It’s rare that I would use the words budget and happiness together. Usually, looking at our finances and all the expenses that we need to cover makes me want to cry, or cringe, at best. But, last month I decided to try a very ambitious goal of cutting our grocery spending in half!! Yes, I’m crazy.
But, thanks to God and Money Saving Mom and a few hours every week printing and clipping coupons and shopping and looking at ads, I am happy to report some success!
Here’s the year in review for feeding a family of 7, almost 8:
January $898.08
February $769.48
March $819.08
April $718.09
May $467.09
Praise God!
Updated: I found a check I hadn’t recorded so my May total is actually a little higher than I previously posted. That’s what I get for not using cash! It still was a good savings, but I guess I didn’t really reach my goal yet. Oops!
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, that’s awesome! Good for you.
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WOW, Jessica!!
I guess no matter how you look at it..time is $. For you, it’s clipping coupons; for me, it’s trying to sell Pampered Chef. Do you think you could figure out how much $ you’re “making” an hour by clipping coupons, looking through circulars, shopping various stores, etc?
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My current estimate on time is about 4 hours/wk for printing, clipping, sorting, driving and shopping. (Previously, the shopping part took 1-2 hours anyway.) So, if I’m “saving” $100 a week, I’m “earning” $25/hr. For us it’s worth it, esp. since I enjoy doing it.
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That is very cool!
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Once again, you’ve inspired me. I tracked what we spent this last month, and am seeking to lower it (by 25% not 50!) this next month. I’ll let you know how it goes!
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Updated: I found a check I hadn’t recorded so my May total is actually a little higher than I previously posted. That’s what I get for not using cash! It still was a good savings, but I guess I didn’t really reach my goal yet. Oops! Eating crow right now.
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That’s good to know. Thanks for doing calculations for me. I don’t know that I’m quite making that much yet w/ PChef, but I don’t think I’d enjoy the couponing thing as much as I enjoy PC, and I think I’ll work up to about $25 or more an hour eventually. We’ll see.
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You have done great!! What it cost to feed your family, it cost for us, a family of 4! Yikes!! I’m definitely going to go back and tweak my grocery budget!
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