February 2010

[Bee Lady]

hmmmmmmmm as you all know I KILLED January budget 

so here is to a new month!!

I need to run and get something today so I have decided to do weekly amounts instead - thanks for the suggestion Eva - good idea

I am budgeting $125.00 a week for everything!

good luck everyone!

[Three Boys]

You can do it Cathie, i got faith in ya.
 Well now that we have a new payment I am dropping the grocery budget down.God is gonna have to help me....alot.I am going to go to $250
Lets see if i make it....
Love you,Linda

[Bee Lady]

You can do it Cathie, i got faith in ya.
 Well now that we have a new payment I am dropping the grocery budget down.God is gonna have to help me....alot.I am going to go to $250
Lets see if i make it....
Love you,Linda

thanks
you can do it too!!!

[greyhoundgirl]

I'm a little scared to set a limit, after January!  But seriously, it's supposed to be the same all year according to my budget, and that's $450 per month.  In February I also have a $301 Azure coming, and a side of beef at about $600, but those are coming out of tax money and not the regular budget.  And $100 of the Azure order is chicken feed, anyway, which we count in our "pet" budget.

I'm hoping, due to getting lots of fruit in the Azure order, to maybe stay a bit under my $450 budget this month.  If so, that "extra" would either be used to stock up on a good deal of something, set aside for picking strawberries in April, or maybe used to splurge on carryout after baby.  We'll see!

Catherine

[MicaLynn]

For FeBruary.. I am setting mine a .little higher @ 650.. 228 of that is for my hampers.. which come out Automatically.. so that will leave me with  422 to spend..      I wanna get some things tocked up and besides We have two birthday right first thing in March..   and One in February... 

It will be interesting


 Cathie ... Yeah I think  you killed it,buried it in cement and tossed it off the bridge..


Cryssie

[sbdriver]

Well I can be back in for my $200. for the month again. Thank goodness Jan is gone since I only had $100. for the whole month!!! I did it though and used lots from my freezer and pantry. Good luck everyone.

Laurie

[Bee Lady]

Cryssie - yeah it was cemented in when it went over the bridge!!! 

I went shopping - with cash - and I was under $100
((doing a happy dance!!))

so far so good

I think the surplus should go to lunch at the winery fund!
does that sound lovely!!!

[luvabargain]

Cathie, you are funny.  I do like the idea of weekly, but we only get paid once a month, so it is easier for me to break it down to 2 times a month.  I did pretty good for January.  My goal for February is to use more out of the pantry and freezer and not use the coupons to just buy stuff that we won't use, even if it is a good deal.  I am going to budget $500, but I am going to try and have money leftover.  We have a goal of taking the boys to Disney sometime this spring, so I have an incentive to save. 

By the way, if anyone has any cheap disney tips, please share.

Thank you,
Cindy

[mooremama]

I guess I'm sticking with $400 for the month.  I'm blaming my ending balance of $441 for January on Sam.    It's all his fault.  LOL. 

Good luck ladies.

Beth

[Three Boys]

Oh Beth isn't it wonderful that we can blame our Hubby for our extra spending in the food department.LOL

I basically just did some stocking up on can goods today but this is what i got
5 cans Rotel-.49each
5 cans hormel chili with beans-.89 each
eggs-.99
4 cans of chef boyrdee-$1 each. i don't like this stuff,but during a power outage it works.LOL
loaf of honey wheat bread$1.99
Fabric sheets-$3.29
wipes for furniture-$1.79
nutter bars big box-$2.77
Total is $26.38.  i have $223.62 left.
Happy shopping, love linda

[Cook n Cater]

Well I can be back in for my $200. for the month again. Thank goodness Jan is gone since I only had $100. for the whole month!!! I did it though and used lots from my freezer and pantry. Good luck everyone.

Laurie

I love that picture of the bird.
It's beautiful!

Did you take it?

cc

[MicaLynn]

Cryssie - yeah it was cemented in when it went over the bridge!!! 

I went shopping - with cash - and I was under $100
((doing a happy dance!!))

so far so good

I think the surplus should go to lunch at the winery fund!
does that sound lovely!!!

lol You didn't buy any meat did you... and stuck to the list..

LIST:   WINE
           Doritos





Cryssie

[Artsyone]

Drumroll please....................
I have a budget of 300.00 for groceries each month. I have always failed
miserably. Last month, a new year I am determined to do better with my budget.
I came in under budget last month to the grand total of 167.35.
So I am going to try to do it again. I am in for 300.00 for Feb.

                            Gail

[luvabargain]

Drumroll please....................
I have a budget of 300.00 for groceries each month. I have always failed
miserably. Last month, a new year I am determined to do better with my budget.
I came in under budget last month to the grand total of 167.35.
So I am going to try to do it again. I am in for 300.00 for Feb.

                            Gail

Gail, that is fantastic!  How did you do it?  Did you use a lot of what you had on hand?  You have got me motivated now.   

[Bee Lady]

Drumroll please....................
I have a budget of 300.00 for groceries each month. I have always failed
miserably. Last month, a new year I am determined to do better with my budget.
I came in under budget last month to the grand total of 167.35.
So I am going to try to do it again. I am in for 300.00 for Feb.

                            Gail

Gail - you ROCK!!!!!!!!!
good for you!!!

[sbdriver]

CC no I didn't take the pic and can't even remember where I found it lol. I really like it as well though and thank you 

Laurie

[gaggleofseven]

My February budget is $400.

Jennie

[MicaLynn]

Drumroll please....................
I have a budget of 300.00 for groceries each month. I have always failed
miserably. Last month, a new year I am determined to do better with my budget.
I came in under budget last month to the grand total of 167.35.
So I am going to try to do it again. I am in for 300.00 for Feb.

                            Gail

Gial did  you do the eat from the pantry challenge too???  lol most of the grocery money spent  for me was fresh stuff and household stocking up.. Hate to run out of TP

Cryssie

[Cook n Cater]

CC no I didn't take the pic and can't even remember where I found it lol. I really like it as well though and thank you 

Laurie

I just re-read your original post.

$100.00 food budget for a month?

You are to be highly congratulated.

Good job!

I am a single lady and try to keep my budget around that or less per month.

To do it for more than one is a wonderful achievement. (Pantry notwithstanding.)
cc

[sbdriver]

Thanks CC I was really worried since I normally have $200. for the month but I don't drive school bus over the xmas holidays so no pay for me till almost the end of January. It was tough but a good challenge to use up stuff and leftovers that I had put in the freezer.
Thank you for the compliment 

Laurie

[luvabargain]

Laurie, how many people did you feed for $100 for the month?  Wow! Kudos to you girlfriend!!!!!

[sbdriver]

My teenage son and I plus one of my daughters probably ate here at least half of the month lol. Something about when those boys turn to teenagers, they sure eat a lot and constantly lol.
My groceries includes everything not just food.Dog food, toilet paper and all that kind of stuff. Glad I don't have to do it all the time but it certainly is doable. I'm on a tight budget as it is so I really had to dig to get through the month plus my daughter had moved out at the end of Jan. and I had to start paying another $100. towards my rent. A fun month it was not!

Laurie

[sbdriver]

Ooops meant to type daughter moved out end of Dec. lol. Sorry about that  :

Laurie

[Artsyone]

Sorry Ladies,
  It has been a killer day today and I am just now getting on. I used
out of my stock and bought only fresh veggies, some meat and milk.Also
my paper products ( toilet paper ) I do not use paper towels and such,
haven't in over a year. I make my own cleaning products, and washing
detergent. I planned my meals. I used a list at the grocery store and
bought only what was on my list. I utilized all of my leftovers. I just
am sick of throwing money away, I work to hard for it.
 I have mentioned before that I always have huge gardens and can alot
every summer. I have a stockpile of food that would last my family I
estimate for 2 years. If I do mess up and spend too much I " fine "
myself, 25.00 and it goes into savings that I do not touch.
That is what I did and by george it worked!!!!
 If I did it anyone can. I think the secret is to make lists, shop with
cash, and stay out of stores.


                                  Gail

[faerieeva]

Shopping with cash and having a weekly budget is what saved me last month.  I would do the same for february, but after the eight, I think I will not be shopping for at least two weeks or so.  *L* My mother in law and my mother will be taking over from me.  I will try to make sure I go grocery shopping on the seventh so we are stocked up on essentials.
For february I will just see what the month brings.  Then in march, I hope to be able to shop again, even if someone else needs to do the driving.  I am not going to try to bring the budget down for february or march, so I will stick with 100 dollars a week.  After march though I hope to get it down to 95 or 90. 

[Trudy in TN]

Ok, I blew Jan's food budget.  We had the youth group one Sunday and they told us that they normally have between 15-20 so we planned for 20.  Spent over $55 on hot dogs, buns, chili and paper goods.  We only had 5 show up.      So have had a boat load of hot dogs left.  We have already eaten up the chili.  I also went to Sam's and got chicken breasts and at Kroger found ground turkey on sale along with turkey meatballs.

So when I planned next month's budget I gave myself $350 for the month and I really hope to come in under.  This is for everything.  I am not sure how many months I can have this amount bc our parent loans (college loans for our children that are in our names, we actually have two with different lendors) start in March and we recently refinanced our mortgage from a 30 to a 15 and of course our payment went up.  We are praying that it all works out.

[Posetiew]

You all inspire me. I'm in for $200 a week.  That includes horse grain, along with dog, cat, and chicken feed.  That will be tough for us.  We have 25 chickens, 4 dogs, 5 horses, and 3 cats. I have a stickpile of food so that does help.

[Posetiew]

Hey Cathy.....the Seneca wine trail is loads of fun,

[proudmama]

I really need to start cutting back but haven't been able to do so yet.  I definitely have issues from my childhood.  If there is a bare space in the pantry, cabinet or freezer, I just need to fill it even if that spot can barely fit anything .

I am in for $150 a week.  Hopefully, in March, I will be able to lower that to $125 and begin working on clearing out our freezers so we can get rid of one.  It is hard for me to just plan menus from the pantry and freezer until wrestling season is over for my oldest.  He needs to keep his weight down and can't really eat bread or pasta or starchy veggies so I need to plan meals that have a lot of protein for him so no casseroles, pastas, etc. until the end of February or beginning of March.

Denise

[Bee Lady]

Hey Cathy.....the Seneca wine trail is loads of fun,

ohhhhhhhhh sounds lovely!!!

[bluechicken]

Was sooo happy to see Feb. 1st come into being.     For this month I am again aiming for $240.  Take out of that $100 for some maple syrup (I am babying the last cup or so to make it last) and I have $140 left for the month for other stuff.  I have some chicken and pork chops in the freezer as well as the starts for some soups (i.e. left over veggies and meats in a ziplock bag).  I really need to clean my freezer (have been putting it off) and see what else is in there.

[Deblyn]

We have a budget of $450 this month.  This covers all household stuff (shampoo, paper products, etc).  This month it also includes a surprise party that I am planning for my husband.  I am not sure how many will be coming, but it could be up to 60 people.  I am going to do a spaghetti feed.  I do confess that we did a bit of a splurge last month and went to Smart and Final to stock up on paper plates, forks, cups, etc.  We have enough to probably last us all year (even after the party).   

I am trying to stay at no more than $75.00 a week on groceries for the week (and any household stuff we need).  That leaves the rest for the party of which I have already spent some amount purchasing tomato sauce, tomato paste, and pasta.

Tomorrow we go to the store.  We should be about at budget for the week with what I need.  This includes stuff we need for the Super Bowl Party we are going to.  I didn't plan a very cheap thing to bring:  Brown Sugar Smokies (it is using those lil' smokies, bacon and brown sugar and baking them).  I have to buy 3 lbs each of those.  Not a cheap treat!

[MicaLynn]

ok

 I went shopping yesterday   and bought

Sobeys: 5lbs Kidneys
              6lbs Navy Beans
              6lbs Pearl Barley

total: 17.97

Giant tiger:  Cough syrup,BUTTER!!* 2.95/lbs* best deal I could find..  Garbage bags,dishwasher detergent,Laundry soap

total 28.95

Total spent:46.92

Left for February : ?? * I have to do another run later this week so will total then

Cryssie

[faerieeva]

I had some unexpected expenses this week, but it is wednesday and I am still within my weekly budget.  *L* It is down to less than 2 dollars though, so the little Wii jar won't be getting fed much this week.  Oh well, it got a big boost of nearly ten dollars last week, so that evens out.  I THINK I have everything, but am glad for those 2 dollars for that nasty surprise that you always seem to get when you run out completely to then find out in the middle of making cookies that you ran out of sugar or something like that. 

[mooremama]

I spent some time on Wednesday afternoon making out my menu for the coming week and by Thursday morning, I was ready.  The only thing is my arthritis is really bothering me and I'm having to walk with a cane so I wasn't able to go to the store.  Caylon volunteered to go for me since Aldi is right around the corner from the community college she goes to and Harris Teeter is about 2 miles from there.  Worked out fine!!!

Budgeted      100.00
Aldi                -30.38
Harris Teeter  -21.18

Balance......     48.44 remaining!!!

Harris Teeter had a few good meat sales so we got an 7.5lb. turkey breast (.97/lb) and 6.15 lb of chicken leg quarters (.47/lb) and Lainey got her weekly 6 pack of Yo-Baby yogurt so she's a happy girl 

I think I'm going to send her every week!!!  And she even brought home a triple chocolate bundt cake that wasn't on the shopping list!!!  What a girl 

We're eating well this week and have $48 to boot. 

Hope everyone else does well.

Beth

[proudmama]

Well, I went over for the week - I stink at this!  There were some extreme sales and I had coupons that I had to use up which could account for some of the overspending, but I am really starting to think that the prices here might just be too high for me to only spend $150 a week.  It also doesn't help that there are a lot of diet restrictions in this house - and none of them are the same kind of diet restriction!  Maybe I will do better next week and, by the end of the month, it will all even out to only $150 a week.

Denise

[greyhoundgirl]

So far:

$119.05 at the commissary
$14.?? at Braum's for milk, ice cream, yogurt and half and half (our raw milk people lost power so we buy Braum's milk as an alternative, on the good side it's cheaper!)
Total so far for month is $133.??  I don't shop weekly, though, so think I'm right on track for $450 for the month so far since we're pretty much stocked for another week or more.  Actually, I think I should be able to get some extra stuff ahead for more freezer meals without going over.  Not too terrible considering we lost some things in the power outage and had to restock a bit.  I am splurging a bit and buying storebought bread and buns right now, just to make things a bit simpler at this late stage of pregnancy.  Oh, and two boxes of cereal for busy mornings...cereal is an occasional treat around here.

[bluechicken]

I think my Aldi recipe is out in the car (in the cold through the snow  ) so it will have to wait till later for further details. 

I was able to cut up the ham that I bought into 5 sections (meals).  The ends got chopped up for a soup, one portion was eaten for supper that night, and the other three sections were frozen.  I need to focus on buying meats this month as we have enough for sides in the panty, I think.  We definantly have enough potatoes as I still have a 8 or 10 lb bag I haven't touched.   I just couldn't pass up the 5 lb bag for $1. 

County Market
*4 lb sugar  .99
90 ct kitchen trash bags  12.88
*Farmland bacon  1.99
*Armour pepperoni (1.50x3)  4.50
*Farmland boneless ham  6.95
*bananas,2.49 lb   .97
*roma tomaotes, .88 lb  .87
*Idaho potatoes, 5 lb  .99
*yellow onions, 3 lb   .88
*baby carrots, 1 lbx2  1.98
*milk 1/2 ga x2  1.98
*toothpaste, pepsodent x2  1.58
*2 liter 7-up x2   1.58

Total with tax: 39.76 (the trash bags really raised this amount.  the smaller count box of them I was looking for was all taken so I went to the next larger size.)

Aldi
bought 1 gallon milk $1.80, dozen eggs, 8 containers of yogurt $.43 ea, 2 containers of ice cream $2.19 ea .. I think that is it.  Total = $18.07

Total for month = $57.83
Left to spend = $82.17 - I don't think I'm going to make it.  

[RhodesMom]

AGH - It is only the 5th and I spent $34.99 at Vons and 18.50 at CVS so far this month.  I was thinking that this was not too bad till I looked on line at my account balance and there is only $36 dollars left there for the month!!  I am hoping for a pre-paid gas card from my MIL and and a Costco card from my parents for my birthday but it is going go be a very lean month.  Fortunately, I do have enough in food storage and the things I bought on the 1st that plus whatever is on the Costco card - that should see us through the month but I do not like cutting it that close!

[Three Boys]

Was going to list all my receipts and such ,but decided to just give the total i have left for the month. $56.62.
 I ended up having to buy  alot more stuff extra due to Gary and Nick both being sick, and i guess extra isn't the right word. I replaced everything i used up while they have been sick. I don't have much left for month, but i still may be able to pull it off. we will see.
Happy Shopping,Linda

[Posetiew]

This week of my $200 I spent:

$72.00 at Barskis for 600 lb horse grain
$41.27 at Aldi's for grocery type items
$38.37 at BJ's for laundry detergent, vitamins and some oranges
$80.00 at the food auction.
$231.64

I am now $31.64 over my budget for the week.  Next week we have to buy bedding and hay so I will be over then, too.  Perhaps $200.00 isn't enough.  I will see what February and March brings then re-evaluate the money.

Sherrie

[mooremama]

Sam took me for a ride for this afternoon to get me out of the house for awhile.  With this arthritis flare, I haven't been anywhere but to the doctor's office in about a week.  The most exciting place I could think of to go was Aldi!!!  I got a half gallon of OJ, some half and half and (2) 100% black cherry juice for Lainey. 

$48.44  remaining for the week
    9.55  spent today

 $38.89  remaining

We also stopped by KFC for lunch and I got a snack box for 1.99.  Sam says I'm a cheap date 

Beth

[Trudy in TN]

Friday's paycheck starts this month grocery challenge.  Yesterday I bought dog food at Wal-Mart for $25.00 so I have $325 left for the month.

[MicaLynn]

Sam took me for a ride for this afternoon to get me out of the house for awhile.  With this arthritis flare, I haven't been anywhere but to the doctor's office in about a week.  The most exciting place I could think of to go was Aldi!!!  I got a half gallon of OJ, some half and half and (2) 100% black cherry juice for Lainey. 

$48.44  remaining for the week
    9.55  spent today

 $38.89  remaining

We also stopped by KFC for lunch and I got a snack box for 1.99.  Sam says I'm a cheap date 

Beth

Now Beth.. Your not Cheap.. Your FRUGAL... thats  what I always say.. 

Cryssie

[Trudy in TN]

Did some grocery shopping this evening and knew I needed to post it before I forget it.

Krogers:

half gallon of skim milk
2 bags of pistacho nuts
2 jars of mild salsa
2 bags of tortilla chips
1 container of cheese dip
2 lb of carrots
1 lb of dry white beans

Total:  $17.90
Balance for the month:  $307.10

[Cook n Cater]

I think my Aldi recipe is out in the car (in the cold through the snow  ) so it will have to wait till later for further details. 

I was able to cut up the ham that I bought into 5 sections (meals).  The ends got chopped up for a soup, one portion was eaten for supper that night, and the other three sections were frozen.  I need to focus on buying meats this month as we have enough for sides in the panty, I think.  We definantly have enough potatoes as I still have a 8 or 10 lb bag I haven't touched.   I just couldn't pass up the 5 lb bag for $1. 

County Market
*4 lb sugar  .99
90 ct kitchen trash bags  12.88
*Farmland bacon  1.99
*Armour pepperoni (1.50x3)  4.50
*Farmland boneless ham  6.95
*bananas,2.49 lb   .97
*roma tomaotes, .88 lb  .87
*Idaho potatoes, 5 lb  .99
*yellow onions, 3 lb   .88
*baby carrots, 1 lbx2  1.98
*milk 1/2 ga x2  1.98
*toothpaste, pepsodent x2  1.58
*2 liter 7-up x2   1.58

Total with tax: 39.76 (the trash bags really raised this amount.  the smaller count box of them I was looking for was all taken so I went to the next larger size.)

Aldi
bought 1 gallon milk $1.80, dozen eggs, 8 containers of yogurt $.43 ea, 2 containers of ice cream $2.19 ea .. I think that is it.  Total = $18.07

Total for month = $57.83
Left to spend = $82.17 - I don't think I'm going to make it.  

Dear Stephanie..your list sounds like a nice balance of meats and veggies and groceries.  Please don't think this is a criticism, but have you ever used the plastic grocery bags in place of garbage bags? I can't remmeber the last time I purchased garbage bags. I don't like spending money for them.

cc

[blessedmom]

I'm in the midst of a challenge to eat our of our pantry for 3 months.  This is our second month.
In January I spent under $25 for groceries.   I have been shopping yet in Feb..only because my daughter brought home some surplus food from a church that she attends with a friend.  Although tonight we ate out at Subway because we had all of 20 minutes for dinner before Girl Scouts.
My goal for February was going to be $50 but now that I am looking at not only a diabetic diet but a gluten free diet..this might be a bit higher.

[MicaLynn]

Had to run to town the other day for a few things so I stopped and grabbed somethings we were running out of..

Sobeys: Bananas*Bakers but still perfect for eating*,apples,onions,YoBaby Yogurt*Stoneyfeild 50%* 4 *8PACKS*,Sugar, OJ *10* Apple Juice*Frozen concenttrate**10*  Their freezer broke that morning and had no room to keep the surplus* WOO HOO *20/$9.00*

Total : 32.30

Total so far:79.22

 I need to get a bag of chips tonight for Emely's Valentines Party Tomorrow.. but thats not much.   then Next week is the BIG SHOP.. Ohhh And I've been given an increase in my grocery BUDGET!!!. .Chris is quiting smoking so he wants to tumble the money I used to set aside for his  tabacco/tubes/etc into the grocery budget.. He's  been eating a ton of yogurt *He used to HATE yogurt*/fresh fruit etc to get thru the cravings. .so I'll happily spend the extra on that..  for him to quit



New Budget : 728 -228*Hampers*

left for groceryies: 500

Left to spend: 420.78

Cryssie

[MicaLynn]

CC  some places.. require certain bags.. Where I live Dry things have to be in Blue bags and wet in Green bags..   if not they won't pick it up and  you also can't take it to the land fill unless like that as they sort everything.. 

Cryssie

[Bee Lady]

Had to run to town the other day for a few things so I stopped and grabbed somethings we were running out of..

Sobeys: Bananas*Bakers but still perfect for eating*,apples,onions,YoBaby Yogurt*Stoneyfeild 50%* 4 *8PACKS*,Sugar, OJ *10* Apple Juice*Frozen concenttrate**10*  Their freezer broke that morning and had no room to keep the surplus* WOO HOO *20/$9.00*

Total : 32.30

Total so far:79.22

 I need to get a bag of chips tonight for Emely's Valentines Party Tomorrow.. but thats not much.   then Next week is the BIG SHOP.. Ohhh And I've been given an increase in my grocery BUDGET!!!. .Chris is quiting smoking so he wants to tumble the money I used to set aside for his  tabacco/tubes/etc into the grocery budget.. He's  been eating a ton of yogurt *He used to HATE yogurt*/fresh fruit etc to get thru the cravings. .so I'll happily spend the extra on that..  for him to quit



New Budget : 728 -228*Hampers*

left for groceryies: 500

Left to spend: 420.78

Cryssie

yeah for the quitting smoking and yeah for the increased grocery money!!!!!