Frugal Groceries

One of the unique characteristics of FrugalVillage - the forum I mentioned a few posts back - is the abundance of personal and group "challenges" discussed. Anyone is free to post, and many choose to challenge themselves to some frugal task that is particularly difficult for them. A lot of times, the original poster is joined by many members of the forum who decide to take on their own form of the same challenge. 

The nice thing about it is that everyone recognizes that we each have our own unique situation. I may be saving $100 per month, while the poster after me is saving $600/month, and the one after him is saving $25/month. It is always encouraging and no one is judged (at least not in print) by how much or how little they are doing. The mindset is that progress is progress, and whatever YOU can do to improve your situation is worthy of praise. 

Today, I joined the January Grocery Challenge.

My personal January Grocery Challenge is to stay within the budget. Seems obvious, but we've gone over budget on groceries every month since the wedding. Its time to reign in the spending! It is particularly bad because I am a stockpiler. If something goes on sale, I snatch it up in ridiculous quantities. Particularly if it is non-perishable, and something that we eat regularly. Hubby doesn't understand this practice, but I've convinced him that its not all bad. The thing is that until my stock pile is really full, we aren't saving any money because of it. Which means I am spending more than necessary and not saving any. Ugh. 

This month, I am going to:

  Shop only twice, the first and third saturdays.

  Plan meals (GASP!) and only purchase ingredients for meals on the list for the upcoming two weeks

  Utilize grocery store ads and coupons

  Spend no more than $150 on groceries before January 31!

Wish me luck, lift me up in prayer, send encouraging words...I need all the help I can get!