What did I tell you about muddling up the routine on the weekends? Voila. Saturday and Sunday came and went, and I have good news. I may not have blogged about it then, but I stuck to my budget pretty well.
One thing that I've found works for me is to set a limit before you go anywhere. For instance, I knew I would be going out with friends on Friday night. I knew I could get free parking at my work garage, despite a little bit of a walk and having to spend a couple minutes at the guard station because my swipe card is broken (that is just how I do things, sadly!). I set a one-drink limit for myself, and didn't even meet that (saving about $4-$8 in one fell swoop). I enjoyed myself, and had psyched myself up enough about the one-drink limit that it didn't even bother me.
I also made it to the grocery store. My limit there was $35. I spent $36, but that's because I forgot to put breakfast cereal and milk on the list. I purchased things I knew I would eat, because I've set up a menu for my week.
I don't like to shop every day, and find that I save a lot of money when I shop about 3 days at a time. Here are my tips for that.
1. Write out the entire menu: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
2. Decide if you will be cooking for only one, or more.
3. Plan out meals so that you will be repurposing your groceries. If you're buying lettuce and tomatoes to top a burger, use the rest for a big Greek salad the next day. Tortillas used for enchiladas one day can wrap around lunchmeat the next, or at breakfast coupled with eggs.
Since I usually cook for more than just myself, I budget about $10 a day for food ($5 per person), and hope to spend less.
Things like cereal, milk, frozen items (I buy off-season fruits frozen, and add them to oatmeal, pancakes, or yogurt for extra zing), and canned things tend to last longer, and can be eaten the entire week. Factor those into your budget and your diet.
One of my biggest problems is overbuying. I overestimate the amount of food I'll need, and often have to throw out (though soon it will be compost) spoiled vegetables or leftovers that have gone uneaten. That's a tough one that I plan on tackling soon. I'll share my composting successes and failures--I'm on my way (hopefully) to a container garden that will supply me with enough herbs, greens, and hopefully even tomatoes. But, that won't be for a while, as I've completely missed the planting season. Story of my life.
Tomorrow I'll tell you more about our low-budget organization makeover, and give you a pocketbook-friendly way to brighten any occasion.
Enjoy your evening!
-Budget Girl
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