{"id":4253,"date":"2011-03-18T13:05:05","date_gmt":"2011-03-18T18:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blessingsmultiplied.com\/?p=4253"},"modified":"2011-03-18T13:05:05","modified_gmt":"2011-03-18T18:05:05","slug":"living-on-a-budget-groceries-40-for-4-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/?p=4253","title":{"rendered":"Living on a Budget &#8211; Groceries $40 for 4"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_4321\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4321\" style=\"width: 405px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.blessingsmultiplied.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/P1060235c.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4321\" title=\"SaveALot | RiteAid and Walgreens\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.blessingsmultiplied.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/P1060235c.jpg?resize=405%2C300\" alt=\"\" width=\"405\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/P1060235c.jpg?w=405&amp;ssl=1 405w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/P1060235c.jpg?resize=300%2C222&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4321\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SaveALot | RiteAid and Walgreens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I made it through my second week of doing my new cash budget system &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessingsmultiplied.com\/2011\/03\/living-on-a-budget-groceries-40-for-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Groceries $40 for 4<\/a> and I have to be honest with you, it didn&#8217;t go well at ALL.\u00a0 It was a super busy week and I decided at the beginning of the week to totally revamped my menu for this week.\u00a0 The good news is the menu included a bunch of new healthy recipes, however, since we have been cutting back on our grocery shopping the last few weeks we had to rebuild our fresh fruit and veggie stockpile.\u00a0 Although I was able to get a lot of great deals on veggies (Thank You Aldi&#8217;s) it still added up quickly.\u00a0 My grocery store shopping this week was spread out and sandwiched in between appointments which made it even more hurried and less organized. \u00a0 I am still learning how to operate on the cash grocery system (even though I blew it this week).\u00a0 Hopefully, we  can continue trying to utilize the food we already have in our pantry and   freezer along with adding in extra fresh fruits and veggies.\u00a0 I did learn a lot about the mistakes I made this week (hopefully I can refrain from repeating them).\u00a0 What I learned this week from some of my grocery shopping mistakes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> It is important to make the time to go shopping and not try to squeeze it in between appointments (rushing through doesn&#8217;t always work well even with a list).<\/li>\n<li>Forgetting some of my coupons made a huge difference ( I didn&#8217;t have the time or desire to use extra gas to go back for them)<\/li>\n<li>Shopping early morning is much better than in the middle of the day (not as many markdown items)<\/li>\n<li>Fresh items are more expensive (it is okay to substitute in some frozen ones too).<\/li>\n<li>Completely altering your menu once the week has already started causes unnecessary stress<\/li>\n<li>There are certain times of day it is not smart to take the whole crew with you to the store (right after school when they are restless and very HUNGRY)<\/li>\n<li>It is very difficult sticking to a $40 grocery budget when I had numerous hiccups in my process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pictured above is my Walgreens and SaveALot | Rite Aid trip.\u00a0 Sorry I was not able to get a picture of my Aldi&#8217;s and BiLo trips it took everything in me just to put the stuff away (actually, I still have a few cans sitting on the counter still waiting for me to put them in the pantry).\u00a0\u00a0 I didn&#8217;t separate out my household and grocery items at Aldi or BiLo either so I don&#8217;t have the exact totals but to be completely honest I more than double my grocery budget for this week.\u00a0 Here is what I spent at the two stores pictured above and what we bought:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>$5.05 at Walgreens for 2 cans of Cashews<\/li>\n<li>$19.23 at SaveALot | RiteAid for Milk, Parmesan Grated Cheese, Yogurt, Carrots, Cheese, Mushrooms, Stew Meat, Hamburger Helper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Life was spread out and busy this week.\u00a0 My grocery shopping and house shows the ripple effect of it too. It was our second week of the challenge &#8211; Groceries $40 for 4 and we more than doubled our grocery budget of $40. \u00a0 I was disappointed in myself for making so many silly mistakes (and I knew better too) in my rush to pick up groceries and feed the family. \u00a0I  did get to use some coupons, bought clearance items, and utilized weekly ad  discounts to help save us a little extra on our grocery budget even though the savings wasn&#8217;t enough.\u00a0 I really hope to be more organized and do better next  week.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll  see how I do!<\/p>\n<p>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!\u00a0 As   always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.\u00a0 I would love to   hear your story and how you are doing too.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p><em>Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget   to  help keep us accountable with our finances.\u00a0 Life doesn&#8217;t always go   as  planned.\u00a0 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.\u00a0  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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 There is so much more to life than  having all the  stuff.\u00a0 We  may not have the newest or greatest items  in our house, we  drive used  cars, and wear hand-me-down  clothing&#8230;..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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I made it through my second week of doing my new cash budget system &#8211; Groceries $40 for 4 and I have to be honest with you, it didn&#8217;t go well at ALL.\u00a0 It was a super busy week and I decided at the beginning of the week to totally revamped my menu for this week.\u00a0 The good news is the menu included a bunch of new healthy recipes, however, since we have been cutting back on our grocery shopping the last few weeks we had to rebuild our fresh fruit and veggie stockpile.\u00a0 Although I was able to get a lot of great deals on veggies (Thank You Aldi&#8217;s) it still added up quickly.\u00a0 My grocery store shopping this week was spread out and sandwiched in between appointments which made it even more hurried and less organized. \u00a0 I am still learning how to operate on the cash grocery system (even though I blew it this week).\u00a0 Hopefully, we can continue trying to utilize the food we already have in our pantry and freezer along with adding in extra fresh fruits and veggies.\u00a0 I did learn a lot about the mistakes I made this week (hopefully I can refrain from repeating them).\u00a0 What I learned this week from some of my grocery shopping mistakes: It is important to make the time to go shopping and not try to squeeze it in between appointments (rushing through doesn&#8217;t always work well even with a list). Forgetting some of my coupons made a huge difference ( I didn&#8217;t have the time or desire to use extra gas to go back for them) Shopping early morning is much better than in the middle of the day (not as many markdown items) Fresh items are more expensive (it is okay to substitute in some frozen ones too). Completely altering your menu once the week has already started causes unnecessary stress There are certain times of day it is not smart to take the whole crew with you to the store (right after school when they are restless and very HUNGRY) It is very difficult sticking to a $40 grocery budget when I had numerous hiccups in my process Pictured above is my Walgreens and SaveALot | Rite Aid trip.\u00a0 Sorry I was not able to get a picture of my Aldi&#8217;s and BiLo trips it took everything in me just to put the stuff away (actually, I still have a few cans sitting on the counter still waiting for me to put them in the pantry).\u00a0\u00a0 I didn&#8217;t separate out my household and grocery items at Aldi or BiLo either so I don&#8217;t have the exact totals but to be completely honest I more than double my grocery budget for this week.\u00a0 Here is what I spent at the two stores pictured above and what we bought: $5.05 at Walgreens for 2 cans of Cashews $19.23 at SaveALot | RiteAid for Milk, Parmesan Grated Cheese, Yogurt, Carrots, Cheese, Mushrooms, Stew Meat, Hamburger Helper Life was spread out and busy this week.\u00a0 My grocery shopping and house shows the ripple effect of it too. It was our second week of the challenge &#8211; Groceries $40 for 4 and we more than doubled our grocery budget of $40. \u00a0 I was disappointed in myself for making so many silly mistakes (and I knew better too) in my rush to pick up groceries and feed the family. \u00a0I did get to use some coupons, bought clearance items, and utilized weekly ad discounts to help save us a little extra on our grocery budget even though the savings wasn&#8217;t enough.\u00a0 I really hope to be more organized and do better next week.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll see how I do! 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!\u00a0 As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.\u00a0 I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Life doesn&#8217;t always go as planned.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.\u00a0 We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing&#8230;..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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[56,61,65,10,82,47],"tags":[118,823,2430,3199,3326,4057,5690,9732,10979,11512,15868,15959,16101,16208,17348,19935,20399,21321,21336,25050,25079,25232,26491],"class_list":["post-4253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coupons","category-deals","category-family","category-freebies","category-recipe","category-weekly-ads","tag-40-for-4","tag-aldi","tag-bilo","tag-budget","tag-busy","tag-chesse","tag-deals","tag-fruit","tag-groceries","tag-healthy","tag-meat","tag-menu","tag-milk","tag-mistakes","tag-organized","tag-rite-aid","tag-save-a-lot","tag-shop","tag-shopping","tag-vegetables","tag-veggies","tag-walgreens","tag-yogurt"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcnfwQ-16B","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4253\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessingsmultiplied.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}