New Adventure

I thought I'd start this new way of adding stuff here by putting some things that I do to save money on groceries.

My weekly food budget is $100.00 for 6 people. (I find that $100.00 is more than enough and I can buy extras in case we are short on money one week) I don't shop all over town. I'm not wasting the time and gas. I do live in a good area for groceries. I'm not in the city but within 2 miles of my home is an Aldi, Ingles, Sam's, Dollar General, Family Dollar and a grocery outlet. I always start at the grocery outlet. There is no consistency with this store-just what they can get their hands on. I always get good deals and buy what ever is the best deal. Sometimes you can get a good deal on meat but their produce is what I buy most. Then I go to Aldi, always consistent merchandise. I get a lot of things here at a good price. I get most of my dry beans at the Dollar General Store and Sam's. Better prices! IF there is anything else that I need then I go to Ingles, the major grocery store. I read somewhere to keep a notebook with the prices of what you normally buy at different stores. I found this to be cumbersome. I tend to know what I get at what price and where I get it.

Walmart has a spice brand that I can get really cheap but since it is across town I keep one ahead so I can wait until I go to pick up my husbands medications to get it. Family Dollar also has an inexpensive spice brand that I get sometimes. Most of my spices come from Sam's though. I can get large containers that last a long time of the brands and types of stuff I want and need. Some spices I don't use a lot of are bought at walmart or the dollar store.

I buy what is on sale and create my menus based on what I have on hand and what I found on sale. I don't make my menu and then shop according to it. I would spend more money that way. Groceries I buy this week are more than likely for next week. That way I can plan according to what I have. I also found that if I have a menu posted it keeps me from procrastinating until the last minute to decide what I'm cooking for dinner. That way I don't give up and run to the store for a last minute purchase on convenience foods. (or order a pizza! lol)

Meat is quite expensive so I only buy meat that is way on sale. Except for Chicken, it has to be on sale for at least $1 off their normal price. No exceptions. Sams tends to have the best deal on chicken but not any other meat. Go figure!

With all that said, any menus or meal plans etc. will be based on what I found on sale. I'm working on creating a pocket menu planner so I can just put my regular menu items on cards and drop them in the clear pockets rather than writing it out every week. If I ever get that done I'll post pictures. I thought about getting the pocket organizers at the teachers store but I know I can make one I like much cheaper. lol My menu planner has all 3 meals on it but I tend to use the ones for breakfast and lunch as an idea board rather than going down day by day and making what's on the menu. I do follow the dinner menu.

Once a meal is prepared, I figure the amount it cost to make the meal. Any left overs are freebies because the cost of the food is included in the first meal. Most of my meals are between 6 and 8 dollars. We do have at least one cheaper meal a week to allow for a more costly meal during the week if we choose to have one.

I have a standard list of "staples" that we always have on hand so that when I open the last one it goes on the shopping list. There are just certain things that I use consistently and help me to be able to whip something up at the drop of a hat. More on that next time.

Have a blessed day!