I guess it sounds nutty, being that DH will be unemployed in less than two weeks. But I'm glad I did it.
The reasons I had for deciding to get one a month ago have just gotten stronger. My stress level is even higher, and it's even more important to cut down on the time I spend on errands. I know I'm going to have to devote time to the computerized end of DH's job search, and I want to be able to pick up extra hours at work if they're available. We need to have enough easy stuff for dinners at home so I'm not tempted to pick up take-out.
On Sunday at Shop Rite I was behind a woman with three girls, who spent $495 on two piled-full carts of groceries. I was shocked at first--I would have at least used some coupons and not bought full-price pomegranate juice!
But then I looked at how calm they all looked, and how the mother was slim and looked like she took care of herself. I thought, well at least she's done shopping for awhile now and can go live her life, exercising, playing with the kids, whatever.
That's what I want, in addition to keeping the grocery budget under control. I'm tired of having to make a weekly trip to the bread outlet for the whole grain light bread that helps me control WW points. Why weekly--I don't have room to freeze bread for future weeks. And I'm sure not going to pay full price at the supermarket.
I'm tired of having to decide between the bag of burgers and the bag of chicken at Aldi's, just because there won't be room in the freezer for both, and then having to make another trip there a week or two later.
I'm tired of shopping sales all day, not able to really stock up at each store, being so tired I stop at Wendy's for dinner, and then having to do it all again the next week.
I'm also tired of putting things in my mother's freezer temporarily, and not being able to get to them right away.
I've spent hours pursuing possible used freezers on Craig's List, to no avail. I've been watching prices online for the model I really want, and the sale prices at the big box stores aren't any better than our local appliance guy is every day.
So today I did it. With actual cash money out of our home/car repair savings account.
I've bought a freezer
September 18th, 2007 at 06:08 pm
September 18th, 2007 at 06:12 pm 1190135569
An extra freezer/frig makes life sooooo much easier.
September 18th, 2007 at 06:52 pm 1190137949
Our power company will actually pay you to get rid of old freezers since they take so much energy.
We bought a freezer about 8 years ago and use the heck out of it all the time. My favorite part is buying multiple turkeys right before thanksgiving for $5 each on sale. What a bargain that is for my favorite meal.
September 18th, 2007 at 06:55 pm 1190138113
September 18th, 2007 at 08:27 pm 1190143647
September 19th, 2007 at 03:20 pm 1190211608
October 17th, 2007 at 06:23 pm 1192641801
Incorporate 2 pasta meals a week, 2 rice, bean & chicken meal, 1 leftover's night, sandwich or soup night....
DH + DW + 5 kids = keeping the grocery budget $125 a month
July 24th, 2008 at 11:40 am 1216896049