My best friend was in shock that I mentioned the amount of $600 for groceries in my last post. Well, I guess I would be too...considering we are only a family of three...well, and two cats. But I don't just include groceries in my 'grocery' budget.
Basically anything that it takes to maintain the household (excluding repairs) or feed us or keep us healthy, goes into the 'grocery' budget. This includes: all groceries, household cleaning products, formula, disposable diapers (I even included the cloth diaper purchase in groceries as it would be taking the place of disposables!), medications (and sometimes those cost quite a bit!!) and eating out!
So, see, I'm not really crazy for budgeting $600 per month for a family of 3. Now, that being said, with the rising cost of groceries, we are trying to CUT our costs so that we can put money into savings...as our savings have dwindled some due to medical costs over the past two years.
To do this, I've switched to cloth diapers and cloth wipes (also healthier for Reagan--no more rashes!), cut out going out to eat, started using healthier natural, more frugal products for cleaning such as baking soda and vinegar (also better for Reagan due to her alleriges and asthma) and making most foods from scratch (again, healthier for all of us because I'm cooking with WHOLE foods and not chemicals!)
I'd love to hear your ideas for cutting costs--on ANYTHING--and upping savings dollars! Americans have a bad habit of spending, spending, spending. We have to work hard to break that habit and plan for the future, no matter how much money we earn!
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Leah, I too lump everything I buy at the grocery store (and eating out) into my "grocery" budget. It takes way more brain power than I have to keep them separate!
ReplyDeleteYour costs should go down now that you aren't using diapers (it is amazing how much those dang things cost!) It sounds like you are doing everything right. I know some people would say to use coupons and use CVS/Walgreens etc. That would probably help too but, again, way too much brain power for me! Keep up the good work - that kid looks like she is happy and healthy!
Jill
We spend at least $400 a month just on groceries, cleaning products, and paper products; diapers and eating out have budgets of their own! I'm trying to reduce our spending in several areas, but this is definitely one of them!
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