So I do lots of things to stay on top of our budget and to ensure that we are able to not only pay our bills, but also save money.
I have not worked full-time since before our 3 year old was born, and it's defintely been an adjustment. Some of the big things I do to save money are with my grocery bill. For example:
1. We don't eat out hardly ever.
2. I plan our meals at least a week in advance.....And I plan AFTER I buy meat because it tends to overtake my grocery bill if I don't get it on sale. I always buy meat on sale. And then I freeze it and distribute it throughout the week. I buy in bulk with very, very few exceptions.
3. I cut coupons and make the most of them. I try to use coupons under $1 at Kroger because they will double and triple them. Then I use ones that re $1 or more at Wal Mart. I have also fallen in love with ALDI, which has awesome prices on fruit and many other things.
I try to spend less than $400 a month on groceries, and that takes care of a family of 3-5 (not everyone is here to eat every night), 3 dogs, and 3 cats. I spend about $75 on groceries a week.
Yes, sometimes it's a pain. But I really don't take a lot of extra time to do these things. Here's my routine:
Cut out coupons when they come in the Sunday paper. Organize them in my coupon holder (I do it by product. For example pizza coupons go under "P". That way, if I need pizza, I can also compare all my coupons to what's on sale that week, etc, and I can get the best deal.
Before I go to the store on Friday or Saturday, I write down everything we need. Then I go through and see what I have coupons for.
I then re-organize my big list into smaller lists. I divide it by store (what I'm going to get at Kroger and what I'll get at WM or Target, etc). I make a note as to what I have a coupon for and I set the coupons aside. I keep all the Kroger ones together and I keep the WM/Target ones together. **Hint** Target also sends out their own coupons for things, and these can be used in addition to the manufactuer's. The thing about coupons is that you don't get a great deal just b/c of the coupon most of the time... You usually get a great deal b/c you combine the coupon with a sale, another coupon, or you get it doubled/tripled. :)
I make an envelope for Kroger and WM or wherever I'm going and that way, I have my list for each store and the coupons I need for that store right there with me.
Sometimes I use couponmom.com. I pay attention to anything in her coupon database that is 70-100% off. Yes, you can usually get SOMETHING free at Kroger every week. And if there's something I need, I make sure to snatch it up. But I don't buy things just b/c they're on sale. I get what I need that week, and there are very few things I wait to buy until I have a coupon (one exception are my husband's ridiculously expensive razors :-P).
I go to Kroger first and then WM or Target. And now that I've discovered ALDI, that will be my 1st stop for produce and things I know I won't find cheaper at the other stores.
It's taken me awhile, but that's my system... I typically save at least 30% (sometimes 50% or more) at Kroger and anywhere from 10-20% at Wal Mart.
This week, I spent 13.97 at Kroger and saved 6.30.
I spent 91.68 at Wal-Mart and saved 16.00
At ALDI, I snatched up some deals like a whole pineapple for .99 (3.99 everyhwere else), .99 for a lb of strawberries, and 2.40 for 10 pounds of potatoes!
This week we spent almost $150 in groceries, but I can guarantee you we'll probably only spend $50 next week. So it evens out. :)
All right... enough rambling about my grocery bills. Next post: Meal planning!
Melissa
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