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When I wrote tips on budgeting for summer fun, one of the most asked questions were in regards to how I budget groceries. Since it’s the main focus in my house currently, it is one that I have a lot of tips and tricks to share with you!
Use What You Have in Hand
Literally, you have your phone with you all the time! In my last post about budgeting, I talked about cutting your cell phone bill but keeping your data and service quality by switching to Walmart Family Mobile.
Set Your Budget
The biggest obstacle in any type of budgeting is knowing what you actually do spend and what you can afford to spend. Take a look back at your grocery spending habits over the last few months and see how much you’re spending on average. You can try to reduce the average by a little in conjunction with the other tips I have (below) to ease yourself into it, if you want!
I decided to go a bit more of a drastic route and make a strict budget and fit my meal planning around the budget I set in place. When I did some Internet browsing, I found that a good guideline for grocery budgeting is $100 per person per month. Since there are two people in my household, we budgeted $200 per month and then broke it down per week since I do weekly grocery shopping.
We use the popular envelope method to keep track of the spending per week. I pop in the receipts and coupons I want to use in there as well. We actually use our debit card, but we started with cash in the envelopes to get used to it! If you’re a super-swiper, then you may want to put the card away. Try cash and then graduate to using a card if you can handle it.
Build Your Menu
Having a game plan is SO important when you are going into the grocery store. I like to work on my meal plan throughout each week. It’s always a thing that can change a little bit or evolve as plans start to be penciled in. I personally like to have a mix of “oldies but goodies” and new recipes to try out. I’ve been a Pinterest lover for recipes forever, but am LOVING using cookbooks lately. I made a list from each of my newer or favorite cookbooks of new recipes I want to try, and I pepper them in throughout the week on days where I know I have the extra time to dedicate to something new.
I go through each day and take a quick inventory of the things I will need for the meals, and this leads me to my next point, which is to make sure to shop from a list.
Learn to Shop from a List
When I make my list, I write down EACH ingredient I will need for a dish. I then refer to my Pantry & Freezer Inventory (see below) to see if I have them or need to pick them up. If I have the ingredient, I simply cross it off the list, but usually look to see if there is a sale on that thing still when I am at the store since it will need replacing soon anyway (if it’s a pantry staple.)
When you’re at the store, making this list can be the saving grace you need. If you have eyes that are bigger than your belly and want to throw ALL THE THINGS in your cart because they look delicious, this can help you limit that issue. You can grab some things that look good, but make sure you add their price in at the end. You might need to make tough decisions at the end, but you don’t have to go over budget!
Utilize Apps to Save
I’m a paper and pen gal for certain, but the fact of the matter is that carrying your cell phone is convenient. I’ve found that there are certain apps I can whip out at the store that really help me to save money. The most basic one is honestly the calculator. I mean, you can know the price of things you’re putting in your cart and get up to the cashier and STILL be surprised. To avoid that, just whip out your calculator and add as you go! I also use a memo or notes app to keep my grocery list digital and delete things off there as I go.
When I get home, there are a few apps that help me to save money too. I love the Walmart Savings Catcher app to make sure you get the best price on your groceries and household items, and there are a few “coupon” apps and apps that house the ads from the different stores you shop as well! I’ll be doing a post dedicated to saving money through apps at another time, but apps are so helpful!
Keep Track of What’s in Your Pantry
How many times do you go to the store and just forget whether or not you have a certain basic ingredient in your pantry to make a dish you want to make? I used to do this ALL THE TIME, but now I utilize a Freezer & Pantry inventory. I update it weekly and make sure I keep a copy of it on my phone so I can pull it up at the store. I like writing the list and taking a picture of it, but if you’re really savvy, you can always use an app to edit it on your phone!
Here is a link to download my template so you can use it for yourself!
Great tips! I love the pantry and freezer tracker. I always forget what I have in my freezer and probably waste money. That and the phone plan are such a great way to save! #client
Does the $100 a month grocery budget include things like toilet paper, detergent, soap, etc. or just food items?
I actually do $50/week, so $200-250 per month- not $100. And yes, it includes household items! I usually make one week my household items week and get them all at once, then use things from my freezer or stocked pantry for meals that week.
I have done the envelope system since about 1985, at first it was hard to stick to a budget but as time has passed it is now second nature. I keep food and household items in separate enveloped. I make my laundry detergent about every 6 months, I also use or make natural cleaners using vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and Dawn dishwashing detergent. Bleach and Pine Sol are also staples. Another way to save is to cut open shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes, any thing that is liqiud etc and see how much is left when you can”t squeeze any more out. I have baby food and other small jars I put these in and label it. My family was amazed when they saw how much they wasted. I also use Coconut oil [ a little goes a LONG way] for a moisturizer, eye makeup remover and hand/body cream…… never buying lotion that has chemicals in it. There are tons of ways to save and be healthy.