Written by Adam Sullivan on May 11, 2011.
I was out of town again last week for a training course. While I’m gone, my employer covers my per diem expenses so I’m always a little excited to save on the grocery budget… or what I HOPE to save on the grocery budget.
Hubby didn’t do too well the last time I was gone. There were a lot of debit transactions for McDonald’s and Rubio’s. Somehow, we still came out behind that week.
This time, I carefully stacked meals in the fridge and gave instructions on how to heat them.
‘OK, so the steak and potatoes are for Monday, the chicken pot pie for Tuesday, pizza Wednesday, and enchiladas on Thursday. I’ll be back home to make you dinner on Friday. There are apples to eat as snacks and a fresh gallon of OJ for breakfast with wheat bagels. Sound like a plan?’ I asked while standing with the refrigerator door open, pointing to the food.
‘Uh huh’ he said, half paying attention.
Fast forward to Friday…
I unloaded my bags, started a load of laundry, and then opened the fridge to grab an apple. Neatly stacked in the f
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Written by Adam Sullivan on April 28, 2011.
I pulled yet another no-no and took money out of our grocery budget a few times this pay period. I hate digging into the emergency fund every time something comes up and I’ve discovered occasional grocery budget pilfering episodes work out OK.
This month, I accidentally took a little more than I should have and noticed a mere $30 to cover more than a week. I spent an hour digging through the pantry and refrigerator and worked to pair what we had with recipes. I stopped by the grocery store to purchase some fresh fruit, veggies, and dairy items and spent $27. Proud of my achievement, I spread the recipe cards for my husband and told him he could choose what he wanted for dinner.
‘I’m leaning toward the Tilapia with fresh tomatoes topped with feta or the turkey burgers and grilled asparagus but I’m up for anything you choose’ I said a little smugly.
He stared at each then said, ‘Actually, I’ve been thinking about a Stouffer’s frozen chicken dinner thingie. Can we just do
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Written by Joseph Perry on April 22, 2011.
As the state of the economy becomes more and more uncertain, many families are obviously tightening their budgets. Cutting back on grocery costs is a great way to save money and you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice the quality of your meals. In order to keep eating well on a budget you’ll have to start following some basic rules. You’ll need to start eating at home instead of going out, collecting coupons, and buying store brand products. If you do it right and keep the habit going you’ll find that you can make multiple meals in less time while saving money and improving your financial position.
Many families like to go out and eat because of the convenience, but if you want to save money it’s the first and most important habit you need to break. Stop going to fast food restaurants and start buying groceries that will allow you to prepare meals at home. Don’t purchase junk food. Buy fruits,
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Written by Joseph Perry on February 23, 2011.
An often overlooked tool in managing your personal finances, the basic budget is where it all begins. The budget is the foundation from which all other things relating to your personal finances are built. Ironically, many of us have the tendency to set our budget and move on to bigger and better things. We may tweak the budget if we remember a change or make the occasional adjustment, however few people take the time to really sit down and review their budget on a routine basis. This lack of attention to the very basis of all financial matters can result in costly mistakes in the long run. If you haven’t reviewed your budget lately you may want to think about doing so soon. And if you haven’t even created a budget yet, don’t worry. Here’s how
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Written by Scott Barnes on July 5, 2010.
Many experts say that starting a budget is a must for anyone trying to take control of their finances, but they neglect to show all of the reasons why starting a budget is so beneficial. Knowing the best reasons for starting a budget and sticking to it can help you understand why a budget is so important and increases the chance that you will be able to stick with the financial program that you have set for yourself.
Know Where Your Money Is Going
The very best reason for starting a budget is so that you will always know where your money is going. Individuals that do not keep track of their finances are often bewildered at the end of the month when they have less money than they thought they would and they have no idea where that month went. With a detailed budget, the mystery of what you are spending your money on ends and you will have a good idea of where you are spending the most and how much you are spending overall.
Reduce Unnecessary Expenses
Having a budget allows you to review your spending trends and shows you where you are spending more than you should. This is good because you can eliminate excessive spending in areas that are non-essential so that you will have more money available for saving or other needs. Many people are able to cut their overall monthly spending by 25% or more after identifying areas where they are spending more than they intended.
Prevent Overspending
Overspending can be a very expensive mistake. Overdrawing your bank account can cost as much as $35 per occurrence and having to place a purchase on your credit card because you are out of money can quickly increase your debt with double digit interest rates. Creating a budget will help you see how much you are spending each month and designate a specific portion of your income to each category in your budget to prevent overspending.
Increase Your Savings
Your budget should never spend all of the money that you make in a given month to allow to unexpected expenses and minor emergencies. This means that sticking to your budget closely should result in you having more money left over at the end of every month. Placing this money into a savings account will increase your financial security and provide the funds that you need for special occasions and long term monetary goals.