Today, we went to town and did our weekly shopping. We spent as much on fuel for our vehicle as we did at the grocery store, about $57 at both places. The $57 we spent at the grocery store was all spent on bargains which I'll be sharing on Monday in our pantry building challenge post.
While shopping we noticed a significant price increase in the sausage we normally purchase. Last week it was $2.69/lb, this week it was $3.69/lb. That's quite an increase in a week's time! I continue to be amazed at the speed and rate that groceries and everything else are increasing in price.
Because of these price accelerations, people are being forced to make changes.
We've chosen not to try to increase our budget, but to work with what we have which has meant some changes needed to be made ...
We've reduced the amounts we put in our budget categories.
We've reduced our personal allowances in order to have more to work with in our other budgeted categories.
We're tweaking our budget and tightening our spending in all areas.
We continue to look for things to eliminate from our budget and spending.
In short, we're choosing to live on less, make substitutions, use what we already have and do without if at all possible.
This is a skill and even a mindset that we feel is important to practice and improve upon, especially if things continue to get worse economically. A somewhat slow and gradual financial change will be easier to adjust to than a large sudden one, should it come to that.
We are surviving financially thus far; we are making the above-mentioned changes to help ensure that we will continue to survive financially.
The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. Proverbs 22:3
I'd love to hear how you're dealing with the ever-increasing prices in just about everything. What budget/spending changes are you making?
Sharing 42 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building
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It is crazy how the prices are jumping overnight. We are very well stocked right now so we are only buying the best deals and perishables. This often means we shop at more stores for only the loss leaders at each store. The salvage store prices are really going up so we have been working harder to get the deals at our regular grocery stores and most of the time paying less.
ReplyDeleteI have really felt like we need to protect our savings if at all possible. That means that unexpected expenses are coming from the budget. I go through and take money from any budget that I can. If we have an unexpected expense I would rather use categories like the clothing budget or books than take from savings.
Perhaps my biggest tip is to help when God shows us a need. He is always faithful to abundantly supply our needs when we obey His prompting to help others.
Lana, we're doing the same sort of things that you mentioned, I especially love your biggest tip, help when God shows us a need. This world would be such a better place if we would all do that and what better way to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
DeleteI remember Brandy (the prudent homemaker) suggesting 1-2 years ago to stock up on sales as money allowed due to the expected increase in prices. She said, if prices go up ten percent in the next year, and you buy now, you will save ten percent. And she said…where else can you earn ten percent. So I tried very hard and increased my pantry over the past two years. I think her advice is still true today. If you can buy something on sale now, and prices keep going up, you will be ahead! But as always, buy what you eat, otherwise it is a waste. Hilogene in Az
ReplyDeleteHilogene, that's 'prudent' advice, isn't it? You're right, if we buy something just because it's on sale, and don't use it, then we've wasted what could have been used on something we would use.
DeleteWe shop the sales and keep stocked. The only thing I pay full price for is the rib roast at Christmas. If I order it through the local butcher shop I get a discount for paying ahead. I have enough if I am careful to feed us 2 yrs and help each one of the six kids for 2 months each. I follow The Prudent Homemaker also (Brandy)
ReplyDeleteChef Owings, I try hard not to pay full price for anything either!
DeleteI like your clothes basket holder. I had a small table that stayed under the clothes line just for holding the basket of wet clothes as I could not keep bending to get wet clothes out to hang.
ReplyDeletePractical Parsimony, it came from a cedar tree we had cut down several years ago! I love it because I don't have to bend up and down when hanging wet laundry!
DeleteI've really noticed increases in several categories and, like you, I'm adjusting my spending categories and tracking expenses more closely. I have a 22# schnauzer who keeps me company, and his dog food has gone up by about 75% in the past year and the "toppers" for his food have doubled. To help make dollars stretch, I've gone back to looking at the ads for all stores before I shop, look for loss leaders and good sales, and shop multiple stores. My menu is based on what I have on hand, what substitutions I can make for ingredients, and I only purchase what is absolutely necessary. Leftovers become lunch the next day or are repurposed, thereby eliminating most food waste. I've also switched to off-label brands, if there's little difference in quality and taste. And if an items is on sale, I'll get multiples to shore up my pantry. I'm also trying to limit trips to the store, combining multiple stops in a single trip, i.e. gas on my way to class, groceries and pet store on my way home, a stop at the pharmacy along the way ... And, I'm taking a closer look at activities with my groups, including previewing menus for events that are held at a restaurant. Just need to make sure that it's all in the monthly budget.
ReplyDeleteLori, we do a lot of the same things as you, consistency pays off doesn't it! Sometimes I feel like a sleuth searching out and hunting down the best deals on the things we need!
DeleteWe've read about the increasing inflation numbers and have seen prices rise on just about everything in the stores. We reviewed our budget knowing that we would have to reduce in some areas in order to adjust for the increase that might hit our grocery budget. So far, we've managed to use our pantry and freezer for most meals. Only buying fresh produce when needed. However, in March - we have to do a "stock" up run on things like toilet paper, paper towels, foil, parchment paper, vitamins... not really looking foward to that but know that its necessary.
ReplyDeleteBecky, like you, our budget has to be adjusted every month to accommodate rising costs. Gone are the days when a person could have a set budget!
DeleteI hope you are pleasantly surprised when you do a restock next month!
I reviewed the budget again last night and trimmed some categories to increase our savings. But today we got our home and vehicle insurance policy renewals in the mail and they have gone up a total of $100/month. Ouch. So now I have to refigure or just accept less savings per month. Colton has been working two jobs (not out of necessity, thankfully- a good opportunity came along that we couldn't pass up) but one is only temporary, so I budget from his main income only. The second goes into savings or towards homesteading projects and supplies. That way, when the job is over, we are ahead and don't have a big shock with the income drop. We've always lived on one income so I am no stranger to frugality.
ReplyDeletePeriodically I look through my budget categories and make a list of ways to save in each. It helps keep me motivated.
Kelsey, we are experiencing the same thing with some of our insurance policies. Groceries are not the only thing increasing in price!
DeleteYou are wise to continue to live off of one income, so very wise!
I really like your idea of 'periodically looking through your budget categories and making a list of ways to save in each.' I'm going to borrow it!
We were very fortunate that just as prices increased this year so did our retirement income increase. I've raised my grocery budget when I realized that I was expecting the same amount that fed two to stretch to feed four, one of those with a milk protein allergen so that means some pricier substitutes for dairy items. I adjusted for the extra people in the household. But in order to keep to this new budget I continue to work harder and smarter in the kitchen, avoid as much waste as I possibly can and like everyone else, I shop mostly clearance and sales. I've started shopping around online even for the lowest prices on items that we typically order monthly and I'm watching for bargains on Amazon as well as comparing prices. Kimberly of She's in Her Apron suggested keeping a price book (not new advice) but reminded everyone not to list the SALE prices but the lowest REGULAR price (that was new advice and much appreciated by myself). She said she does this so that if she finds herself without an item or very low and knows the next sale cycle is a good way off, she can pick up one or two at the lowest regular price to carry her over. I am not brand loyal in many things. If I can find a lower priced substitute, I'll use it try it. If it proves to be a quality that is far below what we're used to having, I'll ease my way back up to the next level until I find the quality we want in our food and can still save money.
ReplyDeleteTerri, that's a good tip about keeping a price book and it makes sense! I like the way you 'test' the taste and quality of foods too.
DeleteWe're feeding two teen boys, so lots of healthy/protein filled snacks are always on the menu, as well as meals that can be customized for different taste. I've been really paying attention to offers ($5 off a $5 purchase, etc) & maximizing those. We're also using rewards & the like to pay for treats. It's nice to be able to afford small luxuries for the kids. I found clearanced "fancy" ice cream bars this week, that had an iBotta offer & a Fetch offer, bringing them to about $.30 per box of six. That's a steal, so I bought a few & may get more.
ReplyDeleteOn my to do list for tomorrow is using Costco's insurance service for car & auto, to see what we can save. Again, with two teen boy drivers, our insurance is a significant bill.
Hawaii Planner, those offers help, don't they! Sounds like you're doing a great job of sleuthing them out!
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