• Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    We are back from traveling this week and super excited about having guests.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Ingles, BiLo, and Walmart

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $15.80 at Ingles for 1 loaf Laura Lynn Bread, 1 container Yogurt, 1 bag of Banana’s, 2 bags fresh Spinach, 2 bags Fresh Coleslaw,   1 container fresh Lettuce, 1 package Ground Hamburger, 1 head Cauliflower, 1 container fresh Strawberries, 1 container fresh Beans, and 1 bag Shredded Lettuce (all the items were marked down on clearance for $0.50 to $0.99 or on sale plus I used a couple coupons from the yogurt boxes)

    BiLo Groceries:

    • $4.48 at BiLo for 1 gallon of Milk and 1 box of PopTarts.  (I brought a reusable bag today so I was able to get a 5 cent discount at BiLo).

    Walmart Groceries:

    • $21.11 at Walmart for 1 container Vanilla Ice Cream, 1 bag of Hashbrowns, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 bag Mozzarella String Cheese, 1 bag Cheese Twist Sticks, 1 container Sour Cream, 2 containers Whipped Topping, 1 bag Bagels, Oscar Mayer Chicken Combo, Oscar Mayer Combos, 1 box Butter, and 1 bag Potatoes (the Oscar Mayer Combos were free with coupon).

    This week I spent $41.39 on groceries.  Even though I was over on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on several items on clearance plus I had a little extra left over from last week.    I am excited to have my parents, grandparents, and brother visiting this week.  I hope that next week is an even better week and we can come under budget for the week.

    It is my goal 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.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, 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.

  • Mailbox Goodies: Free Suave, Coffee Creamer, Flipflops, Magazines & More!

     

    Mailbox Goodies!

    One of the best parts about getting the mail is when the mailbox full of goodies, especially when they are free!  Last week was the first week in May so we received a lot of our free magazines.  We got some great coupons for free items, flipflops, water bottle and more stuff in the mail.  Most of these deals are no longer available but I will try to keep you posted of some of the new ones coming up.

    Here are some items we received in the mail:

    • Free Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo or Styling Product Coupon (up to $3.00)
    • Free 1 Pint of Breve Creme Coffee Creamer (any flavor, up to $3.00) & over $2 of Additional Breve Creme Coupons – received from Vocal Point
    • Free Orbit Tropical Remix Flip Flops – Orbit Gum Facebook
    • 6 – Free Child Safety Kits – received from ADT (still available)
    • Free 4 Imprint Tinted Fitness Bottle (20 oz) – we purchase business items from 4 Imprint and they send us free items about quarterly
    • $10 off Coupon at Lowe’s – register at Lowe’s and you will receive coupons & savings in the mail (still available)
    • $25 off Coupon at Lowe’s – register at Lowe’s and you will receive coupons & savings in the mail (still available)
    • Free “Take A Break from Aftertaste” Coffee Cup and Lid – received from Vocal Point
    • 5 – Free Perfect Meal Flavors (Orange Sunrise, Strawberry Passion, Banana Delight, Chocolate Decadence, Vanilla Bean) – received from  iMetabolic
    • Free “Bring Your Own Bag” Make A Difference Static Cling – received from Conserving Now (still available)
    • Over $10 Lowe’s Coupon (Clorex, Windex, Lysol, Tide, Method, Swiffer, and more) – register at Lowe’s and you will receive coupons & savings in the mail (still available)
    • Free 4 Imprint Pen – we purchase business items from 4 Imprint and they send us free items about quarterly
    • Free 4 Imprint Magnifier – we purchase business items from 4 Imprint and they send us free items about quarterly
    • Free Lego Club Jr Magazine –subscription from Lego (still available)
    • Free Newsweek Magazine – subscription from Rewards Gold
    • Free Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine – register at Lowe’s and you will receive the magazine, coupons & savings in the mail (still available)
    • Free Futures Magazine – we have been receiving this one for several months
    • Free American Baby Magazine – subscription from Parents (still available)
    • Free Tech & Learn Magazine – we have been receiving this one for several months
    • Free Architectural Digest Magazine – subscription from Rewards Gold
    • Free Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine – subscription from Rewards Gold (still available)
    • Free Outside Magazine – subscription from Rewards Gold
    • Free CIO Magazine – we have been receiving this one for several months
    • Free WOOD Magazine – subscription from Value Mags
    • And more free magazines and local coupons!

    If you are like me it is nice when you get a mailbox with free coupons and samples in it.  The bills will come as well but when you get a mailbox full of free items it helps make the day a little more enjoyable.  Plus the coupons and samples are a great way to stretch your budget and share with others!

  • FREE 44 oz. Fountain Drink at Pilot & Flying J Travel Centers

    Pilot Travel Centers has a coupon you can print on their Facebook Page for a Free 44 oz Fountain Drink at Pilot and Flying J Centers .

    If you are traveling soon or have a Pilot or Flying J Travel Center nearby this is a great deal.  We used a couple of their coupons last month when we were driving to and from the Atlanta Airport over Spring Break and Easter.