For those of you taking part in the No Spend Month, I thought I’d throw an extra post out there today to help with some issues you may be facing. Even if you aren’t taking part in the no spend challenge, I’m sure you’ve run out of the essentials, like food and personal care items, from time to time.
Running Out of the Essentials
Food
If you’re like me, you committed to buying a smaller amount of food this month, which makes breakfast, lunch AND dinner challenging, to say the least.*
Check out this post and this post for meal ideas. If you don’t find anything there, get creative.
Breakfast doesn’t have to be cereal and dinner doesn’t have to be pot roast. The goal with meals is to provide the nutrition our bodies need.
A healthy “meal” should include:
Protein: meat, seafood and fish, cheese, nuts, nut butters, eggs, beans, soy, milk, yogurt, quinoa
Carbohydrates: beans, rice, whole grains, fruit, green and starchy vegetables
Fats: nuts, olives, seafood and fish, oils (coconut is great), avocados
Vitamins/Minerals: fruits and vegetables are a great source of both
A smoothie with veggies and/or fruits and a protein can be a healthy meal.
Oatmeal can make a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Just add fruit and yogurt.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich works in a pinch. Just add a side of carrot sticks!
Rice can be the base for any meal. For breakfast, check out this breakfast rice recipe. For lunch or dinner, make yourself a rice bowl, adding whatever veggies and protein you have available.
If you happen to have eggs on hand, eggs are a great source of protein for any meal. Scrambled eggs, topped with a little salsa can make a satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner.
We love to make what we call garbage bowls! Typically, we chop and saute whatever veggies we have on hand, throw in frozen (or homemade) hash browns, add eggs (if we have them) and cheese. You just can’t go wrong with this one. It uses up whatever food you have on hand and can be made to suit your tastes.
*If your cupboards (and fridge and freezer) are bare, you need to buy some groceries.
Eating healthy meals is important and it’s not worth sacrificing health to save a few bucks. Buy enough to feed your family healthy meals. Think about how many breakfasts, lunches and dinners you will need to make and then PLAN each and every one of those meals. Make your list based on that meal plan, go to the store and buy only what is on your list.
Personal Care
If you are going all in on this challenge and you happen to run out of some essential personal care items, you could buy them. Or you could really challenge yourself and try to get by with DIY versions. Whether or not this works for you is a personal choice, but I thought I’d share some suggestions for homemade versions if you want to give it a go.
Deodorant
Make your own deodorant? What the…!?
Why not give it a shot? There are many recipes for DIY deodorant out there, and you can probably find one that you can use, at least temporarily. Plus, maybe you’ll become a convert and stick with the DIY version (I’m all for less harmful chemicals!).
Check out How to Make Natural Deodorant.
Shampoo
Some choose the no-poo method and, if you’re down with that, great! Personally, I like shampoo. Check out this article for several recipes for homemade shampoo. You’re sure to find something that will work.
Toothpaste
You know, back in the day, they didn’t have the foaming toothpaste. And, honestly, after reading how people used to clean their teeth…Ummm. Wow! I wouldn’t ever recommend putting some of that stuff in your mouth. Today, most of us have the ingredients on hand for a safe, effective toothpaste. Simply using baking soda will do the trick. Ask the Dentist has a great guide to DIY Toothpaste you can check out.
A quick Google search will find you a DIY version of about any personal care item you run out of. Here are 6 Tips to DIY Homemade Body Care Products with ingredients you likely have around the house.
If you NEED something, make a list of the essentials, go to the store and get in and out as quickly as possible.
I, for one, will not go without TP!
Hi Amanda – I love this post. I’ve been looking into loads of DIY household essential recipes to use up some things I’ve got laying around the house and save some money.
The general theme seems to be if you’ve got baking soda and coconut oil, you can do pretty much anything!
Thanks, Yaz! You’re right, if you have baking soda and coconut oil, you can find a recipe for a ton of DIY personal care items. Coconut oil straight up is a great moisturizer.
Thanks for stopping by!
Lol. I did know what I was doing previously when I made my meal with whatever that I can throw in to make my signature dish was called a garbage bowl. I always thought it was the buffet bowl as I could put anything and everything I want. Maybe that was what my wife thought as she didn’t like that dish very much.
Garbage bowl isn’t that appealing. I like buffet bowl – it’s much more appetizing. Name officially changed! Thanks, Leo! 🙂
Yup. This is a great reminder. The ultimate purpose of a no-spend month is to look at money habits and spend purposefully. Having a full belly and good hygiene are probably two easy this to put on the list. Though, this is a great reminder that no one needs 87 different lotions, nail polishes, etc. 🙂
Thanks, Penny! Funny you mention 87 different lotions. 🙂 I used to experiment a little more – and had more lotions and make up than I needed. Now, I make myself use up what I already have on hand before I try a new brand. Eliminates clutter and saves money to boot!
I’m right there with you on eggs. Just last night my husband and I had potato, onion and cheese omelette sandwiches. It take 5 minutes to make and it’s delicious and filling. It is a constant last ditch for us when all other options have run out. Some mushroom would be goo in there. But honestly, it would take a serious natural disaster for me not to have an onion, a potato three eggs and a slice of cheese in my house!
I’m making omelettes for dinner – they’re quick, healthy and cheap! I do plan to pick up a dozen eggs today – a non-meat protein is in order. So, now I’m curious – do you have a specific recipe for your potato, onion and cheese omelette? Sounds delicious and I’d love to try it.
I’m more likely to look for a substitute when I run out of a recipe ingredient than I am for personal items. Although, in a pinch, petroleum jelly can substitute for lip balm and moisturizer!
Same here, Mrs. Groovy. I always make sure I have enough shampoo and deodorant. Though I have used coconut oil for some amazing homemade lotions – and even lip balm too. Petroleum jelly is great to have on hand too.
I find that I usually don’t quite run out of things as once my inventory is almost empty, I tend to restock it so I wouldn’t have to worry about not having any. Luckily, I utilize all of my essentials, so nothing is wasted or thrown away until it’s finished up.
Using it up is a great way to keep clutter and waste down. I like to stock up as well – that way I make sure I get the essentials at the best price. Those quick trips to the corner store to buy shampoo can be expensive!
Great advice, Amanda! Eggs and salsa are staples in our home! It’s amazing how far you can make things stretch with a little creativity!
Thanks, MMM! I love scrambled eggs and salsa. I’ve also been on an omelette kick lately. You really can make things stretch when you get creative.
I can’t imagine dealing with running out of things during a no spend month, but I’m sure it happens! Smoothies are a great go-to meal. At least a couple times a week we have protein smoothies with lots of strawberries and bananas – really good!
Agreed on the smoothies…whenever I want something sweet, but want to be healthy about satisfying that sweet tooth, I make a smoothie with strawberries and bananas. 🙂