Weekly Ads
CVS: Spent $1 and Got $9 ECB’s Back
This week CVS has a few great deals. I wasn’t able to get to the store until later in the day but was still able to get these two items for $1.09 and received $9 ECB’s to use on my next CVS purchase.
- Revlon Finger Nail Polish – $3.99 with $3.00 ECB’s
- Schick Hydro 5 Razor – $8.79 with $5.00 ECB’s
The total was over $13 with tax before using coupons. Here are the coupons I used on the two items.
- Used $3.00 CVS Coupon from the Kiosk inside the store
- Used $1.00 Revlon Manufacturer Coupon
- Used $2.00 Schick Manufacturer Coupon
- Used $6.58 ECB’s from previous purchase (I had a couple more ECB’s but couldn’t use them because they were worth more than $1 so I will be able to use them on a future purchase along with the $9 I received today). If you use a $2 ECB to pay for $1.09 worth of goods you will not receive the additional $0.91 back so today I decided to pay the $1.09 out of pocket and use my $2 ECB on a future purchase since they weren’t expiring until later in the month.
I received $9 ECB’s back today:
- $3.00 ECB’s for Revlon Purchase
- $5.00 ECB’s for Schick
- $1.00 ECB’s for Green Bag Tag
When you shop the CVS sales regularly and have ECB’s that you can roll over toward future purchases the bonus ECB’s start adding up (Green Bag Tags and Beauty Club). As you can see from my shopping trip today you don’t have to purchase a lot to save money when shopping at CVS. You can pick and chose what is best for your family. I would love to hear your CVS shopping story for this week!
For those of you who shop regularly at CVS please share how you were able to save this week! Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household. In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save shopping at CVS.
CVS Savings: Join the Beauty Club & Earn ECB’s
Another way to earn a few extra ECB’s if you go to CVS frequently is to join their Extra Care Beauty Club.
- 10% Off Beauty Shopping Pass after Enrollment
- $5 ExtraBucks Rewards (ECB’s) for every $50 you spend on qualifying* beauty purchases.
- $3 ExtraBucks Rewards on your Birthday.
*The qualifying Beauty purchases include items from the following categories: Cosmetics, Ethnic Hair Care, Fragrances, Hair Accessories, Hair Appliances, Hair Care, Hair Color, Healthy Skin Care, Hosiery, Skin Care and Sun Care. Excludes items from Beauty 360, items from Trial & Travel, gift cards and prescriptions.
How to sign up? It is pretty simple, there are two ways you can sign up!
- Ask the clerk at the store before, during, or after check out. It is as easy as them scanning your Rewards Card and the Beauty Club code. Within seconds you are ready to start earning bonus ECB’s.
- You can sign up online at CVS
I have recently signed up for the Beauty Club after a friend reminded me of its benefits. I have received my 10% off Beauty Shopping pass (it printed out on my receipt), but not any of the bonus ECB’s yet. Since the Beauty Club covers a lot of items in the store that are frequently on sale or have ECB’s I don’t think it will take long before earning a few bonus ECB’s.
CVS Savings: Use Your “Green Bag Tag” & Earn ECB’s
You can earn bonus ECB’s (Extra Care Bucks) by purchasing the Green Bag Tag. If you go to CVS regularly you should consider getting it.
- It costs $0.99 to buy the tag (I used an ECB to buy it a couple months ago).
- The Green Bag Tag is scanned when you check out and you earn ECB’s for using it.
- Every 4th visit to CVS that you bring and scan your Green Tag you will earn $1 ECB.
How to sign up?
- Ask the clerk at the store for a Green Bag Tag. When you purchase the Green Bag Tag with your Rewards Card it becomes linked to your account so you can get the bonus ECB’s every time you use it.
I have a reusable CVS bag in the van with the Green tag attached to it so I can quickly grab it when I head into the store. The Green Tag can be scanned any time after scanning your first item (unlike your Rewards Card that can be scanned before any items). Always make sure that they scan it, sometimes new employees are not aware of it. Also, double check on your receipt to make sure it is updated with your recent Green Bag Tag use. Each receipt will show you how many total Green Bag Tags you have used and how many more you need to get your next bonus ECB. Even though I have only had it a couple months I have been able to earn $4 extra ECB’s using the Green Bag Tag. At one time (several months ago) they offered it free after ECB’s but even if you have to pay the $0.99 to get it the Green Bag Tag will pay for itself pretty quickly.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
Now that I completed 9 weeks of my No Grocery Shopping challenge I want to share what is next on my agenda as far as grocery shopping is concerned. I would LOVE to live off my pantry and freezer for the entire year, however, it is getting lower and I need to start shopping for some additional items. I learned a lot from the recent challenge and want to keep my family fed while staying within our budget.Explanation: For the first time ever I am going on a strictly cash system for our groceries. It is my desire to spend no more than $40 per week for my family of 4. I am sticking to just grocery and food related items at this time since I have a separate budget for household, health & beauty. If I find that I still have extra consistently I may decide to roll the other items into this as well. As an additional bonus if I have more than a half of week of “extra” money remaining at the end of the month I want to contribute that money towards my Creative Cash. Although I know I will have days and weeks with hiccups like with any challenge it is my desire to be more accountable with what I have been given. I perceive this budget change to have many benefits over the past systems I have used for example it will allow me the opportunity to buy items on sale but not over do it plus makes me more responsible with the money we have been given, and helps control the spontaneous purchases. Only time will tell how well it works for our family.
Every family is different so you need to decide what is best for your specific family and situation. I am starting this endeavor after several months of thought and prayer regarding our family finances. On a side note I do want to let you know that just because the title says Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4 that does not mean we will never host guests in our home or take a meal to someone in need. Our guests and meal deliveries throughout the month are also included in this budget so the actual number will vary from month to month regarding how many people we feed but for simplicity sake it is Groceries $40 for 4 due to our family size and budgeting.
I hope to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. I hope by taking the extra time to watch my grocery spending it will allow us to feed our family, enjoy life, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Photo by MoneyBlogNewz
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 2 – 8, 2011
Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Pork Picnic Roast – $0.99 lb
Frozen Boneless Chicken Breast – $1.49 per lb
Ground Beef (73% lean) – $1.99 per lb
Schooner Fish Fillets (2 lbs) – $4.99
Port Side Battered or Breaded Fish Fillets – $2.99
Port Side Cooked Shrimp – $3.99
Port Side Popcorn Shrimp – $2.17
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Banquet Fruit or Pot Pies – $0.50
Totino’s Party Pizzas – $1.19
Use $1/5 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 5/7/11)
Use $0.50/3 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 5/7/11)
Use $1.25/4 coupon from insert 1/30 Smart Source (Expires 4/23/11)
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 1/23 Red Plum (Expires 4/16/11)
As low as $0.69 each after coupon
Michelina Pizza Rolls – $1.99
Coburn Farms Shredded Cheese – $2.59
Haas Cheesecake – $3.49
Household
Trend Laundry Detergent – $1.88
Triumph Big Roll Papers Towels – $1.29
Solutions Glass Cleaner – $0.99
Glo Classic Dish Liquid – $0.99
Angel Soft Bath Tissue – $2.49
Produce
Idaho Potatoes (10 lbs) – $2.49
Navel Oranges (3 lbs) – $1.49
Whole Watermelons (select locations) – $3.99 each
Grocery
Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail Juice – $.188
General Mills Cereal (24 to 25.2 oz) – $2.49
Use $1/3 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 3/26/11)
$2.16 each after coupon
Prego Spaghetti Sauce (24 oz) $1.50
Use $0.35/2 coupon from insert 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)
Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)
As low as $1.20 each after coupon
So Cheezy Shells & Cheddar or Deluxe Mac & Cheese – $1.00
Del Pino’s Beef or Mini Beef Ravioli – $1.50
Portmann’s Tartar Sauce – $1.39
Portmann’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce – $1.29
J Higg’s Potato Chips – $0.99
Save-A-Lot Soda – $0.69
Crystal Drinking Water (24 package) – $2.49
Kaskey’s Onion Soup Mix – $0.79
Portmann’s Real Mayonnaise – $1.99
Panner Peanut Butter – $1.47
Bramler’s Grape Jelly – $1.49
J Higg’s Saltine Crackers – $0.89
Kaskey’s Chunky Soup – $1.49
Mantia’s Spaghetti – $0.79
Mantia’s Grated Parmesan Cheese – $2.49
Crisco Vegetable or Canola Oil – $2.49
Green Giant Vegetables – $0.59
T.G.I. Friday’s Cheddar Bacon Potato Skins – $0.99
Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding – $0.99
Bakery
Country Treats Donut Holes – $2.29
JJ’s Chocolate Pie – $0.44
Bakery Fresh Cherry or Apple Pie – $2.99
Theodoro Mini Bagels – $1.49
Lofthouse Pink Frosted Sugar Cookies – $2.49
Guiseppe’s Garlic Bread – $1.79
Baby
Tickles Diapers – $5.99
Pet
Trooper Dog Food – $5.99
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of February 23 – March 1, 2011
The deals from last week are continuing again this week, if you didn’t stock up on these great deals already you have another opportunity. Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Hillshire Farms (Beef, Polska, Smoked Sausage) – $1.99
Use $1/2 coupon from 1/23 Red Plum (Expires 2/28/11)
$1.49 each after couponFast Fixin’ Chicken – $4.00
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Mr P’s Pizza (Supreme or Pepproni) – $0.59
Fisher Boy Fish Sticks – $0.99
Use $0.75/1 printable coupon from Fisher Boy
$0.24 each after couponOcean Market Fish Fillets – $0.99
Morning Delight Buttermilk Biscuits – $0.39
Home Churned Spread – $0.99
Fairgrounds Sliced Meat – $0.50
Armour Lunchmakers – $0.99
McClary’s Singles – $0.99
Deli Pride Sandwich – $0.99
Household
Luster Facial Tissues – $0.99
Ajax Liquid Dish Soap – $0.99
Pert Bath Tissue – $0.89
Produce
Red and Green Grapes – $0.99 per lb
Cantaloupe – $1.49 each
Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 per lb
Grocery
Frito Lay (Doritos, Cheetos, & Scoops) – $0.89
Maruchan Ramen Cups – $0.79
Red Gold Tomato Sauce – $0.50
Hungry Jack Specialty Potatoes – $1.00
Betty Crocker Hamburger or Tuna Helper – $1.00
Del Pino’s Canned Pasta – $0.69
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.39
Portside Chunk Light Tuna – $0.53
Hargis House Vienna Sausage – $0.37
Hargis House Chili with Beans – $0.99
Hargis House Chili without Beans – $1.29
Sundia Fruit Cups – $0.89
Caskey’s Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.59
J. Higg’s Classic Saltine Crackers – $0.89
J. Higg’s Cheese Bit Crackers – $1.49
Coburn Farms Hot Chocolate – $1.19
Portmann’s Tartar Sauce – $1.39
Kool-Aid Bursts – $0.99
Vista Sandwich Creme Cookies – $0.99
Chef Karlin Potato Pouches – $0.79
Ravella Swift Mac – $0.69
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of February 16 – 22, 2011
Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Hillshire Farms (Beef, Polska, Smoked Sausage) – $1.99
Use $1/2 coupon from 1/23 Red Plum (Expires 2/28/11)
$1.49 each after couponFast Fixin’ Chicken – $4.00
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Mr P’s Pizza (Supreme or Pepproni) – $0.59
Fisher Boy Fish Sticks – $0.99
Use $0.75/1 printable coupon from Fisher Boy
$0.24 each after couponOcean Market Fish Fillets – $0.99
Morning Delight Buttermilk Biscuits – $0.39
Home Churned Spread – $0.99
Fairgrounds Sliced Meat – $0.50
Armour Lunchmakers – $0.99
McClary’s Singles – $0.99
Deli Pride Sandwich – $0.99
Household
Luster Facial Tissues – $0.99
Ajax Liquid Dish Soap – $0.99
Pert Bath Tissue – $0.89
Produce
Red and Green Grapes – $0.99 per lb
Cantaloupe – $1.49 each
Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 per lb
Grocery
Frito Lay (Doritos, Cheetos, & Scoops) – $0.89
Maruchan Ramen Cups – $0.79
Red Gold Tomato Sauce – $0.50
Hungry Jack Specialty Potatoes – $1.00
Betty Crocker Hamburger or Tuna Helper – $1.00
Del Pino’s Canned Pasta – $0.69
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.39
Portside Chunk Light Tuna – $0.53
Hargis House Vienna Sausage – $0.37
Hargis House Chili with Beans – $0.99
Hargis House Chili without Beans – $1.29
Sundia Fruit Cups – $0.89
Caskey’s Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.59
J. Higg’s Classic Saltine Crackers – $0.89
J. Higg’s Cheese Bit Crackers – $1.49
Coburn Farms Hot Chocolate – $1.19
Portmann’s Tartar Sauce – $1.39
Kool-Aid Bursts – $0.99
Vista Sandwich Creme Cookies – $0.99
Chef Karlin Potato Pouches – $0.79
Ravella Swift Mac – $0.69
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of February 9 – 15, 2011
The deals from last week are continuing again this week, if you didn’t stock up on these great deals already you have another opportunity. They have a great deal on long stem roses for Valentine’s Day if anyone is looking to pick up some flowers. Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Valentine’s Day Item – Long Stem Roses (1 Dozen) – $12.99
Meats and Seafood
Ekrich Hot Dogs or Bologna – $0.99
Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks – $0.89 per lb
Pork Spare Ribs – $1.99 per lb
Boneless Pork Roast – $1.99 per lb
Fast Fixin’ Chicken (up to 43.2 oz)- $4.00
Primo Italian Sausage or Brats – $3.29
Ground Chuck – $2.49 per lb
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Sunny D Citrus Punch (128 oz) – $1.79
Use $0.25/1 coupon from 1/16 Smart Source (Expires 4/30/11)
$1.54 each after couponMichelina’s Snack Rolls (45 oz) – $3.99
Coburn Farm Singles – $1.99
Blue Bonnet Spread – $1.99
Household
Wrightware Foam Plates (40 count) – $0.99
Sparkle Paper Towels (6 rolls) $4.99
Produce
Peaches or Nectarines – $0.99 per lb
Grocery
Quaker Instant Oatmeal (10 pack) – $1.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/2 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/11)
$0.99 each after couponRed Gold Tomato Sauce – $0.50
Hungry Jack Specialty Potatoes – $1.00
Betty Crocker Hamburger or Tuna Helper – $1.00
McDaniel’s French Roast Coffee – $4.99
McDaniel’s Donut Shop Coffee – $3.99
Crystal Drinking Water (24 pack) – $2.49
Save A Lot Brand Soda – $0.69
J Higgs Buttery Rounds – $1.49
Ginger Evans Brownie Mix – $1.39
Albany Bakery Cookies (Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal) – $0.99
Salted or Roasted Peanuts – $1.99
Nature Trails Chewy Granola Bars – $1.99
Power Cycle 2x Ultra – $2.99
Sundia Fruit Cups – $0.89
Mike Sell’s Groovy Potato Chips – $2.49
Chex Mix – $0.99
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 1/30 Smart Source (Expires 3/26/11)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 1/2 General Mills (Expires 2/26/11)
$0.59 each after couponGeneral Mills (Cocoa Puffs, Golden Grahams or Trix) – $1.99
Use $1/3 coupon from 1/2 General Mills (Expires 2/12/11)
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/9 Smart Source (Expires 2/19/11)
$1.45 each after couponMarcum Chili Seasoning – $0.39
Diane’s Garden Tomato Paste – $0.39
Wylwood Kidney or Chili Beans – $0.65
Diane’s Garden Dice or Stewed Tomatoes – $0.59
J Higgs Classic Saltine Crackers – $0.89
Senora Verde Tortilla Chips – $0.99
Senora Verde Mild or Medium Salsa – $1.59
Senora Verde Tomatoes or Green Chilies – $0.59
Country Crossings Marvella Cheese Spread – $3.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of February 2 – 8, 2011
Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Ekrich Hot Dogs or Bologna – $0.99
Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks – $0.89 per lb
Pork Spare Ribs – $1.99 per lb
Boneless Pork Roast – $1.99 per lb
Fast Fixin’ Chicken (up to 43.2 oz)- $4.00
Primo Italian Sausage or Brats – $3.29
Ground Chuck – $2.49 per lb
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Sunny D Citrus Punch (128 oz) – $1.79
Use $0.25/1 coupon from 1/16 Smart Source (Expires 4/30/11)
$1.54 each after couponMichelina’s Snack Rolls (45 oz) – $3.99
Coburn Farm Singles – $1.99
Blue Bonnet Spread – $1.99
Household
Wrightware Foam Plates (40 count) – $0.99
Sparkle Paper Towels (6 rolls) $4.99
Produce
Peaches or Nectarines – $0.99 per lb
Grocery
Quaker Instant Oatmeal (10 pack) – $1.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/2 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/11)
$0.99 each after couponRed Gold Tomato Sauce – $0.50
Hungry Jack Specialty Potatoes – $1.00
Betty Crocker Hamburger or Tuna Helper – $1.00
Long Stem Roses (1 Dozen) – $12.99
McDaniel’s French Roast Coffee – $4.99
McDaniel’s Donut Shop Coffee – $3.99
Crystal Drinking Water (24 pack) – $2.49
Save A Lot Brand Soda – $0.69
J Higgs Buttery Rounds – $1.49
Ginger Evans Brownie Mix – $1.39
Albany Bakery Cookies (Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal) – $0.99
Salted or Roasted Peanuts – $1.99
Nature Trails Chewy Granola Bars – $1.99
Power Cycle 2x Ultra – $2.99
Sundia Fruit Cups – $0.89
Mike Sell’s Groovy Potato Chips – $2.49
Chex Mix – $0.99
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 1/30 Smart Source (Expires 3/26/11)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 1/2 General Mills (Expires 2/26/11)
$0.59 each after couponGeneral Mills (Cocoa Puffs, Golden Grahams or Trix) – $1.99
Use $1/3 coupon from 1/2 General Mills (Expires 2/12/11)
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/9 Smart Source (Expires 2/19/11)
$1.45 each after couponMarcum Chili Seasoning – $0.39
Diane’s Garden Tomato Paste – $0.39
Wylwood Kidney or Chili Beans – $0.65
Diane’s Garden Dice or Stewed Tomatoes – $0.59
J Higgs Classic Saltine Crackers – $0.89
Senora Verde Tortilla Chips – $0.99
Senora Verde Mild or Medium Salsa – $1.59
Senora Verde Tomatoes or Green Chilies – $0.59
Country Crossings Marvella Cheese Spread – $3.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping (Continued)
Now that we are through January 2011 you may be wondering how I did with my No Grocery Shopping Month Challenge. I did a lot better than I anticipated, but still had a hiccup or two. Thankfully no one starved or went hungry in our house during my challenge. We even hosted guests for a few meals! It took a little extra planning on my part to cook meals from items already in the pantry and fridge, if we didn’t have something we did without it or found a creative way to make it out of what we had at home. The amazing part is the entire family was supportive of my goal even if that meant a slightly altered menu. The only comment I received from one of the girls that indicated they noticed was “Mom, did we eat up all the leftovers in the fridge because it looks a little empty?”Here is the complete list of groceries I purchased in the month of January:
- 6 gallons of Milk
- 1 loaf of Bread
- 1 package Ground Hamburger
- 1 package Cube Steaks
- 2 Yogurts
- 1 container French Onion Dip
- 1 container Cottage Cheese
- 1 package Flour Tortillas
- 1 box Kellogg’s Toy Story 3 cereal
The total spent on groceries for this month was $27.95 including the tax. Milk was by far the most expensive part of our expenditures for the month of January adding up to $18.93. We had an extra expense of $1.50 from the Kellogg’s Toy Story 3 cereal that did not meet my criteria. Leaving only $7.52 for all of our other grocery purchases for the month of January which I bought last week.
The food I bought had to meet the following criteria:
- FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
- Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
- For Someone Else outside of my household. For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.
I have decided to continue with this challenge. It has been wonderful not having to go to the grocery store every week for anything other than milk. Our pantry still has plenty for us to eat and our freezer is fairly full. So I am going to continue with this challenge into February and see how much longer I can make it stretch.
One of the questions I have been asked is – What are we eating? Do we have recipes for these meals? To answer those questions I will be sharing a little more about what we are eating and recipes in a later post.
I will continue to share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating and sharing your story. I am excited to be extending this goal into the first part of February! It has been great learning to say “no” when at the grocery store to extras and being creative with we have at home.
Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others. Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff” and if you are like us we just have too much. I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives. When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.
