Phase one of my Making Money by Saving Money project is a look at our grocery budget and how we can cut $20 from it.
This is probably the easiest one for me because we were generous in our food budget to begin with. We are taking out $400 a month cash to cover groceries. The only time that will be tricky for us is on the months that have 5 weeks. However, here are some ways I’m going to make sure we have at least $20 left over at the end of the month. (Note: We never have to buy beef because we get it for free from my generous farming/ranching in-laws.)
* Menu planning. I usually plan week by week, but have realized that we usually end up eating the same things anyway, so why not make a 4 week supper cycle. So, that is what I did. Sure, I’ll watch ads and coupons and make changes accordingly, but I’m basically going to stick to it as well as I can. I will also make sure we have some quick-easy things on hand because “those days” are inevitable. I also made a two week cycle for lunches and accounted for weekend breakfasts. None of the things on our menu require expensive or numerous ingredients, but I was sure to include indulgences – like once a month donuts – to keep us on track.
* Bread. I love making bread, but it does take some time. When we do need to buy bread (or bagels, english muffins, etc.) I will only buy it at the grocery store if it is on sale, otherwise we’ll head to the bread outlet store on 48th and Old Cheney. Last week, I bought 4 loaves of good Sara Lee wheat bread, one package of English muffins and one package of bagels for $8 and some change.
* Chicken. We only ever buy chicken from Sam’s Club in the big frozen bags.
* Scratch. Making things from scratch whenever it makes sense for us. Granola, for example, is very easy and inexpensive to make. I will plan on making this every other week.
* Coupons. I don’t use coupons much right now. We don’t even get the paper. I am going to try to check the different on-line coupon sites for specific things I need for the week before I go shopping.
Any other tips out there?
I love that you are posting about this Katie! I have been doing something similar to what you mentioned above...menu planning, list making, Sam's for protein (we get beef there too and I just separate it into 6, 3/4 of a pound packages or so...and put it in the freezer). Also, something that helps, on the days where I don't have time to make bread, I go to a bakery outlet. Not sure if you have one where you live, but out here...it's DIRT cheap. Plus, they have added incentives, coupons, etc for shopping there. I get 7-9 whole grain loaves, ham. buns, etc for about $7.75. It's fabulous and I always leave feeling like I am the luckiest person in the world. Call me crazy, I get excited about things like that :)
ReplyDeleteLastly, I do use coupons and check the weekly grocery inserts, but NOT as religiously as some people I know. Hardcore couponers I know are raking in the free stuff. I suppose they are really taking advantage of the websites and such. I'm planning on trying to get there. Essentially, it's free money. Free is always good.
Ok, that's it! I might have talked my way in circles, but by gum, I got something out...b/c talking about this stuff makes me so excited. Good luck and keep sharing your wisdom!
Do the stores in Lincoln have double coupons very often? I am going to send a bunch your way that we will not use. Some of them are good especially when they double but most of the time I just buy the shurfine or cheaper brands anyway. I always loved going to the bread store. Since it was 100 miles away I would buy a bunch and freeze it. I have downloading the coupons monthly from the box tops for education website. I am so proud of your organization. It is getting me motivated! Keep on saving!
ReplyDeleteHey Katie...LOVING this series! Sorry for the late comment. Bri and I are at the point where we're redoing our budget...we try to re-examine about every six months or so and tweak (and/or scrap the entire thing, depending :) So these posts are SUPER timely for us. Tons of great questions to ask myself during our budgeting.
ReplyDeleteMy only comment is on protein...since it is such an expensive part of the grocery budget! You might want to double check your chicken price periodically. We used to get the frozen chicken but realized that the big flats were cheaper per pounds. Since they don't have food scales at our Sam's, we asked the meat guys to weigh a few bags so we could see which had the most chicken in it and compared THAT price/pound to the fresh ones. They're not as convenient, but I take them home, flash freeze on a baking sheet then stick them in a bag so they become as convenient tojust pull out as many as i need.
Also do you ever do whole chickens? We do this: roast/beer can chicken one day; take all the meat off for leftovers, casseroles, chix salad sandwhiches, etc.; and then we boil the bones for broth. There is usually a ton of meat then we don't have to buy broth, either. I think the whole chickens at Sams are around 90 cents per pound or so...but i usually get them reduced for around 75 cents and freeze them right away.