Linus Project. 3
Gift for Sharon. 1 Afghan
Gift for Joyce 1 Afghan
Operation Gratitude Scarves: 11
Chema Caps 17
Gift for Ginger 3 washcloths
YTD chemo caps 43
YTD gratitude scarves 55
YTD Linus blankets 18
YTD chemo squares 25
YTD Afghans as gifts 2
YTD Dishcloths as gifts 3
18 skeins for $19.27 $1.17/skein Couldn’t pass it up !
11 skeins for $11. $1.00/skein. Ditto
15 skeins for $13.00 $.86/skein Ditto
Total $43.27 for 44 skeins $0.99/skein Again, ditto
Remaining allocation $44.76
Personal Care:
Body powder $1.25 Dollar Tree
Household: remaining allocation $143.16
3small bowls, glass, and one loaf pan. $6. Thrift Store
Cupcake liners. $$8,78. Walmart
Fall decoration. $0.84. Thrift Store
Kitchen Aide repairs. $96.
Command strip. $4,48. Lowe’s
Rectangular bin. $1,59. Dollar Tree
Allocation: $390
Cushion: $1030.12
Days: 250 as of the end of September
What We Ate: Scottish Eggs, roasted cauliflower. Smoked sausage and sauerkraut, green beans and bacon with onions and peppers, Caesar salad (2). Surf and turf with fresh Italian green beans for our anniversary dinner. Steak salad with fried green tomatoes. Pork elephant ear with sage brown butter, broccoli Baked beans, hamburgers, potato salad with homemade mayo, corn on the cob (2) Italian sausage w peppers and onions, corn on the cob Pizza and cheesy potato rounds Hummus , home made falafel, homemade flatbread , homemade tzatziki BBQ ribs, dauphinois potatoes , corn on the cob Buffalo style wings, corn on the cob, salad Liver and onions with potatoes and applesauce Salmon noodle casserole, Greek cauliflower cheese, salad Porcupines with pasta. Fried green tomatoes, tossed salad #3 (2) Chicken and vegetables over biscuits, pears and bleu cheese, tomato salad Chicken and baked vegetables, Waldorf salad, corn, bagel with garlic Italian vegetable soup, cheese and crackers (2) Reuben sandwich with homemade sauerkraut, popcorn, homemade pickles Beef stew and homemade bread, pears with bleu cheese Bean curry, Indian potato and spinach, corn on the cob, rice Avocado and crab pesto pasta , tomatoes and onion salad, garlic bread Cabbage rolls soup, crackers and cheese
What WeBought:
Walmart: sliced almonds $9.48
Aldi: broccoli crowns (3) $1.53 On sale
Tops: cheese, pasta, bananas $3.38 all on sale
Aldi: Saltines, eggs (2), avocados (3) $6.30 Avocados on sale
Aldi: cottage cheese, maple crème cookies $6.34
Giant Eagle: corned beef (6.5#) $34.56 On sale
Country Fair: Eggs $0.99 On sale)7
Tops: eggs (2) , Cream cheese, chicken breast (6.40 #) $15.28 All on sale
Country Fair: provolone (2#), swiss(2#), eggs 20.88 All on sale
Giant Eagle: cheese (2.5#) $5.82 On sale
Aldi: petite sirloin (3) Lamb loin chops (4) $20.50 all on sale
Total $125.06
Eating Out:
$3.00. Mike lunch. Costco
$22.50. Joyce birthday lunch
$11.99. Lunch with Mike used a coupon
$5.30 Mike breakfast with the Gannon guys.
$20. Lunch at Springhill
$6. Lunch in Mentor
$8.26. Lunch with Mike
$5.30. Mike breakfast with the Gannon guys
TOTAL $82.44
Grand Total $207.50
New Cushion $1212.62
YTD grocery $1141.94 + 125.06=1265.03 250 days =35.714 weeks $5.07/day $2,53/person/day
YTD Eating Out $374.55+82.44=$457.08 250 days = $1.84/day $0.91/person/day
YTD TOTAL $1516.49+. 207.50= 1732.99. 250 days=35.714 weeks $6.90/day. $3.45/person/day
1. We froze green beans, yellow squash, tomatoes, yellow beans, cauliflower, broccoli and I made pressure cooker sauerkraut with a head of cabbage showing its age. All from the CSA.
2. I made a fresh apple pie, old fashioned egg custard, Mediterranean flatbread, apple crisp. The apples were from the CSA.
3. I used twenty five cents worth of dried garbanzo beans and seasoning to make ten falafels, two meals and two lunches worth. Delicious and inexpensive.
4. My mixer is back from being repaired so I had fun making bread for the first time in awhile. I made wheat and rye bread.
5, I made a pot of Italian vegetable soup for approximately $2. It made six good size servings.
Allocation $403
Cushion $921.92
Days 220 as of the end of August (on vacation for 7 days)
What We Ate: Bean curry over rice, yellow beans, peaches Homemade Mac and cheese with corn on the cob and peaches Grilled hotdogs with pasta salad and baked beans (2) Jambalaya, butter beans, salad, Swiss cheese bread Avocado pasta, garlic bread, salad Crab cakes, carrot raisin salad, baked potato, corn on the cob Grilled salmon, tempura cauliflower, carrot salad, garlic bread Beef and bean burritos with corn on the cob. Asian peanut and Salmon pasta with roasted cauliflower Welsh rarebit on toast, carrot salad, Brussels sprouts , fruit and yogurt Taco salad, corn on the cob, cheese bread Beef and beans burrito , popcorn Indian lentil curry and rice, curried potatoes Ham salad sandwich with Brunswick stew Crab cakes, California medley veggies.., pasta with pesto Chicken, peas, carrots and noodles with mashed potatoes, cottage cheese and fresh tomato , muffins Curry wraps, leftover potatoes and onion rings, cottage cheese and mandarin oranges Yorkshire pudding with Brunswick stew, yogurt and fruit, muffins Beef and bean quesadillas, roasted carrots, Mexican sautéed potatoes Italian tomato porcupines, spaghetti and sauce, fried green tomatoes Tomato sandwiches and fried potatoes
What We Bought:
Tops: Sour cream, shredded cheddar (3). $9.21
Aldi: Smoked sausage (2.5#), Italian bread. Cinnamon bagels, everything bagels, English muffins $18.01
Aldi Fresh salmon (1#), sliced cheddar, frozen peas, cottage cheese, avocados(4) $18.88
Aldi :potatoes (10#), Greek yogurt (qt) parm cheese grated, Parmesan cheese, block, cream cheese (2), onions(3#), shredded cheese (1,5#), sliced cheese (2#), bagels (2), bananas(1.63#), avocados (2) $41.00
Sanders: Potatoes (5#), donuts (6), mushrooms (3), Italian bread $10.20
Trader Joe (yearly shop): Onion pancakes, orange chicken, paneer (2), edamame (2), gnocchi, plantains, naan, dumplings (2), dried cranberries, dried apricots, cheese (8 types) , spanakopita $104.34
Aldi: low carb bread, heavy cream, low carb tortillas $12.07 Bought especially for the diet we are on.
Total: $213.71
Eating Out
Ice cream with Mike. $4.50
Lunch with Mike $20.17
Lunch with Mike. $11.64
Lunch with Springhill residents. $18.52
Springhill lunch. $25.81
Total: $80.54
Grand Total: 294.25
Remaining Allocation $208.75
New Cushion $1030.12
Days 250 as of the end of September
YTD Grocery $1141.94 $5.19/day $2.60/person/day
YTD Eating Out $374.55 $$170/day $0.85/person/day
YTD Total $$1516.49 $6.89/day $3.45/person/day
1. I used a 50cent box of muesli to make homemade granola.
2. We continue to eat out of our stockpile to help keep food costs down.
3. We froze corn, blackberries , zucchini, green pepper, avocados for enjoying in the winter.
4. I made two birthday gifts using yarn that I purchased at thrift stores.
5. We are enjoying homegrown tomatoes and (safe) lettuce.
6. I got three free clumps of ornamental grasses from my buy nothing group. They look nice along the side of the house.
7. I made muffins, croutons and breadcrumbs.
Frugal Fail: My KitchenAide mixer went in for repair. I use it to make my yeast breads. Therefore, no homemade breads, etc. I had to purchase bread, bagels and English muffins. Ouch!
Household. For June. 0
Personal Care for June. 0.
Personal care For July Remaining Allocation end of July $46.01
Haircuts for both of us for $23.99
Household for July remaining allocation $260.85
Refurbished oreck vacuum. $95.35
Kleenex. $14.98. Sam’s
New toaster. $30
Dishwasher detergent. $9.00.
Total. 159.33.
1. I continued to bake rather than buy. It is much cheaper. This month I made cinnamon raisin bread, no yeast flatbread, Artisan bread(2), prune breakfast bread, rustic rye bread, croutons from homemade Bread, Ghirardelli’s brownies made from a 90 cent mix, rye croutons from homemade bread, olive, bacon and cheese loaf.
2. I used a Chewy coupon I received in the mail and saved $20 on things I needed that were comparable to local prices. And, they were delivered to the door. I saved another $25 by doing auto ship and I can cancel at any time.
3. I made sure to take advantage of my free birthday drink at Starbucks. The iced latte was delicious on a hot day.
4. We froze cauliflower, beets, & strawberries, beets, onion and made sweet pickles with some cucumbers. All produce was From the CSA to enjoy this winter.
5. I used the cauliflower stocks to make cauliflower soup to go with tomato and cheese sandwiches.
6. We used a $15 birthday coupon at the yacht club to enjoy a lunch out.
7. I had a coupon for my haircut that saved me $7.
Allocation $403
Cushion $651.37
Days 196
What We Ate: cabbage, cashew and chicken salad with beans, corn on the cob; (2) Taco salad and cowboy caviar; Grilled ribs, baked beans, potato skins, pea salad. Chicken divan, mashed potatoes, 🥔 yogurt and grapefruit, cowboy caviar Falafels, homemade flatbread, tzatziki, red pepper hummus, dilled carrotsn, tossed Salas #3. Blt salad with beans, fresh corn and cheese toast. Cheeseburger salad with beans Italian strata with sausage, basil, rosemary,mozzarella and spinach, leftover salad(2) Bean curry with paneer and potatoes over rice, fried cauliflower , homemade flatbread , salad. Crab Louis with white beans, cheese grits, bread. Lentil and ground beef sloppy Joe, salad, cauliflower cheese; Taco salad and corn on the cob. .cauliflower Soup with white beans, with cheese and tomato sandwiches. Chef salad with peas, corn on the cob, rye and Swiss bread. Schnitzel, pierogie, corn on the cob, salad. Stroganoff with wild rice, sautéed beet greens, tzatziki salad, bread Tzatziki salad with chicken, olive, bacon and cheese bread, corn on the cob Chicken divan, cheesy potatoes, corn on the cob Pizza and popcorn
What We Bought:
Tops: cheese, peanut butter, raw shrimp 11.37 All on sale
Aldi: Olives (4), Greek yogurt $15.45
Sam’s Club: olives (2) Pam (2) $25.44
Aldi: avocados(4) $2.76 on sale On sale
Tops: sour cream, shredded cheese (3) $6.26 sale items
Giant Eagle: Eggs(3) $0.95 Anniversary special
TOTAL $52.23
Eating Out:
Lunch with the ladies: $10.37
Lunch with Mike. $11.85
Sandy birthday dinner. $39.74
Lunch at yacht club. $18,21
TOTAL. $80.22
GRAND TOTAL. $132.45
Remaining Allocation: $270.55
New Cushion: $ 921.92
YTD grocery $928.23 $4.74/day $2.37/person/day
YTD eating out $294.01 $1.41/day $0.71/person/day
YTD total $1222.24 $6.33/ day. $3.12/person/day
Allocation for June $13x30=$390
Cushion at beginning of June $522.19 cushion tat end of June $$651.37
YTD Days through June 165
YTD Grocery as of the end of May $714.89. June $ 161.11=$876 as o end of June $5,31/day $2.65/person/day
YTD Eating Out as of the end of May $113.08 June $99.70=$212.79 As of end of June $1.29/day $0.65/person/day
YTD Total as of the end of May $827.97 June $260.82=1088.79 as of end of June $6.60/day $3.30/person/day
What We Ate: Straomboli, Fruit salad with tahini dressing, cheesy potatoes, broccoli (2). Chili spaghetti, cheese bread, fruit salad (2) Chicken fried rice and salad with cheese bread Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes, glazed carrots with apple, Raisin Bran muffins, stewed tomatoes and green Ham loaf, potato skins, glazed carrots and apple, tomatoes and green beans Jambalaya , cheese grits, sautéed and seasoned corn, pears and bleu cheese Black beans burgers, baked beans, cheesy potatoes, California medley vegetables Spaghetti and meatballs with homemade sauce, salad, garlic bread Chicken and biscuits with fruit salad. Pork schnitzel, pierogie, applesauce Mexican pizza Lentil curry with paneer , rice. Spinach and potatoes curry, fruit salad Baked Parmesan chicken, peas and mushrooms, stuffing, pears and bleu cheese Chicken divan on dressing, leaf lettuce salad. ; grilled jambalaya wrap and fruit salad, Chicken and strawberry salad ; Steak salad; taco salad; shrimp newberg, asparagus, garlic bread(2); Pierogie and sausage casserole ; breakfast for dinner; Stromboli, potato rounds, grapes Grilled salmon, zucchini and chick peas, potato salad, Salmon and zucchini pasta, red beet salad, savory white bean salad. Chicken , cabbage white beans and cashew salad bang bang cauliflower, sautéed garlic snap peas, Asian marinated meat from freezer, Korea potatoes. mashed lentils, Ham and Swiss with coleslaw
Eating Out
Lunch with Mike $4.24 Sam’s
Lunch with Pat $26.75
Lunch with Mike $16 Co-Op
Mike lunch in Cleveland $4.93
Lunch with Joyce $9.49
Lunch in Buffalo with Mike $23..30
Breakfast in Buffalo with Mike $15
Total$99.71
What We Bought
Sams : olives (2) maple syrup, feta (2#) $39.70
Tops: Sour cream, Muenster $3.37^ both at sale prices
Erie Co-Op : herbs, tomato plant. $20
Mason farms. Quart strawberry and 6 lettuce plants. $11.22
Aldi: heavy cream. $4.69
Aldi: baby Bella’s (4), bacon(3). $15..84 osale items
Sanders: western ribs(4#), cab sirloin steak, (1.5#), bread. $14. 41 all sale items
Giant Eagle: chicken wings (4#), smoked salmon (2) A $15 credit and $0.18 out of pocket
Aldi: Lemons (6), sliced cheese (2 1/2 #), plain yogurt (qt) $13.43 cheese and lemons sale items
Tops: asparagus (1#), pasta $3.66 sale and items
Aldi: red grapes (1.55#) $2.15 sale item
Tops: Pasta, baked beans,, triscuits, shredded cheddar (3), cantaloupe $13.82 all sale items
Giant Eagle: pasta, salmon fillet (1#) $6.66 all sale items
Country Fair: butter (4), Eggs (2) $11.98
Total $161.11
Chemo Caps. 16 YTD 26
Operation Gratitude Scarves 29 YTD 44
Linus Blankets 9 YTD 15
Chemo Squares 4 YTD 25
1. I continued baking and not buying: artisan whole wheat bread, Raisin Bran muffins, pineapple cake using juice drained off cans and a twenty five cent cake mix, mincemeat pinwheels using overnight potato bread and homemade green tomatoes mincemeat, Indian flatbread, bagels, bread pudding, Scottish shortbread , croutons
2. I used a $15 credit at the grocery store and combined it with sales and bought 4# chicken wings and smoked salmon (2), for only $0.18 out of pocket.
3. We ground a 10#boneless pork shoulder that was purchased on sale, and made 4# Italian sausage, 4#. Breakfast sausage and 2# kielbasa sausage. Even if purchased at a good price, store made sausage would come at least double. And I know what is in this sausage .
4. We froze strawberries, cauliflower, cabbage, and lettuce (for soups) from our CSA rather than seeing them go to waste.
5. I have started to add dry beans to our dinners to make sure that we are getting enough protein now that we are eating smaller portions of meat. Lots of protein and fiber for literally pennies. If you read through the buying and eating at the end of the month you will see what I mean: ham and cheese sandwich with garlicky mashed lentils; Lentil curry; Salads with added beans to the mix; Pasta with added beans. The possibilities are endless. Just search google for recipes.
Household $40/month Remaining Allocation end May $420.18
Air freshener for garbage cans. $1.25. Tops
Artificial flowers for urns $25.00 Thrift stores
Coffee filters (2pkg) $5.84. Walmart
Personal Care. $20/month Remaining Allocation end of May $70
Haircuts for Mike and Sandy. $30.
1. We sent a new prescription to the pharmacy at a grocery store and received $15 credit towards food.
2. I mixed leftover vegetables soup and leftover beef barley soup, adjusted the seasoning and used it as a base for cottage pie. It was easy and delicious.
3. I made a large batch of Cuban black beans. Part was eaten as soup and part was turned into spicy black bean burgers. The leftover burgers became burritos.
4. I had two containers I needed to fill with artificial flowers. I couldn’t find any I liked at a price I wanted to afford. So, I went to three different thrift stores and bought premade arrangements. I then took them apart and used the flowers to fill my containers. They look bright and cheerful and only cost a total of $25.
5. I made rye, white and soda bread for quite a savings over store prices.
Allocation. $13x31 =$403
Cushion. $ 592.08 at the beginning of May
YTD. As of end of May. 104 + 31=135 days
YTD grocery. $345 + 369.89=$714.89 $5.30/day $2.65/person/day As of the end of May. This includes the $300 CSA cost for the summer.
YTD eating out. $74.20 + $38.88=$113.08 $0.84/day $0.42/person/day as of the end of May
YTD total $499.92 + $8,27.92=$1327.89 $9.84/day $4.92/person/day as of the end of May
New Cushion Amount $573.31 at the end of May. Including the CSA, we were $18.77 over budget in May
What We Ate: leftover quiche, dauphinois potatoes and zucchini Leftover chicken pot pie, broccoli citrus salad, roasted beets. Fried bologna sandwich and cheesy potato rounds Corned beef and noodle casserole, broccoli citrus Salad, green bean casserole Pork schnitzel , pierogie, pears with bleu cheese ; Tacos and bean dip with chips (2) Beef barley soup with cheddar biscuits Cottage pie; Lobster roll and buttered noodles with garlic, cheese and peas; Pasta with lobster, Broccoli, pears, biscuits; Cottage pie, fruit salad, cabbage salad Vegetarian tikka masala, tortillas , rice, fruit salad. Cuban black bean soup, crackers, fruit and yogurt Steak on the grill, Asian spicy soy noodles, baked beans, applesauce Grilled pork loin, Three bean salad, potatoes Anna. BBQ chicken, baked beans, bean salad, baked sweet potato Frozen pizza, chips Huevos ranchero’s Black bean burgers, macaroni salad, pickled beets Tuna macaroni salad, homemade soda bread, fruit and yogurt, corn on the cob Asian orange chicken, fried rice, onion pancakes Black bean tortilla bowls, guacamole and chips corn Glazed ham steak, garlic and butter asparagus, deviled eggs, potato pancakes Angel hair pasta with clam sauce, homemade garlic bread sticks, jello with mandarin oranges Salisbury steak with noodles, fried apples, onions and cabbage, jello with mandarin, garlic bread sticks Hot chicken salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, applesauce (2) Clam Chowder, assorted salads Mexican pizza with chips and salsa
Eating Out:
Lunch with Joyce $12.37 Taco Bell
Mike lunch in Cleveland $2.68 Sams
Lunch with Mike $8.47 Arby’s
Mike breakfast with Gannon guys b$2.53 McDonald’s
Lunch with the ladies $12.83
What We Bought:
Mason Farms: 15 week CSA. $300 or $20/week. Went into the cushion to cover
Tops: Doritos, cheese. $4.87. Special coupons for both
Tops. Italian cheese. $0.88. Spec sale
Tops. Sweet potato (6), butter, eggs (2), cream cheese, pasta, potato chips. $9.32. All sale items
Aldi. Boneless Pork but roast (11#), mushrooms (2), avocados (2). $25.13. All sale items. We will make Italian, breakfast and kielbasa sausage with the pork
Aldi. Carrots (2#). $1.99
Sanders: Potatoes,corn, onions. $ $5.56 Two sale items
Tops. Bush’s beans, hamburger buns, asparagus $6.68 All sale items
Aldi. Chips(3), cheese (5). 13.08. Sale items
Walmart. Popcorn. $2.38
1. I took advantage of a $0.79/# spiral ham sale to pre buy for next Easter. I saved $17.52 off of this year’s normal price. Who knows what next year’s price will be.
2. Processing leftover salad veggies: chopped and frozen sweet peppers, frozen leftover spinach, cucumbers in a vinegar brine, blanched and frozen mushrooms. I will use most in recipes, and the cucumbers will become a salad side dish.
3. While vacationing, we booked tours independently and saved a lot over using the pre booked tours
4. I used half of a bag of 60 cent green split peas and some homemade ham broth and meat off the bone, to make soup. I got 8 servings, about 8 cents per serving. I have enough broth and meat for two more batches of soup. I see lentil and ham and beans in our future.
5, I cooked this year’s ham( purchased last year in the after Easter sale) and ended up with 4 breakfast ham steaks, ground ham to make a ham loaf and ham salad for sandwiches, and seven packs of slices for sandwiches, casseroles and salad. Some frugal meals there.
6. I bought a black Talbots blazer for $8. I know I saved 90%, if not more.
Personal Care Allocation $240/year Remaining allocation $100.00
Pedicure. $32
Haircut Sandy. $47
Haircut Mike. $15
Household Allocation. $480/year. Remaining allocation $452.27
Wax paper. $2.54
Ammonia. $1,89
Allocation: 20 x $13 =$260
Cushion $535.27 + 56.81=$592.08 as of April 30
YTD as of end of April: 87 days + 17=104 days
YTD Grocery. $206.59 +138.49=345.08 $3.32/day $1.66/person/day As of April 30
YTD Eating Out. 48,50+25.70= $74.200 $0.71/day $0.36/person/day as of April 30
YTD Grand Total. $335.73 + 164.19 =$499.92 $4.81/day $2.41/person/day as of April 30
What We Ate:
Ham steak, butter beans, cheesy potatoes, pears with bleu cheese, honey glazed carrots ; Mexican pizza and fresh fruit salad; Steak on the grill, baked potato , spinach salad ; Homemade split pea soup; Oven roasted ham, cheesy potatoes , apple sauce , zucchini , garlic bread; Ham loaf , macaroni and cheese , spinach salad ; Ham salad sandwiches on homemade bread ; Pizza Spaghetti and meat sauce Huevos rancheros, refried beans corn (2) spinach and seafood quiche. Dauphinois potatoes -)
Low carb days: A few pounds followed us home from vacation.
Roast beef with onions over steamed cabbage, broccoli, salad, cottage cheese and onions ; Garlic chicken and almonds salad; Mexican meat and cheese salad; Marinated pork loin, zucchini, yogurt and blueberries; Asian stir fry, cottage cheese and cantaloupe ; Philadelphia cheese steak salad; Lemon chicken, broccoli, Greek salad; Pepperoni salad;
What We Bought:
Aldi: Frozen vegetables (5), cream, plain yogurt, feta, cottage cheese, bleu cheese, cream cheese (2), avocados (2), mushrooms (2), sweet peppers (3),:romaine hearts (3), zucchini (2), broccoli crowns (2), grape tomatoes, cantaloupe, English cucumber, carb control wraps $49.43 for low carb
Aldi: Spiral ham, eggs (3) $14.86 $0,77/# for ham
Walmart. Fresh spinach $1.97
Tops Breyers ice cream, chicken thighs (6.25#), ground beef (5.25#)cheese (3)$36.74 good meat sales
Tops: eggs (3), oj $6.96
Aldi: Greek yogurt, pink lady apples (3#), mandarins (3#) 10.00 Fruit on sale
Aldi: Pork schnitzel, avocados (2) $10.49 a treat
Sanders: Italian bread, pumpernickel bread,potatoes (5##) bologna$8.04 All on sale
Eating Out
Lunch with the ladies $15.86 Panera
Lunch with Mike $3.28 Sams
Mike’s breakfast with Gannon guys $6.56
Operation Gratitude Scarves: 15
Project Chemo crochet: 21
Linus Project Blankets: 6
Chemo Caps 10
60 skeins of generously donated yarn for free
March is not a month of specific good deals but more a month of general frugality that adds up to savings. I made a lot of things from scratch: biscotti, artisan bread, white bread, oatmeal bread, Chinese onion pancake, Italian polenta, pasta sauce, Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, corn muffins, etc. The price per item adds up to quite a savings.
I currently have a batch of vegetarian chili simmering, a corned beef in the oven and a pan of cheesy potatoes cooking low and slow with the corned beef. I try to take full advantage of the oven heat by cooking at least two things at the same time.
We have been eating down leftovers from the freezer. It’s almost like eating for free since the cost of the meal was computed the first time I served it. Perfect for busy days, too.
And, as I am sure you expect, we have been relying on our stockpile for meal ingredients. For example: a 50cent cake mix made biscotti; stockpiled flour makes a variety of breads; cornmeal made polenta and corn muffins, a 34cent large can of crushed tomatoes was the base of spaghetti sauce; a mixture of ground meats bought cheaply was the base for Italian and breakfast sausage.
