[brieclark]

It's time for a new month and a new budget! No fooling!!!

I'm back up to a more normal amount for us shooting for $250 for all groceries, HBA, & household needs like toilet paper. My budget does not include things like gas or eating out.

I lost a few pounds last month due to illness, so I'm trying to build my strength back up without gaining weight back.

I have got to get my office/craft room organized this month.

It gets really hot really fast here, so my April menu is light & fun.

What are some of your goals for April?

[junewonder]

Have lots of food at home, so can keep food expenses down. I have gift card and some ecbs for CVS. Food: $100.

4/1: Spent $5.63 to get milk, bananas and asparagus from Aldi.

Remaining: $94.37

[marenian]

I'll be back in this month after an embarassingly overbudget March. Not even sure how it happened; no major shops, it just all adds up. My freezer and pantry are well-stocked so I'm going to try and resist even the normal sales and just concentrate on what we may need or loss leaders to keep stocked.

I also want to try and grow my organic/natural stockpile this month. I think it will be a good month to do this being Earth Month. Target already has some great printables available.

My hope if to expand my 'garden' from the 4x4 planter and pots I had last summer to about a 10x15 plot behind our shop. Not sure how successful it will be as the dirt back there is pretty poor but hopefully will start to improve it. If our warm weather holds up, I may be able to get out there sooner than later. Also, if the temp stay stable I think I may already seed some lettuce/greens in my planter. Lots of ideas/plans/hopes but too few hours in the day.

Another goal is to keep working on eating healthier and start to work out. The warm temps have got me walking the dog almost every night (I'd say 5 out of 7) so now I want to add in some workouts too. My cholesterol came back earlier this month at a whopping 232 so really need to commit to this. My biggest struggle is cooking for my picky family. DH decided to start up Atkins again which makes cooking even more of a struggle. But my goal this month is to not let my picky eaters get me down and keep on trying.

Final goal is to keep trying to do a bit of organization/cleaning/purging here and there. I would like to have a garage sale the beginning of May so we'll see how far I get.

Sorry this got so long! Here are today's totals:

Target - $2.33 (Allegra, 2 doz eggs, reynolds wrap)
Sam's Club - $15.88 (Atkins shakes for DH)
Convenience store - $4.00 (for papers)

We had lunch at Applebees and brats/hot dogs/salmon burger for dinner.

Budget:
Groceries/HBA/pet/household - spent $22.21; $402.79 remaining
Eating out: spent - $14.62; $185.38 remaining
Work breakfast/lunch - $50.00 remaining

[rhondag508]

Big Budget Betty is Back....LOL, but I feel like such an overspender---except when I compare to what our grocery budget used to be.

Our garden spot has a swingset on it right now, but I'd like to plant one zucchini, a tomato and a few herbs as well as some annuals for my girls to tend and watch grow along the edge.

I'm going with $400 again, but taking off the $24.60 I overspent in March....so this will be a reduced budget...The sales are fabulous again this next week, so wish me luck!

April Budget:
Donate: $10

Groceries, HBA & Stockpile: $321 plus $6 OYNO & $3 RR leftover-- I cashed out the $5 gc from Target on 150 crayons for the girls which I don't track, so I added $5 to the grocery budget. ($315 plus $6 OYNO & $3 RR remains)

HL-4/1-$5.79--4 4lb bags of sugar, 2 Oscar Meyer Selects Ham lunchmeat

Braum's milk etc: $50

[couponcort]

Originally Posted by marenian

I'll be back in this month after an embarassingly overbudget March. Not even sure how it happened; no major shops, it just all adds up. My freezer and pantry are well-stocked so I'm going to try and resist even the normal sales and just concentrate on what we may need or loss leaders to keep stocked.

Couldn't say it better myself

Here we go again!


April Goals (AKA revolving goals !)

1) Healthy living - Gym 4-5 times a week, eating healthy, continue not to smoke

2) Preparation & No waste - use crockpot, use as much stockpile as feasible, prep foods in advance (not 11pm the night before!)

3) Organization - continue insert method & keep binder up to date (non-inserts, etc.), get old paperwork in order

4) Saving - will not get into too much detail, but I will be working on saving and/or putting more towards school loans this year.



Budget, Grocery/HBA/etc for Apr 1 - Apr 30th:


Grocery stores: $62.80 ($100 - 1/2 of March overspend)
Drugstores & Walmart/Kmart/Target: $40 (will try to spend less, does not include gift budget)
Gas: $275
Pet (medical & food): $100 (grooming, not sure of cost)
Clothing: $0


ECBs: $7.99 + $6.99 = $14.98
RRs: $4
ShopRite: $20 ONYO
Kmart ONYO: $7

Other:

TJ Maxx: $75 GC
iTunes: $10 GC
Victoria's Secret: $32.46

[couponcort]

Budget Updates, Grocery/HBA/etc for Apr 1 - Apr 30th:

Best Yet: cucumbers, celery: $1.99
King Kullen: plates, napkins: $1.03


Remaining:

Grocery stores: $62.80 - $3.02 = $59.78
Drugstores & Walmart/Kmart/Target: $40
Gas: $275
Pet (medical & food): $100
Clothing: $0


ECBs: $7.99 + $6.99 = $14.98
RRs: $4
ShopRite: $20 ONYO
Kmart ONYO: $7

Other:

TJ Maxx: $75 GC
iTunes: $10 GC
Victoria's Secret: $32.46

[dreamgrlsd]

I'm in!! I need to get back on track. I got hit with paying student loans back because my school messed up my financial aid. So until they fix it I have to pay. I need to figure out a resonable budget.

My goal for this month is to clean out my storage closet and re-organize my craft/school desk (I wish I had a craft room)!! LOL Also need to clean up my stock pile. I have been donating items to the church that will expire prior to us using them but I really need to go through it and make sure I have a few months in order to use item before they expire. If not off to donations it goes.

[TinkleTushies]

Last month I was really bad with my sons third birthday, and my first couponing for about 6 months. We've been eating off my stockpile and spending too much on groceries, so I'm back in full swing.

April goals:

1. Finish yard leveling and get garden boxes set up and filled

2. Organize basement storage area and get shelves setup instead of garage. Be sure to secure everything since we have mice both down there and garage.

3. Do not eat out unless I have a coupon or gift card. Honestly this will be hardest.

Budget: $200 grocery for family of 4.5 (I'm 24 weeks along right now)

Household supplies like diapers, lightbulbs, any non edibles: $50

Yard/home improvement: $75

Gas: $100

I haven't kept track so these are guesses for everything and I hope to stay within them. Gas may be tough. I know my wags trip planned will take most of my household budget. if I eat out it will come from grocery. Well I think that's pretty good. I guess we will see how it all goes! My stores are 50 miles away so my trips are usually pretty planned, but always spend more than anticipated.

[brieclark]

Y'all are setting some great goals this month! Can't wait to hear updates as the month rolls along!

[MyGalAlly]

I'm in again with $400 for the month. Came in under by $15 for March, but it's not enough to think that I can lower my April budget. DS is moving back home next month after college graduation so this will have a serious impact on my budget. Hope he finds a job soon so I can start charging rent!!

For those of you with a Chase Freedom card; don't forget you get 5% in rewards on groceries for April -> June. The max spend is $1500, so I'm wondering if I can get 5% back on any gift cards I buy at the grocery store. Does anyone know?

Good luck everyone!

[marenian]

April 2nd:

Today was a no spend day.
Walked with the dog for about 25 minutes.
Went through a pile of shoes with DD deciding which ones fit and which ones didn't (although a couple of winter pair that won't fit by next year she still wanted to keep, mainly her suede boots with little pompoms on them...maybe we'll have a cold snap yet where she can where them one more time).

DH and I had mini frittatas for dinner. DS had leftover pancakes; DD had her leftover grilled cheese from Applebees.


Budget:
Groceries/HBA/pet/household - spent $22.21; $402.79 remaining
Eating out: spent - $14.62; $185.38 remaining
Work breakfast/lunch - $50.00 remaining
Donation (to spend) - $14.69 ($10 + $4.69 leftover from March)

[noellebrow]

March 1-31:
Total Budget $130.93 + $73.89 Excedrin Refund Check= $204.82
Spent:$156.61
Under budget by $48. 21 thanks to the timing of that Excedrin Refund!

March's recap is posted above.
We're on vacation through the 9th, so theoretically that should help the grocery budget. However, we are low on many things that I will need to buy when we return, so with that in mind....here's April.

April 1-30:
Total Budget = $124.96 + $48.21 (remainder of Excedrin refund) = $173.17
Have $4 CATS for Shoprite

Other goals, which I'm unlikely to specifically track here, but will post anyway.....
-eat out less often
-use treadmill more often
-get ready for a major yardsale in May
-get seedlings planted as soon as we get back home

[couponcort]

Budget Updates, Grocery/HBA/etc for Apr 1 - Apr 30th:

Waldbaums: yogurt, Country Crock, mayo, cheese $6.68
Stop & Shop: Cheez-its x 3 $1.80

Remaining:

Grocery stores: $59.78 - $8.48 = $51.30
Drugstores & Walmart/Kmart/Target: $40
Gas: $275
Pet (medical & food): $100
Clothing: $0


ECBs: $7.99 + $6.99 = $14.98
RRs: $4
ShopRite: $20 ONYO
Kmart ONYO: $7

Other:

TJ Maxx: $75 GC
iTunes: $10 GC
Victoria's Secret: $32.46

[TinkleTushies]

Grocery budget $200:
20.47 at Walmart: 11 Kellogg's, 4 m&ms, 20 jello, 20 McCormick, 4 brawny, 4 Reynolds foil
37.66 smiths: 9 quakes, 5 Campbell's, 6 stouffers, 2 milk, manager special snickers ice cream bars, 4 sweet potato fries, 3 fruit snacks
5.17 associated foods: 2lbs shredded cheese

136.70 remaining
$6 oyno smiths

[HFeathers]

Since I found myself returning to read the February and March threads, I decided to join in for this month...perhaps it will keep me more accountable to my budget even though last month I was only $20.XX over.

So, here we go!!!
Budget for Grocery/HBA/household/pet : $400.00
DD & I donation "game" : $12.00

starting with:
ECB: $7.99
Jewel OYNO: $2.00
Dominicks OYNO: $2.50

Other goals for April:
-Inventory and identify holes in HBA stockpile
-Get in touch with cousin-in-law who will be staying with us for a month starting in late May to find out her food/beverage preferences so I can begin looking for a few deals now if needed
-Plan 2 meatless dinners per week since I am running low on every type of meat (only have 1/2 lb. of ground beef, 1/2 lb. of ground pork, and a 4 pack of pork chops in the freezer at the moment). Hope this will help with staying on budget.

Can't wait to give this an honest go and continue reading everyone else's successes throughout the month!

[brieclark]

Welcome HFeathers! Glad to have you join us!

[goldie39]

Thank you Brie for doing it again..I am IN again...wow last month i lost track completely,i know i've overspend..spent some money this week and will try to post it one of these days...Once again my budget is $300 for a month so $75.00 a week...Good luck everyone...

[marenian]

April 3rd:

CVS - spent $0 oop ($.98 on gift card) for 2 boxes of rice krispie treats.

For dinner, made DH steak and mushrooms, I had salmon and brown rice/quinoa and kids had chicken nuggets and noodles.
Walked for 30 minutes with the dog.

Budget:
Groceries/HBA/pet/household - spent $22.21; $402.79 remaining
Eating out: spent - $14.62; $185.38 remaining
Work breakfast/lunch - $50.00 remaining
Donation (to spend) - $14.69 ($10 + $4.69 leftover from March)

[dreamgrlsd]

Welcome HFeathers!!

After taking into account having to pay back a student loan here is my budget. I'm not sure I'll be able to stick to it though! But I have too seeing as my extra money for the month is now gone!

Grocery/HBA/Newspapers: $150.00
Gas/Parking: $300.00
Eating out: $50.00
Entertainment/Feel Good Money: $25.00

[junewonder]

Originally Posted by junewonder

Remaining: $94.37

4/3: On my way back, stopped by Kroger and picked up 3lbs organic apples, 1 cantaloupe, salt. oop $5.35

Spent: $11 Remaining: $89

[couponcort]

Budget Updates, Grocery/HBA/etc for Apr 1 - Apr 30th:

Gas: 61.16
Kmart: soap, cleansers, cookies, oil, Allegra, lipop $12.36 (used $7 ONYO)
CVS: 2 Depends, 2 Contact solution: $0 OOP

Remaining:

Grocery stores: $51.30
Drugstores & Walmart/Kmart/Target: $40 - 12.36 = $27.64
Gas: $275 - 61.16 = $213.84
Pet (medical & food): $100
Clothing: $0


ECBs: $14.98 -> $10.00 and $13.99 = $24.98
RRs: $4
ShopRite: $20 ONYO
Kmart ONYO: $7 -> $15 ONYO

Other:

TJ Maxx: $75 GC
iTunes: $10 GC
Victoria's Secret: $32.46

[marenian]

April 4th:

Target - $7.45 (wipes, belvita biscuits (donation), applesauce squeeze things,reynolds wrap,dog treats)
CVS - $1.00 (2 tuna for donation)
Hy-Vee - $23.93 (3 donuts,2 can org corn,org applesauce cups,fish sticks,2 bush's grillin beans,4 boxes cereal (one for donation),1/2 gal milk,4 12pk diet coke,lettuce,2 org oranges)

We had crockpot roast, carrots and leftover brown rice/quinoa and spaghettios for dinner
Walked the dog for 20 minutes.

DS's school is doing a food drive with the class that brings in the most items getting Dilly Bars so I'm hoping to find some additional items on sale for donation before it ends next week. Resisting the urge to clear my stockpile just so he can get a Dilly Bar

Budget:
Groceries/HBA/pet/household - spent $54.59; $370.71 remaining
Eating out: spent - $14.62; $185.38 remaining
Work breakfast/lunch - $50.00 remaining
Donation (to spend) - $11.20 ($10 + $4.69 leftover from March)

[rhondag508]

April Budget:
Donate: $10
2.72 2 toothpaste-one was the missed coupon

Groceries, HBA & Stockpile: $226.89 & $4 RR--

HL-4/1-$5.79--4 4lb bags of sugar, 2 Oscar Meyer Selects Ham lunchmeat
HL-4/4-$36.41--11 lb ham, pork tenderloin, 2 philly cream cheese, rhodes rolls, 2 cans pineapple, 2 red gold mild salsas, 2 cans DelMonte green beans and 2green peas, Chinet napkins, sack of flour, fro mini pancakes, shredded wheat, 2 boxes granola cereal, vanilla extract, 2 bags croutons, bleu cheese dressing, cake mix, 2 large eggs, Dawn w/olay (I made 2 mistakes in which I forgot to give the coupon .eep!!)
HL-4/5-$9.29--2 cans pears, 2 cans fruit cocktail, 20 pk Dr. Pepper cans, shredded wheat (with coupon this time), 2 granola cereal, Fruit newton thins, 1/2 pint buttermilk, blueberry fro pancakes, salad mix,
HL-4/5-$5.62--1 granola cereal, 1 large mayo, 1 large miracle whip,
WM-4/5-$14.00--string cheese, 3 Easter grass, 2 Egg color kits, 2 bacon bits (real) for quiche for Sunday at church.
HL-4/6-$17.40--bread, hamburger buns, tomatoes, 20 pk Dr. Pepper, 2 jello gelatin, granola cereal, swiss cheese (for quiches), Fruit Thins, 2 cans of pears, 2 Pillsbury rtb cookies, MM OJ

Braum's milk etc: $50 $40 remaining
Braum's-4/5-$10.13--milk, cottage cheese, bananas, lettuce, hamburger buns

[TinkleTushies]

Originally Posted by TinkleTushies

Grocery budget $200:
20.47 at Walmart: 11 Kellogg's, 4 m&ms, 20 jello, 20 McCormick, 4 brawny, 4 Reynolds foil
37.66 smiths: 9 quakes, 5 Campbell's, 6 stouffers, 2 milk, manager special snickers ice cream bars, 4 sweet potato fries, 3 fruit snacks
5.17 associated foods: 2lbs shredded cheese

136.70 remaining
$6 oyno smiths

Had some good no spending days! For my goals, we cleaned up some of my future storage areas downstairs. Still need to sweep and organize seasonal decor. Decided to go with cinder block shelves for my stockpile. Outside my husband got lots of work done on leveling the ground and retaining wall, he's doing great.

Today's shopping, quick trip to associated.

Grocery budget $200:
April 3rd: 20.47 at Walmart: 11 Kellogg's, 4 m&ms, 20 jello, 20 McCormick, 4 brawny, 4 Reynolds foil
37.66 smiths: 9 quakes, 5 Campbell's, 6 stouffers, 2 milk, manager special snickers ice cream bars, 4 sweet potato fries, 3 fruit snacks
5.17 associated foods: 2lbs shredded cheese
April 5th: associated foods 5.43, 2doz eggs, bananas, vanilla extract

131.27 remaining
$6 oyno smiths

[junewonder]

Originally Posted by junewonder

Spent: $11 Remaining: $89

4/5: Stopped by Wholefoods.. 1 gal milk, dried figs, red quinoa, small yogurt(for starter) and almonds.
oop $20.65

Spent: $31.65 Remaining: $68.35