I am working really hard to get my weekly budget back down to $40, versus the $50 I have been hovering at the last few weeks. I am working on it, because I KNOW I can do it. I am just not being as disciplined as I know I can be. Now, I am doing a nice bit of donation deals, but even with that I want to get back to my idea $$!
I really don’t like to dip into next weeks funds, but I am doing it this week and I am determined not to over do it, even though I have to get my pork tenderloin and do some great Food Donation Deals. These are the times when I am reminded that I need to always be on my knees before the Lord and placing my challenges at His feet.
Don’t ever forget — He will honor your desire to practice stewardship over all He has given you!! It reminds me of my FAVORITE Bible verse…
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!!! ~ Philippians 4:13
How about you? Any struggles staying within your weekly budget? Anything or item in particular that is making it difficult for you? I would love to hear your triumphs and struggles. Another reader just might have a great solution for you, so leave your story here!
What is Weekly Wrap-Up?
Weekly Wrap-Up is a post I do every Saturday to show you what I got this week for $40 for my family of four. My $40 a week budget includes all food, toiletries and cleaning supplies, it does not include eating out. (I do not include diapers and coffee in this budget, it is separate!)
Total Groceries OOP: $64.81 (woo, way over, better next week)
What great deals did you find this week? Be sure to post your trips and include links to your blog if you took an inventory or pictures.
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Kroger
2.25 lbs Gala apples
avocado
lentils, barley, navy beans
3 – Kashi cereal (FREE w/ coupons!)
Triscuits
2 – Huggies (FREE, they rang up wrong!!)
popcorn – and orville redenbacher popcorn
6 – Schick disposable razors
6 – Hunt’s Tomatoes
4.8 lbs Perdue Chicken Breasts
1 lb ribeye (mgrs special)
Fruit H2O water 6 pack (FREE coupon for donation)
Rice Krispy’s (FREE coupon- VocalPoint)
Mahatma Whole Grain Rice (FREE w/ coupon)
Total Groceries: $ 121.85
Total Savings: $ 81.67 (67 %)
Total OOP: $40.18
Publix
Publix Coffee (Free)
2 – Healthy Life Bread loaf
2 – Sliced Portabellas
1 lb Ground Chuck
4 – classico pasta sauce
4 – Betty Crocker Potatoes
Honey Graham’s
3 – Pillsbury crescent rolls (for Christmas morning rolls!)
6 – Fiber One Yogurts
Dixie Sugar
Total Groceries: $ 62.54
Total Savings: $ 43.88 ( 70 %)
Total OOP: $21.38
Harris Teeter (not pictured)
3 – strawberries, 16 oz
Total: $3.50
I have been stockpiling and actively couponing for almost a month now. I have bitter-sweet feelings. It is exciting to watch it grow, but it is hard because you are buying the things that are very low priced and stocking up. But what about those things that are not on sale yet, that you do not have stocked up that you need every week. Such as household items you haven’t stock-piled yet or items to put together meals. That has been the biggest issue, is having all the ingredients to put together wholesome, blananced meals. I just can’t wait until I can be one of these women who only spends $40 a week! I know I will get there. It needs to happen before Christmas because I need to cut the grocery bill so I can have a small budget each week to find Christmas prensent deals.
And Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse. It always reminds me I can do anything with God at my side.
I have included a link to my Walgreens deals. I also snagged some really good deals at Target, that is on my blog as well. Publix and Walmart will be later today.
Kelly,
I don’t see that you bought any pork tenderloin at Kroger for $1.99 lb. I thought you said you were going to stock up on them. (This is what raises my expenditures the most!) I bought 4 of them and that alone cost $46.00, but it will last me until Christmas. I will never get my grocery bill as low as yours, but I am happy with how much lower it is now that I am couponing.
Brynn, I am doing my Kroger trip today, which goes on this weeks budget. I go Friday to Friday so I can post my Weekly Wrap up on Saturday morning. So, I am kind of a week behind, does that make sense? I am getting about 6lbs of pork tenderloin at Kroger, and I will have Christmas Dinner wrapped up!!
I have been clipping coupons and shopping the sales for around 8 months. My stockpile is growing, and I am definitely spending half of what I used to each month on groceries. The problems I am running into now are meat and fresh fruit/vegetables. When I first began the saving process, I had a freezer stocked full of meat. I was able to spend my weekly budget on everyday grocery items and stockpiling. Now, my meat supply is running low, and I need to begin stockpiling this. I just can’t seem to buy a lot of meat and still stay under my budget. Any ideas? With the fruit and vegetables, my husband likes to take them in his lunch each day, but they are just so expensive – even on sale. Now that we are coming upon winter, I am afraid I am going to be spending even more money on this. Any ideas on this issue? I also have a question for those of you who are able to double/triple your coupons. Would you have a greater grocery budget if you weren’t able to double/triple. Kelly – would you have to budget more than $40 a week if you couldn’t double/triple coupons? I am amazed by your $40 a week. I just don’t think it is possible for me because of the grocery stores around me I have to shop at and no double/triple coupons. However, God has been so good to us – I have been able to stay home with my 7-month old because of these websites helping me save money. Thank you for all of your work Kelly – you are a blessing!
Tamara, I really understand where you are coming from! Remember, $40 a week is my budget, and it might not work for you – also, I do not include diapers in that budget. I do feel that the doubling/tripling of coupons helps, but mostly with the prepackaged foods. I do find store coupons on meats and produce and make my purchases strategically. I go over my $40 a week sometimes and have a lot lately, due to all the great deals. There are dips and valleys with the deals, I like to be a little flexible with my budget, so I don’t miss out on great deals that we will really use. I try not to up my budget for non-essentials or extras, but on meats and produce we will eat.
I freeze great produce deals for items like bananas, strawberries, peaches, blueberries (for smoothies and such), and also veggies like peppers, mushrooms, carrots, celery, and other items I use frequently to cook with. If I can flash freeze these items when they are on sale, I have more room in my budget for the fresh items I want later. Check out my post here on flash freezing.
Another thing you might want to look into is meal planning. I have a Meal Planning Series and some resources listed on this page. I hope this helps!
Brynn, I bought 4 pork tenderloins at Kroger and just paid $21 for them. Did you use your Kroger card? I know they are slightly different weights, but the price difference shouldn’t have been that much!
Looks like you got a lot of food for what you spent. I have been staying under grocery budget too. I made two trips to Lowes Foods and 1 to Harris Teeter this week. I spent around $22.
http://couponteacher.blogspot.com/2009/10/quick-trips-today.html
Kelly,
I was thinking about it and the $46 I spent was on the strip steak roast that Kroger had 2 weeks ago??? I only spent $30.76 (on4). Now that I look at my receipt it looks like one of the tenderloins did not mark down. (I will be going to the customer service desk yet again). Still, it would be 3/4’s of your weekly budget. I don’t know how you do it on $40 a week.