5 tips for a better budget

   While growing up I watched my parents budget to feed a family of 8 and watched my Mom clip coupons and go through flyers looking for the best deals. I haven't quite caught the couponing talent that my Mom has but when it comes to budgeting I feel that's something that I have been successful at. Matt and I have always worked out a budget even when we were dating we broke down our expenses and put it in a spread sheet and made sure we stayed in it. We were able to save enough money for a down payment on a house and to be able to live comfortably.

So for me I have a few important keys to stay in budget every week with groceries:

1) Have a monthly meal plan, if not monthly weekly:

I carry a trusty old fashioned day planner (its cute with owls on it) around with me everywhere, everyday in it I have written down what we will be eating for dinner that night and for the month. This helps for me to go through my cupboards, fridge and freezer to look and see what we have and what I need to get that week.

2) Have a schedule:

Every Monday I go grocery shopping. People are creatures of habit and if you know you need to get groceries on a specific day and plan it and have it written down it will cut back on impulse buying and having to run into the store another day because you have forgotten something. 

3) You can't afford not to shop at Costco:

Some of you may think "Is she crazy Costco is expensive!" well trust me when I say you can't afford to not shop there! My in laws love Costco and my parents liked it too but I thought for the longest time that they were expensive and why would I need that much food for a little family. Well it was the best thing we ever did was get a membership when we first got married. The meat products alone are worth shopping there, its high quality and cheaper then everywhere else I have looked. The best is buying a pork tenderloin and being able to get 6 roasts and around 8 pork chops out of one tenderloin. We actually only buy meat 2 to 3 times a year and spend around $150 when we do but cut it all up and freeze it. If you break that down that is only $6.25 per week for 2 of us to eat high quality meat. Almost all their other products including cereal and peanut butter is $2 to $4 dollars cheaper than all other stores.

*Note: I shop at smaller stores in between Costco trips for smaller ticket items like eggs because we don't go through 4 dozen eggs before they would expire.

4) Never let your pantry go bare, always stock up:

If you have a stock pile in your pantry of certain staples or things that your family use on a daily and weekly basis its important to make sure you keep your cupboards stocked up. The worst is letting your cupboards go bare because that's when your budget will be blown. When I go to the store and I know I have a bit of extra money from my budget I will stock up on some canned goods or even body wash and deodorant. 

5) Be honest and accountable:

If you blow your budget one week don't lie to yourself or your spouse about it. If you tell the truth then you hold yourself accountable and can correct it and your spending won't get out of control. You can always cut back the next week and make sure you are on track.

There you go a few of my budgeting tips! Hope you enjoy!