by Hope
Last week, the governor declared a state of emergency and our pantry was EMPTY! We had been eating through our pantry prior to our trip to see my parents, so it was pretty bare around here. With the imminent arrival of Joaquin predicted and our empty cupboard…I may have overspent on groceries, spending our entire monthly budget in one fell swoop. (I did not spend the weekly amount allotted for fresh, organic milk delivery.)
I wanted to be prepared for the storm. (They compared the predicted results to a storm here in the Fall of 2003 when we lost power and clean water for almost 2 weeks.) I stocked up on gallons of water, batteries for flashlights and canned/non-refrigerated food.
And I wanted to fill our cupboards for our regular meals. So I restocked the freezer with frozen meats and veggies, brought fresh fruit and sandwich makings. I realize this was counter-productive if we had faced significant power outages, but with grills and cooler and ice, this has worked for us in the past.
The food overwhelmed our tiny space and our counter tops are covered in cans and boxes. It looks like the olden days when we had plenty of room to store food.
We are very thankful that the storm did not come ashore here, and that we kept power for the most part during the 6 days of solid rain. And we are truly enjoying having a bounty of food to choose from during our days to cook the family meals (we rotate through the week based on our ever changing activity schedules.)
But I’m doubtful that the groceries will last the month, especially the fresh fruit. I guess only time will tell, but for the first time in some months I may go over on a grocery budget by a pretty penny.
On the flip side…got a call about a potential job which means I may bring in some extra money this month. Woot, woot!
Hope is a resourceful and solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and tech expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mom of five foster/adoptive children to an empty nester, Hope is navigating the emotional and practical challenges of redefining her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.
Living in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, Hope cherishes the serenity of the mountains over the bustle of the beach. Though her kids are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bittersweet tug of letting go.
Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with a renewed focus and a clear path ahead, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance that she’s brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their own financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.
I am pretty sure that this was one of those better to be safe than sorry situations, especially with growing children in the house. So, be thankful it ended up being unnecessary, but don’t let it bring you down either. If it had gone the other way and you were in the situation many in SC are now in you wouldn’t even be giving it a second thought.
With a little prep work, you shouldn’t have to waste much of your fresh produce. You can chop fruits up and freeze for smoothies. Make batches of banana breads or muffins. They freeze well. Even veggies can be chopped and frozen for future soups or crock pot meals. It would be such a shame to let it go to waste. And if you can figure out how to save it, you’re not losing any money. You may have gone over this month, but you won’t have to spend as much in future months because you will be well stocked 🙂
Yes, this. I came here to type exactly this. : )