More stories of savings ...

Did you all hear that the news of retail sales dropping in September sent the Dow plunging today? Confirmation that I'm not the only one trying to not spend. Who knew I had such power?!?

So today marks one week into our quest for more saving, less spending. How have I done? Well, first let me tell you some numbers. Our goal is to have our credit card bill $400 or less this month. What does that $400 include? Basically everything outside of our mortgage, utilities, insurance, grocery and gasoline. So Starbucks (yes, it needs it's own category), eating out, clothing, hair cuts, light bulbs, scrapbook paper, all that miscellaneous "stuff" that so quickly adds up ... at least in our house.

It's none of my business, but I wonder, what do other people budget for all this extra stuff?

I'm feeling pretty good so far. I'm such a "nickel & dimer" it's so easy to get a little something here and there throughout the week/month and then hyperventilate when you see the statement at the end of the month. So I'm trying to think through each purchase and be purposeful when I head into a store for something. It also helps to keep a running total and check our balances.

I know some have mentioned a cash only system works for them, I had an envelope system growing up ... for us we'd like to take advantage of the benefits of our credit card (while paying it off monthly, which we ALWAYS do) and I know myself and what I need to do to keep it in check ... but if this doesn't work, we might go to the cash only plan.

So how is all of this 'saving' working? Someone asked how I was finding such good deals, so I thought I would share my strategy (now that I'm all of a month or so into this :). I'll try not to get too wordy.

Coupons - We subscribe to our local paper for the weekend circulation. I now cut out almost all of the coupons, even ones I'm not sure if we'll ever use (I now know they might end up being free or a small money maker). I've also asked a few people I know for the coupons they don't use so I can get a few extra. I also print coupons online, usually when linked on a blog with information about deals for that week.

Grocery Shopping - I took advantage of the trial subscription of The Grocery Game and was happy with the results. It was enough savings to justify the $15 every 2 months going forward (for Albertsons and Walgreens). On Saturday night or Sunday I log into the Grocery Game and look at the lists for that week. I check off all of the green items (deals to stock up on) and blue items (free) that we would use. I then make two lists, one for WinCo where I buy everything not on the grocery game list that we NEED for the week and one for Albertsons that might include NEEDS for the week if they're a deal or else stock up items to purchase. I then check my lists and grab the coupons it tells me to. Sometimes I have additional ones I've printed out. When I shop I hit both stores at the same time and take a cooler along for any items needing to stay cold in between.

** Without the grocery game I would not shop Albertsons. Even with their ad in hand I wouldn't uncover half of what the "list" tells you to stock up on. I just don't have that kind of time, desire or energy. So it's worth it to pay the small fee to have access to someone else's research :). **

Walgreens Shopping - For this I compare the grocery game list along side of the list posted at Money Saving Mom. They are usually very, very close ... so close I'm going to think about dropping the Walgreens list from the grocery game and just paying $10 every 2 months for Albertsons. I've found that Walgreens is more of a "game" in savings, but does allow you to stock up on most of your toiletries.

I check Money Saving Mom daily, but don't usually check the grocery game again until the next week as their is only one list per week and I don't shop multiple times throughout the week (or at least I try not to!).

Our bi-weekly grocery budget is $175 for a family of three (which includes all groceries and toiletries (like the Walgreens shopping)). I think that's average, but again, if you want to share I'd love to see how we compare. Have I shaved any off our budget? Not yet, but I have stockpiled ... and The Grocery Game says it takes about 12 weeks to have a stock pile and I can see that happening. My goal is a month from now to cut it back to $100 every two weeks. Right now I've already got 6 months worth of laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene, body wash and toothpaste, canned tomatoes, cereal and chocolate chips :).

Alright ... lastly, your treat if you made it through this and don't look like this:

Here's a little "deal" I found and have yet to read about anywhere, so I'll share it with you ... I found a way to save on Starbucks! Oh yes I did ... at Costco. When I popped in yesterday for bread (it's 30% cheaper there) and winter pj's for Ethan I saw a woman giving out samples of coffee. And behind her were gift cards to Starbucks ... you get 5 $20 cards (total $100) for $79.99!! That's $20.01 in "free" Starbucks. I think I must have looked wild eyed when I asked the cashier how long they would have these golden tickets. Through the holidays she assured me, but I couldn't take a chance and went ahead and bought them ... already saving on next month's Starbucks allowance!!

Alright, now share what you're doing, what your budget it or what is working for you! That way I can reassure Matt I'm not the only crazy penny pinching mama out there (after all I think it took more than me to make the stock market drop!).

Happy Thursday!