Save Money – Take a Week Off From Grocery Shopping

The Budget Diet girl has a money saving challenge for you…take a week off from grocery shopping.

Do you think The Budget Diet girl has gone off the frugal deep end and wants you to starve?

Actually, if you're like most American families, you won't starve. You may not eat as much fresh produce as you should, but one week won't hurt.

Even better, this money saving challenge also has a side benefit…you'll have a chance to clean out your freezer, refrigerator and pantry. Oh what fun!

Ready to save money, get organized and take a week off from grocery shopping?

Take a Week Off From Grocery Shopping – The Plan

• No grocery shopping allowed. None. Nada. Got it?
• Clean out and organize your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Don't worry, you'll have extra time because you're not going to the grocery.
• As you clean out, make a list of possible meal ideas. Pretend you're on the Food Network show “Chopped” and get creative! Maybe you want to get your entire family involved in this adventure.
• If you discover an oddball ingredient, rather than wasting it…do a quick google search for recipe ideas using that ingredient.
• Do you have enough meal ideas for a week? The Budget Diet Girl is taking bets that you do!

 
Tips for Pantry, Refrigerator and Freezer Organizing

• Tackle one shelf at a time.
• Please throw away any spoiled food.
• If you come across something you'll never use, donate it to a food pantry.
• Use lazy susans to maximize shelf space – they're great for organizing spices and condiments.
• Give each shelf a “theme” – maybe you'll have a breakfast shelf in your pantry, a shelf with everything for making school lunches, a shelf for canned goods, starches, baking items. You get the idea. The same concept will work in your refrigerator and freezer, and I highly recommend a leftover shelf, so your family knows what needs to be eaten.
• Add baskets or bins for items like individually packaged snacks like granola bars. The Budget Diet girl calls this the snack basket, and my kids no where to look if they have the munchies.

 
After you complete this money saving challenge, please leave a comment letting me know how many meals you created. I'm curious!

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image courtesy of Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot, FreeDigitalPhotos.net