During the month of August I am challenging myself, and anyone else who wants to join in, to trim the grocery budget in order to save some extra money for stockpiling. I talked a little bit yesterday about how easy it is to stockpile and how you don’t need a lot of space or money to begin. For those who live in tight quarters you should check out Making the Most of Minimal Kitchen Storage, a post written by my friend Kate who up until recently lived in a two bedroom condo with her family of 6!
Many of my blogging friends are participating in this challenge too. In order to make it easy for everyone to participate you can check in as often as you like in the new Frugal Living community powered by BlogFrog. The discussion is already going on, and you can join in and share tips, ideas, progress, deals, and your updates. You don’t have to have a blog to be part of the discussion, you can sign in with your Facebook account or an email address, it is really easy.
Just a reminder, the point of my challenge to to build up the food stockpile, not deplete it, so eating out of the freezer or pantry this month defeats the purpose. The goal is to find ways to cut the budget without cutting into the stockpile.
I’ll be checking in at the Frugal Living community, but I’ll put up a blog post once a week as a reminder. My daily progress will be updated in the sidebar.
Happy Saving!
My August Grocery Goal = $540
Amount spent so far = $0
How do you only spend $540 per month? Is it just food? You have all those babies!? Is that what you normally spend? Sorry for all the questions. I like to save money and I am intrigued!
Good luck with your goal! When I am trying to save money I like to make more bean meals or pancakes.
One tip I learned was that we tend to eat a LOT more meat in this country than we need to and meat is EXPENSIVE! I started substituting lighter meals for dinner and stopped thinking I needed to provide such large meat quantities at dinners as well – it has saved a lot! Top Ramen with Salad from the garden (which is free for us in the summer) is a super cheap meal once or twice a week. We are a family of 6 and spend about $400-$450 a month on groceries – we used to spend $1200 easily and we eat better now and there isn’t as much junk in the house!
I guess the only thing I can tell you is to check back during the month of August and see how I spend my grocery budget.
We don’t eat a lot of meat, and I make a lot of food from scratch. I also cloth diaper so that saves on diapers. I coupon for toiletries so many times I get stuff for free or close to free.
Toni
Our family of 7 is now down to just the 3 (hubby, me and dd-11) I find it hard to stockpile on a lot of things these days. However I believe I have managed to do the pantry challenge and I’m up for it again. I have recently made my own laundry detergent (some powerful stuff) and I use vinegar as a softener. Our meat eating is minimal not as much beef as we use to eat. Mostly chicken and pork now. We use to by a whole cow when the fair was going on it supported FFA and fed our family some really flavorful meat. I will do my best to work this challenge also. Thanks so much for being such an inspiration Toni.
Cherrill
Haha. I have to admit, I’m so in love with people who take pictures of their pantries (and refrigerators) and post them! It’s so voyeuristic!
Good luck with the challenge!
We have a family of four and a monthly food budget of $500. We are vegetarians and I also like organic food. I try to make a menu for our meals and look in the sales ads for what’s on sale. We love to eat and we don’t have a problem buying fresh produce, beans, tofu, and other specialty items within our budget. I don’t buy a lot of processed foods and I try not to be foods that we don’t eat. Good luck on your challenge! CleverlyChanging.com
WOW! I’m reading all these budget cuts, and I think to myself, have you ever tried to feed 4 ppl, (my husband, myself, 17 yr old, 20 year old ) on 125.00; in 2010? I do…and i feel like i could eat like a king on 500! This budget includes all food, toilet tissue, and paper towels. I don’t purchase cleaners, I use a steam mop and microfiber rags and towels, and great home remedies for cleaning.
As far as makeup, deo, shampoo…I buy only when i can get them dirt cheap with coupons and sales, or i purchase off brands at our local dollar tree.
I would love to see someone really get down to the bare min. dollar and see just how cheap they can feed their family.
I love to cook and i have found that if you never ever ever buy precooked or processed foods and you make your own, you will save BIG!!
I am really into sharing tips, and recipes with others and would love to meet frugal ppl to exchange ideas if you are interested.