Tis the season for summer cooking! What is your food and supply budget for July? Don't forget to share your bargains, track your expenses and let us know how you are using your food for meals.

I am about $240 under budget for June! I am setting my July budget for $600 again though and will try to go under again.

I am feeding four of us and a dog along with two summer guests. We should be eating a low carb diet but I have cut back on some foods and am using more processed foods to save for now.

We have budgeted $600 for July as well; $500 for normal necessary items, and $100 to work on any stockpiling purchases. I am fairly certain I can keep it under $500 this month, because I'll be canning beans by the end of the month, if not sooner. But we'll see what the month, and higher prices on everything bring.

Our budget for July is 300.00 for food. This includes any pet or paper products. I shop at the commisary since we are retired military, The prices are good, most compare to Walmartprices but do check the sale ads once a week for sales down town. The meat is great at the com. and they do have price reductions meat frozen sometimes. I have bought this in the past and found it good. I don't buy any junk foods except gum for my dh, he quit chewing tabacco cold turkey several months ago and chews gum like crazy. This has saved us over 120.00 a month.  He also eats popcorn most every night so try to keep this on hand. My dds and I have started a weight loss club and meet every tuesday night to weigh in and talk about our week and pass on tips or new food we find and such. So far so good, have lost 30 lbs so far. It is tough but worth it.  J

My budget for July is $250 which includes all food inside the home (eating out is a different catagory hopefully not used to much), household goods, and pet food.  There is 2 adults in my home and a 2 year old.  I hope we can make it as I upped it from $200.  We do have a good stock pile of frozen chicken and hamburger meat, as well as some canned goods like tomatoes and broth.  First time trying this budget tracker on Dollar Stretcher so I am excited.

LexiJoJo2006:

First time trying this budget tracker on Dollar Stretcher so I am excited.

When you shop, come on in and post the expense so you can keep track and stay within budget. Many of us like to share our good finds too. If you are struggling to stick to the budget, you can also let us know you need help or support.

I think we may have blew the budget last month. Honestly I just don't know. Ever since we got back from vacation I don't know if I'm going right or left for some reason.  I think its just that its summer and my brain is taking vacation or something.  So trying again this month!  I'm going to keep the budget at $275 and see if I need to adjust to a higher number next month since food costs keep going up. I'm hoping to come in under (of course), but a little over will just give me motivation to stick with the $275 in August!

Budget: $275  Spent: $0

I haven't been tracking my expenses in a while so I'm going to have to take a guess here....I'm going to estimate $600 for July - which includes out of town guests, 4th celebration and DD's birthday...as well as diapers and household.   Hmmm....600 was sounding like quite a lot until I just realized how much I have to do with it!

I've been going to Aldi and doing CVS as well as loss leaders from Shaws and Stop & Shop with coupons.   For the 4th we are going to the beach and having friends come for the weekend.   They are bringing most of the meat - I have already done some stocking from Aldi for breakfast, snacks,juice boxes for the kids, etc.    I'm going to have to menu plan for the week my IL's come to town - will try to do that based on sales and seasonal items that are available.    Hopefully by the end of the month I'll be able to pick some of my own squashes and tomatoes as well - it's my first garden attempt so we'll have to see how tha goes.

I have my July Budget spreadsheet started and placed it on my desktop for easy finding.....so tomorrow I'll sit down with the bills and checkbook and get going.

arianasilver:

think its just that its summer and my brain is taking vacation or something. 

If your brain goes somewhere fun, let me. I'll send mine, I should be able to afford that kind of break, LOL.

I have a budget of $400 this month for food, pet products, and hba.  I was under last month by at least $100 and I would like to continue that trend though this first week will be rough b/c I have to buy both cat litter and cat food.  I typically shop on Saturday or Sunday with a menu for the whole week.  When I get my receipt I look at my savings (a combination of both coupons and VIP card) and move that exact amount from my checking to savings account.

I'm going to check out a new store in my area called Bottom Dollar.  I think it's like the Aldi's I hear so many people talk about in these forums.  I may stop by on Wednesday or Thursday on my way home from work just to see what it's like.  If it's worth it, I may do some shopping there this month.