Monday, December 7, 2015

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.

26 comments:

  1. Looking forward to seeing the finished home improvements and the new kitty cat! x

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    1. We shall have to wait a little longer for the finished home improvements - tile is delayed so January it is. Hopefully we will have Mom a new cat by next week - stay tuned!

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  2. I can't wait to actually be able to spend MORE on groceries sometime soon. My budget had to be so low this year :P I love seeing other people's budgets though, always inspiring.

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    1. Hi Vanessa, $550 CAD = $333 USD. I could take it even lower if we didn't include over the counter meds but it is what it is. It is difficult to eat well on a lower budget - but you seem to do an amazing job in your food posts :)

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  3. Lol...so long as you are having fun "eating, and drinking, and visiting"!

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  4. We're to have some heavy winds coming up soon. Most of my shopping done, for Christmas.

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    1. Another storm today, I have had enough of the wind and rain. Well done on getting your shopping done.

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  5. All I can say is.....you are AMAZING!!! I absolutely LOVE how you do indeed live RICH on the cheap!!!
    Here we seniors can adopt a senior pet at next to no cost!
    Wish your mom could do the same. You are such a good daughter!!
    Yes, Amaretto is a wonderful thing! I could use some myself right now and I think I am out! I will settle for wine.....any wine.....

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    1. Cats here cost $180 adoption fee for kittens, $160 for up to age 2 and $120 for cats over 2 plus if you want to have them microchipped another fee - and that is from the SPCA. Very expensive so a good gift for her for Christmas/Birthday

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  6. Good job with the grocery budget!

    You certainly have been busy!

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    1. Yes, too busy frankly but things will slow down as soon as I get back thank goodness.

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  7. You are doing great with your grocery budget! My budget for 2015 was $6000 (so, $500/month), and we're already at $7200. So, clearly not on track!! I need to figure out the plan for 2016

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    1. Our $550 CAD = $333 and I have trouble sticking to that every month. Our dollar keeps dropping and groceries keep creeping up. Thankfully we have the money to increase it if necessary but I see it as a game now.

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  8. Wow. I won't tell you what our monthly grocery budget is. Suffice it to say, we don't keep track...

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    1. But you do live a good life in a beautiful spot on the planet - and that is just what everyone wants so I think you are ahead of the game.

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  9. I love the days that have amaretto!
    I'm sorry about your MIL. I hope that it is a good visit for all. Prayers.

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    1. Yes, Amaretto days rock. I am buying another bottle for Christmas as left the last one at Moms. As for my Mother-in-law it is what it is, such a terrible disease. Very hard on hubby. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

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  10. Always a difficult time when a loved one has dementia. I remember a patient saying " I don't remember your name but I know you are someone I love" I hope your MIL is still able to recall the feelings.

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    1. Thank you for saying that - I had a discussion with hubby after you commented to remind him of that when his mother didn't sound happy/interested at all that we were coming to visit.

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  11. Great job with the budget. I remember Woodwards and their $1.49 day. Enjoy your time with family.

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    1. Yes, now that Woodwards is gone Quality foods has taken it up - great deals. Thanks Contessa!

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  12. You are soooo busy! The only thing that helps me with the grocery bill is collecting PC points with my mastercard. I'm sure it gets me at least $500 per year to spend at the Superstore. Right now there is $100 worth of points that I'll use for Kazi's stocking etc. I just love going to the cashier and paying nothing!
    Can't wait to see what cat your mom gets!

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    1. If I didn't already need all the airmiles for family flights I would definitely have that credit card. Great deal! I do a large amount of shopping at Superstore though so they do eventually add up even with out the cc. I agree, groceries/gifts for nothing rocks! Hopefully fingers crossed kitty pictures next week as soon as we find one for her to adopt.

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  13. Congratulations with the budget! With prices rising all the time it is hard to stay within a fixed budget. I am going to set a very low one for 2016 and see exactly how close I can come to it.

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    1. It is so hard to stay on budget. Cooking from scratch definitely helps though as really there is no other way to keep a low budget.

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