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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thrifty Thursday: Grocery & Toiletry Budget

Ok girls, so far we've learned how to collect, clip, and organize coupons. I know you're itching to save money but we have one more step before we can go shopping. We MUST set a budget for our groceries and toiletries!

In the simplest of definitions, a "fixed expense" is one that has a specific due date (mortgage, car payment, student loan, etc). A "variable expense" is one that does not have a due date but is a constant expense. This amount will naturally vary from month to month, but is a necessity. It is my belief that variable expenses are the major stumbling block of family spending!

For the last four years we have tracked every single cent that comes in and out of our house. Now, I love all things Excel but my DH could care less. In order to get him involved I created a VERY SIMPLE variable budget grid.


Every time we spend money it must be entered into one of the four categories- Fuel, Groceries & Toiletries, Miscellaneous, and Entertainment. When we first started we simply entered the amounts that we spent. I wish I could say that we stopped spending when we reached that category limit, but we didn't. We were tracking our spending instead of living by the budget. Surprisingly, we discovered that we were spending much more than anticipated!

So, here's your homework.
1) Print the variable spending grid.
2) Enter a budget amount for each category.
3a) Start tracking your variable spending! OR
3b) Take your last three months of bank statements and enter every expense (that is not fixed) into a variable spending category.

I think you will be shocked by the results.

One final note, in January we transitioned to a cash budget system for Groceries & Toiletries and Entertainment. This has been the BEST thing we've done to prevent us from going over our budget. I wish we had done this sooner!!!! I have $75 per week for groceries/toiletries. When I'm in the store shopping I carefully track the price of each item. If my groceries exceed my cash then I put things back on the shelf. If I've miscalculated and my total is more then anticipated I will ask the cashier to remove something. No matter what you have to stick to your budget!!! We committed to eating PB&J if it meant that we could stick to our budget. Thankfully, this hasn't happened and we actually have more food than ever before!

Getting control of these variable items WILL save you hundreds of dollars every month! I know from experience. Please let me know if you have any questions. We are on this journey together!

Richelle

8 comments:

Windsor said...

Currently, we are taking Dave Ramsey's course Financial Peace and he encourages this. He even gives you a nice envelope system with a leather holder so that you can do that. We haven't started to do that, but plan on starting next month. Good advice. Thanks.

Carolina Clipper said...

Windsor- Yes, I actually got the leather envelope system from Dave Ramsey's website as a Christmas gift. I will mention that since I only do two cash categories I don't think I needed the entire syetem. I am so happy you are taking the FP course. It will change your life!

Unknown said...

WHOA! Carolina Clipper, you are a walking financial road map! I'm not kidding...girl, you are GOOD and the Lord has really blessed you w/ a gift. Thank you for using it for HIM and sharing it with us mathematically challenged. My DH just read your post and he might be RWAV's BIGGEST fan now. :) Love you!

Glenda said...

You are a maverick. Thank you for all your insight and sharing what you have learned. It will help many.

Aundrea-aka Zerbert Baby said...

Thanks, Carolina Clipper! I have not been able to take the plunge into a cash system. My excuse is the AMEX points I am earning. I will be praying about this. I have already spent too much this month because of all the good deals. It is the excitement of it all. In your experience how often do the same deals come around? Like really cheap icing, detergent, paper towels?

Angela Richardson said...

Richelle, you are the SUPER NANNY of the Budget system! Can you come stay with me for a week, observe and then give me your advice! I'll do whatever you say!!!

We have the enveloPe system in Place in our home. The BEST enveloPe we created was the babysitting enveloPe. Otherwise, we don't take money out of the budget for babysitting and date night. Some months, it will have $60 for 2 date nights, and other months only $30, but nonetheless, we are trying to make that a Priority.

Good Post Girl!

Angel Eye Portraits said...

THis is great, thanks Richelle.

Kristi Smalley said...

This is great! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.