.
It seems to be a balancing act to eat healthy without running to the store all the time. I have never ordered groceries online
for home delivery.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
Meal planning does save money. If you're on Facebook, Southern Frugal Momma is a good page to follow for meal planning. Lots of good ideas!
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
Was going to stop by Dollar General on my way home today but they were closed--said their systems were down. Guess I will try next week.
Made an order with ThriveLife--2 #10 cans of milk and 3 smaller cans of chicken strips. Didn't need the stuff in the regular monthly special this time.
The grocery ads aren't very exciting this week, and I have a little free time, so I hope to get around to finally putting up that mixed berry jam and some jars of beef with potatoes. That will help clean out the freezer a bit as well.
Trip to Ollie's to use my 15% off coupon, but they didn't have much. Did get a couple of bags of tootsie pops
Got some dish soap and a few things for the church food pantry, but not much for us. Didn't have anywhere to put it anyway, so I guess that is okay.
Will need to replace a bag of charcoal I finished over Memorial Day. Bought a couple more boxes of Strike Anywhere matches at Ace. Just little stuff, but it adds up.
Forgot to mention that kitty litter is on sale BOGO this week and so far we have 12 containers. More to add this weekend. When you have four cats, that is a bargain. Also got in a $50 Petsmart card from a credit card reward and got a $10 off $50 coupon for Petsmart in my email, so free pet food on the way. There is no tax on pet food and supplies here this week in Florida, so that saves even more (kitty litter had no tax either).
Made an order with ThriveLife--2 #10 cans of milk and 3 smaller cans of chicken strips. Didn't need the stuff in the regular monthly special this time.
The grocery ads aren't very exciting this week, and I have a little free time, so I hope to get around to finally putting up that mixed berry jam and some jars of beef with potatoes. That will help clean out the freezer a bit as well.
Trip to Ollie's to use my 15% off coupon, but they didn't have much. Did get a couple of bags of tootsie pops
Got some dish soap and a few things for the church food pantry, but not much for us. Didn't have anywhere to put it anyway, so I guess that is okay.Will need to replace a bag of charcoal I finished over Memorial Day. Bought a couple more boxes of Strike Anywhere matches at Ace. Just little stuff, but it adds up.
Forgot to mention that kitty litter is on sale BOGO this week and so far we have 12 containers. More to add this weekend. When you have four cats, that is a bargain. Also got in a $50 Petsmart card from a credit card reward and got a $10 off $50 coupon for Petsmart in my email, so free pet food on the way. There is no tax on pet food and supplies here this week in Florida, so that saves even more (kitty litter had no tax either).
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, I'm still canning ground beef. That did bring my freezer content down, but I filled it with other meats. I can only handle canning 4 lbs. at a time. My canner will hold more jars, but 4lbs/pints at a time is all I can handle. When I use up 4 pints, I buy 4 lbs of ground beef and can it to replace what I used. I have roasts, pork chops, chicken breasts, smoked sausages, wieners, bologna, steaks, hams, bacon, etc. plus a lot of other frozen foods besides meat in both of my freezers. I also store butter, cheese, flour, and cornmeal in my freezers, too. Only the newer freezer is used for meat, though.
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briches
Veteran Member
I follow her as well. She is great.