Grocery Budget

Okay, so I've had a lot of people asking me recently how we actually do this whole budget thing and how we were able to turn our financial situation around so fast.
I know some might be seriously? she's talking about her finances on here?? and if that's crazy weird and crossing a line for you, no problem (and you may be right). :)
But for those that have asked and might find some useful tips, this one's for you.
And my HUGE disclaimer: I constantly revamp the way we do this stuff and seem to continue finding ways to cut corners and save. We have never been taught a method, just apply common sense as best we know it. SO - please share the things that work for you, as well, and maybe we can pool all our ideas and walk away with better plans for everyone involved! I LOVE input in this area of how I can make it work even better, so please share!
That's a huge reason for writing this post, because I know there are others like me who eat this stuff up. :)

We are on a budget. No doubt. It recycles every 2 weeks (coinciding with paychecks). Of all the budgeted areas, the grocery part is the absolute hardest one for me to contain. I bust it almost every month. When I realized this, I finally upped it $100, but guess what? I now surpass that (which is currently, now a whopping $700/mo).
Epic fail.

But last month, after my first Aldi's trip and some tips I ran across, I started scheming and had the idea that I could REDUCE it by about $250-$300 dollars. WHAT?!  6 months ago I was needing to "up" it...and now I think I can reduce it. Yes, I got motivated.
BTW, saving money is the only area in my life I am competitive. True story.

And our "grocery" budget is everything...anything you buy at Walmart/Target/Sam's is included in this. Which for me, also includes diapers, formula, dog food, cleaning/laundry stuff.

Here's another true story - I think I am actually going to be able to do it this month. Here's some tips of how this is working for me:

1. I take out $200 in cash on the 1st and the 15th.
2. I meal plan for 2 weeks straight and buy everything at once for the 2 weeks. I usually have to go back for more milk and some produce that is only good for a week at a time. And we eat leftovers. :)
3. I make a massive list before I go, getting all ingredients from recipes and such that I will need.
4. I go to Aldi's first. I am able to get about 90% of what I need from there.

****A little about Aldis (and I'm a newbie, so tips here are more than welcomed):
                            - EVERYTHING is cheaper than GV. (I've tested it all with calculator and receipts)
                                     *The only exception for me has been honey. Walmart has one that is cheaper.
                            - Even diapers and wipes are a better deal (though pkg is smaller)
                            - Frozen chicken is cheaper and just as good
                            - Just bought 3lb frozen hamburger meat for first time. I will tell you if it's good
                            - Produce is bad, but CHEAP. Take pics of prices, and walmart will pricematch.
                            - Bread is like cardboard. Buy that one elsewhere. :)

5. Next, I hit up Walmart for the remainder of things Aldi's didn't have:
                             - Dogfood, formula, roast (for this week), produce, shampoo
6. We run our pantry DRY. Literally. We only buy what we need and eat it gone before the next grocery run.


NOW, I did my 2 week run yesterday (I did it early this time), and here's the totals:
*It used to cost me a little over $300 for 2 weeks when I was just shopping at Walmart.

But yesterday,
Aldi's bill: $110 (that included diapers for next 2 weeks)
Walmart: $60 (that included formula for 1.5 weeks...which is $20 a pop)

I will still need to buy one more can of formula before the end, and some milk/produce that we will run out of next week. But all meals (including dogs' meals) are accounted for until we re-start the cycle.

So what's on the menu??? (I also have all of these recipes typed up if anyone wants them):

Weekend: Tacos (I make this Saturday and then we eat on them for Sunday, too).
M/T: Bacony Chicken & Rice/Salad
W/T: Beef Enchiladas/Chips &Salsa
F: Grilled Chicken/Baked Potatoes/Veg
S/S: Poppyseed Chicken/Green Beans/Rolls
M/T: Roast/Potatoes/Carrots/Mac & Cheese
W/R: Chicken Spaghetti/Veg
F/Sun: Hamburgers
(We will have dinner with Jason's family Sat).

Something else new I am trying this week, is I bought a huge frozen pkg. of ground beef that was a lot cheaper, and am about to cook it up how I need it in the recipes for the week, and then freeze the portions to pull out on that particular day. We will see how that goes.

So there you have it. I would LOVE to hear additional tips from you guys!!!

And also, just a side note - when it comes to finances, my absolute biggest tip I tell everyone is NEVER NEGLECT TO TITHE.
I never tithed one time until my second year of marriage when we got serious about this stuff. We prayed on an amount that was sacrificial for us, and have it withdrawn first thing every month. When we changed churches, we didn't tithe all summer and yall our budget when nutso-crazy. No joke. And it didn't make sense because we should have had EXTRA money and for the first time in 2 years we were seeing RED. It was the weirdest thing. But we realized we had stopped tithing, repented (Seriously, on our bed...together) and haven't made that mistake again. The first step in getting finances right is recognizing who is Lord over your money and demonstrating obedience in this area. As a former none-thither, I am now a FIRM FIRM believer in this. God will not bestow blessings on your finances if you do not surrender them to Him. I am a witness. :)
I could share tons on this subject alone that we have learned, but I'll stop there for now.
Blessings!!!! :)