So money has been really tight around here this summer. So I have been creative in meal planning and grocery shopping. I have to say, I am really proud of myself. I have been keeping our grocery bill around $100 each week, to feed our family of five. That includes any diapers, dog food, personal items we may need too. This week, I think I have outdone myself though. A whopping $69.75 is what I spent this week, and that included two packs of huggies.
So how did I do it?
First I look at all the ads and my coupons. And plan my week of dinners, using what's on sale, and what's in my freezer.
Here is this weeks meals:
Monday: Hot dogs/pigs in a blanket, beans
Tuesday: ham, julienne potatoes, green beans (from garden)
Wed: Chicken, rice, carrots
Thurs: Ham and cheese omelets, toast, hash browns
Friday: Spaghetti
Saturday: Leftover Fagioli over rice
What I had in the freezer/pantry:
Hot dogs, crescent rolls, beans, julienne potatoes, green beans, rice, hash browns, tomato sauce/paste, Fagioli , ground turkey.
What was on sale and had coupons for:
Huggies, peanut butter, crackers, cookies
My store also price matches:
peanut butter, fruit cups, milk, granola bars.
Some of my big savings this week were: Planters peanut butter was on sale at another store for $.99, and I had a $.75 cent off coupon. Huggies were on sale, I had $3.00 off coupon for the new slide one ones. And milk I price matched , No frills had milk , buy 3 get $1.00 off.
*I also get a 5 cent sack credit for every reusable bag I use. And I also collect pet prints and baby bucks. This week I had enough baby bucks to turn in for a $10.00 gift card.
*Don't be afraid to try new things. I would never have bought the new Huggies slide-on diapers. But with a $3.00 off coupon , I'm willing to try it. That coupon made the huggies as cheap as the store brand.
*Also, store brand is not always cheapest. This week I had a coupon for Land O Lakes eggs. That made the Land O Lakes eggs 40 cents less than the Hy-vee eggs.
*Plan meals from the pantry, or using leftovers. I am making ham tomorrow, and I know there will be leftovers, so we will use the leftovers for ham and cheese omelets.
*Check the store website. My store also puts out an online only ad with extra savings. Check www.afullcup.com for your store savings.
I hope this inspires you to clip some coupons and save some money!
That's great to see the savings you're getting! I don't know how you do the coupons, I've tried and am just no good at it. I now do probably 90-95% of our shopping at Aldi. Love it-not clipping coupons and have cut our bill in half. I know you like the hormone free milk/eggs...Aldi has that and all their milk is $2/gallon! We save $25/month on milk alone and don't feel like we have to ration it. Check them out if you never have. I agree with you on meal planning too it's a must if you want to keep your budget in check. Cool blog BTW:)
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