Tuesday, February 12, 2019

How I Cut My Grocery Budget To $200 Per Month

There was a time I would shop pretty much every week, and could easily spend $200 or more per trip.

We live on a mountain top, and our local grocery store is small and definitely more expensive than the big stores down the mountain.

However, when I weigh the option of driving at least a half hour each way and dealing with the crowds at the larger stores, I believe my time is more valuable than the savings, so I do my shopping up here.

I have challenged myself to stick to a budget of around $200 per month for groceries....and I've been succeeding!


If you had told me that a year ago I would have laughed in your face! But it is entirely possible, with the proper planning.

First of all, I keep a magnetic shopping list on the fridge. When I see something is running low, I add it to the list, this way I get everything I need in one trip and I'm not running to the store in between.

The best way to keep your grocery budget down is simple.....STAY OUT OF THE STORES!

I log onto my local store's website, and add all the e-coupons I can to my loyalty card.  I do the same with SavingStar, which offers cash back on purchases.


My new schedule for shopping is to do my monthly shopping on the first Tuesday of the month, when my local store offers an additional 6% off to seniors. I'm not a senior (yet!) but my sweetie is, so I use his loyalty card.

The night before my shopping trip, I sit down with my list and the weekly circular, and plan my trip. I make note of any sale items that I want to take advantage of, clip any coupons for items I use regularly, and cross reference the sale items to the coupons and SavingStar rebates - anything that I use regularly that's a great deal between the three goes on the list.  

For example, Persil laundry detergent - I love it, it's a great stain fighter, so I keep it on hand for whites or heavily soiled loads. But, it's very expensive, so I don't use it for everything. I use a much cheaper detergent (that I buy only when it is on sale!) for things like bath mats, towels, etc. Normally I order my Persil from Walmart, for $11.99/100 oz bottle. Recently it was on sale at my market for $9.99, plus there was a $2 eCoupon AND SavingStar had a $2 cash back - which makes the end price of the detergent $5.99 - yes please! I wish I could have bought more than one at that price, but of course it's limited to 1. But that's ok, that bottle will last me about a year!


Shopping 'smart' like that saves a ton of money. You need to build up a stockpile of items that you use all the time, so that you only purchase them when they are on sale and never,ever at full price. Obviously this doesn't apply to perishables such as milk and eggs, as you can't stockpile them, but it helps a ton if your pantry and freezer are both full of foods you've purchased at a discount.


I also grow a lot of my own produce in the summer months, which I make into soups/sauces/meals and freeze for the winter months. Between my house and my sweetie's, we have a good amount of freezer space to take advantage of that method. One of the first things I bought for my house when I bought it 3 1/2 years ago was a stand-up freezer for the garage, which has paid for itself so many times by now. It also means I can stock up on meats when they are on sale, and never pay full price.


Another way I save on groceries is to 'stretch' certain items. A whole chicken, for example, may be Sunday night dinner for 3ppl, plus Monday lunch for 3 ppl, but even after that I will put aside some chopped chicken in the freezer for soup, or perhaps some sliced chicken for fajitas. The bones go into a ziploc in the freezer, and become broth. Vegetable scraps are also saved for broth. When I have a full bag of vegetable scraps I'll toss them into the crock-pot with some herbs and the chicken bones, fill it with water, and let it simmer on low for at least 24 hours. Cheese rinds are saved in the freezer for the same purpose - I toss one into the broth for extra flavor. Same with mushroom stems.


When I make pasta sauce, I always make enough to freeze some for another meal. When I make lasagna, I'll make one for dinner and one for the freezer. Ground beef was on sale recently, so I made 5 meatloaves for the freezer. Guess what's for dinner tonight? When I make soup, I make a huge pot and freeze it in little containers (for grab and go lunches) and also quart containers, which are perfect for a quick meal for two with some crusty bread. If you are doing the work anyway, why not double the recipe and have an easy meal for another day?


Making meals from scratch rather than using convenience foods is not only healthier for you, but also much more cost effective. 

Meatless meals are also healthier and more budget friendly, so I always try to include at least one meatless dinner per week, and often more than one.


I have been expanding my baking skills this year, learning how to make things like pastry, biscuits, and pizza dough from scratch. I really don't know what I was so afraid of!


Let's face it, a 5 lb bag of flour is so much less expensive than buying pre-made pizza dough or biscuits, and it really doesn't take much time at all to whip together a batch of dough. 


I have marked off numerous recipes in my Ina Garten cookbooks that I want to try, and I have already made quite a few. Cooking at home is so much less expensive than going out, and it's incredibly rewarding. 


Ina Garten's Coconut Cupcakes were our dessert last night.....YUMMMMM!!

We eat very well at my house, and do it on a budget. There's no shortage of tasty treats, all made from scratch and with love. 

Shopping monthly is the wisest thing I've done to cut my grocery budget way down. We eat the most perishable items first, such as salad greens and berries, as they don't keep for long. After that, we move on to produce that has a longer shelf life, and when that's gone we eat produce from the freezer. I still have a ton of beans from our garden in the freezer, as well as some beets, peas, and roasted tomatoes. 

 
Towards the end of the month I may need to pick up milk or bread, and occasionally eggs, but other than that, a monthly shopping really works out well. 
 

I 'cheated' this month and ran out for a few extra items, as I was hosting a dinner party - hey, I'm not a martyr, and occasionally I will need to break the rules. 

But on the whole, I'm incredibly proud of myself for cutting back my grocery budget so drastically. 

What are your top tips for keeping your grocery budget in check? 

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44 comments:

  1. I try to be as frugal as possible, but I can't match you at all. Mine runs around $400 a month and with a lot of frugal shopping and sales I can get it down to around $325. I can't wait for us to get our garden in that will make a ton of difference too. You are an inspiration.

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    1. Growing your own veggies will definitely help, Marty - and in your climate you can probably grow all year, I'm guessing.

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  2. the one thing I won't do is not buy organic ....especially meat or dairy. I know people think it is more expensive and until you get the hang of it it is....but my motto is eat less...eat better.

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    1. I garden organically so I'm fortunate that all summer long I have no shortage of free organic veggies at my disposal. Nothing like that first organic tomato out of the garden!!

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  3. I agree with you that the best way to keep the spending down is to stay out of the stores! A couple of friends have started ordering online and picking up their groceries. I have one friend that uses Hannaford and one that uses Walmart. Both have been very happy with the service, including the produce that was purchased. They say they are saving a lot of money because they eliminate impulse purchases. Makes sense!

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    1. I wish we had that option up here, Sue, but our store is too tiny. I'm sure there's a fee for that service, hopefully it's minimal!

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  4. Thanks for stopping at my place! I loved reading your methods. I do things somewhat the same, but shop twice a month. I also have a freezer and we have a large shelving area in our basement where I stock things that I buy on sale. One thing I have to watch is making sure I used things before they're outdated!
    I need to start freezing scraps for stock. That's a great idea!

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    1. Hi Mari - I have a large shelving unit in the garage I use for paper goods, laundry detergent, etc - can't keep food of any sort out there with the critters, and also it's not a heated garage. But every bit of storage helps! When our market has a sale on canned crushed tomatoes at 10 for $10 (which I use frequently) I've been known to even store the overflow in the guest room closet!! Same with my flavored seltzers.

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  5. I am truly amazed, Debbie and way to go!! I still have a house full of young adults here and their friends, so my food bill is crazy. I do use coupons and we eat leftovers, but right now, I think that's as good at it's going to get! Your food looks great though...wow, I'm suddenly hungry!

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    1. I hear ya, Kim, when my older daughter was also here (and her boyfriend much of the time) my grocery bills were much higher. Now it's just 2 or 3 of us most nights, so things stretch farther. My younger daughter is in the process of buying a house....when she's gone maybe I can get that bill even lower!

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  6. I like purchasing the Costco roasted chicken for $4.99. Having a dinner then sandwiches for lunch. Throw the rest into a large pot with onion, celery, carrot and make chicken stock and then soup. Provides multiple containers of soup for the freezer for the future.

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    1. I buy rotisserie chickens at times also - they are such a great quick dinner on the night I go grocery shopping, which is a relief since I do my shopping after work and it's late by the time I'm done and everything is put away. When it's done, the carcass goes into the freezer for stock, just like you! Save your onion, celery, and carrot scraps to make the stock - that makes it even more frugal!!

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  7. I need to do better at my grocery shopping. I try to clip coupons from the mail circulars but always forget to use them. I do log into my grocery store apps and load the coupons onto my savings cards. I also us walmart savings catcher. It gives me cash back when it finds better prices at other stores that I bought at walmart. I let it build up and we will use that for our beach groceries.
    Laundry soap, we will chase the sales around for that which results in stopping in different stores.
    Looks like you have a great plan going on.
    Lisa

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    1. I didn't know about Walmart Savings Catcher, thanks for the tip, Lisa!! Can you use that program when shopping online? I order my paper goods, tinfoil, ziploc bags, etc from Walmart (free delivery over $35) since the closest one to me is over a half hour away, and those products are way cheaper at Walmart than in my local market.

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  8. Replies
    1. Thanks, Ellen!! So far it's been working well for me, and anywhere I can shave some $$$ off the budget is a very good thing!

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  9. I do a lot of those money saving tips too. I am inspired to do more now!

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    1. I think that's one of the greatest gifts that blogging gives us - we get inspired by other bloggers, Penny!

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  10. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment. :)
    It takes a lot of work to shop and save as you do!! Good for you.

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    1. It does take more work, for sure, which is another reason it's good I'm only shopping once a month!

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  11. Way to go my friend! I also saw your favorite red pot in the photos. If my hands were in better shape I'd try some of the things like pizza dough, but as it is I'm lucky to get a fork to my mouth. You sure know how to stretch money and food!
    Brenda

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    1. It's really a shame you're suffering so much with your hands, Brenda - I wish you could find some relief somehow!

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  12. Bravo and good going. I stockpile cleaners, laundry detergent, etc. when it's on sale. My husband thought I was nuts. I said saving $1 - $1.50 is alot because they're expensive items.

    Me having MS I eat mostly organic except for fruit. Fruit doesn't last long enough. Eating organic is important for MS so that adds to the bill.

    I have always made big batches of soup and sauce. Alot of work so it's a win win. Great post

    Cindy

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    1. Same here, Cindy! At any given time I have around 5 bottles of laundry detergent, a few all purpose cleaners, and the carpet spray I use for carpet spots stockpiled in my garage, along with paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, foil, ziploc bags, garbage bags, etc. Indoors I have a stockpile of canned goods, pasta, pantry items, etc - if I ever got snowed in for a month I'd be just fine!!

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  13. You are so good Debbie and such an inspiration on how to save money. It is amazing if you do a little planning how much money you can save. With it being just Terry and I we most times will pick up something on the weekends to share. Just a little cheaper than me cooking a big meal. During the week I cook and then use extras for another meal or lunches too. Great tips. Happy Wednesday.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thanks, Kris!! When my daughter moves out my grocery bills will be a bit smaller, but for now I am at least happy I've been able to get it to this point!

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  14. That is so awesome!! I am impressed and amazed that you are able to do that. I do try to keep our food expenses down and do an okay job of it, but some months are harder than others! Our protein shake supplies are killers for us! Love and hugs!

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    1. I don't count any vitamins in that budget, Benita, that's really just groceries and sometimes a few other items such as laundry detergent, dish soap, tissues, etc.

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  15. I am very impressed!! I always think I'm doing such a great job because I watch the ads, cross reference, and do what you said. However, at the end of the month...well I'd be embarrassed to admit how much I spend. You are probably very right that the key is not to go to the stores. I do usually go once a week because we go through milk like water!! You've inspired me to work harder at this. My sweet husband is talking about retiring in 5 years...it's time to sock even more away.

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    1. That's definitely key, Stacey - stay out of the stores!! If you did one major shopping a month using as many sales/coupons as possible to stockpile, you can just run in for milk to a convenience store as needed. I will often ask my daughter to pick up milk on her way home to keep me out of the stores!!

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  16. Debbie, I should have told you...my husband eats Chex for breakfast almost every single morning. I buy 15 or so boxes of it at Christmas when it's on super sale. It's hilarious because people are always going in our pantry and their mouth drops when they see all of it. My son asked if we were becoming "preppers". I must admit I kind of like the sound of that. :)

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    1. That's funny, Stacey!! I wouldn't have room for 15 boxes of cereal in my pantry it's so stuffed!! I don't eat a ton of cereal anyway so that's ok but I did do a major stock up on baking supplies before the holidays, ordering from Walmart as it's so much cheaper than my local market - the top shelf of my pantry is stuffed full of sugar, flour, corn meal, brown sugar, etc!!

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  17. Great job, Debbie! I can't stay out of the grocery stores though...I have to shop at least twice/week due to all the fresh produce we eat. We seriously eat so much fresh vegetables and fruits that the bins in our fridge can't even hold it all. We both eat fresh salad greens every day plus I make vegetables the focus of our dinners. Hubby eats a banana every day and I have one about every other day. I also eat a lot of citrus in the winter - grapefruit and clementines. And use fresh lemons in my water.

    I also spend a lot of money on groceries because I buy organic - chicken, ground beef, pork from a farm...then limited dairy, eggs, and all the produce. In the summer, we grow our own tomatoes, and maybe one other veggie, but that's all we have room for because our property is mostly shaded.

    I do keep staples stocked such as grains, pastas, canned tomatoes, beans, toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, toiletries, etc.

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    1. Sounds like your diet is pretty much perfect, Melanie!! That's awesome!! I love when my veggie garden is in full swing, it's the best to be able to go outside and pick my dinner!

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  18. So many great ideas, Debbie! We try very hard not to waste food and to be creative with leftovers. I never thought of checking to see if our grocery stores offer a senior discount day...but I'll be looking into that!

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    1. Hey, every little bit helps, right Linda? In this day and age when groceries are so darned expensive I have to do what I can!

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  19. We order from Walmart once a month and pick it up. There is no charge here for that. But I shop a couple other stores for things but trying to do that every other week. I don't seem to have very many coupons to use. I started making the laundry soap similar to Molly Bee. Will continue to use Tide on my whites as we have hard water and homade on the rest. I wish i could remember prices and need to do a price book. If my produce is not organic I usually use a rinse on it. Have wondered if that would be good enough to use the peelings for soup broth. Nancy

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    1. I have stretched my laundry soap in the past also, Nancy, using a recipe I found online - it was great when both girls were at home and I was buying detergent for them....now I have only one girl at home and she buys her own, yayy!

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  20. What an excellent post! Congratulations on your budget success. You are so right about staying out of stores to save money, LOL. A long time ago I figured out that I saved a tone of money by not looking at the catalogs that came in the mail. Of course, they don't send print catalogs any more, and I can't want what I don't see, so online is fine with me! LOL I didn't know about adding coupons to loyalty cards, though. Thanks for that!

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    1. I don't look at the catalogues, either, Leigh - although I still get them in the mail. They go straight into the recycling bin!

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  21. Debbie, OMGoodness! You *should* be proud of yourself! This is one of my goals for the year, to reduce grocery spending. Thanks for the tips. I'm going online now to see if my store has a website where I can add e-coupons to my loyalty card. Pinning!

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    1. You should check out Savings Star also, Jean - it's easy and you get cash back on items you purchase.

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  22. Such a great and helpful post, Debbie! I'm so glad you shared on Homestyle Gathering! Hope to see you again this coming Tuesday! Hugs!

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