budgeting grocery on a dime

grocery shopping for 5 people is reallllllllly hard sometimes.  i was on wic for a few months a long time ago when it was just jer and i.  when i worked at a restaurant i usually ate there and then just bought most groceries for jer.  when josh and i got together we planned a bit and set a budget for groceries.  it was so hard to figure out how to stay on budget at first.  we had a ton of weeks where we went over.  when t came along we got better about meal planning and then when milo came along we had to get real strict on our grocery budget.  what each of these things taught me was that a plan is necessary and that food is mostly an item that keeps us alive.  i like my treats every now and then but good and healthy meals come first.

it took some time and discipline but it seems i have learned how to stay on a budget and eat well.  some of these are old tips that we all know but it is always good to hear them again.  so here are my tips :)

1.  we have a rule that you eat what is in front of you.  i have one that has decided to be a strict vegetarian and i am not cooking veggie every night.  i know, a lot of people think i should tell her tough luck and eat what you get even if it is a slab of meat but i know how to make her a little something that is veggie and it keeps me in budget.  plus it means that she will eat what is in front of her.  we don't have to clean our plates but we will not waste food becasue that is just money wasted.

2.  plan not just a grocery list but a menu.  some do a month long menu and i have tried that but i have found greater success with a weekly meal plan because i can then shop around sales, paper coupons and digital coupons for a greater savings.  

3.  even schmancy ingredients have cheap substitutes. i have made my own mascarpone and cake flour to save money and the item still turns out wonderful.

4.  cut coupons.  i never really did this but i have learned and am still learning a few coupon tricks to get things for super cheap and sometimes for free (and no i am not a crazy couponer).

5.  i only use coupons when it actually works for me.  if one item is cheap with no coupon then that is what i go for.

6.  i enjoy some processed foods but i personally can't eat processed items for very long without feeling ill plus it is terrible for your overall health and diet.  i have finally figured out how to get away from boxed dinners and actually save money!

7.  OMG DO NOT shop hungry!  who knew that was sooooooo true!!??  and DO NOT shop with people.  i mean you gotta do what you gotta do but if you can ditch the kiddos and the spouse for an hour then do it.  i have taken the kids and it becomes a frazzled mess and i have taken my husband and he insist we need certain things that we didn't plan for ;).

8.  i buy bigger if i have room, otherwise i buy what is cheaper.  i have no pantry and i hate when things are hanging around to long.  so while my husband would lecture me on looking at unit price, sometime i just have to buy what is cheaper because i have room for it in the budget.  

i know there is tons of advice people have for shopping.  i am always finding new thrifty purchases.

if you have a thought you'd like to share leave a comment.  now off to the grocery store!  happy shopping and we'll chat again soon!