You have corrupted me . . .

[MandiDawn]

and I love it!!

I was inspired by the grocery challenges you are all doing, and was planning on joining when the may challenge came around,but since I get paid today, I got a head start. WEll I spent $100 of my $150 already, and it's not even may yet, so I don't think I will be making it lol. But I did some serious bargin hunting today and I got a good start on my "supply closet". For the first time I made a real effort to learn prices, and determine what was lowest. I went to walmart and bought all the "supplies" I was out of. Toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, shaving cream, ect. (my walmart dont' carry food) Then I made my way to Kroger and brought my reciept in to see if anything was lower there. Since I have a Kroger card a few things were, so I bought more of what was lower (example - shampoo was $0.94 at walmart and I bought 4, but it was $0.88 at kroger, so I bought 4 more. Hey, it might not be $0.88 next time I need it right? It's usually $0.99 at kroger)So for that reason, I went over on my grocery's budget already, since I didn't even buy any meat or food yet, but I think in the long run it will be worth it.
Next - ready for my super nerdy side to show - I came home and made a spreadsheet of prices at both walmart and krogers' of what I bought. I will now price check at meijers and save-a-lot when I go and write down lower prices, so I will know what I should buy where. I think it will take me a few months to get it all down, but once I do, I should be saving alot. My goal is to get down to $250 a month for groceries by december, right now we are doing $400 a month. THis month my budget is $300, but I won't be to concerned if I go over, since I am just starting.
ok - I end my nerdy rant now lol

[Mommy2five]

Wow! Whatever works for you! It does take a little time to shop around for best prices, but check sales fliers and which stores that will price match to save you time running around. April was a bad $$ month for us we spent way too much but I am gonna DO BETTER in May

[SewCrafty]

Mandi, I think you did great! And you aren't being 'nerdy' at all, lots of the ladies here have price books! Here is a link to help explain it better http://www.stretcher.com/stories/05/05mar14c.cfm (thanks Michelle in TX).

And here is a link for a printable price book http://www.frugalvillage.com/organized/pricebook.shtml

Happy shopping!

[DaisyLady]

Not nerdy at all, I track everything and I do mean everything on spread sheets or simple programs on my pda. I have a price book and I know exactly what a deal is and what regular price is. I won't buy extra if it is at regular price.

[Jerrie K]

I don't track on a spread sheet, although dh would love it if I did , but I have a little notebook that I carry and keep a list of best prices. I try and never pay over what I have found an item at the best sale price for. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The best sale price I have found for bananas has been .29 so my goal is to never pay more than that, but since dh loves them I am now paying the going price of .49 It works better on some things than it does on others. I guess this just gives me a base price strive for

[homesteadmamma]

Good for you. I don't think your "nerdy" at all in keeping track. One thing I found out is Walmart is NOT always cheaper. Here our Superstore is always cheaper even when it comes to sales items.

Great job!!

[MandiDawn]

I was wondering what a price book was and where to get them. This will help alot. Thanks!!

[Mom23boys]

I do not think you are nerdy at all! You are on the right track Mandi. A price book can save you in the long run. Also make sure to compare sales ads to those prices before shopping.

[Michele Annette]

I think it's great Mandi! I usually keep a very small notebook in my purse to jot the prices of items down when I'm at the store.