Tip #3 for 2009 $50 Food Budget

Let me start out by saying that I do not work outside the home, and my husbands job is 100% commission. I have learned the hard way how to make sure there is always food on the table.

There was a time when I didn't keep up with things, and when my husband didn't get a paycheck, we had little or no food. That is something I never want to go through again! Because of this, I try to be as frugal as possible so there is food for the 'just in case'. Last July for instance, we went two weeks without a paycheck, but it was ok! I had 3 weeks of food stored up. I transferred my husbands prescriptions to Target with coupons from the Sunday ad and get $80 in gift cards! I used those to purchase milk, eggs, cheese, etc.

I use coupons and purchase store brands when I can. I ask friends and family to send me any coupons they find. They gladly do it to help me out. I love Publix, which is the middle of the road store in my town. They are not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. I like their meat and store brand products. I do not by chips, ice cream, candy, or already prepared foods every week. If there is money left over after the necessities, I will purchase snacks if they are on sale. Otherwise, I just do not buy them. We do make our own popcorn on the stove. It is much cheaper than the microwave bags.

For household items I go to CVS. You can read more about how I save money there in future posts. The $50 dollar budget is food only.

Ok....here is how I did it/do it......

First thing first.....Take an inventory of what you have. Grab a 25 cent wire bound notebook from Walmart, or whatever you have around the house if you are strapped for cash. Write out how many cans of green beans, bags of flour, bags of beans, and so on. Check the fridge and write out how many butter containers, cartons of eggs, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, etc. Don't forget the freezer! Write it all down!

Second.....Flip the page in your notebook and plan your meals for next week with what you already have. If you have plenty of meat, start there. Add on your side dishes with what you have. ( I only cook meat 3 nights a week. We alternate with spaghetti one night, breakfast one night, beans & rice one night, and eating out one night. This helps save us from the rising cost of meat!)

Third.....Once you have meals set with what you already have, make a list of what you will need to buy right away. Milk, eggs, butter, fresh fruits, veggies, etc.

Fourth.....Next, add the things to the list that you will run out of soon. I like to keep at least 2 weeks worth of meats, veggies, beans, and rice. If I find I am running low, I only buy enough to replenish the stock. ( To help save money, I buy the big 10lb bag of rice and several 2lb bags of beans at Publix)

Fifth.....Save some room for great sales!! I like to save about $5 to $10 on my list to pick up great sale items. Like when I find canned veggies on sale and I have coupons. If it's too good of a price to pass up, I can get some and not go over budget. I love buy 1 get 1 sales as well. I'm not picky with spaghetti sauces or cereal, so when there is a B1G1, I use coupons with the sale to save big bucks!!

Sixth.....If after all of this, you still have a little money left, by some snacks, or ice cream!

Your list will not be the same every week. You will run out of items, or find things on sale. The key is to get what is necessary first, then if there is money left over, get the extra stuff!!

Happy Saving!!