Well I have to admit I do buy too many sweets. I love sweets and I know if I cut back on those that would help a little. Mostly its just food prices going up and me and my family eat way too much. Its just upsetting to go in and compare and hardly ever get the expensive meats and usually only get meat on sale or in the reduced bin and still it costing so much. I spend alot on health and beauty aids like shampoo, soap etc and medicines. In my rural area there are hardly any coupons at all. Theres not alot of stores to shop at without driving a long way.

VT63:

I love sweets and I know if I cut back on those that would help a little. Mostly its just food prices going up and me and my family eat way too much

Cutting back on the sweets and portions is not going to be an overnight jump but you might find success with cutting back in small steps like one less bag or pack of candy and one less tablespoon of food at a time.

VT63:

I spend alot on health and beauty aids like shampoo, soap etc and medicines. In my rural area there are hardly any coupons at all. Theres not alot of stores to shop at without driving a long way.

I am not sure how far out your stores are. Before we moved to the area we are in now, I had a 45 minute drive for my major shopping. I did that only once a month and bought what I would need until the next trip, often beyond though as I like keeping several months stock.

Would stocking up and doing a once a month shopping work for you?

Brandy, those are good ideals. I have never been able to shop just once a month but I am going to try to put a certain amount in an envelope next payday and see if I can just use that amount for 2 weeks since thats how often dh gets paid.

We have done fairly well this week.  But hoping to do better.  Next week I am going to try to use up all our extra cleaners and shampoos and such.  We will see.

VT63:

I am going to try to put a certain amount in an envelope next payday and see if I can just use that amount for 2 weeks since thats how often dh gets paid.

Two weeks is a good goal if that is how he is paid. Let us know how you do!

 

$62.79 spent at Rouses

I got the sale meats and some other items that are lower than what I have been paying to add to my pantry stock.

September Spending: $187.66

 

 

Did a major shop today for the next two weeks. I will have to pick up milk and a few other perishables but will not have time to do a big grocery shop- have tests, quizes, and labs coming up in several classes. We stuck to the menu plan last week with the exception of one night and that was because no one was very hungry, so everyone just had left-overs or snacky items.

Spent at Aldis: $92.36 and at Publix: $53.88   ($146.24 total today)

Total spent this month: $225.71

 

This weeks menu plans:

Dinners:

“Easy Corned Beef and cabbage”, Parslied Potatoes; steamed carrots; rolls

Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, applesauce, green beans –or other frozen vegetable; corn-on-the-                                               

                           Cob

Burgers, fries, fresh fruit

Baked fish; seasoned rice; salad –or- fresh fruit

Left-over Corned beef and cabbage; l.o. potatoes; l.o. carrots

Chicken from freezer, l.o. mashed potatoes, salad –or- fresh fruit

Pizza

 Other:

Salmon

Vegetarian stuffed peppers

Curried lentil soup

Homemade Mac and cheese

 Breakfasts:

Bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, grits

Muffins

L.O. pancakes with syrup

L.O. muffins, pop-tarts, cold cereal, or instant oatmeal

Easy cinnamon rolls

Scrambled eggs with cheese and toast

Kiflis

 

Extra baking items:

Dessert for Sunday- Pie

Cookies or quick bread for Friday

 

spent $49 at walmart today but only about half was groceries. had a $1 sale so got nesquick choc syrup $1 each of got 3, 2 for mil place since the kids go though choc milk like crazy there.   little debbie snacks on sale 1.66 each so got 4 boxes to keep the guys happy, quaker bags of rice cakes $1 got 2, aunt jemina frz pancakes 2 boxes, gallon of vinegar 2.47, bleach 1.50, gilette deep clean shampoo 2 for $4, lysol spray..don't normally buy it but it is for the soccer shoes.  got a couple of lunch sets and pack of panties too. 

also got a talking transformer for ds for xmas or birthday megatron. had to get it and hid it in the car and then go back. grandma was with us. it was the last one. 

between $200 to $300 so far.

$164 spent on an Angel Food order

September Spending:  $351.66

 

Yesterday I discovered that I had a lot of frozen steaks. Since I'm not sure how long I've had them I'll be turning them into casseroles and soup.

I also discovered that I've got enough canned tomatoes to last quite a while. I must have found several 10/$10 sales or sales even better than 10/$10.

I have frozen vegetables just waiting to be made into soups.

I still need to buy instant mashed potato flakes to use in potato leek soup. I am tired of having fresh produce like potatoes go bad and make a mess plus bring in yucky bugs.