SHELFCOOKING TO SAVE MONEY: PANTRY COOKING CHALLENGE: SAVING MONEY ON GROCERIES

[@Texasmommaof5]

I have the same kind of cabinet and we took the shelves out and put in slider drawers. Life changer!

[@christinas.8382]

I'm so excited to see a REAL pantry that most of us are working with!

[@emmsmom1848]

I agree. I have a tiny kitchen and pantry and live on a fixed income so it’s refreshing to see others in the same boat.

[@samk2423]

Yes, I agree!

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

@@emmsmom1848 Seriously!!! We have a closet that’s set up about like that. Hers might actually have more shelf space though.😳

[@jodythomas1159]

Ok, PLEASE make this a monthly thing!!!! You are the only one I’ve seen take viewers on the actual step by step journey when meal planning. THAT color you’re wearing is gorgeous on you!!!!!!!

[@samanthab3292]

Have you looked up Funcheaporfree? Jordan Page does a whole MONTH of shelf/pantry cooking :)

[@riograndelily8344]

I remember doing this back in the 90's when my kids were small. In 89 I could fill my fridge and freezer and cupboards for only 25. dollars. One gallon of milk was 2 for 3$, bread was 25cents or 4 for a dollar.

[@peggymarshall5671]

Love the “old fashion “ way of making a grocery list and menu planning.

[@michelewalraven9196]

I do similar but all on my phone. I have a grocery list app. I make a meal sheet in Word for lunches and dinners.

[@susanhopkinswarneke2335]

This is what I do too, and I find it very satisfying. I ❤️ to save money on food. I plan daily meals every week and use a notebook. Then when I just can’t come up with any dinner ideas I look back at previous weeks / months and something from the past will pop out at me. A+++ to you!

[@erincarter7143]

I saw the big cans of green beans and immediately thought...green beans, cream of chicken soup, chopped up chicken mixed into a casserole with biscuits on top. Yum!

[@stephaniewilliams0]

Green bean casserole is what I was thinking!

[@gloriataylor6868]

Honey, be thankful you HAVE a pantry!! Some of us don't have much of one either! You're human, and living to make ends meet, like many folks. I applaud you for your ingenuity and planning your meals. I'm going to get me one of those meal- planning pads! You go girl!🤗💖

[@DJ-bf7no]

I add half of an onion and about three peeled and diced potatoes to a large can of green beans for a side dish. You can also add diced ham or a slice of chopped bacon for added flavor. My family loves it.

[@rangerlove7]

I can relate to your “cabinets someone turned into a pantry” because that’s what I grew up with. My parents house was built in the ‘50s and basically we had one cabinet dedicated to cans and boxes and that was the pantry. Their kitchen as a whole is about the size of yours as well 😄 Loved this video!

[@KC-zn1mg]

My parents still have one of those type pantries. 😂 The fanciest they’ve gotten is having those plastic shelves things you can buy at walmart.

[@shannonpollard3408]

I have started canning a lot lately. It's so satisfying to know that you're saving money and you're making your family healthy foods that you can control what goes into it. Also we save money on milk by buying powdered milk and if you mix it a little weaker than the package says there is really no difference in the taste.

[@misspowers3857]

Oh I love how relatable you are . I just quit my job , had third baby also breastfeeding so saves money . I’m in grad school full time and doing internship this fall and we’re living on a lowwwwww income since I was the breadwinner.. this is SUPER Helpful!!!!

[@lyanne5525]

School starts on 13 for my little ones online.. I have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader. I have to be the teacher, janitor, cafeteria lady, and counselor. I am here watching meals to make being that my my kids are gonna have my full attention

[@samim6809]

Lyanne good luck with the online teaching and being a Mom full time all at home. Tough job end of last year. Just deep breath and use slow cooker or instant pot often. ❤😁

[@leajohnson10]

Thank you for recommending making double meals - one for freezer and another for the kitchen. I'm due soon with my first and was not excited for spending a whole day prepping. The double meal strategy makes so much sense!!

[@shannonpollard3408]

At walmart especially right now, ground turkey was cheaper than hamburger meat. I use my feta cheese in turkey burgers you can make turkey loaf and its delicious!!!

[@lpberger2219]

Love the idea of the last week of the month doing a pantry use up. Also, just as an idea and tip, Jordan @FunCheapOrFree recommends a running list of everything in your pantry, freezer and fridge to make it easy to look at the list and come up with meals.

[@MarlanaPolis]

I do that! It really helps.

[@melissac7495]

I love Jordan! She has great tips and tricks! ❤️

[@lizziegirl2003]

i have a dry erase board on my fridge so i know what options i have for dinners and i erase it when i make it and then right after getting grocreys i add the new meals on it works great i never plan what will go in each day because i find more often we will be like no i dont want that and get take out so i decide in the mornings what i want and if i need to take any thing out i also put a star next to the meals that need something taken out to defrost so i know ok i need to take that out of the freezer

[@scrapin4mhe]

Can I just say how amazing and inspiring you are to me! Your budget meals have been a game changer for my family. Thank you!

[@btownbrina06]

We are building a custom home right now and I decided to leave out the large pantry! I feel like things get lost/forgotten or like we cant get to everything in our current pantry now before it expires. So I stuck with just a large cabinet. It helps me keep from over buying.

[@michellekranovich8325]

Its perfect . I don't even have a pantry Just cabinets

[@RunningtoJesus]

Thanks for encouraging us to write down our meals.

[@glendaredfeather9916]

Hey I’m a new subscriber! Loving your channel! One thing I wanted to recommend w the large can of green beans is a chicken, green bean and potato casserole! (I found this on Pinterest) You basically line all three ingredients in their own section, cut up a stick of butter and sprinkle w ranch seasoning!! Sooooo yummy!!

[@sarahs458]

This is a great walkthrough of pantry cooking! A+

[@karo9129]

Thank you so much for this video. humble & honest

[@habituallearner7680]

This was very helpful! Don't apologize for your pantry. Your pantry and chest freezer are very similar to my own setup. The step by step process really helped me get several meals together without buying much. Thank you!

[@rebeccahherdener2068]

U had me at "hide in and eat chocolate".😂 You did AMAZING. You have SO MUCH food! I NEVER have that much left in my pantry!😂 I usually only spend $100 a week,which i dont think is to shabby. I mean...i have 5 people in my house... And 3 of those are chilren!😆 so i buy a LOT of dinner stuff and snacks to get us thru. I dont particularly "cook" breakfast often...its mostly like... Instant oatmeal and fruit... Or dry cereal and milk with juice. Quick fix mostly. But i start cooking a lot more for like lunch and dinner. Lunch is usually either beanie weenies,or pb and js,or mac and cheese w/smoked sausage and some kind of side. Either fruit or veg depending on the meal. And then dinner we really get goin good on. Its like pot roasts,or pizza, meatloaf, or something along those lines. I always put more effort in to dinner than i do breakfast or lunch,just cuz we are always SO BUSY during the day! Lol.

[@KC-zn1mg]

If you had the time we love to cook a larger supper and then do leftovers for lunch. Edit: win win cause it makes such a quick lunch.

[@rebeccahherdener2068]

@@KC-zn1mg ive been freezer cooking the last couple days Lol. Once a month or twice a month is usually my norm. I love to cook ,but deal with things like depression and anxiety... So i dont always do so. Which is why i have so many "quick fix" meals like mac and cheese and what not. My kids still eat healthy enough,but it isnt always from scratch. I take help where i can get it.

[@---nj7hl]

@@rebeccahherdener2068 I love the disposable plates when I'm cooking a lot and those crockpot liners. This way I can focus on the things/activities I love to do. Blessings.

[@rebeccahherdener2068]

@@---nj7hl i use reusable platic plates with the sections. My kiddos love it. And my daughter happily washes dishes. So it works out awesome. Shes amazing! I also rarely use my crockpot lately anymore. Lol. Mostly because its a huge 20 quart electric roasting thingy. 😆 i mean...yes...it makes a TON of food...but uh....yeaaah...clean up is AMAZINGLY difficult...and there arent liners for it that i know of. Lol. But its useable as a crockpot anywho. So when i do use it... I have my hubbs clean it. Cuz in our house,cook doesnt clean!

[@cougarmoorhead-douglas1972]

You are so cute. You remind me of my mom. She had 3 kids under4 at 24. You are a delightful person to watch. And I get great ideas from you. Thanks for your time and reminding me of my mother. She is home in heaven 💙 but you brought back sweet memories 💗. Thank you 💖!

[@aprilknutson2809]

You plan very similar to how I do. I actually keep track of what we ate for the month of see how often we repeated or new things we tried and liked. Great video!

[@craiglovescooking]

What fun! I love going through the pantry and finding things that I forgot I bought. The best is when you find a bag of grits that are still good. TONS you can do with that!

[@samanthab3292]

I'd love that "cabinets they put here for a pantry" 😂 I just have my cabinets. Loves the video!

[@femininityfaith7920]

Yes my pantries not much bigger I love and appreciate how humble you are and this is realistic and real life... Hey we're not millionaires over here 🤣🤣🙏🙏 I'm a avid watcher of your content thankyou so much!!! The weeks I'm stretched thin I immediately go to your channel to get some good ideas etc.

[@thegreenbellpepper6536]

Yes! You always inspire mean to share budget friendly ideas! Thanks for always posting and helping us all out. ❤️

[@colomtns745]

GREAT JOB Abby!! I so appreciate your 'simplified saver' techniques 🙌🏻 I've seen an idea that may help...make a list of freezer items that you can add and subtract from...place it near your freezer....no more digging!! That freezer is great to have! Good luck getting into a new routine w/work!

[@susieQ666]

weve not all got loads of money n its so refreshing to see how normal you are ....as money gets tight and getting creative with whats in prevents waste which im all for ..great video ...💛💚

[@lindseydrummond5658]

This was so so so helpful! More please!

[@angelamoore3266]

I love all your pantry and budgeting videos! They are so helpful! Would like to see some more $5 dinners

[@lilrustee]

Abby, thank you so much for the amount of detail you put into this video. Seeing the actual process instead of just having someone describe it is extremely helpful. Ps, I think so many of us can relate to that evil laugh. 😬😬😬

[@leslieb4553]

I had same type of pantry, tall and deep. Took me awhile to organize but made it work. I kept some overflow on one shelf in garage

[@rebeccaernst6634]

Love watching these kinds of videos!

[@chrisl418]

Yup, that's a pantry. If you keep a running list of pantry, freezer and frig, and what you WANT to always have, if you use something and need to replace it, highlight it on your running list.

[@carolinamama9496]

Please do more of these videos if you can!!! Big help and ideas on how to use things up. I’m guilty of never looking in the pantry and continuing to buy more when I have things already in the pantry.

[@denisekirsch3759]

Great video!!Being a retired teacher I will be thinking of you and your husband as this school year begins. Praying for a safe year for you both. Stay safe and healthy sweet lady!!

[@marissaferris6665]

Love the real and raw truth!! This is what my pantry looks like and can actually relate too

[@pamelatlynch]

I like how you meal plan, but to save paper, I use a white board calendar that I can wipe off every month. It helps me to see what I made and what is "supposed to be" eaten that day/night. I say supposed to be because I have ADHD. I may be thinking of having spaghetti, but chicken with rice and beans is on the menu, and I will pull out stir fry. Nothing is set in stone. Have to add that I also go through the weekly circular to check what is on sale. This helps a lot for making special meals.

[@debbiekolkman9641]

Fantastic tips! I have that same let’s eat pad and I agree it is super helpful to write out meals! I use that as well as a dry erase board on the side of my fridge for those purposes. 🤗

[@nicolelong2709]

I’m a retired teacher, due to health, and my husband is also a teacher...I can definitely relate to that last week of the month struggle!😂

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

Most state workers can as well. When did you get paid? Last day of the month.

[@nicolelong2709]

@@lifebeyondthesalary2458 We get paid on the 25th! 😂

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

@@nicolelong2709 LOL I’ve been a stay at home mom for the last 13 years. I couldn’t quite remember if it was the last friday of the month or just the last day of the month... apparently I’ve tried to block a lot of that out 😂

[@kellyr5123]

I've never had a walk in pantry. we turned our small hallway closet into one!😄

[@liztorres7291]

I also have a small pantry, what in invested in is getting a storage rack I brought at Sam's club for $40 to add more pantry staples and basics for emergency, quick pantry meals, and more room to buy more pantry stuff.

[@KC-zn1mg]

Sams club is life.

[@SJCarsten]

thank you I am going to try shopping out of the pantry and freezer this week.

[@athomeimmum2247]

Loved coming along and love meal planning and having meals/grocery lists organised to help us shop smart and stay on top of things in the pantry and freezer. My husband likes to know what meals are coming up too so I write them on a wall planner. I'm in England so there's no huge pantry for chocolate here. Lol. The dream!

[@lorifamily5282]

Hope everyone who is watching this lovely inspirational video has an amazing week!!

[@raychaelnicole8021]

This video is sooo helpful! I have such a hard time planning meals and wind up throwing away a lot more food then I’d like to admit!😔 I am going to use this method to try to help eliminate my food waste and save money! Thank you for this !!!

[@chrissyliberty8117]

Ok! This is what I've been looking forward to!

[@nicoletierheimer3546]

I am also a teacher! Once a month!!! Yea

[@SewSweetCalifornia]

I love that you are do down to earth! I need to implement more meal planning 😩

[@laurengreen9279]

This was great! “Shopping” your own pantry and freezer can be like a game if you make it that way, haha.

[@dellamonk6792]

I think your pantry is a great size! Looks like you can store plenty of food, and it’s easy to find...

[@nita-xm6qd]

Wow great video..teach me to save money by cooking at our kitchen..thankyou for your good idea

[@laciehickman]

Hiding in a the pantry and eating chocolate is a whole mood 🤣💛

[@priscillabohn4621]

Thank God in our state we Teachers get paid 15th ND 30TH. I remember getting paid once a month in another state

[@michelewalraven9196]

It’s ironic I run across this video now. When I went grocery shopping this past weekend my pantry already had to much stuff and I was telling my husband about this idea. I am going to try this when it’s time to shop again.

[@sueperez21]

Love this video! Love this idea of shopping the pantry!! Thanks for sharing and taking us through your pantry, fridge and freezer. I really need to do this. We are on a budget and I know I have items I can use, but forget about them. I end up buying more. This cuts down on waste. Please do this monthly for us 🤗

[@S58885]

Loved this! So helpful, thank you!

[@evacorbett3992]

Thank you so much for your great, real life videos that you do. You are beautiful and wise and your videos help me a lot. Could you please tell me where you got your baskets that you use for potatoes, onions etc? I looked on your Amazon store but they weren’t there. Anyhow, thank you again. God bless you and your family ♥️

[@stillstacey4180]

So refreshing to see a typical pantry and not an instagram pantry. 😆 I love your channel❤️

[@Stellaperez658]

You done good! We are only 2 so it’s easy for us n economical. Your video will help lots of families w kids! Nice!

[@Robloxgurl-r8n]

Thanks girl I feel like I'm always in the kitchen and RN in Las Vegas is hot so try to not use stove much or oven . Keep it up👏

[@aprilvaillancourt9251]

Hi Abby where did you get that stand with baskets for your potatoes and fruits? I have a small cabinet pantry as well and need some place to store those items. Thanks

[@sherreepeterson3496]

I’ve been trying to use up the food in my freezer recently. I need to go through my pantry too to use that stuff up as well, thanks!!

[@cathyfeigert5660]

You gave me some great ideas. Thank you!

[@kandicegines2158]

Can you share a link to the freezer meal so I can create the sweet potato bowls?!

[@heatherwoods296]

Great plan and some helpful ideas,!!! Thanks girl So I saw on Instagram yoyr back to work & you mentioned lunch for the kids ... do you have them in daycare or someone comes to your house? Do you send lunch with them? I just wondered how your handling that type of new expense. My mom was able to help us but I can't imagine if I had to pay for childcare for 3 children! Yikes ...

[@Monica-gu2bg]

Girl I didn’t even know having a big walk-in pantry was a thing until all these big-pantry KZbinrs started coming out! Btw thank you for uploading all of these fabulous videos! I am a huge fan.

[@bethanyg153]

Put 4-5 things on there every week for emergency preparedness. Maybe start with a couple cans of evaporated milk, an extra peanut butter, and a can of fruit.

[@christie724]

Thank you for sharing this ❤️ helpful tips.

[@rebekaharredondo8003]

I'm going back to work this week after being off since March, so I need to do this! We do have a freezer and pantry full, so I may just have to get fresh items like produce. I also need to see what I have on hand for my 3 y/o at the babysitters.

[@michellekranovich8325]

I can definitely relate to this. Thanks for sharing this.

[@marisolsantana5449]

I love your content very realistic and i always learn tips❤️

[@lareina156]

Can I cut up & freeze tomatoes the same way you mentioned the green peppers? I was gifted several beef steak tomatoes & afraid they'll go bad before I get to use them.

[@dmoore9526]

FYI fellas when you have a woman that plans meals and bills with a calendar she's a master planner and also a keeper.

[@TheMsJessM]

The teacher in me loves the gel of your pen! What brand is it?

[@jmbad]

So smart! I appreciate you!

[@shonahmclean2018]

For u and your husband sometime put bacon wrapped around green beans with brown sugar cook 30 mins great eating maybe kiddo would try it

[@alexishampton3943]

I've been cleaning out my pantry and freezer, I'm pretty satisfied with the job I've done so far! But it's definitely not easy, I have a shopping addiction. Lol

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

Same here! Especially in the “climate” that we live in right now... Constantly trying to keep us stocked in the major stuff. Like milk & eggs...🤪

[@nesadcruz7840]

You don’t store a lot of food in your pantry compared to most of us, but that probably makes it easier to keep track of what you have and use it. Your chest freezer is quite full though. Do you have an inventory or remember everything in it?

[@ilikenapsandyou1060]

This was great! Thank you for going step by step! I am obsessed with your produce baskets, where did you get them?

[@rangersbaseball8956]

You did a amazing job on this video lots of Fantastic tips I think I would have just ate that Blue Bell ice cream for all my meals for the week

[@---nj7hl]

LOL My kid would Definitely do that, if I let him

[@juliaterranova8492]

This is so helpful!

[@allisonmarcelle8627]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@rebacarmack8335]

A food closet! Whatever works

[@BengeFamily98]

Great tips Abby! I'm guillty of making my meal plan, and then setting it on top of the refrigerator, and forgetting I wrote it down. :/

[@erickavillanueva-medina7172]

This was so cool! Definitely going to be doing this too. Love the meal menu planner need an app for that lol

[@MrsQ22]

Hi Abby!! Thank you for this! Loving these videos, especially with a baby on the way 😊 I’d love to see how you cook your meals.

[@angicollard8436]

Loved this!! Great job!

[@chophappy]

This is a great video that everyone should watch!

[@philipnome9013]

wow, this is amazing

[@---nj7hl]

Tysm I never knew one could freeze bell peppers!!! Sometimes my fajita meals would go bad cuz I would be tired to cook or forgot I had the stuff. SMH. Do You defrost them one day in advance or how so?

[@susantaulli730]

You could make some Greek pasta with that Feta cheese if you have some olive oil and a can of artichokes.

[@nikilondon1477]

I love all of your ideas. I would also love to reduce my grocery bill. I noticed you didn't include any fresh fruit. We love to have fresh fruit on hand to eat for snacks but with the warm weather we go through a lot and usually find this on the list every week. Do you buy fruit in bulk at all or just a little at a time? My kids are also much older at 20 and 16 so they eat a lot more.

[@BeckyBabbes]

Yes ! Perfect I needed this !