... Sounds like the title of a great new reality show featuring moms everywhere desperate to keep their money in their purses and the smiles on their faces ...
Truth be told, I am not consistently faring well with the whole cutting grocery expenses. Some weeks are very good. Others, I just want to give up, go on a huge shopping binge and then want to yak it all out afterward. It's a terrible feeling knowing that you should be trying harder, but truly just do not have the energy. And, these days, energy has been eluding me, for some reason.
And, just when I think I've kept to my budget ... something happens and I still need to go back to the store for something or two somethings. Maybe it's because my two 2-year-olds are so dang unpredictable. One minute they hardly eat a crumb and the next they are devouring a cart load of groceries per meal. And, heaven freakin' forbid it if a pea crosses the yellow line into the rice because then the whole meal is a total goner.
But, I have learned a lot and I do know that our grocery costs are down a good bit from this time last year when I really knew nothing about feeding toddlers.
We still shop weekly at Aldi, and I love that store so much, and I still CVS, but rarely since there aren't any coupons out saving extra since the prices there are pretty high to begin with. Mostly, I am trying to make my regular grocery store and Wal-Mart where I see the most decrease in costs.
Yes, I wrote Wal-Mart. The store that I detest beyond belief and now shop at now and then only because we need to save every cent possible right now.
But, my quest continues. Food is expensive. Lists seem to grow longer not shorter around here. We stockpile when possible, but it's just not always possible. I will say that signing up for freebies has been a great deal of fun. In fact, we've gotten some very cool things that are almost always paired with very good coupons.
And, sticking to the budgeted menu is helping. Though, not perfectly just yet. But, I like challenges. I'm up for it. I can do this. And so can you. We can beat them at their own game, right?
How about you? Anyone finding great ways to save on groceries since I confessed my addiction to The Art of Coupons?
And, to thank you for visiting today, please check out this link to save your own fantastic grocery list. And, this link for the latest Chunky Purse money-saving idea.
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Chop My Grocery List ...
Monday, February 25, 2008
Twins: Lessons in Nature vs. Nurture
There was a point in my life I would have argued to the grave that nurture, environment and everything a family did created the human being.
Then I had two of my own.
I imagine that some parents who have only one -- or one at a time -- might not understand exactly how much children are fully formed when they are born.
Here are the THREE most SURPRISING things I realized are purely genetic and entirely not influenced by anything other than just being born:
1. Being a picky eater (I can only vouch for the toddler years right now)
2. Good posture (You either got it, or you don't so should we tell that child who doesn't to sit up straight?)
3. Patience
P.S. By picky, I mean that the child dislikes more foods than likes; refuses to try new foods.
So, when you have TWO very different toddlers, how do you plan the day's activities and meals on a budget? These are the things I want to dive into this week: Meal planning and activity planning and how I struggle with both!
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