Friday, April 27, 2012

Budget Realities

Posted on 9:07 AM by follow me

We here in the Kershner house are always looking for ways to save money. I looked at our grocery spending and saw room for improvement. This is a tough one for me because, while on the one hand, I hate spending hundreds of dollars every month and having nothing to show for it (except unwanted inches), I also love to cook and entertain and try new things. Those things don't really lend themselves to budget friendly shopping trips.

I have set my budget at $600 per month for this family of 4 humans and 3 pets and I that includes all food, beverage and cleaning supplies. Here are 15 tips on what I'm doing to make this work for me and how it might work for you:

1) CUT COUPONS- but only the ones for products you would really use anyway.
2) Don't be afraid of store brands. Many of them are just as good if not better than the "real" brand.
3) Learn where items are cheapest that you regularly buy & stock up on them at that store.
4) If it's on sale and you use it regularly, buy it even if you don't need it right now and hey go ahead and buy an extra and if it's on sale and you have a coupon, you better not even think twice about it.
5) Give yourself permission to buy the splurge items that you just can't live without. For me: Kashi Go Lean Waffles, fresh produce & organic milk and eggs.
6) Compare prices on different sizes of the same item and buy the one that is a better deal in the long run. P.S. It's not always the biggest.
7) Buy your produce at a wholesale club. We buy apples, kiwi, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries regularly at Costco.
8) Sometimes shopping a store you really don't like ( for me: Walmart) can be worth the sacrifice. The prices really are lower on the majority of the items, they match other stores sale ads and they don't have all the cute clothes and home stuff that tempts me at Target.
9) Try to avoid frequent trips to the grocery store for 1 or 2 things. I will go in for milk and bread and end up spending $50 on stuff that wasn't even on my list. I do a big shop twice a month with a small trip on the off weeks for whatever small items that I need.
10) Menu plan. I make 2 weeks of menus at a time and then when I get up in the morning and can't decide what to make for dinner, I just look at the schedule. I allow myself the flexibility to switch meals around as needed.
11) When you go shopping, make a list and stick to it.
12) Cook and bake from scratch when time allows.
13) Always make sure you have ingredients around for simple meals for those nights that you don't feel like cooking a big dinner. That way you won't be tempted to pick up the phone and order pizza.
14) Plan so that you use everything that you buy without having to throw food away. If you need buttermilk for that cake, plan to make buttermilk mashed potatoes to use up the rest of it. Keep a bag in your freezer for bread that is stale and for the heels, they make great homemade croutons.
15) When making dinner, cook extra and have a leftover night. Who wants to cook every night? We call this "Every man for himself" night.

I hope this helps some of you to stretch your grocery dollars. I'd love to know, what is your grocery budget per month and how do you go about making that a reality in your house?

No Response to "Budget Realities"

Leave A Reply

Popular Posts

  • Mantel Scape Tuesday....Just Kiddin... Vintage on line: So, I FINALLY got my mantel idea completed....and what banner could be more appropriate????(I am working on many more....ideas! ideas!...
  • Blast From the Past... Vintage on line: These are some things I found last week at an estate sale. They remind me very much of the ornaments my mom lovingly made when my brother...
  • December... Oh, good gravy! How did it get to be December 17th already? It's all going much too fast for my liking, but I'm trying to savor every...
  • Sweet Somethings... Vintage on line: Yesterday I received the most delicious box in the mail from my friend Melissa. I met Melissa last year at Silver Bella and we immediately...
  • *A Christmas Love Story*... Vintage on line: Our love story begins just before Christmas 1992 which is when I first met James.We were both teenagers, and felt as if we had known each...
  • 37... Vintage on line: Yesterday was a big day for me. I am now officially the new face of 37. I think this will be my best year yet. Sweet Hubby reminds me that...
  • *Seasonal Decorations*... Vintage on line: Well I thought I would share at least a few photos of my seasonal decorations, even though my camera wouldn't be kind and take nice...
  • Sweet Tutorial... Vintage on line: I'm running out of time to share all of the holiday posts that I wanted to. So, even though my birthday was yesterday and it was the single...
  • Bee's Christmas Tour... Vintage on line: Welcome to Bee's Christmasy Home!Her porch...all "decked" out!!!(don't tell her that her I used a picture withher holly kind of...
  • 39... Vintage on line: Well, it's official. Today I am the new face of 39. I think this will be my best year yet.I used to hate having my birthday so close to...
  • Four Zero... Vintage on line: 40. That's what I am today. It doesn't feel the way I thought it would. I'm not even slightly sad about it. I have a little secret. I'm...
  • PINK SATURDAY! Tiny Trees Part Due... Vintage on line: Of course I had to create some tiny trees inPINK too...I'm not crazy!!!!!!!!! (yah, well...)Nothing says "Noel" like pink tulle &...
  • *Gift Cards & Greetings*... Vintage on line: I just wanted to share with you some of the Christmas cards I made this year.My lovely sister very kindly gave me lots and lots (and by...