Just don't go!

Robert and I have set ourselves an interesting challenge this week. Basically, we want to see how long we can go without stopping at the grocery store!

I woke up this morning thinking about how much money is tied up in food, in all of our kitchens, that isn't being used. How many cans of soup do we have? And an extra box of pasta bought last time they were on sale, or that bottle of barbecue sauce because we wanted to try the new flavor from our favorite company..... How many dollars have we ALREADY invested in 'staple' food goods, or items in the freezer, that is just sitting there?

So this week we're trying something different. I'm going to make a list today of all the 'main menu items' I find in the cabinets and freezer. For his part, Robert must pick every day what we're going to have off that list.

This may sound like common sense and I'm certain some of my readers are laughing and shaking their heads at me right now. That's really OK with me. (laughing too) But seriously, when was the last time you really thought about it? I wonder how much money I can save by simply using what I already have because it's here, rather than picking up what I happen to be in the mood for that day? And how much better will I be eating by simply forcing ourselves to think about it ahead of time? How much effort, shopping time, gas, recyled material, trash..... it's really a bigger idea than it seems like at first. How many people in the world would wish to have simply the chance to make my choice? Leaner days are here for everyone, and I surely don't have money to throw away. How long have I had this habit? But that's it, it's only a habit, and I can change it.

We've pledged to do it together and I'll keep everyone posted. Anyone else want to try?