I got a email from Lisa asking “How to set a grocery Budget”?
Based on the amount of emails I receive I know there are just a few beginners out that are struggling on how to slowly start reducing their grocery budget.
First off let me tell you my weekly budget for my family of six is $75 a week. Doesn’t seem like a lot does it? Well, it didn’t start out at $75 a week. With planning and stockpiling that is the amount that is comfortable for my family’s needs. Your budget may be different than mine. You may find that you only need to spend $50 a week. My weekly budget includes food items, cleaning supply’s and toiletries. I spend very little on Produce because we grow a garden every year and I put away enough to last a year.
To start your own grocery budget, I highly recommend you sit down and know what the amount you are already spending each week. Make sure to include those last minute trips each week into the store because you may have forgotten something.
Once you know the amount you spend each week, keep it there. Yes, you will have to stay on that amount for just a little bit to realistically see a reduction in your weekly budget. But only for a little while.
Step 1: You have a budget. Now sit down with the grocery ads and meal plan your weekly menu based on what is on sale and the items you already have in your pantry and freezer. Don’t forget your coupons.
Step 2: Slowly start purchasing great deals to build your stockpile. Between your meal plan and your stockpile, stick to the weekly budget amount you have already set.
Step 3: After a few weeks as your stockpile grows your budget will slowly decrease as you are “Needing” less items from the store. Don’t be discouraged though, because this does take some time. Usually about 3-4 months for most. Once you have a established stockpile you will only be shopping each week for perishable items and the “deals” to add to your stockpile.
Step 4: Be sure to print, or cut from the coupon inserts ALL Coupons you know you will use. Nothing is harder on the budget than a trip to the store to buy products you have coupons for, sitting on the counter at home. A few dollars here and there, add up to hundreds of dollars of the course of a year.
I love you post you are so right having a coupon blog my self and also a coupon shopper it is so true set your budget and stick to it. I have been couponing for over a year and I have saved over 50% on my grocery bill. Theresa
I think the thing that most people have to realize is that they are going to have to take time and make the effort if they’re going to save quite so much on their groceries. The coupons you would like are not always the ones you’re going to be able to get and so brand switching is almost essential and you are absolutely right about sticking to your list and budget!
I rarely buy anything without a coupon unless I am shopping at a local store which is actually cheaper than shopping at he bigger stores even after coupons, especially for things like fresh produce, so I make sure to shop around and look closely at he prices!
There is absolutely NO reason to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars a week on groceries – I don’t spend anywhere near that, not even near $100! I spend less than $50 a week and feed a family of 5! I cook from scratch a lot of the time when I don’t have a good coupon and I keep things realistic.
The children know they don’t always get what hey want, they get what they’re given, we don’t go crazy on items that are not necessary (soda really is NOT a necessity even though some people seem to think it is!!
) and we knuckle down!
I started using coupons out of necessity and even if I were to win millions on the lotto, I don’t think I’d ever go back to paying full price for anything ever again – unless I really had to!!
xx
What are your tips for people who like me who don’t have space for a garden at our rented place? Also I’m a lacto vegan so my consumption of veggies are higgh.
I would try to can and freeze as many fresh veggies that I could. Also even if you only have a porch, a patio, or small area just right outside your door you can grow Vegetables in Pots. Almost all garden vegetables do well in pots. Pinterest is full of ideas for growing in small spaces. You may find something there that will inspire you.