Budgeting 101 Series: Monthly Groceries & Household Items 300 Dollars

Want to Learn how to Spend Less Each Month?

Want some budgeting tips or ideas to save less and get better deals?

I always do and hopefully all the work I have done to get my budget down,

will help you in some way.

So through a series of posts I will walk you through our family budget and the little tips and tricks we use to save us money.

Introduction:

Monthly Groceries & Household Items $300 a month

This budget includes Food, Cleaning Supplies, Diapers & Wipes, Beauty Supplies, etc.

And let me begin by saying, we live a fulfilling and enjoyable life and we don’t go without much.

We are a family of 4. (One in diapers.)

We cook normal food, &  we do “spurge” in some areas : 

I only use butter, we like to use  fresh produce and Chia and Quinoa in my cooking. 

No, I'm not a fancy Couponer. 

I use some coupons (a few each shopping trip) but I am not a fancy couponer and 

I DO NOT base my monthly costs by them.

So How Do We Do This?

Here is a simple overview of what I do each month.  In the proceeding posts I will go into detail about each of these areas and how to make the most of your budget and ultimately your money.

1.     Routine and A Plan 

By planning my meals out, I know what to buy & how much, we don’t waste as much and we don’t

“convenience cook or shop”

I know my meals, so I know what to stock up on when it’s on sale.

2.     Shop twice a month

Less trips means less extra spending.  It’s surprising how the little extras add up. 

It also means you use up what you buy, less waste.

3.     I price match

4.     Where do I shop: 

       We shop at primarily at Walmart & Winco

5.     We buy store brand on most items.

(Yes, there are some things I only like name brand, but most options I find are almost as good.  

In fact I recently converted to Great Value Oreos…they are almost an exact match.  It’s worth a try!)

6.     Stick to the Shopping List

Shop quick and to your list, the longer you stroll the isles the more things you feel you “need.”

7.     We don’t eat expensive foods.

I don’t buy fancy cheese, or fancy organic meat.  

  (But I don’t  buy cheap cuts either)

8.     We cut back on junk food.

It adds up the cost fast and the calories. I wish I could say we don’t eat junk food, but we do.  

We just eat less.  I buy them on sale, many have coupons, and again using store brand. 

I don’t use them in lunches.  We use a few boxes of crackers and few bags of chips a month.  

My kids eat animal crackers, gold fish, and pretzels for extra

9.     Cosmetics and Beauty:

I buy drug store brand make up, hair products, etc.  Some are store brand.

10. Baby Products and Diapers: 

      I buy store brand,  unless there is a better sale, but usually the store brand still wins. 

       (Amazon can have some great diaper deasl)

Formula?  Well, I mainly nurse by babies,  (It saves TONS of money) but I use formula for a back 

up and some conveniences…I sign up for Enfamil, Similac, etc. samples and they also send lots of coupons. 

  I also buy store brand as well.  

Keep Checking back for the rest of the Budgeting 101 Series 

for more ideas and ways to save money!