wow great prices!

 Spent $18 last night. Hope to stay in the $400 budget for the month of May.

Brandy found ou this morning that 83 people will be out of job at the HOme Depot. Only managers will be offered jobs at other places. I cant imagine that a lot of them can move to another town or state.

Babs 

I just stayed at $300 last month with the use of free food sites.  I am hoping to stay at that again, and use the free food sites, as our budget is still in the red, however, feel that I could use up to $100 from our rebate check if need be.  Last month didn't have as much healthy food as I would have liked, less milk, cheese, fresh produce. 

So our budget for May is $300 to $400.

We have 2 adults and 6 kids at home this month, next month my oldest daughter moves back home.  Three of the kids use free lunch at school most days.  In June we'll get some breakfast and lunch groceries from a free and reduced price lunch program, which helps, so this is our toughest month for the next four. 

In that budget is food, pet food, paper products and diapers. We are vegetarian and I bake most days, which helps.

 Tracy, I am so thankful for the free food places. Last night, I got 5 cans of grapefruit jucie. I will give to my DIL. I got 4 loaves of sliced bread, 3 packs of pita pockets. The woman giving out the bread says that she slices them and uses them like a pizza crust. Adds a little sauce, some cheese and whatever she has. I thought that was a good idea, new one for me. Shared part of the bread with DD#2  Every little bit helps all of us frugal people. You are doing a great job. I think that nice thing to remember is that a short time of not the best food probably will not hurt us in the long run. Babs

Spent $57.93

Good deals:

• $1.85- butter
• .99 a pound - oranges
• $1.29- mushrooms
• $2.99 Purex naturals detergent

Total spent in May: $57.93

Remainder to spend: $542.07 

went to IGA yesterday and spent $31.16 there (started an excel spreadsheet to actual keep track of my spending! always round it up because I don't remember)   two flats of strawberries 3.79 each (2lbs) one for mil.  case of aquafina water 5.99 plus deposits, creamo, bread, bananas, round beef roast,classico alfredo 4 cheese sauce, sm. pk dried milk.

downtown at the bead show. stopped at capers an organic market. bought que pasa tortillas chips and a truffle bar. $6.59 . the chips are the same price as reg stores but the truffle bar is my luxury. (long line at the till where the bars are)

138.41 out my $500 budget so far.

Hi I am new here but hope this web site helps keep me on track. It is so nice to know there is people out there that are going through what I am with finances and food!

Anyway, I went over last month so I am hopeing to do better this month. I am going to aim for 200.00 but we will see. I have two kids and a hungry husband but thankfully he isnt picky! I will take any advice you guys have for me. I have been trying to find a good website for cupons but it seems that even with a cupon I can buy it cheaper if I buy the generic brand.

Thanks

spent $26.14 on food, well spent $19.67 at hopcott meats (natural meat) on almost 4lbs of lean ground beef, carrots, beets (for mil) and a package of frozen shrimp.   asked dh to pick up green onions and celery when he was out and he added a box of danishes for work 6.57 at safeway for that.  so 158.08 total so far!  

I starting tracking everything on excel. hard to remember to keep receipts!

 Waylen-

Here is a coupon site, go to the coupons by brand, maybe helpful to you and others- also helpful with Walgreens, CVS, etc.

http://www.afullcup.com/upload/cmps_index.php

Hope this helps!

Babs, thanks for kind words.

 Spent $39.99

Total spent in May: $97.92

Remainder to spend: $502.08