Stephanie, I have a few more questions for you. What stores do you shop at? Do they double or triple coupons? Because I use coupons and try to match w/sale items, and they still don't come out that cheap!! Some of the stores around here don't double coupons. Also, where do you get all your coupons? There are some in the Sunday paper, sometimes they will have some in sales ads for certain stores, but that's it for me. Do you buy them off ebay or anything? I really need to try and cut my grocery bill, of course mine will still end up higher than yours simply because I have to buy formula and diapers and some baby food.

OK, now I want to cry... I stocked up on ground beef last week so this week I thought I'd go and just get milk & a few extras! Yep - $140 later! That's a normal week for us! I was really hoping to spend somewhere around $40 or so! Of course we were out of quite a few things and they were all about $10 a piece... Tide, Cascade, Paper towels, diapers, wipes, ug... I was really hoping for a cheap week!

But I love the menu ideas and LOVE the website... I'm already printing off recipies so that I can REALLY focus on doing next month cheaper! I think actually I'll take December to plan and practice (since it'll be crazy) but by January I need to get this down!

I'm gonna have to start planning out some Freezer meals, crockpot meals and work on my menu planning!!!

BTW, do we have any type of thread started for weekly ideas on what to buy??? That's what we need here! People can post what good deals they're seeing! I understand the concept - find the good deals, add coupons and buy at a fraction of the price, but I just can't seem to put it into practice like some of you can! That is what type of thread I need!

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

In my head I know this... but just can't seem to execute! Sad huh! Maybe once I come up with a good weekly menu... then I'm golden!

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

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Stephanie

Sorry I missed this I didnt realize there was 3 pages lol. I shop at Sams for the meat and Target for everything else. No stores here double or triple I get coupons from online- I normally buy 2 + papers. and I join in on coupon trains. also contacting the companies REALLY helps- they send coupons for free stuff. I dont buy coupons- (im too cheap for that lol) but save the ones you dont use and trade them for coupons that you can use. I REALLY enjoy target- because they have ALOT of unadvertised sales and NEVER give me problems about my coupons. Ill try and post some of the deals im shopping for in a minute :D

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Stephanie

I fed a family of 4 on $200 a month by using coupons, stockpiling non perishables and freezer foods. My total bill is usually at least half off with the coupons and store savings cards.

We also only spend $200 a month for groceries and we are a family of 5 (but the yongest is 3 months and I am nursing him). I used to spend TONS of money every month but then I joined the grocery game, read everything on this website and others, and have food and hba stockpiled for months out. I spent a little more in the beginning when I found great sales and I have also bought coupons at clipping sites since our local paper carries very few. I don't have any stores by me that doubles coupons and I rarely buy in bulk. I don't do menus as I am too busy with the baby right now, but I do try to make meals around what was on sale that week at the store and/or what I need to use up in the freezer.

I spend about $400 a month for a family of 5. That includes non food items. My bill has cut back quite a bit. We do the powdered milk. We also rarely eat meat. We have cut our portion size. My big problem is that getting away from processed food and eatting very healthy can be a bit more costly. I know if I was using all the food that I use to eat, I could be way under that budget. I do have to say, that creating menus is a big help. There are lots of places online to get great recipes.

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Stephanie

I am still in awe of all of you spending so little! I just don't know how you do it!!!

Those of you spending so little... are you brand specific on anything??? I tend to just buy certain brands of non-food items! Not necessarily because they're better or anything, just because it's what I've always bought! Tide, Cascade, Cottenelle, Bounty... do you all use whatever's cheapest that month or do you just wait till your favorites are on sale?

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13