I’m Back in the Game
Most of you do not know this, but recently my husband lost his job. No problem, right? He’s a qualified guy that has experience in many areas. He’s sort of a Jack-of-all-trades.
The first week he was unemployed I cut back on our spending, but not dramatically. Week two I really started cutting back. No eating out unless it was really cheap. No more grocery shopping, except for essentials. No buying any extras.
Imagine how anxious I was come week 4 when he still didn’t have a job. A few things got us through this hard time. Earlier in the year we had paid off a large sum of debt. We had also taken Dave Ramsey’s financial peace classes at our church. We were working on our baby steps to financial peace. We had our emergency funds (and then a little more) in savings. Having an emergency fund in place also allowed my husband to search for a job that he wanted, rather than taking an underpaid position at a place he didn’t want to work.
Another thing that got us through is that I stockpile things when they’re really cheap, mainly groceries. When I go to people’s houses I honestly wonder where all their food is. I don’t shop week to week.
When you shop week to week and only buy what you absolutely need, you’re going to pay more for your groceries. Stockpiling allows you to take advantage of rock bottom prices on items. You buy as many as you’ll need for a few months (if it won’t expire). Then over the next few months you won’t need to buy any more of that item. Instead of paying $2.99 for something, you get it for $1.25.
Some people tell me they can’t afford to shop the sales and stockpile. How can you NOT afford to stockpile? How can you afford to pay $4.99 for meat when you can get it on sale for $2.00? I just don’t get it.
Ok, so if you really can’t see that you can afford to stockpile, here’s what I recommend: Try to set aside an additional $20 for stockpiling on really good deals. Most people can afford the extra $20. If you still think you can’t, try giving up the McDonald’s drive-thru, the sodas you’d normally buy, and find a way to begin.
Since we only bought necessities for over a month, I did not do The Grocery Game. It was painful, let me tell you. lol To know I could be getting so many bargains and I wasn’t buying them . . . Ugh!
I haven’t checked the exact figures yet, but I would estimate that in 4-5 weeks I only spent about $120 or less on groceries for our family of four. And best of all, our pantry and freezer is still full. There’s hardly a dent in it. Isn’t that incredible? It’s like the story of 5 loaves and 2 fish. lol
I’m thankful to say that my husband has been employed for over a week now. I went to the grocery store tonight. I’m back playing The Grocery Game. I’m sure you’re wondering how I did tonight. Aren’t you? Well, here it is . . . I got $104 of groceries for less than $40! I saved 63% on my groceries.
If you would like to know more about The Grocery Game, click here. If you’re interested in signing up, I ask that you please use my email address so that I can get free weeks for my referrals. My email address is knowhimwell at hotmail dot com. Please no spam.
Do you stockpile groceries?
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POSTED IN: The-Grocery-Game, coupons
5 opinions for I’m Back in the Game
Jennifer
Nov 21, 2007 at 3:38 am
Karen, you and I are SOOO much alike! I’ve never played the grocery game, though a friend has been asking me to sign up, so maybe I’ll try it sometime…does it require *gulps* coupon clipping?
Karen
Nov 21, 2007 at 7:19 am
It does involve coupon clipping, but the great thing about The Grocery Game is that she tells you what week the coupon comes from, so you don’t have to cut them all out each week. Maybe next week I can take a picture of my system and post it.
Isn’t it amazing the people you’ll meet on the internet. ;)
Cara
Nov 21, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I don’t stock pile per say, I do purchase extra each week to put in the pantry and freezer. Every week I allow extra in the grocery budget for clearance and mark-downs. So if ground beef is on a super sale, I will buy as much as my extra money allows.
I don’t necessarily stock pile because 1) I don’t have the space for things like 10 boxes of cheerios or 5 lbs of meat 2) an item typically goes on sale and has coupons about once every 3 months, so my pantry(which includes my freezer) has enough for that long.
Karen
Nov 21, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Yes, I recommend only buying what you need for about 3 months. The sales seem to repeat themselves. With The Grocery Game, you can usually throw out your coupons every few months because of this sale cycle. I spent a while yesterday looking through all of my September coupons. I clipped a few that I thought I might use, but most of them I gave away.
One thing I really don’t like about my store is that they only double 20 coupons. Yes, I see why they do it, but it really stinks. Last night, I had exactly 20 coupons that I could get doubled. I went back today to get more stuff, but I left my purse at home!!!! I was so busy carrying stuff to the car that I forgot it. I was so mad at myself. Oh well, there will be more deals next week.
suzanne
Nov 21, 2007 at 3:39 pm
congrats on the job for hubby. Glad you kept your wits about you!
I used to do the Coupon Game. I got out of it but still miss it. I would “sell” the list to ladies in my neighborhood for a buck. Paid for my own that way!
Also use the http://www.couponmom.com/ for great savings.
:)
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