No Groceries In February

**bumplett** · 02-01-2011, 09:07 PM

So here's the challenge presented to me by my hubby.....

I can not go to the grocery store to purchase anything for the whole 28 days of February!

The only exceptions are as follows:

* perishable/neccessary items, such as milk, eggs, etc. (we must be OUT of the item - no stockpiling)

* Necessary items that are "out of stock" such as pet food. (not like the dogs care about my challenges)

* Items that are FREE with a coupon. (even he can't give up that great of a deal)

Day 1
I made it.

BUT the Publix list comes out tomorrow. That'll hurt. Watch it be all my favorite things.

I can DO this. Really. I can.

All grocery money saved goes into savings to go towards my 2011 goal.

Any other crazy stockpiling fools out there want to join me??

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-02-2011, 12:14 AM

I am working down my frozen meats stockpile. I went all of January without buying chicken, beef or pork. I plan to go at least the next three weeks ... I have a menu plan through the 19th that doesn't require me to buy anything but fresh vegetables and dairy.

**madhen** · 02-02-2011, 09:30 AM

I may be crazy, but I want to try this. The only exceptions will be:

1) Half and Half (as needed)
2) salad for the bunnies
3) pet food (which includes fresh food for parrots, finches, and bunnies, as well as traditional pet food)

(I should mention, that I'm kind of cheating, as well, because I know I'll be traveling for a week in February.)

**Josephhgoins** · 02-02-2011, 11:10 AM

I'll join!!

good on Pet food, but I will have to get him a half gallon of milk. I should be good on everythign else and can just make do a week or so without eggs or other perishables if I have to.

Problem will be the weekends at the BF's but I may be able to cook what I have there in the freezer (bringing some things from here to add) and be fine.

Great Challange!! If I make it I will be able to pay off a CC at the end of the month.

**brennasmom** · 02-02-2011, 11:56 AM

Wow, good luck! Our cupboards are pretty bare so I have to hit the store today!!!

**alotofgooddeals** · 02-02-2011, 12:05 PM

i would like to join...however i am trying to eat healthy so i am buyings lots of fresh fruits and veggies...and it seems to be working...so I can't join but will be reading this thread cause maybe once the garden starts producing i will be able to join...

**auntie2many** · 02-02-2011, 01:00 PM

Oh, you have more willpower than me. I probably shouldn't say this, but the ads online for the markets in my area are brimming with deals since the Superbowl is on Sunday. Good luck to you!

**qsaver704** · 02-02-2011, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by auntie2many

I probably shouldn't say this, but the ads online for the markets in my area are brimming with deals since the Superbowl is on Sunday.

I have discovered EVERY time I try this there is so event that makes grocery sales at least one week really good. November is Thanksgiving, December Christmas, January "good for you foods" for resolutions, February, Superbowl and Valentines (think lobster and steak), March, frozen food month, etc.

I just choose NOT to look at the sales paper! I already have the items that are on sale and they will go on sale again!

I am in to try this. I was going to try it in January, then the baby came early. I bought lots of convince foods (which means my bill almost doubled!)

DH can bring home fresh milk and bread. I will use up canned and frozen produce for the first two weeks. Afterward I will probably need some more produce, but I have 2 weeks worth already here!

Great challenge! I look forward to the accountability.

**bumplett** · 02-03-2011, 01:22 PM

Well, I was sick yesterday - so I certainly didn't think of looking at the Publix ad ---- I think qsaver is right, every month has 'something' to make it a great deal -

I'll still look, just to see if anything is free with coupons - but that's it. Only free.

My plan is to get the freebies when I go to get a gallon of milk.

**Cares** · 02-03-2011, 02:51 PM

This might be a stupid question, but I am intrigued.... how does this save money? If you're weekly grocery budget is say $100 per week, and you chose to shop just once for that entire month's worth of food... wouldn't you still end up spending about $400 for the entire month? Just all in one shot instead of weekly? I suppose that once you've run out of something, then it's gone and you can't go out and buy it again til the month is over, and you just make do without....

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-03-2011, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by auntie2many

Oh, you have more willpower than me. I probably shouldn't say this, but the ads online for the markets in my area are brimming with deals since the Superbowl is on Sunday. Good luck to you!

The ads here are all for junk food and snacks, so I'm not terribly tempted by much of it. I see a deal on potatoes and one for cottage cheese and the rest of what I will get will be vegs, cheese, and cat food.

I suppose that once you've run out of something, then it's gone and you can't go out and buy it again til the month is over, and you just make do without....

That's sort of the idea. For me it is not so much 'doing without' as using up the out-of-hand stockpile that I have already. When I can sit down and plan 3 weeks worth of meals with only buying fresh vegs then I tend to think maybe I've overbought on groceries....

**Imarachne** · 02-03-2011, 07:47 PM

Wow !! Keep us posted on your progress and good luck !!

**bumplett** · 02-03-2011, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Cares

This might be a stupid question, but I am intrigued.... how does this save money? If you're weekly grocery budget is say $100 per week, and you chose to shop just once for that entire month's worth of food... wouldn't you still end up spending about $400 for the entire month? Just all in one shot instead of weekly? I suppose that once you've run out of something, then it's gone and you can't go out and buy it again til the month is over, and you just make do without....

There's no such thing as a stupid question. Not to me.

As CH said, it's not so much of doing without - it's using up what's already stock piled.

So my normal grocery budget for the 4 humans, 3 dogs, 3 cats, and some misc little guys is $500 per month. Most of that is used towards the grocery store deals & steals.

So if I've stocked up far too much, I should be able to go all month and only buy what I *need* (such as milk, eggs, etc) BUT certainly NOT cereal! OMG there's so much cereal!

so by my mental math, if I spend approx $40/week on what I HAVE to have, that's only $160 for the month, but if I underestimated - let's say $200 just to be safe, well, that saved me $300 for the month. That money goes into savings.

I'll see what it feels like in February, and maybe try again in April??

I don't want to deplete myself to the point that I'd have to buy it at regular price, kwim?

BUT I think my hubby's point is that even if a box of cereal is only $.50 or toothpaste is $.25 - well, I don't need anymore - so I can only get it if it's FREE.

Does that make sense?

**bumplett** · 02-03-2011, 08:09 PM

wow. I just shouldn't have looked.

I know it may seem like it's an easy enough challenge, but really, I just looked at the Publix ad for this week.

The little stock-piling hoarder in my soul aches.

here's what I can't get.

Mt. Olive pickles for $.39
Salsa for $.89 (this one is really hard for me to pass up)
Knorr Rice $.14
Krusteaz cookie mix $.29
Rotel diced tomatoes $.10
9 lives 3 lb bag cat food!!!!!!!! AGHHHHH!!!!!!! $.94
Gatorade $.50

keep in mind, these are the prices after coupons. I'm very sad about the cat food.

bummer.