Earlier this week, I shared with you how I shaved $250 off our monthly grocery budget by couponing, budgeting, and strategic shopping. I loved that I was “earning” money by just being intentional with what we already had earned.
While it was exciting to save all that money, the best part was what we got to do with our savings. We used this “found” money to save for a new-to-us car, beef up our emergency fund, and give more money away to causes we were passionate about.
One issue we have become passionate about over the last couple of years is foster care. In fact, last summer we became certified foster parents and have welcomed two school-aged children into our home.
Now my challenge is figuring out how to feed nine people on a budget while managing all the children with school and activities, and two growing businesses.
Yes, we increased our grocery budget. The $300 a month we were at just doesn’t cut it for a family of nine, but the savings strategies that I learned years ago remain the same:
- Set a realistic grocery budget — Our monthly budget for nine is now $800 for all food, personal care, and household items and we spend it exclusively in cash.
- Use coupons strategically — Our family life is a bit more hectic than it was when I started couponing, but the ways I save money on food and household items have remained the same: use coupons when they match with a store sale and build a reasonable stockpile when the price is right.
- Meal plan — This saves me the most money as one poorly planned meal (meaning I have no plan for dinner) sets us back $60 or more. Sometimes I make dinner from scratch and sometimes it’s a freezer meal from Costco, but eating at home is always cheaper than take-out or going out to eat.
Do you find yourself struggling to find the time to learn strategies and skills save significantly at the grocery store?
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Find out more about The Ultimate Couponing Course here!
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Fostering 2 kiddos has to be one of the most selfless and emotionally difficult things a mom can do. To open up your heart and home to children who need you so much, even if there are parts that break your heart or discourage you— to know that YOU can overcome that emotional hardship because it means kids that have already been emotionally traumatized have a better family and home – even if temporarily- is a huge sacrifice and the ultimate service. THANK YOU for being an awesome mom.