I keep challenging myself to get my grocery and household budget as low as I can while still eating healthy meals and not opting for take out and restaurant food. As I went over my goal in September, but had a good stock pile in the pantry, I set a target of $353, all inclusive. I have already hit $219 leaving just $134 for the rest of the month. To not get discouraged by DH's rogue shops, I intended to set aside $100 of the budget for his off plan shops. He already hit $46 in spending. The other night the plan was to get more ranch dressing and salad for wraps; this turned into a $14 shop. I'm letting him know his limit is $70 now until the end of the month-not one penny more! That gives me on average $21 per week. That is the bad.
Here is the good. The only non food item we may need the rest of the month is pup's dog food. Target has a $4.00 coupon for his brand, good on the smaller 8 pound bag, to bring it with tax to about $11. I assume this purchase will come from my averages, I'm now at a really skinny $17 with tax. However, other than maybe some fresh fruit, milk, yogurt, and bread we need very little and DH is bound to pick up some of those things through his rogue shopping. I am stocked now with hamburger, chicken, ground turkey, cheese, hot dogs, and tuna for protein with a cupboard filled with baking items, rice, canned soups and vegetables, pasta, and sauces. There's items for breakfast and even three frozen pizza's if no one feels like cooking. We have frozen vegetables and fruit and some root vegetables and squash.
It can be done, and I know there are shopping wizards that do this tight of a budget without a full pantry, fridge, and freezer. The question though I'm asking myself is why do I binge at the start of each month? Is it because I feel deprived and feel the need to spend? No, I don't think that is it as we eat well right up until the start of a new month and don't leave the cupboard bare. We're not living like Mother Hubbard. Is it the promise of a whole month to make up the difference so I just don't worry about the budget the first few shops? I do know that some of it is restocking some pricier items that will last the whole month like toilet paper and dishwasher detergent. When those two items eat up $20 alone, the budget is impacted swiftly. Perhaps I just like the challenge, the game of it all. How about all of you? For those that challenge yourself to a maximum spend per month, do you find your budget is front loaded for spending? Do you burn through half the budget or more in the first week of a new month as I do?
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
8 comments:
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I tend to burn through the food budget quicker at the beginning of the month. Personally I have no theories on why it turns out this way, sorry. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAt least I don't have a Hubs who enjoys grocery shopping and will go off plan on his own. But he will go off to the liquor store all willy-nilly and spend, spend, spend. sigh.
But you have so much more to show for it as you approach mid month where as I often have wasted. Still, I do better than most when times and month is lean.
DeleteI always burn through 2/3 the first have of the month like Sluggy. I think it is because I have waited to buy a few things and then stock up then. I am trying to play catch up on my YTD food budget but it is not looking good. I went over in the summer months and now things seem even more expensive. Our freezer was partially stuck open for a few hours and we didn't realize it this past weekend - we didn't lose anything but now need to defrost it so will be eating down all the things I've stocked up on in the past two months. Maybe that will help.
ReplyDeleteIt is stocking up, but I also am wasteful at the front end. I need tp learn a marathon pace.
DeleteI don't have a budget, but I track spending. I can go a whole month without grocery shopping if nothing is at rock bottom low price. But, there can months where I spend every week because,say, ground beef will be $1.99/lb, contract lens solution $3.99, etc., and buy loads. Then, I shop in my pantry. For instance, this Saturday, flour will be $0.89/5 lbs. I will buy 3 cases, and not buy flour again for loooong time.
ReplyDeleteI was better at shopping my pantry when we ha less funds. I need to recoup that skill.
DeleteI can sort of relate. I think of all the fresh vegetables, see them, and load up. Then, I have more than I really need or can eat. Then, if am sick, some fresh vegetables are wasted. So, I just buy part of what I want and then try to buy the rest later. It's working out much better...same with fruit. Now, I just buy the fruit or vegetables on sale. However, I buy bananas and apples all through the month. I just buy less other fruit the week grapes are on sale. Or I buy half as many apples and grapes and two weeks later buy more.
ReplyDeleteI get so mad with myself when I waste fruit and vegetables.
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