The Grocery Store and your Budget: Making a List and Checking it Twice!

It’s amazing how I can get sucked in at the grocery store. There’s so much to see and I always seem to spot something I “need”, and quite often forget the thing I really needed. In order to stay on budget at the grocery store, I had to come better prepared. This included bringing a list of items I needed, remembering my coupons, and bringing cash. No more going into the grocery store blindly and shopping off of my memory. This weekend I made a list…checked it twice, and I stayed on budget!!

Every month I create a food budget and for the most part I don’t have any problems staying within my limits. The problem comes when I forget certain items, and find myself back at the store in the middle of the week. It’s the random store visits that get me every time! I rely on my memory, and get home and realize I either don’t have the item, or it’s in the refrigerator well past its expiration. Grrr! This weekend I was so determined not to get stuck yet again. I had a budget of $40 for the week. I went through my cabinets and fridge and jotted down things I knew I would need for the week. I thought about breakfast, lunch, and dinner. $40 isn’t a lot so I had to be creative with my spending!!

I added all of my basic essentials and things I get EVERY week

• Eggs
• Milk
• Oatmeal (breakfast of champions!)
• Veggies- salads for lunch
• And fruit for snacks

Then I began to add other dinner items I wanted for the week, including chicken, ground turkey meat, a starch and a veggie. I went through my coupons to see if there was anything on my list that I could save more money on using a coupon. No such luck this week…

As I’m shopping I’m counting in my head, rounding up to the nearest dollar to include tax (state of Georgia has food tax). The counting helps me stay on track with my budget.  By the time I reached the counter, I was a little under budget- woo-hoo!!!

Guess what? Having a list not only keeps you on budget, but it saves time! Instead of wandering aimlessly in the aisles looking for things I didn’t need, I had an agenda (my list) and I breezed through the store quickly!

Another very important thing is to remember your coupons! It’s the worse feeling when you see something you need and you forgot your coupon! Most stores will honor your coupon if you come back with your receipt, but who has time to drive back to a store to save $1? It’s best you remember from the beginning!!

Wrap Up:

1. Make a list before you leave the house. Check your fridge and your cabinets!
2. Gather all coupons you can use to save money.
3. Check your budget and compare that to what’s on your list. There may need to be some adjustments, but make sure it’s done at home!
4. Take cash with you and try to sum up your total as you’re going through the store. You don’t want any surprises when you get to the register.
5. Check your receipt! Make sure everything is priced right!
6. Share your thoughts and ideas on how to save money at the grocery store!

Can’t wait to hear from ya!