Getting the Grocery Bill under control

**momof2joys** · 03-08-2009, 01:23 AM

I was just thinking the other day about trying to get our grocery bill under control and then a thought hit me....why not get a gift card with the amount for each month, then I can only spend what is on the card! I don't know if others have thought of this or done it, but I would love some feedback..pros/cons???

I was thinking that maybe I would get two gift cards, one with an amount for groceries minus about $50.00 for me (the main grocery shopper, and another with the $50.00 on it for when dh needs to pick something up from the store for me!!

I don't know if your stores offer gift cards or not, but both of our local stores do, so I was thinking I would just get a gift card and that way I can't spend money on extra things I don't need, knowing that there is only enough for our monthly budget. When the month is over, I can just reload the card again and continue using it!!

What do you think??

**mauimagic** · 03-08-2009, 01:35 AM

You truly are inspired!! What a terrific idea!! I never would have thought of using gift cards - pure brilliance!!

Congrats too on your weight los!!

**NewLeaf** · 03-08-2009, 08:44 AM

Right now I use the cash in the envelope method. But it messes things up when I have hubby pick something up, so you might be onto something here. The only reservation I would have about a store card is that I go to more than one store now so I can hit the sales. Maybe have a "sales" cash reserve????

Great idea.

**Parksfamily5** · 03-08-2009, 09:29 AM

That sounds like a great idea.

**Grainlady** · 03-08-2009, 10:05 AM

Setting a spending amount is the first, and best, way to control the food budget - however you manage to do it. As NewLeaf pointed out, store card wouldn't work for me either, because I purchase food from a number of sources.

Here's how I manage to maintain a strict food budget. Hubby gets paid every 2 weeks. I get two $50 bills at the bank for groceries and they go in my PRICE BOOK - so my budget for groceries is $50/week. I keep my grocery money (which purchases food only, no non-food items), on-going shopping list, coupons, food prices and inventory in my Price Book. If hubby picks something up for me, he gets reimbursed from the grocery money.

So far this year I've spent $319.27 out of my $450 total-to-date budget. As unspent money accumulates, I use it for things I purchase infrequently in large amounts (a year's supply of Morning Moo's Whey-Based Milk Substitute - large purchases of Grains/Beans/Seeds for home milling and cooking, 2-3 times a year - Grass-fed Beef from a friend in the fall...)

Because I have a substantial amount of food in storage, I "shop" at home for preparing weekly menus. I keep the meat budget to $10 (or less) per week and most purchases (other than fresh fruit/veggies/eggs) are intended for storage replacement by purchasing loss leaders, manager's specials, and discounted items - and stacking the savings by using coupons and rebates.

We also get "walking-around" (aka allowance) money which pays for non-food items and general shopping. That amount is normally $50 each (per week), but can be more depending on planned purchases. We basically work from a cash basis for everything other than paying bills.

**LuvMyHubby** · 03-08-2009, 11:46 AM

I think it is a good idea if you do your shopping from one main source. I go to several for the best prices I can find. So it won't work for me but I do try and usually succeed in staying within my food budget. However, some weeks are horrible, particularly if there are no decent sales and we have no stores in our vicinity that doubles coupons and one of them flat out will not take printed out coupons. So, there are lean and creative weeks in our house.

**beks37** · 03-08-2009, 11:56 AM

I have thought about that too. My church can get a % of the card value if I buy them through my church. So, it helps me stay within budget and helps my church. If you have money left, you can just roll it over to the next month and only add as much as you need to make up your total grocery budget.

**nic4549** · 03-08-2009, 12:36 PM

I use the envelope system. It works great for me!! I put 1/2 in at the beginning of the month and 1/2 at the middle of the month. Once the money is gone, it is gone.

**redhead68** · 03-08-2009, 02:36 PM

I did this last year when Kroger affiliates offered a 10% bonus for $300 gift card purchases. I bought $1200 worth and received $120 in free groceries. They lasted for several months. Now, I use the envelope method, which works fine for our family.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 03-09-2009, 01:18 AM

I really like this idea, thanks!

**mamamia** · 03-09-2009, 03:27 AM

I think it's a great way to have controlled spending. You'll really be choosey and thorough with the necessities and sales, and that'll make your purchases very worth while! You won't be doing any impulse buying either

Seems to me you can't go wrong with your plan!

I'd love to hear how this pans out, so be sure to let us know how you make out. I bet you do great!

Theresa

**frugalbabe** · 03-09-2009, 10:51 AM

I hink it sounds great! It could also work if you do a lot of shopping at like Target or Wal-Mart for your basic household supplies.

**misscas** · 03-10-2009, 02:19 AM

One common cause of overspending is a hubby who is supposed to pick up 3 things and walks out with 10. Also helps to leave the kids at home while you shop....less gimmeees.

**Spikey1341** · 03-10-2009, 08:48 AM

Just be sure that your store does not charge for reloading. DH saw on the news where some stores are charging $3.00 to reload.

**rowdy35** · 03-10-2009, 10:24 PM

if you have a cash back credit card, charge the gift card on it so you earn money back on the purchase...

at least that is what I would do. I like your idea, it keeps the spending in check