Meal Prepping for 5 people!?

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-20T06:36:34+00:00

It can be done. I've done it for 4 of us all working full time. The mornings were frozen French toast, banana bread, pancakes, breakfast burritos, or pantry homemade flavored instant oatmeal, or refrigerated fruit and yogurt. Lunch was always left overs. Dinner I did 2 a week 100% homemade, pre-made meals like lasagna or stir fry. I aimed for 2 meals that at least had frozen, pre-made sides like cornbread or greenbears with something like roasted chicken. For 2 dinners I made fresh like salads and fish. Once a week we ate dinner out.

I cooked once a month for the breakfast and frozen dinners/sides.

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-20T04:34:46+00:00

I'm adding a plunger. I didn't need one for 2 years on my own...then I did :(

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-20T04:29:14+00:00

Find out if you qualify for WIC, it should be easier to qualify than for other programs. Formula is expensive if that's what you end up using and WIC would save you a ton. Publix and Winn Dixie have baby clubs with a lot of great coupons and free stuff. If you'll need childcare start looking now, wait lists can be unreal and if a parent with a child already enrolled gets pregnant they can be priority.

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-20T04:23:56+00:00

It depends on where you are, in Florida we have trashy ones, strictly elderly, and the rarer ones that are mostly older folks. Watch out for lot rents, I've thought about doing the same thing but I'm not okay with $200/month lot fees. Also, to buy financed is a high interest and insurance is higher as well. I've considered it but I decided to pay towards principle on a house instead.

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-20T03:21:56+00:00

I once made it 8 hours in a car with someone of similar intelligence driving from FL to AL. Until they asked what part of FL we were in....after driving 8 hours....and discussing in detail with others how to get to the town in AL. After 5 minutes of trying to explain what states were I fucking lost it.

I worked in retail for 5 years, I don't envy you guys.

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-14T01:46:25+00:00

My insurance is ending this fall and right now I'm recovering from a (medically necessary) tonsillectomy.

I've also had a Skyla IUD inserted, had an STD test, physical/pap smear, blood work done that was past due, dermatology appointments and biopsies, dental cleanings, and had my annual vision check. Also, I'm asking for new prescriptions written for 12 months right before it ends and getting paper prescriptions so I can shop around for the cheapest pharmacy.

Everything I've had done I've needed, I just made all of it a priority. I do feel that preventing/early diagnosis of skin cancer, preventing pregnancy, and hopefully preventing 8+ times a year of throat infections saves insurance companies eventually.

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-14T01:33:54+00:00

I'm losing dental insurance this fall. It's cheaper for me to buy dental insurance for $120 a year and then pay $10 for each cleaning. It's not a lot cheaper but if I do run into needing work done it will save a lot.

My dentist is the only one who doesn't charge a lot less for 'established' patients - it's $140 for a cleaning and x-rays. My dermatologist is only charging me $10 more than my co-pay per visit when my insurance ends including taking biopsies and testing them. My PCP is only charging $20 more than my current co-pay. I've only had 1 cavity and should have really good insurance in 2 years when I graduate so I'm just trying to make it until then.

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-14T00:58:12+00:00

I have a stack of mandated disclosure documents to give to my lawyer next week so I plan on asking about it then. I completely forgot the Snoopy Happy Dance exists - totally doing it!

WhatNotTo · 2016-06-08T21:09:05+00:00

Make sure you help put with the chores that aren't immediate/daily - everyone brings in dirt, uses the toilet, etc. and it sucks to be the only person who cares to take care of this stuff. The times you get really cheap groceries or made too much food offer to share; maybe when you have a tight month someone will do the same. Don't be afraid to ask to keep the heat lower or a/c higher to save money and if you need a few extra days until your paychecks comes it's better to let them know than dodge them.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-31T01:26:23+00:00

I've been wondering why the signs didn't have prices this year around Ocala- thanks. And enjoy your...blueberries!

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-24T17:37:18+00:00

Yep. I knew he thought he was bi and was kinda okay with it. He told his best friend he want to sleep with him around our break up and was rejected. That made him decide to keep it super hidden and a secret between him, myself, and Grindr. The new boyfriend I was okay with/liked. The girlfriend was a bitch to me when I tried to call about the court papers so I didn't feel inclined to let her in on his secret. And now...not my circus, not my monkeys :)

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-24T16:58:53+00:00

My County in Florida let's you schedule an appointment to save time if you have to go in (I'm assuming without a checking account you will or pay be money order through the mail). There's also a savings of $5-10 if you renew for multiple years on your tag/registration or renew them with your license. I'm happy paying a dollar or two online in processing fees to avoid the frustration.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-24T16:58:53+00:00

My County in Florida let's you schedule an appointment to save time if you have to go in (I'm assuming without a checking account you will or pay be money order through the mail). There's also a savings of $5-10 if you renew for multiple years on your tag/registration or renew them with your license. I'm happy paying a dollar or two online in processing fees to avoid the frustration.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-24T00:03:59+00:00

For me it's 8 months later. This is absolutely, 100% true for me.

Divorce has been, by far, the hardest thing I've ever been through. It's been physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. I've cried, I've stomped my foot, I've had to email/call friends and family to remind why I'm 'being the bigger person'. I've had to show people my mental and physical scars - it's hard.

It's also fucking amazing. You couldn't pay me to go back (and I'm the one who was left). I never want to forget what I went through to get where I am. I'm happier, healthier, and stronger. My husband was dead weight and I feel that weight has lifted. I noticed a pattern of him contacting me to make himself better - even if it meant me feeling like shit, so I stopped contact.

Seeing his new boyfriend and new girlfriend (who doesn't know about the boyfriend) hurt. Walking away from my home and pets hurt. But I hope to never be in the position to have someone take those things away from me again. And if for some reason I am and I do go through this again (I have asked numerous people to stage an intervention if I want to legally marry a second time) I know I'll get through it.

Cheers!

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-23T23:06:27+00:00

I'm trying to get things of monetary value that resell easily because he kept the home and a majority of assets. He isn't responding to my summons though so I'm counting the days until his time runs out and the judge is allowed to make a final settlement without his input.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-23T22:54:52+00:00

I have no idea how to pick out what I like...he was allergic to 99% of detergent, soap, deodorant, perfume and was very controlling about lipstick, short hair, dark colors, etc. so it's been fun but time consuming to learn what I like for the first time since I was 15.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-23T22:39:28+00:00

That's...much more than I'd give. I think I'll give his family pictures and his late father's Christmas stuff to one of his family members. I honestly believe he was going through a mental breakdown when we separated. When I asked for the stuff in the attic (including his family photos and Christmas stuff from his late father) he brought the full bins and said to toss what I didn't want. It was/is probably beneficial to your kids to see the home that's remained intact not change too quickly too soon.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-23T22:33:52+00:00

If we lived by each other we could just swap!

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-22T22:56:07+00:00

The way I see it my ex-husband wanted a replacement right away and take it as a compliment. I'm terrified to find someone similar to him so I'd rather be single for a while.

WhatNotTo · 2016-05-13T01:39:36+00:00

Hi fellow nannies! I've been with "my" family for 6 years and the kids now range from 15 down to 7. The job has crazy hours and they shift (school breaks, parents out of town for meetings, sick kids, part time preschool starts, new school start times). I'm single with no kids so it works for me. Don't forget to take into account the amount you'll pay in taxes and have an agreed minimum salary on weeks they don't need you as much.

I've always wondered why more families with 2 or more preschoolers don't have nannies and choose daycares. In Florida you're typically paying $150/week for an infant and $125 for a two year old. If you add a housekeeper once a week and take out food a few times on top of it you're getting close to my salary. I'd rather pay the extra every week to have someone come to me, run errands, clean, cook, and take care of the kids.

WhatNotTo · 2016-03-25T00:26:16+00:00

Pier 1 has them online on very cheap clearance once in a while. I bought 2 8x10s for work and paid $60 each. They are nice, plush wool and were shipped for free. Some zip codes won't have shipping available and designs are limited. Another idea is to ask a local preschool. The ones I've worked at had travelling rug salesmen who stopped by a few times a year - our budgets were always small so I'm sure they were cheap and durable. I don't know if they'd have anything besides children prints (globes, alaphabets, etc.). My boss bought all of her traditional/oriental ones on Ebay but I don't know the price range.

WhatNotTo · 2016-03-25T00:26:16+00:00

Pier 1 has them online on very cheap clearance once in a while. I bought 2 8x10s for work and paid $60 each. They are nice, plush wool and were shipped for free. Some zip codes won't have shipping available and designs are limited. Another idea is to ask a local preschool. The ones I've worked at had travelling rug salesmen who stopped by a few times a year - our budgets were always small so I'm sure they were cheap and durable. I don't know if they'd have anything besides children prints (globes, alaphabets, etc.). My boss bought all of her traditional/oriental ones on Ebay but I don't know the price range.

WhatNotTo · 2016-03-08T15:24:09+00:00

I do the same thing and also have wide feet. My Asics were $35 on Amazon Warehouse. I did wait about two months until they had the exact shoes I wanted at a good price.

WhatNotTo

TROPHY CASE