I'm taking my grocery budget a step further... So what am I talking about? Well currently I spend around $55. per week for groceries. That includes everything (except hamburger).Just recently we were able to get 50# of hamburger for $1.99/lb. from a local butcher so we stocked our freezer with that. I'm curious how long that will last. (I figure we use about 1 1/2 lb./week which would be around $3.)
Anyway I am now going to do an experiment and skip 1 week of groceries each month. Why you might wonder?? Well because I am continually getting more food than we eat in a week. So my stock just keeps building. It will also save me a morning each month to do something else, it saves gas, and of course will save another $45. or more per month.
I'm sure I will still have to get milk so I'm allowing myself up to $10. on the off week to get that. Depending on CVS deals I may not need all of that.
This will make my new monthly budget for groceries around $175.00 (55.+55.+55.+10.=$175.) I'm curious to see how long I can do this and if my stock will begin to go down.
I was reluctant to do this because I wasn't sure if I can do the coupon matchups and then not go and get the great deals. But in thinking about it there will always be more deals and if I don't go get more boxes of cereal or more toothpaste...I think we'll live!!
So this week I will NOT be going to get the deals, I will not be grocery shopping at all!! Which will work great since I'm potty training my 2 yr old this week. Be sure to check that post out tomorrow!
So there you have it, My new challenge! If you do something like this I'd love to hear about it. I'll keep you posted as to how this new challenge is going each month when I skip a week!
BTW if you were wondering, Yes this was inspired by Money saving mom and how she takes time off every so often to use what's on hand. thanks Crystal, I think this will be good for me!
8 comments:
Our monthly food budget is $200. I have no idea why I had never thought of taking a week off to use what we have! Thanks. Now we can reduce our budget even more!
Hi, I just became your newest subscriber through Follow Me Club.
I was very inspired by your post, since I just got groceries today!
I recently posted about taking a week off of shopping as well. I've done it a few times though it's not been regularly planned. When the sales are just so so sometimes I skip that week. When the sales are great, then I might go more than once that week.
In February I didn't shop for two possibly three weeks. We were all sick with the flu and then strep. I was sick for 9 days straight. Having a nice food storage was a blessing for the family members who were well enough to eat, and all the cereal saved me from cooking!
I think you have a great plan and I'm sure you can do it. Especially if you don't shop on a slow week. I doubt you will see a decline in your stock.
thanks Kristin for the encouragment. It would be really nice to do it and not even see stock go down!!
glad your family is better. Sounds like a very hard February.
Following your from mbc follow me club! Look forward to reading more on your blog!
Onna
http://toddlercraft.net
I do this all the time Megan!!! Like Kristin said I skip weeks when the sales are slow..and either save that money for really great weeks or just have that as extra!!
I think it gives me a nice needed break for all the planning, list making, and shopping every so often!
Thanks for linking!!!! =)
I spend about $60/week for a family of 8. I wonder id I could manage skipping a week. I think I would run out of side items. Regardless I am going to try it. I really enjoy ready your blog.
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