I managed to shave $15 off our food budget last week...

[carfreemama]

Only to break the belt on the vacuum cleaner, which will cost dh $10 in parts to repair. I know this is a minor thing, but I am so frustrated! I was so proud of myself. I probably would have broken the belt even if I hadn't saved the money from groceries, but it feels like it just cancels out my efforts. And it could totally have been avoided if I had just been a little more careful about moving the skate laces out of the way. It would have taken an extra 10 seconds.

[Teenytoona]

I know that's frustrating! It's hard to have a jump ahead only to stumble back. But on the upside, you still have $5 that you saved, right?

[carfreemama]

I didn't break it! Dh showed me the reset button and it's okay. That means I really did save $15 last week. And this week, we don't need anything for tomorrow and our budget rolls over on Thursday. And I saved $18 this week. That means $33 in two weeks! Dh is grumbling for roast chicken, though. I'll only buy organic, so the challenge is to weave that into the budget and still save minimum $15/wk, which is my goal.

[lakeruby]

Originally Posted by carfreemama

I didn't break it! Dh showed me the reset button and it's okay. That means I really did save $15 last week. And this week, we don't need anything for tomorrow and our budget rolls over on Thursday. And I saved $18 this week. That means $33 in two weeks! Dh is grumbling for roast chicken, though. I'll only buy organic, so the challenge is to weave that into the budget and still save minimum $15/wk, which is my goal.

Great job! You're my inspiration! Three cheers for helpful DHs who show you how to "fix" things!

[annethcz]

Woo hoo! Hooray for you!

I know it doesn't help you right now, but it's often cheaper to buy meat directly from the farmer in the summer or fall. If you start setting aside that $15/week now, you might have enough to buy in bulk during butchering season and really save some money!

We raise our own chickens, but I was able to buy certified organic beef for about $2.50/lb this fall. That includes roasts, steaks, ribs, hamburger, liver, everything!

[bcblondie]

Oh man! I know exactly how you feel! I've been scrimping like crazy, just started family cloth, I make my own laundry detergent, etc, only to get a 300 dollar SPEEDING TICKET!! ahh!! I was SO mad at myself. It really does feel like you scrimped for nothing.
BUT it turns out I actually didn't get a ticket. I thought I saw a photoradar van flash me but I called and they said nope, so it must have been a reflection from the sun.

But yea! I try not to think of it that way, like, cancelling out your efforts. I try to think of it as... "ok.. It's a good thing I did all that scrimping because now it's not a big deal that I broke this or that" KWIM? ...it makes sense in my head. lol.

[carfreemama]

Hooray, bcblondie! Looks like you dodged a nastier one than me! Let's hope our good luck continues.

Annethcz, thanks for the advice about the farmers. We do usually buy direct; but there's a disproportionate fondness for chickens at our house! We've got lots of pork and fish left, both bought direct; but no chicken.

We have a CSA and part of my budget revamp is making sure NOTHING is wasted. Nova Scotia "local produce" in the winter really is turnip, cabbage, carrots, potatoes...The farmer's sprouts failed this week, so there goes our variety.

Turnip soup, chased down by venison and...turnip...stew may just push dh over the edge, but that's what's on the menu! Rounded out with cabbage salad and carrot muffins, of course.

Dh sees the "extra" food money as license to buy frozen chicken fingers and cheapy gingersnap cookies. No way, buddy! Not when I've just spent fifty thousand hours planning and cooking meals to end up with that surplus. Hello! We're supposed to be working on our emergency fund!