To begin this new year, I've decided to challenge myself! Since our book business is slow this time of year and things are tighter than ever, I've been looking for ways to help us save money. Saving money is always helpful, right? :)
So, here's what I've come up with... Mom and Dad have given me full "command" of all the grocery buying for three months. During this time, I hope to really reduce the amount we spend on food. In the summertime, things are just way to hectic to devote the needed time to this, but I'm hoping to develop habits that will "stick" through next summer.
Okay! That being said, I'll lay out what I will be working with...
Our monthly total for food has been running about $650.00 for our family of four. Now, before you fall out of your chair, let me explain why that number is so high. ;)
- Some of that monthly total is from grass-fed beef stored in our freezer. We recently purchased another quarter of a cow that will last us about 9 months and $5 per pound is the estimated cost of the beef.
- $120 goes to an organic produce basket that we receive each week ($30 per week). We never know what we're going to get from week to week, so that presents a challenge within itself!
{Organic produce baskets one week at the facility where they divide it up...}
As a family, we really try to eat good quality food whenever possible. Eating well is our "health insurance" {along with Samaritan Ministries ;) }. We'll be paying more now for food, or later for doctor bills, so we figure we'll try to be as preventative as possible!
Here are some other factors I'll be working with:
- Food is rather expensive where we live in Florida. I've been in many grocery stores throughout the south and mid-west areas, and can safely say that food is more expensive here.
- Unfortunately, we only have 2 bigger grocery stores nearby {Publix and Winn-Dixie}, so there isn't much competition and neither is a cheap place to shop. I should add, though, that Publix has the nicest grocery stores I've ever been in {and awesome sales, too}! They are wonderfully clean and organized and their service is impeccable. We also have Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and ALDI stores {kind of} nearby, so I may be pulling from them occasionally. We do take trips to Sams Club every 6 weeks or so for things like olive oil, natural laundry detergent, cheese, etc.
- About 95+% of the food we purchase is either all natural or organic {or both}. We try to avoid white sugar and flour, artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives, microwavable foods, etc. There are exceptions to this rule, but it's something we're aiming toward.
- Coupons and promotions are oftentimes for the types of food we don't buy. No store around here doubles coupons either. :-/
- We mill our own wheat and bake our bread, rolls, hamburger buns, pizza crusts, etc.
- Pork {one of the cheaper meats} is not something we eat much of because it's not very healthy. {I do like bacon though...}
- We buy organic milk. We would be buying raw milk, but it's about $12 a gallon in our area. I know my cousin in Alabama can get it for around $4 a gallon! That's cheaper than the pasteurized, organic milk around here! Can you believe it? {okay... I'm finished.}
- We buy natural, free-range eggs and try to get them locally when available.
{an add-on fruit basket}
So, here's the breakdown:
CURRENTLY:
- $650.00 per month = $162.50 per week
- $ 5.00 per pound for grass fed beef
- $ 30.00 per week for organic produce
- $530.00 per month minus produce basket = $132.25 to work with weekly
- $430.00 per month = $107.50 per week
- $ 5.00 per pound for grass fed beef
- $ 30.00 per week for organic produce
- $310.00 per month minus produce basket = $77.50 to work with weekly
Hopefully, I'll be able to blog my progress when possible, so stay tuned for future updates! I'd like to post some frugal recipes, bargains, and weekly breakdowns as time allows. I pray this journey of mine will bring glory to the Lord and will be an encouragement to you!
13 "She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night."
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night."
--Proverbs 31:13-18
