Sticking to a budget...
Posted 01-05-2009 at 07:56:38 PM by thriftycj
Tammy brings up an excellent point-- how to make a budget and stick to it! I think that the following things will help me stay on track this year:
1. Start off knowing what you HAVE. A poster in the CVS forum asked people what was in there stockpiles. It got me thinking it was inventory time. I did my HBA inventory last night, and I'll be doing my food inventory sometime this week.
2. Know what is/is not a must have. Last month, I sat down and made a realistic list of food items that were staples in my budget. Things that would be must haves. I posted my list in my last entry. I calculated a rough cost of just those items, then built from there.
3. Have a plan. I don't think I'll ever be one that can plan out a week of meals and then stick to it religiously. In fact, that will probably end up with me eating out more! Instead, I'm going to take my inventory list and create a list of possible meals. Then, I can take an idea off the list if I'm unsure of what I want.
4. Know your habits and plan carefully to avoid them. I'm a busy girl and I often don't get home until late. My trap is that I'll say "it's too late to cook" and just grab something on the way home. So I try to keep things like Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (plain brown), Steamfresh frozen veggies, canned beans, and meats frozen in easy to thaw packaging so that I can throw a decent meal together in 10-20 minutes.
5. Be realistic in your goal. The $50/month eating out one is going to be tough for me. I may not make it. But I've found already that when my mind wanders to having Lulu's for dinner (my favorite Thai place), I stop and really think about whether or not I want to give up that $10-15 out of my takeout budget. Is the occasion really worth it, or am I just being lazy? Is there something at home that will make me just as happy? Or if I'm bent on eating out, can I settle for the soup and steamed rice at the cheapo Chinese place down the street?
My grocery budget is probably a bit high. But I figure it's a matter of managing expectations... better to set the amount higher and succeed than to set it too low and become discouraged.
Hope these suggestions are helpful. Any others?
1. Start off knowing what you HAVE. A poster in the CVS forum asked people what was in there stockpiles. It got me thinking it was inventory time. I did my HBA inventory last night, and I'll be doing my food inventory sometime this week.
2. Know what is/is not a must have. Last month, I sat down and made a realistic list of food items that were staples in my budget. Things that would be must haves. I posted my list in my last entry. I calculated a rough cost of just those items, then built from there.
3. Have a plan. I don't think I'll ever be one that can plan out a week of meals and then stick to it religiously. In fact, that will probably end up with me eating out more! Instead, I'm going to take my inventory list and create a list of possible meals. Then, I can take an idea off the list if I'm unsure of what I want.
4. Know your habits and plan carefully to avoid them. I'm a busy girl and I often don't get home until late. My trap is that I'll say "it's too late to cook" and just grab something on the way home. So I try to keep things like Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (plain brown), Steamfresh frozen veggies, canned beans, and meats frozen in easy to thaw packaging so that I can throw a decent meal together in 10-20 minutes.
5. Be realistic in your goal. The $50/month eating out one is going to be tough for me. I may not make it. But I've found already that when my mind wanders to having Lulu's for dinner (my favorite Thai place), I stop and really think about whether or not I want to give up that $10-15 out of my takeout budget. Is the occasion really worth it, or am I just being lazy? Is there something at home that will make me just as happy? Or if I'm bent on eating out, can I settle for the soup and steamed rice at the cheapo Chinese place down the street?
My grocery budget is probably a bit high. But I figure it's a matter of managing expectations... better to set the amount higher and succeed than to set it too low and become discouraged.
Hope these suggestions are helpful. Any others?
Total Comments 2
Comments
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How about find some Thai Dish and find some coupons item and try to recreate it the dish.
For example stir fry Tofu.
Thats decent and can be tasty with rice.
PhinPosted 01-06-2009 at 01:15:32 AM by phinphana
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Good advice! I have yet to sit down and make an inventory of what I have, so often I buy something and come home and discover I already have it. I'm definitely going to do an inventory this week.Posted 01-08-2009 at 09:25:50 AM by VivaciousJewelz 
