Our accountant asked us to complete his monthly budget spreadsheet.  It had places for our debts, earnings, and monthly bills.  She asked me to use the month of June from our bank and credit card statements as my guide for the monthly bills.  Yes, our rent is on the high side ($810) since we don't own.  The gas was very high ($450).  Yet, the highest bill was our grocery bill ($900+) and that was not including odds and ends from Target, Walmart, and Costco since I did not know exactly how much was spent on food.  This was from Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Publix only.  I was horrified!!  I knew it was alot since we only purchase natural and preferrably organic foods.  I really needed to see this to wake me up.  I am spending WAY too much money on groceries.  I thought I was saving money by going to all of these different stores, but I'm not sure since I'm spending so much on going.  But, I don't know how to slash it with our food consumption and requirements.  Any ideas?

Blessings,

~Farrah

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Posted by Vickie

Groceries have gone up in price, but to me that is alot to spend. (I just read your blog today so I don't know how many you are trying to feed though) I would love to buy organic/healthy everything, but it's just not feasible within our budget. I do make as much as I can homemade and with as few "non-pronouncable items." If you eat alot of bread & rolls, it saves money to buy whole wheat flour and make your own. --whole wheat freshly ground is best, but I don't have a mill yet. I try to buy certain things organic that I don't grow in my own garden. Like apples, grapes, spinich, lettuce & organic milk. They are a little higher than non-organic, but usually not too much. I also have learned to shop by using the grocery ads. Whatever is on sale is what I try to buy. If it is a really good sale I buy extra and freeze it. As far as snack foods go, they are usually the most expensive & eaten up the fastest. We don't snack much and it's usually a piece of fruit or veggies w/dip. I have gone to baking my own cookies & cakes. If you have the basic pantry ingredients you can easily bake up a batch of snickerdoodles or a picnic cake that packs up well in a lunch box & you can freeze that too! I try to set aside a day every other week just for baking. Heat up the house once and make lots. Well, I hope this may help a little. ~Good luck.

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Posted by SherKeith

Hi Farrah! I think that in this day and age feeding a family and sticking to a budget is problem most women have. As a mom to eight I have learned to feed a crew on a little or nothing. (Not organic though!) If you would like some of my "tips" please feel free to e-mail me and I'll be glad to share with you. Hugs, Sher

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Posted by mulberrylane

Don't shop as often. I think it is good to have variety, but if you have specific items you buy at certain places... try to buy enough so you only have to shop at that one place once a month... then take other weeks to shop at other places. I always spend too much if I make the rounds of the shops all in one day.

Also, have a set menu, a set shopping day... so that you can learn to make do for longer and longer... it's funny how when you shop less you spend less. Maybe it's because you spend so much at one visit you feel guilty so you tend to get what you need and it seems to fill the cart... and satisfy your urge to buy good things...and it lasts longer, too.

I used to send dh to town for milk or whatever I ran out of, but not any more.... he spends more than me on junk food! LOL. So, I am learning to do without... If I can't plan ahead that well, doing without say margarine for 3-5 days until the next shopping day... well... a person or "family" really can manage and be creative for the most part.

I buy many of my healthy foods in bulk with a buying club. I don't order every two weeks... that could be hard on my budget... but rather I buy once every 3-6 months. I fill freezer bags with grains and fruits and gluten and nuts and freeze until I need them. I have two large deep freezers, so that helps in following that plan.

Hope you have better luck. It's always hard to change habits... you'll get there. Coupon clipping didn't help me. Watching sales in flyers did. Stocking up on fresh produce when it is in season helps... finding free outlets... a friend with an apple tree... raspberries in the ditch, etc... I got on freecycle and asked for apples and elderberries. I've already been given the elderberries... and someone else offered apples when they are ripe... can't wait!

Warmly,
Melissa

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