I declared a no-spending/low-spending week on groceries, unless absolutely necessary. And even then....let's really assess if we can wait a few more days. The only exception to this "rule" is that bread is Buy1, get 2 free. We usually get 6 loaves and freeze them.
This decision was a little hard because in this week's flyer for one store was "buy $50, get $0.30 off gas" coupon. Normally you have to spend $100 to get $0.10 off. I am still debating on this one. Of course this ISN'T the same store that the bread is on sale. Why can't life be easier!?
When the new tax withholdings took effect, G-man's check was roughly $125 less than what we were used to. I realize that this will all be a good thing to make sure we don't have to pay next year. But it did mean some shuffling. We will probably be able to adjust it again next year, as the current amount is probably to make up for money that should have been coming out all year. Make sense?
So....I said, "no groceries" this week. It isn't like I said no eating! We just have to use what is in the house. It is easy to say "there isn't anything to eat," and go and buy something. And we are guilty of that. We have some chicken and pork in the freezer. A small meatloaf (already cooked). A couple of containers of green chili. Some hamburger patties. Some frozen veggies. Rice. A few boxes of pasta. Misc can goods. Some yogurt. And I think we have enough lunch stuff for packing lunch for camp.
What we don't have is milk, cereal, or fruit.
We aren't going to starve. The kids may not always be happy (as they have become picky). But this is what we have. You can eat it....or you can be hungry. Your call.
We haven't purchased groceries since Saturday, and while this may not sound like a big deal...it is for us! Since G-man works at the store, it is insanely easy to buy stuff all the time. And this is the root of why we are constantly overbudget on groceries.
We have about $125 to last until next Wednesday (my payday). So buying alot of groceries isn't an option this week. I know we will need to get those few missing items, as I am doubtful we will be able to go a week without milk. But otherwise...we have food....make due.
I know this is how most of you operate.....but this is newer territory for us. I am going to celebrate my emptying of the pantry, fridge, and freezer with a deep clean of all of it before restocking! Heck, if we are able, maybe we will defrost the stand alone freezer if we can cram everything in the upstairs freezer.
I think we can do it!!!
Because there is just the two of us I really don't spend much on groceries, but we do spend a lot on medications.
ReplyDeleteLuckily our medication bill isn't too bad. Bossy's feeding supplies...that is another story!
DeleteWhere do you get B1G2Free?! That's a great deal. And $0.30 off gas for $50 worth? Wow, I'd be so over that... and I know, seems the moment you start fasting, things just drop at your front door out of spite. You can totally do it. It sounds like enough food to stretch out! My best advice? Plan! Especially if it's new territory. Get a menu together to make sure you can stretch/utilize the food properly without having an itch to buy something. Though those $0.30 off gas... ugh, temptation!
ReplyDeletePrice Chopper runs sales B1G2 Free on certain items, and bread is one of them. Between sandwiches, toast, whatever...we use a fair amount. It freezes well, so we try and stock up when we can. No more than 6 though. We found out that if it is in the freezer too long...it gets dry.
DeleteThe gas....Stop and Shop runs this coupon periodically. Also, on a weekly basis, they have certain items if you buy 5, or 7 or whatever...you get bonus gas points too.
I hardly go to the grocery store, but when I go, I go big. This past weekend was a BIG weekend. I spent $240 on groceries and we are STOCKED for a while. At some point we'll have to supplement for milk and eggs and such things but it won't be for at least a week if not more. I'll definitely have to make one more trip right before school starts on the 20th to get deli meat and cheese for sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteI never ever let milk run out. I always buy a few when I go but because I use Almond Milk, the shelf life is WAY longer than regular milk so I can buy four or five bottles of it when it's on sale and the expiration date is at least a month away. It's one of my favorite perks of Almond Milk actually.
If we are running on empty, we will spend about that much to restock. And yes, before school starts (30th for us), we will have to restock on lunch items (making due right now).
DeleteI did end up buying milk, fruit, bread, and sandwich bags today (I was at the store to pick up a few prescriptions, which were not part of the grocery budget...they are medical budget). It was just over $12.
P.S. I read you in Google Reader and your blog had an ad in the Reader window. Know what it was for?
ReplyDeleteWalt Disney World.
Oh, that was just mean of Google Reader. Bad Google reader!!!
DeleteGood stuff!! I didn't stay as low as I had hoped this week, but still spent less than usual, so that's a good thing! :)
ReplyDeleteI stated above in a comment...we did end up spending $12 today. But in the past...I would have spent $60 on "stuff". I just got the things that we had to get (like Milk, which was on sale for $3 a gallon).
DeleteStay Strong! You can do it!!!
ReplyDelete