This past week Mrs. HB did all her grocery shopping by herself. I did pop by to make some recipes with her and those are the pictures you’ll see when you scroll through this post as well a few Mrs. HB sent that she took during the week.
Week 6 in Mrs. HB’s own words:
I’m becoming more confident each week. This one in particular I did my shopping all by myself. And did quite well I do have to say. First, I stayed well within budget, spending $49.23 at Fred Meyer and $92.19 at Costco. Yay!
I was under my goal of $100 a week at Costco. I have figured out that I am buying at Costco just because I am going, so I will start to go every other week and still try to keep around $100. We shall see how that goes. 😉
I also have realized that by announcing “I am going to the grocery today,” the HB family then goes straight to my list that has been on the counter all week and quickly fills in with all the snacks they want. So I have decided that I won’t be reminding them …. they know it’s there and it’s only increasing my spending. We shall see how this goes as well.
I did however, and I will choose to see the glass half full, buy a skirt for work. I had gone to a work lunch and in the shopping area was a JJill. My lunch partner wanted to go in, I knew it was risky. I ended up buying a work skirt more than half off and that was all I bought. Which is a feat in itself. So I consider that a win!
This week I also had to go into Target to buy “lady items.”. I walked in grabbed the item and walked straight to the checkout…. No other purchases. Wow! Normally I would have walked the aisles looking for something to purchase… Now how strange is that. What a mind shift.
Another strange thing is happening, the more I talk about my journey, the more people are supporting me. A friend gave me a reusable Starbucks coffee cup and gift card for my Bday. How genuinely thankful I was! I have been using it along with my Stanley everyday. Now I don’t have to look for free disposable coffee cups to use.
Oh yes, I almost forgot, I have rediscovered reselling items we don’t use anymore and the kids are loving this too. They have each made money, HB Girl $80 and HB boy $45. I made $50 but then had to turn around and buy a big bag of dog food for our sweet HB doggy. That was $43. It was nice that the bag had a $10 coupon on it.
Easy come easy go. But at least it didn’t come out of last weeks monies. So this is a tactic I will use more often. If you are wondering how I did it, there are local sites that allow you to sell items online. Just go through Facebook and search: your town name, most wanted buy sell trade. My sis lives in Georgia and there is a site there. Just click on “what are you selling,” input the item, description and price, then upload the picture. Tada! I had to mention how to do it because I was totally oblivious and not computer/ I-phone savvy at all!!!!
And lastly, and this is a little funny and sad at the same time, HB girl found a receipt for which a couple of months ago we had gone out for lunch. I didn’t have enough monies to pay, how sad, so she paid and I told her to keep the receipt as a reminder for me to pay her back. Of course I forgot, but months later that debt came due LOL. I am proud she keeps track of her monies. 🙂
~Mrs. HB
Gina says
Mrs. HB, you are truly an inspiration! You are discovering ways to save all on your own now, and sharing them with us! Your restraint is amazing, and shows you are really committed to carrying this trough. I know your family is proud of you. You really are a great Mom and Spouse, taking care of your family expertly. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Carole says
Mrs. HB you can curb your trips to Costco. I did it. I never did go every week, its too far away, but once a month. Now I go every other month and really stick to my list. I only buy outside my list if something is discounted there, you know those items and it is something we use all the time. Then I stock up on those. But usually its just my list every other month. It works for us. Saves a trip and I don’t over spend. I know you can do it too. The list is the key I think. I just fill in at the grocery store and I am planting a bigger garden this year. Hopefully that will help out even more. Every little bit helps.
Leanna says
Great job Mrs. HB. I purchase some of my “lady items” through Amazon subscribe and save and the rest generic at my grocery. Amazon is so much cheaper and it automatically comes once a month. 😉
Rosaleen says
You are doing very well, Mrs. HB.
One more hint: Consider re-useable “lady items.” I bought a “Keeper” when I needed such things and found it paid for itself in about 6 months and lasted maybe 10 years. Now there are several competitors available. EBay even has one with a valve so it can be emptied while still worn, which is handy if one is in a public restroom. I don’t know how well that one works. There are even washable pads now, too. Make or consider buying from eBay, if you like. I’m using them for another problem women “of a certain age” can have, especially during a bad cold.
Carrie says
I prefer using a Diva cup over cotton reusable pads/liners. They never stay in place and I always feel like something is in my pants (because there is…)! I got my Diva on Jet.com for about $20 and have been using it over a year now. It was a little uncomfortable in the beginning but I’ve figured out how to use it within a day. It’s nice to not have to change while at work or in public (empty and replace every 12 hours for me). I like OB tampons because they aren’t quite as wasteful (no plastic applicator) but I was spending $10 every other month for a box.
AlysonRR says
Back in the day (ok, not too long ago – I only just started menopause), I really preferred cloth pads. I just used Glad Rags (they’re easy to find), but there are tons of direct sellers on etsy.
I never tried the Diva or Keeper, but the cloth pads were soooooo much more comfortable than disposable pads.
Susie says
It’s been interesting following your posts. I think I have more of your traits then mavis, I don’t know how they survive on so little!
Mavis Butterfield says
Funny funny! Some people can survive on oats and tea and others…. well. 🙂
Marcia says
Sounds like you are doing great! Snacks will kill your budget. They are the biggest budget killer in mine. I avoid taking my kids shopping, but still sometimes I lose the snack wars.
OregonGuest says
Great job, Mrs. HB. I am really enjoying your posts and hearing about how you’re empowering yourself in this whole budget process — keeps ME motivated too!
(by the way, maybe “sweet HB doggy” could barter hair for dog food — Mavis might have been onto something with the post about dog hair yarn!).
Linda says
Yay, Mrs HB! You had an awesome week! I know it’s difficult (sometimes impossible) to switch a dog’s food, but I have a dog that was having digestive issues and I was buying expensive bags trying to eliminate the culprit. (Turns out he is allergic to grain.) Anyway, the point of my long post is that I discovered Costco sells a wonderful grain free high quality dog food that is around $30 for a 30 or 40# bag. It’s a great deal!
Mrs HB says
I will have to check that out ! Thanks
kcb says
Our pup had to change to a “prescription” dog food. I’m bring him a 15 lb bag of her Orijens that I just got. Maybe the other HBs should contribute some $$ for those snacks they add on to the list!
Kristina says
I second the Costco dog food, and they also sell a very good cat food. Both a great value. You are doing so great in so little time! Keep up the good work.
Helen in Meridian says
I see you discovered the black label apples which are the Honey Crisp. That is a great deal 3/$1. Have a very Happy Valentine’s Week. I am sure you deserved the skirt, for all your work these past weeks. If your daughter wants to sell any American Girl dolls or accessories, please contact me.
Mrs HB says
Sorry no American Dolls . Littlest
Pet shop and my Little Pony mostly.
Conni says
I’m (figuratively) doing a HAPPY DANCE for your great wins last week! Keep on, keepin’ on, Mrs. HB!
I, too, used to go weekly to Costco but have cut that to once/month. I have a ‘Master List’ that I consult when making my shopping list so that I don’t forget anything. When at Costco the rule is, if it is not on the list, it cannot be bought! I do, however, give myself ‘grace’ to buy one item if it is something new I want to try. When we get home the milk gets put into several smaller containers and frozen. I slice the turkey breast and put in zips with 2-3 days’ worth of sandwich making amounts and freeze those. Avocadoes sit out until close to ripe, then into the crisper they go…..butter in freezer…..pantry items put away. I separate serving sizes of tortillas with squares of parchment (or wax paper from used up cereal) and freeze those…..you get the drift ……the freezer part of the pantry is my best friend in eliminating extra trips (which equal overspending!).
Jill says
Good tips there! I’ll use the one for the milk for sure!
Brooke says
Great job!! I would like to second the reusable “lady” products! I have the moon cup, and I love love love it! I haven’t had to buy products for years! Plus my . is much lighter and less crampy.
Nancy says
You are doing awesome Ms. HB!
Kat says
Ms. HB – I would love to know what recipes you are making every week. I assume part of your money saving strategy is making a weekly menu. Do you have any recipe recommendations? I have 3 teenagers.
You are doing a great job! Keep it up, you’ll make your goal soon enough.
Mrs HB says
Gosh you know I really just fly by the seat of my pants. I have used tried and true recipes but we have also just looked what meat I have in the freezer and opened a cookbook to see what sounds good. I am NOT a cook! In fact until now have hated it but I think it was because I wasn’t prepared. Mavis and I try to cook together one a day over the weekend. So I am in a little honey moon phase with cooking. Having her there makes it so much more fun . My son also likes to cook which I can’t believe and he is really good at it. Look on Mavis blog she posts the recipes along the way.
Tammy says
This is great! Good work this week! 😀
One little suggestion I have is to have more specific line items in your budget. For example, you have a large dog who needs you to buy food for him regularly – so have that be a line item in your budget. It’s a reliable expense. Have a separate line item for eating out, a separate line item for clothes, etc. That way you won’t feel like you are “robbing Peter to pay Paul” by buying clothes out of what should be your grocery money.
Carrie says
I have been debating about getting a Costco membership. There are only 2 adults, 1 dog and 4 hens in my household so I am not sure if it’s worth it. I do drive by everyday on my way home and would also get gas there. Yesterday I noticed it was 13 cents less than the Sheetz beside it. If I filled my car up at Costco every time I would save $44/year on gas alone (this doesn’t include my partner’s gas for his truck). I’m thinking I could save at least $11 more on certain food items to make the $55 membership worth it.
My question is… does Costco offer a good selection of organic produce? I eat bananas, apples, berries and salads every day. I also buy a half gallon of organic milk every week along with 2 pounds of chicken breast, feta cheese, greek yogurt and chips for the man. I’d hate to get a membership just for the gas and end up not liking their produce options or end up wasting 5 pounds of broccoli!
Conni says
Yes, Carrie, Costco (at least the one near us in central California) has LOTS of organic produce, meat, dairy and groceries. I also think you can go in and ask for a ‘visitor’s pass’ or something like that so that you can check it out before you get a membership!
Tammy says
In my experience with Costco (membership in two different states, but not currently a member), Costco has a wide variety of organics available. I feel they have more organic options than Sam’s Club. Maybe you can go with a friend to check it out, before you get a membership.
Jill says
Their 4.99 roasted chickens alone make it worth it for us!
Rosaleen says
Not everyone will be able to empty her “cup” only twice per day. Things got pretty ridiculous for me. I really meant that my Keeper paid for itself in a few months. This was before local stores carried any brand of reusable products, before Amazon, maybe before eBay. I was appalled at the shipping charge to the point I nearly didn’t complete the purchase. It was worth every penny.
ronda says
I love this series and I have say Mrs. HB you are an inspiration and I am doing better on my grocery budget too because of your honesty.
Mrs HB says
Yay! That is wonderful to hear!