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A few months ago I started on a budget of much less, self imposed just to save more money, I used to always just buy whatever I wanted, for groceries, cat food, paper products etc. I have been able to stick to it but this month I am finding there are some deals for things I use frequently and if I buy them I will go over my budget. I almost feel bad buying these things and stocking up when I know I will go over budget. Kind of nuts. I then think I will just deduct it from the next month's amount. I'm generally not an OCD type but haven't quite figured out how to handle this.
What do you do if this happens? Buy the stuff and stock up and just go over budget for the month or let the deals go?
A few months ago I started on a budget of much less, self imposed just to save more money, I used to always just buy whatever I wanted, for groceries, cat food, paper products etc. I have been able to stick to it but this month I am finding there are some deals for things I use frequently and if I buy them I will go over my budget. I almost feel bad buying these things and stocking up when I know I will go over budget. Kind of nuts. I then think I will just deduct it from the next month's amount. I'm generally not an OCD type but haven't quite figured out how to handle this.
What do you do if this happens? Buy the stuff and stock up and just go over budget for the month or let the deals go?
If it's a self imposed budget, then by all means, get the stuff (if it will store well) on sale and then just deduct the amount from your next month's budget for the items as if you would have bought them then. We always buy a case of whatever it is if it is on sale, will store well and we will use it.
Our monthly average is about $300 for two, but we live in a really high cost of living area. Milk runs a minimum of $5 per gallon. Cheap bread is $3 a loaf (although we generally make our own), 5# potatoes is about $5, eggs are about $4 per dozen or more. But we eat grass fed beef (bought directly from the rancher in 100# lots), organic eggs (from my friend's yard, although I pay her for the eggs or swap veggies for eggs), loads of fresh veggies (year round garden), assorted citrus and fruits and there's usually about two take out pizzas a month. We also get bulk foods from a food co-op and do lots of scratch cooking. There's still pork in the freezer from that pig that was digging up my friend's garden. Fish are in the ocean when we want them. But, all this just augments our food bill, we still buy groceries at the local grocery.
If it's a self imposed budget, then by all means, get the stuff (if it will store well) on sale and then just deduct the amount from your next month's budget for the items as if you would have bought them then. We always buy a case of whatever it is if it is on sale, will store well and we will use it.
Our monthly average is about $300 for two, but we live in a really high cost of living area. Milk runs a minimum of $5 per gallon. Cheap bread is $3 a loaf (although we generally make our own), 5# potatoes is about $5, eggs are about $4 per dozen or more. But we eat grass fed beef (bought directly from the rancher in 100# lots), organic eggs (from my friend's yard, although I pay her for the eggs or swap veggies for eggs), loads of fresh veggies (year round garden), assorted citrus and fruits and there's usually about two take out pizzas a month. We also get bulk foods from a food co-op and do lots of scratch cooking. There's still pork in the freezer from that pig that was digging up my friend's garden. Fish are in the ocean when we want them. But, all this just augments our food bill, we still buy groceries at the local grocery.
Actually, I did go ahead and just buy the stuff. It only turned out to be 59.00 extra, so not bad. Some I can store, some perishable as I want to make ratatouille. Gee, I usual spend 300.00 for me, my cats and bird and squirrel food. You do well for 2 people.
If we added in pet and livestock feed, well, then the amount would be significantly more. Ratatouille sounds lovely! It's a fairly frugal sort of meal, isn't it?
If we added in pet and livestock feed, well, then the amount would be significantly more. Ratatouille sounds lovely! It's a fairly frugal sort of meal, isn't it?
Yes, it is and I make a ton of it. Eat it cold or hot, eat it alone, add pasta or sausage... however! Eggplant, zuc, peppers, onions all were on sale. Mushrooms only one at reg. price
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