Budget Makeover Step 2: My Top Five Expenses and Steps 3, 4, 5 & 6 to Reduce Spending on the Top Five

So you have intrepidly gathered and tallied your grocery and toiletry receipts for a 30 day period. Good for you! That was a big accomplishment! Now you want to evaluate you spending. First, how much is your total spend You will want to know how much your total spending per month/30 days is so that What do you spend the most money on each week? I suggest that you choose the top five items in your monthly spending and seek to reduce the cost of those items each week.

How do you reduce the cost of a grocery line item? There are several ways. First, consider whether the item is really necessary. Perhaps your biggest expense is a (regular) impulse purchase. For example, I love coffee. I REALLY love coffee. I love it black, in coffee drinks *think frappuccino *, with expensive creamers. Yum. Now, I believe that coffee is necessary in our grocery budget. But, frankly, bottled coffee drinks at $1.50 or more per bottle are not. I can get the same effect by using milk and sucralose or sugar. For me, this is not really a necessary purchase if I am trying to reduce my grocery spending to meet financial goals that are important to my family. You get the idea. Honestly and prayerfully evaluate the top five in your monthly spending. Since you are looking at the top money users in your budget, you'll get the most bang for your buck reducing spending on these items.

So, now let's say you have looked at each of the top five in your budget over the past 30 days and determined that that each one is a necessary or sufficiently valuable element of your grocery spending. By sufficiently valuable, I mean those items that, yes, you could live without, but, no, you don't want to do so. For our family, I'll go back to the coffee example. My husband and I both love coffee and do not wish to give it up. It stays on the list. Now, the goal is to spend the least amount of money on that item. The next steps in our grocery budget make over seek to do that for each of the 5 items.

Step 3:  See if you can use and purchase less of the item.

Step 4: Determine less expensive alternatives to the item in question in order to reduce your cost.

Step 5: Shop sales for the item to reduce your overall spending on it. A price book page for those top five items is helpful to determine what a good "sales" price is.

Step 6: Add coupons on the item to the sales price and to get your best deal on that specific item.

I'll go into great detail on each of those steps separately in my next blog post(s).

To Be Continued...

Grocery Budget Make-Over

Does your grocery budget need a make-over? That's the reality show we really need...not "What Not To Wear," but "What Not To Buy." Like fashion, everyone has a different grocery budget "look." In other words, my budget won't be the same as yours...and that's fine. However, most of us could improve our grocery spending. Some of us simply have to do so in these difficult economic times. I'd like to take a look at how you can easily decrease your grocery spending, step by step.

Step 1: How Much Do I Spend?

I know this seems elementary, but I bet there are a lot of people out there who know they spend too much on groceries and toiletries and are struggling to make ends meet, but DON'T know how much they actually spend on groceries and toiletries. Now, IF you save every receipt, simply look back at the last month's receipts to determine your total spending. There are some great computer programs to keep up with spending, but you can simply use pencil and paper. If you don't save every receipt, but use checks or a debit card exclusively for grocery and toiletry items, review you bank statement online and tally up the info there. If historical data is not available, commit to take the next 30 days to save all your receipts and tally up the info. Get a basket, or shoebox or a zippered make-up bag you can keep in your purse to collect all those Publix, Save-a-Lot and Walmart receipts. After the 30 days are up, add up your receipts. You can use an Excel spreadsheet (a standard one is on my list of things to do), or simply that aforementioned pad of paper and a pencil. Having an accurate dollar amount of what you actually spend in a month on groceries and toiletries is VERY POWERFUL (School House Rock was right about that.) Now it's time for STEP 2...

To Be Continued

Saving Money

Something has really been jumping out at me lately about the way I save money compared to, say, some of the Extreme Couponers on said show...I notice the things I DON'T buy that they have stockpiled. Now, don't get me wrong, I know they are usually getting it free and if they want it and use it, fine. However, I find that when it comes to some items, I am simply better off avoiding them. For instance, one savvy shopper had a wall of paper towels. In my old days, I would have been (and was about) right there with her. However, when I buy paper towels, I use them like I'm getting paid to! I really love them...I love throwing those germs away...not having to think about the e coli or salmonella or dead bug that I just cleaned up. However, the cost (since I couldn't get mine free...no double coupons in the Panhandle of Florida) was prohibitive, not to mention being a good steward of my storage space and the earth. (No, I don't worship the earth. I worship the Creator of this beautiful planet who did put it under our care.) So, I came up with a rag system that satisfied my OCD/germaphobic side. Clean rag bucket...dirty rag bucket...sanitize with extra hot water and bleach! That's it. Not too hard, I know, and something my grandmother didn't think a thing about. Well, she was probably simply sanitizing on the clothes line. Sometimes simplicity is the real bargain. Another bargain item that so many of the shoppers on EC have in there stockpile...candy and other sweets. While I do love those delectable treats...we (my kids and I) will scarf them all up, no matter how long a supply I supposedly purchased. I remember getting M&M's after Valentine's Day at ToysR'Us one year for practically nothing. I even put them in the deep freeze, but they disappeared quicker than you can say "bigger pant size."  So, there's another item I have to watch about stockpiling! Stewardship involves not only being a good steward of our Money by trying to get the best deal when we purchase our groceries and toiletries but also prayerfully considering the items we purchase. The Frugal Zealot, Amy Dacyczyn, who wrote The Tightwad Gazette, was famous for saying, (I am really paraphrasing here) " If you follow me around the grocery store, you will be most struck by what we DON'T buy then by what we DO buy." She made a lot of things from scratch as well. Please don't think I am saying you should never purchase paper towels or that you should only make things from scratch and never purchase mixes. As a matter of fact, you can frequently get a great deal on mixes that can really be a nice addition to your weekly menus. I am simply suggesting that it's not a bad idea to think afresh about every item on your grocery list and be willing to go without it or even substitute another item for it. This is an especially valuable suggestion if the item isn't on sale that week and/or if you don't have a coupon for it!

So those are my frugal thoughts for the day...

Blessings,

December 11, 2011 Coupon Inserts

Hopefully, we will have all the following coupons in our local inserts!

RedPlum 12/11

$1 off Advil Children’s product (exp 2/11/12)
$2 off Advil Congestion Relief, Cold, or Sinus (exp 3/4/12)
$1 off Advil PM product, 16 ct. + (exp 2/11/12)
$1 off Advil product, 40 ct. + (exp 2/11/12)
$2 off Ahh Bra product (exp 3/30/12)
$1 off Axe bodyspray 4 oz or deodorant 2.7-3 oz, excl trial size (exp 1/7/12)
$3 off Axe holiday pk. (exp 1/7/12)
$2 off Axe shower gel or detailer, excl trial size (exp 1/7/12)
Free Canine Carry-Outs dog snacks wyb Meaty Bone dog snack (exp 2/5/12)
$7 off Crest select whitestrips (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Dial Nutriskin lotion, 12 oz + (exp 12/25)
$1 off Dimetapp Children’s product (exp 1/22/12)
$1 off Duracell select batteries (exp 1/31/12)
$2 off Duracell rechargeable or hearing aid batteries or charger (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Ferrero Rocher product, excl single serve (exp 2/15/12)
$1 off Garnier Nutrisse color creme (exp 12/25)
$1/2 Goya coconut product (exp 3/15/12)
$1/2 Hanover baked soft pretzels (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Hanover canned green beans, 38 oz + (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Hanover Gold Line frozen vegetables (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Hanover Silver Line frozen vegetables (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Head & Shoulders shampoo or conditioner, excl trial size (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Keebler crackers, 8 oz + (exp 2/5/12)
$1 off Kings Hawaiian product (exp 3/31/12)
$1 off L’Oreal Paris eye product (exp 2/5/12)
$1 off L’Oreal Paris eyeliner (exp 2/5/12)
$1 off L’Oreal Studio Line stylant (exp 2/5/12)
$1.50/2 Milk-Bone dog snacks (exp 2/5/12)
$2 off Millstone coffee, 10 oz + (exp 2/29/12)
$1 off Nature’s Bounty product (exp 1/25/12)
$4 off Olay Luscious Embrace or Silk Whimsy bar wyb Olay product (exp 1/31/12)
$3 off Olay select facial moisturizer or facial hair removal duo (exp 1/31/12)
.75/1 Oral-B select power or (2) select manual toothbrushes (exp 1/31/12)
$10 off Oral-B Pulsonic or Professional Care rechargeable toothbrush (exp 1/31)
$5 off Oral-B replacement brush heads, 3 ct. + (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Paseo bath tissue 12 roll or paper towels 8 roll (exp 2/29/12)
$1.50/2 Pup-Peroni dog snacks, 4.8 oz + (exp 2/5/12)
$1 off Robitussin product (exp 2/4/12)
.50/1 Ruffies trash bags (exp 1/10/12)
$1 off Scotties facial tissues (5) boxes or (2) multipk (exp 1/10/12)
$1 off Sundown Naturals product (exp 1/25/12)

SmartSource 12/11

$1 off Arm & Hammer Spinbrush product (exp 3/31/12)
.40/1 Betty Crocker cookie mix pouch, 17.5 oz + (exp 2/4/12)
.75/2 Betty Crocker SuperMoist cake mix AND Ready to Spread frosting (exp 2/4)
$1 off Bissell pet product (exp 2/29/12)
$1 off Blink Tears or GelTears lubricating eye drops (exp 1/9/12)
.75/1 California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin olive oil (exp 3/31/12)
$1 off Centrum Reg or Specialist multivitamin (exp 2/29/12)
$1 off Cepacol product (exp 1/22/12)
$1 off CoverGirl product (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Crunchmaster bag or box crackers (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Delizza European-Style pastry product (exp 2/29/12)
$3 off Dental Guard product (exp 2/12/12)
.75/1 Dentek flosser or interdental cleaner, $2 + (exp 2/12/12)
$1 off Energizer batteries, flashlight or USB charger or charger (exp 1/15/12)
$1 off Everybody’s Nuts bag, 7 oz + (exp 2/29/12)
$1/2 General Mills cereals (exp 1/21/12)
.50/1 General Mills Chex chocolate mix, 4.5 oz + (exp 2/4/12)
.50/2 General Mills Chex Mix or 100 Cal snack, 4.5 oz + (exp 2/4/12)
.60/3 Green Giant frozen boxed vegetables (exp 2/4/12)
.50/2 Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers frozen vegetables, 11-12 oz (exp 2/4)
.50/1 Heluva Good sour cream dip (exp 1/31/12)
B2G1 Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s, York, Kit Kat, Bliss or Rolo (exp 12/25)
$1 off Hershey’s Pot of Gold, Kisses or Reese’s miniatures gift boxes (exp 12/25)
$1 off L’Oreal Paris skincare product, excl trial size (exp 2/5/12)
$5 off L’Oreal Paris Youth Code kit (exp 2/5/12)
$1.50 off Lamisil product (exp 1/31/12)
.50/1 Mazola oil or spray (exp 2/5/12)
$1 off Mucinex children’s or adult product (exp 1/8/12)
$1 off Nature Made letter vitamins, excl vitamin C (exp 1/11/12)
$2 off Nature Made Triple Probiotic (exp 1/11/12)
$1 off Opti-Free PureMoist multi-purpose solution (exp 1/28/12)
$1 off Opti-Free PureMoist multi-purpose solution, twin pk. (exp 1/28/12)
.40/2 Pillsbury Crescent dinner rolls (exp 3/3/12)
.55/3 Pillsbury Crescent dinner rolls (exp 3/3/12)
.40/2 Pillsbury Italian meal breads (exp 3/3/12)
$1/2 Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough (exp 3/3/12)
.40/2 Pillsbury Reg or Grands sweet rolls (exp 3/3/12)
.30/2 Pillsbury Reg or Jr Grands biscuits (exp 3/3/12)
.50/2 Pillsbury rolled refrigerated pie crust (exp 3/3/12)
$2.50 off Poise hourglass shape pads (exp 1/21/12)
$1 off Poise product (exp 1/21/12)
$1 off Precious Homestyle shredded mozzarella cheese (exp 3/11/12)
$7/2 Prevacid 24 hr product, 28 or 42 ct. (exp 1/7/12)
$1/4 Progresso soups (exp 2/4/12)
$5/2 Purina select dry dog or cat food or cat litter (Target coupon) (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Reddi-wip product (exp 1/29/12)
.50/1 Rips bite-size licorice, 4 oz + (exp 3/31/12)
$5 off Rug Doctor machine rental (Kroger coupon) (exp 2/15/12)
.75/2 Scotch-Brite scrub sponge, 3 pk. + (exp 1/31/12)
$1/2 Spice Islands product (exp 2/11/12)
$1/2 Stella cheese cup or wedge (exp 3/31/12)
.50/2 Swiss Miss hot cocoa (exp 1/29/12)
Free Target gift card $5 wyb (5) SC Johnson items (Target coupon) (exp 12/24)
$1 off Terra chips, 5 oz + (exp 2/11/12)
.35/1 Totino’s Pizza Rolls (exp 3/3/12)
.50/1 Treasure Cave cheese, 4 oz + (exp 3/31/12)
$2.50 off Up & Up vitamin wyb Benefiber supplement (Target coupon) (exp 1/11)
$1 off Woolite Carpet & Upholstery machine formula (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Woolite formula (exp 1/31/12)
$1 off Woolite or Bissell Stomp ‘n Go (exp 1/31/12)

Coupon Grammar

Now that you have chosen your favored method of storing your coupons, it's time to learn some basics. Since my son and I use a classical method of homeschooling (Classical Conversations), I know that, in order to learn anything, you must FIRST learn it's grammar...its specific vocabulary...its language! I'm sure you have noticed that, indeed, couponing and couponers have their own language. It is, however, much easier to learn than Latin or Spanish, I promise!

Coupon Grammar:

 BOGO or B1G1:  Buy one, get one free. Buy one item at full price and get the same item free. Don't forget, you can use a coupon on each item when purchasing a BOGO deal, further improving your savings. Also, don't forget that if you have a B2G1 coupon, that can be combined with a BOGO deal to save even more. For maximum savings in that instance, purchase 6 total items and use 2 B2G1 coupons to make the cost of 6 items the regular price of 1. I still have quite a stockpile of Duncan Hines cake mix from that lovely "trick".  (Please do not think I mean "trick" as in "unethical". ALWAYS follow the rules! This is completely LEGIT!)

Manufacturers' Coupons (MFr or MQ): A manufacturer's coupon is published by manufacturers for money off their own product and may be used at any retail location that accepts coupons. Some manufacturers' coupons might have a store name printed on them (such as Publix or Kroger) but, as long as it states that is a manufacturer's coupon, it can be used at any coupon accepting store.

Store Coupons: This is a coupon published by specific retail stores to be used at their own establishment. Some stores, such as Publix, accept competitors' coupons. Check your stores' coupon policy.

Coupon Stacking:  Coupon stacking is the simple procedure of using both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon on the same purchase. Many retail establishments allow this. Again, check your store's policy.

Store Coupon Policy:  This is the written policy used by particular retail establishments to govern their coupon policies on such details as the use of competitor's coupons, the legitimacy of coupon stacking, etc. It is a really good idea to have your store's coupon policy in your coupon binder or box with you when shopping. This prevents needless difficulties with knowledgeable cashiers. I have found, however, that cashiers are really being well-trained these days in their coupon policies since couponing has become so prevalent. However, I have recently had a new cashier say I couldn't use a manufacturer's coupon and store coupon on an item at Target. I politely indicated that wasn't the case and she checked with a more experienced cashier who confirmed that they both could be used. 

Catalina: Catalinas are coupons that print out at the register.

Tearpad Coupon: A coupon on a pad hanging close to the product in the store.

Peelie Coupon: A coupon that you peel off a package.

Blinkie Coupon:  A coupon dispensed near the product in the store usually from a "blinking" red box.

eCoupon Coupons: Coupons found on the  internet and uploadable  to a  store card.

Internet Printable Coupon (IP): Printable coupons found on the internet.

Red Plum Sunday Insert (RP): Insert from Red Plum found in the Sunday paper.

Smart Source (SS): Insert from Smart Source found in the Sunday paper.

Proctor & Gamble (P&G or PG): Insert from Proctor & Gamble found in the Sunday paper.