Saving Our Pennies
My husband and I went over our budget tonight and we have decided to start saving toward a down payment for a house. It will probably be several years before we have any significant amount put away, but you have to start somewhere. The first step we are taking is to cut our grocery budget. I am going to try to get all our groceries for $50 a week. The cost of living in our area is pretty high, and food isn't cheap, so I am going to have to get creative. I am still trying to follow the principles of the South Beach Diet, so that that makes things even more challenging, as I'm trying to stay away from starches, which are the cheapest foods! What I have been trying to do is only have one grain a day, so maybe I will save it for dinner so I can eat "normal" dinners, such as chicken-and-rice casserole, tuna-noodle casserole, etc. However, I did just get The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer cookbook from the library, and haven't had a chance to peruse it yet. Maybe I'll get some good ideas there. My one splurge will be raw milk for Baby Boy, as I really feel the nutritional benefits are worth the cost. It is--YIKES!--$7 a gallon. So my total grocery budget will actually be $57 a week, as soon as I start Baby Boy on raw milk. I still want to continue nursing him for a while, but I want to wean him very gradually, so I may start substituting cow's milk for one nursing session a day pretty soon.
4 comments:
I moved my little girl over to cows milk, and she loves it. Before you give your baby boy cow's milk, rub a bit of it on his skin, and see if it leaves a raised red area. If so, proceed carefully, because he may be allergic. I had one who was allergic, but he outgrew it quickly.
I don't know how much it costs to eat South Beach Diet style, but I eat pretty close to Nourishing Traditions style, and the grocery budget my my husband and I, our four children (baby girl is on table food now) and my mom who is now living for us - 7 people... The grocery bill was 57 dollars.
Just start making as much stuff as you can by scratch, including cleaning solutions, and if you don't do it already, cloth diapering is GREAT! I wished I did it with my other three, now that I know how easy it is. :-\
Over at biblicalwomanhood.com, Crystal is offering an e-course on Grocery saving Strategies as well as the regular downloadable book she offers for sale. I would try to get the Sunday paper once in a while as there are often very good coupons-the Proctor and Gamble brandsaver-which are good for needed toiletries. This week, I was able to get toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderants and feminine hygiene products for nearly free thanks to having these savings available. Since my grocery budget is similar to yours, I will let you know what other deals I can come up with. Oh and by the way, you did great with the stuff you got for under $20 last week! I am very impressed!
Check this link and find your state to see if there is a dairy close by or at least worth the driving distance.
http://www.realmilk.com/where1.html
Another thing that might be helpful to you, and it has saved me lots of money (we are a family of 6) is www.thegrocerygame.com.
Hope these things are helpful!
Just wanted to say I've been reading and enjoying your blog for quite awhile. I wish you the best in saving for a house.
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