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!!

Tip #2 for 2009

Go to your purse and get all your credit cards.

Now, put them in an envelope and seal it.

Place the envelope in a safe place that you can not easily get to.

I know...seems kinda drastic, but you will save so much money. Do you know how much interest you will end up paying if you only pay the minimum each month? You will pay double or even triple what the item cost.

Credit cards should be used in emergency situations only. Not for that cute dress in the mall, or that convenient fast food lunch.

So, vow to yourself right now that if you do not have the cash to buy it, you won't.

Happy Saving!!

First Tip of 2009!

I have been trying to decide what tip to list first in 2009. Out of the many things I have done to save money, how do I pick the best one to go first? I have decided that I will post the most important one you will ever get from me. It is the B word........

BUDGET!

My husband hates that word! But if you want to save money, you need to know how much you are spending, and how much you can spend.

So, today I am asking you to sit down with a piece of paper and write out what you have spent monthly on things over the past several months. After you do that, take a bright colored marker and write next to them how much you would like to spend. It can be scary I know...but if you want to seriously save money you have to do it. Even if you only slash your spending by $20 a month it's a start. Take is slow, you don't have to cut your spending drastically right now. Take baby steps and you will accomplish your goal! When you finish your budget post it somewhere so you can see it every day. This will be your reminder to save money.

Here is my monthly budget (family of 3). Keep in mind that my husbands job is 100% commission, so I have food set at the bare minimum:

Food - $200 ( $50 a week is a lot when you are making meals from scratch!)

Dining Out - $50 ( My husband and I go out once a week (date night) and we try to eat at healthy inexpensive places. This isn't every month though . Sometimes we dont have the money to dine out.)

Toiletries - $50 ( This includes toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products, makeup, etc)

Clothing - $15 ( I make a lot of my sons PJ's and shorts, as well as dresses and skirts for myself. This covers underclothes, shirts, and shoes)

Entertainment - $20 ( We don't have cable, but we do rent movies, and we have found a lot of free activities in our area to keep us busy)

Christmas - $100 total ( I shop for toys and gifts during the year to save LOTS of money!)

Son's Birthday - $50 total ( I do the same here - they never know the toys were on sale or clearance!)

So....stop blogging and make your 2009 budget!

Happy Saving!