How to Get the Most out of Your Pantry Challenge!

How to make the most of a pantry challenge to save money and clear out some space!

If you are anything like me, you have a bit of extra food in your house. I am a clearance shopper, and I am not afraid to buy enough for a few months. This means that I keep a well-stocked pantry for much of the year, though what is in stock varies. I truly only try to buy items when they are at a deep discount, but it also means that I must go out of my way from time to time, to make sure that I am getting through my pantry stocks.

The best way that I have found to get through stock and ensure that none of my deals are wasted, is to do a pantry challenge. While you can put whatever parameters in place that you want, I have a few tips to help you make the most of your pantry challenge. Not only is this challenge a great way to clear some room in your home, but you can also bless others, or save a ton of money for something that your family may need. This time around, I am in need of a new fridge as the one I have is on it’s way out. It’s time to get creative and get the most out of a pantry challenge!

Rules and Parameters

Since I don’t like rules, even self-imposed ones, my pantry challenge rules are simple. I spend as little as possible for as long as I can. Since I am trying to use up items and get the volume of the pantry down, my pantry challenges last until I am sick of it. This takes several weeks, and when I do shop, I am more mindful for a while afterwards.

Many people like to have boundaries of time and dollar amounts, like one month and a hundred dollars. If clear guidelines work better for you, take some time and put some rules in place that are challenging and will keep you motivated. Just remember to tailor your parameters to help you with your goals.

Stop going to the stores as much as possible!

If I want to save the most money possible, I disrupt my current habit of a weekly shop on Thursday morning. If I go to the store, I will find sales and not going is the best way to save the most. Not only do I avoid the weekly shop, but I will avoid the quick run to the store for an odd ingredient too. Most items can be replaced or omitted from a recipe, so I do that as much as possible. Creativity for new replacements is useful, because in general I stay as far away from the stores and sales ads as possible.

Caveat here is to make sure that members of the family are happy enough. If you are not getting your hubby his favorite coffee drinks, make him up a homemade version that he can grab as easily. My kids want snacks and if I am not getting them from the store, it is a perfect time to use up some muffins mixes and try out a new cookie recipe. While I don’t mind eating beans and rice, they do, so plan accordingly to keep everyone on board. It makes the challenge a lot more pleasant if the family is having fun too.

Boost creativity to get you out of a rut!

Not only do I like to do a pantry challenge for the financial aspects of it, but it really does help me get out of a rut. I make almost all meals from home for cost and allergy reasons, so I find myself dreading making each meal. This puts me in autopilot, making the same handful of meals weekly and it is good to get out of that rut. Look at it like you are on a cooking show like Chopped and figure out how to use those unlikely ingredients that sounded good in the store, yet haven’t been used in a year.

The best way to use up ingredients that I am stumped on is to do an internet search for recipes using it. Pair up a few other ingredients that could go with your odd food and recipes that include those selected will pop up and give you many options to try. While the recipes I’ve found have not all been gold, some made it onto my rotation. With so many new flavors during the challenge, my family and I also find that we have a new appreciation for our old favorites as well.

No more budgets

The reason that I don’t give myself a budget when I am doing a pantry challenge is because I will spend it. If I go to a store with a twenty, I will spend it, every penny. I know this about myself, so I don’t put a budget in place. This means that I won’t feel some weird obligation to spend the budget. This also works the rest of the year. I have a limit that I want to spend on groceries each month, but if there is a great sale that it is worth more to spend over the limit, I will spend it. If I have a full pantry and don’t need as much, I only spend what is needed.

This last month I found some exceptional sales and my extra expenditures are one of the main reasons that I started another challenge. Saving this next month will help even out my finances, as well as pay for a new-to-me fridge. I don’t know if I would be as successful with these pantry challenges if I made a budget.

Plan only a day or two ahead

While I love the idea of meal planning for weeks at a time, I know myself and that is not how I operate. Once again, I don’t like rules and a meal plan feels too much like that. How can I make a meal plan for Friday on Monday? I will be a different person by the end of the week, so I only focus a day or two ahead during a pantry challenge. I want to keep my options open, so the night before I will pull items for the next day and that helps me stay motivated.

Prep Food and Ingredients

I find that if I prep up ahead ingredients and quick meals, I am more likely to use up what I have on hand. I can streamline breakfast and lunch for a few days with baked oatmeal and muffins, or a big pot of stew or soup. I also like to cut up fruits and veggies for a quick grab and go snacks or side. A few minutes of prepping ingredients and meals, ensure that I use them by default. If it is easier to eat the food you want to use up, you will, so prepare it and get it ready to go.

Get that sunbutter

This tip may seem very specific, but the ‘sunbutter’ can be changed to whatever it is that you crave a few weeks in that is going to make you throw in the towel. The strange and great thing about a pantry challenge is that you will learn what you really want. For me, if I don’t have sunbutter for a week or two, is life worth it? To keep myself on track, I will buy whatever I am fixated on to keep the challenge going longer. It is much the same as if your family needs something to keep them on board, just go ahead and get it. Don’t let perfection ruin your progress. Buy the sunbutter instead.

Remember your Why

A pantry challenge can be initiated for many reasons and when it isn’t as fun anymore and you want to push through, remember why you are doing it. Whether it is simply because you want to get back some of the space used for your pantry, or because you need to save money, keep that in mind. It is always going to be easier to pick those easy foods or order out dinner, so knowing why you are putting in the extra effort can pay off in the long run.

Pantry challenges are a great way to use up what you have and save a few dollars in the process. What rules are you putting in place for your pantry challenge?