Ok so I am putting my frugal skills to the test and I started doing a dinner menu for the month starting in February. This included only 2-3 days of "take out" and the rest was at home. I also went to the store once a week with my gorcery list in hand for that weeks meals. I didn't add to the cart any additional items besides breakfast and lunch meals. By doing this I saved approximately $120 compared to the month of January!! :yay!:

I have been writing down all of my purchases in a small notebook in my purse and keeping track of where I go and how I spend. I also have been writing down the mileage on my car and keeping all reciepts so at the end of the month I can go back and see what it was that need to cut out that was not necessary.

I am pretty proud of this. That means for the month of February I spent $400 on groceries or food for a family of 5!! To me that is HUGE!! This month I hope to save even more. I am using January as a template of a useless non frugal month so that I can compare it to the new and improved frugal months ahead!

__________________
~~Sonja~~

My 3lynns~ Ashlynn-8, Brooklyn-4 and Kaylin-3

That's fantastic! You should be proud. I started doing this in January and it's a real eye opener. I have been keeping a spreadsheet that details what I bought (ex: spaghetti sauce .69, bananas .49) etc. and at what store. This way I can see if there were any unnecessary purchases, and where the best deals are.

Keep it up and keep us posted!!

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

Way to go! I keep hearing how much money you can save by simply planning ahead like you ladies are. Congrats!:yay!:

Good for you!!! Keep it up!!!

I'm trying to really watch our budget too! I think for myself I need to start keeping *every* receipt.. I never pay attention to where I put them and end up losing them..

This is EXACTLY what was happening to me. Now I put them in the same place in my purse and every other day or so I will pull them out and write down in my notebook where I went and what I got.
To utilize my time I have been doing it while the girls are in the bath tub. I just bring my purse in there and let them play for an extra 15-20 minutes and it gives me time to do it.

Another thing that I started doing was when I get change back I am keeping not only the silver and pennies but also the dollar bills. Right now I can do this so when I actually need the money it will be there in case there is a small emergency!

__________________
~~Sonja~~

My 3lynns~ Ashlynn-8, Brooklyn-4 and Kaylin-3

yah WAY TO GO!!! I was doing menus for a while, I need to start doing that again. Great job!

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

Back together!! Sept 28th Boston TDCenter!! Woohooooo!

Ahhh.. good idea!! I'll have to find a little notebook for this purpose! Thanks for the tip!!

__________________
~@~ Carla ~@~

Good job, I have been doing the same. I saved 119. in Febuary but I have already spent 300 for this month. That gives 100 for the rest of the month for milk fruit and bread. I hope to have atleast half of it left.

Keep it up.

Great job!! I do menus too and it really helps!! Isn't that a great feeling??

__________________
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

Way to go! I'm workng on this, too! I like to see success stories! And, hear how they were accomplished. Great job.

__________________

Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (12 Years), Andrew (8 Years), Stephen (6 Years) and Emily (3 Years)

*************Visit AyeOhKay's Blog - "Frugal & Fun"**************