I failed at weekly blogging. Whoops.
So it's Day 45. I was going to spend $40 in 40 days on feeding myself and, for the most part, I did it. I came in under budget (although I forgot to keep my last two receipts) by about a dollar.
Some notable points:
1. I didn't get around to making ketchup. I have enough left for some scrambled eggs and a second-day serving of KD. I'll probably still try to make the ketchup. I probably won't like it. So I'll probably then turn it into one of my famous batches of Ossum Soss (my go-to, everything-but-the-kitchen sink BBQ sauce for ribs and pulled pork)
2. I have not been buying food for the last 5 days. It's day 45 so I technically should be able to do so, but I did decide from the beginning that it would be "from Ash Wednesday until Easter". Besides, I did cash in on a couple of Sunday freebies.
3. I purchased food for other people. I walked out of my office having purchased nearly 6 dozen eggs from a coworker. All of those eggs were given to Reuben's family (because they go through eggs like crazy and because they feed me lunch every Sunday). I also bought a birthday dinner for a friend (Reuben graciously paid for mine)
4. A couple of times I bought food that I would (also) be consuming when the situation was socially appropriate. For example, my brother took a few days out of his life to fix my car for zero dollars and, since we never get a chance to spend time together, I offered spontaneously to buy him dinner before he went home. It would be awkward and a little high-and-mighty feeling for me to have sat there, watching him eat and refusing to buy anything for myself. Rest assured I did purchase the most inexpensive menu item: a $6 chicken shawarma.
5. Yesterday I purchased 2 kg of chicken breast for $20 via a private order that only happens once every 3 weeks or so. I don't plan to eat it until after Easter, so I am not counting it toward my $40. I'm also going grocery shopping tomorrow, but again will not be consuming or touching any of it until Lent is over. Because....No Frills cheese. One day only. Again. Lol. It's all about timing this time around.
6. I learned about price-matching. My shop tomorrow will likely save me $20 using the handy dandy Flipp app. Definitely going to use this in the future!
7. I spent $5 of my $40 on items for a small group snack this past week. It was the last of the money I had available.I also donated $2 to some charity one day, deciding that I can last on $38.
8. The Cabbage. Roll. Casserole. lives on! I have about 2-3 meals worth still in the freezer. Sour cream required.
After all the calculations are said and done, with a few small exceptions, I spent approximately $33 on food in 40 days. Which means, with the generosity of so many people in my life, it can be done. I can't say I learned anything about sacrifice, to be honest. The only thing I've gone without over the last 4 weeks is chicken and a decent coffee creamer. My tummy has always been full, and usually with delicious food that others have given me.
So what now?
Well, as previously mentioned, I am going grocery shopping tomorrow. I am, at this moment, only JUST out of cream(er), egg whites, and butter (three necessities in my home). I'm almost out of ketchup, as I've said all along, and have to decide if I'm first going to try making a batch. Maybe I'll buy some corn syrup to do it according to the recipe, and maybe I'll like it? I'm off on Monday, so let's give it a shot. As far as "nice to have"s are concerned, I am going to pick up a loaf of bread, honey, bacon and parm. All in all, having searched and clipped my entire shopping list in the Flipp app, tomorrow's "big" shop should cost about...$33!
And for all of the food that was given to me, I have a plan... :) Stay tuned!
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