For grocery shopping, I shop at four different places. I make sure I am heading that way anyway for some of the places to save on gas. Otherwise it can be a catch 22. But every week I get out the flyers and see who has the best deals. I then get the best deals and stock up. I try to buy things on sale and with a coupon to boot, if possible. I've lived this way for so long, I have to think about this as I write it. I saw on the net a woman who was supposed to spend only $400.00 a month for groceries and she called it a tiny budget. I used to keep track of what I spend but haven't for a while so for August I decided to save my reciepts. I have $316.17 spent for the month (family of four) and I see a pair of jeans and some school supplies in there. This also includes paper goods. Some months will be a little more and some months less. Our shelves are brimming with food. I try to buy healthy too even though sometimes it costs a little more. I have to not stock up so much because I have too much on my shelves and in my freezer. I clip coupons regularly but I only use the ones that really save me money (sometimes that can be a catch 22 too) or ones that are for healthier foods or things I simply think look good. It's always been a satisfying game to me to see how little I can spend. It's like a tax-free raise. For a while, I worked more hours (I work 20 now) but for what I make it is better for me to shave off that other 10 and save and make money the way I want to.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
For grocery shopping, I shop at four different places. I make sure I am heading that way anyway for some of the places to save on gas. Otherwise it can be a catch 22. But every week I get out the flyers and see who has the best deals. I then get the best deals and stock up. I try to buy things on sale and with a coupon to boot, if possible. I've lived this way for so long, I have to think about this as I write it. I saw on the net a woman who was supposed to spend only $400.00 a month for groceries and she called it a tiny budget. I used to keep track of what I spend but haven't for a while so for August I decided to save my reciepts. I have $316.17 spent for the month (family of four) and I see a pair of jeans and some school supplies in there. This also includes paper goods. Some months will be a little more and some months less. Our shelves are brimming with food. I try to buy healthy too even though sometimes it costs a little more. I have to not stock up so much because I have too much on my shelves and in my freezer. I clip coupons regularly but I only use the ones that really save me money (sometimes that can be a catch 22 too) or ones that are for healthier foods or things I simply think look good. It's always been a satisfying game to me to see how little I can spend. It's like a tax-free raise. For a while, I worked more hours (I work 20 now) but for what I make it is better for me to shave off that other 10 and save and make money the way I want to.
Back when I lived at home (bookoo moons ago) my mom did coupons. Every time she came home from the grocery store we had to all see how much she paid for everything. Being a teenager I wasn't too interested... but looking back... wise woman.
She would often get paid for taking certain items out of the store. The overall all bill was seldom over 50% of the original price.
For grocery shopping, I shop at four different places. I make sure I am heading that way anyway for some of the places to save on gas. Otherwise it can be a catch 22. But every week I get out the flyers and see who has the best deals. I then get the best deals and stock up. I try to buy things on sale and with a coupon to boot, if possible. I've lived this way for so long, I have to think about this as I write it. I saw on the net a woman who was supposed to spend only $400.00 a month for groceries and she called it a tiny budget. I used to keep track of what I spend but haven't for a while so for August I decided to save my reciepts. I have $316.17 spent for the month (family of four) and I see a pair of jeans and some school supplies in there. This also includes paper goods. Some months will be a little more and some months less. Our shelves are brimming with food. I try to buy healthy too even though sometimes it costs a little more. I have to not stock up so much because I have too much on my shelves and in my freezer. I clip coupons regularly but I only use the ones that really save me money (sometimes that can be a catch 22 too) or ones that are for healthier foods or things I simply think look good. It's always been a satisfying game to me to see how little I can spend. It's like a tax-free raise. For a while, I worked more hours (I work 20 now) but for what I make it is better for me to shave off that other 10 and save and make money the way I want to.
It's a good idea, if you are discplined enough, to keep a price book. Because sometimes the sale price at one store is still more expensive then another store.
There is a store in my town, that overall is the most expensive grocery store. But they have the best Buy one, Get one deals. When something that I use alot of goes on sale, I buy a ton. (If they have a limit, I go back every day of the sale, lol). When my favorite spaghetti sauce went on sale BOGO last year, I went home with 20 jars.
There is another store, that marks down it's meat in the morning on the last day that they can sell it. I buy a bunch and put it in my big freezer.
I also make my own "Frozen Dinners". Especially now that I am only cooking for one. I spent 3 or 4 hours on a weekend, and can cook up most of my dinners for the month. This past weekend I made Beef Stew, White Chicken Chili, Chicken & Rice, and Spaghetti & Meatballs.
A few years back I stopped buying Disposable anything. No Paper plates, paper towels, or baggies. I use cloth napkins, I use white rags (18 for $3 at Walmart) in the place of paper towels, and I use containers instead of pastic bags.
Also, most of your cleaning supplies can be replaced with Vinegar and Baking Soda.
One of my favorite uses of Vinegar? It can be used in the Dishwasher in place of the blue rinse aid that costs a fortune.
Check of your local library rather than buying books, and even renting movies (many libraries have extensive DVD collections).
Check out your local freecycle ( www.freecycle.com ), a great way to recycle unneeded items, and to get items you can use for free.
The best thing about these ideas, are not only are they frugal, but they are also good for the environment.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
(Just remember that you can go TOO far. Like my neighbor who sneaks around at 3 in the morning and digs through people's garbage. That's just creepy. )
A few years back I stopped buying Disposable anything. No Paper plates, paper towels, or baggies. I use cloth napkins, I use white rags (18 for $3 at Walmart) in the place of paper towels, and I use containers instead of pastic bags.
Also, most of your cleaning supplies can be replaced with Vinegar and Baking Soda.
One of my favorite uses of Vinegar? It can be used in the Dishwasher in place of the blue rinse aid that costs a fortune.
Check of your local library rather than buying books, and even renting movies (many libraries have extensive DVD collections).
Check out your local freecycle ( www.freecycle.com ), a great way to recycle unneeded items, and to get items you can use for free.
The best thing about these ideas, are not only are they frugal, but they are also good for the environment.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
(Just remember that you can go TOO far. Like my neighbor who sneaks around at 3 in the morning and digs through people's garbage. That's just creepy. )
I LOVE FREECYCLE.
Live below ones means... It should be America's new craze.
It's always been a satisfying game to me to see how little I can spend. It's like a tax-free raise. For a while, I worked more hours (I work 20 now) but for what I make it is better for me to shave off that other 10 and save and make money the way I want to.
Hybrid Mode
