Thanksgiving Challenge Total: $115.25!!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing not included are parsnips, which they were out of at Harris Teeter, so add like $2 to the total when I can get them tomorrow, but that still won’t put us over $126. It’s hard to believe we made it with room to spare!
The Challenge was actually really easy thanks to our food + blog perks and my thrifty meal plans 
I actually see a lot of parallels with weight loss and food journaling – when you make yourself aware and hold yourself accountable, suddenly it seems black and white what you need to do to cut back. A little planning goes a looooong way to help you succeed. And just like when I was losing weight and had a really healthy week, leaving the grocery store having spent only $25 and knowing it would cover all meals for the week was a glorious feeling.
I definitely plan to continue the Challenge into December, but I’ll lighten up on the intensity of detailing every purchase. I will plan to report our grocery total in December to you all, and I hope it’s much closer to $100 than $500! I know it’s possible.
Here are this week’s (Thanksgiving’s) purchases. I even managed to include a new bottle of extra virgin olive oil, 2 kinds of butter, a bag of sugar, chicken sausages for the dressing, a gallon of organic milk, a bottle of diet tonic and mayonnaise (which we’re out of) on sale for $1.59! Thankfully all of our parents are bringing a dish to share, which helped tremendously, and Karen bought the turkey!
After I came home from class I cleaned the poopy kitchen floor and headed back out to EarthFare. I decided to save my snack and see what samples EF had out. Good decision! While there I nibbled on: a cheese cube, a tiny truffle piece, 2 peanut butter Puffins (!!), a cantaloupe, a bread piece with jam, and a 1″ piece of cheesecake 
After EarthFare I headed to Harris Teeter for pantry stuff like the butter (EF only has organic + expensive kinds), sugar (EF doesn’t have granulated), and local kale (EF’s is from CA). EF is a much smaller grocery store so they don’t always have the best selection. The bananas and carrots came from Trader Joe’s, which the husband stopped by after work today.
Dinner tonight continued the thrifty theme with leftover pasta and beans. The combo I created was actually quite delicious!
We had tons of leftover pasta from Sunday night:
I took about 2/3 a cup of navy beans and mashed them with 1 tsp EVOO, red pepper flakes, S+P.
Then I cooked 2 small zucchini in some cooking spray and added baby spinach at the last minute to wilt. The whole bowl was then drizzled in another half tsp of EVOO and topped with more S+P. It was yummy! I kind of ate the beans like I do peanut butter in oats – a little bit on the fork and then some veggies and a stab of pasta.
SO EXCITED that I have tomorrow off. I have a to-do list of things to catch up on, but no sweat if I save some of them for Thursday-Sunday. The husband is working from 6am-7pm tomorrow but he has Thursday and Friday off……….
OMG – I just went to check the calendar and the husband hasn’t had a day off of work since MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! That was an entire MONTH ago!!! Poor thing!! He’s been working really hard. We both need a breather this Thursday/Friday.
Off to take a bath
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on making it through the challenge. We’ve drastically cut back, and it’s definitely a lot easier once you just force yourself to. I found that bringing cash to the grocery store really helped. If that’s all I had to spend, I couldn’t “rationalize” spending anymore.
Congrats on the challenge success! I can’t believe it’s already over – time flies!
The husband deserves some R&R I would say!!!
Congrats on meeting your goal for the challenge.
My hubby and I stopped going out to eat when we got engaged last Christmas and we have saved so much money. Its a great feeling!
Angela
http://www.ohsheglows.com
Poor husband! That’s crazy. It sounds like he loves his new work though
Lovely dinner, and have a great relaxing night since you’re off tomorrow!
And congrats on the challenge – we made it too but just barely – $125 something!!
You’re SO organized…I feel kind of ashamed looking at your google calendar.
Congrats on making the challenge, that is quite a feat!
Your husband’s schedule is crazy, he certianly deserves this holiday coming up!
Congrats on the challenge! I’m a relatively new reader – came here via Big Fat Deal a few weeks ago. Just wanted to say that I am LOVING your blog and trying out your ideas. I have already tried the pumpkin oatmeal and the pumpkin + yogurt mix. Both were delicious. I am trying to be more conscious of what I eat these days and make choices based on nutrition, not just on calories and fat grams . . . this is such a great resource and I have been forwarding your blog to people left and right. Happy Thanksgiving!
MAJOR KUDOS, KATH!!!!!
Enjoy your day off tomorrow!!
Congrats on successfully completing the challenge!
That dinner looks good! I need to try some of these dishes soon!
Good job on the challenge!
Boo on the dog poop – that is the worst!
Congrats on the challenge!!!
I can’t believe your husband hasn’t had any time off! Great job with the challenge!
Great work on the challenge – very inspiring and motivating! Wow a month straight of work – I know the husband will enjoy his Thanksgiving break enourmously!
Amazing job on the Challenge! Thanks to you, we had a DRASTIC reduction in our bill this month. I was able to cut our grocery bill by $422.68 this month!!!!! The husband is so thrilled as he has been trying to get me to do this for years, however, without making it “seem” like we’re cutting back. We still had wonderful homemade meals and no one noticed a difference at all. This was a real eye-opener for me. Thanks for the great inspiration!
Good job on the grocery shopping! I am just glad Matt gets a break this weekend – enjoy it!
Kath, Congrats on the challenge! The Pasta dish looks great!
zesty
Congrats on the Thanksgiving achievements! What a wonderful undertaking
You both deserve a rest, enjoy the holiday!
-C
Very impressive I clocked out at $141.00 which I was pretty proud of considering I spend $68 the morning before I read your challenge post. And I normally spend $90 a week. Like you I didn’ skimp on anything and it felt great. I am continuing through Dec as well. Thanks for the inspiration =)
Congratulations that’s Amazing!!! WITH thanksgiving groceries too?? You’re a rockstar! How’d you decide on the number again?
I’m so glad you guys finally get a couple days off to relax together! Have fun doing something awesome (which very well may be nothing!)
Congrats on making the challenge Kath!!
… told ya they had Cabot cc at HT!
Your dinner looks great, I never would have thought to top pasta with beans.
Way to go on reaching your goal!!!
Very inspiring! I have to say, my husband and I spend over your months total every week *shame*
Enjoy a relaxing evening!
Congrats on the challenge!
Great job reaching your goal! I decided to do the same on the side and accomplished it too, and I was only providing food for one!
have a nice evening!!!
OMG you & Matt need some time off! Enjoy your holiday and indulge yourselves!
congrats on the challenge. i think i need to try to this, too. maybe when i come back from the honeymoon.
Congrats on the thanksgiving challenge! Very amazing.
Hi Kath! I am home right now with my family and they LOVE going through your recipes looking for the healthiest, funnest and most tasty ones listed!!! Thanks again for having such variety and a sophisticated pallate!
Congrats on making it through! Thats über impressive!
aww, i feel so bad for the husband! i hope he enjoys his day off! you guys should have fun! i hope you do!
Kath,
Congrats on making the challenge! I have a question about your weight loss – -
What kept you going when you were starting out?
I’m trying to lose 20 pounds, which I have gained in the 3 years that have elapsed since I lost 40 pounds, and it’s frustrating to go from a mindset of maintenance to loss and to see the big picture when I’m only in the first few days of trying to lose weight.
Any advice?
Thanks!
Amy
Kath, GREAT job on the planning! I’m a planner, too, and I know how well it works with keeping on track. Speaking of “keeping on track,” I have a question/concern for you or anyone else who wants to chime in. Sorry if this gets lengthy!
For the last few weeks I’ve been dealing with lower leg pain (ends up being spasms and inflammation. fun stuff). Doctor’s orders were moderate active rest (pretty much just the elliptical with no incline or resistance. no stairmill and no bike [surprisingly]. walking is fine…just no hills, stairs. you get the idea) and only upper body weight lifting. Needless to say, I’m getting VERY antsy since I’m a runner and am used to being MUCH more active than I’m being allowed. He also said to just let pain be my guide to getting back into my old routine. I can tell my legs are getting ‘better’ but I also know that I should take it easy for juuuust a little longer to ensure that I’m 100% and won’t REALLY do myself in by doing too much too soon.
So, here’s where my anxiety is kicking in…I’m home from college for Thanksgiving and will be returning VERY soon for nearly the whole month of December (**hopefully I’ll be able to run some by then and December/Christmas/New Years won’t be such a big deal). I have no gym membership at home because I’m only home for a short time, so no elliptical access. Sure I can go for walks, but is this enough to keep off the extra holiday pounds? As of now I’m maintaining a 40 pound weight loss and this is certainly not my first “maintenance” holiday, but it is my first mildly-active-maintenance holiday.
I have 3 big meals over the course of the rest of the week/weekend as of now. I plan on getting in some walks and upper body workouts. Since I’ve been a little less active until I heal, I’ve also adjusted my calories (no worries. I’m eating to “heal” as well) and have still been able to go to the school gym. But now I’m stuck juggling no gym and wonderful food.
Sorry this got long…I just know you guys are thoughtful and educated enough to say something that will hopefully “click” with me so I can enjoy this time of year!! Any input??
Hey Kath hubby and I met the challenge too!!! I am excited about what it tought me and how much I utilized all the food we had before making other purchases. I too want to carry it over to December! Thanks for doing this:)
Glad to see other Google Calendar folks. I can’t live without it.
Congrats on a successful challenge! Way to go!
I hope you and your husband enjoy your time off!
Goodnight!
P.S. I hope I’m one of the winners in this morning’s contest!
That’s incredible! I’m in awe.
Great job Kath!
Congrats on the Thanksgiving challenge success – enjoy the day and your meal bought with the appropriate amount of $$! In this economy, your story is inspiring, way to spread positive things
)
Congrats on the challenge!!! I want to try it out so bad, but I’m still living with a roomate, not the fiance yet, so it’s different. We both buy random groceries at random times, some to share, some not so not as feasible. However, I should do a challenege with my overall spending!
Congrats on the challenge!! You guys should be proud
Also, hooray for the hubs mini-vacation!
Have a great Wednesday!
Kath, you are such an inspiration. I am trying this in December! I do make a grocery store list but once I get there I kind of go into food-zombie mode and pick up anything that looks good. *oh yeah, I need three more Oikos.. just in case…* Sound familiar to anyone?
Mostly healthy stuff but as we know that’s what jacks up the grocery bill the most!
Anyhow, enjoy your time off this weekend! Maybe the Husband should try taking a bubble bath to relax – mine loves it!! (He’s very manly, ok? Haha.)
Congratulations! You even beat your goal; I am seriously impressed. Did you find that you dug into the pantry a lot?
that is seriously amazing. considering that i just spent $180 in one shot at whole foods yesterday for the week & thanksgiving.
i guess maybe i’m stimulating the economy? that’s a good thing, right?
Congrats on completing the challenge. I think it’s interesting that you found it similar to tracking calories. I guess writing things down/keeping track of things really puts reality at the front of our minds!
Heather
P.S. Do you have any idea how much you saved with blog perks/husband perks?
jenner ,
But still good to know I don’t have to make a special trip to TJ’s.
Yep, I found it! But not at my local Harris Teeter – it was at the fancy one across town
amyswim ,
Really my weight loss results kept me going. I would just go through the healthy living motions for a week and see results – which made me realize I was DOING IT and I needed to just keep doing what I was doing! There were some times when I just stalled for a bit, but then I’d go grocery shopping or find a new recipe and get motivation to start the motions again and then I’d lose again. Motivation follows healthy habits. Healthy habits come from being organized and good planning.
Anonymous ,
A little walking goes a LONG way. Do what you can and know that if you’re eating very healthy, you don’t need to workout as hard as if you’re enjoying holiday splurges. So I would just cut back a bit to make up for the lack of activity – but don’t cut everything out or you’ll feel deprived. Just cut out things you can have year round and stick to holiday favorites like eggnog on Xmas Eve.
HangryPants ,
No idea. It’s too hard to measure because you could say our bread cost $5 per week, but we were also eating bread more BECAUSE it was free. Same with the EarthFare discount. If we didn’t have it, we might have gone to WalMart or Food Lion instead to make things work. So it’s just unmeasurable.
K
Kath, also take into consideration you could spend so little b/c of where you live . There’s no way to get groceries that cheap in DC.
Jennifer ,
Maybe you’re shopping in the wrong stores…
I don’t think so. I shop all around- HT, Whole Foods, the crappy Safeway, TJ’s- but cost of living is just higher here.
Kath, I can definitely see how you would eat more free stuff just cause it’s free! I hope you don’t think I was being … judgemental. I was just curious.
Heather
Kath,
Thanks VERY much!
Happy Thaaaanksgiving!
I am so impressed with your challenge. Good job!
Hi Kath, I am doing a budget challenge this month and was looking around to see if you had any tips on food shopping on the cheap. I know you did the Thanksgiving Challenge successfully, so do you have any tips for me and Mark?
Heather