Unabashedly Frugal

It has taken me almost 12 years of marriage and many attempts and failures to consider myself a some what successful budget super hero.  One of the things that really seems to help me is sitting down on Sunday with my fam  and planning a menu.  I ask what people want to eat for the week, then write my list for the grocery store based off of that menu.  After writing out my list I check out the deals for the week...( if you have never been to Pinchingyourpennies.com you should check out their grocery lists, they make this so easy.)  I then write all the prices that seem like good deals next to each item that applies on my list.  After checking to see if I have any coupons that would also help I am all set.  I ALWAYS go to walmart when doing my major grocery shop for the simple reason that they are cheap and they price match.  Oh and the fact that somehow when my 4th child came into the world my ability to effectively parent dissolved to nothing.  By the end of our shopping ordeal she is running around my cart and has normally fallen 2-3 times.  Why not keep her in the cart you ask?  I don't know....she asked to get out and for some reason I always comply....she is my kryptonite what can I say? Anyway, this is the part that some can not stomach but is VITAL, it embarrasses my husband to no end but really this is what makes all the difference.  I put all my groceries on the belt divided into two groups, those I am price matching and those I am not.  I inform my checker that everything behind the divider needs to be price matched, and when they reach them they ask for the prices.   This used to be much more difficult and embarrassing with checkers always pulling ads and such, but since Christmas time when they were really marketing their price matching it is a breeze.  I have found this saves me tons of time and money, you should try it out.

One of these days I will share my full menu and price matching list.  I will just share this weeks menu today, just because I am always trying to figure out what to make and knowing other peoples lists always helps me.

Mon....BBQ ribs w/ cheesy potatoes
Tues...Enchalads and the recipe for corn Nick shared in the previous post
Weds..Lasagna, garlic bread, peas
Thurs..Navajo tacos
Fri......General Taos Chicken and fried rice
Sat.....Leftovers
Sun.....Meatballs and Rice.

So be unashamed of how dorky it is to hold up the line pulling out coupons and making the checker enter in all the prices individually.  When you walk out spending less than you had budgeted you will be all smiles.  Trust me it is the nerdiest kind of rush you will ever have!!!  What what!!