I'm happy to say that the grocery shopping is done and I triumphed by saving $38.00 total on everything! I had a list for what was on sale, and found out I had last week's date. Tragedy! It took a few minutes to recover, skulking in the paper goods aisle, but after a little rearranging, I was able to replace those sale items with equal ones. All told, I would have spent $110 but ended up spending $78 and got some pantry stock.

I had done my first ever stock-up on dry goods and canned goods way back in April and was very excited about it. I'm usually too anxious to invest the initial money and so I always pay shelf price every week for the same items over and over again. So this was a big step for me. Then, after I broke my ankle, I was unable to shop again and I realized how useful all the extra items were. We lived off those for two months! It was wonderful to have everything there.

When the stock began to be depleted, I initially thought, "Well, that's over." and I was unhappy about having to go back to buying them per week, not on sale, etc. But I finally decided I didn't want to live like that anymore, and determined to take a little money and put it to replenishing the stock. This was a huge thing for me, not only doing it the first time, but persevering and not letting myself get pushed back to where I don't want to be. I put my household first for once and I'm very proud about it! Yay!

Hopefully, at some point I can take that $38 and tuck it into savings but I'm not there yet. That disappeared into prescription copays. However, I have hope that at some point I'll be able to. I'm going to go gloat over my paper towel stock now!

Ever since I broke my ankle, which was a horrible two months ago, DH has been cooking, cleaning, shopping, washing, etc., since I am confined to the couch and forbidden to weight-bear. Well, enough is enough! I am going to make the attempt to accompany him grocery-shopping tomorrow. Why, you may ask?
It's really not because I am stuck in the house, although at this point I would go to a auto-parts store opening just to get out somewhere! It's because guys just don't shop like we do. Okay, that's a huge generalization and I admit it. But when I make a list and ask for 6 oz. of tomato paste, ketchup doesn't cut it. 3 lbs. of chuck chop doesn't translate to 2 lbs. of top round in my recipe book. And I noticed that the list was unfolded and unread...So tomorrow I will be dragging myself down the aisles and restocking my depleted pantry.
I can't complain though. I have clean clothes, washed dishes, good meals and did you know, when someone breaks your ankle, they give you presents!? Whoo-hoo!