Frugal Living

March 2023 – Time for a Pantry Challenge.

You may already know that March is going to be based all around Saving as much money as possible.

I am employing a two-pronged strategy of making as much money as I can and spending as little as possible. I will be Side Hustling as much as possible, talking to new companies about new contracts at work, and starting a month-long Pantry Challenge.

So, what is a Pantry Challenge? A pantry challenge is a fun and easy way to save money, reduce waste and use up all those ingredients that have been lurking in the back of your pantry for far too long. You generally start with taking inventory of everything in your pantry, freezer, and fridge and then making meals based on what you already have on hand.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – this sounds like a lot of work! But I think, it’s worth it.

Not only will you save money by using up what you already have, but you’ll also reduce waste, and it’s a great way to get creative in the kitchen and try out new recipes using ingredients you already have. Some of my family’s favorites have come from pantry challenges.

The other bonus is it changes the way you think about food, I think of meals as 3-4 components on a plate and I can customize and change those depending on what we have on hand. If I can skip going to the shops for 1 week every other month I am saving on fuel and food and saving more than a month of groceries a year! Now that really adds up!

One of the best things about the pantry challenge is that it can be customized to fit your family’s needs. You can choose to do a one-week challenge or a month-long challenge, depending on what works best for you. You can even choose one night a week for leftovers/ pantry challenges when you are meal planning.

You are the boss, you set your own rules – maybe you want to allow yourself to purchase fresh produce and dairy, but only use what you have on hand for everything else. Or maybe you want to challenge yourself to only use items that are close to their expiration date. Everything is very flexible.

There are so many benefits to taking part in a pantry challenge. Not only will you save money and reduce waste, but you’ll also become more organized in the kitchen and learn to be more creative with your cooking and help combat the crazy cost of living crisis.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to save money and reduce waste, why not try out the pantry challenge? Who knows, you might just discover a new family favorite recipe along the way!

Happy Cooking,

Emily – Aussie Debt Free Girl