Stretching The Budget

Last month was the most expensive grocery month in the last couple of years ending up at $715.67, quite a bit over the budget of $550.  I saved $11.56 in coupon use.  My 23 year old very high metabolism working out every day Stepson visited for 8 days which was most of the overage.  We also were restricted as to what groceries we could buy for 3 weeks as were waiting on delivery of our full size fridge and living out of a minifridge.  I admit we bought a few prepared grocery dinners as without use of a stove cooking at home was complicated.  Hubby wanted to purchase a fresh half salmon off the local fishermen and that added $40 in expense.  On the upside we kept our eating out to a minimum and really only ate out more than normal twice when my Stepson was visiting which came from a special sealed pot fund.


I managed to stock up on some non-food items this month as there was a no tax event this past Saturday at the grocery store and when you pay 12% less in taxes on those items it adds up quickly.  This month I hope to stick to a reduced food budget of $500 rather than $550 so that my year end totals will be closer to the mark.  Time to stock up on fall root veggies like potatoes, carrots and onions.

Polished shoe left, scuffed shoe right

I also wanted to show you how my absolute favorite shoes are holding up.  These were purchased from a thrift store early last year (see original post) with almost no wear.  Other than the exterior leather scuffing too easily they are still in incredible shape.  I wear them year round including in the rain and on hikes.  They are better than any other shoe I have had including runners and I hope to nurse them along for at least another year.  I do that by using shoe polish, bought to match this particular shoe colour.  From old and scuffed to almost new looking - tada!  I have to do this about once a month in high usage months but so worth it.  I am on the constant lookout for good thrift store barely used shoes - but these are still my best shoe find to date.

It feels like fall here with cooler temperatures brought in by the rains (finally) and the fact that most trees are losing their leaves due to drought.  I love Fall as it is my favorite season of the year.  Time to break out the candles, hot chocolate, and get back to reading!