A while ago, Gayle over at Grocery Cart Challenge received a negative comment on her blog. I can't find the comment now, but it was along the lines of "Your grocery budget is impossible. You are not giving your children enough fruits and vegetables."
At one point when I found Gayle's blog I too thought it was impossibly low. I couldn't imagine how she could possibly feed her family of 6 on $60 per week. Her blog encouraged me! Instead of being angry at her, I sat in awe of her. I think I sat down and read every post that she wrote. I was intrigued because she didn't use coupons and her dinners looked like something I would cook.
Our budget was TIGHT. Seriously TIGHT. We spent too much on our house (oh hindsight!) and then my husband was supposed to get a raise, but ended up getting a pay cut instead. Something had to give. With a heartfelt prayer and my paper and pen, I ran the numbers and found that there was NO WAY I could have such a low food budget. However, I decided that I would take $75 per week for our family of 4 and MAKE IT WORK. It seemed impossible to do, but amazingly enough, it worked. I was able to get our budget down to $60 per week. I shopped once a week and that's it. I wasn't malnourishing my family, we were eating almost the same things we were eating when I was spending more.
So what was the difference?
- Attitude
- Cash. I knew I couldn't fall back on my debit or credit card. I was limited so I bought the most important items first.
- Focus on the week - what do I need to get through the week. I stopped using the pantry principle for a time.
- It was rare that I'd buy anything prepackaged. Tortillas were an exception. I tried making those several times, but couldn't get the hang of it.
- Prayer and DETERMINATION
Now that I have $400 per month to spend, I'm still applying the same principles that I used when I first started following Gayle's plan (make a menu, use cash, and shop once a week. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS). Be grateful for what I have!
It's not impossible to decrease your grocery spending, but it does take EFFORT!
You're so right! I've reduced my budget more than I ever imagined possible - attitude change is the most important.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Years ago we spent an incredible amount on food. I'm stunned to think about it. With determination, an organized grocery list and cooking from scratch, the costs are lower than I imagined. We really try for $50 a week but I'll go $60 when I need to. It's amazing to me how incredibly possible it actually is!
ReplyDeleteI love finding others with such similar goals because I know that I'll find recipes and meals that would work for us, too!
Oh, and I buy tortillas. I don't have a press and can't manage them without it!
I am currently spending $40 a week for a family of 3, and it can be done, but it requires shopping at multiple stores, sweating the details, planning, planning, planning, and cooking whole foods from scratch. We both work full time. It is work, but it is doable. We have fresh produce aplenty and much of it organic.
ReplyDeleteWhat an ispiration you are. Over the years our grocery budget has grown. But I can remember when I fed a family of 4 on $40 a week. Right now I am shopping from my stockpile. It is a time to harvest for me and not to sow. Attitude is everything and I am grateful I have a stockpile to shop from. I know that difficult times will pass and we will be able to make up for them in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the details! They make a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteWow - fulltime huh? you'll have to give me some hints because when I volunteer more time than usual my house falls apart.