Baked Pork Chops & Cabbage Dinner for a #sublimesunday and #selfcaresunday : March NO-BUY Month Challenge | SATURDAY SAVERS CLUB

Welcome back everyone. I'm participating in the March NO-BUY MONTH Challenge for the Saturday Savers Club. It's been two weeks since I started on March 1st. I'd like to share with you the status of my progress. Continuing to practice my no-buy or make-do as it relates to cooking is a huge part of the success I've been able to see so far. That means less take-out food expenses that has plagued me in the past. Yes, I said plagued because the pattern is so easy to fall victim to and extremely hard to overcome.

I found myself parked in the take-out food lane when I knew full well I had other food at home and tons of frozen food in more than one freezer. I've been utilizing ingredients I have on hand to prepare meals.

When I just stop and think about what I'm doing, I realize my mistakes are contrary to my intended goals. So, this week, I'd like to share one of my favorite dishes whenever I want a quick meal.

I was thinking today about life in general. Since January, we've lost three family members. Several thoughts crossed my mind today dealing with family. We all have our daily lives working, socializing, and trying to survive in his hectic worlds. Only when there's a loss do we take time out to come together as a family unit. I realized that sitting in funeral services. Extended family members stopped to talk to me for a moment. I could barely recognize them I hadn't seen them in years. And they live in the same city.

More than once did someone tell me, "you don't remember me, do you?"

And that's my family! Shame on me!

Well, time to share some dishes: for March No-Buy Month:

PORK CHOPS
I love oven baked pork chops. It works well for me because I don't have to stand over the stove for any length of time frying them. Once I place my seasonings on them, I just cover my dish with foil and place in the oven for an hour.

CABBAGE
Next, I love cooking fresh veggies. Cabbage is a quick-cooking vegetable that not a lot of fuss and a few ingredients I keep stored in the fridge.

I'd already prepared southern yams. All that was needed was corn bread in the oven after the meat has cooked. This will give the chops time to rest.

Then it time to eat!

Cooking and enjoying what you already have available is not only a healthy alternative, but a cost-saving one when you're trying to reduce your budget.

The NO-BUY month started March 1st and will continue through March 31st. Everyone is welcome to join.

Here's how it works. You decide what you want to do without or cut back on during the 31-day period of March. You set your own rules for what is or isn't allowed to be purchased during the 31 days. Simple as that.

MY GOAL: Save 50% of normal monthly expenses. That equates to: 1500 USD

Here's mine:

And Here's my plan:

Breakdown of my monthly spending:

Expense	% of Monthly Budget	Dollar Amount Equivalent	Spent TO-DATE
Household	60%
Entertainment	15%	$450 equivalent in monthly spending	$90
Investments	10%	$300 in investments (including crypto)	$150
Savings	10%	$300 in savings	$150
Other-Assistance	5%	$150 funeral expenses	$250
Goal	Save 50%	$1,500
	Actually Saved ?%	$	To be determined

Entertainment is the next highest spending percentage after my monthly household. At 15%, Entertainment is roughly $450. I'm focusing my attention on this category for the greatest expense reduction.

• $450 is further broken down as:
  • $180 take-out (2 - 4 times/week);
  • $270 shopping, travel, souvenir and antiques

March NO-BUY Month. I set my own rules about what I'm allowed to buy or not buy during the month. These are the items I chose:

ALLOWABLE EXPENSES:

• food - only dairy, bread, produce).
• repairs or replacements alredy budgeted.
• 1 takeout each week totaling less than 20 USD.
• travel and fuel.*

NO-BUY ITEMS:

The items below are a definite no-go for 31 days.

silver or gold coins, or collectibles.
antiques, trading cards, or other books.
crypto or offline traditional investments.
pantry storage stock items.
shop-bought sweets treats.
ready-to-eat cereals.
new clothing, furniture or household items.
reading subscriptions; and
postage (already purchased this month).