I went over budget on groceries this month....about $35 over. I was disappointed. It's getting harder to stay at $300 a month for our family. Gluten free stuff is just more expensive. So are dairy free milk products. But I'm one determined lady and I haven't given up on trying to figure out new money saving ways while still trying to eat pretty wholesome foods. It's not the hugest deal if I go a little over because we went under in other categories and I just shifted some money around in the budget. But I see a day when I have two teenage boys and a full grown man eating and I know it won't get any better. Now is the time to learn the tricks.
I'm a believer in small things adding up. I've even calculated that if I use app. 25 reusable grocery bags per month (at 6 cents per bag) I save $18.00 a year just by using my own reusable bags. And they're more sturdy. (Yes, I'm kind of a math nerd).
One thing I like to do, when possible, is buy extra of something when it's on sale or at my "stock up price" and freeze it. We do this when our bread goes on sale 4 loaves for $5 at Fred Meyer (though that is just for me and Mateo). Another thing I've started stocking up on is bell peppers. Ever since that one time I paid $2.00 for one bell pepper at regular price at Safeway, I have vowed to only get them when they're on sale for 68 cents at WinCo.
I cut all of the peppers into strips to freeze usually (though sometimes I'll dice them up). They freeze wonderfully and can be pulled out and defrosted easily for pizzas, fajitas, quiches, etc. It's a big time saver to be able to pull them out of the freezer ready to use for meals. Throw the bell peppers in a freezer zip loc or a tupperware of your choice and voila!
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