End of year thoughts and other musings

I Ran Today

I went a month without grocery shopping, then spent $165 the following month

It might not seem possible these days to not spend $300+ per month on groceries. But it is. I don't walk out of the store spending more than $100 these days, and certainly not over $200 for the month. For the past two years, I've been determined to cut down on groceries. It didn't seem right that I had to spend so much money on feeding my family well.

I find myself increasingly overwhelmed when it comes to shopping these days. Determined to go on bigger family trips, cut back on consumerism, and cut out debt, I really want to make our purchases worth it. It started with purging foods completely out of our diet that we just didn't need anymore. Then I went to our regular shopping habits and determined if we actually need the things we're buying. Fast forward to our grocery bill and a strong desire to eat healthy and teach my children good food habits, and I'd say our success is near!


Two summers ago, I started my first vegetable garden. This past summer, I included a greenhouse. I don't provide enough to sustain our family yet, but I do cut out some things when the harvest is good. I have a really small yard and very little experience, so don't be discouraged, it's possible and it helps drastically.


Before I get into how I've made these changes, let me assure you that you truly have to be determined to make these changes. It takes time set aside, getting through the adjustments, and being mentally and physically strong, but it also takes a lot of grace. For example, if you aren't someone who drinks water, it is really hard to give up the sugary and caffeinated beverages you usually have. In fact, water tastes utterly bland and boring. Your body needs it more than anything else. While I don't cut out everything, I allow myself to indulge from time to time, but it's not frequent and it's not going to affect my spending habits overall. You just have to give yourself and your body the time to adapt.


The first major cut on our food bill was NO fast food. Eating out can be a treat, so make it one. We used to eat out once a week, maybe two. Now, we maybe eat out once a month. So, here are a few of our most valuable tips and lessons we've learned.

• You can grow many fruits and vegetables year round, you can grow many of those in containers right on your porch or in a sunny window spot. Money saver!
• It is all in your mind. Set aside time to prepare fresh snacks (cut up fruits and veggies, cheese and meat, etc). If you don't have the time, there is no other option (this is one of the hardest thing to teach yourself).
• One of my big problems while grocery shopping, were impulse purchases. If you can't justify a purchase, don't buy it. If it's easier to make yourself, do it. I am in constant debate with myself, but it's gotten so much easier.
• My husband loves to roam aisles. If you don't need to go down an aisle, don't. Simple enough, right? I typically shop the outside of the store (produce + meat), except for flour and a few spices.
• Sometimes we plan meals for the week, other times we don't. It really helps though, because it gives you time to be prepared. Being prepared is the key to eating healthy and spending less.
• Eat what you have, not just what you want. Meal prep helps here. I heard someone recently say this is their biggest problem with using up what they already have and spending. Well, last month when I decided not to purchase anymore groceries, I would creatively come up with new meals based solely on what was on hand. When I couldn't think of anything, I'd type in a few items I did have into google and found new recipes to try! Win!
• The biggest decision we made as parents is to feed our kids what we eat. There are no special kid-friendly dishes. We will leave our the extra spices and only add them to ours if it might make their meal too spicy, but that's about it. There is one exception - when you have small kids, they favor easy, finger foods. In this case, I cut up small pieces of what I'm preparing and make a plate for them that way.
• When my kids ask for something at the store, our rule is that they have to be able to pronounce everything on the label. They also love picking a new fruit or vegetable we haven't tried or had in awhile.
• I try to make lists, and usually stick to them, but I'm not the best at always remembering the list, or sticking to it. Either way, no impulses. 
• This might be the biggest and most important part of eating healthy and saving money on groceries: STOP buying pre-packaged foods. 
• For example: A box of prepackaged applesauce snacks range from $10-$30. A 20 lb box of apples from the produce market is $10-20. I can make over 10 jars of applesauce and apple butter with those. Then, I make cinnamon apples for a snack, oatmeal and muffins, and have plenty of apples left over for easy snacks. You're paying for convenience here and while it's nice to have, it's really not necessary.
• Example 2: A package of decent granola bars are about $5. I can buy an entire container of oatmeal for about $2-3 and spend 10 minutes adding honey and raisins, chocolate, nuts, fruit, etc... and have an entire pan of granola bars. I could probably make 20 pans with the box of oats.
• Don't have time to make those things? Sure you do, schedule time when you'll be home. It's an easy project to include your kids on and do together. You'll be amazed what your kids will like to make, mine love to make their own bread.
• I go to the farmer's market when they're in season and a local produce stand for all fruits and veggies. And once a month, or every other, I'll buy meats and pantry staples.
• When seasonally available, I purchase big boxes of fruits and veggies to prepare and can or freeze. If you don't can, that's ok. You can freeze things instead.
• We cut our meat intake in half. One day, I realized that we didn't need to consume nearly as much as we were, especially because the cost of meat is pretty hefty these days. Start cutting up your chicken breasts and split that among your family (whether butterflying meat, shredding, or dicing). I can use 2 instead of 4 that way. 
• Fresh herbs are way better. At the produce stand, I purchased 2 bundles of cilantro for $1. To get a good jar at the store would've cost around $5. Know what else, it's super easy to dry and store yourself. Better yet, growing your own herbs is super easy and fun!

• Just over a year ago, I developed an intolerance to dairy. Sad, sad day. I kept buying the usual things for my family, because they were just fine with dairy. But over time, I kind of forgot. Guess what though? We only purchase one gallon of milk a week, some yogurt, and minimal cheese these days. None of us really miss it anymore either. Not only are you cutting back those extra calories, but tons of $ too! Side note: Calcium and Vitamin D are found in many vegetables!
• We love our condiments, and they'll last a good amount of time, but there were many that we didn't need in our diet anymore. Ranch and Blue Cheese are the biggest ones for us. My husband wasn't thrilled with this, but I did come up with a dairy free ranch recipe (using things I have on hand) that even the biggest skeptics seem to love and it's a huge treat to have. Otherwise, it's been manageable to give up. Making your own salad dressing is super simple.
• No more fruit juices or other flavored drinks. Water is easily flavored (with lemon, lime, mint, or fruit) and all your body needs! Milk, water, tea, and coffee - that's it! Calories cut, money saved!
• It's an adjustment, be patient. My entire family didn't wake up and excitedly get on board with me on all these things. In fact, it was a labor of love, because I was determined. While I do most of the cooking, my husband can prepare good meals for us when I can't. He's learned just like I have. My husband and kids make their own lunches for work and school as well, and they know to look for leftovers (I always make an extra 2 or more servings per meal) or fresh foods to pack. 

My 10th Mother's Day

Intention

Cheers!

Shortly after publishing my last post, my husband came home to discover his truck had been broken into. It had been completely ransacked. He had been storing the gifts he'd been ordering for me in there, and since his truck is lifted, has tinted windows, and is in front of so many houses, we'd never had a problem. It was an ignorant choice to leave valuables in there, but there's no point in placing blame. It happened.

So for the next three days, he eagerly ran around trying to replace those things for me. It was all I was receiving for Christmas, and I knew his heart had been broken. I'm going to be honest, I didn't want him to. I didn't want those things. I knew that it was going to strain our Christmas budget. I knew stress would go up, and well, I just didn't want stuff. He outdid himself and did get a couple things that are now irreplaceable, that are so thoughtful, I was truly left stunned and speechless.

For days I was bitter. It wasn't just the gifts, but personal items my husband left that had been taken. Things that are more than just 'things,' that are irreplaceable. How heartless those thieves had been. I hoped in the end, they needed those things more than we did. I pray someone was more grateful than I could have been. I'm not sure, but I needed to see a silver lining.

We spent the holidays with our family. A couple of friends surprised us on Christmas Eve with incredibly thoughtful gifts for the kids, not knowing what had been stolen. And so many people who got gifts for them, kept our wishes in mind. I was so humbled. Blessed. Grateful. The rest of Christmas Eve left our minds at peace, maintaining our tradition with a dear friend who accepted all of my family around a bonfire, it was just what we needed. I always know, but it was over this Christmas I realized that we do have truly great people surrounding us in our lives - and really, what more is there? To be with others. To be thought of, remembered, loved... That's all we need.

I'm already thinking of next Christmas and how to continue on our path of less things. How to completely change the face of how we approach gift giving and how exactly to offer experiences with those we love, including our own kids.

So it's now a New Year! Cheers to all the life and love and memories coming in 2015. I am beyond excited for a full year ahead. My mind has been reeling with all the things I want to approach, I look forward it all. Happy 2015 my friends!

That's what you're here for

I've been needing to write lately. Like really, just get it all out. I'm not sure if it's the seasons changing, the warm drinks, need for heat constantly, or staying home and working on projects more than road trips this time of year - but all I really want to do is read good novels and write about everything.

I'm really having a hard time accepting that Halloween has come and gone, and since we didn't have our annual party since we're mid bathroom remodel, we're planning a Thanksgiving one. How are we here already?! I'm excited, as I always am. At the same time, I'm craving a walk through of the year and remembering all that has happened.

I'm convinced time is on fast forward most days, and while I try to soak in as much as I can and be as present as possible, it's inevitable. I never finished editing last years photos (!!!) and never got around to making a book to showcase all that I had captured. This year isn't looking so promising either. Sadly, I've gotten into the habit of quickly scanning through my favorites, editing those to share, and moving on. I never get back to the last batch, and well, they're still there. My plan is to really knock them all out and cull down the massive amounts that I have and showcase them.

I gently encourage my clients to print photos - some never do, and others print them all! I love that, and always wonder what people do with their prints. I really love designing albums, and I want to make more of my own. I've been passionate about albums since my early teen years, technology has just grown and changed that a bit. I love how it's developed, and I hope to create pieces of art that people really want to skim through.

So I'm taking this time of year to rest in more time for myself, to read more novels, to prepare carefully curated meals, and to edit and print. I want those images all over my walls, for my family to see, and for my children to look through the books I make for years to come. It doesn't matter if you print through an artisan company that everyone raves about, or through your local lab. It doesn't matter if you spend a few dollars or a few hundred, do what makes you happy, because I know I'll be working on that too!

Mornings with her

I think of mornings spent with my Grandma over cinnamon raisin toast, her with coffee, cozy slippers, blankets, and the paper to map out our route for antique shopping and sales. Sometimes in the morning I would find her out back watering her flowers, or sometimes watching the rain. Being on the back porch while it rained was always my favorite. Other times she would be out front tending her beloved rose bushes. I thought she had a magical gift with how she kept such beautiful roses all the time. I'm thankful I've learned those things too and to share her love of roses and mums, warm drinks in the morning, blankets, and well thought details. And mornings, of course. I would love to hear her voice, her soft sweet voice calling me baby and saying how much she loved me. It's incredible how someone can touch your life so much, so gently, and so innocently. To love and be loved.

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