So here is how my budget is going to look:
$60 per week for groceries, hba, cleaning supplies and paper products for me, DH and 2 ds's (5 and 2) 3 cats and one mini pin (dog, <15 lbs)
I am going to "carry over" anything I don't spend for the week, since some weeks I don't shop for anything but milk, eggs and bread, and other weeks I will spend more in order to stock up on a good deal.
If I have any "Surplus" at the end of 2009, that will go into my savings account.
I started 2009 with almost $80 in gift cards and $60 worth of free grocery coupons!
I also do surveys to earn Paypal credits, and using those funds for more coupons.
$60 per week for groceries, hba, cleaning supplies and paper products for me, DH and 2 ds's (5 and 2) 3 cats and one mini pin (dog, <15 lbs)
I am going to "carry over" anything I don't spend for the week, since some weeks I don't shop for anything but milk, eggs and bread, and other weeks I will spend more in order to stock up on a good deal.
If I have any "Surplus" at the end of 2009, that will go into my savings account.
I started 2009 with almost $80 in gift cards and $60 worth of free grocery coupons!
I also do surveys to earn Paypal credits, and using those funds for more coupons.
October budget challenge
Posted 10-01-2009 at 09:56:00 PM by Cynthiabutterfly
A brand new month with brand new possibilities!
I already have my Halloween candy stashed, and my decorations out.
I just looked at the preview for this coming Sunday's coupons, and saw coupons for Karo, Argo, Fleishmann's, and Carnation milk.
I am all tingly with delight, as the holiday baking sales are near, fall is my favorite season, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
Starting this excellent month with:
CVS $9.98 ecb + $16.04 gc
WG $4.05 gc
Tom Thumb $0.13 gc
Braum's $5.92 gc
Shell gas $60 gc
$6.xx in pp funds
(7) $2 off any purchase using your Discover card
$33.52 in free coupons expiring in Oct (most is NOT food, sadly)
Waiting on another $10 Target gc and one $2.49 rebate.
The month is looking promising.
I already have my Halloween candy stashed, and my decorations out.
I just looked at the preview for this coming Sunday's coupons, and saw coupons for Karo, Argo, Fleishmann's, and Carnation milk.
I am all tingly with delight, as the holiday baking sales are near, fall is my favorite season, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
Starting this excellent month with:
CVS $9.98 ecb + $16.04 gc
WG $4.05 gc
Tom Thumb $0.13 gc
Braum's $5.92 gc
Shell gas $60 gc
$6.xx in pp funds
(7) $2 off any purchase using your Discover card
$33.52 in free coupons expiring in Oct (most is NOT food, sadly)
Waiting on another $10 Target gc and one $2.49 rebate.
The month is looking promising.
Total Comments 20
Comments
 |  Cynthia sound to me like you have a great plan. |
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| |  I had a busy weekend, and very productive! October 3 Fiesta Tortillas bread/doughnuts from bakery juice frozen burritos (can you tell I had DH with me?) =$14.31 Oct 4 Fiesta (again) MIL came over and cooked for us Jalapenos Tomatoes onions cilantro poblano peppers bananas sour cream masa (corn flour) = $11.90 Albertsons 4 Birdseye steamfresh veggies $1 - .35 tripled (.05 overage on each!) 4 Bumble bee tuna $.69 - .55 insert = $0.36 trans #2 4 Birdseye steamfresh veggies $1 - .35 tripled (.05 overage on each!) 4 Bumble bee tuna $.69 - .55 insert 2 dz eggs $2 - $2 off purchase using Discover card = $0.36 CVS Breeze 2 meter $14.99 - free coupon = $0 + earned $5 ecb and $1.50 quarterly ecb trans # 2 Breeze 2 meter $14.99 - free coupon CVS batteries bogo $6.49 - $5 ecb - $1.50 ecb (adjusted down) = $0 Total spending for September: $26.99 Savings: 216.35 89% Savings I also found tearpads at Albies .50/2 Kraft Marshmallows exp 12/31/10! and Jello holiday booklets with $4.50 in coupons including $1.25/3 philly or jello and some other great coupons, I also found a booklet at Tom Thumb that had $1 Kraft deluxe or Velveeta and $1/2 Capri sun. Any day that I find more coupons than I use is a great day! |
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| | October 5 Just one quick trip to Albies: Club soda .88 soda water .79 2 Bumblebee tuna .69 -.55 insert 2 Birdseye steamfresh veggies $1 -.35 insert, tripled (.05 overage on each) =$1.87 Total spending for September: $28.86 Savings: 222.42 89% Savings |
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| | I went yesterday to Tom Thumb to see if the Joint Juice deal would print me a $5/7, but it didn't. Joint Juice $1.39 Propel $1 -.50 tearpad, doubled Kid Cuisine $2.69 (had a 1/2 off sticker) - $2 Discover card purchase = -$2.01 I'm not sure what happened, but my total went negative, and the self-check machine spit out $2.01! My tax went negative -$2 after I scanned my $2 Discover card coupon! Kroger Comforts diapers $6.99 -10% - $3 peelie 2 Venom energy drinks $1.79 - free coupon (cashier entered coupon for $1.99 reg. price) 4 Dentyne ice gum bogo - bogo coupons Wonder bread $1.59 -.55 coupon taped to loaves (I didn't get the right kind for my shortcuts.. grrr) 5 Dr. Pepper 2 liters $1 b4g1 free sale - .75 mailer, - (2) $1/2 tearpad 3 Yakisoba ramen .99 -.50 insert, doubled 2 Sunny D smoothies -.25 tripled (insert and magazine) 4lbs grapes $4.28 2.5lbs bananas $1.40 2 totino's pizza rolls $.99 - .40/2 insert, doubled Nutripals drinks $5.22 - $3 insert Peanut butter $1.12 cheese sticks $2.69 cheese and sticks snacks $1.43 - $2 Discover card coupon = $16.82 Total spending for September: $43.67 Savings: 264.53 86% Savings I do realize the amazing success I had last month was only due to chance - I happened to qualify for a survey that earned me $75, and I also got $30 in rebates which is at least half of what I usually earn in a year. I do not expect to replicate last month's results. However, I am working towards meeting my $40 per week goal even if I do not have a huge surplus. |
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| | I've been shopping less often it seems, but I keep reading about deals that I've missed because I don't get to the stores and they are gone by the time I get there! Frustrating, but I can only do what I can do... October 8 Newspapers $5 October 10 Made $38.75 on garage sale items Received $10 Target GC from chase rewards Albertsons 4 Tony's crispy crust pizza .88 -.50 insert, doubled to amt of item = $0 Disney cars teddy grahams (for DS) $1.50 2 loaves bread $1.56 - $2 off you purchase when you use Discover card = $1.06 Target 5 Motts applesauce $1.75 + $5 gc wyb 5 = $8.75 on GC Total spending for September: $10.98 Savings: 315.83 97% Savings |
| Updated 10-12-2009 at 03:47:27 PM by Cynthiabutterfly |
| | After realising that I was sooo behind on my spending (LOL) I made a lunch run to Krogers, and stopped at CVS and Albies on my way home... October 12 Kroger (in 2 orders) 6 Maruchan Yakisoba $.99 - .50 insert, doubled 6 Dial handsoaps $1 -.35 insert, tripled 4 Dentyne gum Bogo - bogo coupons (she only scanned one coupon, and then I realized after I left it was in the bottom of my purse) 10 dr. pepper 2liters - (4) $1/2 tearpad -(2)$1/1 any Dr Pepper from inside 12pks dr. pepper cherry 4 Barilla pasta $1.39 - .50 insert, doubled 4 capri sun $1 - $1/2 kraft breast cancer booklet 2 velveeta shells & cheese $1.61 - $1/1 booklet Bread .71 Ketchup .89 hot cocoa $1.35 - $2 off your next purchase with Discover card = $9.28 I've still got enough coupons for another run today, as long as the weather (or work) doesn't stop me. Albies (in 2 orders) 6 tony's pizzas .88 -.50 insert, doubled to amt of item = $0 4 bc pouch potatoes .99 -.40 IP, doubled bread .78 club soda .88 - $2 off your next purchase with Discover card = .42 CVS 2 Digiorno pizzas $12 -9.98 ECB = $2.02 on gc Total spending for October: $20.68 Savings: 391.12 95% Savings |
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| | Here's my damage from yesterday: Kroger 3 Maruchan Yakisoba $.99 - .50 insert, doubled 3 dial men's bar soap $1 -.35 insert, tripled Chicken breasts $2.72 - $2 off your next purchase with Discover card tax -.17 = .55 trans #2 3 Maruchan Yakisoba $.99 - .50 insert, doubled 3 dial men's bar soap $1 -.35 insert, tripled 4 Dentyne gum Bogo - bogo coupons Barilla pasta $1.39 (forgot to give them my .50 coupon!) 5 Dr. Pepper 2liters $4 - (2) $1/2 tearpad and $1/1 any Dr Pepper from inside 12pks dr. pepper cherry Banquet frozen dinner $1 (has $6 worth of coupons on the box) - $2 off your next purchase with Discover card = $1.31 Albertsons 2 Nabisco Cars graham snacks $3 - 1/2 from Kraft bts booklet 1 Tony's pizza .88 -.50 insert, doubled 4 Tony's pizza $1.88 -$1/2 insert - $2 off your next purchase with Discover card = $5.40 Total spending for October: $27.94 Savings: 438.54 94% Savings |
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| | Using this blog is helping tremendously with my budgeting. I have to be acountable, and I can look back and see how well (or not) I have been doing. Marking the halfway point in the month with: CVS $5 ecb $14.02 gc Wag $4.05 gc Braums $5.92 gc Tom Thumb $0.13 gc Target $11.25 gc (9) $2 Discover card purchase coupons $9.xx pp funds (would be more but I haven't gotten around to doing any surveys recently) $8 in coupon frees expiring in October Waiting on another $10 Target gc from Juicy Bunch. Spent my $60 in gas cards, but expecting another $40 next week. I usually spend about $75 every 10 days or so, but it's more than that this month because we've been doing craigslists runs and extra trips to my mom's house - thanks to the extra money I saved on my groceries I was able to buy a dining set and a tv, plus my dishwasher and over-the-stove microwave last month. Total spending for October: $27.94 Savings: 438.54 94% Savings Budget surplus: $116.16 (from $40/per week budget) I also averaged my savings over the last 4 months (June-Sept) since I started the first Budget Challenge, and my average spending is $27.81 per week! That is less than half what I was spending before for our family of 4 plus 4 furbabies. My average savings is a whopping 91%!! Before 2009 I was not even using a budget at all. I was just buying what we wanted/needed or what was on 'sale' without much of a plan, even though I was using coupons. Just having a plan has allowed us to cut our spending without any sacrifices. |
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| | October 15 Target Nutripals 4pk drinks $4.99 - 3 insert = $1.99 on GC Tom Thumb 10 Freshpet Select meals $2.49 - Free coupon 1 Dial handsoap pump .99 - .35 insert, tripled = $0 Propel $.69 - .50 tearpad, doubled to amt of item = $0 Banquet brown n serve sausage .99 - .35 tripled (from inside banquet frozen meals) = $0 6 Banquet meals 2 @ $1 and 4 @ .79 - .60/6 (from inside banquet frozen meals) Yo plus yogurt $2.25 - (3) $1 ecoupons = -.75 BC mashed potatoes $1.69 - (3) .40 ecoupons - .40 IP, doubled = -.31 BC cookie mix $1.69 - (4) .40 ecoupons - .40 IP, doubled = -.71 2 Pillsbury Grands! biscuits $1.49 - (2) $1 and -.30 ecoupons - 1/2 IP = -.32 2 Pillsbury crescent rolls $1.89 - $1 and (2) .50 ecoupons - 1/2 IP = .78 - $2 off your next purchase with Discover card = .55 Total spending for October: $28.49 Savings: 492.69 95% Savings |
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| | Here's my shopping from today's lunch trip, although I am not done shopping by a long shot! Tom Thumb BC Warm Delights $1.79 - (2) .50 ecoupons - .50 IP, doubled = -.21 Nature Valley Nut Clusters $3.69 - (4) $1 ecoupons - .40 ecoupon (coupons for the Granola Bars came off too?) - $1/1 IP = -$1.71 Banquet brown N' serve sausage .99 - .35 tripled (from inside banquet frozen meals) = $0 Free Halls refresh sample (from candy/gum aisle box display attached to shelf) limit one per transaction 6 Yoplait cups .55 ea - (5) .50/6 ecoupons - .50/6 IP, doubled = -.20 6 banquet meals .79 -.60/6 (from inside banquet frozen meals) = $4.14 6 Grands Jr. 8ct biscuits $1.29 - $1/3 blinkies = $5.74 - $2.50 oyno from previous trans (forgot about my $2 Discover coupons and paid cash!) = $5.05 + earned $3 oyno from Pillsbury (was hoping for $4, but the limit here is $3 for buying 5) Kroger 10 tornadoes frozen snacks $2.49 - $1/1 insert 3 Maruchan Yakisoba $.99 - .50 insert, doubled 7 Fruit20 water $1 - $1/1 insert 1 BC potatoes $1 -.40 CF - .25 insert, tripled another .35 (no overage) 4 Idahoan potatoes $1 -1/1 cats (got another one on this trip) 6 Dole pineapple $1 -$1/3 Jello recipe booklet 2 Tennessee pride sausage $1.99 - $1/1 insert 8 Tennessee pride sausage gravy $1 - $1/1 insert 6 Michelina's flatbread melts .78 -.50/3, doubled, from inside package - $2 discover card purchase = $20.23 + earned $1 oyno from Idahoan Total spending for October: $53.77 Savings: 584.18 92% Savings |
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| | October 17 Target 11 Dannimals crush cups $1.50 -$1/1 insert 2 Nutripals $4.99 - $3 insert Smucker’s jam $1.89 Bread $.90 Oil $2.89 Swiss miss cocoa $.99 -$2 Discover card coupon = $14.15 CVS Oreo $3 – Free coupon (mailer for complaint about another product) Glade reed diffuser $6.99 - $3 insert 2 Prezels $.79 – $1/2 cvs coupon Coke 2 liter $1.25 -$5 ecb = .87 on GC + earned $5 ecb from kraft deal (already had $12 towards this deal) Tom Thumb 10 dozen eggs marked down 50% .64 ea Propel .69 - .50 tearpad, doubled to amt of item 10 Freshpet select meals $2.49 – free coupon Milk $1.99 Banquet brown N’ serve sausage .99 - .35 6 Banquet frozen dinners .79 - .60/6 -$2 Discover card coupon - $3 oyno from Pillsbury = $7.12 Total spending for October: $75.04 Savings: 673.98 90% Savings |
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| | October 18 Forgot to add in Tornados rebate received Thursday: $2.49 Kroger 9 dole pineapple $1 - $1/3 Jello recipe booklet Kroger Comforts diapers $6.99 - 10% kroger discount - $3 peelie 8 Reach floss $1 - $1/1 insert 3 Bounty basic paper towels $1.09 - .25 insert, tripled BC pouch potatoes $1 -.40 CF - .25 insert, tripled another .35 (no overage) 2 pork loin .99/lb $3.77 and $3.87 - $1 oyno from Idahoan - $2 discover card purchase = $15.03 Total spending for October: $87.58 Savings: $719.34 89% Savings |
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| | October 20 Target Nutripals $4.99 - $3 insert 2 Keebler chips deluxe $2.04 - $1/2 Target IP and $2/2 peelie = $3.07 on GC Kroger Mission Tortillas $1 Bread $1.40 3 Banquet select meals $1.29 - .35 tripled, (from inside banquet frozen meals) 2 pork loin .99/lb $3.32 and $3.79 - $2 discover card purchase = $8.03 Total spending for October: $95.67 Savings: $751.71 89% Savings |
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| | October 23 Recieved $40 in gas cards Tom Thumb Propel .69 - .50 tearpad, doubled to amt of item 4 Hershey's snack size bags $2 - b3g1 (took off reg. price of $3.99) = $4.01 4 Tombstone pizzas $10 -1.50/2 = $7 2 Pillsbury french bread $4.98 - (3).40 + $1 ecoupons, .40/2 IP doubled 2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls $2.98 - (2) .40 + $1 ecoupons, $1/2 IP 2 Pillsbury RTB halloween cookies $6 - (2) $1 + (2) .75 ecoupons, $1/2 IP 18ct eggs .99 (with super coupon) Halls refresh sample (free with card) - $2 discover card purchase = $13.83 + earned $3 oyno for buying Pillsbury (didn't realize the cookies were part of the cat offer) And another catalina that says "Just for You" and has FIVE store coupons on it: $1 ANY 1 Tomatoes on the vine 1 lb. min. $1 Fresh bunch Basil .50 ANY 1 White Jumbo Onion 1 lb. min. $1 Lucerne Chunk or Shredded cheese 32oz $1 Eating Right Salad Dressing 16oz All expire 11/28/09 I can also send in for the $10 Tombstone rebate, which I am waiting on a trade for- once it comes in, then I will mail it. Total spending for October: $109.50 Savings: $790.64 88% Savings |
| Updated 10-23-2009 at 08:44:19 PM by Cynthiabutterfly |
| | Oct 24 Stuck to my $10 budget for a birthday party this weekend. I am so happy that I have stuck to my budget, but with only $19 left there is still plenty of time left in the month to blow it! I'm hoping I can make it thru the week, use the few discover card coupons I have left for the mega sale at kroger, and not blow my new budget. CVS cough drops .99 doritos (for DS) .99 green bag tag (earns $1 for every 4 trips using a reusable bag) .99 Qtips $2.99 -$5 ecb = $1.01 on gc Albertsons 4 birdseye veggies .88 ea - .35 insert, tripled (didn't realize that it tripled the full .70 instead of just to the amt. of the item!) 6 banquet frozen dinners .88 ea (forgot my .60/6 coupons!!!) - $2 discover card purchase = $2.60 Target 10 Glade scented oil candles $2.50 - $1.50 (inside tins) 10 Glade scented oil refills - free refill wyb the candle blinkies up and up wipes $3.69 - $1 off $3 purchase of up and up (found in a magazine) Nutripals $4.99 - $3 insert - $16 in gc = $2.96 OOP + earned $20 in gc Mailed $10 Tombstone rebate Spent $7.50 on newspapers Total spending for October: $122.56 Savings: $944.86 89% Savings |
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| | Trying to spend as little as possible, as both the end of the month and the Kroger mega sale draw near.... Oct 27 Target 10 Glade scented oil candles $2.50 - (6) $1.50 (from inside the tins, most were empty) - (2) $2/2 any scented oil product (from inside the smaller glass holders in holiday scents) = $12 10 Glade scented oil candle refills (bonus 4ct) $2.50 - free refill wyb the candle blinkies = $0 Nutripals 4pk drinks $4.99 -$3 insert 6 Skippy PB $2.04 - 1/1 Target IP - .75 MFR = .29 ea -(2) .05 reusable bag discounts (I love target bags for other uses, but I need the discount more!) = $15.63 on GC + earned $20 GC Total spending for October: $122.56 Savings: $1,061.09 90% Savings |
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| | Oct 28 The Kroger Mega sale has started in our area. In order to preserve my sanity, I'll be posting my totals only, and then at the end of the sale (in two weeks) I'll post everything that I got. Scenarios are posted in the Kroger forum for anyone reading this. Kroger = $7.50 OOP + earned (2).75 oyno for buying 8 pks of dole cup 4pks, and .50 oyno for buying 4 cans of dole tropical fruit (I think I read you only need to buy 3, but I had a $1/4 cat coupon. total savings $132.52 (95%) My other planned scenarios are less OOP, but I really needed the dole cups, that was most of my cost. Total spending for October: $130.06 Savings: $1,193.61 90% Savings |
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| | Oct 29 Spent $4 on newspapers (no coupons for the mega sale though) Kroger = $2.67 on two transactions total savings $118.37 (98%) + earned .50 oyno for buying 4 cans of dole tropical fruit I used a $2 Discover card coupon instead of my $2 in oyno cats, because they have a longer exp than the discover card coupon and I can hold onto them for later transactions. I now have $2.50 in oyno cats, and $4.88 left in my budget for the month. I'm challenging myself to both use the coupons for the mega sale that expire 10/31 without going over my budget. Total spending for October: $136.73 Savings: $1,331.98 91% Savings |
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| | Oct 30 Kroger = .83 on two transactions  Total savings: $142.52 (99.4%) Total spending for October: $137.56 Savings: $1,477.99 91% Savings Used up all my oyno cats, and all my Discover card coupons- Now I'm just left with regular old money - $4.05 left for this month. |
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| |  Wow! Great job!!! 99.4%??? AMAZING! |
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Recent Blog Entries by Cynthiabutterfly
- Kroger November Mega sale totals (11-10-2009)
- November 2009 Budget Challenge (11-02-2009)
- October budget challenge (10-01-2009)
- Christmas Budget Challenge (09-08-2009)
- September budget challenge (09-02-2009)
