February Slow Month Final Update

(Can you tell I was making jambalaya for Mardi Gras?)

$21.79

$2.27

Subtotal: $137.92

Grand total for February: $342.11

So, that was a lot more than the $169.37 that I spent in January but I splurged on some extra things for a special Mardi Gras meal. And I still have a lot of food on hand. I still haven’t tried to make tortillas yet but I did make hot dog buns the other night and baked 5 loaves of bread a couple of weeks ago. Looking back on my expenditures it’s clear that fresh produce and cheese form the bulk of our food expenses. I’m hopeful for a good garden this summer and enough to freeze and can some for next winter. I’ve also got someone lined up to raise baby chicks for me until they are big enough to put outdoors after we get back from our April trip to New Orleans. It will be so good to have our own eggs again. I used to plan at least one egg-based dinner per week back when we had plenty of eggs all the time. The organic ones I am buying are so expensive that I’m not including egg-heavy dishes like frittatas right now. 

One thing I haven’t included here are purchases other than food. In thinking back over the month I can’t recall any extra purchases with the exception of a couple of clothing items earlier this week. I bought a black skirt for a funeral and two other casual pieces to wear at home. I didn’t buy any magazines or books. I bought a couple of cokes in town while running errands. Overall I think I’m doing well and do find myself carefully considering my purchases. One thing I’ll be spending some money on this month is plants and seeds for the garden. Oh, and baby chicks! The weather has been so nice and everything is greening up. I’m really getting eager to start spring planting but other than potatoes, I’ll hold off a bit longer since a late freeze is still quite likely.