How to Grocery Shop on a Budget Step 1
“What changes would you make in your
life if you didn’t have to work for a living?”
This question literally changed my life. I read it in the following book when I was a tired….very tired….depressed working momma of two young children:
The priorities in my life changed drastically after reading that book. At that point in my life I didn’t even know what the word frugal meant. I didn’t know how to grocery shop on a budget. Grocery budgeting? Yeah, I had some random number on a piece of paper. Up until that point I would walk up and down every aisle at the grocery store and then stop for fast food on the way home.
Priorities
What priorities do you have in your life that affect your grocery buying decisions? My main priority is to remain a homemaker until my youngest graduates from high school. Last year when I realized how much of an impact the food we eat has on our body, I made that my main priority. You know what happened?
STRESS
Is it healthy to have a bunch of financial stress in your life? Not so much….so in August 2011 I focused on my keeping our food budget at $100 per week. Often times people want to know what that number includes.
It doesn’t really matter. What works for my family probably won’t work for your family.
The best thing I ever did was stop comparing myself to others. Instead, I used that energy to figure out ways to save money on groceries. I looked at what people were doing instead of what they were spending.
Goals
After you determine priorities, then you can set goals (previously I always set goals BEFORE determining my priorities). My main goal: Stay within a weekly budget of $100. I have a few other priorities and goals, but that is my main goal. After you have determined your priorities and set your goals, then you can move onto the other Steps to Success.
Have you determined your priorities and goals yet? If so, I’d love to hear them!
Items needed: $ 92.83
Luxury items: $ 6.98
Grand Total of All Items: $ 99.81
Click on the image below to see my grocery shopping details.
This post has been linked to:
LifeAsMom
GroceryCartChallenge
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4 comments
Mary
November 12, 2011 at 3:30 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I found that same question probably about the same time you did and came to the same conclusion: I needed to be home.
My grocery budget is the same as yours by the way. It includes cleaning supplies, basic personal care and paper products (but I only have to feed two people on that budget). We typically just eat whole foods (very little “snacky” or processed foods) and the money stretches far. It’s an amazing thing actually; I think we spent four and five times as much when I worked full time.
Johnlyn
November 14, 2011 at 5:51 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I used to spend so much money when I worked ~ I don’t think it was worth it. Thanks for sharing Mary.
Spendwisemom
November 18, 2011 at 6:17 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Great post. It has always been a value to my husband and I to have me home when we had our 5 kids. It was more difficult financially, but I would never change the decision I made. It is important not to compare yourself to others and how much they spend. The only reason I decided to do the $50 challenge was to prove that someone could eat balanced meals on the amount they would receive on government assistance. We have been fortunate enough never to have had to have food stamps, but I wanted to reach those people who were struggling trying to make it who get discouraged sometimes. The limit has forced me to skip chips, soda, packaged cookies, etc. That was hard at first, but my shopping is so easy when I shop around the perimeter of the store and skip aisle after aisle. My heart goes out to people who don’t have a choice about staying home with their kids. I am so grateful I was able to.
Johnlyn
November 18, 2011 at 11:41 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’m with ya SpendwiseMom – my heart goes out to those folks as well. In order for me to be able to stay home we made a ton of financial sacrifices, but I KNOW that is not an option for a lot of people.
I’m so glad you took the challenge! It’s awesome to see more blogs popping up (or at least I’m seeing more of them!)
Thanks for commenting.