Meeting The Annual Grocery Budget

Our grocery budget for 2015 was set at $6,700.  This was a budget of $650 for January when my stepdaughter was still living with us and $550 for the remaining months of the year.  At the beginning of November I realized that it was actually going to be possible to hit the budget as long as I did some point redemptions for groceries and remained on track in November and December.  As I was a little bit over the November budget was reset at $466.79.  I ended the month at $478.40.  I ended up using $213.95 in point redemptions and coupons for groceries - it sure pays to save those up for the end of the year!

My cupboards and freezer are full but there are still a few items left on the shopping list.  The December budget to make the 2015 target is $492.39 and I am pretty sure I can do it and still stock up on a few bargains.  On of our local stores has started to do $1.49 day once per month.  I managed to go last month and there were hundreds of deals at that price including things like oil and salsa that never go that low.  Tomorrow is another and I intend to get there early so that the shelves won't have been cleared.  Fingers crossed they have as good of bargains as last month as they only show a couple in the flyer and the rest you just have to wander the shelves to find.

This week is one of the busiest between company work and preparing to fly out Saturday for our pre-Christmas visit with the family.  On Saturday night we are meeting our kids for dinner out and Sunday we are all traveling to see my Mother-in-law to celebrate her 81st birthday and give her her Christmas gifts.  She is not doing well mentally as her Alzheimer's seems to be accelerating.  We have warned the kids she may not recognize them or if she does recognize them she may not know their names.  Hubby is having trouble dealing with this, as his Dad died of cancer a few years ago but he was fully capable mentally right up until the end.  Physically she seems to be doing okay though.  I am flying back on Monday, a very short visit and hubby will stay on for a few more days to meet with clients.  We are staying with my second oldest stepson as he got his own place this summer.  It is sure nice not to have to pay for a hotel room this visit and we used points for our flights.  The company will absorb the car rental as hubby needs a car for all the business he will do.

Mom is coming for the weekend to Buddy-sit and then as soon as I get back she and I will start the process of trying to find her a cat to adopt.  She does not want a kitten but is hoping for a mid-age cat.  I called the SPCA and they have a couple of black cats, it seems no one wants those ones.  She has no problem with a black cat but we will have to see what they have when we go in.  I am covering the adoption/microchipping fee which is quite expensive as both her Christmas and Birthday gift as her Birthday is in early January.  She seems excited to have a kitty again and there is a new kitty litter pan and litter all ready to go.

I baked 4 dozen cookies yesterday before our breakfast (more like brunch by the time I was done) for the kids and they will be given some money to go along with it as their Christmas gifts.  We have had torrential rains and 70 km winds for the last several days here but that did not stop us from doing the last of our Christmas shopping this weekend.  I even wrapped some of it!  On Thursday I went to Mom's and cleaned her carpets and scrubbed her floors.  Then yesterday I went to help her put up her Christmas tree and decorate.  Let's just say there was some Amaretto involved after a very busy several days.

That's all I have time for today - it is likely I won't post until the 15th or so.  If you don't hear from me don't worry, I am zooming around getting things done and eating and drinking and visiting.  As soon as I get back the tile man is showing up and hopefully our 43 feet of backsplash will be done by Christmas!  I promise some finished kitchen pictures if/when that happens.