Here is an example of my unextreme couponing strategy:
Publix
- List of items for this week:
Organic Romaine Hearts
Organic Celery
Smart Balance Spread
Orville's Natural Popcorn- 3 large boxes
Riceworks Chips- 2 bags
Tic Tac Big Box
Wheat Egg Noodles- 4 bags
Organic Frozen Veggies- 2 bags
Lara Bars- 2 bars
Cheez It
Soft Scrub
Chef Boyardi- 4 cans
Publix Cream of Chicken- 2 cans
Hunts Pudding- 2 pks
Hunt's Ketchup- 2
Frescheta Pizzas- 2
Chips Ahoy- 4 pks
Green Beans- 2 cans
Publix Pie Shell
Publix Coleslaw
Wheat Pitas- 2 pks
Turkey Kiebasa
Corn- 2 cans
Peter Pan Huge Jar
House Plants- 5 (my huband had to have some new ones)
$50 BP Gift Card
Total $110.32 (after $26.98 in coupons)
Paid $20 with rebate gift card from ConAgra
=$90.32
-$40 for $50 BP Giftcard (had $10 off coupon)(does not go against grocery budget)
=$50.32
-$10 for my husband's plants (does not go against grocery budget)
=$40.32 Total for groceries at Publix
Will be submitting a rebate for $15 to ConAgra. So, the total really is $25.32, but I count it as $40.32 for this budget week.
So, I know you are thinking. But, where is the food to make full meals? I buy the sale items that I will use at Publix each week on Wednesday. This allows me to get the penny item for the week. I get one coupon circular on Sunday and I do not have a printer. So, once a week I cut coupons. I am definately not an extreme couponer! A successful Publix trip is one in which the total saved is equal to or greater than the total spent. This is a really easy thing to do with some planning.
Aldi
I purchase most of my staple items at Aldi. I generally buy:
Milk- 2 gallons at $2.49 each
Pretzals at $1.20
Saltines- $.79
Fruits & Veggies- There is no place cheaper than Aldi on produce, but the selection is lean.
Whole Wheat Bread- 2 loafs a week at $1.19 each
Eggs- $.99 lately
Mac & Cheese- $.39 a box
Canned Goods
This week I spent $13.19 at Aldi.
Walmart
I buy our meat at Walmart on markdown. Chicken breasts are generally $1.78-1.88 a pound at our Walmart. The rest of our meat is purchased on markdown. Our Walmart marks down meat that is close to the freeze by date. I buy whatever is on markdown and plan my meals around the markdown meat I buy.
This week I spent $14.69 on eight chicken breasts and a package of pork ribs.
So, the total amount spent on groceries this week $68.20. Plus, I will be receiving a rebate for $15 from ConAgra. Not too bad for a family of four!
Showing posts with label Frugal Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frugal Living. Show all posts
Friday, August 12, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Stretching the Dollar
When I decided to become a full-time homemaker, my husband and I knew we would have to learn to stretch our money further. We have always been a fairly frugal family, but on two incomes there was always a lot of room for little financial mishaps. We were able to enjoy vacations, full price groceries, home improvements (done by other people) and a variety of material things. Now that I am at home, we have had to learn to control spending urges and come up with new ways to save money. Here are a few of the things that have helped us to conserve our financial resources:
General Lifestyle
1. We are dedicated to paying off debt. Any extra money that we are able to save goes to paying off our debt.
2. We bought a house that we can afford. Previously, we had made the mistake of buying a home that required two incomes to support. Once we have paid down debt, we will have a reasonable house payment and hopefully no debt payments.
3. We drive paid for cars. Our cars are older and have been paid off. We are committed to never having a car payment again. Should a car die, we will save up cash and buy a car outright.
4. We do all home improvements that we can ourselves. My husband has learned basic plumbing, home repair and carpentry skills. I take care of the painting, yard work and general labor duties. My skills are limited in home repair. I have done some electrical with very spooky results.
5. We save for major home improvements. Currently, we are saving for a roof. We are also planning to have roof vents installed to assist with summer cooling bills.
Day to Day
1. I shop at Goodwill and yard sales. I buy our clothes, home decor and small appliances second hand. I generally do not buy any clothing that is over $4. Buying second hand saves money and benefits the environment.
2. I sew. I mend our clothes. Mending conserves money and reduces waste.
3. I make as many food items as I can from scratch. I make bread, pizza crust, granola bars, pancakes, waffles, jello, pudding, applesauce, etc.. . Buying foods like pudding, jello and applesauce in lunch containers is expensive and creates waste. Anything that you buy ready made that comes in some kind of packaging is typically going to be more expensive than making it at home. Also, all that packaging creates a lot of waste. My husband always notices packaging and has helped me a lot in taking notice of the packaging that I am buying.
4. We set our heat low and our air conditioner high. We generally set our heat at 60 degrees and we turn it off whenever we can tolerate the cold. We are planning to add more insulation to help with heating and cooling. In summer, we set our air conditioner at 78 degrees and turn it off whenever we can. Thanks goodness for fans and mini heaters!
5. Line dry. When the weather is nice, I line dry our clothes. In the warm months, I only use the line.
6. We grow our own food. We grow veggies and have planted fruit trees. I also buy fruits in bulk when they are in season and can them for later. I am hoping to expand my garden this year.
7. We run full loads of laundry and dishes.
8. We do not have cable television.
9. We use coupons and buy foods on sale. Each week, I buy the best grocery deals with coupons and buy the rest at Aldi. I also visit Trader Joes once a month for some of my special food items. I use coupon sites to help me find good deals. My favorite coupon site for groceries is Southern Savers. I am the only vegan in our house, so I plan two meals a day. One for them and one for me. I make a standard meat, starch and veggie dinner for my family. When they are done eating, I make food for myself. I generally plan their meals around whatever meats are on sale or in the freezer. For myself, I eat mostly veggies, beans and peanut butter. I have been able to keep our grocery budget pretty tight. My budget is $80 a week for groceries.
10. I go to the library. I love to read, but I do not buy books. I visit the library at least two times per week. I check out books and movies. It is great for the budget and also the environment.
11. We drink water.
12. We do not eat out very often.
13. We cut each other’s hair. My children have never had their hair cut by anyone except me. I cut the children and my husband’s hair. I have even asked my husband to trim my hair on a few occasions.
14. We camp. We love to go on vacation, but hotel rooms are expensive for us, so we have started camping more frequently.
This is a sampling of some of the things that we do to stay in our budget. Personally, I do not miss having extra money. The time I get to spend with my children and husband is so much more important to me. I love being a homemaker and strive to teach my children to be frugal with their financial resources as well as the Earth's resources.
General Lifestyle
1. We are dedicated to paying off debt. Any extra money that we are able to save goes to paying off our debt.
2. We bought a house that we can afford. Previously, we had made the mistake of buying a home that required two incomes to support. Once we have paid down debt, we will have a reasonable house payment and hopefully no debt payments.
3. We drive paid for cars. Our cars are older and have been paid off. We are committed to never having a car payment again. Should a car die, we will save up cash and buy a car outright.
4. We do all home improvements that we can ourselves. My husband has learned basic plumbing, home repair and carpentry skills. I take care of the painting, yard work and general labor duties. My skills are limited in home repair. I have done some electrical with very spooky results.
5. We save for major home improvements. Currently, we are saving for a roof. We are also planning to have roof vents installed to assist with summer cooling bills.
Day to Day
1. I shop at Goodwill and yard sales. I buy our clothes, home decor and small appliances second hand. I generally do not buy any clothing that is over $4. Buying second hand saves money and benefits the environment.
2. I sew. I mend our clothes. Mending conserves money and reduces waste.
3. I make as many food items as I can from scratch. I make bread, pizza crust, granola bars, pancakes, waffles, jello, pudding, applesauce, etc.. . Buying foods like pudding, jello and applesauce in lunch containers is expensive and creates waste. Anything that you buy ready made that comes in some kind of packaging is typically going to be more expensive than making it at home. Also, all that packaging creates a lot of waste. My husband always notices packaging and has helped me a lot in taking notice of the packaging that I am buying.
4. We set our heat low and our air conditioner high. We generally set our heat at 60 degrees and we turn it off whenever we can tolerate the cold. We are planning to add more insulation to help with heating and cooling. In summer, we set our air conditioner at 78 degrees and turn it off whenever we can. Thanks goodness for fans and mini heaters!
5. Line dry. When the weather is nice, I line dry our clothes. In the warm months, I only use the line.
6. We grow our own food. We grow veggies and have planted fruit trees. I also buy fruits in bulk when they are in season and can them for later. I am hoping to expand my garden this year.
7. We run full loads of laundry and dishes.
8. We do not have cable television.
9. We use coupons and buy foods on sale. Each week, I buy the best grocery deals with coupons and buy the rest at Aldi. I also visit Trader Joes once a month for some of my special food items. I use coupon sites to help me find good deals. My favorite coupon site for groceries is Southern Savers. I am the only vegan in our house, so I plan two meals a day. One for them and one for me. I make a standard meat, starch and veggie dinner for my family. When they are done eating, I make food for myself. I generally plan their meals around whatever meats are on sale or in the freezer. For myself, I eat mostly veggies, beans and peanut butter. I have been able to keep our grocery budget pretty tight. My budget is $80 a week for groceries.
10. I go to the library. I love to read, but I do not buy books. I visit the library at least two times per week. I check out books and movies. It is great for the budget and also the environment.
11. We drink water.
12. We do not eat out very often.
13. We cut each other’s hair. My children have never had their hair cut by anyone except me. I cut the children and my husband’s hair. I have even asked my husband to trim my hair on a few occasions.
14. We camp. We love to go on vacation, but hotel rooms are expensive for us, so we have started camping more frequently.
This is a sampling of some of the things that we do to stay in our budget. Personally, I do not miss having extra money. The time I get to spend with my children and husband is so much more important to me. I love being a homemaker and strive to teach my children to be frugal with their financial resources as well as the Earth's resources.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Natural Beauty
Here are some of the natural products I use to look acceptable:
Moisturizer- Organic coconut oil- this is my current favorite. I have also used olive oil and jojoba. All the oils work well, but I read that the antioxidants in coconut oil help to prevent wrinkles and sun damage. Ok, so some of the damage is already done, but future damage must fight through my layer of coconut oil. HA!
Cleanser- Currently, I am back to Cetephil due to the winter turning me into an alligator. Cetephil can be used without water and it leaves a light layer of moisture on your skin. Usually, I use something more natural like Dr. Bronner's.
Toner & Re-fresher- Rose water- Awwwwww Yaaaaahhh. I spray it on my face when I need a little uplift or just a fresh feeling face. I get it at Vitacost or I have bought rose water in the ethnic food section at Publix. I will attach a picture from Amazon just so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.
Toothpaste- Tom's or Trader Joes- I like the fluoride free Propolis & Myrrh. Trader Joes has it for half the price of Tom's. I have used just about every flavor that Tom's has and they are all great. I also use baking soda once a week to clean any stains that my excessive coffee drinking may have caused.
Deodorant- Tom's or Nature's Gate- Currently, I am loving Nature's Gate. I can not use anti-perspirant due to allergies. Tom's and Nature's Gate are great long lasting deodorants. I have been using them for a very, very long time, but if I remember right it was an adjustment. The lack of anti-perspirant means when you sweat; you get a little damp. That IS the way it is supposed to be, but it is uncomfortable at first.
So, let us not ponder our beauty in excess, but maintain the natural beauty we have and focus our attention on something higher.
"Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head." ~Garrison Keillor
Moisturizer- Organic coconut oil- this is my current favorite. I have also used olive oil and jojoba. All the oils work well, but I read that the antioxidants in coconut oil help to prevent wrinkles and sun damage. Ok, so some of the damage is already done, but future damage must fight through my layer of coconut oil. HA!
Cleanser- Currently, I am back to Cetephil due to the winter turning me into an alligator. Cetephil can be used without water and it leaves a light layer of moisture on your skin. Usually, I use something more natural like Dr. Bronner's.
Toner & Re-fresher- Rose water- Awwwwww Yaaaaahhh. I spray it on my face when I need a little uplift or just a fresh feeling face. I get it at Vitacost or I have bought rose water in the ethnic food section at Publix. I will attach a picture from Amazon just so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.
Toothpaste- Tom's or Trader Joes- I like the fluoride free Propolis & Myrrh. Trader Joes has it for half the price of Tom's. I have used just about every flavor that Tom's has and they are all great. I also use baking soda once a week to clean any stains that my excessive coffee drinking may have caused.
Deodorant- Tom's or Nature's Gate- Currently, I am loving Nature's Gate. I can not use anti-perspirant due to allergies. Tom's and Nature's Gate are great long lasting deodorants. I have been using them for a very, very long time, but if I remember right it was an adjustment. The lack of anti-perspirant means when you sweat; you get a little damp. That IS the way it is supposed to be, but it is uncomfortable at first.
So, let us not ponder our beauty in excess, but maintain the natural beauty we have and focus our attention on something higher.
"Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head." ~Garrison Keillor
Friday, January 21, 2011
Cheap Vegan Ice Cream
Ok, I admit it, one of my biggest grocery expenses is vegan ice cream. I have to have it. The cheapest place I have found it is Trader Joes. It is $3.49 a quart at Joes vs. $3.49 a pint on sale at Kroger. Either way, this is a lot of money when you have a tiny, tiny grocery budget and a big ice cream appetite.
So, what is a frugal, vegan mom to do? Find a way to make it at home. I found a few recipes for vegan ice cream using bananas. That is tonight's yummy fun! If it turns out tasty, then I will post it here on Monday. Wish me luck!
So, what is a frugal, vegan mom to do? Find a way to make it at home. I found a few recipes for vegan ice cream using bananas. That is tonight's yummy fun! If it turns out tasty, then I will post it here on Monday. Wish me luck!
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Aldi had 30 corn tortillas on sale for $.49 each pack. I had to buy two packs because it was such a good deal! So, what to do with 60 corn tortillas? Make chips!!!!!!
Spray each tortilla front and back with cooking spray. Slice corn tortillas into triangles using a pizza cutter. Place on cookie sheet without overlap. Sprinkle with salt and an other seasoning you like. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until crunchy and lightly browned.
I think next I am going to make these into cinnamon sugar triangles!
Spray each tortilla front and back with cooking spray. Slice corn tortillas into triangles using a pizza cutter. Place on cookie sheet without overlap. Sprinkle with salt and an other seasoning you like. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until crunchy and lightly browned.
I think next I am going to make these into cinnamon sugar triangles!
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