So far I've spent about $50 on food and groceries. Not bad considering I needed some pantry staples, which accounted for $20 of the money spent. Using the money envelope kept me from shopping needlessly at the store. I went "Ohhhh if I buy X by the end of the month I won't have enough cash! Plus it motivated me to use up a couple items from the pantry and freezer.
As of today, I have meals planned out through the end of the week, lunches and dinners. I'll do a small shop over the weekend to round out the pantry items.
I did stop in the local grocery store to the weekend job and by habit pulled out my debit card. I had already swiped and signed, but took the money out of my cash envelope and dropped it in the bank today at lunch.
I am not including cleaning and laundry supplies in my $125 budget. So we shall see how it goes. May was a disaster, June a bit better (I am eating the last of the car snacks from the cousin trip) and I'm hoping July will be a turning point!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Grocery Challenge Is Working!
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4 comments:
I envy your ability to budget with the envelope. The grocery store is definately a weakness for me.
One of the strategies I use to make food stuffs go farther (especially if it's a dry good) is to portion it out as soon as I get home from the store. I use either snack or sandwich size ziploc bags, depending on the food item.
That way when I make lunches or want a snack, I grab a baggie, not the entire bag/box. Which we all know leads to eating more than one portion.
Keep up the good work!
Ugh, the envelope budget is tough. I get into the habit of just stopping by the grocery store and buying things to make or eat-not great when I have a cupboard full of food. AND I really don't like grocery shopping so I'm more prone to grab and go. Hence the perpetual over budget on food. I like your idea of the ziplock bags for snacks.
I am so glad it is working for you so far! It has really changed the way I shop too.
Congratulations on doing so well on your grocery budget so far! We are just beginning to use the envelope system. It is helping already. I just wish I could take away dh's debt card... maybe we will get there one day.
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