At the first of each year, we review our budget and our spending habits to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to achieve our goals. It sounds much easier than it is, especially since this years revision includes an expensive addition as of June last year.
I am interested in other people's suggestions here, so please feel free to give any and all opinions and advice. Dennis and I typically spend about $500 a month on groceries. AND, that doesn't even include Connor's formula (which is far from cheap, by the way) or Echo's Eukanuba. That's WAY too much money. And I mean, WAY.
Last week when I was meeting with customers over lunch, one lady shared with me how little she spends on groceries. Sure, she goes to at least three different grocery stores a week, but she claims to spend only about $60 per week and she feeds FOUR PEOPLE with that. Her trick, as she unveiled, is using coupons. No challenge will go unanswered so I am pledging to be the best couponing expert you've ever seen.
I even used some coupons last week. It was fun. And exciting, in a weird way.
AND, did you know that most grocery stores DOUBLE coupons every day (as long as the coupons are for $.50 or less)? I didn't know that. And now that I'm empowered with this information, I will go forth... and save money. We'll stop eating Connor's college fund and instead eat the same food as before...just on the cheap.
My scissors are ready as I anxiously await the newspaper tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll even practice cutting tonight. Hmmm....
I am interested in other people's suggestions here, so please feel free to give any and all opinions and advice. Dennis and I typically spend about $500 a month on groceries. AND, that doesn't even include Connor's formula (which is far from cheap, by the way) or Echo's Eukanuba. That's WAY too much money. And I mean, WAY.
Last week when I was meeting with customers over lunch, one lady shared with me how little she spends on groceries. Sure, she goes to at least three different grocery stores a week, but she claims to spend only about $60 per week and she feeds FOUR PEOPLE with that. Her trick, as she unveiled, is using coupons. No challenge will go unanswered so I am pledging to be the best couponing expert you've ever seen.
I even used some coupons last week. It was fun. And exciting, in a weird way.
AND, did you know that most grocery stores DOUBLE coupons every day (as long as the coupons are for $.50 or less)? I didn't know that. And now that I'm empowered with this information, I will go forth... and save money. We'll stop eating Connor's college fund and instead eat the same food as before...just on the cheap.
My scissors are ready as I anxiously await the newspaper tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll even practice cutting tonight. Hmmm....
6 comments:
Oh honey...you don't even have to wait for the paper!!! (although, they do have the best local ones) Couponmom.com will be your best friend. You find the coupons you want, for stuff you use... print them out and use them just like the ones out of the paper :)
southernsavers.com is a great resource.
Coupons for dry cleaners are a savings too, check your cleaners online as well as the newspapers...there are BIG differences in what some cleaners charge. Also make yourself feel better by keeping track of your savings for a month. Lv, Nana
I only shop at Kroger and buy store/generic brand basics (eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.). I also plan out my dinner menu for the week and only buy what I need to make that week's menu (plus lunch and breakfast food). This sounds strange, but we also don't eat a lot of meat! A partially vegetarian diet is healthier and also cheaper - meat is expensive! Also watch what you buy with produce - it's easy to buy too much and waste a lot if if goes bad before you can use it.
I don't use it, but I do know of this website that tells you how to combine Sunday paper coupons with in-store sales to save the maximum amount or get stuff free. I can't remember the name, but I will try to find it and send it to you. But even with coupons, you have to make sure you only buy what you need and not extra stuff you don't need just because you feel like you got a "deal." It's not a deal if you don't need/eat it!
I think we spend around $200 a month in groceries.
OK, so....I got so good at coupons in Florida (slacked off lately). There were times I saved $100 a trip! If you team with a neighbor that helps. My neighbor and I both bought the Sunday paper. On Sunday afternoon we clipped what we wanted and then put the clipped (with ours clipped out) remainders in each other's mailboxes. So, if she did not use Crest but I did and there was a coupon for Crest she had skipped over, I would have TWO from that week. You know you can use BOTH on one item, right???? Sometimes I got things for FREE! Also, www.grocerygame.com is worth the month free to get used to using coupons. It may be www.thegrocerygame.com. I used it and learned a lot. I did notice I did not but as healthy when shopping with coupons bc i tend to buy organic for the kids and often times those choices are NOT discounted so I would buy the discounted alternative. When something you like is buy one get one, BUY two! I tend to do a HUGE trip the first week of the month and then just buy the fillers (meat, milk, etc.) the rest of the month. Have FUN. It is truly fun if you get good at it.
Couponmom.com. I just bought the book as my New Years resolution was to learn how to use coupons. I haven't put it into action yet, but we can try together!
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