tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post6183221600379913049..comments2023-09-02T07:09:34.264-04:00Comments on Digging Out From Our Mess: Grocery Reality CheckMystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-34389019440017612682010-07-15T17:50:00.371-04:002010-07-15T17:50:00.371-04:00I was so amazed when I started tracking it how muc...I was so amazed when I started tracking it how much I actually spend!<br /><br />Love the blog! Keep up the great work!Coupon Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13588970586050978614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-54767427659961354072009-09-11T22:07:42.889-04:002009-09-11T22:07:42.889-04:00We absolutely never eat out as family unless we...We absolutely never eat out as family unless we're traveling (which we do at least twice a year). I have found that to be a HUGE way we have helped our food budget.<br /><br />I have been thinking about blogging specifics about our grocery bill for a family of five... Off the top of my head I w/say we stay around $500, which includes personal stuff like toilet paper, tooth brushes, facial soap, etc. I am not a big makeup person, so no budget breaker there.<br /><br />The #1 thing I do that helps with grocery budget is meal plan. It's tedious and boring, but it saves so much, and helps keep dinner time from being a last-minute scrounge.<br /><br />#2 Saver would be utilizing leftovers, whether that's eating the same thing again or using what's left and incorporating it into a different meal. NEVER throw food away.<br /><br />#3- I get us special treats, especially for the kids' lunch that helps encourage them to take their lunches and not buy at school. I also get frozen pizzas which substitute ordering out pizza that we used to do to give me a break from cooking.<br /><br />#4 Couponing and stockpiling based on sales, and matching sales with coupons, is a given. I could be doing a much better job on this. Check out http://www.5dollardinners.com/<br /><br />I'll stop now! I hope you can tell I am cheering you on!Jolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511682180313702603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-74348443742202079692009-09-11T19:42:01.978-04:002009-09-11T19:42:01.978-04:00The Dollar menu rocks!The Dollar menu rocks!Mystihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-47953199231324643612009-09-11T19:38:24.925-04:002009-09-11T19:38:24.925-04:00Thank God for McDonald's!!!Thank God for McDonald's!!!Melissa and Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283814944020926916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-71752966670034056062009-09-11T19:00:54.176-04:002009-09-11T19:00:54.176-04:00I don't think that we will be able to make $34...I don't think that we will be able to make $340. That is optimistic!!! I had budgeted $400, and that is tight. <br /><br />We spent $620 last month, but like I said, I think part of that was having company. YIKES, I hope we don't spend that much....our budget (with every dollar has a name), doesn't allow for that.<br /><br />We only have a $50 a month allowance for eating out.Mystihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-52432298471491163782009-09-11T18:27:02.012-04:002009-09-11T18:27:02.012-04:00Hey Mysti! Do I understand that right? Your tryin...Hey Mysti! Do I understand that right? Your trying to reach $340.00 per month for Groceries? WOW! We are a family of 5 and we have a budget of $620.00/month and we end up having to borrow from other budget areas for Milk, Eggs, Bread as we get closer to payday. You probably know I am a Dave Ramsey follower and he provides some recommended budget percentages..let me know if you want me to send those on. So..look at the victories..as yo start to climb out of debt...it's not what you spent on groceries..it's what you SAVED by not going out! KEEP GOING!!Melissa and Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283814944020926916noreply@blogger.com