I've been menu planning for a number of years, and it's a great way of controlling the grocery budget.
Many blogs I read post menu plans for the week on Mondays, and it's a good source of tested recipes, rather than something someone's pinned thinking 'ooh that looks interesting' and not tried it.
Planning for me happens generally on a Thursday, to run Friday to Thursday. This helps finalise my shopping list for the week. I build my list during the week as items run out, add what I need for the menu and do my weekly shop on Fridays.
One thing I make use of is my big freezer. It's one of the first things I bought when I moved in. I grab meat in bulk or when on sale (or even better - both!) and freeze up into meal portions. I also blanch and freeze excess veggies from the garden.
This week's plan - 23 to 29 August:
Friday: The plan was for a beef curry, however once made (from a packet spice mix) this was too hot for J, so that got passed on to the parents, while we added toppings to a frozen pizza kept for just these occasions.
Saturday: Was going to be soup from the freezer, but I used the rice I'd cooked for the curry and made a fried rice with bits and pieces in the fridge/freezer.
Sunday: A pasta with a rose chicken sauce with mushrooms and spinach from the garden. The chicken used was left-over shredded chicken in the freezer.
Monday: Tonight will be yiros using left-over roast lamb.
Tuesday: This is family dinner night at the 'rents with my sister and her little boy.
Wednesday: Roast lamb rack with veggies. I managed to pick up a few mini racks that were just enough for J and I on sale, and put them aside in the freezer.
Thursday: Hunt the freezer night - I will often cook extra and put them aside for some nights. I then need to schedule freezer nights. If it gets too out of hand, it's freezer weeks to ensure turn-over.
I'll sometimes juggle when things don't go to plan - such as passing on the curry. The pasta and yiros were meant to be on opposite nights, but I swapped them over based on how the day panned out (Read: I forgot to get the meat out the freezer early enough...). But the menu for the week basically is as planned.
Monday, 26 August 2013
Sunday, 4 August 2013
Goodbye Murphy
I'm a big fan of the personal financial management practices, particularly the baby steps, advocated by Dave Ramsey. It reminds me very much of how my grandmother managed her finances.
Before Mr Trifectagirl got sick, I was starting to get the baby steps moving. Particularly the emergency fund. Dave calls this 'Murphy Proofing'. You know Murphy, the dude that makes anything that can go wrong, go wrong.
Having 3 close relatives die on me in 4 years, I have been able to clear all my debt. Mr Trifectagirl would be pleased he's been able to put a secure roof over J and I's head. My Mum and step-dad pleased they've paid off my education debt. This is something I very much appreciate how lucky I am (ironic since it took my husband dying, which isn't exactly 'lucky').
I have also been able to set up a fully funded emergency fund of 6 months expenses with the residual.
Which means when my car got broken into and the window was smashed last Monday, I was able to access the funds to get it fixed with out batting an eyelid.
Then when my computer went belly-up the next day (I kid you not), I was able to head out and get a new one to keep ticking with my current studies.
So maybe based on the last week or so, Murphy will still show up, but he doesn't cause the stress and anxiety that he used to.
Before Mr Trifectagirl got sick, I was starting to get the baby steps moving. Particularly the emergency fund. Dave calls this 'Murphy Proofing'. You know Murphy, the dude that makes anything that can go wrong, go wrong.
Having 3 close relatives die on me in 4 years, I have been able to clear all my debt. Mr Trifectagirl would be pleased he's been able to put a secure roof over J and I's head. My Mum and step-dad pleased they've paid off my education debt. This is something I very much appreciate how lucky I am (ironic since it took my husband dying, which isn't exactly 'lucky').
I have also been able to set up a fully funded emergency fund of 6 months expenses with the residual.
Which means when my car got broken into and the window was smashed last Monday, I was able to access the funds to get it fixed with out batting an eyelid.
Then when my computer went belly-up the next day (I kid you not), I was able to head out and get a new one to keep ticking with my current studies.
So maybe based on the last week or so, Murphy will still show up, but he doesn't cause the stress and anxiety that he used to.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Year 2
I am now over all the firsts since Mr Trifectagirl passed on 14 June 2012; birthdays, Christmas, Mr Trifectagirl getting sick, our wedding anniversary (4 June) and his passing.
The hardest period was the anniversary of him getting sick in March. Over the course of a month, I accessed psychology services, was advised to leave my job and I dropped both travel plans and subjects at university to relieve the pressure I was under and free up the mental space to grieve. A couple of months later, and I'm feeling a lot better.
The passing anniversary last Friday was the second hardest and has manifested itself as an inability to focus on anything for about a week around the date. Especially difficult to focus on was my accounting textbook and exam review (exam was yesterday, I think I'll pass, but don't quote me on it...).
So now, J and I are marching into year 2 without Mr Trifectagirl.
The hardest period was the anniversary of him getting sick in March. Over the course of a month, I accessed psychology services, was advised to leave my job and I dropped both travel plans and subjects at university to relieve the pressure I was under and free up the mental space to grieve. A couple of months later, and I'm feeling a lot better.
The passing anniversary last Friday was the second hardest and has manifested itself as an inability to focus on anything for about a week around the date. Especially difficult to focus on was my accounting textbook and exam review (exam was yesterday, I think I'll pass, but don't quote me on it...).
So now, J and I are marching into year 2 without Mr Trifectagirl.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Retirement Plans
I came across an idea this morning that really grabbed me.
Taryn over at Widow's Voice is gearing up for a trip to India. As part of the post she mentioned a 'Once in a Lifetime Trip, Once a Year'.
I REALLY like this idea!! For years I've been building a list of trips I'd like to take, so I can add this concept to my savings plan and my plans for retirement (only some 20-odd years down the track...)
Taryn over at Widow's Voice is gearing up for a trip to India. As part of the post she mentioned a 'Once in a Lifetime Trip, Once a Year'.
I REALLY like this idea!! For years I've been building a list of trips I'd like to take, so I can add this concept to my savings plan and my plans for retirement (only some 20-odd years down the track...)
- Climb Kilimanjaro
- Visit Sri Lanka, probably as part of a cricket tour
- Visit Argentina
- Cruise Alaska
Trips Mr Trifectagirl & I wanted to take as a family so our children would have the experience are also on the list, but will wait until J is a bit older and he'll remember them.
- Travel the UK from John o'Groats to Lands End.
- Travel the East Cost of the USA, top to bottom.
- Do a Dawn Service at Galipolli
I also want to scatter part of Mr Trifectagirl's ashes with some of those of his father in Cork, Ireland. I'll wait until J is older so that he can remember it.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Looking into the Future
A few weeks ago I found Mr Trifectagirl's high school report cards. His grades were generally OK, particularly in the early years, but he was described as a 'distraction' in class and his grades began to reflect that as he got older.
Two thoughts from having found those reports:
1 - I would have HATED to be his teacher.
2 - A friend mentioned that I'm probably looking into the future. She's probably right.
Friends who are choosing to send their children outside of the public school system are starting to look at schools, or receive offers of places at their chosen schools. Competition can be stiff for entry; one friend did a school tour recently planning for their 7 week old's primary school education.
Since J will start primary school in February 2016, I figured it's time to get off my butt and look at schools, both for primary and high school. For primary, I'm generally happy to send J to public school, but I've always preferred to go private for high school; Mr Trifectagirl wanted his old public school, which I wasn't too adverse to, but it wasn't my first choice.
So I did some research on the public primary school our house is zoned for. It's what is known as a 'super school', where 4 smaller schools have been brought together onto one campus. Although it's all new facilities, I'm not too impressed with the size. On the plus side, at least it's only "Birth to Year 7", not "Birth to Year 12" like many of the other new super schools Add that results in the national standardised testing place the school at the lower end of achievement and since it's a new amalgamation, there's no historical data to see if there is a trend of improvement, I'm just not comfortable with this school. So I'm going for 'out of zone' enrollment for a couple of selected public schools, with hopes of moving into the relevant zone by the time school starts or at least within the first year. I just need to finish my own studies, then get a job so I can get a mortgage to move!
For middle and high school, this week I put is name down for one of the most elite (and therefore expensive) boys schools in the city. With Mr Trifectagirl no longer with us, the structure this school will provide may well be needed, especially if J is likely to reproduce his father's report cards! I've been asked why I'm getting his name on the list now for Year 7 entry in 2023. For entry at any level, the school gives preference to brothers of current scholars and sons and grandsons of old scholars. Since J is in neither of these categories, I want his name as far up the 'unconnected' list as I can get it. It doesn't mean we have to accept any place offered, but right now I need to set up the opportunity to get an opportunity to go there.
Two thoughts from having found those reports:
1 - I would have HATED to be his teacher.
2 - A friend mentioned that I'm probably looking into the future. She's probably right.
Friends who are choosing to send their children outside of the public school system are starting to look at schools, or receive offers of places at their chosen schools. Competition can be stiff for entry; one friend did a school tour recently planning for their 7 week old's primary school education.
Since J will start primary school in February 2016, I figured it's time to get off my butt and look at schools, both for primary and high school. For primary, I'm generally happy to send J to public school, but I've always preferred to go private for high school; Mr Trifectagirl wanted his old public school, which I wasn't too adverse to, but it wasn't my first choice.
So I did some research on the public primary school our house is zoned for. It's what is known as a 'super school', where 4 smaller schools have been brought together onto one campus. Although it's all new facilities, I'm not too impressed with the size. On the plus side, at least it's only "Birth to Year 7", not "Birth to Year 12" like many of the other new super schools Add that results in the national standardised testing place the school at the lower end of achievement and since it's a new amalgamation, there's no historical data to see if there is a trend of improvement, I'm just not comfortable with this school. So I'm going for 'out of zone' enrollment for a couple of selected public schools, with hopes of moving into the relevant zone by the time school starts or at least within the first year. I just need to finish my own studies, then get a job so I can get a mortgage to move!
For middle and high school, this week I put is name down for one of the most elite (and therefore expensive) boys schools in the city. With Mr Trifectagirl no longer with us, the structure this school will provide may well be needed, especially if J is likely to reproduce his father's report cards! I've been asked why I'm getting his name on the list now for Year 7 entry in 2023. For entry at any level, the school gives preference to brothers of current scholars and sons and grandsons of old scholars. Since J is in neither of these categories, I want his name as far up the 'unconnected' list as I can get it. It doesn't mean we have to accept any place offered, but right now I need to set up the opportunity to get an opportunity to go there.
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Disconnection
With all the various first anniversaries having started, I've been feeling generally disconnected and getting really flat. I've heard through the widow community that some find year two harder than year one. I'm coming to the conclusion I'm in that category.
I've found I've been far more conscious of the absence of Mr Trifectagirl since those anniversaries rolled around - it's like a spotlight has been focused on what's missing. I also think there is an element of slowing down now that all the administrative stuff that needs to happen after someone dies is done. The reality of life without him is coming into sharper focus.
In 2008 both my mum and step-dad passed six months apart. My step-dad's passing happened to coincide with my retrenchment from my job, so I had a payout to live off of. After an intense year, plus the stress of clearing out a property, I wound up taking 6 months off before I felt like I could go back to work.
Since Mr Trifectagirl passed, I've taken a total of 5 weeks off work. Some of the motivation of not taking time was that initially I felt like I didn't need the time off - to keep busy with work and taking on study felt like what I needed at that time.
My body's been saying regularly that I need to take time by giving me recurrent sinus infections, but I've not listened. So now my brain and body have definitively said enough's enough - time to stop pushing yourself.
In the past month I started jettisoning extra load. I first cancelled travel plans for July - 4 weeks travelling across the US alone with a toddler just did not seem like an enjoyable break. Then I dropped one of my uni subjects.
Two weeks later, it became obvious that eliminating those two pressures/commitments was not enough, so on medical advice, I have finished work 11 weeks earlier than planned. I'm disappointed that I won't see out the end of the program, but thinking with my management brain, it's better they have as long as possible with someone back-filling my role to ensure a solid wrap-up.
Keeping healthy for J, and spending more time with him, is much more important right now.
I've found I've been far more conscious of the absence of Mr Trifectagirl since those anniversaries rolled around - it's like a spotlight has been focused on what's missing. I also think there is an element of slowing down now that all the administrative stuff that needs to happen after someone dies is done. The reality of life without him is coming into sharper focus.
In 2008 both my mum and step-dad passed six months apart. My step-dad's passing happened to coincide with my retrenchment from my job, so I had a payout to live off of. After an intense year, plus the stress of clearing out a property, I wound up taking 6 months off before I felt like I could go back to work.
Since Mr Trifectagirl passed, I've taken a total of 5 weeks off work. Some of the motivation of not taking time was that initially I felt like I didn't need the time off - to keep busy with work and taking on study felt like what I needed at that time.
My body's been saying regularly that I need to take time by giving me recurrent sinus infections, but I've not listened. So now my brain and body have definitively said enough's enough - time to stop pushing yourself.
In the past month I started jettisoning extra load. I first cancelled travel plans for July - 4 weeks travelling across the US alone with a toddler just did not seem like an enjoyable break. Then I dropped one of my uni subjects.
Two weeks later, it became obvious that eliminating those two pressures/commitments was not enough, so on medical advice, I have finished work 11 weeks earlier than planned. I'm disappointed that I won't see out the end of the program, but thinking with my management brain, it's better they have as long as possible with someone back-filling my role to ensure a solid wrap-up.
Keeping healthy for J, and spending more time with him, is much more important right now.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
Blessing Others
One of the mammoth tasks I've had with Mr Trifectagirl's passing is clearing out the storage locker.
The rental came up for renewal a short time after he got sick, and we paid a year in advance, so we didn't have to worry about it for a while.
Of course, that's about to come up again so we're madly trying to get it done so we don't have to pay for more than one more month.
We've nearly cleared out all the boxes that I had nothing to do with packing and putting in there. These are the boxes that came from my mother-in-law's house when she moved into a nursing home, and that Mr Trifectagirl and his ex brought home from the UK. There are still quite a few boxes I put in there, but most of the 'unknowns' are dealt with.
Yesterday, I sorted through the pile of boxes we took out last weekend. In them, I found some gems like Mr Trifectagirl's school report cards and leaving certificate.
What I'm most thrilled about is we will be able to bless a needy family, or new arrival refugee family with pretty much a full kitchen, apart from crockery. It will be great to walk into a charity on Tuesday afternoon with a collection of boxes, and say 'you will be able to set up a family'.
The rental came up for renewal a short time after he got sick, and we paid a year in advance, so we didn't have to worry about it for a while.
Of course, that's about to come up again so we're madly trying to get it done so we don't have to pay for more than one more month.
We've nearly cleared out all the boxes that I had nothing to do with packing and putting in there. These are the boxes that came from my mother-in-law's house when she moved into a nursing home, and that Mr Trifectagirl and his ex brought home from the UK. There are still quite a few boxes I put in there, but most of the 'unknowns' are dealt with.
Yesterday, I sorted through the pile of boxes we took out last weekend. In them, I found some gems like Mr Trifectagirl's school report cards and leaving certificate.
What I'm most thrilled about is we will be able to bless a needy family, or new arrival refugee family with pretty much a full kitchen, apart from crockery. It will be great to walk into a charity on Tuesday afternoon with a collection of boxes, and say 'you will be able to set up a family'.
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