I’ve been interested in participating in a “Pantry Challenge” after seeing them featured on many other frugal websites. No two challenges are the same, but they all share the same goal: To use existing foods and resources to feed your family for a set period of time in order to reduce your grocery spending.
Two years ago our family went from $600 per month for food and toiletries to $300 per month. We were so committed to our new budget that we said we’d be willing to eat PB&J for dinner. Thankfully, that never happened and we actually had to make room for our stockpile. There have been a few times when my cash envelope is empty and I realize I’m out of our “normal” food. But when I look a little deeper into the freezer or pantry I find that I have more than enough. You’ll be surprised how creative you can be when you’re committed to achieving a goal!
My goal for the first two weeks of February is to feed my family from my pantry and freezer. Would you consider joining me in The Carolina Clipper’s first PANTRY CHALLENGE? True to our theme, we’re going to keep this challenge practical and simple. Here are the details:
When is the Pantry Challenge?
Two short weeks. February 1-Feb 15.
What are the Pantry Challenge Rules?
Do your best to eat all meals/snacks from your freezer and pantry.
Can I go to the store? If so, how much can I spend?
Yes, you should go to the store once a week for produce and dairy products. Examples: milk, eggs, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. Your goal is to reduce your spending, not eliminate it. A guide would be to cut your normal grocery budget in half. We are currently on a $60 per week budget so that means I have $30 per week to spend on produce and dairy.
Why should I participate in the Pantry Challenge?
It will save you money and help you use the older items in your pantry and freezer. Through planning and creativity you will realize that you don’t need to go to the store. What you have is enough!
Remember, this is not a competition. I want us to work together to share tips, tricks, and recipes. You will save money. You can do anything for 14 days. Won’t you join me? If you’re interested in participating in the Panty Challenge just leave a comment below.
Also, I created a Facebook “Group” called Pantry Challenge February 1-15, 2011 so we can support each other. Tomorrow I’ll tell you 3 simple steps to get you ready.
Count me in!
Oh, I’m so excited! Thanks for joining me Catherine. I’ll be very interested to see the recipes you come up with since you’re such a pro in the kitchen!
I’m thinking about it…will check out the fb discussion page for sure!
Great! Any amount of savings and eating food you already have would be considered a success. Make it fit your life/schedule.
Seeing that hubby will be out of town for most of that time, I think I can probably do it. Looks like we’ll be eating a lot of rice and canned veggies
OOPS, I was looking at the wrong month…Not sure how hubby’s gonna like all that rice
Now a real challenge!! I’ll still try it.
Great! I know you can do it Tara. I bet you’ll find more than rice when you start going through your pantry and freezer. Hopefully you’ll save some money and eat through food that’s been sitting there. We can support each other!
This is perfect timing for us, Richelle! I had already challenged my husband to using all of the restaurant Groupons we have and some gift certificates we got for Christmas for our eating out budget since we went a little over budget this month. We also went over our grocery budget since we hosted some out of town friends and a birthday party for my mother-in-law this month. I like the principle of spending half of our weekly budget since I was wondering what is a reasonable goal for produce, milk, yogurt, etc. I am not sure how creative I’ll be in the recipe department, but we could definitely stand to get rid of some things that have been sitting around in the pantry and freezer! Thanks so much!!
Oh good, I’m so glad to have you on board Nena! I’ll have some recipe ideas and tips along the way. Plus a giveaway each week that is tailored just for this challenge. We can support each other. Looking forward to it!
Okay, while I’m not officially participating for the full two weeks, I sort of found myself participating this week by accident. I somehow have ended up with $61 to use for groceries for a little over a week. Instead of pulling money from another category, I’m going to do the challenge instead!
Wish me well – we also need diapers!!
That counts! The goal of the pantry challenge is to eat what you already have and reduce spending. Instead of going over budget you are choosing to use what you already have. Everyone’s challenge will look a little different. Welcome!
OK, so I wasn’t sure if I was gonna do it or not…but I am! I was looking through my pantry today and it may be tough…but we have a lot of beans (what was I thinking stockpiling SO MANY BEANS!?) I’m thinking I’ll have to look up some new recipes so I can use beans instead of meat, since we’re low on meat in the freezer. Plus, I need formula and diapers this week. Wish me luck…
Yahoo, I’m so glad you’re joining us! I’ve been told that The Pioneer Woman’s pinto beans recipe is wonderful. It’s in her cookbook and online. Here’s the link: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/08/beans_and_cornb. You’ll have to let us know if you try it. Glad you’re doing the challenge!
Great idea Richelle! We are going to join you guys in this challenge! Thanks for all your wonderful tips, you really are an encouragement!
Glad to have you Ashely!
I don’t think I will be able to do it. I have already been doing it the last two weeks. I looked in my fridge and pantry a couple of weeks ago and decided it was time to clean it out. I will however commit to spending less on my weekly budget of $75!
Every pantry challenge will look a little different. My goal is to get people out of their “normal” grocery habits. Spending less is one of the goals and we’re glad to have you! Maybe you can give us some tips since you’ve already been doing it the last two weeks.
Oh boy. Here we go. I’m going to try this. You know my husband, so I’m a little nervous!
Hi, I was already doing this challenge myself but saw that you are doing this after reading about your giveaway on the book so here I am joining you guys.
Ok I am going to do this another time. I have been blessed with so many meals that I have not had to cook:) So I am saving all the posts to get ideas when I do this by myself. This is also a comment to win those dinner. I do all the other follows so this is my only hope:)
I would so love to win this. Your Osso Buco is delicious!!
Got to try it.
I’m in! Actually I’ve been doing this throughout the last week without knowing about the challenge. I made chicken chimichangas without knowing I had the ingredients in there already to make them.
It’s kind of like getting a free dinner!