I like to be able to choose what I want to eat based on how I'm feeling that day. I don't do your "regular" menu planning. Here's what I do: I have a list of meals that we'll eat for that month (I have finally built up to 6 month's worth & we cycle through them) and I buy the groceries for the month. Of course I have to go back to the store for forgotten and used up things, but I try to do one BIG trip and save money by not going all the time. Then, I have a list of the meals for the month on the refrigerator and we can choose each day what we're in the mood for or have the energy/time for. I actually only plan for about 21 days and the rest either end up as eating out, leftovers, or we have to shop for a few things to make up the rest.
I have a lot of our favorites repeated several times in the cycle with lots of variety so we don't get bored eating the same thing.
My next step (that I just saw on another blog, today) is to create shopping lists for each month so that I don't have to do it over and over again. I can cross off ingredients that I still have enough of and add to the list as needed, but the basic list will be there to use the next time. I was just thinking that I had to sit down and do all of this at once, but I don't. I can do them each at the beginning of the month and save them for the next time. The only trouble is that I use an app on my iPod to shop with...I'll have to think about that some more.
What tips do you find helpful in creating menus for your family?
Showing posts with label How I do it. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How I do it. Show all posts
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Monday, November 24, 2008
Packratitis
Do you suffer from packratitis? The symptoms can be deceiving. If you never look at your stuff, is it really there? Do you keep something in the hope/delusion that you'll use it again, so you shouldn't throw it away? Do you keep every scrap of fabric, paper, yarn or any other craft item that comes your way, thinking you'll use it one day? Do you keep things that have no sentimental value, but still take up the space in your basement? Do you look around at your stuff and wonder who brought it all in, because it definitely wasn't you!
I think there is value in keeping some things. If you will use it, if it isn't broken, it may have a use in your home. If you don't or won't, why bother having the wasted space? Sentimental items are in a whole other category in my book, too!
I cleaned up the basement so that the kids had more room to play, especially when there's snow on the ground and it's hard to go outside. I put all of the toys downstairs. The kids are welcome to bring them up to play, but their home is the basement. Most of the toys have a box or tote that they live in and they can be brought up and easily cleaned up. It has made the whole rest of the house so much tidier. I love it! Now, the basement holds the mess, but at least we don't have to clean it up all the time if I don't want to. I don't have to trip over the mess, either!
I found this this article about clutter. I think it has some good points to make about the things we keep around!
We may be recovering from this dreadful disease, but we still have a lot to go through. I think we've gotten better about what we keep, but we still have the years of back-up to get rid of. Wish me luck!
I think there is value in keeping some things. If you will use it, if it isn't broken, it may have a use in your home. If you don't or won't, why bother having the wasted space? Sentimental items are in a whole other category in my book, too!
I cleaned up the basement so that the kids had more room to play, especially when there's snow on the ground and it's hard to go outside. I put all of the toys downstairs. The kids are welcome to bring them up to play, but their home is the basement. Most of the toys have a box or tote that they live in and they can be brought up and easily cleaned up. It has made the whole rest of the house so much tidier. I love it! Now, the basement holds the mess, but at least we don't have to clean it up all the time if I don't want to. I don't have to trip over the mess, either!
I found this this article about clutter. I think it has some good points to make about the things we keep around!
We may be recovering from this dreadful disease, but we still have a lot to go through. I think we've gotten better about what we keep, but we still have the years of back-up to get rid of. Wish me luck!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Love Journal
Many of us use a blog as a journal, me included. It is a great place to keep things as long as you back it up, to make sure it doesn't get erased. I haven't had this happen, but I know many who have. I also love to write in a paper journal. I've done it off and on since I was about 10 years old. I love to be able to go back and see what I was thinking (or not thinking) about. I also like to be able to get the memory boost. I have a horrible memory, but if I know about when something happened, I can go and hope that I wrote about it. It is really fun to look back at the same time in different years to see how my life was changing.
Captain Marvelous and I started a "Love Journal" several years ago. It is a place for us to write love letters to each other and leave them on the pillow or somewhere the other will find them. It is a great way to remember how we feel about each other and read about how much we love and appreciate each other. Just as long as we don't loose it for several years!
Captain Marvelous and I started a "Love Journal" several years ago. It is a place for us to write love letters to each other and leave them on the pillow or somewhere the other will find them. It is a great way to remember how we feel about each other and read about how much we love and appreciate each other. Just as long as we don't loose it for several years!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Picky Eaters Breakthrough
Link has been a really picky eater since he could choose. It has been a huge battle and we didn't know what to do. He was starting to influence Princess, who has been a wonderful eater. I didn't want that and I didn't want the example for Doodle, either. Now, with three kids, I am really tired of even having to make a sandwich for someone (or two) doesn't want to eat what I made. What's worse is that usually, he wouldn't even taste, or look at what I had made before he rejected the meal. Now, I am a pretty good cook, so it is really frustrating when he won't try things that I know he would like.
Finally, Captain Marvelous came up with a brilliant idea. He suggested that we take away video game time depending on how well he eats. If he eats a portion that we give him, he gets all of his time. (One hour) If he at least tries the food without complaining, he could still have half of his video game time. (We didn't want him to have to eat it if he truly didn't like it, but we didn't want that to be an excuse either.)
It has been amazing! For almost a week, now, he has tried and eaten at least a little of every meal I've made for them. He hasn't been complaining and he has been eating so much better. He has also become more patient in general, but I don't know if it is related at all.
Link even got some extra game time since he has been doing so well! We love this!
Finally, Captain Marvelous came up with a brilliant idea. He suggested that we take away video game time depending on how well he eats. If he eats a portion that we give him, he gets all of his time. (One hour) If he at least tries the food without complaining, he could still have half of his video game time. (We didn't want him to have to eat it if he truly didn't like it, but we didn't want that to be an excuse either.)
It has been amazing! For almost a week, now, he has tried and eaten at least a little of every meal I've made for them. He hasn't been complaining and he has been eating so much better. He has also become more patient in general, but I don't know if it is related at all.
Link even got some extra game time since he has been doing so well! We love this!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Lists
After tonight, we'll have had 9 showings in two weeks! I am amazed that we've had that many, but we do have a great agent! I'd recommend him to anyone! He does so much for us I feel almost like we're his only client, but I know he is really busy.
I just wanted to talk about my fascination with list-making. I am a list-maker in general, but with everything going on, I have to make lists to survive with my sanity. I have a Palm Pilot that I call my brain. I have to check it to make sure that I can do anything when I'm asked. I also keep a detailed list of all the things I need to do daily and when we are going to have a showing. I just can't keep it all in my head.
Somehow, making a list of the things I need to do makes me feel in control of the situation. I can also accomplish more in less time, since I don't have to think about all the details so much. I also love the feeling I get when I put a check mark or line through each thing I need to do. It feels like order and harmony are restored...okay, so that may be taking it too far, but I really feel organized when I have a list to follow!
I just wanted to talk about my fascination with list-making. I am a list-maker in general, but with everything going on, I have to make lists to survive with my sanity. I have a Palm Pilot that I call my brain. I have to check it to make sure that I can do anything when I'm asked. I also keep a detailed list of all the things I need to do daily and when we are going to have a showing. I just can't keep it all in my head.
Somehow, making a list of the things I need to do makes me feel in control of the situation. I can also accomplish more in less time, since I don't have to think about all the details so much. I also love the feeling I get when I put a check mark or line through each thing I need to do. It feels like order and harmony are restored...okay, so that may be taking it too far, but I really feel organized when I have a list to follow!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Mind over Money
Having been students*** for so long, we have been poor and so we came up with lots of ways to save money. I thought I'd share some of our ideas with you. These may not be original, but they help us, so I hope they can help you.
1. We purposely spend money to save money. When we do our grocery shopping, we each get a treat. It is usually under $3, but it helps us to not crave all of the sweets and things that we could be wasting money and calories on. So, we don't buy chips, candy, cookies or very many other treats. We each get to choose something we really like and we don't have to feel deprived.
(I try to go grocery shopping only twice per month. We do go in between for milk and such. Every time we go, we tend to buy things that aren't on the list. I figure that if I go less, I'll buy less extra.)
We each have an amount of money we get so spend however we want. We call it our "mad money". We've ranged from $10-$50 per month depending on how rich we felt. (And how old each of us are.) Honestly, the $50 was too much. We felt like we could do anything and not have to save up for it. A budgeting mindset is just better for us.
When we get a large amount of "extra" money, such as a tax return, we spend some of it on things we don't need. We'll go out to eat, buy something fun or some other purchase we don't really need. That way, when we use the rest to pay off some debt, we don't feel like we didn't get anything tangible out of it!
2. Wise purchases. We have a budget and we make sure to input all of our purchases on the computer. It really helps to have a program that tells you what you've done and can track past records.
We also make sure to consult each other on large purchases. We have different opinions and it helps to talk it through, since we have different things to add to the decision.
We wait to buy large purchases. This way, we can know what the options are and make a wise decision. We can also give it time, so we can realize whether we really need or want the item.
3. The computer. We use a free bill pay service from our bank and get many of our bills online. It is easier to keep track of and saves paper and money. We don't have to waste so much paper on our end or theirs. We also don't have to buy stamps. It's great! (Especially because Aaron took over the bills when we went to this system! ;) )
Sometimes we purposely use a credit card that has cash back and then we pay it off online when we get home. That way, we get the benefit of extra cash, but we don't get the debt build-up.
4. Mind over Money. I think this is the most important one for us. Whether we have money to spend or not, we try to "pretend" that we don't. If we think we have money we can spend, we spend A LOT more than if we don't feel wealthier. I spend more on groceries, clothes, gifts, and anything else I buy. On the other hand, if I either don't have money to waste (in which case it is easier to not spend) or if I can convince myself of the same, I don't spend much. It is really weird. Our monthly expenses just drop and we can live on a lot less when we don't think we can spend money.
In reality, we need to be paying off our debt, so we really never have money to waste! If I can just convince myself of that!
***Aaron just has some minor editing and printing left and he is DONE with his Masters' degree. So no more school for a while!
1. We purposely spend money to save money. When we do our grocery shopping, we each get a treat. It is usually under $3, but it helps us to not crave all of the sweets and things that we could be wasting money and calories on. So, we don't buy chips, candy, cookies or very many other treats. We each get to choose something we really like and we don't have to feel deprived.
(I try to go grocery shopping only twice per month. We do go in between for milk and such. Every time we go, we tend to buy things that aren't on the list. I figure that if I go less, I'll buy less extra.)
We each have an amount of money we get so spend however we want. We call it our "mad money". We've ranged from $10-$50 per month depending on how rich we felt. (And how old each of us are.) Honestly, the $50 was too much. We felt like we could do anything and not have to save up for it. A budgeting mindset is just better for us.
When we get a large amount of "extra" money, such as a tax return, we spend some of it on things we don't need. We'll go out to eat, buy something fun or some other purchase we don't really need. That way, when we use the rest to pay off some debt, we don't feel like we didn't get anything tangible out of it!
2. Wise purchases. We have a budget and we make sure to input all of our purchases on the computer. It really helps to have a program that tells you what you've done and can track past records.
We also make sure to consult each other on large purchases. We have different opinions and it helps to talk it through, since we have different things to add to the decision.
We wait to buy large purchases. This way, we can know what the options are and make a wise decision. We can also give it time, so we can realize whether we really need or want the item.
3. The computer. We use a free bill pay service from our bank and get many of our bills online. It is easier to keep track of and saves paper and money. We don't have to waste so much paper on our end or theirs. We also don't have to buy stamps. It's great! (Especially because Aaron took over the bills when we went to this system! ;) )
Sometimes we purposely use a credit card that has cash back and then we pay it off online when we get home. That way, we get the benefit of extra cash, but we don't get the debt build-up.
4. Mind over Money. I think this is the most important one for us. Whether we have money to spend or not, we try to "pretend" that we don't. If we think we have money we can spend, we spend A LOT more than if we don't feel wealthier. I spend more on groceries, clothes, gifts, and anything else I buy. On the other hand, if I either don't have money to waste (in which case it is easier to not spend) or if I can convince myself of the same, I don't spend much. It is really weird. Our monthly expenses just drop and we can live on a lot less when we don't think we can spend money.
In reality, we need to be paying off our debt, so we really never have money to waste! If I can just convince myself of that!
***Aaron just has some minor editing and printing left and he is DONE with his Masters' degree. So no more school for a while!
Friday, August 24, 2007
How Does This Work?
I don't quite get it, but I have a theory...
This summer we got so little done it is...shameful! It was really nice to have a vacation together and have a lot fun, but we still wanted to accomplish A LOT more things that we did.
I think that when we are on summer break, I get it into my head that we don't have to do anything since we are on vacation and so our home goes down the drain! I seem to get SO much more done when I have things that I have to do.
I had an extra dog and an extra kid yesterday which put it at two dogs (the extra isn't fully house trained) and 3 kids (the extra is 8 months old). So, there was a lot going on. Well, I was able to get laundry done and mostly put away, dishes done and put away, (which, for me is a miracle...I don't know why I don't put dishes away.) I read my book for a while and played with the kids. I also kept things relatively organized, made Amish Friendship Bread and blogged. Go figure!
For some reason it is a lot easier to get stuff done when there is more going on. I don't know if I just feel that I need to get it done, now, or it won't happen. It still needs to keep happening when I am "relaxing".
I tend to get the same phenomenon when Aaron is home and relaxing. If he is relaxing, I want to be and I don't get as much done. If he is home and working on something, I tend to just get to work as well.
How is that??
BTW--I didn't get any requests for the free hat, so if you meant to enter and I just didn't get it, or whatever. Let me know and you win. Today is the last day!
This summer we got so little done it is...shameful! It was really nice to have a vacation together and have a lot fun, but we still wanted to accomplish A LOT more things that we did.
I think that when we are on summer break, I get it into my head that we don't have to do anything since we are on vacation and so our home goes down the drain! I seem to get SO much more done when I have things that I have to do.
I had an extra dog and an extra kid yesterday which put it at two dogs (the extra isn't fully house trained) and 3 kids (the extra is 8 months old). So, there was a lot going on. Well, I was able to get laundry done and mostly put away, dishes done and put away, (which, for me is a miracle...I don't know why I don't put dishes away.) I read my book for a while and played with the kids. I also kept things relatively organized, made Amish Friendship Bread and blogged. Go figure!
For some reason it is a lot easier to get stuff done when there is more going on. I don't know if I just feel that I need to get it done, now, or it won't happen. It still needs to keep happening when I am "relaxing".
I tend to get the same phenomenon when Aaron is home and relaxing. If he is relaxing, I want to be and I don't get as much done. If he is home and working on something, I tend to just get to work as well.
How is that??
BTW--I didn't get any requests for the free hat, so if you meant to enter and I just didn't get it, or whatever. Let me know and you win. Today is the last day!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
My Big Accomplishment, Yesterday
I hurt my neck...don't feel too bad for me, I think I did it playing a dumb game on Aaron's Palm Pilot! And, I wasn't exercising most of the time. It is really addictive and I think I must hold my head wrong when I do it. So, anyway, I hurt my neck and had a hard time doing very much around the house. I did get one major thing done though! I got to the bottom of the laundry basket! I even put the clothes away after dumping them on the bed! So, I did it legitimately!
I am really bad about filling up a basket and letting the clothes sit there for WEEKS! When I do finally get around to the clothes, I find stuff I didn't remember Belle even had! The thing is, I do really well at taking the shirts and most of the pants right out of the dryer because I hate to iron! If I take the rest right out and fold it then it gets done right away, but if anything is left in the dryer or goes straight to the basket, it gets to live there for quite some time! I really hate that I do this, but sometimes it just happens that way!
I am really bad about filling up a basket and letting the clothes sit there for WEEKS! When I do finally get around to the clothes, I find stuff I didn't remember Belle even had! The thing is, I do really well at taking the shirts and most of the pants right out of the dryer because I hate to iron! If I take the rest right out and fold it then it gets done right away, but if anything is left in the dryer or goes straight to the basket, it gets to live there for quite some time! I really hate that I do this, but sometimes it just happens that way!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Muffins
One of the best and least expensive gifts we were given when we got married was a recipe. Well, it came as muffin mix, a spoon, a hot pad, and recipe cards. It was for basic muffin mix, and it is wonderful. We usually just make the basic muffins, but you can add just about anything you want to them.
Basic Muffin Mix
8 cups all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
3 TB baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
Combine all and mix well. (I have found that it is easiest to mix everything but the flour and then add the flour. That way, there is a slight color difference and you can tell when it is all together.) Put in airtight container. Label with date and contents. Use within 6 to 8 months.
So, you make up the mix and you can store or use it and completely homemade muffins whenever you want!
Melt in your mouth Muffins
2 3/4 cups Basic Muffin Mix
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
½ cup margarine, melted or vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 400. Spray muffin pans. Put mix in a medium bowl. Combine egg, milk and margarine or oil in a small bowl. Add all at once to mix. Stir until just moistened, batter should be lumpy. Fill tins 3/4 full. Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. (Check them often until you know how long they take in your oven. I used to cook them for 17 minutes, but with this different tin, it is more like 10-15 minutes.)
Variations:
Corn meal muffins-Decrease mix to 2 1/4 cups. Add ½ cup cornmeal.
Jelly muffins-Fill each cup 1/3 full with batter. Drop 1 tsp jelly on top of batter. Fill cups 3/4 full with batter.
Butterscotch-Pecan Muffins-Melt 6 TB butter or margarine in a small saucepan. Stir in 6 TB brown sugar. Place 1TB of brown sugar mixture and 2-3 pecans in bottom of each muffin cup. Fill cups 3/4 full with batter.
Apricot Muffins-Add 1 cup chopped dried apricots to liquid ingredients before adding liquid to muffin mix.
Banana Muffins-Mash 1 large banana (½ cup) and add to liquid ingredients before adding liquid to muffin mix.
Blueberry Muffins-Add 1 cup well-drained blueberries to liquid ingredients before adding liquid to muffin mix.
One thing that helps a lot is that I use a scoop from hot chocolate. It puts just the right amount of batter in the tins. (I also use these scoops for pancakes and waffles.) Free and easy way to reuse something that would normally be thrown away.
I also love the muffin top tin that my MIL gave us for Christmas! The muffins are a lot easier to eat and the kids like them and waste a lot less food. Belle thinks they are cookies!!
Well, here they are. I'm hungry, now, how about you??
Basic Muffin Mix
8 cups all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
3 TB baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
Combine all and mix well. (I have found that it is easiest to mix everything but the flour and then add the flour. That way, there is a slight color difference and you can tell when it is all together.) Put in airtight container. Label with date and contents. Use within 6 to 8 months.
So, you make up the mix and you can store or use it and completely homemade muffins whenever you want!
Melt in your mouth Muffins
2 3/4 cups Basic Muffin Mix
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
½ cup margarine, melted or vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 400. Spray muffin pans. Put mix in a medium bowl. Combine egg, milk and margarine or oil in a small bowl. Add all at once to mix. Stir until just moistened, batter should be lumpy. Fill tins 3/4 full. Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. (Check them often until you know how long they take in your oven. I used to cook them for 17 minutes, but with this different tin, it is more like 10-15 minutes.)
Variations:
Corn meal muffins-Decrease mix to 2 1/4 cups. Add ½ cup cornmeal.
Jelly muffins-Fill each cup 1/3 full with batter. Drop 1 tsp jelly on top of batter. Fill cups 3/4 full with batter.
Butterscotch-Pecan Muffins-Melt 6 TB butter or margarine in a small saucepan. Stir in 6 TB brown sugar. Place 1TB of brown sugar mixture and 2-3 pecans in bottom of each muffin cup. Fill cups 3/4 full with batter.
Apricot Muffins-Add 1 cup chopped dried apricots to liquid ingredients before adding liquid to muffin mix.
Banana Muffins-Mash 1 large banana (½ cup) and add to liquid ingredients before adding liquid to muffin mix.
Blueberry Muffins-Add 1 cup well-drained blueberries to liquid ingredients before adding liquid to muffin mix.
One thing that helps a lot is that I use a scoop from hot chocolate. It puts just the right amount of batter in the tins. (I also use these scoops for pancakes and waffles.) Free and easy way to reuse something that would normally be thrown away.
I also love the muffin top tin that my MIL gave us for Christmas! The muffins are a lot easier to eat and the kids like them and waste a lot less food. Belle thinks they are cookies!!
Well, here they are. I'm hungry, now, how about you??
Friday, March 30, 2007
Control
Aaron and I have talked a lot about the control that people try to have over their children. Kids who have every move and choice they make overseen, eventually rebel. They are a lot more deceptive and sneak around to do the things they know they are not allowed to do, even at a very young age. I'm not saying that I want to have no control over my children, but I think there is a point where you never bend and let them be children. The point of being a child is to learn and play, not to be little adults!
The control thing goes for adults, too. How many of us have dieted only to binge and end up fatter than we were before? Only to do it again when the next diet comes along...
Money can be the same way. I was reading a recent post of Lara's and it got me thinking about this. If you budget yourself into complete control over your money, you may end up splurging and spending way more than you intended to.
We try to avoid these problems at my house by fitting in small amounts of food and money that we really don't have to explain. At the grocery store, we each get a treat that is up to each of us alone to choose. The idea is that we get to eat it alone, but we usually end up sharing. It really helps. We know that we can get a treat that we don't have to prove is worth getting. It is just something that we wanted. We then don't constantly have the house full of sugary, salty and greasy treats. When it comes to our budget, we get mad money that is up to each of us to spend however we want. It really does help. We don't get so many urges to spend random money.
Side note: I have learned that the real way for me not to over spend each month is to change my mindset. If I think we have plenty of money and I can get random extra things as I am shopping, then I spend A LOT more money than if I think of it differently. If I realize (or convince myself) that there isn't a ton of money to be spent (which there isn't) then I don't spend as much.
Bottom line: Our minds are very powerful! If you feel trapped and controlled, at some point, you will rebel and splurge. I think the goal is to have a balance of control. This is really what discipline is all about. We have to learn to control ourselves in a way that works for us. And, back to kids, if we control their every move and choice, then they can't learn to be disciplined.
Okay, so now I am going to get off of my soap box and have a fun day with my kids!!
The control thing goes for adults, too. How many of us have dieted only to binge and end up fatter than we were before? Only to do it again when the next diet comes along...
Money can be the same way. I was reading a recent post of Lara's and it got me thinking about this. If you budget yourself into complete control over your money, you may end up splurging and spending way more than you intended to.
We try to avoid these problems at my house by fitting in small amounts of food and money that we really don't have to explain. At the grocery store, we each get a treat that is up to each of us alone to choose. The idea is that we get to eat it alone, but we usually end up sharing. It really helps. We know that we can get a treat that we don't have to prove is worth getting. It is just something that we wanted. We then don't constantly have the house full of sugary, salty and greasy treats. When it comes to our budget, we get mad money that is up to each of us to spend however we want. It really does help. We don't get so many urges to spend random money.
Side note: I have learned that the real way for me not to over spend each month is to change my mindset. If I think we have plenty of money and I can get random extra things as I am shopping, then I spend A LOT more money than if I think of it differently. If I realize (or convince myself) that there isn't a ton of money to be spent (which there isn't) then I don't spend as much.
Bottom line: Our minds are very powerful! If you feel trapped and controlled, at some point, you will rebel and splurge. I think the goal is to have a balance of control. This is really what discipline is all about. We have to learn to control ourselves in a way that works for us. And, back to kids, if we control their every move and choice, then they can't learn to be disciplined.
Okay, so now I am going to get off of my soap box and have a fun day with my kids!!
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