AW: Budget "Fail"

Barneso · December 2009

Normally I set a budget of $50 for weekly grocery shopping.... I almost always come under it by at least $10. Well, today I got into the store and eeeeeverything just looked so goooooood.

I started throwing stuff into my cart.... a 36-pack of ice cream sandwiches, a 36-pack of ice cream cups, some chorizo, some fresh deli meats, two cases of soda (I NEVER buy soda!), etc, etc.

I got up to the checkstand and was practically wincing as the total got rang up.

I couldn't believe it when my total only came to $87. Before I stopped working full-time, my grocery bills averaged $130 for a one-week period... and if I "splurged", I could easily walk out with a bill for $250.

I am SO happy that from the changed habits and budgeting, even when I "slip-up," I've still done WAY better than I would have in the past.

Yay!

New Wife · December 2009

did you go when you were hungry??? that always ruins my plans.

Barneso · December 2009

New Wife:
did you go when you were hungry??? that always ruins my plans.

I had a HUGE lunch right before I went! I was a little irritable which probably played a part in it. I've also got company coming at the end of the week so I started doing that, "Well, it'd be nice to have this in the house...." thing.

MrsRebecca · December 2009

New Wife:
did you go when you were hungry??? that always ruins my plans.

That always gets me too. Now when I grocery shop I go right after lunch AND I take a bottle of water and a snack with me!

HisBoysCanSwim · December 2009

I'm so impressed with your budget. I should think about this more when I go to the grocery store. I went today & spent $144 (just me & my husband). I also went last week & spent about the same. I don't plan meals & run to the grocery store for 1 thing, but end up buying a lot more.

MrsRebecca · December 2009

HisBoysCanSwim:
I'm so impressed with your budget. I should think about this more when I go to the grocery store. I went today & spent $144 (just me & my husband). I also went last week & spent about the same. I don't plan meals & run to the grocery store for 1 thing, but end up buying a lot more.

When we started meal planning I was absolutely blown away by how much savings I saw at the grocery store. It really helps to go in with a list. It also helps waste less food because rather than things going bad because you didn't know what to do with it or forgot you had it, everything you buy is for a specific meal. It also helps save money when I look through my pantry and fridge before I go- some weeks I only need to buy a few additional items.

spartansuzi · December 2009

MrsRebecca:
HisBoysCanSwim:
I'm so impressed with your budget. I should think about this more when I go to the grocery store. I went today & spent $144 (just me & my husband). I also went last week & spent about the same. I don't plan meals & run to the grocery store for 1 thing, but end up buying a lot more.
When we started meal planning I was absolutely blown away by how much savings I saw at the grocery store. It really helps to go in with a list. It also helps waste less food because rather than things going bad because you didn't know what to do with it or forgot you had it, everything you buy is for a specific meal. It also helps save money when I look through my pantry and fridge before I go- some weeks I only need to buy a few additional items.

Yup! Our grocery budget is around $120 a week but since I've been carefully meal planning, I rarely spend over $55! And we aren't skimping on food- dh and I both LOVE to cook and have nice meals with leftovers every night. Its amazing how much we were blowing our budget before!

Barneso · December 2009

I must admit, I do spend another $50 (on top of the weekly $40 or so) on meat each month. But I wait for the lowest prices and end up getting 30 or so lbs. of meat for that $50 - which has lasted me much longer than a month - closer to a month and a half.

Meal planning is definitely the key!

EnglishMajor03 · December 2009

Pg plays such tricks on us huh?! Good job staying under $100!

HisBoysCanSwim · December 2009

spartansuzi:
MrsRebecca:
HisBoysCanSwim:
I'm so impressed with your budget. I should think about this more when I go to the grocery store. I went today & spent $144 (just me & my husband). I also went last week & spent about the same. I don't plan meals & run to the grocery store for 1 thing, but end up buying a lot more.
When we started meal planning I was absolutely blown away by how much savings I saw at the grocery store. It really helps to go in with a list. It also helps waste less food because rather than things going bad because you didn't know what to do with it or forgot you had it, everything you buy is for a specific meal. It also helps save money when I look through my pantry and fridge before I go- some weeks I only need to buy a few additional items.
Yup! Our grocery budget is around $120 a week but since I've been carefully meal planning, I rarely spend over $55! And we aren't skimping on food- dh and I both LOVE to cook and have nice meals with leftovers every night. Its amazing how much we were blowing our budget before!

WOW. What kinds of food do y'all make? Whenever I try a recipe to make I end up spending way more because I have to buy a bunch of random ingredients... and then I never use them again, end up throwing them away, & wasting money. I'm going to pay a lot more attention to the meal planning posts. Thanks!