New Year

I find that I am intimidated by the lofty title of our blog. 

Whole Food Mommy I am not.

I'm more of a half-food mommy.

But I guess that is better than a fast food mommy.

Much!

anyway...

This year (depending on how the first few months go) I have set an ambitions goal for myself.  I want to cut my grocery budget by $20 a week.  If I did it, that would be $1,040 that I could spend on something else. That would be a pretty fancy something else!

My hope is that there will be side-benefits to shopping frugally:

• Simpler Meals.  a.k.a. less work
  
• Less Waste
  
• Great satisfaction in my role as money-saver.

In the past, cooking has been a creative outlet for me.  I like to use highfalutin ingredients and have shopped sort of willy-nilly.  "Oh, this looks fun! Oooh! I wonder what that tastes like?"

While I will not ignore the fact that I NEED creative time in my life, I think that at this point in family and finances, the kitchen will not be the primary source of inspiration.

Truthfully, by the time evening rolls around I am usually tired and my energy for imagination has been used up with entertaining my sweet babe anyway. If I could make fast and (in a perfect world) healthy meals, I think our evenings would be much more serene. 

Some challenges that I'm trying to work around:

1. A tiny freezer.  I know it is cheaper to shop in bulk, but storage will be an issue.
2. Vanity.  I really enjoy showing off with food.  I'll just have to learn to make simple look smashing.
3. Guests. We have people over frequently, and cooking for a crew ends up being more expensive for us.  Mostly because of #2.  
4. Energy.  I fully expect that, at least initially, I will have to invest some extra time in looking through ads, planning meals and figuring out coupons.  My hope is that after a few weeks it will come naturally.
5. The closest and most convenient grocery store is QFC. When I forget something I go there and end up spending much more than I intend. This week, I already blew $30 on a "last minute" meal idea. 

Despite those challenges, I think I can do this.  I have already begun using up items in my pantry and practicing assembling meals that require fewer ingredients.  

My total goal budget is $80 a week.  Can I do it?  I think, with practice, I can.

We shall see.  I'll keep you posted.