Financial Health Check Up- February

Well last night I went through all the groceries and household items that I bought in February. I have to say, that budget wise I'm still not where I want to be. It needs to come down some more, and I think limiting my number of shopping trips will help this month! I did that the last week of February and it made a difference. So this month I really hope to be right on target!

Having said that here are my totals for February savings... I have already added them to the side bar for 2008 total savings.

CVS ECB's earned $28.00

Coupons Clipped (Savings) $125.64

Bi-Lo Savings $58.24

Publix Savings $ 192.84

In other financial news: We have paid off two of our credit cards and have one left to go. Then we can begin working on the car payment. And speaking of cars.... we have both resisted buying that (new to us) used truck, as of yet. It has been quite difficult as we know we could easily take out a small loan for it. But we are really trying to save for it. Next goal: $1000 Emergency Fund

If you would like to learn more about developing a budget and Emergency Funds and such go to Dave Ramsey's Website. He provides a lot of great information if you are just starting out.

How did you do this past month? Have you set any goals for March? Leave a comment!

Cash, Debit or Credit??

-OR-

I am very curious to know how many use cash only for groceries and how many use a debit or a credit card??? I'm not advocating either one, I'm just interested in seeing what everyone else does. I've posted a poll on the top of my blog....take a moment to vote. Thanks!!

In other frugal news:

I came across two very good posts about budgeting that I thought would be a great read!

This one from Merchant Ships is called Cheerful Frugality and the Grocery Budget On a side note....don't you just love that title? Cheerful Frugality! I need to remember that!

The other one is from the website Simple Debt Free Living... it's titled Grocery Saving Tips This post is loaded with information, some that works for me and some that doesn't.

Both provide several tips and suggestions that I could strive toward implementing in my own budget.

Still Mulling It Over....

This is how I look when I think about going to cash only for groceries! LOL! BTW- That's one of my favorite movies!

Thank you all for your responses yesterday. They really helped me to continue thinking through my whole grocery plan. The keys things that I want to change are the frequency of the trips to the store and the day I do my menu planning and head to the store. (IE: planning around the recent store flyers). Read previous post Here.

However, you gave me another thing to consider, and that was using cash only. Yikes! I can't even believe I am actually considering it! It's slightly frightening, because it's such a control issue for me. It's like giving up control, of those "what if I overspend? What if I don't have enough money at the register??" questions. I know that seems completely backwards, and I am trying to figure it out myself. I know if I use a calculator, and I tally everything up, I will actually be the one in total control of the budget. But what if I want to buy something else, and I don't have room in the budget? That's what I'm talking about....I want to buy what I want when I want (within reason, not like a big ticket item or anything, I'm talking about TGIFriday's frozen appetizers on sale 5 for $8)....that's the control I mean.

But then I also thought this: It can actually be fun, if I set the grocery budget on the higher end. Everything I don't spend in that envelope gets rolled over into the next week. When I finally have enough built up after about 4 weeks, I can put it in savings! Now some of you may already be doing this, but for me this was such a novel idea...you'll have to bear with my light bulb moment. lol!

Rethinking the Grocery Routine.....

You'll notice that I have no menu planned for the week. Yes, that was done slightly intentionally. Part of it was because we have had a very busy weekend....but I'm really re-thinking the whole grocery trip plan (or lack of it that I have had of late). I live really close to my favorite grocery store, and so I can pop down on any given day. Plus dh drives by it twice a day too, so if I ever need anything he can pick it up. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing and it sure is convenient.... but it has a few drawback as well.

1. Going to the store so many times, causes me to go over budget.
   


2. It's harder to track what I spend with so many receipts for different trips.



3. It pulls me away from my home and family. I know that sounds a little over the top, but it really does. Each 1/2 hour is one that we could spend together, or I could be working on some task in making my house more like a home.... be it cleaning, organizing, or whatever. Those little grocery trips are a contributing factor to why my housework is falling behind. (It really has little to do with my computer time..... umm right???)

So anyway.... this weekend, I was setting up my coupon binder, and listening to Crystal's Grocery Shopping 101 seminars. One area of my grocery plan that I think needs improvement is the number of times I go to the store. It really needs to be limited..... I used to shop once a week, and that worked out really well for us.

I already plan my weekly menu and recognize the importance of that. But another thing Crystal suggests is to plan your menu around the grocery stores' sales flyers. Well, to do so instead of planning my menu on a Monday, I should really do so on a Wednesday or Thursday. This coincides better with both my local store's flyers which runs Wed. thru Tues. each week. If I plan to shop at the beginning of the sale, I can be sure to get the items I need, because everything is in stock. As I have learned from experience many sale items are just about gone after the weekend, and I would be getting rain check upon rain check and having to make return trips to the store.

The other thing she mentions is to have a grocery envelope and pay only in cash. YIKES!! That one is much more difficult for me! I think I'm going to take baby steps and start with a new shopping routine and a new menu planning day...and see where I go from there. (Wimp! I know it!! But, I'm not ready to go cash only just yet.... lol!)

How do you all plan your meals and your shopping trips?? Any comments would be helpful!

I have a plan!

Last evening I found out that one of our local grocery stores was offering triple coupons again this week. I saved over 50% last week on items that we use, so I really feel like I need to take advantage of this. It isn't offered often. The only dilemma I have is, I spent an awful lot on groceries since the beginning of the month. Sure I was stocking up on many many items....but I knew I had to "settle myself" down a bit. So, I set my dollar amount for the last two weeks at $75.00 for both of them. Seriously. This doesn't include CVS at all, but I don't expect to spend more than a few dollars there.

So, I have my budget set. It's a benchmark that I want to hit. I also made my menu plan for next week, using everything that I have in my pantry, fridge and freezer. I am proud of that! I knew we needed mostly perishables. I have spent 23.00 thus far on those essentials. So that leaves me with about 52.00 to spend. I have a big stack of coupons just waiting to be tripled. So I'll see what the best deals will be.... I do need to hit Publix as well to get some BOGO deals. Between the two stores I'm going to see if I can stay within my budget. I'll let you know how I do....

It's a deal.... lol!

Okay, afer I just posted about how much I am learning...and that the deals will always be there..... I just found out one of our local grocery store is accepting triple coupons again this week! GREAT. Now I'm in a frenzy again. lol! I need to get a plan. :-)

Deal or No Deal? :-)

My friend Jennifer at All Things Frugal wrote a thoughtful blog today about her shopping experience at Publix. I have been thinking along those very same lines this week. I have a goal that I want to spend by the end of the month, but I also don't want to miss any really good sales. So, in trying to figure out how to plan and shop on a budget that works for my family, I made up the following list.... however, it is based upon the fact that I make up a menu plan for our family.... and for us and budgeting that is key.

When I look through the grocery circulars and get ready to shop the BOGO's or coupon deals...I'll ask myself these questions:

1. What staples does our household need this week?
This assumes that I made a menu, and it takes into account the fresh food, and groceries I will need. Perishables. Sometimes, it will be a meat that I planned our weekly menu around, or vegetables and fruit. Milk is always a staple here...so much so, that if I could, I'd consider purchasing a dairy cow! (just kidding-sort of) lol! Then after I figure out the staples, I see how much that will add up to. That way I can see what kind of wiggle room I'll have in the budget.

2. Does this work into the menu plan for the week?
Secondly, when I see some things, I'll see if they can work into the menu plan for the week. Or if the might fit next week's menu plan. For instance my family has not had pizza in a while, so since it is on sale I'll add it to next week's lunch menu, and I'll have less to buy for next week.

3. Is this something my family needs/eats/uses?
If it is something that we may use, and I'm sure the kids would eat it.... I may get it. If it's a really good deal. But, perhaps not in large quantities. If we use it alot, like the honey I just bought on sale at Publix for $0.50 each.... I will snap it up. Currently, CVS is having a great sale on M&M's, and while we could use them for Valentine's Day, or to give away to friends....both dh and I are watching what we eat....so I will pass on this product. (Even though I know I could get ECB's with it). What a great thing...ECB's and Candy! Tempting me for sure.... but I'll stick to my plan.

4. Is this the best deal I can get?
Again, if it isn't the greatest deal I can find then I let it go. I'll know if there is room in the budget, and if I'm willing to pay $x.xx for the item.

5. If the deal is really good, can I alter the menu plan?
If I found chicken $1.99 a pound again, I would snap it up in a heart beat and use it for next week's menu, or freeze it. Or like Crystal at Money Saving Mom.... finding free range eggs by the dozen for $0.20 each. I'd snap that up in a heartbeat, and we would be having a lot of eggs that week. The rest of the menu's could be pushed back until the next week.

I think the most important thing I am learning is this: There will always be another good deal. I need to remember that...I don't have to get caught up in buying now, in case I miss out.... Sometimes I personally get a little frenzied thinking...I don't want to miss this or that. As long as I am working on stretching our families budget, I'll hear of the deals when they come. (Like the recent triple coupons at Bi-Lo). It will come around again, and so will other good deals. I just need to incorporate the ones that work for our family.

Some Grocery Budgeting Thoughts...

I was talking to Dh about all that I bought this past week, and all that I managed to save. I have stocked the pantry full of food, and the cleaning supplies are full to overflowing. Dh said that he didn't think I'd have to buy cleaning supplies for about a year... (I think he's kidding, but I bet I'll come close on some things). Anyway, I began thinking late last night about where do I go from here?

It's almost like a huge rush to find these awesome deals and stock up, and it's a real blessing as our pantry and cleaning supplies were quite low. (All except Cream of Chicken soup) *grin* But anyway, I don't really need to go on buying in these larger quantities for awhile....but I know I'll be tempted if I find these good deals again. So where can I challenge myself now? How can I motivate myself in this grocery saving area, and still make saving money fun??? Here are my thoughts:

1. I'm still going to shop the big advertised deals of both grocery stores as well as Walgreens and CVS. I think that if I have a coupon for those things, and our family uses the items, well it's just a no-brainer to saving money. (This in itself is tons of fun!)



2. I won't completely stock up on those items unless I find our stock at home looking depleted, then I'll buy in larger quantities.



3. If the sale is really good, like 70-80% off with coupons, and it's again something we could use, then I'll consider buying in larger quantities as long as I know it's something that can last... like dried box products or personal items.



4. I plan on continuing to use CVS and their Extra Care Bucks for our family. This should still make it fun to see how low I can get my Oop and still earn ECB's. (I love to challenge myself!)



5. I'm going to continue to make a weekly menu (actually I usually plan out 2 weeks). This is my most dreaded part of planning. But once it's done, I know what we are having each night for dinner, and I also know what to shop for. I'll go to the pantry several times each week to see if I can use items in there first, further saving money at the grocery store. Making my meal plan also helps cut down on our eating out, as there is a plan in place for each meal...and like I said in a previous post, I'm not scratching my head wondering what is for dinner...it's right on the fridge!



6. I'm going to make a grocery list each week based on my weekly menu...and allow for it to be under my budget for the week, so that if I see hot deals, I have a little wiggle room in the budget to stock up on them. This will also be good, to insure I won't overspend on the grocery budget.



7. I'm going to set a grocery budget for each week. When I think of budgets, I think b-0-r-i-n-g.... lol! But it really is a great tool, and marker for your family. I mean, if you don't set a benchmark, how do you even know how much your spending? Or how much you can save? This will also be my personal challenge to see if I can hit the budget or even go under each week. What will that budget be? Well, I'm not sure..... I don't really have a feel for how much I can spend on groceries yet. So for now, I'll set it higher at $100 per week. I really hope to actually lower it.... My goal will be to challenge myself to go as low as I possibly can without sacrificing the quality of wholesome foods. I'm tracking the money I saved, and I plan on putting it in the bank. (More about that in a future post!)

So what at about you? What are your grocery goals for the coming weeks/months? Leave a comment!

Take your lunch to work....save some money!

This is one area of saving, that we are just not very good at.... and it's an area where if we improve, we'll see some big savings each month! We're sort of forced to deal with this area right now, because for some reason dh spent his entire budgeted dining out money for the month. He thinks he misplaced $20, and I'm sure it will show up....but for now...it's bring your own lunch. (BYOL) lol!

So, the Chunky soup and the Tortino Pizza Rolls I got on sale at Publix, and some Peanut Butter and Jelly will be heading to work with him tomorrow. Plus we have enough Pepsi products that we bought on sale at CVS.... he is SO set! I'm just excited that we have 15 more days (excluding weekends), to get into a routine of packing a lunch. Thankfully he does have a microwave and a refridgerator/freezer at work, so he'll be just fine!

We'll also be watching our family dining out budget. Since the boys have basketball practice on Tuesday evenings we opted to get a Papa Johns' pizza for dinner. They have a deal on Tuesdays for a large 1 topping pizza for $5. That's all it takes to feed our family....(that, and a salad made at home.) However, even $5 a week can add up to $22 w/ tax over a month. I know it's not much, but I'd rather eat in for at least two of those weeks, to save money in the long run.

I'm off to peruse the Publix flyer for next week. I sure hope there are some good deals!