It’s been almost three months since I started using only cash for groceries, so I thought it was time for an update.
I’m still using cash for my groceries, and still loving the freedom it’s given me! It seems so silly but I just feel so much better handing over cash and then forgetting about it. Not thinking about how many debit transactions I’ve had, not trying to mentally calculate how much money I’ve spent – just handing over the cash and knowing what’s left will be what I have to work with.
Menu planning for my family’s visit
May was kind of a wonky month, and I did end up using my debit card a couple of times because I ran out of cash. My family came to visit for a few days and I wanted to feed them well, so I spent more than I would have for just us, and neglected to take out enough cash for those extra expenditures. They sent some cash ahead so that I could buy food for all of our lunches and dinners, which was really nice and made the process of cooking and planning so much easier! Still, I had to swipe my debit card a few times.
My pickle jar injury slowed me down some in the kitchen last month…
June is turning out to be a good month! I took out $600 at the beginning of the month and I still have about $180 left. We’re already to the 21st of June so I’m pretty happy with that. I’m not going for “lowest grocery budget ever” here, just trying to make sure I know what I’m spending. I also received a couple of gift cards from Safeway at their blogger event last week, so I’m grateful to be able to pad my budget a little with that.
I’m pretty proud of my lack of eating fast food out these days! Something about having five kids to take into a restaurant and the fact that one of my kids isn’t full after a whole burger and fries has really hampered my stops into fast food joints. (Also, the fact that the last Good Times in Colorado Springs is closed. Boo!) Update: I wrote a post on conquering the fast food habit here.
Our stroller and wagon have gotten lots of use this summer!
We have been going lots of places this summer, but almost always pack a lunch or at least some snacks. I’m buying lunch items even when they’re not on a great sale and even though it’s not rock-bottom prices, it’s been way less than it would cost us to eat out.
OK, a stop at Chick-fil-A may have been made…
I’ve even felt good enough about my cash budget that I’ve used cash from my grocery budget to pay for a couple of meals where we have gotten takeout, like the $10 deal at Papa Murphy’s and a $5 Little Caesar’s pizza. If I can pay for takeout from my cash grocery budget and still not go over, yeehaw!
Of course, not everything’s gone great in the world of money. I spent $21 on “free” bowling and around $10 for “free” frozen yogurt from the library’s reading program coupons. And, last week, the transmission in my van started to go out so now we’re planning on spending a whole lotta money on a new (to me) van.
Well, anyway. That’s the latest update in the super amazingly exciting series of Carrie Pays Cash For Groceries. ;)
$1.25 for Lucerne (half gallon) at Safeway, Fri-Sun Only
That’s awesome! We have talked about switching to cash only, but seem to forget, and put it off. I think July might be the month. We’re shooting for $350- I think I’m going to have to get pretty creative!
I know, it’s hard to get into the habit! You can do it – shop your pantry and freezer for July and you’d be amazed how far you can go.
We have been doing cash only for about a month and a half and it makes such a difference. I don’t even have my debit card or checkbook with me when I go to the store so what I have to spend is what I have. I am a horrible spender so I actually gave my cards and checks to my hubby and told him to hide them from me, but that is a another part of the story. He was afraid that I was going to feel bad asking for money but I tried to explain to him how liberated I feel. I can get money from him if I need it, but without it I don’t feel this constant need to shop whenever I get bored! Whatever change is left at the end of groceries we have been putting in a jar. We pay all the bills and then whatever is left over for the week hubby pulls out and we use it that way. We feel more in control and I don’t feel like I am hiding spending from him anymore. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but it is working for us in a big way.
I’m glad I am not the only one that feels this way!
We have been using cash for a long time. I have been menu planning and love how nice it is. I go through the freezer and storage room to list what I have. Then take that list and go through cookbooks (I have a ton and I check out new one’s from the library). We have our standard meals we love but we try at least 3 new meals a week. I had enough in the freezer to plan the next 3 weeks of meals and only have to hit the store for fresh fruit/veggies, milk and maybe bread. But we are also trying to make our own bread. We haven’t eaten out in 2 weeks. Our menu doesn’t include lunches but we eat leftover’s or find something on the list that we have. :-) My family loves being able to look at the menu and see what we are having and no more guessing or last minute planning or eating out.
Wow, three new meals a week is impressive! That’s awesome.
I’m in the process of making my own cookbook with all the recipes we know and love. There are a lot of them, but I go through spurts where I cook them same “new” recipes several times and then often I forget about them! I’m hoping to have one cookbook that only contains recipes that we already know we like so that I can thumb through it when I plan menus.
I would love to create a cookbook with the one’s we like. We have 3 fridge freezers and a deep freezer so I have been collecting a bit to much. :-) That’s why we have 3 weeks worth and then some. Today I was working on the next few weeks menu’s. If I do our normal things we will get bored and want to shop. lol. If I can add new things it makes it more exciting. Of course we have pizza friday where we make our own pizza’s but that’s pretty much the only recipe we repeat. I know I’m gonna start having to repeat soon but I’m hoping by trying new things we can repeat less. Or at least spread out or favorites. I love looking through new cookbooks, a weakness of mine. I have to check them out at the library since my family has banned me from bringing new in. lol. I would love to hear some of your favorites.
Wow, that’s a lot of storage space, LOL!
I tend to get most of my recipes online – which is another reason I need to put them in a book, because right now they are really only stored in my browser’s history, not even as a bookmark – ack! I LOVE Cook’s Illustrated and their sister magazine, Cook’s Country – their websites require a membership fee for most recipes, unfortunately, so I have LOTS of favorites I would love to link to but most people get tired of seeing “MEMBERS ONLY.” :)
We have 3 refrigerators in our home. One in the garage for drinks, baking items, one in the basement across from family room down there and the one in the kitchen. Then a deep freezer in the garage. My father usually get’s a half a cow and a pig once a year and he shares with us. Plus I get meat on clearance when I find it. I like to freeze our jello and pudding mixes along with corn bread mix and things. So a lot goes in the freezers. :-) I’ll have to check those sites out. I recently got the $5 dinner mom cookbook and have found a lot of great recipes in there. I’ll have to copy them before I return the book to the library (only down side to checking out). I’ve asked for it for my Nook and will have to see if I get it.
If any one would like to share recipes let me know. :-) We love new recipes.
I’ve been working on putting together a binder of my go-to recipes too. It’s nice to go to one place to find the recipes we use so often.
Back in the fall I made a 5 week menu rotation for suppers, but now I’m re-vamping that some, with some more summery foods. In the end I figure I’ll have a warm weather rotation and a cool weather rotation. Even if we stray from it here and there, it’s really nice to have a starting point to work from. I have them all saved on the computer so I can adjust as needed. :)
I had the similar thought to have one binder with all the ‘tried and true’ recipes we have liked, so I decided to make it less daunting and just begin one week and not go retro. When I make something and we consider it a keeper, I copy it out (or print off the Internet) and put it in the binder. I set up simple tabs, like Main Dishes, Breads, Desserts (funny how this is already the biggest section), etc. I even included a Misc. tab as I am tired of searching for the play doh and cinnamon ornament recipes each year.
It isn’t complete, but I use my binder at least 2 time a week, so I can tell it is becoming more of our regulars. It is funny how much I forget though, as I just looked through it the other day and realized we haven’t had a couple of those in a couple months, so they will feel new again.
Ah, a “misc” section is a good idea. I’ll have to take pictures of “my” cookbook and show it to you once it’s done! I was thinking it would be fun to do it in a photobook but not yet – I want to be able to keep adding recipes.
I do a twist on the “cash only” idea. My kids’ school (Palmer High) sells King Soopers (Krogers) gift cards. I plan ahead to buy $200-400 at a time. The school keeps $5 for every $100 I spend and I get to designate which club or sport I want the money to go to, which helps defray my child’s expenses. Then I use the gift cards for groceries and at the gas pump (safer than a credit card), and even send them to my out-of-state college student for him to use on groceries.
I think Palmer only sells the King Soopers cards, but I know other local schools sell cards for Safeway, Sunflower, etc. You don’t have to have a student at the school to buy them. To me these are better than cash for managing my budget because I always have funds for necessities (groceries and gas). You do have to track how much is left on each so you don’t get an unhappy surprise at the register, though. The fact the school benefits is a nice bonus.
Hey Carrie! Thanks for the free E-book (first of all) but I haven’t been able to download it on my computer… :( I’ll keep trying.
Second of all. Two months ago I tried the cash system and loved it. Then May and June hit with unexpected trips (vacation’s are always nice, but a bit more financially draining than hoped). So I have two questions for you and your readers:
A. The cash system… What is the best way to carry the cash… designate envelopes, should I buy a coupon binder (the small accordian file), or do you have any other suggestions?
B. (and b– It has been over 3 days since I subscribed. Could I “unsubscribe” and re-subscribe?) to get the book? I have wanted to listen to it for over a year now… Thanks so much for all your help.
Hi, Jay! Have you checked out our list of troubleshooting tips? There’s an answer to 99% of problems there. Yes, you could unsubscribe and resubscribe to get another download link.
As far as carrying cash, right now I’m only using it for groceries, so I’m just putting it into my wallet. I don’t keep it all with me (by far the worst part about cash is the fear of losing it!), just enough for whatever shopping trips I’m planning that day.
I did try using cash for other purchases for awhile but grossly underestimated how much I’d need. :/ It was a pain to keep it separate so if I was going to do that all the time, I’d have to get a better system. It’s really hard to get your change back in the right envelope or area of your wallet at the checkout, especially when you have kids with you or are in a hurry.