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grocery update...

so i had a request to share a few tips on how i cut my grocery budget...

first off...here is my entire 3 week total: 229.28 for food items and 23.09 for toiletry type items...this is more than usual, but i had to buy both of my kids battery powered toothbrushes (that is for another post) and my hubby is particular about his soap and i'm particular about my face lotion...unusual needs for this month....but when you total that i'm about at $85 which is 10 higher than my goal...however according to my grocery list i should be able to do this week for under $50. that would bring me to my actual $75 goal....so all in all i'm doing good...

here are my tips...

use what you have - pick a week and use up what you have in your freezer and pantry.
shop for meat sales and buy only for your week.
when using milk in baking use half milk/half water
bake snacks
drink more water in your house (not bottled...invest in a purifying pitcher and fill it from your tap...then pour it in your glass)
buy 1-2 fruits instead of 3-4
eat all your leftovers

here is what i did today...

i took stock of what meat i had left in my freezer - ground beef so we will have chili. the only ingredient i need to buy is tomato juice that i can get for .89

i made pork tenderloin for last night - so i will turn it into stir-fry tomorrow night and use up left over veggies...cost me 0

i have to take 2 pumpkin pies to thanksgiving. i have pumpkin and make my own crust...just need evaporated milk on sale for .89

friday we will eat the leftovers - free

saturday i'll fix pizza....i make my own crust and use leftovers for toppings and i have sauce i need to finish.

sun we will have spaghetti and i have all the ingredients for that...

so the one meal left will be my cost - i plan to buy a spiral ham from aldi. i am taking a meal to a family on tuesday so i will make that - it will feed both families plus provide 5 other meals for my family. i will also get a box of scalloped potatoes at aldi for $1-2 and enjoy the feast!!

now, i do need to buy flour, sugar, milk, o.j. ranch dressing, butter and 2 fruits, but other than that i'm done....

so there you have it....i'll let you know how it goes!!!

Comments

the pastor's wife said…
those are great suggestions. glad you are able to work that out right now. eating down our cupboards has been fun! for me, at least. i think meal planning is the KEY!! that saves so much money for us.
November 24, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Holly Tried It said…
When Bryan and I were saving money years ago, we shopped once a month and then just ate whatever we had. I learned to grab a couple of ingredients and then go to www.cooks.com and type them in. I found some good and interesting recipes that way. One was sour-cream pancakes.
November 30, 2008 at 5:14 PM
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