Should we be worried?

Did I hear correctly? It's either the bail-out plan or the next great depression? History has shown us that a depression in the great ole U.S of A can definitely happen. However, is it cause for concern? You betcha, if your faith is in living a cushy american lifestyle. You know the one we are all use to living.... fully stocked refrigerators and in some cases freezers, satellite Tv and radio, ITune accounts, etc. If our president is correct, then these things will no longer be so easy to come by. Times are hard for most Americans, today. Gas prices are rising, food prices are rising, insurance rates are astronomical. But we who believe have a refuge. We are not to be in awe of the things of this world. We are far more important to God than the lilies in the fields. So we have nothing to worry about. He never promised us mansions, Escalades, and caviar. But he did promise that he would provide. So, we may have to eat beans and rice a few times next month. Grab an old tablecloth out of the linen closet, put it on the table under those plates of beans and rice, and then thank God for his bountiful blessings. Life is as bad as we envision it. We can be examples to our children through these hard times. Instead of complaining about potatoes for lunch again, turn them into potato wedges with sour cream dip. We will have to be creative, but it is doable. I will be posting a few cheap and easy recipes in the coming days.



I bought grocery for the month for $450 yesterday for my family of 7. It takes a little planning, but it can happen. Here is a copy of my menu for the month for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. A little warning.... our snacks are from scratch, but they are definitely not of the health food variety. I cook dinner every two days (MWF) and then on Sunday. Not because it is cheaper to do that, but because I hate having to cook everyday. So on Tues, Thurs, & Saturday we have leftovers from the previous day.

Breakfast & lunch are the same each week. My kids like it that way, so since it ain't broke....
Breakfast
1. pancakes & fruit or fruit juice
2. waffles & fruit or fruit juice
3. grits & eggs
4. muffins & fruit or fruit juice
5. cinnamon rolls or cinnamon biscuits
6. sausage, egg & cheese biscuits
7. oatmeal
Sometimes we just have cereal or granola

Lunch
1. sloppy joe & tator tots
2. chicken strips & raw veggies or fruit with dip
3. tacos
4. grilled cheese or PB&J & pudding or yogurt
5. pizza
6. potato soup
7. cheeseburger or pizza pockets

Snacks
1. trail mix
2. cookies
3. yogurt w/ fruit
4. smoothies or milkshakes
5. fruit
6. brownies
7. popcorn
8. ice cream sandwiches

Dinner (this changes monthly, some meals are served every month)
2 day meals
1. spaghetti ,garlic bread
2. shredded beef, kale, yellow rice & rolls
3. smothered beef patties, greenbeans, white rice, rolls
4. hamburgers & fries
5. fish, baked white or sweet potatoes, steamed veggies
6. chicken & yellow rice, greenbeans, rolls
7. grilled chicken, baked beans, potato salad
8. roasted chicken, mac & cheese, broccoli, rolls
9. fettuccine alfredo (chicken), garlic bread
10. turkey, mac & cheese, salad
11. fried chicken, corn on cob, biscuits
12. meatloaf, potatoes, broccoli, rolls

1 day meals (Sunday)
1. breakfast food
2. shepherd's pie, corn
3. beefaroni, corn

This month I did have 3 whole chickens and a chunk of beef brisket for the shredded beef already in the freezer. They were left over from last month, since we went out on our anniversary and when my husband's best friend was in town. I buy whole chickens at all times. They are cheaper. I do purchase the bags of skinless/boneless frozen chicken breasts for chicken strips and alfredo. I cut potatoes for fries for two reasons: it's cheaper and they taste better. We even leave the skin on.

They just opened an Aldi's here, and even though I have to bag my own grocery with my own bags and pay a quarter (refunded) for a basket, it is really cheap to stock up on your pantry staples. Like sugar; the 5# bag is only $1.89, and baking powder is only $0.89.

I also did not have to buy any white rice or brown sugar. God always provides. My mother-in-law gave me a 50# bag of brown sugar and two 10# bags of rice. I thank God that He had her think of us.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1