sometimes you need to be subtle

[Russ]

So as my adventure in converting my wife continues, I have put forth 2 challenges to her in an effort to make her and I think more about saving money.

My 2 challenges this month are:

1) Eat out no more than once a week. This includes: when we get home at 7 pm and stop at the local carry out joint, a sit down dinner at our favorite restaurant, or even a quick stop at the local fast food dump.

2) NOTHING but gasoline on the CC.

Wanted to get this down to hold myself accountable.

Wish us luck.

[LexTysMommy]

Good luck.

Can i suggest something for the cooking? Maybe make a day out of it, like set a few hours aside and cook a few meals that will be good reheated, so no excuse not to run home and microwave something to eat? Spaghetti? taco meat? sloppy joes? casseroles? just an idea. worked for me.

[Samigirl]

Good idea! Start slow, and maybe...just maybe, she'll catch the frugal bug.

[frugalfriend]

Sounds like a good plan! BTW, has she ever checked out the village? She would probably really enjoy it and that just might win her over completely. OR . . . would you be in the dog house for things you've posted?!

[chevy_chick95]

good luck

[Cricketlegs]

Little bits here and there do work wonders.

[Ceashels]

I like the idea that you are doing more cooking too!

Do the two of you cook together?

[savvymom]

Good luck!

[Mrsokdee]

Good Luck!!
Along the lines of cooking, when I know I'm going to be really busy for a week or so I will boil a few chicken quarters and pick the chicken off of them for quick casseroles or chicken salad sandwiches during the week. I will also brown up a few pounds of ground beef for quick tacos, spaghetti with meat sauce, sloppy joes, etc. I find it helpful if the meat is already cooked and I can just add the other ingredients for a quick meal. A little time spent in preparation for the week will save you lots of $$$!

[Russ]

Sounds like a good plan! BTW, has she ever checked out the village? She would probably really enjoy it and that just might win her over completely. OR . . . would you be in the dog house for things you've posted?!

My buddy Gabe can do wonders with the delete key.

But just in case I do have one of those inflatable matresses that fits nicely in the bed of the truck.

[Russ]

I like the idea that you are doing more cooking too!

Do the two of you cook together?

No, not really. Maybe that would help though.
I cook, usually really easy stuff though. burgers, stir fry etc..

[joyofsix]

Sounds like an awesome plan. Just cut yourself some slack on dinner.
Don't be too strict.
Frozen pizza is cheaper than take out, toaster waffles and microwave sausage is cheaper than McD's, a salad with ham&cheese is too supper, ditto grilled cheese and soup.

[FrugalWitch]

Don't forget to use your crockpot! Nothing like coming home to yummy supper smells.

[FrugalMomof3]

I think your goals are reasonable for your wife. I wish I was able to eat out once a week, I am lucky if we get once a month, lol... but it's because it's cheaper for me to cook the same meal I would get at a restaurant. Example: Shrimp Fettucini Alfredo... yummy!

[ChristopherJ]

We found that creating a weekly "menu" worked out for us. Literally we have specific meals assigned to each day, and then there's 3 optional means you can cook (in case you're bored with turkeyburgers every tuesday). Some are easy meals like hot dogs, some are a little tougher like chicken casseroles.

It sounds boring and structured, but honestly so is a budget...and that works out well if you do one.

A few things this did for us:
1. we no longer have to figure out "what am I going to cook tonight" and the search through the fridge for stuff.
2. our grocery bill is easy to figure out because we buy mostly the same stuff every time we go to make the weeks meals.