I hope you joined us in goal setting a Grocery Budget!

This post marks the end of the 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. We hope this has helped you see that YOU CAN take control of your grocery budget! This challenge was good for me. It helped me to focus on buying the food we really need for less on a small budget. I did not waste money on free or cheap items we would may not use because I knew my budget was limited.

Wow! I can not believe I did it! I stayed under budget for the year! I spent less than $150 most months. My total savings this year was $4048.92! Think of the things I can do with an extra $4000! Woot!

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $40.28
Savings this week: $70.25

Spending for December: $145.75
Savings for December:  $460.58

2012 Year Total Spending: $1,556.14
2012 Year Total Savings: $4048.92

I made it to Albertsons for doubles shopping today I only spent 21.83! I then made a quick trip to Costco to pick up a fruit platter for a party, but had to settle for the fruit bowl. Normally I would make something from my stockpile to take to a party, but the hostess requested that I bring a fruit bowl. So that brought my total up to $40.28.  Crazy to think that I spent almost the same amount on a fruit bowl and milk as I did on the rest of my purchases with coupons.

Becky: Feeding a family of 3.5

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $0
Savings this week: $0

Spending for December: $109.99
Savings for December: $208.14

2012 Year Total Spending: $2361.98
2012 Year Total Savings: $4581.46

No shopping this week!  We stayed home baked cookies with ingredients from our stockpile and enjoyed the time with family!  Yay for being under budget!

We are not officially taking the challenge to 2013.

We encourage you to take on the challenge, set a goal for your monthly spending and keep track of it! We will not be hosting a weekly tracking this year. But the does not mean you can not take the challenge on your own. We have some exciting preparedness ideas coming for 2013 so stay tuned!

Thanks for participating!

I want to thank everyone that participated this year in the budget challenge. I really enjoyed your feedback and seeing your progress through out the year. The winner of our December $20 amazon gift card is…. Christina!

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

We are getting ready to wrap up our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. We hope this has helped you see that YOU CAN take control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $105.47
Savings this week: $155.25

Spending for December: $105.47
Savings for December:  $390.33

Year to date spending: $1,515.86
Year to date savings: $3588.34

I had a great trip to Albertsons with my double coupons and stocked up on Chex cereal for only $1! I also got some goodies for Christmas at Fred Meyer. I only spend about $25! But on Christmas morning when I realized the roast I bought for dinner was still frozen in the fridge I sent the husband out to Albertsons the only grocery store open in town and he came home with an $80 prime rib. Yikes! Good thing I  have been under budget this month.

Becky: Feeding a family of 3.5

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $96.65
Savings this week: $144.97

Spending for December: $109.99
Savings for December: $208.14

Year to date spending: $2361.98
Year to date savings: $45.81.46

Had to buy some necessities this week, so I spent a little more than I wanted to, but I’m still under budget for the year! 

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

November Challenge Winner: Lauren H!

Lauren- Comment on this post to claim your prize and I will send you your $20 amazon gift card!

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, even thought it is almost the end of the year it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you can start saving more simply by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $0
Savings this week: $127.58

Spending for December: $0
Savings for December:  $235.08

Year to date spending: $1,410.39
Year to date savings: $3198.01

I took two trips to Fred Meyer this week. I got my main sale list plus a roast for Christmas and then made another trip to get some fresh bread for a party. I used $90.08 of my Fred Meyer gift card, but stretched my card my saving $37.50 with coupons and sales!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3.5

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $3.85
Savings this week: $41.46

Spending for December: $13.34
Savings for December: $63.17

Year to date spending: $2265.33
Year to date savings: $4436.49

Didn’t do much shopping this week, just hit Walgreens.  My stockpile is starting to dwindle, but that’s okay!  I’ll rebuild it in the new year!  We still have about 10 boxes of cereal, many, many cans and frozen veggies, and TONS of Chicken/Beef fromZaycon.  I plan on doing some doubles shopping this week at Albertsons, and I’ll need to hit the bread store, but other than that, we are good through the end of the year!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

November Challenge Winner: Lauren H!

Lauren- Comment on this post to claim your prize and I will send you your $20 amazon gift card!

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, even thought it is almost the end of the year it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you can start saving more simply by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $0
Savings this week: $107.50

Spending for December: $0
Savings for December:  $107.50

Year to date spending: $1,410.39
Year to date savings: $3070.43

I took two trips to Fred Meyer this week. Great way to get the store coupon deals with limits. It is on my route so it is easy for me to do. I used $59.81 of my Fred Meyer gift card to make these purchases, but stretched my card my saving $48.69 with coupons!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3.5

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $9.49
Savings this week: $21.71

Spending for December: $9.49
Savings for December: $21.71

Year to date spending: $2261.48
Year to date savings: $4395.03

Just went to Walgreens last week!  I LOVE having a stockpile.  It makes rough weeks easier, because you can just live off it!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

November Challenge Winner: Lauren H!

Lauren- Comment on this post to claim your prize and I will send you your $20 amazon gift card!

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you need to start saving by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $1.93
Savings this week: $64.00

Spending for November: $101.53
Savings for November:  $456.70

Year to date spending: $1,410.39
Year to date savings: $2,962.93

I went to Albertsons this week to get my groceries with coupons! When shopping at Albertsons I use my $20 catalinas, from last week which saved me a lot of money on my grocery budget this month!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3.5

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $52.02
Savings this week: $0

Spending for November: $262.36
Savings for November: $547.95

Year to date spending: $2251.99
Year to date savings: $4373.32

My munchkin and I were sick all week, so we didn’t do any shopping. Finally on Friday I broke down and asked my hubs to run to the store for a couple of items. No coupons were used, and he came home with things not on the list, and he shopped at the “Store on the Way” instead of the cheap store a few extra miles away. Whoops. Oh well. November Budget BLOWN, but because we have been mostly on or under budget, I have $148.01 left of my yearly budget! I think we can totally make it!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

November Challenge Winner: Lauren H!

Lauren- Comment on this post to claim your prize and I will send you your $20 amazon gift card!

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you need to start saving by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $9.02
Savings this week: $135.09

Spending for November: $99.60
Savings for November:  $392.70

Year to date spending: $1,408.46
Year to date savings: $2,798.93

I went to Fred Meyer, and Albertsons this week to get my groceries with coupons! When shopping at Albertsons I bought gift cards so I could earn $20 catalinas, which saved me a lot of money on my grocery budget this month!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $33.86
Savings this week: $65.15

Spending for November: $210.34
Savings for November: $547.95

Year to date spending: $2199.97
Year to date savings: $4373.32

I have been dealing with a lot of morning sickness (and mine comes with oh so fab migraines!), so instead of baking pies for Thanksgiving, I ran into Pauls and bough them! YIKES! $31.50 later, not so frugal, but way easier on my super sniffer! I’d love to hear your cures for Morning Sickness!

I have been dealing with a lot of morning sickness (and mine comes with oh so fab migraines!), so instead of baking pies for Thanksgiving, I ran into Pauls and bough them! YIKES! $31.50 later, not so frugal, but way easier on my super sniffer!  I’d love to hear your cures for Morning Sickness!  

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you need to start saving by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $14.04
Savings this week: $67.80

Spending for November: $90.58
Savings for November:  $257.61

Year to date spending: $1,308.86
Year to date savings: $2,406.23

I went to Fred Meyer, and Albertsons this week to get my groceries with coupons!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $92.28
Savings this week: $201.27

Spending for November: $176.48
Savings for November:  $482.80

Year to date spending: $2166.11
Year to date savings: $4308.17

I bought 2 Bountiful Baskets this week, and got totally stocked up on shelf stable produce! Plus we stocked up on chicken at Albertsons, and that got us a $.49/lb turkey!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you need to start saving by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $0
Savings this week: $112.06

Spending for November: $76.54
Savings for November:  $189.81

Year to date spending: $1,308.86
Year to date savings: $2,338.43

Busy week. I did not get to the store at all. I did however get my bacon and ham delivery from zaycon! I used my referral credit to pay for it so it was free!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $80.47
Savings this week: $248.97

Spending for November: $84.20
Savings for November:  $284.53

Year to date spending: $2073.83
Year to date savings: $4106.90

I bought a Bountiful Basket this week, and got the hostess pack, and that was $31.50.  I priced it at Walmart, and I saved right at $60 between both the Basket and the Hostess pack!

AND YIPPEE!!  I have passed the $4000 saved mark!  That to me and my family is HUGE!  We were able to take a vacation this year, and everything was paid for in CASH.  Plus we are going out and having more fun than we ever did before we started couponing because we have MORE money, even though our income is less!   You can do this too!!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you need to start saving by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $76.54
Savings this week: $67.75

Spending for November: $76.54
Savings for November:  $67.75

Year to date spending: $1,308.86
Year to date savings: $2,226.37

I did lot’s of shopping this week. I went to Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Costco and Ridley’s. I do not usually shop at Ridley’s because it is not near my house. But we went to McCall for the weekend so I could not pass up on the deals at the Ridleys in McCall. I was $50 under budget last month, so I am giving myself permission to spend a little more this month if I need to.

Becky: Feeding a family of 3

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $3.73
Savings this week: $32.56

Spending for November: $3.73
Savings for November:  $32.56

Year to date spending: $1993.36
Year to date savings: $3857.93

Because I stocked up last week, I didn’t have much to buy this week!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here:

WINNER…

Our October $20  amazon gift card winner is Amber B!
Amber leave a comment on this post to claim the gift card!

How are you doing with your Grocery Budget?

Did you know we have a weekly challenge going?  Lucky for you, it’s not too late to join!  Here are the details about our 2012 Grocery Budget Challenge. Even if you are not yet using coupons you need to start saving by setting some goals!

We hope you will join us! Set a goal today and get on the path to taking control of your grocery budget!

Here is how some of the fabs are doing…

Monica: Feeding a family of 4

Monthly grocery budget: $150

Spending this week: $38.18
Savings this week: $20.50

Spending for October: $100.05
Savings for October:  $211

Year to date spending: $1,232.32
Year to date savings: $2,158.61

I went to WinCo to get pumpkins, cream cheese and produce. I got milk at Costco since I had reached my limit for milk coupons. My in-laws came to visit and had a craving for Butterfinger blizzards so we got some deals at Fred Meyer using the in store coupons!

Becky: Feeding a family of 3

Monthly grocery budget: $200

Spending this week: $116.69
Savings this week: $175.10

Spending for October: $244.55
Savings for October:  $307.10

Year to date spending: $1989.63
Year to date savings: $3825.37

I took a break from couponing this month, we were in Seattle at the beginning of the month, and then with Pumpkin Patches, my birthday, and my life, I just didn’t have time to coupon!  I went to WinCo to stock up on essentials, but actually forgot my coupon binder at home, so I paid full price!  Kinda nice sometimes!  However, it does mean we went over budget!  Thankfully I still have a little cushion for the year, but November and December are always more expensive for me grocery wise.  It’s going to be hard, but I’m going to do it!

So are you ready to track your spending and join our challenge?

#1 – Pick a monthly grocery budget amount. {Tips for setting a budget goal}

#2 – Complete the form below with your #’s, and be entered to win our monthly $20 amazon gift card drawing.

#3- View the results below and see what sort of goals other Fabulessly Frugal readers are setting!

Tools to help you:

• Here is a grocery budget tracking spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending/saving each week. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help you track your spending so you can quickly enter in your #’s each Monday afternoon.
• {NEW!}  We also encourage you to download our Fabulessly Frugal Budget Tool to easily set a budget, track your spending and compare your actual spending to the budget you make.

Enter your goal and spending here: