$50 a Month Grocery Budget - Update

HS @ Our Debt Blog left me a comment on my post where I announced that I would have a $50 a month grocery budget for the next three months.  To summarize, I think HS thinks I might be a tad crazy... or unhealthy... or both!  :) 

While many of us know that it isn't that hard to have a $50 grocery budget for a person - especially with a decent stockpile, a few coupons, a local Aldi store, and a lot of dedication to the cause - others may think my goal seems impossible. That is completely understandable.  And depending on a person's dietary needs, it may well be.  But in my situation there is no reason why I can't be successful.

Therefore, I have decided I will list what I have been eating every week (or so!).  I hope to show others that a.) I am eating fairly healthy foods, and b.) that it is possible to eat well without spending a lot of money. 

Mortgage and Other Bills

I just mailed two bills - $25.98 for water and $58.73 towards a medical bill.  

 

Also, I have the following three reoccurring payments that were deducted from my checking account today:

 

Mortgage Payment = $880.79
When I built my house I put 30% down and got a really low interest rate, so I feel pretty comfortable with my monthly payments.  My payment includes my property taxes, but not insurance as I pay that separately through my insurance company.  I do try to pay a little extra towards my payments when I can.

Money Market Contribution = $125
I have a higher interest money market account through my stock broker.  Basically, I use this account as my 'long term emergency only' savings account.  Periodically I will also use it if I want to purchase a stock or other investment.  I contribute $125 monthly to this account.  It is automatically deducted so I can't "forget" to do it and go shopping instead.  :)

IRA Contribution = $200
I contribute $200 monthly to my IRA account, which is automatically deducted. 

Challenge #2

Early I posted my 'January Challenge #1.'  Now it is time for my second January Challenge to myself.  Actually, this isn't even so much a "January Challenge" as it will run for several months.

What is it, you ask?

I am challenging myself to spend only $50 a month on food for January, February, and March.  This includes home cooking and eating out.  (Many around the web are participating in similar types of challenges under the name of 'Clean Out the Cupboards Challenge').  My main goal here is to save money!

Here are my rules:

1.) I have put $50 cash in three envelopes (one for each month).
2.) Any surplus from a prior month can be carried over to the next month.
3.) Any restaurant gift cards received/will receive will not count against the totals - after all, they were/are gifts!

4.) Receiving free food from friends or family is okay.  

5.) Obviously, eating from your personal stockpiles is acceptable practice here. 

The goal is to NOT run out of money and still eat regular, balanced meals.  

Will you be participating in a similar challenge?  I realize $50 a month is not a realistic budget for all families, but is there is amount that works well for you? 

(P.S.  I have linked to the Grocery Cart Challenge... even though this is not an official shopping trip post, it is related and I want the moral support.  LOL!)

January Challenge #1

I am fascinated by websites like the 100 Item Challenge or the 100 Thing Challenge where people challenge themselves to live with just 100 items in their lives.  However, there is no way I could do this, myself. 

Being a frugal person, I believe there is something to be said for having some seldom-used items on hand in case you need them for something later on.  Also, I have some items that are not necessarily useful to me but they are sentimental and I have no desire to get rid of them.  As for me, I like to think that as long as I have a proper place to put everything away (no, junk rooms don't count... hehe) and my things makes me feel good - and not bad or anxious - then it is okay.  The amount of "stuff" we all need in our lives should be relative to our own personal situations.  Clutter, of course, is never beneficial to our well-beings.

That said, I am setting two challenges to myself this month... here is the first: declutter 100 items by the end of the month. 

Will you join me?  Let me know!

Here are the rules... the items decluttered must be useful to others (in other words, sell or donate them) in order to count towards the 100 total.  Trash/junk shouldn't be saved in the first place so I will not be counting it in my totals.  At the end of the month I will list my items and give you an opportunity to link to yours.

P.S.  Look for goal #2 later today. 

Reader Question

A reader asked the following question:

"I always have unexpected expenses. Does anyone know the best deal on glasses and an eye exam for a child? Thanks and have a nice week" 

Can anyone offer any advice? 

Baby it's cold outside...

...and that means higher heating bills.  My gas bill for last month was $118.81.  I expect another couple months of these high gas bills but I am doing everything I can to keep the bills as low as possible.

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And while I am at my computer, I have a couple other expenses I need to report:

I spent $10.15 on some more gasoline yesterday.  Gas was down to $3.09 a gallon.  Why am I making so many small gas purchases lately?  I am making small purchases with my new Huntington debit card in order to get enough transactions to get the free $100 for opening the new checking account with them.  :)

Also, a friend was staying with me over New Years.  We went bowling last night and each bought some games.  I paid $11.75. 

December Spending Recap

Mortgage = $880.79

Car Payment = $345.00

Long Term Saving and Investment (not including my 401K contributions) = $325.00

Home Owners Association = $225.00

Gifts = $208.88

Phones/Cable/Internet = $182.98

Utilities (heat, electric, sewer, water) = $165.42

Car Insurance = $165.00

Medical Expenses (appointments, medicines, etc.) = $125.00

Gasoline = $101.89

Groceries = $55.25

Hair Cut = $54.00

Pet Expenses = $35.81

Clothing/Accessories = $28.41

Stamps = $7.92

Misc. = $6.29

 

TOTAL SPENT = $2,912.64

 

Reflection:  Oy vey.  That is a lot of money I spent!  My first reaction when I crunched the numbers was "ouch!"  But, upon reflection, it really isn't that bad.  I have several expenses here that are not typical (HOA is only once a year, higher than usual gift spending because of Christmas, car insurance is only four times a year, etc.).  When I look at my December spending, none of it was 'wasteful spending, and for that I feel good!

How did you do with your spending in December?  If you documented your spending on a blog, please leave a comment with your blog address so we can all check it out!  

Stay tuned... today or tomorrow I will be posting a couple "challenges" for January!