I'm searching for inventive and interesting ways to reduce our grocery bills. Not particularly the "101 ways to cook beans" type, but something that will keep me and the hungry hoards inspired.
I've re-subscribed to Simple Savings which is helping. I saved the subscription fee in the first week (yay me!). There are so many hints in their "Savings Vault" - some new and some that I just needed to be reminded of - and lots of saving tools, too.
So what is my goal? For our family of five, I was spending around $230 - $250 per week. That includes everything: meat, fruit and veg, groceries item and household items (like cleaning products). On top of that, we have takeaway every Friday night ($20) and at least one meal from the bakery on the weekend ($25+). I'm trying to get it all for no more than $150, but I can see I'm going to struggle.
Last week I spent $170 and didn't buy any meat (just used what was in the freezer). This week I have already spent $180. Hopefully I won't run out of anything!
I'm doing a menu plan each week (on Macgourmet) and keeping a running shopping list on the pantry, so I can get everything in one go (in theory). The oven has also been getting a work out with homebaked goodies making a return to the kitchen. So I am making some inroads, but I want more.
