Day 20 and 21 FTJ Bootcamp Activity

This is such a great idea! I'm going to do this tonight.

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Grocery Planning

When it comes to saving on groceries, it helps to be a proactive grocery shopper. That means knowing what the best prices are and building a stockpile of things you need when prices are rock bottom, rather than when you run out of something and have to buy it at full price.

Create a Master Meals List

Take your price book one step further by creating a list of the ten frugal meals your family eats most often. Write down all the ingredients necessary to make those dishes from start to finish. Don’t forget anything – if you make garlic bread to go with spaghetti dinners also include the bread, butter, garlic, etc. Come up with a master list of all ingredients. These are the items you should focus on when creating your price book.

Your master meals list will also give you insight as to how much meals actually cost when you’re making them at home. This list will allow you to analyze the cost of what you’re making to see if you’re making smart choices. Sometimes certain meals (especially casseroles and one-pot meals with many ingredients) are more expensive than you think. A simple meal of broiled fish and a steamed vegetable often costs less than a casserole made with canned soup, cheese, and pasta and other ingredients. Also, pay close attention to the meals you make that require you to buy more of an ingredient than you need. For example, when you make a roast or a stew do you often have leftover celery, carrots, or other veggies? Do they often go to waste or do you incorporate the extras in your menu plan?

Once you’ve completed your master meals list, you’ll want to keep close tabs on the prices of those items for the next several months so you can spot pricing trends. Grocery sale prices hit rock bottom every 12 weeks on non-perishables, and that’s the time you’ll want to stock up. Certain things like fresh produce often hit rock bottom once a year when they’re in season and can be more difficult to stockpile, but it still helps to monitor their prices as well. In some cases you’ll still be able to stockpile them if you can freeze, can or preserve them in some other way.


Create a Master Pantry List

Now that you have a master list of ten standby meals and the ingredients required to make them, you have a great start to your master pantry list. Now, add all the things you need for day-to-day cooking – basics such as milk, flour, eggs, sugar, onions, garlic, etc. Once you’ve added them, you have a master pantry list.

Organize your master pantry list by grocery store department (produce, canned goods, dairy, etc). Then, print out the list and keep it posted in your pantry. Write down the number of boxes/cans you have on hand and take special note when your supply is diminishing. When you take something out of your pantry, adjust your list accordingly. This will also help you see what you have on hand at a glance instead of rummaging through the shelves, making it easier to keep your pantry organized.

Your goal as a proactive shopper will be to familiarize yourself with the prices of the things on your pantry list so that you can buy them when they’re on sale, rather than when you run out.


SPENDING FREEZE IS OVER!!

January Grocery Budget

My Budget: $240.00

Spent at Smiths 117.99$ Saved 38.96$
Ocean Spray Cran Grape
(2) Kroger Beef Broth
(5) 32oz G2 gatorades
Kroger Sugar
Just Bunches Cereal
(2) Kroger Refried Beans
(2)Kroger Red Beans
(2)Kroger Kindney Beans
(2)Kroger Shredded Cheese
Chex Mix Bars
Easy Mac
Mission Tortillas
(2) cheese sticks
Brownie Cookie Dough
Tampax
Eggs
Tropicana OJ
4 2-liter sodas
Eggo Frozen Waffles
(6)Lean Cusine Frozen Meals
(2)Doritos
Pepperoni
(2)Beechnut Infant Juice
(2)Frozen Pizzas
(2)boxes 100calorie packs
(2) Sara Lee Bread
Hungry Jack Pancake Mix
Syrup
Kroger Pan Spray
NP Vanilla Soy Milk


Left of Budget: 122.01

This was on my approved budget. Things I avoided today: I didnt get the slim fast because I dont need it, I just like how it tastes, and I didnt get any baby food! We have so much in our cabnet, I want to finish it up and not buy more since we're in the spending freeze. I also avoided getting extra diapers. I bought some before the freeze, I might have to get more towards the end though. So I avoided: 22$ :)

Last Night, I went though our pantry, and pulled out what we could have for meals. I found 2 boxes of spegetti and 2 jars of spegetti sauce, 2 boxes unopened cherrios, pulled out all of my sons baby food and juices, an extra box of mac and cheese, instant oatmeal, ramen noodles, instant lunch, granola bars, juice, and there was so much more in there! That alone would feed us for about a week, so that will help during the spending freeze, this will help us last longer thoughout the month. So, Go check your pantry to see what you have just sitting around in there.

FTJ:Bootcamp 2009 @ MOMMYSAVERS.COM!

http://www.mommysavers.com/ is a great website! I've mentioned it before but this time its for a different reason. Mommysavers has come up with a program called "Forget the Joneses Bootcamp" Its to get finacially stable and back on track. Check it out! I will be doing my blogging for this activity on my personal blog. This is a six week program. If your interested, its never to late to jump in! Todays the first day!

A little info: From 1/1/09-1/21/09 We are in a spending freeze. This will help to avoid impulse buys and to use what you have already!

Day One Activity:
Approved Spending List:

• Gas
• Groceries(My January Budget is 240$)
• A wedding present
• My boyfriend will get 30$/week for whatever he wants
• 25 pictures to get printed for January Crop ( scrapbooking at mommysavers.com)
• Car seat for my son who has just about out-grown his carrier
• SwapTree package U.S. Mail
• 2 Baby gifts with 3 Mailings

I guess we can add to this to go along. Honestly, I'm scared for these 3 weeks, but I know I'll keep using the things I've learned from the program even if I dont meet our goal.