I have been reading several blogs about how expensive grocery shopping in Las Vegas, NV is due to most stores not accepting "double coupons".
I do agree that our stores here are expensive. But there are a few of us fellow bloggers, PT,ST and Couponomy, as well as mine where we are sharing our stories of shopping adventures in the Las Vegas area and how we are scoring great deals around this valley.
It does take some work, don't get me wrong, but it's very possible to feed your family and even grow your stockpile on a weekly budget for $100 with a family of 4.
I used to be one of those shoppers that just went to the store and just bought whatever. I used to spend over $200 a week in grocery's and we ate out a few times a week as well!!
Now I set a weekly budget of $100 for my family of 4 and try my hardest to get to that goal. I have also been taking part in the 2010 challenge from Pinch This, Stretch That and have started tracking my expenses weekly (which I have never done before). See how my challenge is going so far here.
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
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!!
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!!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Am I only blogging about Coupons now....?
It does seem this way......and by looking at my last few posts.....yep....I am hooked on the coupon game!!
But I always said I would do this blog as my way to talk about what's going on in my life.....so right now the Coupon thing is very exciting to me!!
My good friend PCA (Personal Coupon Advisor) has brought it to my attention....and I admit, this is what my blog is focused on right now.
The Thomas Family will be going on a big vacation in April and right now we are in hard core Save mode as we don't want to put any of our vacation on a credit card. Well in order for us to save the cash needed I am becoming a CW - that's Coupon Warrior for most you city folks -
Since we will be driving our vehicle we will need to purchase new tires for it which will be about $900 bucks. We are going to be gone for at least 2 weeks, staying in motels and eating out. Not to mention Gas! For just our motels and eating expenses alone I am budgeting at least $1200. For Gas I am saying no less then $700. So to be safe our goal is to have at least $2600 in cash while on vacation.
We do have our tax returns coming up, but we don't usually get back as much since we like to have more money throughout the year, instead of getting a bigger check once a year.
That will be at least $1000.
And I still need to save up for medical expenses since at my work my deductable went up from $750 last year to $1050! I want to get that saved up ASAP so that I already have the money set aside...and if we don't use it all then we will add it to our Christmas fund at the end of the year.
So as you can see we have a lot of money to save up before we go on vacation....which is why these great couponing deals are a must have for me right now.
I think I will though be posting how my budget saving is going.
We did have about $200 saved from the last check for the tires - but....Hubby got sick and we had to take him to the ER....so about $175.00 bucks later...turns out he has Gall stones! I thank God we had that money set aside or that would have gone on a credit card. Which is something we aren't using in 2010 either.
Lot's to do...very little time!
But I always said I would do this blog as my way to talk about what's going on in my life.....so right now the Coupon thing is very exciting to me!!
My good friend PCA (Personal Coupon Advisor) has brought it to my attention....and I admit, this is what my blog is focused on right now.
The Thomas Family will be going on a big vacation in April and right now we are in hard core Save mode as we don't want to put any of our vacation on a credit card. Well in order for us to save the cash needed I am becoming a CW - that's Coupon Warrior for most you city folks -
Since we will be driving our vehicle we will need to purchase new tires for it which will be about $900 bucks. We are going to be gone for at least 2 weeks, staying in motels and eating out. Not to mention Gas! For just our motels and eating expenses alone I am budgeting at least $1200. For Gas I am saying no less then $700. So to be safe our goal is to have at least $2600 in cash while on vacation.
We do have our tax returns coming up, but we don't usually get back as much since we like to have more money throughout the year, instead of getting a bigger check once a year.
That will be at least $1000.
And I still need to save up for medical expenses since at my work my deductable went up from $750 last year to $1050! I want to get that saved up ASAP so that I already have the money set aside...and if we don't use it all then we will add it to our Christmas fund at the end of the year.
So as you can see we have a lot of money to save up before we go on vacation....which is why these great couponing deals are a must have for me right now.
I think I will though be posting how my budget saving is going.
We did have about $200 saved from the last check for the tires - but....Hubby got sick and we had to take him to the ER....so about $175.00 bucks later...turns out he has Gall stones! I thank God we had that money set aside or that would have gone on a credit card. Which is something we aren't using in 2010 either.
Lot's to do...very little time!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Great night at Walgreens!
I had to stop by Fresh and Easy tonight to get some items for the week and Walgreens was right next door....calling my name....
I had a few coupons (since I can't travel without them now) so I decided to stop in...
I'm happy I did! I got a couple of sweet deals.
The only thing I didn't have a coupon for was the Charmin Toilet paprer...but it was on sale for $3.99. I know I know....most of you die-harding-couponers are CrinGing!
But considering the fact that I NEVER used coupons before...I'm not doing too bad.
3 boxes of Kleenex $1.39 each
2 bags of Halls 2/$5
4 bottles of Sunlight Dish $1.99 each
1 6-Roll of Charmin $3.99
The COUPONS:
Kleenex $.79 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 3) - Plus $.50 off any purchase of 3 - SWEET!
Halls $.99 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 2) - Plus $1.00 off any purchase of 2 - SWEET!
Sunlight $1.99 get 1 free w/Walgreens coupon (limit 4)
So for the Kleenex I paid $.53 cents each!
For the Halls I paid $.49 cents each!
For the Sunlight I paid $.99 cents each...not an awesome deal - but I will take it.
I saved about $12 dollars over all and only paid $11.82. So I knocked 50% off my bill.....
WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS!!!
I could have saved TONS of money - and gone on some awesome Vacations....
Well - I have been shown the light!
I had a few coupons (since I can't travel without them now) so I decided to stop in...
I'm happy I did! I got a couple of sweet deals.
The only thing I didn't have a coupon for was the Charmin Toilet paprer...but it was on sale for $3.99. I know I know....most of you die-harding-couponers are CrinGing!
But considering the fact that I NEVER used coupons before...I'm not doing too bad.
3 boxes of Kleenex $1.39 each
2 bags of Halls 2/$5
4 bottles of Sunlight Dish $1.99 each
1 6-Roll of Charmin $3.99
The COUPONS:
Kleenex $.79 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 3) - Plus $.50 off any purchase of 3 - SWEET!
Halls $.99 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 2) - Plus $1.00 off any purchase of 2 - SWEET!
Sunlight $1.99 get 1 free w/Walgreens coupon (limit 4)
So for the Kleenex I paid $.53 cents each!
For the Halls I paid $.49 cents each!
For the Sunlight I paid $.99 cents each...not an awesome deal - but I will take it.
I saved about $12 dollars over all and only paid $11.82. So I knocked 50% off my bill.....
WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS!!!
I could have saved TONS of money - and gone on some awesome Vacations....
Well - I have been shown the light!
Friday, January 8, 2010
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
-----------------------------
$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!
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
-----------------------------
$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!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Budget
Okay - I am the first to admit in these hard economic times that I am not doing my fair share in "budgeting" our family expenses. I am sure if Walt is reading this he is shocked (heavy on the sarcasm) that I am admitting this.
I stink at budgeting. I have the best intentions in the world to make a budget and really follow through with it. I grasp my mind around it and put on my brave face to try and make the budget work. But something always falls through.
My first priority is to start re-establishing my emergency fund. We were doing pretty well on it and then when I got sick and was off work in April I was not paid for that time so we pretty much used up our 1 months worth of expenses we had stashed in a savings account. This was a real eye opener for me. Since I am still fighting my work's insurance company I have no guarantee that I will be able to replace those funds quickly.
We are back to square one. I got out my Dave Ramsey books and have been thumbing through them again. I do enjoy the stories of how people got out of debt and I think it would be nice if someone would write a book just about the success stories and how they did it! I would buy it! Those stories are inspiring!
So wish me luck as I start tackling my budget again....no more weekend runs to Schlotsky's....no more Friday runs to Starbucks.....no more once a week eating out...
By cutting out these items alone we should be able to save up quickly. *Heavy sigh*
Moral of this whole story? You can't prepare enough for the unexpected. Try to have at least 2 full months of expenses and I mean every expense saved up. This will give you enough of a cushion to float you by for a while. I didn't expect to get sick and be off of work. I truly believe that God was watching over us. If we hadn't been so focused on saving up then we wouldn't have had any money saved and I would have attempted to go to work and probably made myself sicker.
Check out the above website as they have a ton of great advice on the importance of having that emergency fund.
I HATE BUDGETING!
TTFN
I stink at budgeting. I have the best intentions in the world to make a budget and really follow through with it. I grasp my mind around it and put on my brave face to try and make the budget work. But something always falls through.
My first priority is to start re-establishing my emergency fund. We were doing pretty well on it and then when I got sick and was off work in April I was not paid for that time so we pretty much used up our 1 months worth of expenses we had stashed in a savings account. This was a real eye opener for me. Since I am still fighting my work's insurance company I have no guarantee that I will be able to replace those funds quickly.
We are back to square one. I got out my Dave Ramsey books and have been thumbing through them again. I do enjoy the stories of how people got out of debt and I think it would be nice if someone would write a book just about the success stories and how they did it! I would buy it! Those stories are inspiring!
So wish me luck as I start tackling my budget again....no more weekend runs to Schlotsky's....no more Friday runs to Starbucks.....no more once a week eating out...
By cutting out these items alone we should be able to save up quickly. *Heavy sigh*
Moral of this whole story? You can't prepare enough for the unexpected. Try to have at least 2 full months of expenses and I mean every expense saved up. This will give you enough of a cushion to float you by for a while. I didn't expect to get sick and be off of work. I truly believe that God was watching over us. If we hadn't been so focused on saving up then we wouldn't have had any money saved and I would have attempted to go to work and probably made myself sicker.
Check out the above website as they have a ton of great advice on the importance of having that emergency fund.
I HATE BUDGETING!
TTFN
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