The last can of soup...

Last year in September I bought a TON of soup from Albertson's on a great sale. I was sad to see that I pulled out the last can of Cream of Chicken soup to make for dinner tonight!

I still have quite a bit of Cream of Mushroom and Tomato, but I'm hoping for another great sale in September...I know to buy more chicken and less mushroom!

-Michelle

What's left of my stockpile?

I made it through the month only spending $100.00 for groceries. I can't believe it! I feel like I climbed Mt. Everest - just kidding, but it does feel great to set and achieve a goal! I am so grateful for the items that I have stockpiled over the past several months. My stockpile is the reason I was able to accomplish this.

I got to thinking about this Monthly Mission and realized that I did this for fun, but someday (with the current economy) I may have to do this out of necessity. I will continue to build my stockpile - not only to save money, but to be there when times are tough and we need to cut back. I know we will never go hungry and that is a great blessing to our family.

The picture above is what is left of our food stockpile. (I reorganized it, I like it so much better!)I've still got plenty! I am doing some shopping tomorrow, but my list is surprisingly short. This challenge has helped me to use what I have and make it work and now I have formed a habit!

Monthly Mission - Stockpilin'

We are almost 1/2 way though the month of October, which means I am almost 1/2 way done with my Monthly Mission, which is to spend only $100.00 this month on groceries. My stockpile has really been workin' for me!

I love looking at pictures of stockpiles almost as much as my husband enjoys looking at pictures of cars...so I thought I'd share my stockpile pictures with you!

Here is the Official SavingSomeGreen Stockpile Tour:

We have a storage room off of our kitchen that I love!!! My hubby built some great shelves after we moved in. I can fit a lot of stuff on these babies. This is the front view...

...and the side view, which is almost as deep as it is wide. This is where I keep most of my food stockpile. I have another cupboard in the kitchen that is full of jello, pudding, and sugar free koolaid. I couldn't quite maneuver to get a decent picture, so just imagine. Oh and as long as you are imagining...could you make it more organized?

This is the shelf above my washer and dryer - not a lot of space there, but I do have a decent supply of laundry soap! You can also see the top of my current box that is a 125 load box of Tide left over from my Costco days. It is still going strong!

This is my linen closet - now more officially the toiletry closet. Yes, the shampoo goes all the way to the back. I also have a few cleaning products stuck here that won't fit under the kitchen sink yet.

So, this is what I have to work with to fill in where my $100.00 budget can not.

Now for my philosophy on stockpiling...

1. The purpose of a stockpile is to get items at the lowest possible prices so that you are never "running to the store" to get an item you need at full price. You do not (I am telling myself this at the same time), I repeat do not, have to get every deal out there. You will just make yourself crazy if you try.
2. Buy what you will use...even if it is eventually, or if you get it for free and you know someone that needs it get it and pass it along.
3. Don't let it take over your life or your home. Be creative with space in your home - place canned goods under a bed, in your linen closet, under a table that has a floor length tablecloth, etc. Please do not let this become your living room!
4. Stay organized, know what you have, and plan meals based on what is in your stockpile.
5. Set aside a small portion of your grocery budget specifically for stockpiling items (this should also curb the over stockpilng syndrome (that I have:)).
6. Replenish your stockpile regularly, but only at the rock bottom prices you are so good at finding!

What are you going to do with all that soup???

Yes, I bought a lot of soup at Albertson's yesterday. This will probably be my supply for a whole year for Cream of Mushroom, Tomato, and Cream of Chicken. If you went crazy like I did, or if you have a lot of soup that you don't know what to do with it, here are some ideas:


Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream (you can use light sour cream)
1 tbsp poppy seeds
1-2 cups cubed cooked chicken
4 cups cooked rice
1 sleeve crushed Ritz crackers


Combine all ingredients (except Ritz crackers) in an 8x8 casserole dish. Sprinkle with Ritz crackers drizzle with 1/2 stick melted butter if desired. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.


Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 package of stuffing; prepared according to package directions
1 can green beans; drained
1-2 cups cubed cooked chicken



Combine soup, green beans, and chicken in an 8x8 casserole dish. Scoop/spread the stuffing on top. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.


Haystack Casserole
5-6 medium potatoes; sliced
1-2 carrots; sliced
1 onion; diced
1/2 lb ground beef; cooked, crumbled, and drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tomato soup
1/2 cup water


Layer the following in your crock pot. 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 carrots, 1/3 onion, 1/3 beef repeat layers. Combine soups and water, pour over everything in the crock pot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours. This has a similar taste to beef stew and is delicious.


These are a few of our favorites, but the possibilities are endless. Check out the Campbell's website for thousands of recipe ideas!

Frugality and Organization

When you hear the word frugality, what is the first thing that comes to mind? In the past, I used to think that frugal people are pack rats who save everything - bags of dryer lint, rolls of toilet paper piled to the sky, thousands or bread bags, etc...

The reality is that this type of frugal person couldn't possibly have any idea what they have or don't have. When they need something they think they have, they are wasting time going through piles of junk to find it - in most cases they don't find it and have to run out and buy it at full price only to find it a week later under a pile of whatever. Ugh! This is NOT the type of frugal person that I want to be!

Today I decided to organize my hall closet (to your right is the before picture) - mind you it wasn't overwhelmingly out of control, but as I have been finding stuff for cheap or free I have just been putting it in the closet.

Here is the after picture. Now I know I have PLENTY of shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, and laundry detergent...and now I know that I am low on body wash, toothbrushes, razors, and toilet paper (if only there was a Kroger nearby:)). Of course I will still keep my eye out for great deals on the items I am well stocked up on - but I will be able to pass up the "decent" deals in favor of the "awesome" deals.

An important part of frugality and stockpiling sale/cheap items is being organized so that:

1. You never have to run out and buy something at full price.
2. You know what you have plenty of and what you can use a few more of.
3. You know what you can share with others if you feel so inclined.