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Katrina Ryder
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Category: The $500 Month

Day by day reports on one family’s $500 monthly budget for real foods and household items.

Poorganic Splurge? What?!?

October 2, 2012 Katrina RyderNutty

Posts where I tell you to spend lots of money are few and far between, but this is one of them, so you will probably want to read to find out what inspires me to relax my vice-like grip over our money. One of my budgeting victories was figuring out how to allocate money for…Continue reading Poorganic Splurge? What?!?

Why the Cash System is Stupid (to me).

September 28, 2012March 21, 2013 Katrina RyderThe $500 Month

I told you we’d managed to buy all our consumables for $500 last month, but when it came time to look at the cold hard numbers, I realize I lied.  (Payday for us is once a month on the 25th, which is why we don’t operate on the “normal” month.) The problem is, I don’t…Continue reading Why the Cash System is Stupid (to me).

The Poorganic Voice in My Head

September 20, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

Do you ever feel like the process of eating real foods on a budget is making you insane? No, I’m not kidding.  I mean, for real, like the whole process of deciding what to buy might be making you into a crazy lady? Today I decided to stop in at Walmart for the last few…Continue reading The Poorganic Voice in My Head

Still on Track for the 500 dollar month?

September 14, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

There is a question at the end of this post that I’d LOVE for you to answer.  Will you? As is often the case when I commit to giving you daily insights into my life, I have failed because, let’s just face it. You don’t really care that much AND after the third or fourth…Continue reading Still on Track for the 500 dollar month?

$205 Left 21 Days to Go

September 3, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

Here’s the truth.  I don’t know how I used to do $85-$100 a week for poorganic food.  I’m guessing that all my kids have increased their eating by a TON because we are spending this money pretty quick.  I’ve been alternating between vegetarian and meatless dishes and including lots of eggs and bean dishes, but…Continue reading $205 Left 21 Days to Go

The Poorganic Pizza AND VLOG

August 31, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

I am about to give you two things that you will be forever grateful for . . . maybe. 1. My pizza recipe, which is the best EVER.  My husband married me, largely for the strength of my pizza making skills. These two pizzas probably cost about $10 total to make. 2. A real life…Continue reading The Poorganic Pizza AND VLOG

Short and sweet

August 28, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

After that epically boring list yesterday, I am going to cut right to the chase. Today was day four. It is 8:18 PM and everyone in my house is in bed, including my exhausted husband. (Starting school is hard on teachers too.)  So, there is no menu plan happening. Here is your update. I bought…Continue reading Short and sweet

Day 3: What’s in Your Pantry?

August 27, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

Before I make a meal plan for the $500 month, I’m going to inventory everything we have. EVERYTHING. (I will attempt to sprinkle in humor, so it won’t be as boring as reading the list of everything in someone’s pantry–since that is what it is.) First, I have to say two things. Oh how the…Continue reading Day 3: What’s in Your Pantry?

Poor + Organic = Poorganic?

August 26, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

First, a few clarifying details about the $500 month just for those of you who are curious or are trying a similar thing. There are five people in our family. We have three children, ages 7, 5, and 3.  We have no food allergies or intolerances. We DO have some SMALL stockpile of foods, so…Continue reading Poor + Organic = Poorganic?

The $500 month

August 25, 2012 Katrina RyderLiving Poorganically

Eating poorganically, couponing, and being cheapy-McGreepy are BACK ON, folks. This month I am going to try to return to a more poorganic diet and budget after seriously slacking over the summer. We are going to TRY to feed and diaper and consume all our consumables this month for $500. (eeek!  I’m a little scared.)…Continue reading The $500 month

About me

Hi! I'm Katrina. I'm married to an elementary school music teacher and am mom to three crazy kids. Formerly a high school teacher and missionary, I now stay home and give myself pedicures and eat bon-bons, while never avoiding sarcasm. Actually, I homeschool two of my three kids, substitute teach, and work seasonally at a farm. These days my blog is mostly a venue for information about my homeschool classes, but you can find all kinds of fun old posts about faith, finances, food, and family. I also have archives of The Poorganic Life food blog and You Go Girl! Bible studies. I love Jesus, my family, libraries, audiobooks, Harry Potter, hip-hop dance, gardening, Hamilton, and eating crusty bread. I am available for freelance editing and speaking engagements.

Where’s the one about . . .?

Blog Categories

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