Umm.. I actually did this over the weekend and intended to post on Sunday- but well- I got busy ๐ย So better late than never right!
I spent $58 or so but I don’t include diapers in the weekly budget so this was actually pretty close to $50.
So I spent $11.37 at Safeway:
Lay’s Chips $1.77- used $1/1 coupon
Snyder’s Pretzels $1.89- Used $1/1 coupon
4 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs .99- Used (2) $1/2 coupons
10 lbs Potatoes $2.99
Free Maries Potato Dressing with Purchase of Potatoes
2 Mushrooms at $3.00
4 Sun Rype Fruit Strips- .33 ea used BOGO coupons (tuck these in your purse for when the little angels are tired of shopping! Two saved me at CVS yesterday!)
Raley’s/Bel Air $15.68
4 Cheez Its- Buy 2 Get 2 Free, used (2) .75 coupons- so $4.48 for 4
Hot Dog Buns- Free with Purchase
2 Ronzoni Pasta $1.50 each- used (2) $1 coupons and a .75 off Raleys coupon (more on this program later- it is AWESOME!)
2 Goldfish Crackers $1.67- Used (2) .55/1 peelies
Watermelon $3.57
Mission Tortilla Chips $1.49- used .75/1 coupon
French Bread $1.99
4 Ball park Franks .99 each- used (2) .75/2 coupons
CVS: $3.12 (this doesn’t include my second trip to CVS for the clearance diapers)
2 Gillette Body Wash- used $4/2 and a BOGO coupon- got $8 ECB back!
Huggies Megas clearance at $8.99- Used (2) $3/1 coupons
Nivea for Men $3.99- Used $3/1 coupon
Also used $4/20 CVS coupon, $7 in ECBs and I think that BOGO coupon took off $4.99 for the Gillette rather than $4. Got $8 ECBs plus another $5 for the Nivea back.
Costco: $27.25
Organic Grape Tomatoes $5.49
Huge jar of Sun Dried Tomatoes $7.49
2 Sharp Cheddar $4.89
Milk 2 Gallons $4.49
Target: lost my receipt maybe .50 or so
2 Listerine at 1.98- Used $2/1 coupons
Armor All $2.46- used $2 coupon
This time of year is pool parties, BBQs, sports events etc.. around here so I usually like to stock up on extra snack foods so that I can feed masses in minutes.ย (Hence a million hot dogs.ย Those are easy for when we have lots of little ones underfoot.)
And here is the menu plan:
MONDAY:ย BBQ and Pool Party
TUESDAY: Homemade Pizza with Sun Dried Tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta, red peppers
WEDNESDAY: BBQ Grilled Chicken, Watermelon, Green Salad
THURSDAY: Grilled Burgers with Steamed Broccoli and Sweet Potato Fries (I do a version of this burger– the asiago frico is so delicious!)
FRIDAY: Salsa Chicken and Grilled Corn with Queso and Lime
SATURDAY: Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches with Salad
SUNDAY:ย Panzanella Salad with mozzarella, tomato etc..
And you guys??ย How did you do this week?ย I have been getting lots of requests for weekly budget tips and menu plans for those with larger families and I would really LOVE to hear from those of you that would be willing to share how much you spend weekly.
Renee says
I really enjoy your blog and appreciate your hard work. I started couponing a year ago. I have a family of five with two teenagers and a 10 yr old. So, while we are out of the diaper stage, we have other grocery expenses to compensate (they are all girls…think of the health and beauty I have to buy!) It used to be nothing for me to spend between $750.00 and $800.00 a month on groceries. Yikes! I cry thinking about it. Now my monthly budget is $350.00! But, when I get a rebate, I cash it and put it in my grocery budget so I can spend a little more. I am always excited because it feels like a bonus check! Thanks again for all you do.
Charlene says
Renee I do the same thing. At this point I haven’t needed to spend the rebate checks because I am usually pretty close to $50- so in reality my budget probably does include diapers. I cash tons of rebate checks every month ๐
Shannon says
I didnt know you could use the $4/2 Gillette Bodywash Q with the B1G1F Gillette Bodywash Q. It doesnt beep at CVS?
Charlene says
Well a reader suggested it in the comments- seriously you guys are smarter than I am- and I decided to try it. I wasn’t sure it would work because BOGO coupons have been a hassle lately but it did work.
Tiffany says
We are a family of 4 with 2 in diapers. We used to have a monthly budget of $400, but since I started to coupon seriously (Jan of this year), I’ve been able to cut it down to $300 each month and I usually come in at $50 under that. I shop weekly for whatever good deals are available and whatever I KNOW I need, but I shop monthly for other things like bulk produce. This method works well for us… when the budget resets every 4 weeks, that’s when we stock up at Costco on the things that are cheaper there (even after coupons) and then it’s little stuff throughout the month.
COURTNEY S. says
I too used to spend $800-900/month on groceries! Yikes! Granted, I do have FIVE children, 3 of them being hungry boys, & I also have a baby in diapers/formula. My current weekly budget is $100, that INCLUDES diapers & formula! It makes me so proud to say that.:)I must say though, I couldn’t have done this budget cut w/o you and your wonderful website. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. You have financially saved me & my family. Really.Thank you, from the bottom of my heart…and pocketbook.:)
Shannon says
Which one did you hand first? The $4/2 or the B1G1F? Thanks!!! ๐
Farrah says
I noticed that you make homemade Pizza….that is a HUGE budget saver in my house! I purchase the frozen pre-made pizza dough balls from Sam’s Club. You have to order ahead of time & they come in a HUGE HEAVY box. 20 of them cost $16.88 at my store. You order them from the refreshment/pizza/hot dog place in the store. Definetely a great time saver for me. They come individually packaged & already frozen. Just thaw in the fridge overnight, spread them out & put on the toppings. Ta-Dah! Pizza for $3-$4 depending on toppings.
We have “Pizza Night” once a week in our home….it can be BBQ Chicken Pizza, White Sause Pizza, Pepperoni Balls, Calzones, Pepperoni Twists, ect—-you get the picture, as long as it’s made from the pizza dough. ๐
I have a family of 8…we have 6 kids. Our monthly food budget is $600. This includes dining out/ordering in, milk, drinks, lunches for the hubby & kids, and of course wine! I have been able to accomplish this with monthly menu planning & using coupons.
Malisa says
I am curious what you guys consider groceries. I have a family of two (my husband and I) and we alot $375 for groceries, hair care, and all household cleaning stuff. Generally we can use some of the money at the end of the month for eating out though!
Charlene says
Let’s see. I think I did the BOGO first. I was fully prepared to pay $4 and get $8 back though so either way it is a win.
Charlene says
Malisa,
Personally I consider everything groceries. I exclude diapers and until last week formula. I also exclude stamps. Otherwise, dog foods, cleaning items, all health care etc.. everything to make the house run really.
I think when you have done the coupon thing for awhile you just have so much of things that were free it gets easier to shave the budget. Like I basically have a ton of shaving cream, laundry soap, cleaners etc.. so I can sit and wait for prices to be dirt cheap before I need to buy if I even buy them at all. Like body wash I refuse to buy even if it is free unless I can make money from it. They all go in the donation bin since I have seriously 10 right now. Ridiculous.
Mary says
Our family averages about $70 to $72 per week for groceries and personal care items, or just under $300 monthly for a family of four that includes two teens (one is technically a preteen, but he eats at least as much as his teenage sister). For us, this total includes all groceries and personal care items (contact lens supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.). I don’t include pet food or supplies, however. Our cat is older and has a prescription diet, so I leave that out. I almost exclusively buy organic milk, and always buy certain produce organic (lettuce, berries, potatoes, grapes, among others). I also use milder or more green cleaners (and make some of my own cleaning solutions). Some of our choices add to our expenses, but we are still able to save a fair amount by shopping sales, buying in season, and using coupons.
Charlene says
Oh my gosh what a great idea! I heard of doing that at pizzerias but I never thought of calling Costco and their pizza is amazing. Such a good idea I will check that out ๐
Tina says
Well Charlene I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, THANK YOU!! I actually wasn’t sure of how much we were spending on average but I do know it was always more than we could afford. I’ll guess and say we spent about $200 -250 dollars a WEEK on groceries and we were struggling to pay bills ! Were a family of 5!! (ridiculous) Anywhoo, I cant say I have any tips because I pretty much get all my tips from you and your site , other than I stick to paying cash rather than my debit or cc because I tend to just swipe away ,OH and if I have any money left over in my grocery budget I put the extra cash into my entertainment budget for the month. I can proudly say that my weekly budget now is at $65 a week!! (AMAZING)
Becca says
Hi, do you thnk it matters what time during your transaction you give your coupons at safeway? I shopped there last night and not only did none of my cellfire or shortcuts coupons come off, but they did not give me the 8 or more prices when I was buying over 20 of the mix & match items…
Kelly says
I have extra coupons for the Sun-Rype snacks if anyone is interested! I have 2 of each & they’re printed in b&w exp 6/16/10. (2) BOGOF Sun-Rype 100% FruitSource 1.3 bars, (2) BOGOF Sun-Rype Squiggles 100% Fruit Twist .63oz singles, (2) BOGOF Sun-Rype Fruit Strip .5oz singles, (2) $1.50/1 6oz Sun-Rype 100% FruitSource Mini Bites. Email me @ kellyburton81 AT yahoo dot com if you’re interested in them ๐
Charlene says
Becca I have no idea since neither companies coupons came off I am inclined to think there is something wrong with your club card. I usually scan my card before i start handing over coupons.
Ruth says
Am I happy to see this post!!!….Was wondering if all was well on your end as I did not see the post on Saturday.It is always a thrill to see what you managed with 50 dollars a week. By the way, could you please let us know how you got the Raley’s 75 cents Ronzoni coupon…
Charlene says
It takes ages to do that post Ruth- sounds silly but I tend to procrastinate and then I don’t make the time to recap it all ๐ Anyhoo- I will get the Raley’s bit posted ASAP. I have to work through a few more things so Sunday at the very latest.
Renee says
When I say “groceries” I mean all food, health and beauty, cleaning etc. I do include OTC when I have to buy them (we do have a flexible spending account for our medical expenses, but thie year we are running low). We have a seperate small budget for eating out though.