Since the beginning of the year I've been on a personal care (especially for my own stuff) shopping hiatus until I use up my stockpile.
I think I've been making up for it by stuffing my pantry and freezer with food. When I'm bored and I want to get out of the house- I take the kids to the grocery store. We always can use groceries right?
Starting in April I'm going cash only and my budget is going to be $30.00. For the whole month. One week we'll be tagging along on a business trip with hubby so really this only for three and and a halfish weeks.
That $30.00 is going to have to buy us fruit, milk, eggs, and any other necessities that we run out of and must have. It also has to pay for any snack helper days at the pre-school and all runs through Taco Bell and McDonalds. So goodbye take out, delivery, and drive thru dining. Special dinners out with hubby (ie Date Night- a rare treat) are subject to negotiation. We'll be eating out enough on our trip.
This does not have to cover any medicines, entertainment or household goods.
In the next week I'll be buying our regular groceries as we run out but not doing any extra stocking up. I want to see the back of my pantry. I want to make snacks from scratch. I'm looking forward to having to count out change to buy a dozen eggs.
7 comments:
You inspired me. It is so try you tend to buy groceries just to get out of the house. I really have to focus on doing stuff other than buying stuff. I think I may try the cash thing for the month as well.
Wow, $30? That is far, far less than Darling and I have ever budgeted for the month. Good luck!
Tread, I wouldn't think it was possible either but we have a full pantry, a full fridge and freezer and a partially full basement freezer. Food can be clutter too. Also, I'm thinking if I'm forced to by my budget I might finally get around to figuring out how to make my own pretzels, bagels and yogurt.
Plus, for most of one of those weeks we'll be out of town and having to eat out or make pbj's in our hotel room. I don't expect the $30 to cover that portion. It does help that DH's work will reimburse for his food costs.
$30? That is seriously impressive. But, I get where you are going. I need to bring down our stockpile too!
Great idea! I've been stocking up a bit too much shopping sales and learning double couponing. It's great, but I'm planning to back off and use my remaining food budget (about $30) for the rest of the month. We really have plenty to eat, and just adding fresh stuff should totally be possible.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Jennifer
you can do it! If I can spend less than $800 a year, you can surely spend less than $30 for a month...with gas prices so high, I am taking a vacation from shopping too till I use up some stuff also.
I love your blog. I too am stockpiled for about a year and buying fresh veggies for salads and stir frys, some fresh fruit and lots of fresh tomatoes for BLT's. Then of course I will be getting milk for cereal, oj and bread when I don't make my own. The stockpiling will leave me more time to blog about the frugal things that made us financially independent at an early age.
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