It is a sad day in the B house.
A day we knew must come, but dreaded nonetheless.
We need to increase our grocery budget.
Dun dun duhhhhhhhh.
I was over budget again this week, which is really grinding my gears. I was able to write off last week as a “return from vacation” blip, but then I looked back at last month’s grocery trips and there were more than a few over budget trips in the past few months. Side note, this is an excellent Saving to Disney budgeting trick. Keep a log of grocery trip costs! Helps you charts your spending seasonally.
The reason we seem to be going over budget is that my children are eating more than usual. The reason they are eating more than usual appears to be that they are growing, as I am told small children love to do. What used to pass as enough food to feed both now barely feeds one. So we need to adjust to accommodate their healthy appetites.
Increasing budgets sends me into a little bit of a tailspin. But then I remind myself that the food budget exists so that WE can exist. Food is one of our most basic needs, and while I can coupon, cut corners, and use earning apps, the fact remains we have to be fed. So we buy what we need to buy, and adjust not just our budgets but our mindset. And by “our” I mean mine, because you know my sweet husband is like, “Buy all the food! Who needs a budget! Shop with your heart!”
The plan right now is to stick with the current budget through the end of September. That will give us enough data to base a new budget decision on. Our focus is the difference between what we are spending in actuality and what we anticipated spending, listed currently as “Deducted from Next Trip.” We’re looking for consistency in that difference, or at least a mean of quantities. For example, if every week we are in the same range of a difference, $10-$15 dollars, then the easiest solution is to up our budget by $15 a week. However, if one week we are $10 over, but then another $25, and then another $5, we’ll average those amounts. Between you and me, I’m pulling for the simplest option. ;)
- Bananas, 2.22 lb-$1.15.
- Boars Head Sliced Pepperoni, .5 lb-$3.28.
- Carando Pork Meatballs, 1 lb-$2.99. Originally $4.99, in store promotion makes them $3.99. Stack with *Digital Coupon* for $1 off.
- Clementines, 3lb-$3.99. In store promotion brought this down from $5.49.
- Froot Loops, 2 boxes-$2.38. Originally $2.69, down to $1.69 with Buy 4, Save 4 sale. Stacked with a paper coupon for $1 off 2.
- Ken’s Salad Dressing (2) -$3.98. Buy 4, Save 4 brought these to $1.99 from $3.98 each.
- Kraft Dressing (2)-$3.98. Same song and dance as the Ken’s!
- Kroger Canned Tomato (4)-$1.96.
- Kroger Cream Cheese Bars (2)-$1.83. Originally $1.19 each, used a *Digital Coupon* for .55 off two.
- Kroger Fruit Bars-$2.50. Down from $3.59 with in store promotion.
- Kroger Ground Turkey, 1 lb (3)-$8.97. Down to $2.99 each from $3.99 with in store promotion.
- Kroger Milk-$1.19.
- Kroger Pasta (2)-$2. In store promotion.
- Mangos (3)-$2.97. Man, this never ending mango promotion is the best.
- Multi Grain Cheerios, 2 boxes-$4.58. Originally $3.79, down to $2.79 with the in store Buy 4, Save 4 sale. Stacked with a paper coupon for $1 off 2.
- Pecorino Calabrese Cheese-$3.39.
- Private Selection Sliced Turkey, .5lb-$3.91.
- Private Selection Steak, .75 lb-$3.52. This was stickered improperly, but the cashier honored it. Hooray!
- Psssst Red Chili Powder-$1.
- Roma Tomatoes, 1.55 lb-$$1.53.
- Romaine Lettuce, .91 lb-$1.17.
- Strawberries, 1 lb (3)-$5. In store promotion.
- Yoplait Oui French Yogurt-$0. Free Friday Download *Digital Coupon*!
- Apps I’ll Submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta (.25 off any item, .25 off any Breakfast Cereal)
Total Budget: $65
Total Spent: $78.65
Total Saved: $27.46
Deducted from Next Trip: $13.65
This trip’s overage was within three cents of last trip! Three cents! I’ll hope the numbers keep to that pattern.
How about you? Have you had to increase your grocery budget? How did you do it? Are you one of the lucky ones who got to decrease a grocery budget? Tell me all about it in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!