That's what I tell myself at least. Because if it's not I'm becoming a nerd with a capital N-E-R-D. I just spent an inordinate amount of time this weekend registering for online grocery coupons, trolling our local stores' circulars, joining Freecycle, and filling out customer surveys (in the desperate hopes of winning big in the monthly drawing). The word is out... saving money is in... and I'm bringing my A game in the hopes of, well, not going under (not without a fight at least).
In the past year I've lowered our grocery budget from over $200/week to under $100. We've gone from expensive chlorine-free diapers to Target brand (sorry about that one Mother Earth... hopefully you'll survive). Outside of the diapers (the savings from which is HUGE... we're talking over 50%) we've actually reduced our household food and upkeep expenditures while at the same time making a complete overhaul to all "green" body products; "green" household cleaners; hormone free/antibiotic free/humane certified meats; all organic dairy, produce, and dry goods... even our butter people... our stinking butter!
Intrigued? Bored? Whichever I'll be back to update this post with exactly how we're doing it. Are we skimping?... you freaking betcha. It is not a snack buffet around here (as we're apt to say to Kid quite a lot these days)... but hey there are unexpected upsides to that as well (Mr F's down 3 pounds without even trying). But it's doable... highly doable. So for now we're doing it and hopefully we'll get even better at it as time goes on. (I told you we're down about $1000 a month since we starting compacting right? So I think we might be on to something here.)
More Tomorrow!
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6 comments:
no, you're a nerd. :) that's ok though. nerd's are notoriously smart.
Honestly, you deserve a lot of credit. Although I know it's not always fun, a lot of people would've caved and justified using credit cards. I look at a time in our lives when we earned quite a bit more (sans children) and think, "If only we had known then what we know now!" we would be in such a better position financially. But at this point I'm just SO genuinely grateful for the circumstances that have given us the skills to live on so much less. (ironically)
Way to go Mrs. F....it takes some leg work but I'm learning that we, too, can cut a lot from our budget and not feel like we are depriving ourselves and still go organic to boot..for the first time in my life I'm cutting coupons and using the grocery circular to plan my meals (and actually planning meals rather than winging it and going to the grocery store every other day)....I look forward to more info on ways that you are compacting...you have already helped me immensely and I always look forward to learning more from the Furious family. Keep up the great work!
Oh, I know where you're coming from. I just up and joined a warehouse club (given I'm single in a 1-BR apartment, this is slightly ludicrous) and got the ingredients for 56 servings of various entrees (4 weeks worth of food for me) for under $150 (including wine -- yes, WINE, I said).
The restaurants around here are going to miss me ... Meanwhile, I'm going to be eating lots of feta-stuffed chicken and panko-crusted tilapia and vegetable beef soup and grilled chicken salad.
I can't wait for the info! I am amazed at how, when both dh and I were working, we always thought we were "broke" and spent almost all the money we brought in. Now I'm home w/ the kids and our income is almost cut in half, and yet with some creativity we are still paying the bills and carrying on... If only we had done this before and SAVED my income!! Oh well..I guess you don't know what you can do until you HAVE to!
I like the previous posters comment.. you just never know what you can do until you have to! I think of it as a game. Seriously Mrs F. It can get addicting that couponing....
Fill us in...
Sorry guys I'm having crazy internet issues and can't get on! Don't they know I do this for a fake living?!!?
Ladies... that is exactly how I feel... if only I had done some of this before! And it kind of sucks you in after awhile and you do enjoy trying to cut costs even more. It's been interesting.
And WordsMeanBusiness.. that's pretty good! Wine is important ;)
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