This is a great opportunity to do a “no buy” month. I have done that once or twice a year when our freezer(s) and pantry are overflowing. I take a writtten inventory of everything and use that list to come up with meals that require little or no additional ingredients. Then you can take whatever you saved that month and apply it to a goal. (The goal is key otherwise you won’t be as motivated and will be tempted to pick up a few extra items at the store.) Ex. If your grocery budget is usually $600, but you only spent $40 this month then you have $560 to transfer into your vacation fund.
you read my mind. i'm doing just that for at minimum january (and i can probably do another couple of months with the stockpile of food i've got on hand). i'm going to the grocery store today b/c i need some dairy products and produce. there are a few odd items i need but i'll get enough to get us through january (coffee, water, soda, cooking oil, a couple types of canned goods and a few frozen items). my goal is to only purchase dairy and fresh produce for as long as possible. it's amazing how much food you realize you have on hand when you start going through all the cabinets, pantry's and freezers (we've got 1 standard and then 2 of the smaller ones on fridges that stuff gets shoved into and forgotten about). i already had a big supply of stuff but then w/thanksgiving leftover turkey (put up in multiple packages for multiple meals), christmas roast (took the maybe 1/3rd left and froze it) and ham (got one back w/chunks and pieces and another with the bone with plenty of meat to do beans w/1 and split pea soup with the other) it just added to the stockpile.
told dh and ds that if they wanted anything at the grocery store to speak up NOW b/c as of tomorrow i'll only be going 2x in the next month and won't be bringing anything exciting home.