~~~~~July's Grocery Budget~~~~~ - Page 10

ryans_mom10 · 07-29-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missystuy

As of today 7/26, I have spent 258.25 in total on groceries this month. I really want to hit next weeks sale, but I've already gone over and this is the last week of the month so I think I will sit this one out.

I need to save for August, as I plan to do a BJs stock up and I always spent quite a bit there.

You went over but for your size family and what you spent your doing great!

ryans_mom10 · 07-29-2008, 06:57 AM

Most of us are really coming in around our budgets again this month!Good Job ladies!!!

I think I can bring my budget down a bit more.I brought it down $25.00 this month and thinking about bringing it down another $25.00 next month.Not sure yet since when school starts I will have to start packing lunches again and that will bring the price back up......Gotta try to figure something out!Gonna start making a master list of things for the kids to take to school to keep the cost of lunches down.

6-paq · 07-29-2008, 11:55 AM

July starting budget: $500.00

Budget remaining: $-69.27

Posting this with total embarrassment.

Although, I have to say that it wasn't me that made these purchases. And, yes, I did show DH that we were over our budget before he went shopping.

Smart & Final ~ $22.96
cream cheese
apples
snow cone syrup

Entenmann's Outlet ~ $8.95
bread
donuts
choc cake (for my mom)

Total Budget Remaining: $-69.27- $22.96 - $8.95 = $-101.18

I need some advice. My grocery spending is within the $500 limit. It's our eating out that's blowing it. Should I stick with a $500 budget for groceries and set a separate budget for eating out? Say, something like $50, and tackle that issue separately?

Or, do I need to concentrate on the grocery shopping instead? Is $500 for a family of 6 too low?? I've been trying to cut down on the "junky" stuff and thought I've been doing better, but not totally there. I don't think it's too low, as many of you have large families and are doing very well with an amount lower.

I think my DH is trying to sabotage us. He is well aware of what I'm doing and I send him emails showing him where we are (that's the best way for him to actually see it). I think we're not on the same page yet.

I need help!!

georgia mom · 07-29-2008, 12:35 PM

****6Paq****I think it would be a good idea to do the budget for eating out seperately, once it is gone you would just have to fix something at home to eat. Also, there are only 3 of us here, so I am not sure if $500 is too low for your size family, but you could look over your purchases and see if there are a few things you could change or cut out to get it lower also. For example, you could pop your own popcorn instead of buying the individual bags, you could make your own pancake mix and syrup instead of buying it, or make homemade mac & cheese instead of buying the boxes. If you work you could set aside maybe 30 minutes a week to make up a few things ahead of time. And you could also join one of the coupon trains on here to help as well. Do you pay the bills or does your dh? If you pay them maybe that is why he is not taking it so seriously.

ryans_mom10 · 07-29-2008, 12:45 PM

Save A Lot~

2 jugs of apple juice@1.49 each
box of frozen hamburger patties(20 count)5.99
bag of frozen bean and cheese burritos 2.99
bag of worchestershire chips 1.99
2 bags of chicken noodles and sauce@.69 each
2 bags of hamburger buns@.78 each
mango twist juice .99
container or sour cream 1.29
strawberry breeze juice .99

left of budget~137.43
Save A Lot~20.07
Left of Budget~117.36

6-paq · 07-29-2008, 05:31 PM

georgia mom ~ Thanks for your advice! It's funny that you mention the popcorn, as I just bought a box at Costco and it was $10!!! I told DH that was the last time I was buying it. We have a stove-top popper that's sitting in the cupboard. Well, we're going to break it out and start using it again when the microwave stuff is gone!!!

I do think I need to start making more meals ahead and they'll be ready on those later nights when we're at the YMCA. That will hopefully tame my DH a bit.

I am a coupon user, but have started shopping more at Costco. That seems to be cheaper for us, as I tend to make more trips and spend more when I coupon. That reminds me, I have a $20 catalina from my grocers that I have to use up before it expires!!

Yes, I handle all of the finances in the family. DH's doesn't seem to be listening about the food budget, but has called me twice to discuss what I've spent the last 2 days clothes shopping for the kids! I think it's all about his priorities.

I think I may break up the food and eating out separately next month. I may try to decrease the food portion and see if it's doable. That $500 may be too high. There were some food purchases made this month that have to be re-thought (i.e., the popcorn,etc.).

6-paq · 07-29-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryans_mom10

left of budget~137.43
Save A Lot~20.07
Left of Budget~117.36

Oh my gosh girl, look how much you have left of your budget!! You're doing awesome!!

I have to agree that everyone (except me

) is doing really well this month!! WTG ladies!!

swishina · 07-29-2008, 11:24 PM

7/29 Smith's 11.56
3 boxes cereal
4 apple juice
cookies
toilet bowl cleaner
baby wipes

Overall, I think I went about $10 over this month, after my $25 stock-up money AND a $25 gift card. Not so good! I am definitely planning on doing better next month. I am getting better at not making in between trips, and I need to keep the weekly amount down as well.

Missystuy · 07-30-2008, 08:00 AM

6pak, my question is, do you HAVE to eat out?? If this is something that is a budget buster each and every time, maybe you could try to cut out as much as possible when it comes to eating out. I know it would be hard to do cold turkey, but maybe if you cut back, like allow yourself 1 eat out meal per week or every two weeks, ect. I would still keep it in your grocery budget as a means to keep a goal to work toward.

Another suggestion is to have more convinece foods on hand and work those into your grocery budget so youdon't have to eat out so much. Maybe plan ahead and put some meals in the freezer so you have better alternatives.

Just an idea

6-paq · 07-31-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missystuy

6pak, my question is, do you HAVE to eat out?? If this is something that is a budget buster each and every time, maybe you could try to cut out as much as possible when it comes to eating out. I know it would be hard to do cold turkey, but maybe if you cut back, like allow yourself 1 eat out meal per week or every two weeks, ect. I would still keep it in your grocery budget as a means to keep a goal to work toward.

Another suggestion is to have more convinece foods on hand and work those into your grocery budget so youdon't have to eat out so much. Maybe plan ahead and put some meals in the freezer so you have better alternatives.

Just an idea

Thanks for the suggestions Missy! I am going to try to limit the fast food runs to one per week to start. I'm going to also try to keep that amount of the budget separate, so maybe DH will really see how it is adding up.

I'll also try to plan out my meals more like most of you have already been doing. If I already have something cooking in the cp on the nights we go to the YMCA, then it's harder to pick up dinner on the way home.