Shipley Budget Tips
A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked for budgeting ideas, and I am ashamed to say that I never did get time to email her a few. I was thinking that there may be a few more families out there that might be more than a little curious on how we make it through with a growing child and only one income.
Here's how we do it....
1. Don't be a snob, shop at Walmart. Regardless of your opinions about the corporation, many families like ours wouldn't be able to make it without Walmart. You will save large amounts of money on groceries and other products. If you are anti-Walmart, sign up for your grocer's savings card. Yes, you have to give info, but you get their savings. And, stock up when something you want is on sale, and freeze what you can.
2. Buy the off-brands. This is not always the tastiest choice, but for the most part, the Walmart or other off-brands taste the same as the more expensive brands. For example; flour, sugar, and most baking needs are perfect replicas. However: ketchup, macaroni and cheese and a few others are a HUGE disappointment. (See list below for more) Try less expensive items in off- brand. You may not like it, but at least you will know, and if you do like it- you will save anywhere from .50 to a $1.00 every time you buy that product. If you are wondering about a certain item ask us, I am sure we have tried the off-brand and we can give you an idea of taste and quality.
3. Coupons are only good if you use them. I clip them, but most of the time I get so caught up in trying to check out I forget to hand them over. Or if I do remember, I pull them out to find they have expired. My advise: if you have the time, clip them and keep them in your purse. You never know when you might use them. And, on big items like a new Swiffer, or a DVD or something, look online and print off the coupon-- and remember to use it. Most of the time you will save several dollars!
4. Shop for at least a week at a time. We shop for 2 weeks at a time, but I am sure that isn't practical for everyone. Make it a goal to get everything you need without having to make small runs to the store. Make out a menu for 7 days. Include dinners, lunches and breakfast. Then break down each meal to ingredients that will be needed. Be sure to include everything down to syrup for the pancakes. Add to the list household items like laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs, deodorant, etc. Check your list twice and take a look around your pantry for low spices and cleaners.
5. Take advantage of buy one get ones, especially on things you use frequently. For example, you can get Oscar Mayer hotdogs BOGO several times a year. Put one set in the fridge and freeze the others. This is great for unexpected company, or if you just need an extra lunch.
6. This also works buying in bulk. Well, not exactly bulk. You can buy 5 or 6 pounds of hamburger at a time usually for several cents to a dollar cheaper. You put a pound each in a freezer bag and you have handy meals for the rest of the week or month. Just remember to freeze extra beef and thaw it in time! Another tip: it isn't as attractive, but buy the larger tubs of butter instead of those cute little tubs. If you like the size of the little ones, save one of the containers and then fill it up from the big one for something that looks nicer on the table. As for brands, we get one of the cheapest: Blue Bonnet, and it bakes and spreads, and of course tastes just like the pricer brands.
7. Warehouse items and bulk items that you don't use a lot of, don't always save you money. We love going to Costco, but I have found we actually spend more money. We do eat better, as far as more tasty and different entrees, but we actually added about $75 to our grocery budget every 2 weeks. If you don't already have a warehouse membership, I don't recommend one unless you have a very large family. It doesn't hurt to look around though. Most places will let you look around the store before getting a membership. But, remember to look at prices and see if you will really save money on the products you would buy. Also keep in mind that you will be paying around $50 a year to shop there.
8. At Walmart, or other grocery stores: don't buy large containers of foods that you will waste. For example: I noticed that we were throwing out over a half a gallon of milk when the expiration date arrived, so now we only buy half gallons and we don't waste hardly any. Another example: I am bad about buying the larger container of sour cream and then wasting it because I don't have enough meals that call for it. Get smaller containers of things that you will waste. You may save more per ounce or pound for the larger versions, but if you are throwing it out you will waste money! The exception to this rule would be things that wouldn't go bad. I am talking about things that expire like dairy and fruit and vegetables...etc.
9. Around the house. Off brand cleaners or low cost products work just as well...for the most part. We use Joy detergent to wash random dishes and its great...but because we have a crappy dishwasher we buy Electrosol with gel balls or something like that. Off brand laundry detergent will leave you frustrated--trust me! We get by just fine with ALL. You don't really need Tide unless you have super stains. I use a stain stick to help with dirtier laundry and my cheaper detergent works just fine. Off brand furniture polish, glass cleaner, sponges, and paper towels work great.
10. Baby care. This is a sensitive subject, since I was like many moms who didn't want to settle when it came to my precious bundle. I bought Pampers and special wipes, but then as Gracie turned 1 I started to realize that I was pampering my baby what ever I used. Back in the day (when Gracie was in diapers), Walmart brands seriously lacked! Their diapers were like tissue paper and you had to wring out there wipes. This is no longer the case. Kathy used Walmart brand (Parent Choice) diapers and wipes for Emma, and I noticed the HUGE improvement. thus, we went to PC for Gracie's night time diapers. We have always used Parents Choice baby soap, lotion, and now we use the wipes. These products are just as good as Johnson and Johnson, and they have the several varieties like the much needed "bedtime bath" scents. When you look at it, there is such a huge price difference (up to $10 in diapers, $4 for wipes, $2-$3 for lotions and soaps), and in reality it is literally going down the drain. After you use up your baby shower gifts, give it a try. You may really be pleased with the savings and quality. And if you have issues with other people seeing what you use, get the travel packs of Pampers or Huggies wipes, and those travel bottles of JJ shampoo and soap, plus keep a few of the name brand diapers in your diaper bag for outings. Although, I bet you would be surprised to learn just how many moms are using Parents Choice! Now, after much deliberation (and crying) I did switch Gracie from Enfamil to Parents Choice formula. At the time it was a $10 difference per can, and we checked ingredient for ingredient and it matched exactly, with the exception of palm oil versus some other kind of oil. We checked with our pediatrician, and made the switch with out any problems. Parents Choice has a formula that matches Enfamil's DHA/ARA.
I won't get into clothing, because this is another place many people don't want to skimp. We buy Gracie's clothes at thrift stores for style reasons and because she grows so fast. We also buy clothes at Walmart and she gets many from Grandma. As for Garren and I, we have no problems wearing Walmart clothes. We wear New Balance shoes, which are just as comfortable as Nike's.
Now there are few things this family doesn't skimp on. Toilet paper for example. Garren would be just fine to use a roll of .89 Scott, but I need something more than tissue paper! I indulge in Cottonelle. But, I use coupons and buy the larger packages so I can buy once a month.
A few other tips:
*We don't have left overs in this house, but if there are only 2 of you, when fixing a meal like a casserole, divide it in two. Freeze half, and bake the other half. Now you have 2 meals for the price of one!
*Looking for a quick meal that you won't have to cook--forget the expensive take out, pick up a rotissary chicken! These are super yummy, and you can pick up some potato salad or mac salad to go with it in the deli. Plus, any left overs make a yummy chicken salad for lunch the next day.
*Don't order a large pizza and waste! Get a medium and enjoy the savings and the fact that there isn't any for the trash. The next time you order out see how much you waste, and cut back next time.
*On that topic, we don't eat out but once every two weeks. This maybe hard on you, try making a steady eat-out night like a Saturday. Resist temptation to order out during the week saving you money. Plus, you will look forward to your night without cooking. Our eat out night is grocery night (Wednesdays), only because it is so late by the time we get home and unpack we need to eat without hassle.
I hope this helps my friend, and any others of you who also looking for ways to cut costs. I would love to hear your ideas. You never know, it may help someone else. Please fill up the comment section with your budget busters!!!
Off brands List (Walmart)
Thumbs Up!
Contact Solution
Pain Relievers (adult & child)
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Baby Lotions, soaps...etc
Baking Soda
Flour, Salt, Sugar, spices
Frozen chicken
Hamburger
Instant Rice
Shredded cheese
Sour Cream
Milk
Paper Towels
Aluminum foil, wraps, sandwich/freezer baggies
Taco& chili Seasonings
Dish detergent
Loaf Bread/buns
Syrup
Fruities
Raisins
Cooking Spray & Oils
Canned fruit and veggies
Canned soup--but only for cooking. Not so tasty for eating plain!
Juices, water, cool aid
Jello mix, pudding mix, marshmallows
Malt-O-Meal cereals
Ricotta, Cottage cheeses
yogurt
Thumbs Down!
Feminine needs
Diaper cream
Cake mix & icing
Mac & Cheese
Tea
Spaghetti sauce
Parmesian cheese
american singles
ketchup
pop tarts
salad dressing
Here's how we do it....
1. Don't be a snob, shop at Walmart. Regardless of your opinions about the corporation, many families like ours wouldn't be able to make it without Walmart. You will save large amounts of money on groceries and other products. If you are anti-Walmart, sign up for your grocer's savings card. Yes, you have to give info, but you get their savings. And, stock up when something you want is on sale, and freeze what you can.
2. Buy the off-brands. This is not always the tastiest choice, but for the most part, the Walmart or other off-brands taste the same as the more expensive brands. For example; flour, sugar, and most baking needs are perfect replicas. However: ketchup, macaroni and cheese and a few others are a HUGE disappointment. (See list below for more) Try less expensive items in off- brand. You may not like it, but at least you will know, and if you do like it- you will save anywhere from .50 to a $1.00 every time you buy that product. If you are wondering about a certain item ask us, I am sure we have tried the off-brand and we can give you an idea of taste and quality.
3. Coupons are only good if you use them. I clip them, but most of the time I get so caught up in trying to check out I forget to hand them over. Or if I do remember, I pull them out to find they have expired. My advise: if you have the time, clip them and keep them in your purse. You never know when you might use them. And, on big items like a new Swiffer, or a DVD or something, look online and print off the coupon-- and remember to use it. Most of the time you will save several dollars!
4. Shop for at least a week at a time. We shop for 2 weeks at a time, but I am sure that isn't practical for everyone. Make it a goal to get everything you need without having to make small runs to the store. Make out a menu for 7 days. Include dinners, lunches and breakfast. Then break down each meal to ingredients that will be needed. Be sure to include everything down to syrup for the pancakes. Add to the list household items like laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs, deodorant, etc. Check your list twice and take a look around your pantry for low spices and cleaners.
5. Take advantage of buy one get ones, especially on things you use frequently. For example, you can get Oscar Mayer hotdogs BOGO several times a year. Put one set in the fridge and freeze the others. This is great for unexpected company, or if you just need an extra lunch.
6. This also works buying in bulk. Well, not exactly bulk. You can buy 5 or 6 pounds of hamburger at a time usually for several cents to a dollar cheaper. You put a pound each in a freezer bag and you have handy meals for the rest of the week or month. Just remember to freeze extra beef and thaw it in time! Another tip: it isn't as attractive, but buy the larger tubs of butter instead of those cute little tubs. If you like the size of the little ones, save one of the containers and then fill it up from the big one for something that looks nicer on the table. As for brands, we get one of the cheapest: Blue Bonnet, and it bakes and spreads, and of course tastes just like the pricer brands.
7. Warehouse items and bulk items that you don't use a lot of, don't always save you money. We love going to Costco, but I have found we actually spend more money. We do eat better, as far as more tasty and different entrees, but we actually added about $75 to our grocery budget every 2 weeks. If you don't already have a warehouse membership, I don't recommend one unless you have a very large family. It doesn't hurt to look around though. Most places will let you look around the store before getting a membership. But, remember to look at prices and see if you will really save money on the products you would buy. Also keep in mind that you will be paying around $50 a year to shop there.
8. At Walmart, or other grocery stores: don't buy large containers of foods that you will waste. For example: I noticed that we were throwing out over a half a gallon of milk when the expiration date arrived, so now we only buy half gallons and we don't waste hardly any. Another example: I am bad about buying the larger container of sour cream and then wasting it because I don't have enough meals that call for it. Get smaller containers of things that you will waste. You may save more per ounce or pound for the larger versions, but if you are throwing it out you will waste money! The exception to this rule would be things that wouldn't go bad. I am talking about things that expire like dairy and fruit and vegetables...etc.
9. Around the house. Off brand cleaners or low cost products work just as well...for the most part. We use Joy detergent to wash random dishes and its great...but because we have a crappy dishwasher we buy Electrosol with gel balls or something like that. Off brand laundry detergent will leave you frustrated--trust me! We get by just fine with ALL. You don't really need Tide unless you have super stains. I use a stain stick to help with dirtier laundry and my cheaper detergent works just fine. Off brand furniture polish, glass cleaner, sponges, and paper towels work great.
10. Baby care. This is a sensitive subject, since I was like many moms who didn't want to settle when it came to my precious bundle. I bought Pampers and special wipes, but then as Gracie turned 1 I started to realize that I was pampering my baby what ever I used. Back in the day (when Gracie was in diapers), Walmart brands seriously lacked! Their diapers were like tissue paper and you had to wring out there wipes. This is no longer the case. Kathy used Walmart brand (Parent Choice) diapers and wipes for Emma, and I noticed the HUGE improvement. thus, we went to PC for Gracie's night time diapers. We have always used Parents Choice baby soap, lotion, and now we use the wipes. These products are just as good as Johnson and Johnson, and they have the several varieties like the much needed "bedtime bath" scents. When you look at it, there is such a huge price difference (up to $10 in diapers, $4 for wipes, $2-$3 for lotions and soaps), and in reality it is literally going down the drain. After you use up your baby shower gifts, give it a try. You may really be pleased with the savings and quality. And if you have issues with other people seeing what you use, get the travel packs of Pampers or Huggies wipes, and those travel bottles of JJ shampoo and soap, plus keep a few of the name brand diapers in your diaper bag for outings. Although, I bet you would be surprised to learn just how many moms are using Parents Choice! Now, after much deliberation (and crying) I did switch Gracie from Enfamil to Parents Choice formula. At the time it was a $10 difference per can, and we checked ingredient for ingredient and it matched exactly, with the exception of palm oil versus some other kind of oil. We checked with our pediatrician, and made the switch with out any problems. Parents Choice has a formula that matches Enfamil's DHA/ARA.
I won't get into clothing, because this is another place many people don't want to skimp. We buy Gracie's clothes at thrift stores for style reasons and because she grows so fast. We also buy clothes at Walmart and she gets many from Grandma. As for Garren and I, we have no problems wearing Walmart clothes. We wear New Balance shoes, which are just as comfortable as Nike's.
Now there are few things this family doesn't skimp on. Toilet paper for example. Garren would be just fine to use a roll of .89 Scott, but I need something more than tissue paper! I indulge in Cottonelle. But, I use coupons and buy the larger packages so I can buy once a month.
A few other tips:
*We don't have left overs in this house, but if there are only 2 of you, when fixing a meal like a casserole, divide it in two. Freeze half, and bake the other half. Now you have 2 meals for the price of one!
*Looking for a quick meal that you won't have to cook--forget the expensive take out, pick up a rotissary chicken! These are super yummy, and you can pick up some potato salad or mac salad to go with it in the deli. Plus, any left overs make a yummy chicken salad for lunch the next day.
*Don't order a large pizza and waste! Get a medium and enjoy the savings and the fact that there isn't any for the trash. The next time you order out see how much you waste, and cut back next time.
*On that topic, we don't eat out but once every two weeks. This maybe hard on you, try making a steady eat-out night like a Saturday. Resist temptation to order out during the week saving you money. Plus, you will look forward to your night without cooking. Our eat out night is grocery night (Wednesdays), only because it is so late by the time we get home and unpack we need to eat without hassle.
I hope this helps my friend, and any others of you who also looking for ways to cut costs. I would love to hear your ideas. You never know, it may help someone else. Please fill up the comment section with your budget busters!!!
Off brands List (Walmart)
Thumbs Up!
Contact Solution
Pain Relievers (adult & child)
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Baby Lotions, soaps...etc
Baking Soda
Flour, Salt, Sugar, spices
Frozen chicken
Hamburger
Instant Rice
Shredded cheese
Sour Cream
Milk
Paper Towels
Aluminum foil, wraps, sandwich/freezer baggies
Taco& chili Seasonings
Dish detergent
Loaf Bread/buns
Syrup
Fruities
Raisins
Cooking Spray & Oils
Canned fruit and veggies
Canned soup--but only for cooking. Not so tasty for eating plain!
Juices, water, cool aid
Jello mix, pudding mix, marshmallows
Malt-O-Meal cereals
Ricotta, Cottage cheeses
yogurt
Thumbs Down!
Feminine needs
Diaper cream
Cake mix & icing
Mac & Cheese
Tea
Spaghetti sauce
Parmesian cheese
american singles
ketchup
pop tarts
salad dressing
When it comes to clothes, you would be surprised to know that the same factories that make clothes for Ralph Lauren also make clothes for Goody's & Wal-Mart.
ReplyDeleteAt Goody's we were often "inspired" by a Lauren piece--yes it might not be cashmere, but it is still just as stylish & you probably won't have dry cleaning bills.
Well, you know that we are not Walmart people at all. However, we do make a dreaded trip there about once every three months or so. We do like to grab things that we can't find at Food City (in which we are way to faithful to). I love the Jiffy cake mixes that are only 47 cents! I make all kinds of desserts! So, the yogurt is good....as good as Yoplait?
ReplyDelete