Well, I made it through week two- hurray!!
I will be sooooo happy to purchase a few new items for our household, but I know the end result has been worth the effort. We finally have a little padding in our budget from all the money saved.
It also gave me two weeks to store up coupons, and sign up for mystery shops so we are well positioned to have an excellent shopping week next week too. In fact, I'm going to set my goal at $40 for grocery shopping this week. Making it just a little higher to accomodate meat purchases.
How did your week go?
The most difficult part for me was struggling to figure out how to utilize only what we had on hand for meals, in the last few days. The mistake I made was using more readily available, faster to prepare foods for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. This left me having to cook more heavy-duty (spend more time in the kitchen) in the last few days.
This week I'm also going to be exploring more options of working toward zero debt, and I'll be sharing all the things that are already working for me, and all those I uncover along the way.
Hope you'll continue to join me!
PS: If you are... please leave me a note in the comments... yes, I'm needy LOL Seriously, though, it'd be lovely to know I'm not alone in the pursuit :)
Hugs,
Barb
PS- As always, I've posted the best freebies and deal finds I came across this week on my MOMdotCOM blog- be sure to stop by and SAVE! http://www.momdotcom.net
.
Showing posts with label lowering grocery bills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lowering grocery bills. Show all posts
The End is Near!
The end of my second week is near... I can hardly believe it!
Still holding at my $10 or less goal and with three more days to go, bearing some unforseen event, I should be able to pull through.
Meals today were a little boring, and I am starting to see an impact on my freezer and cupboard, but in a very positive way. Items that may have expired or sat at the bottom of the freezer for too long have been re-discovered and used to help make my goals over the past two weeks.
Surprisingly, my kids have enjoyed the wider variety of meals we've had... and I have to say that I have too.
It will be fun to shop a little more next week, but I'm still going to work on keeping the budget super low, maxing every coupon, sale, and mystery shopping opportunity available. As I do, I'll post the results and share the savings!
How are your goals going?
Hugs,
Barb
.
Still holding at my $10 or less goal and with three more days to go, bearing some unforseen event, I should be able to pull through.
Meals today were a little boring, and I am starting to see an impact on my freezer and cupboard, but in a very positive way. Items that may have expired or sat at the bottom of the freezer for too long have been re-discovered and used to help make my goals over the past two weeks.
Surprisingly, my kids have enjoyed the wider variety of meals we've had... and I have to say that I have too.
It will be fun to shop a little more next week, but I'm still going to work on keeping the budget super low, maxing every coupon, sale, and mystery shopping opportunity available. As I do, I'll post the results and share the savings!
How are your goals going?
Hugs,
Barb
.
A New Week - A New $10 Goal!
Okay, week two here and so far, so questionable... Ran out of milk, so that meant a $3.00 purchase today, which means there's only $7 left for groceries to get through the rest of the week... time to get super creative!
On the bright side, I found I had a reserve toilet paper stash, so I can cross that off my list for the week... and I'm putting all those paper bags from the grocery store I've accumulated this year to good use, by subbing them out for our normal garbage bags. This does mean the garbage can fills more quickly, but hey... this little frugal experiment is keeping much-needed dollars in our bank account.
Makes me want to continue on another week... maybe not with such a low limit, but thinking a $25 might be do-able.
Have you been inspired to try a super low budget grocery store week yet? If so, please share the details- I'd love to hear how you are doing!
Other ideas I've implemented this week are cutting my detergent levels and dryer sheets in half... amazingly (or not so amazingly, this is a long time frugal living habit that many practice) my laundry is just as clean, fresh, and static free as it normally is.
I used to think that habit was a little over-board, but when you add it up (especially with my family of five) that's equal to a $10 savings a month, or $120 a year back in my pocket with no more sacrifice than taking the time to cut a few dryer sheets in half. Cool beanies!
I'll be back tomorrow with a new report and new ideas too. :)
In the meantime, feel free to pop on over to my MOMdotCOM.net board for a helpful article on enjoying fresh produce all year plus oodles of new freebies too!
Hugs,
Barb
On the bright side, I found I had a reserve toilet paper stash, so I can cross that off my list for the week... and I'm putting all those paper bags from the grocery store I've accumulated this year to good use, by subbing them out for our normal garbage bags. This does mean the garbage can fills more quickly, but hey... this little frugal experiment is keeping much-needed dollars in our bank account.
Makes me want to continue on another week... maybe not with such a low limit, but thinking a $25 might be do-able.
Have you been inspired to try a super low budget grocery store week yet? If so, please share the details- I'd love to hear how you are doing!
Other ideas I've implemented this week are cutting my detergent levels and dryer sheets in half... amazingly (or not so amazingly, this is a long time frugal living habit that many practice) my laundry is just as clean, fresh, and static free as it normally is.
I used to think that habit was a little over-board, but when you add it up (especially with my family of five) that's equal to a $10 savings a month, or $120 a year back in my pocket with no more sacrifice than taking the time to cut a few dryer sheets in half. Cool beanies!
I'll be back tomorrow with a new report and new ideas too. :)
In the meantime, feel free to pop on over to my MOMdotCOM.net board for a helpful article on enjoying fresh produce all year plus oodles of new freebies too!
Hugs,
Barb
Did She Do It?
Okay, for those of you following my week, the question at top of mind must be... did Barb really spend $10 or less on groceries for the week and the answer is....
drum roll, please....
YES!!
Not that it was easy! Especially today as my two youngest had soccer games and you all know how easy it can be to spend money on snacks, beverages, and so on. Not to worry, I came prepared with a game plan- water, juice, and snacks packed in a nice small cooler did the trick and we spent a total of $3 on hot dogs (1 for each child- there are just some things worth splurging a tiny bit- and concession stand hot dogs are one of those things for us- makes the kids totally happy and the profit goes towards supporting the leagues.)
So, my grand total for the week actually was under $5! Woo woo!
Continuing this goal for next week will be a little difficult as I have toilet paper and garbage bags on my list... not exactly small purchase items. So, we'll see how I can work that one out... any and all suggestions and links to coupons are appreciated :)
How did everyone else do? Have you set a goal for next week?
I'll be back with more and some discussions on credit & debt reduction... along with my personal struggles and triumphs... stay tuned!
Hugs,
Barb
PS- here's a few freebies for the road- enjoy!
FRE Sample Pouch of FiberOne Cereal http://www.startsampling.com/sm/FiberOneCereal/captureAddress.iphtml?item=25046&source=251&raf=
FREE Sample of Loreal Vive Pro Shampoo http://vivepro.com/
FREE 50 Million Pound Challenge Kit http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.50millionpounds.com/
FREE Subscription to American Cheerleader http://www.freebizmag.com/bramercheer01welcome.htm
.
drum roll, please....
YES!!
Not that it was easy! Especially today as my two youngest had soccer games and you all know how easy it can be to spend money on snacks, beverages, and so on. Not to worry, I came prepared with a game plan- water, juice, and snacks packed in a nice small cooler did the trick and we spent a total of $3 on hot dogs (1 for each child- there are just some things worth splurging a tiny bit- and concession stand hot dogs are one of those things for us- makes the kids totally happy and the profit goes towards supporting the leagues.)
So, my grand total for the week actually was under $5! Woo woo!
Continuing this goal for next week will be a little difficult as I have toilet paper and garbage bags on my list... not exactly small purchase items. So, we'll see how I can work that one out... any and all suggestions and links to coupons are appreciated :)
How did everyone else do? Have you set a goal for next week?
I'll be back with more and some discussions on credit & debt reduction... along with my personal struggles and triumphs... stay tuned!
Hugs,
Barb
PS- here's a few freebies for the road- enjoy!
FRE Sample Pouch of FiberOne Cereal http://www.startsampling.com/sm/FiberOneCereal/captureAddress.iphtml?item=25046&source=251&raf=
FREE Sample of Loreal Vive Pro Shampoo http://vivepro.com/
FREE 50 Million Pound Challenge Kit http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.50millionpounds.com/
FREE Subscription to American Cheerleader http://www.freebizmag.com/bramercheer01welcome.htm
.
Holding steady!
Still on track this week for $10 or less... yesterday we switched to corn dogs for lunch instead of lunch meat, as there's not much left... and dinner was an easy grilling night of hamburgers. Then, using the left-over hamburger, tonight- tacos!
So, total grocery bill for today was $1.06 for lettuce, which will be used tomorrow night too for grilled chicken salads.
I'm actually having a lot of fun with this goal and realizing how very much we already have on hand. I might even be able to keep this up for another week or two... a lot will depend on how willing my family will be to forgo any eating out for a whole month. I have to admitt, I will be looking forward to a pizza night in the future!
But, it's very cool to prove to yourself that you can forgo the grocery store and use what is at hand to cut back and save some cash.
Along with our grocery game... I was able to save $20 a month on our phone bill by simpling making a phone call to our service provider. Turns out they have a new plan that is cheaper than the one we are using, huh!
The rep suggested we call regularly to find out what plans are available as they often change. So... there's the tip for today-- get on the phone with your phone companies and see what you can save!
Hugs,
Barb
.
So, total grocery bill for today was $1.06 for lettuce, which will be used tomorrow night too for grilled chicken salads.
I'm actually having a lot of fun with this goal and realizing how very much we already have on hand. I might even be able to keep this up for another week or two... a lot will depend on how willing my family will be to forgo any eating out for a whole month. I have to admitt, I will be looking forward to a pizza night in the future!
But, it's very cool to prove to yourself that you can forgo the grocery store and use what is at hand to cut back and save some cash.
Along with our grocery game... I was able to save $20 a month on our phone bill by simpling making a phone call to our service provider. Turns out they have a new plan that is cheaper than the one we are using, huh!
The rep suggested we call regularly to find out what plans are available as they often change. So... there's the tip for today-- get on the phone with your phone companies and see what you can save!
Hugs,
Barb
.
Quest for $10 or Less Shopping- Day 3
I spent zero dollars on 55 Prints from CVS today- woo woo! Thanks to a deal I found on fatwallet.com, I believe. (Love that website!)
The biggest thing I'm craving right now is diet soda, but I'm refusing to budge on my $10 or less goal at the grocery store this week. I have to purchase lettuce in the next day or two for tacos... but am borrowing a few tomatoes from my neighbor as mine are still green.
Dinner tonight was potato soup and beer bread (yum! recipe for bread below.) Which used up one of the two bottles of Bud left in the fridge from when one of our relatives came for a visit. :) Breakfast was whole grain waffles and still using up that lunchmeat for lunch.
Are you inspired to do a $10 Shopping week, yet? If you are, let me know - I'd love to share the journey with you!
WHOLE WHEAT BEER BREAD RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (if you don't wish to make the whole wheat version, just double the all-purpose flour to 3 cups and skip the whole wheat flour.)
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar. Pour in beer, stir until a stiff batter is formed. It may be necessary to mix dough with your hands. Scrape dough into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
.
The biggest thing I'm craving right now is diet soda, but I'm refusing to budge on my $10 or less goal at the grocery store this week. I have to purchase lettuce in the next day or two for tacos... but am borrowing a few tomatoes from my neighbor as mine are still green.
Dinner tonight was potato soup and beer bread (yum! recipe for bread below.) Which used up one of the two bottles of Bud left in the fridge from when one of our relatives came for a visit. :) Breakfast was whole grain waffles and still using up that lunchmeat for lunch.
Are you inspired to do a $10 Shopping week, yet? If you are, let me know - I'd love to share the journey with you!
WHOLE WHEAT BEER BREAD RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (if you don't wish to make the whole wheat version, just double the all-purpose flour to 3 cups and skip the whole wheat flour.)
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar. Pour in beer, stir until a stiff batter is formed. It may be necessary to mix dough with your hands. Scrape dough into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
.
How I Made Money on My Last Shopping Trip
I thought it might be fun to share with those of you on the Zero Debt journey with me, how I made money on a trip to the grocery store today… yes, I said made money, not just saved money.
Totally tickled about this as I’m now exceeding my goal this week already to spend less than $10 at the grocery store.
So without further adieu, here’s the receipt:
Totally tickled about this as I’m now exceeding my goal this week already to spend less than $10 at the grocery store.
So without further adieu, here’s the receipt:
Now, “wait!” you say, “I see that you spent $23.56… that’s more than your $10 a week goal.”
“Yes,” I reply, “but I chose to go to this store as a Mystery Shopper and was paid $25 for the assignment (more on that later...) So, in reality, I came out $1.44 ahead! And now, I have all the things like milk and pet food that we really needed, and then some.”
Let me take you on a line by line tour of all the items I purchased and how I managed to trim the bill so low.
MILK – Purchased ½ Gallon at $1.25. The full Gallon was $3.49 and much more than I needed, the ½ Gallons were on sale for 4 for $5… a much better price and amount. Even had I needed a Gallon, it’d still be cheaper. Always watch your prices carefully!
VISION CARE- My husband needed contact lense solution. I often dread this purchase as coupons can be hard to come by. However, I shopped the shelves and found Vision Care had an auto $3 off Coupon attached, bringing the cost down from $8.99 to $5.99.
Tip: Most contact lense solutions have the same ingredients- check the labels and don’t be afraid to try different products.
BAND-AIDS- With 3 children, it’s easy to run out of these. Had a $1 off coupon which cut the price nearly in half. Normally, I would wait for a sale or shop around on other store visits, but we were completely out of this much needed item, and just my luck, some one would instantly get a boo-boo when I got home if I didn’t pick them up.
KLEENEX- The store had a sale of 10 for $10 on the big boxes. Total deal! If I had more coupons, I would have picked up more, but I settled for two boxes with a 35 cent off coupon.
CEREAL- Had a free coupon for this item, passed my way by a friend – gotta love that!
TIDY CATS- With a store coupon combined with a manufacturer’s coupon clipped from the Sunday ads, plus a sale on this item, it was a must buy even though I have a box at home. The normal $6.69 box cost me $3.49.
GOODLIFE RECIPE DOG FOOD- Had a free coupon from a freebie I posted on momdotcom.net a few weeks ago… the promo is no longer active, but they do have a $1 off coupon available if you need one. http://www.goodliferecipe.com/coupon_reg.aspx
Tip: I mix freebies like this in with my dog’s regular food in small doses so that the dog does not have digestive problems (got this tip from our local vet.) If you don’t wish to stretch your dog food in this manner, when you run across freebies like this, please donate them to your local vet.
PURINA ONE DOG FOOD- Again a free coupon, this time from the Purina One 30 Day Challenge.
This offer is still active, so run and sign up! http://www.purinaone.com/radiochallenge/intro.htm Purina is our preferred brand, so this is a great freebie for our household. If that link doesn't work, cut and paste this link http://www.purinaoneresults.com/ to sign up for the 30 Day Challenge.
SHEBA CAT FOOD- Snagged a free coupon again from a freebie I previously posted on momdotcom.net (If you aren’t reading my daily blog over there… might I suggest it? Lots of freebies!)
This offer is also still active http://www.sheba.com/home.asp (only now it looks like they are sending the can directly to you, rather than a coupon... not a biggie, still a free can!)
ALPO DOG FOOD- Free with coupon cut from Sunday ads.
MEOW MIX CATFOOD CAN- Free with coupon cut from Sunday ads.
PURINA PUPPY CHOW – Found this on sale and I had a $2 off coupon I received from Purina as I’m on their mailing list.
Tip: It pays to be on manufacturer’s mailing lists as they often send out useful coupons and sometimes samples too.
So for $65.22 (before in-store sales) worth of needed groceries, I paid $23.56… a $41.66 savings!
Of course, it got better because I chose to shop this particular store due to the availability of a Mystery Shopping assignment, which I detailed the results of above... bottom line, earned $1.44 plus I now have $65.22 worth of free groceries.
While I cannot tell you, to keep with confidentiality agreements, which shopping company… I can direct you to the lengthy list I compiled earlier this year of Mystery Shopping companies: http://momdotcom.blogspot.com/2007/01/lengthy-list-of-mystery-shopping.html
In addition (because I always love additions and combining all the frugal-savvy-ness I possibly can) I used my banking card, which is a credit union card and offers a fab point program for free! Always shop around for banks too, it’s in your best interest to take the time to do so.
So there you have it – I am $1.44 to the positive on my $10 or less grocery shopping goal for week 1.
I hope this helps you make it closer to your goals too!
Hugs,
Barb
.
What's For Dinner?
I have decided to save money on groceries this week (I'm really good with coupons and such, but I've decided to make a goal of spending less than $10 on Groceries for the next two weeks) ... so, I'm determined to use what's already in my fridge, freezers, and pantry to make every meal this week.
Should be a fun challenge! I will be reporting throughout the week on my progress and any tips and tricks I find/learn along the way.
Care to join me?
Tonight is Shrimp Pasta for dinner (picked up $4 bags of shrimps during a summer sale!) With some noodles, diced tomatoes from the garden, and herbs... yum!
Breakfast and lunch are easy today as of course, we have cereal and lunchmeat to use up. Will be getting more creative with ideas after we use up the lunchmeat. :)
Hugs,
Barb
.
.
Should be a fun challenge! I will be reporting throughout the week on my progress and any tips and tricks I find/learn along the way.
Care to join me?
Tonight is Shrimp Pasta for dinner (picked up $4 bags of shrimps during a summer sale!) With some noodles, diced tomatoes from the garden, and herbs... yum!
Breakfast and lunch are easy today as of course, we have cereal and lunchmeat to use up. Will be getting more creative with ideas after we use up the lunchmeat. :)
Hugs,
Barb
.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
