500

We follow every aspect of our budget to a tee, except FOOD. (I've complained before that Chris eats too much; my grocery bill when I was single was 30 dollars a month.)

So how did we spend 500+ dollars on groceries last month?

Unless my wal-mart groceries are laced with diamonds, this is unacceptable. I just don't get it. We're doing everything right. We don't indulge: no soda, no expensive snacks, no name brand items, no organic 15 dollar chicken, no shopping while hungry. We buy basics, and when it's time to go to the grocery store again, it's not because we're lazy and ran out of convenience foods, we really have no food left.

Final verdict: The Hennesseys will be MEAL PLANNING.

-Yes, I know I am one step closer to being that neurotic, coupon clipping housewife. I don't care. I like saving money. If we cut our grocery bill in half, that's a plane ticket. I would much rather travel than eat.

So this is how we do it.

1. We set a budget for groceries: $60 a week/$240 a month. I'm using cash in an envelope.
2. We write down what we want to eat for lunch and dinner Sunday-Saturday.
3. Make a shopping list... don't forget breakfast foods.
4. Edit. Cut out things that aren't completely necessary. Group items together to make shopping more efficient.
5. Convince your husband he won't starve if you do this. (should probably go before step 1)

We spent 56 dollars at the grocery store yesterday, and that will cover all meals until next Sunday. Chris will be consuming close to 4,000 calories a day --> so if he complains about being hungry I will punch him in the kidneys.

I know the first month isn't going to go perfectly (especially since I just had to pin Chris up against the wall and take the sunchips out of his hands. he's laughing, but I know in his head he's cursing me). But I think if we can get used to it, we will save a lot of money and invaluable time.

I'll let you know how it goes.