Were you able to stick to your buget in March? What is your spending and shopping goals for April?

Keep us posted on how you do and share your tips for staying on track as well!

 

I wasn't able to go to Harris Teeter for 3 weeks. I prefer their meats. I shop the loss leaders at Food Lion.

I took advantage of a really good sale on frozen meatballs on Saturday. I've decided that if I keep them in the house I can make meals quickly.

I took a sauces class earlier in March and I will be looking for good deals on cheeses. I'll be making tomato sauces also. I am looking forward to eating spinach Alfredo over the pastas I bought on sale before Christmas. This is another meatless option for me plus it is budget friendly. The $30.00 I spent for the class will save me $$$ in the long run.

On a side note, I am making more quiches now that I buy eggs locally 1 dozen for $2.00. The eggs are really nice quality. I have gotten so I make good quiches.

One way I cut corners for my cream sauces is to buy half & half, heavy cream, and light cream that is the store brand instead of a national brand. This week HT light cream was on sale.Harris Teeter has nice dairy products. I also stock up on fat-free evaporated milk whenever I see a sale. I buy powdered milk also. I buy a national brand as Harris Teeter doesn't have a store brand of powdered milk. I may check to see if it is a lot cheaper at Walmart.

I buy butter on sale. I freeze it. When I buy oils, I look for sales and I try to use coupons. I buy and use canola oil. It pays to check the prices. One week an unadvertised brand of canola oil was less expensive than the featured brand of canola oil.

I am able to stay on track better because I see menus posted by members of this forum.

My first April shopping trip cost $124!!

I didn't intend to spend so much this week but we were low on dairy items, out of bread and low on some other things as well. I stocked up on pasta that should last us three months and also on canned fruits.

We also now have almost all of the OTC meds we need for a month and I have razors for three months.

 

April Spending: $124

Brandy I know what you are talking bout. I go to the store to get a few things and end up buying more then I intended to. I need to do a trip to Walmart. They have butter on sale for a good price. So I am planning o buying a few.

brenl:

I go to the store to get a few things and end up buying more then I intended to

I knew when I left to go to the store that I would be spending more as we were too low on too many items and there were sale things to buy. Then my husband asked for a few meds and I saw some additonal sales on meds where I can spend now to save later in the month.

At least I hope I come in at or under my budget.

 

April off to a good start for me  havent brought much at the store but Milk and bread  and cheese .. our local dills had 8 oz  cheese bricks on sale for $1.00  cheaper that I can make it .. I brought 20 .

I'm going to have to do a serious week or 2 of pantry challenges to not go over budget this month.  The good news is that we are well stocked.  I don't have my totals with me, but I stopped a few places this weekend.  I know my best purchase was at Farm Fresh -- I got two 4lb bags of sugar, 2 bags of nestle semi-sweet morsels, 2 cans of dole crushed pineapple, and 2 veggie steamer bags for $3.99.  I got a bit irritated though because the cashier thought that couldn't be correct so she checked the tape over and then called over a manager to verify.  I've done similar purchases at that store, but never had that much verification of my order!  LOL

 There aren't many posts here this month. Are you falling off track with the holidays and spring grilling?

 

 Another $160 spent.

I did some more stock up buys while the sales are good. Much of it won't last long though. 

April Spending:  $284

 

I have spent about $330 so far this month on groceries.   I have been stocking up on some sales like bricks of cheese and cat food.   I am trying to spend less and use up my pantry since we have more bills.   my pet food bills are high though this month.  still have $40 more to spend on science diet and millet.

my normal household budget is $600 a month on groceries.    of course I spent more in other months so that helps now when I am trying to cut back. 

probably another $50 on groceries for milk, fresh stuff for next two weeks.