End of the month recap

First let me start with what I have spent since I last posted.

I went to Cub on Saturday and did the Milk and Carnation deal again. On Monday I realized that my free milk coupon had expired on Sunday so I talked with CS and they gave me $4.50 cash because I had my recipe to show that I had bought milk before the coupon expired. It wasn't until later that I realized I had used a $1/1 coupon for the milk. I feel kind of bad about that because it is like doubling up on coupons, but still thankful that they let me use the free milk coupon instead of loosing it.

Cub
2 5lb Cub self-rising flour $.50 each
1 Hefty 1 gallon freezer bags $1.59
Carnation Instant Breakfast $4.49
Cub 2pk $6.18
2 100ct box of straws $.59 each
Total after coupons $5.40
Total after refund for milk coupon $.90

CVS
Mennen Deodaront $2.99,-2.99 ECB
2 Alavert $6.99, -$4 MF IP, -$4 ECB=$1 overage each
Total =Made $2

On Monday I went to CVS I use two rainchecks plus I had coupons to go with them so I had an overage. I ended up with

4 Colgate Advanced Whitening $2.99
1 Just for Men touch of gray $7.99
5 CVS Vitim C $2.99
3 V8 $2.50 each

I used an $8 ECB and put $.24 on my CVS giftcard. I got back $7.99 in ECB so it was $.24 total

At Cub I got Oregano= $2.99



Total for the weekend $3.89
Total spending for the month:$65.2 +$10 OYNO at Cub
Total left to spend:$9.80

I think overall I am really pleased that I was able to meet my goal. I was able to get things to add to my stockpile and also added in a couple of treat items too.

I found that I was spending less, but we were eating better meals. I had to think more about what to make, but it was easier in the long run because I always new what was for dinner and we always had the ingredients.

I'm going to try this again next month to see how it goes. I'm not sure if I can keep a budget this low continually. I think the only meat I bought last month was salami and a package of bacon. This is where a freezer full of meat comes in handy.

I figure about every three or four months I will need to add a little bit to the budget and stock up on meat again. For now I am going to roll over what is left from this month and add it to the May budget.

I'm going to stay at $85 this month plus the left over $9.80 from April. If I come up with an overage again in May I might try $75 for June. We'll have to see though because it depends on how much meat I buy this month.