I have jumped on the budget coupon shopping wagon! I am used to spending 800+ on monthly groceries and am now trying to budget our family of 5 down to 350.0. big drop I know! Anyway, I wanted to know what you included in your monthly grocery budget. I have SEVERAL dogs and obviously spend a pretty penny on their food monthly, as well as all the extra cleaning, and bathroom items.

Do you included those in your monthly budget or are those seperate items?

for me its all essentials for the house so its all food,diapers,wipes,pullups,dogfood,laundry,hygeine ,cleaners everything that is not an everyday bill. mind you some of these items are only purchased once or twice a month.

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

Mine includes everything- food, baby formula, diapers, wipes, dog food, cleaning items.

I have saved so much using coupons and comparing name brand things to generics - also doing a lot of shopping at Aldi's. That has really brought down my grocery bill. I see a lot of dog coupons in the paper. I don't have a dog and if you want some of my coupons just PM me your address and I'll send you some.

Oh, edited to answer your question LOL!! I include personal care items and cleaning supplies and such in with my grocery budget.

Mine includes food, toiletries, paper products and drugstore items.

Mine include food, HBA (unless I go to Target), paper products, and cleaning supplies. I actually have a separate "pets" budget category that includes, food, treats, vet costs, and meds, if needed. We set aside about $20-25 per month for pet costs, anything not used, gets rolled over back into our "general fund" at the end of the year.

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~*~ Angie~*~
Wife to Brian
SAHM to Sarah & Andy 2/11/2000

I have mine set up a bit different. I do alot of shopping at BJ's. I have a specific list of what I purchase at Bj's and the price. I then set aside that money. I also have a list for Target of things I purchase there. Sometimes it's just cheaper to buy at Bj's and put into smaller bottles.

I also have a set amount set aside for meat at Bj's. I spend about 60 a week for groceries with coupons. I have really cut out alot of the convience food and really cooking healthier with fresh fruits and veggies. I get them at the local Amish farm, or in winter I buy frozen fruit for the house instead. I really try to not buy anything but food at gorcery unless I can get it for pennies. Sometimes the local store has cleaning supplies for 1.88 and I have coupons and will get it for around. 88. So basically it has to be a really good price either way. But I stockpile and right now I haven't gone food shopping for almost 3 weeks. I think it's a waste to just walk up and down the aisles not knowing what you want or need. I plan my menu around what is on sale and pack breakfast, lunch and snacks for us. I don't by single serving anything unless of course I have a coupon. if you need any help with the coupon shopping, let me know.

I find it alot of fun.