Saving Money

So I have been telling people for a while that one of my resolutions this year was to try and get my grocery budget down.  I was spending $600 per month in groceries and that was BEFORE the baby arrived!  The goal that I set was to cut it in half! 

This idea started blossoming in my head around last August when I read an article in our local newspaper about a woman with a family of 9 and how she only spends about $425 per month on groceries! I thought how is that possible?  Well she coupons.  Now I know that you might be rolling your eyes and thinking, ugh, that is too much work or coupons never really save that much money.  And that is what I thought too.  But my stubborn streak kicked in and I thought...."If she can do it...."

So I am trying.  I found out that it is a HUGE learning curve and that there are many elements that you have to put into place to make it work.  Like a meal plan and you have to build up a little stock pile in your pantry.

But slowly, I am starting to see a difference.  I roughly save, on average, about 40% on my groceries now.  So I am fluctuation between $350 and $450 per month.  So....a move in the right direction. 

Now I know that some of you reading this are in Canada and so some of this will need adjusting to help you do the same since coupons aren't in an abundance there. (And I am willing to do some research in to this if there is anyone that wants me to) But I am convinced that it could work for everyone. 

So, to show you what I mean.  This was how my trip to Target went the other day:

Seventh Gen. Multi Surface Concentrated Cleaner 28 oz. -- $2.99
Use $1/1 from 1/23 SS
Plus use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
Total: $0.99

Up & Up All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach -- $1.27
use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
Total: $0.27

Dentyne Pure 3-Pack -- $1.79 (until 2/26)

Use 45c printable
Total: $0.64

3 Hunts Pasta Sauce -- .69c
Use $0.75/1 from 2/13 SS (exp 4/10)

Plus $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)

Total: $0.04

 2 Kikkoman Teriyaki 10 oz Marinade and Sauce -- $2.04
Use $1 printable
Total: $1.04

Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Pouches Assorted Varieties -- $1.62
Use $1/1 from 2/20 RP (exp 4/17)
Total: $0.62

Kelloggs Crunchy Nut cereal -- $1.99
Use $1/1 from 1/23 RP
Plus use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/5)
Total: FREE

2 Nescafe Taster’s Choice Stick Pack 7 ct -- $1.00
Use 75c printable
Total: $0.25

Market Pantry Frozen Vegetables -- .84c
Use $1/4 Target printable (exp 3/26)
Total: $0.59

Sensodyne .8 oz Fresh Impact Toothpaste — $0.99
Used 75c/1 from 1/2 RP (exp 3/31)
Total: $0.24

Up & Up Mouthwash 16.9oz - $1.49
$1/1 Target coupon(exp 3/26)
$0.49 after coupon
 
Up & Up Cotton Balls 100 count- $1.17
Use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
$0.17 after coupon

Up & Up Pain Reliever 24 ct -- 97c
Use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
FREE after coupon

Halls 40 Count - $1.22
50c/1 from Feb All You (exp 3/31)
Plus use 50c/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
Total: $0.22

Up & Up Allergy Relief (compares to Benadryl) -- $1.87
Use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
Total: $0.87

Up & Up Panty Liners - $0.89
Use $1/1 Target printable (exp 3/26)
$0.14 after coupon

2 Band-Aid Brand Hello Kitty 10 ct. OR Adult Band-Aids 8 ct (travel section) — $0.99
Use 50c/1 from 1/9 SS (exp 3/31)
Total: $0.49

2 Welch's Fruit Snacks -- $1 (in the dollar spot)
Use 50c/1 printable
Total: $0.50

2 Market Place Orange Juice - $2.09
$1/2 Target coupon
$1.59 after coupon

Reeses’s Peanut Butter Cups -- 69c
Use B1G1 Target printable (exp 4/2)
Total: $0.35

Total $46.33
Coupon Savings $27.42
Out Of Pocket $18.91 (59% Saved)

Do you want to know more on this topic?  I can break down the details if you want.  Let me know if you are interested. 

What do you do to save money?