My Frugal Tips

Because several people have asked me to share my money saving tips on grocery shopping, I thought I would post what I do in hopes that it helps someone else save money. My logic is if I save money at the grocery store then it frees up money that can be spent on other things so this serves as my motivation every week.

Frugal living does not mean complicated. If fact it is quite the opposite. Frugal living is getting back to the basics of household management.

The following are my tips and schedule that I have implemented in my home in regards to saving money at the grocery store:

Sundays – I collect my newspaper and take out the coupon inserts. I also make meal plans on this day since I can look at the sale papers and make out my meals based on sale items

Tuesdays – I go to couponmom.com and print off the weekly list of deals for Kroger. I choose to only shop at Kroger. There are many sites that will teach you how to save at other stores all you have to do is research it. The couponmom.com site does have other stores other than Kroger but I choose the Kroger deals. The reason I choose Kroger is because I get an added benefit by shopping there since they give a 10 cents off gas for every time you spend $100 in groceries. I review the list published on couponmom.com list and circle the items I need.

Wednesdays – I make me a grocery list based on my weekly menu and the list from the site. I go through my coupon stash and collect any and all coupons that might apply to my list and make a note of the coupons on my list so that I can accurately comparison shop.

Thursdays – Shopping Day

Some detailed tips that I do that is very helpful is:

-I made a master Kroger grocery list on my computer in Excel. This list is a layout of the Kroger store by aisle. (I know I am a little OCD on this). This provides me with an organized grocery list which helps me to stay focused which helps to be save time which saves money. The longer you stay in the store the more money you will spend because you will get distracted.

-I also keep a price guideline so that I can estimate the prices of ALL items and be able to stay within my budget even before I go to the store.

-On the master list, I have set up my page to calculate my totals based on department and grand total. This allows me to see where I am spending the most money at so that I can make appropriate changes if need be.

-I plan my meals one month in advance. This allows me flexibility in case I see a certain type of meat on sale, I might opt to change it up a bit or not depending on my stockpile in the freezer and pantry. I also know when I am eating certain types of meats so this helps me when certain meats are on sale as well.

-I keep an inventory of my freezer and pantry. I was hesitate to do this at first but have found that I save time and money because I am buying things I truly need and buying things that I already had and did not know because the item got shoved to the back of the cabinet. While doing my inventory the first time, I organized everything. This did take some time but I don’t have to do it again because I maintain it weekly.

-I organize my coupons by aisle

-I use my Kroger plus card

-I starting making things from scratch like French toast. It is cheaper, healthier, and only take a few extra minutes.

-I stock pile my freezer and pantry.

-I also cook ahead my meat and preseason it so that all I have to do is pull a labeled bag out of the freezer, thaw it in the microwave, and put in my casserole or meal starter.

I have been researching frugal living for several months now and these are things that I have found to work for me. These tips are practical well they have to be in order for me to be able to implement and make them work considering that being a mom of four time is a luxury. I hope that I have helped someone with these ideas, tips, and suggestions.

November Events

I just can not believe it is time for the holidays. Boy this year has flown by. We have been keeping busy. We have not done a whole lot of anything really but life has a funny way of keeping us busy. I know I need to add some more pictures and I will do that soon. I have been trying to work on a couple of things for the site and hope to introduce those later on. Several of my friends want me to write and post my frugal tips and I have been trying to get all of those wrote down and posted to the site. this is coming soon as well.
I have managed to get all of my Christmas shopping done! YEAH for me! I have cut back alot this year. It is all apart of my "new" frugal living passion. This will be the best Christmas every because I am not stressing over the money I have spent or will be spending. I am very proud of myself and what I have learned in regards to frugal living. I promise I will be sharing these ideas with you on my site in the upcoming week.
I start tomorrow baking for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I have 15 desserts on my list. I am so excited for tomorrow to be here so that I can get in that Holiday spirit! There is just something about baking that gets you in the best mood and relieves stress (at least for me it does, I am quirky that way).
Well I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and remembers to get Thanks to the Lord for all of the blessings in your life!
I will post again soon!

Katie is Standing Pretty!

Katie stood alone today for the first time. She did not take any steps but I know it will not be long until she does. I can tell that she definitely wants to be in the action..just like a girl! (haha)

Day of Prayer

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

I am asking every believer in Jesus Christ to set aside Monday,
November 3 as a day of fasting and prayer . I would urge you to review the prayer of Daniel on behalf of his people in Dan . 9:3-19, and to pray that way
for our nation. And finally, I would ask you to distribute this call to prayer as widely as possible so that the greatest number of people would lay hold of the throne of grace all at once. It may be that God will show mercy to America , that He will shed His grace on her once again. Thank you for joining with me in this effort.