Being a mother to three children has its perks. On holidays I get lots of cards, every morning I wake up to multiple kisses wishing me a good day and I get to see three little people grow into adults. However, there is a downside to having a family of 5, the rising grocery store bills. It used to be that every time I got paid (twice a month) I would go to my local supermarket and buy enough groceries for EVERYONE in our immeadite family (including a super hungry preteen boy) and I would walk out with about $300 damage to my debit card. I repeated this twice a month with a monthly grocery bill of over $600! Needless to say I was frustrated by the whole process. We did not have money to burn (especially with repeatedly having to buy new clothes for my growing kids) so I decided to try a couple of new strategies in my quest for a lower grocery bill. This is what I tried:
- I tried using coupons but I could NEVER find any coupons for things we ate, plus there are rarely coupons for HEALTHY eating.
- I tried buying all generic brands but I found some (if not most) of the products…nasty.
- I tried shopping exclusively at bulk clubs like Sam’s, Costcos, or BJ’s but I found that I spent more and had ALOT of cans of green beans left over.
So what did I do? Well unknowningly I decided to STOP eating a lot of processed foods, I began eat clean and I incorporated the following five strategies to regain control over my grocery bill… Click below…
Loving this. I usually buy groceries once a week because I always run out of staple items by the end of the week and it's easier to plan out a menu for one week rather than 2. I use to spend 175 a week on the 4 of us but I have cut that down to 125 a week. I also have stopped buying a lot of red meat which I noticed cost a lot of money. When I stopped buying the red meat my grocery bill fell down to 125 a week. Coupons are not working for me because like you said you can't find any for the things you eat. I love the farmers market I go every other month to stock up on meats and they are way cheaper than the local grocery store.
Kita..i get all of my staples off top..the first week I just replenish any staples items I need..then I get started on my meat then veggies and fruits.. You can do it!
Yes, loved this. I do most of everything you mentioned. Really looking into the Community Foods program. I am alos about to join a co-op. Will let you know more about it soon. I am going to do a blog. Thanks for sharing.
Community Foods is the Bomb.com!!! What co-op?? I need to find one!!!
Great post! I used to plan out my meals a week in advance, but I've been slacking lately. I've got to get back on track!
My recent post As Seen In My Life: In Grandma’s Hands
Girl you better start doing them!!!
This post is right on time! I went to Dekalb Farmers Market this week for the 1st time in about 8 years. I spent $87.00 and brought home a ton of stuff. In your blog you mentioned a service here in Atlanta that buys meat from a local, organic farm for almost half the cost if you purchased it in a Supermarket. What service is that? Is there a website or phone number that you can provide?
I saw you getting advice about going! THat's my spot! I go once every 2 weeks!!! I will send you a FB message about Community Foods! I go pick up mine from Douglasville!
I do pretty much all of this right now! I am interested in the community foods program you mentioned but I need to get a deep freezer first. I have no where to keep that much meat. I find I do a whole lot better financially when i actually plan my meals and dont just buy stuff blindly. And my husband loves it when I plan meals because I am always trying something new.
My recent post Water Run
Go to Craigslist and buy one..or yard sale you should get one cheap!
Great article and wonderful tips!
Thanks Rhonda!!!
Lots of great tips. I really need to start planning my meals.
My recent post First Lost Tooth
Thanks Diane! It was a process for me to get to this point!!!
I am going to start going to the farmers market. There isn't a good one close to me so I am going to hav to make a trek to th Dekalb markt and see how it works out fo rme. Thanks for sharing.
How did your trip go??
I'm not sure if it's my iPad, but I can't find the link to the article. (found you on sits)
My recent post Flea Market Friday
Did you finally find it Doreen??
No
.
I see where it says 'click below' but there's nothing to click.
Sorry…not sure if it's my iPad, but I'm on vacation and it's all i have (but it's never happened before so that shouldn't be it).
Your blog is very inspirational, and thanks for stopping by househoneys!
My recent post Flea Market Friday
Wonderful tips. We have five kids, 13-21, so our grocery bill is pretty big. The two things that help the most for me are planning our meals out a week ahead and buying fresh food over processed. (Why don't we learn that growing up?) Now you've definitely got me wanting to hit the farmer's market.
Stopping by from SITS. Have a great weekend.
My recent post I WILL Change the World
I can imagine! You'll love the Farmer's Market…
My parents have always done similar things with a deep freezer, but as part of a married couple with no kids, it hasn't made sense for us yet. I'm sure we will down the line when we have more storage space and perhaps a kid
Great post!
My recent post Caturday 6/30
Oh yeah! I'd just wait until you guys have kids!
Nice to stumble upon another Atlanta blogger! They seem to be popping up everywhere! Great tips! I'd also love to hear about Community Food.
My recent post {Review} The Couponizer
Waving!!! Hey Melissa! I LOVE Community Foods! They're products are A one!
{Melinda} I'm always looking for ways to cut my grocery bill. I particularly like your idea about snacks. It saves money and gets them eating healthier. I know my kids will squak, but they'll get used to it.
Visiting from SITS!
My recent post Saturday Morning Fantasies: Capes Optional
My kids had to get used to it …now it's like clock work!
My favorite tip is the snack tip. Great idea. Stopping by from Sharefest.