Budgeting your time and money

I will admit that I am a sucker for a good deal.  Just go shopping with me and you'll see how quickly I dive into the clearance racks.  The same holds true for grocery shopping.  Being prepared before you head to the store can save you a ton of time and money.  The internet is a great tool to use if you don't get weekly ads via the newspaper.  I am signed up to recieve the weekly Walgreens ad through email.  You can also visit your local grocery store's website to see what is on sale.  Take those items on sale and build your weekly meals around them. 

Last week I was thrilled when I went to Aldi's and they had 4 lb. bags of oranges on sale for $1.49.  I bought 3 bags with the intent of juicing them.  I juiced 1 1/2 bags and poured the juice into ice cube trays.  I then freeze them and use the cubes in fruit smoothies.  My kids love oranges so they are happily scarfing down the rest.  To my surprise, while shopping at Aldi's yesterday, the oranges were being sold for $.99 for a 4 lbs. bag.  I bought 3 more bags.  One thing to watch is that more than likely these oranges are getting close to their prime and won't stay fresh on my counter for more than a few days.  Which is why I only bought them knowing that I have a juicer and they will get used.

Tonight I got a call from my sister that large bags of frozen chicken breast were on sale at a local grocery store for $2.69/bag.  We got 3 bags.  We have a large freezer and I'm stocked up for about a month.  I may stop for more tomorrow!  My kids love chicken prepared in just about any way imaginable.  It's a very healthy, high protein alternative to red meat.

Budgeting your time is almost more important than budgeting your money.  It seems that we are pulled in eight different directions at one time.  I like to use Sunday as my food prep for the week.  I cut up and wash all my lettuce for salads, cut up fresh veggies so I can quickly grab them and I try and make one or two main meals that I can reheat and eat throughout the week.  Last week was crock pot chicken and a pan of meatloaf.  I didn't have to cook all week!!!  I had dinner on the table in a matter of a few minutes, which made my starving children very happy, and it left me more time for clean up and doing other things.  I also have a dehydrator and I made fruit roll ups for the kids, which they love!  I use homemade applesauce that I canned this summer from apples that I got for free.  You add a bag of frozen berries and you have a lot of roll ups for around $1.00.  The only baking I did was a pan of Pumpkin Protein Bars...yum!!!  I put them in the freezer and we are still eating them this week.

Making a few minor changes on your grocery list can save some major time and money.

Happy Shopping!