tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post8121796826220837659..comments2023-10-09T10:01:47.364-04:00Comments on Frugal Fun and Fortune: New Priorities, New Grocery Budget...Meaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14182127439393473922noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-64226001546523236142010-03-14T12:02:55.489-04:002010-03-14T12:02:55.489-04:00Meagan,
We are a family of four, our children ar...Meagan,<br /> We are a family of four, our children are 11 and 14. Before couponing I spent around 650-700 a month on groceries, household and pet.<br /><br />After couponing I got down to about 300 a month. Then in November we made a decision to cut things like HFCS, hydrogenated oils, foods with a lot of preservatives and such plus we wanted to add a lot more fresh fruits and veggies. <br /><br />We tried keeping our budget at 300 but it just didn't work, we have now settled on 350 and that is really working. Some months we are under budget and others we seem to use it all. But the key is....doing what is best for your family!! :)<br /><br />~AmberAmberhttp://simoneysavers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-74262463212518375912010-03-07T19:55:49.928-05:002010-03-07T19:55:49.928-05:00Megan, Love your article! Thank you so much for y...Megan, Love your article! Thank you so much for your honesty and transparency. Do not feel bad at all at readjusting to the needs of your family. We all are just trying to be faithful with what we have been given. My husband and I are trying to get out of debt and have cut our weekly budget first from $100 to $60. Then we did the Eat out of the Pantry Challenge and only spent $20 and like you, was encouraged with what we saved. We are currently at $50 and will adjust if needed. It is encouraging to hear how others are doing. Thanks again!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14389650666934219983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-9909746325053130392010-03-06T20:49:46.962-05:002010-03-06T20:49:46.962-05:00Meggerz,
Keith and I never really "set" ...Meggerz,<br />Keith and I never really "set" a budget for what we would buy. We just tried to spend as little as we could. Since really couponing starting back in october, we haven't really "set a budget". In January i began tracking our spending ONLY counting grocery. We don't do too much CVSing unless it is something we get for almost free, so we decided not to count that in the $25.00/wk. (and since we work there it is always random times of buying and such).<br /><br />Anywho, we decided in February that we would try to only spend $25.00 a week on groceries. we ended up going over by $23.00 for the month making it more like $30.00 a week. We also had a superbowl party, a Kosovar Independence party AND had Keith's brothers family over, so we had a few extra expenses. <br /><br />This month so far for the 1st week we spent $28.64. So a little over, but i think we will manage!<br /><br />but go for $50.00. Yall deserve it! hahahKleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13700747191861294644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-37571874023403374872010-03-06T18:50:48.432-05:002010-03-06T18:50:48.432-05:00I have just started a grocery budget. Wow has it ...I have just started a grocery budget. Wow has it challenged me. I have been couponing almost 2 years but never on a budget. This is a whole new mind set and I am excited and a little (lot) overwhelmed. I just keep thinking that it's all about being balanced. Thanks for you blog!<br /><br />Kris<br />www.saving4aseason.blogspot.comKrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18317970521946734578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-68891471502807912762010-03-06T17:00:18.092-05:002010-03-06T17:00:18.092-05:00Hi Megan,
Fifty dollars is still a budget to be pr...Hi Megan,<br />Fifty dollars is still a budget to be proud of. That is $25.00 per person. That is what I spend too. There are 8 of us. I have 6 children ages 15 to 4. Of course, grocery money includes paper products, health & beauty, cleaning. Some weeks, I go over too. In fact my 15 year old has recently been put on a no chew diet (for TMJ). So, I have had to figure in protien drinks, yogut and such for her to make her own smoothies. She is very, very thin and I worry about her health. I also pray to the Holy Spirit to lead me in my shopping. And I ask Jesus to multiply my "loaves and fishes" And He does! God is so Good! We are not to worry about what we will eat or what we will wear... life is more than this. Isn't this what we are taught? I have been couponing for two years. A shopper for the Mandarin Food Bank taught me a lot. But, your blog gives me that extra boost I need. Thank you very much. <br />God bless you. Your blog has blessed me! Denise WGVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-37798922093957202592010-03-06T15:10:57.396-05:002010-03-06T15:10:57.396-05:00I think it's smart to reevaluate your spending...I think it's smart to reevaluate your spending every once in a while. I keep our grocery budget at $50-75 a week. I know I could probably get by on $35-50 but I know I would be miserable, stressed out and having to go to the store too much, splitting up transactions with $/$$ coupons! Time and peace of mind are worth something as well and I think you said it right, if we are making wise financial goals, being careful how we spend and stay within our own little boundaries, we can see the fruits of our labors before too long and not be stressed out in the meantime!! Thanks for a great post:)Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04054941681906662433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1803075224697455032.post-40071619924017861332010-03-06T13:59:29.468-05:002010-03-06T13:59:29.468-05:00Good for you. I was just talking to my SIL about ...Good for you. I was just talking to my SIL about our savings yesterday. Before I started couponing 6+ months ago, I was spending around $400-$500 a month on groceries for our family of four and two of the four of us are young children. Now I spend less than $200 and that's something I can be proud of. Some months it's closer to $100 but always less than $200. I just follow a few great blogs and try not to get too caught up in EVERY deal and just get the deals that are for 'us'. It can be especially difficult in the beginning deciding which deals to pounce on and which to pass, but now I've got the hang of it and it's become REALLY enjoyable. I don't watch every penny I spend but know my budget just the same. It is nice. I'm glad you've allowed yourself a little bit of wiggle room so shopping can go back to a fun challenge and not a chore. Good for you! <br /><br />A lot of us, serious couponers I think, get caught up in the money part of it for maybe some of the wrong reasons like you mentioned which can really suck the joy right out of the game. ;) And, when you (not you personally) take it all too seriously I think it can also turn you into those kind of couponers that give us all a bad name. The ones that are mean and sharp and insist and rudely push deals through, rather than letting something go occasionally, if for some reason there's a problem. Anyway, thanks again for all your hard work, honesty, and great attitude.crystalnoreply@blogger.com