Grocery budget overhaul

About 3 months ago, I purposed to improve our family's grocery budget by learning how to coupon. I spent a solid month pouring over websites and videos while simultaneously applying the principles. Immediately, I was able to take our average weekly grocery expenses from $107 down to around $75.
I was thrilled.
And hooked!

Currently, our stockpile of pantry items has grown to the point that we are able to spend about $55/week. I will tell you there is much more to it than clip-and-go. But with a proper understanding of sale cycles, coupon terms, store policies, and meal planning, there is also significant money to be saved.

Tonight's trip to Kroger was mainly a stockpile trip as we do not have need for a full week's shopping trip this week. Here is a breakdown of what we purchased and what we paid...

• (3)Silk Almond Milk @$2.49 - (3)$1 coupons = $1.49 ea ($4.47 ttl)


• (1)Almond Breeze @$2.50 - $1 coupon = $1.50


• (4)Classico Alfredo Sauce @ $1.79 - (2) $1/2 coupons = $1.29 ea ($5.16 ttl)


• (1)Hostess Twinkies @$2.50 - 50¢ coupon, doubled = $1.50 ttl


• (4)Crayola 24pk Crayons @ 25¢ ea = $1.00 ttl


• (1)Carefree Pantyliners @$1.09 - 50¢ coupon, doubled = 9¢ ttl


• (1)Kroger cheese 16 oz @$2.99 =$2.99 ttl


• (1)Danimals Yogurt tubes @$1.88 - $1 coupon = 88¢ ttl


• (2)Ronzoni Garden Delight fettucini @$1.00 ea - (2) $1.00 coupons = FREE


• (2)Aunt Jemima frozen pancakes @$1.49 ea - (2)$1.00 coupons = 49¢ ea (98¢ ttl)


• (3)Kellogg's Apple Jacks cereal @$1.99ea - $1/3 coupon = $1.66 ea ($4.97 ttl)


• produce, red cherries $2.48/lb, almost 1lb@$2.36 - $1 coupon = $1.36 ttl


• (4)Single size Peanut M&M @50¢ each - (2)75¢/2 coupons = 50¢ ttl


• Colgate Whitening 6.4oz @99¢ - 50¢ coupon, doubled = FREE


• (2)Oikos Greek Organic Yogurt 5.3oz @$1.25 ea - 50¢/2 coupon, doubled = $1.50 ttl

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Total with taxes: $27.19, 67% saved.

Yes, some items were free.
Yes, $1.36 for nearly a pound of fresh cherries is an amazingly good price.
Yes, $1.49 for a half gallon of almond milk is also an amazingly good price.
The frozen pancakes, with all natural ingredients at just 49¢/box, are for my hubby when he wants a quick hot breakfast at 3:30am, the time he's up for work each day (and the time I'm oh-so-NOT-up to cook it for him).
Yes, I realize Twinkies and M&Ms can be contested as "food" items. ;) Kid treats!

And best of all, the Kellogg's cereals are part of a promotion I've been chasing for some time now. When I buy 4 participating cereals, I earn a $5 gas card from Kellogg's. I've earned three so far, and plan to earn a total of 7 before I max out of that particular promotion.

So, if you need to shave some money in the family budget, be encouraged. It definitely can be done if you're committed to learning and working at it.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
Proverbs 31:18

Live wise in Him!

~Toni~

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net