It's weird. I find myself really looking at my pennies and wondering how much we'll be spending this month. I don't think we're on a budget but rather a strict diet. The less we spend the better. Like the less we eat the more we lose weight. I don't know how this will change us for the long term.
When we are back to earning an income will we go back to eating out more, traveling, etc? Will we just prioritize differently? Will we spend freely?
I didn't realize how much we spent freely before. We were conscious about not eating out too much and we don't window shop. But it's been many, many years since we've really watched grocery ads and bought only what was on sale.
I'm sure many people feel this way that we'd gotten to the point where I felt that since we were eating at home and cooking, I was "saving" money because we weren't eating out. So whatever I bought to prepare meats, seafood, vegetables, fruit, cheese no matter what the price it was less than eating out. And honestly it was. I mean the same pizza you eat out could be $5 a meal at home but $15 from Dominos. Or the one pound of shrimp for $8 would be $30 from a restaurant.
So I felt virtuous in not eating out but still spending freely at the grocery store. Now however I'm trying to curb our spending period. Not as much excess and I'm shopping ads and only buying what's on sale in the circular. I still won't menu plan but instead I look to create meals once again based on the cheapest things on the flyer.
How do you manage your grocery budget? Do you have any tips to save a lot of money? Our eating out budget has been reduced by about 75%. I'm not sure yet about our grocery but I wouldn't be surprised if it is about the same but feels tighter.
Change in spending
October 17th, 2015 at 12:08 am
October 17th, 2015 at 01:17 am 1445041073
October 17th, 2015 at 02:02 am 1445043771
October 17th, 2015 at 02:06 am 1445044018
October 17th, 2015 at 02:26 am 1445045200
The menu plan allows me to verify having all ingredients needed for two weeks of meals that mesh with our schedule. I'll prep for crockpot dinner if I've no idea what time I'll get home or DH's has a late meeting. This summer I've surprised myself with how many take-it-to-go meals we enjoyed outside or in stadium seats waiting for an event. We did two cook-outs at the big park in spite of the fact that it's easier to BBQ at home on the gas grill. It can be fun to pretend you're in the 'wilderness.'
I get bored making the same old stuff, if I catch a MS segment or one of the ethnic cooks on TV, making something that is appealing, it only takes a moment to joint it in the planner. Alternatively, big stroke reminds me of dishes to never, ever make again, didn't go over well!
October 17th, 2015 at 03:12 am 1445047954
October 17th, 2015 at 05:27 am 1445056043
We do tent to cook enough for leftovers and always have. He wants us to have a staple of meals we can make in a pinch and are easy for us to whip up.
October 17th, 2015 at 02:34 pm 1445088861
I think putting a sharp focus on wasting nothing is a great way to help the budget. Also, set a limit when you're shopping. For me, the limit is what I can carry up stairs! But that's just my individual hurdle. Setting a dollar limit is good, too.
I'm not a big fan of stocking up. I've done it in the past, but it didn't really lead to savings. My tendency was to stock and stock, always fearful of not grabbing the latest "great deal." It led to a swollen pantry, and too much spending.
However, if you know what you like to have on hand for quick meals, it's a good idea to buy two or three when it's on sale. The real issue is USE IT!
October 26th, 2015 at 03:51 am 1445831516