I decided to start with this one as it's the easiest of my changes - I have to think about some instances with the other 2 before I go forward.
I said I was going to get our grocery budget to $125 every 2 weeks. Here's how:
I'm going to plan menus ahead of time. Not necessarily around the sale ads. I want to eat what I'm hungry for - not what the store says I want to eat. I'm also going to cook in smaller batches as to avoid having to eat one thing for a week and getting sick of it three days in.
I'm going to continue to make meals that can stretch out a few days, like casseroles, pepper steak, stroganoff, Salisbury steak, oh, Reuben casserole and Cabbage Roll Casserole (I haven't made those in a long time)!
I'm going to continue going to Aldi for our staple items - actually for the majority of my list. If I need it and they sell it - I'll buy it there. I do go there first.
I'm going to STICK to my list. The no shopping for 365 will help that, I'm sure. I'm also contemplating to have me do the Aldi shopping and sending Jeremy to the big store with my other list. He STICKS to the list!
We always check the reduced meat sections for deal. When I do buy meat.
No more pop! I'm not buying it. We don't need it!
No more stockpiling! 1 to spare is all. When the spare comes out of the pantry, that item goes on the list. I don't need 3 jars of mayo at a time.
I'm no longer cutting coupons. I spend $1.75 on the newspaper simply for the coupons. I keep a bunch for things I don't normally buy - just to try them. And, I find I spend more if I have coupons. I feel like I'm wasting if I don't use it. So is that coupon really saving me anything? If I happen upon some for items that I normally buy, I'll use them.
I also intend to stay out of our local grocery store. I bought a bottle of Ranch salad dressing there once for $2.79 (store brand), the name brand, at the big bag store = $1.58! Not to mention, they have a fuel rewards system that isn't worth it! Of course, emergency run-outs are the exception. When you need eggs, driving 20 minutes to the big bag store is NOT worth it!
And the kicker - I will only pay for my groceries using C A S H! Think about it a minute - if you only have $100 in your hand - you can only spend $100 right? So, you think long and hard about everything you put in that cart if you only have $100!
I'm open to any suggestions you have or things you do to save money on groceries. I'm willing to share any of my casserole or meal stretcher recipes with you. If you have any that you'd like to share, I'd gladly take them too.
I will be posting the results of my bi-weekly grocery shopping out here. I need some way to be accountable and well, if I have to tell you what I did, then I am. Oh, and this is starting immediately.
These all sound like good strategies to me, and a few of them are ongoing goals of mine, too, though there is always room for improvement. We've gotten a lot better at meal-planning and sticking to our list at the store (and buying more generic), but mid-week, when we don't want one of the meals we've planned for, that's usually when we follow our stomachs and do something other than what was planned. :) D'oh!
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing you luck and look forward to hearing how it goes. Also, recipes are always welcome to be shared! That reuben casserole has me intrigued... :)
I think this is great!! I plan my meals by whats on sale in the ads. When you have to cook for 7 people I don't have much of a choice. The nice thing about that is , it's always mixing up the meals, and no one complains about ( oh it's the same old same old again). I don't drink pop anymore, and it helps alot. If only I could get Mike to stop drinking it that would be great. I did send out a few recipes for you today, and would love some new cassorole recipes. The reuben one does sound yummmmy!! I sent you a reuben dip recipe very yum!! Hope you try it. Keep me posted on what you are doing to cut cost down on everything.
ReplyDeleteGail. This is shockingly similar to what Darrell and I (more me) have begun doing. Ours is more out of neccessity, but I really would probably be doing for a greener life even if our financial situation was a bit less bleak. I've switched to a cash only policy so that we DON'T overspend on stuff we want instead of what we need. I buy generic whenever possible. I try to plan meals so I know what will be used and we too, have decided to stop buying more just because it appears to be cheaper initially. I'm not sure it is saving us anything in the long run. Sure some things for us need to be purchased at Sams ie; dog food, laundry detergent, etc. We go through that stuff like there isn't a tomorrow. I can't wait to keep up with your changes and I hope I can mirror them too!
ReplyDeleteImpressive. Your "making changes" kind of inspired me to teach something to my kids at work. Follow me if you will. I have to teach a lifeskills class once a month. My next one is going to be on citizenship. How, you ask, does that have to do with your "making changes"? Well, I want to teach them to be more aware and responsible for what they are doing. Economy, environment, community...you name it, I'm covering it. We'll see how that pans out. Thanks for the ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe only paying with cash thing is what has helped us cut down on our grocery bill the most. It really helps to stick to the list when you know you only have x amount of $ to spend. Also. Love Aldi's. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd as the other ladies have said, I'd also love recipes.