What I Spent
Last week, I wondered if my low spending weeks were a pattern or an anomaly.
I’m leaning toward anomaly because my surprising string of low spending went out the window this week! Mostly it was because of a BJs trip that involved two containers of laundry detergent and a huge package of toilet paper, among other things.
But mercifully it will take us a super long time to use up all of that laundry detergent.
We spent:
- $15 at Aldi
- $50 at Harris Teeter
- $25 on a Hungry Harvest box
- $11 at Giant
- $20 on Chinese takeout
- $77 at BJs
And that rings up to $198.
September Spending
Week 2: $101
Week 3: $198
What We Ate
Saturday
Mr. FG and I went on our usual date night while Sonia and Zoe ate chicken tikka masala and naan at home.
Sunday
We went to my sister-in-law’s house to celebrate her birthday, and I brought these overnight potato rolls, along with some cinnamon butter.
I used a new-to-me recipe from The Spruce Eats, and I thought the rolls were really tasty. Plus, because they have potatoes in them, they stayed soft for several days (the recipe made 48, so we had leftovers!)
I’m mystified about the addition of baking soda and baking powder, though; I have never seen those added to a yeast recipe before. I feel slightly skeptical that they actually did anything, so I think I might try a batch without ’em and see what happens.
Monday
Sonia had to go babysit so she took some leftover chicken tikka masala with her.
That left Mr. FG, Zoe, and me, plus a bag of leftover crabs from Sunday.
Zoe is allergic to crabs, so she ate some leftover chicken tikka masala, and Mr. FG and I ate leftover crabs, corn, and rolls.
Tuesday
Zoe requested French toast, so that’s what we had, topped with whipped cream and peaches; bacon on the side.
Wednesday
It was a fend-for-yourself night due to some schedule conflicts. Two of us ate leftover French toast and bacon; two got Chinese takeout.
Part of the schedule conflict: a cat-feeding shift. Doesn’t this guy look so much like our cat??
Thursday
I grabbed some bratwurst and buns from the freezer, and we ate those with watermelon and corn. Super easy!
It was raining, so I just heated the bratwurst and toasted the buns on the stovetop.
Friday
The weather is cool enough for me to make pizza, but I just ate some reheated pizza for lunch yesterday. So, I think I will opt to make something else.
sarah
Monday 20th of September 2021
1. Veggie Burgers w/Fruit 2. Vegan Pesto Pasta w/Veggies 3. Curry Chickpeas, Rice 4. Pizza & Salad 5. Indian Takeout for Birthday 6. Mock Chicken Wraps w/Butternut Squash & Kale Salad 7. Fried Tofu and Slaw w/Peanut Sauce & Couscous
a curious reader
Saturday 18th of September 2021
It was the week before the mid-autumn festival here, which means lots of lunches and other get togethers with clients. As a result, I barely cooked anything this week!
I made a big batch of chicken scarpariello pasta (the pinnacle of Italian American cuisine, I am so happy I learned of it a couple of years ago!), which we ate for a couple of nights. One night we ate all the random leftovers in the fridge. On Ted Lasso night, my boyfriend make fancy grilled cheeses with ham. We ate out with friends once and got takeout the final night. I'm about 60% into my grocery/ take out budget for the month. Since about 60% of the month is gone, I figure I'm on track, even though we didn't really cook this week!
Erika JS
Sunday 19th of September 2021
@a curious reader, Ted Lasso is sooooo good
Dianne in CO
Friday 17th of September 2021
Sunday-mushroom gnocchi with cantaloupe and tomato/basil/mozzarella Monday-leftovers Tuesday-leftovers Wednesday-chicken broccoli rice casserole with pomegranate pear salad Thursday-zucchini fritters, corn on the cob, salad, and peaches Friday-turkey chili, corn on the cob, sautéed zucchini
Bee
Friday 17th of September 2021
I spent $86 this week. $29 was for my weekly farm bag that is delivered to my door. The remainder I spent at the grocery store where are used $13 in coupons. I bought 1/2 gallon of milk, 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs, and 7 pounds of ground sirloin that was on special this week. I froze all but one beef patty for future use.
I was the only one at home this week so I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it. After 35 years of cooking dinner for everyone, this is always a treat. Monday- I ate leftovers. Tuesday- I made shawarma. Wednesday - I had tea and cinnamon toast. Thursday - I went out to dinner with my sister. Friday - Salad and baked potatoes in case my husband’s plane is late. Bon appétit!
Ruth T
Friday 17th of September 2021
Saturday: BBQ chicken leg quarters, summer squash (probably the last of it), and applesauce Sunday: Pork roast, green beans (also the last batch from our garden), and fried potatoes for lunch. Pizza for dinner. Monday: Spaghetti Tuesday: Kabobs and grilled peaches Wednesday: Minestrone macaroni Thursday: Chicken fajitas Friday: I'm planning to make the last turkey from our freezer. (I'm happy to have more space to freeze veggies for the winter!) I'm going to make stuffing and broccoli/cauliflower with cheese to go with the turkey.
Also - shoutout to your energy-saving post from this summer and whoever mentioned Crock-Pot cooking outside! It's in the mid-80's today, so I'm going to put my turkey in the roaster pan and cook it on the back deck!
Ruth T
Friday 17th of September 2021
Also, Kristen, those rolls look SO GOOD!