I started looking at what we were spending on bills, gas, and FOOD last night and realized that we had spent close to $1,000 on food alone in the month of August. I don't really know how to read your reaction as you read that. You might come from a huge family who loves to eat out, so to you that might sound about right. Or, you might love to cook and eat generally expensive items and shop at speciality stores such as Whole Foods or Trader Joes.
In case you didn't notice, we are a family of three. And, even though we are a family of three, Josh is not home 3-5 nights a week. Our grocery bill was $500 in the month of August. That includes both Josh and I making trips (mostly unplanned trips) to the store. The remainder of the money was spent on dining out. This means grabbing lunches and eating dinner out. Now, we all know that Josh works out of a car. So, I have to expect that he can't really pack a dinner every night. Well, I take that back. He could but it's not the most ideal thought. Luckily, being a cop he gets free meals at places like Chick-fil-a (hello, i'd be there daily). But, that gets old I imagine.
It's not all Josh. I never go to the store with a plan. Rarely that is. And even if I actually take 5 minutes to develop a "grocery list" it really has no relationship with what I'm going to make for the week. I have started to get better with realizing that not everything needs to be name brand. And, I've stopped buying so much meat. I think most of the summer we were grilling out steaks and other expensive cuts of meats.
We like to eat.
So, yesterday I decided I wanted to know where our money goes to beyond the normal bills that destroy my hard earned paycheck. I did a little analysis and found that we spend way too much money on food. I had to know that we weren't the only ones with this issue, so I asked several people what their monthly bill was. I received a few answers from mothers who stated that they easily spend $1,000-$1,200 on groceries a month. I received one answer from a family of four (two boys) and her budget was $300. And then I got another friend who saves a bajillion (I like that word) at the grocery store due to coupons, meal planning, and organization.
Frugal Living says the reason most people don't coupon is:
Couponing takes too much time.
It is embarrassing to use coupons.
Organizing coupons is too much trouble.
There are no coupons for the products we use.
Coupons are only issued for junky processed foods.
There are no real savings with couponing
I think Frugal Living knows the LeConey casa. Well, I'm not embarrased to use coupons. So, I can scratch that off.
But yeah, I'd say the rest always go through my mind. Plus, we don't even get the Sunday paper. Yes, I know there are a bajillion sites out there with coupons. It just seems so timeconsuming and confusing.
So, let's say I start to use coupons. That kinda means I need to start meal planning. I do that to a point but not 100%. I can't think about what I'm going to do in 10 mins let alone what I feel like I want to eat in 5 days. Those of you that meal plan for a month, my hat off to you! I don't know how in the world you do it.
So, I could plan meals for the nights that Josh is home. Ok, I can figure that out. But then there are many nights that Josh is working and it's just Tyler and I. Who wants to cook for yourself and a 3 yr old? Cereal anyone? But hey, that's a meal. Ok, ok. I'm getting the point.
So, my point of this long rant is that I've GOT to start spending less on groceries. Bajillions of people do it and save money.
How much do you think this cost? (taken from Smartspendingresources.com)
It should have cost $188.08
but with coupons, it cost 5 cents.
I've got to learn this secret world of couponing.
5 comments:
I know how hard it is to cook for just you and a 3 year old. I had to do it for Kenzie and me for 3 weeks. We did a lot of eating out or chicken nuggets or sandwiches at home.
I also need to plan meals out for the week and make my shopping list off of that. Maybe we should do it together and make a challenge. Like for the first week we have to make a meal plan and stick with it. The next week we have to meal plan and come up with a shopping plan based on the meal plan. What do you think?
well, the picture from smartspending resources...those people amaze me at how they can spend so little. But i also don't keep multiples of coupons. I have one and then use it.
I usually spend $50-70 a month at the grocery store and then we eat out twice a week. And I usually save $15-20 a week...from buying what's on sale and using coupons.
It's fun if you make it into a game :)
Girl, I'm telling you just let me know when you're free and I'll teach you what I learned in the class I took!! It's actually fun once you really get in to it. Now my goal is to have the manager have to override my purchase because I saved "too much"!!!!
I soooo need to learn the art of couponing!
The best thing I read here is that you're paying attention to what's going out budget-wise. That's the first step! I'm glad to see you trying to tackle the world of couponing. I've saved my family so much money over the past year. It's pretty fun now... a challenge!
My epiphany came when I was in line at Walmart last summer. I had my 50 cent off coupon for Tide, but the lady in front of me opened my eyes. Her total before coupons was around $100. After coupons, it was more like $30 or $40. I was determined to figure it out.
Don't give up! It can be discouraging when your totals aren't as low as the ones you see on other blog sites. But just remember that those people have been at it for quite a while. They've built up a network of resources to help them too.
Good luck!!
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