Our Dollar store had the Glory brand butter beans in stock again, so I bought 5 of the seven cans they had. We love these in lots of ways! They have really become a shelf stable food that features often in our diet. Finding some quick to fix, shelf stable foods or recipes is becoming more important every day. The price of shelf stable foods seems to be less volatile, meaning you can count on the price to not change as much as fresh foods in this crazy economy. Also, you can buy extra when you have the extra money or food stamps and save them for when you don't, giving you some breathing space when you might really need it. Living on a low income is ridiculously challenging. It is a lot of work and stress trying to get through the month in the best way we can. Anything that can bring even a smidgen of peace of mind really helps, and having some shelf stable meals I can pull together makes me feel a little better.
Also, I am able to help someone else if they need it. My neighbor and I borrow back and forth when we need too. If I am out of eggs and out of money, I have a neighbor that I don't feel bad asking, because if she is out of sugar and out of money, she knows she can ask me. We help each other like that.
Over the summer I had challenged myself to store up a couple week's worth of shelf stable meals. My goal was 5 each of 7 shelf stable dinners. I didn't reach that goal, and in fact, ended up using up all the meals I saved, so one of my New Year's goals is to try again. It definitely can't hurt, but it will be harder this time. Last time I used the budget money I was saving while we were getting those Farmer's to Families boxes. Now I don't have that extra money and prices have gone up. We have cut more meat out of our menu plans in order to save money, and I am hoping that I will be able to find a little extra or some good deals at the store to put a few meals away again. I decided not to set a goal this time, instead, I am just aiming to get things that will make a complete meal and to save back the things for that meal and just keep at it one meal at a time. That way I can take advantage of sales or mark downs and it will be more flexible. Also, I won't get down on myself about not reaching a specific goal.
I hope that 2022 is great for you all, and would love it if you had any goals you would like to share! We've got this
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