2010 Budget Challenge Update - Week 3

Sorry this is so late and technically we are starting on week 4!

I did go over budget again this time and I am attributing part of that to eating out ($24.03).  Still - I went over budget regardless.

This was a great week though for me - this is the first time I really felt like CVS was clicking for me and I was actually understanding how my ECB's work for me and how little I can come up with out of pocket. As time goes on I will be spending less at CVS.  I am consistantly saving about 50% off my bill each time.  So that's a plus for me!

I am still intimidated by the whole "RR" (register rewards) at Walgreen's.  I will leave that to the PCC until I get more familiar with them.

The Family Budget is set at $100.00

This week I spent $145.67

So I came in over budget by $45.67

Again - can't say it enough - I used to spend $200 weekly at the minumum.  So I am still a ROCK STAR!!

2010 Budget Challenge Update - Week 2

Coming to the end of the week I am looking back and reflecting on all the great deals I got!

I did go over budget again, but this week at Smith's they were having their cases sale and I couldn't pass up some of the deals since they only do these a couple of times a year in Vegas.

The great news is that we didn't eat out AT ALL this week!!!  This is unheard of!  We usually eat out all weekend long and at least 1x weekly.  Even after my daughters dance class on friday - we marched home and I made chilli dogs for dinner.  It was quick and easy - definitely cheaper!

Here is what how the money was spent this week:

Big Lots (great bread prices) $7.80
Fresh and Easy (Beg of week) $47.68
Walgreens $11.60
Smiths (1 Case (Tuna) and Jerky)$39.65
CVS (earned a few ECB's) $19.51
Fresh and Easy (great beef prices, stocked up on misc stuff) $ 51.46
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Total Spent: $177.71

The weekly budget is set at $100 dollars - so you can see how much I went over.

I am not fretting though.

I was able to get some really great deals this week and am watching my stock pile grow.  I am still spending considerably less then I would normally.

I do notice I am stopping more frequently at the store for the fresh items, like fruit and veggies.

But for the most part I feel very confident that I am heading to an even lower grocery bill next week.

Overall this week I was able to save: $60.07 off my bill just by taking some advice from my PCC (Personal Coupon Consultant):

By looking at the sale adds, using coupons whenever possible and being brand flexible, I was able to reduce a hefty amount off my bill.

I am very excited so far and can't wait to look back on these posts in a few months to see how far I have come!

2010 Budget Challenge - Week 1

So for my first week in the 2010 Budget Challenge I didn't do too badly.

The budget consists of $25.00 per person.  So I have a $100.00 weekly for my family of 4.

This week I had some learning challenges with CVS, but I think I am starting to get the hang of it!  I will be heading out to Albertsons today to see what deals I can get there.

Here is a snap shot of my money spent so far:

CVS: $96.41 (this does include the big mistake of the $74 purchase)

Eating out: $5.81 (I was starving!)
Fresh and Easy: $29.45
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$114.53

I know I am already over budget and I still need to pick up a few items today.  But for the most part, on average I was spending about $250 a week on groceries and eating out.  This week we didn't eat out once!  I had to on Wednesday night because I work late and everyone else had already ate and was at church.  But I got a kids meal and didn't eat the whole thing...Walt finished it for me.  So technically that's a savings since it fed 2 people!

I am going to try preparing some items ahead....since I killed myself this week to make dinner every night and we were practically eating before bed time.  That made me crazy!

Here's a neat book I saw on Amazon!