June Monthly Recap!

I spent $417 in June. Spending since 1/1/09 is $2,218. I have saved $2,972 since 1/1/09 by shopping sales and using coupons.

Previous Monthly Spending:

May: $439
April: $448
March: $305
February: $305
January $304

I've actually "saved" more by purchasing basic things like milk, bread, etc. at known lower priced stores (You save over $1.50 a gallon just by purchasing milk at BJ's instead of Shaw's. American Cheese? You save at least $1.50 a pound by purchasing at BJ's instead of the grocery stores (it's only $3.49/lbs people! Hurry! Run to BJ's!). That savings is not included.

July 1st. We are half way through this beloved year of 2009. I've spent $2,218 on groceries so far this year. Goal? $5,000. Will I make it? I don't know. It's getting close.

My mother-in-law, step-father-in-law, and sister-in-law are coming today. They'll be here a week or more. How will my budget hold up? Obviously at times like this, I won't really be into couponing - if we need stuff for lunches and dinners, I'll just run out (unless I can wake up in the middle of night and do some couponing and grocery list making!! ha ha ha!!). My husband's step-father's parents are also going to be around. So going from feeding 2 adults and 2 little guys (who really don't eat) to feeding 7 adults and the 2 little ones might be a little crazy at times. Thankfully, I have my grill. My picture taking will probably be non-existent too since that might make me look sort of freakish (but by now, it think all my in-laws know I'm weird).

Speaking of grill, I'm trying to figure out why I'm spending these spring and summer months. Obviously I'm buying more fruits and vegetables - and I thought at first "Nah. I'm only buying some." But considering $100 is about $25 a week more - then that might be true. Coupled with the fact that we eat some sort of meat every night for dinner (chicken, hamburgers, beef - it's always some sort of protein on the grill). Even the last time I made spaghetti - I put chicken in it. I have a meat obsession.

If you have any grocery spending goals, I'd love to hear about them! Remember - it's not a contest of who can spend the least or who can use the most coupons. It's really just about being aware of how much of your money you want to give the grocers and trying to maximize what you get for that dollar amount.