Bit By the Frugal Bug

This was my second week attempting frugal grocery shopping and I am very pleased again. I only used 1 coupon and price matched 18 items at W-mart.

The problem with all the couponing this week was the match-ups I found on websites called for coupons that came out in the May inserts. I don't have those inserts as I wasn't saving coupons at the time. So, it will take a few more weeks before I'm all set on the coupon front.

This mama killdeer laid eggs in the flowerbeds at church. We've been watching her every week.
They hatched this week. I sure hope we get to see them! 

But I can still price match! I don't know exactly how much I saved this week as I forgot to write down the prices from W-mart. Last week I saved about $13, which doesn't sound like a lot. So why are my grocery bills so much lower than they have been?

I think it's because I'm spending the time going through all the grocery ads for all the stores in our area so I KNOW a good deal when I see it. There are many times when W-mart's price is better than the one I have written down. It's good to know that I'm getting a good price.

And of course, I'm not buying organic anymore. I would like to go back to organic one day...but not right now.

I love that I'm saving money on our grocery bill each week. Since I don't actually have an income....saving money where I can makes me feel like I'm contributing to our family's budget in a very real way.

My grocery store helpers. They are very patient and good shoppers.

Now, I need a better deal on my Internet and phone service! Our Internet has been flaky lately and to get a faster service it will end up costing only about $8-$10 a month more BUT $100 more for a new modem. That's not helping me save money. The only reason we even have a land line is for the Internet service. I wish i could get rid of the whole bill!

I'm all about getting a better deal. Once you start saving money, you feel really offended if you can't save on something. We went to Chili's last week with a "kids eat free" coupon. Bought books at the bookstore "buy 2 get 1 free" and used a Starbucks gift card.

It's official. I've been bit by the frugal bug. I LOVE saving money.

The First Grocery Report

Well, I went on my very first "saving grocery trip" this morning. I'd like to tell you about it. Here is a report from a complete coupon novice.

This week my only goal was to learn to price match at W-mart. I didn't use any coupons. Here is W-mart's price match policy. I'll add in other couponing techniques later. One thing at a time.

So I sat down with all the store ads yesterday and wrote down what was on sale that I might need. I fought the urge to stock up buying things that were a good bargain but we didn't specifically need this week. I wrote down, for example:

Ground Beef 93% lean (Kroger $2.99)

on a separate sheet of paper. Then I put a * next to "meat" on my grocery list so when I got to the meat section, I would remember to check my price match page.

Sometimes, W-mart had the better deal so I didn't use the price match. I ended up price matching 14 items. I put those at the back of the conveyor belt. I lucked out and got a cashier who knew what she was doing. In fact, she was training two new cashiers so I provided a good lesson for them.

It was so easy. I just read off what I had on my list (I had hi-lighted what I was buying on my price match list while I shopped) and she did a price override, typing in the price I told her. I didn't even say the store names. No questions asked. No proof needed. It was weird.

I ended up saving (I think my math is correct) 16% on my grocery bill. But here's the thing! When I am being really cheap, meaning I don't buy a lot of meat that week, I spend a certain amount. I spent a few dollars LESS than that amount today AND got 5 pounds of lean ground beef and a big family pack of chicken breast. AND STILL CAME OUT CHEAPER than my cheap weeks!!! And also got some name brand things that I normally would say "no" to.

I am very pleased with my first saving trip. Thank you Karly!

One more point. I went early while the cashiers were fresh and the store wasn't crowded. I think that really helped.

This saving thing is going to be a breeze!

Some Things I Have to Tell You

• I cannot wait to share my school plan for next year with you! Yes, I know that doesn't affect your life in the least bit...but I love sharing that kind of stuff. I'm so happy to have it all figured out and even though we still have four more days of THIS year....I am really excited about next year already. Tomorrow, I suppose. Unless something really exciting happens in my life before then.

So, look for a curriculum post tomorrow is what I'm saying.

• Hey, if your husband owns a lawn care business, you probably shouldn't post pictures on the computer of your child playing in the sprinkler in the backyard. Where the grass is NOT greener.

We're in the middle of a drought, OK?

Because people might give him a hard time and then you will have to post a picture of the front yard for damage control. You know how some people only iron the front of their shirt if they are going to have a jacket on? Yeah, it's like that.

My husband's lawn care service is GREAT! See???

• I get up at 6:45 every morning and make lunch, breakfast, and coffee for my husband. I try to have clean clothes ready for him every morning in places where he can find them but I don't do so well on that 2nd one. I used to lay in bed while he got himself ready for work and left without breakfast. (He didn't eat breakfast for 17 years of marriage---that changed with the diabetes diagnosis) I liked sleeping in but I always felt guilty. Getting up with him is better. I'm even a little bit used to it. I like the girls to get up by 8, but sometimes Little Bit sleeps until 8:30. She goes to bed at the same time as her big sister, so it's only fair she gets to sleep more. I know some of you get up WAY earlier than us, but remember there are no naps at the House Revised. Some of our friends have resumed their summer bat-like ways so I actually feel like an early riser. Do you get up with your husband?

• I'm trying to learn to coupon. Oh it alludes me. My good friend Karly has given me some e-instruction and yesterday I scored my first totally free item. I was very happy with myself.

Total? $0.00  Happy.

Today I am going to menu plan (using my 30 Meals list) and check out all the store ads but this time I know what I'm doing! (a little bit) With Karly's stellar instructions, I know just what to do tomorrow when I go to W-mart to price match. The only problem is, I'm seriously concerned about my local W-mart cashiers' ability to handle what I will be asking of them. We plan to go really early so I get them fresh on their game and hopefully not crowded too. I'll let you know how it goes. Brenda learns to coupon....oh dear.