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Gretchen’s $80 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 5

Honest Confessions of a Control Freak

Jesse and I have both struggled with being what you could call “control freaks” in our life. I like to have a plan and I like other people to go along with my plan. Jesse’s control shows up more in wanting to be able to control decisions other people make or to make sure that everything is always okay with me and our kids — and when it’s not, he feels a lot of stress and like things are spinning out of control.

Fostering has been such a good exercise for us in learning to let go of our neat little plans. Since we don’t make almost any of the decisions for him, we’ve just had to love him as our own on behalf of his mom while also keeping our hands open to whatever God has for him.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been so good — and it’s taught us how much peace there is when we stop clenching our fists and trying to micromanage our lives and instead release our tight grip and trust God fully.

In this episode, we share lessons we are learning, what has helped us let go of our tightly wound control, and how loving on this little boy has completely changed our lives.

We also give some family updates, share about what’s helping Jesse drink more water, my favorite eyebrow definer, and two books we’ve been reading.

In This Episode:

[01:01] Champ recently received hearing aids and it has been an adventure.

[03:58] We are so excited about our Gatlinburg weekend trip and why we voted early.

[06:19] I have a quick update on the No Bake cookies we were talking about several weeks ago.

[07:02] Water and his half-gallon water bottle are saving Jesse’s life.

[11:01] Maybelline Total Temptations Eyebrow Definer is saving my life.

[13:31] Jesse is back to reading his most recent Brad Thor book, Near Dark.

[14:50] I’ve been reading Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.

[17:30] We’re chatting all about being control freaks and what we’ve been learning.

[20:40] How our experiences as foster parents have shown us our need to release control.

[24:55] Lessons we’re learning about control as parents — and in other areas of our lives.

[27:40] What stress and fear tell me about resting in the Lord.

Links and Resources:

Maybelline Total Temptations Eyebrow Definer
Near Dark by Brad Thor
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
No-Bake Cookies
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show

The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

Gretchen’s $80 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 5

It’s been a while since I’ve posted my menu plan and shopping trip due to having company at our house or being out of town almost every weekend this last month. I haven’t been able to plan out a shopping trip or menu plan for almost a month and so it felt so nice to get back to it.

Aldi

1 bag Frozen Chicken Breasts – $5.59

2 cans Green Beans – $0.38 each

1 Ice Cream – $1.95

1 Half & Half – $1.55

2 pkgs Flour Tortillas – $1.35 each

1 bag Frozen Potato Puffs – $1.55

2 bags Frozen Peas – $0.75 each

1 box Crisp Rice Cereal – $1.39

2 dozen Eggs – $1.03 each

1 lb Ground Beef – $3.39

5 Yogurts – $0.32 each

1 pkg Chicken Breasts – $6.25

1 bag Rice – $1.85

1 pkg Instant Oatmeal – $1.49

1 Unsweetened Applesauce – $1.95

1 box MooTubes – $1.55

1 jar Pasta Sauce – $0.85

2 cans Great Northern Beans – $0.58 each

1 box Chewy Granola Bars – $0.95

1 Sour Cream – $0.85

3 boxes Mac & Cheese – $0.34 each

1 bag Frozen Blueberries – $1.79

1 bag Potatoes – $2.69

1 bag Kettle Chips – $1.29

1 bag Oyster Crackers – $0.79

1 bag Tortilla Chips – $0.92

1 box Mixed Greens – $1.89

1 bag Corn Chips – $0.69

1 lb Butter – $2.66

1 pkg Green Peppers – $2.19

0.93 lbs Roma Tomatoes – $0.83

2.32 lbs Grapes – $2.20

1 Peanut Butter – $1.15

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $2.19

1 Baking Powder – $0.99

1 can Refried Beans – $0.69

1 loaf Honey Wheat Bread – $0.95

1 loaf Cinnamon Bread – $1.79

Total: $67.66

Target

1 box Popcorn – $2.69

1 can Libby’s Pumpkin – $3.39

1 bag Chocolate Chips – $1.99

2 lbs Organic Bananas – $1.39

1 bag Mandarins – $3.39

Total: $12.85