I hate making budgets. Why? Because every month without fail something unexpected comes up and blows the numbers right out of the water. In January it was over $600 in dental work and $206 in auto maintenance.
I also have to find a way to considserably cut my grocery bill. In January I spent almost $800 in groceries! For three (sometimes four) people. That's ridiculous! That does not include restaurants. I have to make a list before I go to the store and stick to it. I have to clip coupons. I have to plan our meals. I have to buy generic (yuk!!).
I have to do something. Thoughts?
5 comments:
I was spending as much as you are, if not more on groceries per month. Now I spend half of that, and want to do better.
My freezer is now stuffed with Turkey meat for $1.99 per package and $1.00 frozen vegetables. A shelf in a closet is also stocked with cereal, chicken broth, and other foods.
- Get help clipping coupons
- Buy coupons [check my sidebar]
- Go to online sites to print coupons
- Check the weekly flyers and buy only on sale with a coupon
Um, not to mention I'm giving free advice with links on gettin' your frugal on at my place.
All the best on moving those big numbers to the "rainy day" column. ;)
I did things kinda backwards in January. I set up automatic withdrawal from my checking account to my savings. I scheduled the days to occur shortly after I got each paycheck. So, it was a mental thing. When I looked in my account, I didn't have much to spend on groceries...well, not enough to cover all of the treats that end up being costly when added together. So in the store, I knew to get the essentials first and whatever I had left over in my projected grocery budget, I spent on the treats that I wanted the most. I also found that writing out a list kept me more focused on what I went to the store for...b/c I am the queen of going to Target for one thing and leaving with a full cart.
Food is one of my highest expense categories. In January, I spent nearly $500 for TWO people. Talk about ridiculous!
I can't give you any tips on budgets because I hate them too. They're too restrictive.
I think you know what to do in order to cut your bill, but you have to make them work for you and your lifestyle. Anything that feels too restrictive or burdensome will not become a habit.
For example, some people sit down with the sales paper, cut coupons and meal plan for the entire week. I'd like to do that, but I'd never stick with it. Here's my modified version:
1 - I inventory my kitchen and make lists based on what I want to eat before I go shopping. My meal ideas may consist of a new recipe I discovered, something I craved the week prior, or a repeat of the same ole same ole.
2 - I don't meal plan as in "this is what we're going to eat on Mon, Tues, ..." but I do try to buy items that pair with ingredients I already have at home.
3 - I'm not crazy about generics, but I've found that "some" are acceptable alternatives. Ex: I'd never buy generic cheese, but I don't mind store brand dill pickles.
4 - I'm not a weekly coupon clipper, but I always use my store savings card and I try to use the coupons that print out with my previous receipt.
5 - I hate standing in grocery lines, so I don't do mid-week or "oops, I forgot something" trips. I grocery shop once a week at most. Those spare of the moment trips usually add up.
6 - I love specialty stores like Trader Joe's. I wish we had a nearby farmer's market for fresh produce, but we don't. :-( Sam's Club and Costco are too far. So the nearby grocery stores, Giant and Harris Teeter, drive up my cost.
If things were really out of control, I'd try a cash only method. That way, my grocery cart is limited to the estimated cost of what I need only.
Hope this helps. Whatever you decide to modify, don't force yourself to do something that doesn't fit your lifestyle.
I save a fortune grocery shopping weekly instead of monthly because the sales vary from week to week. I check out the flyer, cirle ONLY what I need and then use coupons.
I hit the sales racks in dept. stores and use their % off coupons if they have any.
Shopping after season is a good way to get high-end things cheap and still be in fashion.
I can send you a coupon for BOGO free @ TGIFs if you like that place. Email or FB me and let me know if you want it.
love to live;live to love
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