Since I am no longer gainfully employed, I have been looking for ways to cut back on our monthly expenses, because the funny thing about not having a job is the paycheck fairies quit direct depositing goodness into your checking account. Who knew? And since we have not only lost a source of income, but acquired a car payment and insurance payments, it is time for a few budget cuts.
I have never been one to live on a budget as my daddy would be quick to tell you. In fact, he received so many overdraft notices from my bank in college letting him know that I had overdrawn my account and they had covered the indiscretion by kindly taking money out of his personal account, that he referred to these notices as love notes. It was just my way of saying hello and really, all the money came from him anyway, so what did it matter whose account it was technically in? It’s semantics.
However, with the realities of adulthood, I learned to be a little wiser about money. However, we have never run our household with a pie wedge budget, although if I could figure out how to pie wedge stuff, I would totally do it. Nothing would make me happier than to have a nice, color coded wedge to help me allot our funds, but I’m afraid it might require math, so I’ll do without.
Anyway, we have figured out a few ways to cut some expenses here and there. Obviously, we let Cata go which means we’ll save a bundle in Grab-its money alone. But what I’m really struggling with is how to save money at the grocery store.
While I was still working, this was a typical trip to the store for me. I’d always start in the produce section and pick up about six avocadoes, never paying attention to the price because you can’t put a price on guacamole. Then, I’d buy a few bags of Sour Patch Kids because they are an essential. Organic chocolate milk in a cute glass bottle with a cow on it? I’ll take two. It’s more than worth the money to see that cute bottle in my fridge.
Then, of course, I had to buy the delicious pre-marinated HEB brand fajita meat, brand name dog food (because when the dogs aren’t busy licking their rear ends they have very discriminating tastes), Viva papertowels, Charmin Ultra better-than-a-bidet toilet paper, Dixie paperplates, Ziploc baggies with the super-patented ultra lock seal of death, Blue Bell ice cream, and oh my goodness, they sell OPI nailpolish at HEB, so I better get at least 2 different colors right now.
I’m also partial to Biolage hair products, Kashi trail mix bars, Ghiradelli chocolate chips, Starbucks ground coffee and making sure I purchase the latest People, US Weekly and InStyle because after all, a girl has to stay current. Needless to say, initially, it was fairly easy to cut back on some things that MAY fall under the category of NOT NECESSARY, although if I were stranded on a desert island, I would totally need the Biolage shampoo and conditioner because nothing damages your hair like salt water and sun.
So, after my initial cutbacks, I was still trying to come up with some other things I could replace with cheaper items. I decided to go with cheap paper towels, which I purchased in bulk. Let’s just say that going from Viva to Brand X is the paper towel equivalent of going from a luxurious spa resort to a camp out on the beach. Hellish and scratchy.
P has now forbidden me to buy cheap paper towels and toilet paper.
My question today is how do y’all save money at the grocery store? Don’t tell me about Costco because, honestly, buying in bulk makes me itch. I already have 600 pounds of elk meat in my freezer and I don’t have enough storage to put an 80 lb. bottle of laundry detergent somewhere. Also, don’t suggest generic peanut butter because that is just sick and wrong.
So, within those parameters, what are you willing to cut costs on and what are the items you absolutely will not sacrifice even if it means your children will go to college on student loans?