While I do have a monthly grocery budget, my goal is to use that as an average, so I feel comfortable stocking up on a great price even if it puts me slightly over for the month. I keep a monthly running total, so I know I'm staying on track, some months over, some months under. My dilemma is that if I go over this month, there isn't another month to make up for it :) I've resigned myself that I will be going over for the year (although not by much, maybe $50) and I'm ok with that, I know I would kick myself if I didn't grab some of the deals this week and had to pay extra in January!!
That is always the balancing act of a frugal shopper...because I never want to pass up the great deals either! ☺️ But yes! I think averaging things out is important. At the end of each year, I do a grocery audit where I average things out to see if I am going to keep my same budget - or if I need to adjust.
You are did fabulously!!! Had recently watched a grocery haul for ONE person, for ONE week which totaled over $180. They said they went a bit over and usually only spend $150/weekly, for ONE person. You are feeding 6 people for that budgeted amount! (And they do not stockpile.) No judgement of that shopper, especially as my own groceries can get pricey if I'm not paying attention. 😅 Just mentioning it here because even though prices are high (PNW/West Coast), we can still manage on far less than that if willing to shop sales and meal plan. Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying this beautiful season.
Thank you so much for that encouragement! Yes, I completely agree. Menu planning and watching the sales are such an easy way to help keep our budgets lower. It can still be a challenge but it is totally worth it to save our family money!
You are always such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing all that you so kindly do! God Bless to you and your family from our family from Australia xxx
Thank you, Belinda! It is truly a joy to share with you! Buckeyes are a type of homemade candy. It's a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate, made to look like the nuts from a buckeye tree. It is one of those Christmas tradition desserts for my family. The recipe is here...and I will share more in a video next week! joyfullythriving.com/the-classic-buckeye/
@@joyfullythriving , Thanks so very much! We will have to try them. As my Husband's family is Czech we make alot of Czech Christmas Cookies at Christmas Time as well as enjoying some Aussie Desserts and South African treats (my Dad was South African and sadly passed away in February this year). This has been a year of firsts without Dad and this Christmas will be quite different! xxxx
@belindafirley Awww. Yes, indeed. Christmas will be different indeed for your family but what a great way to remember your Dad by making some South African treats! ❤️
Great job Kristen!!! I got those Amazon hot chocolate deals for Christmas gifts. Older grandchildren work and I thought they could take with them. Got two more for gifts with larger families and one box for home.
I went over budget in November. We just had 2 extra people for the 4 days of Thanksgiving weekend & I bought chips, coffee, creamer & more fresh vegetables. We don’t drink coffee but guests do. We don’t usually buy chips. 1 guest was vegetarian so bought extra fresh vegetables than normal. Our 2 grocery stores did not have big discounts. I did get some free items with Ibotta. I have a freezer filled with meats such as roasts, ground beef& chicken but was not able to cook them while our guests were here. It is okay though, having guests visit is worth the extra expense.
My brother is in the St. Louis area which is where we all gathered. Unfortunately, my parents are much further South in Texas! Missouri seems to be the middle ground meeting place for our spread out family! 😁
What do you plan to stock up on in December? It would be nice to know at the beginning of the month what is the best deals for the upcoming month to stock up on!!
I just filmed a general holiday video about that very thing! But I was considering adding a "What to Buy in January etc" video in the new year. Would that be helpful? For now, here is what I am watching for! th-cam.com/video/lg2lLkXAjk4/w-d-xo.html
@@joyfullythriving yes!! It would be so helpful at the beginning of each month to know what is generally good to stock up on and look for sales on that month!!
While I do have a monthly grocery budget, my goal is to use that as an average, so I feel comfortable stocking up on a great price even if it puts me slightly over for the month. I keep a monthly running total, so I know I'm staying on track, some months over, some months under. My dilemma is that if I go over this month, there isn't another month to make up for it :) I've resigned myself that I will be going over for the year (although not by much, maybe $50) and I'm ok with that, I know I would kick myself if I didn't grab some of the deals this week and had to pay extra in January!!
That is always the balancing act of a frugal shopper...because I never want to pass up the great deals either! ☺️ But yes! I think averaging things out is important. At the end of each year, I do a grocery audit where I average things out to see if I am going to keep my same budget - or if I need to adjust.
It going to be hard stayon budget with holidays. You're doing awesome with that. Thanks
It is definitely going to be a challenge. I am already considering upping my budget. We'll see where I am in a couple weeks!
Nice monthly haul you did a Awesome job God Bless You 😊
Thank you! 🤗
You are did fabulously!!! Had recently watched a grocery haul for ONE person, for ONE week which totaled over $180. They said they went a bit over and usually only spend $150/weekly, for ONE person. You are feeding 6 people for that budgeted amount! (And they do not stockpile.) No judgement of that shopper, especially as my own groceries can get pricey if I'm not paying attention. 😅 Just mentioning it here because even though prices are high (PNW/West Coast), we can still manage on far less than that if willing to shop sales and meal plan. Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying this beautiful season.
Thank you so much for that encouragement! Yes, I completely agree. Menu planning and watching the sales are such an easy way to help keep our budgets lower. It can still be a challenge but it is totally worth it to save our family money!
You are always such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing all that you so kindly do! God Bless to you and your family from our family from Australia xxx
What are Buck-eyes? A type of dessert biscuit (we call “cookies” biscuits in Australia. We also call “biscuits” scones in Australia!). xxx
Thank you, Belinda! It is truly a joy to share with you! Buckeyes are a type of homemade candy. It's a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate, made to look like the nuts from a buckeye tree. It is one of those Christmas tradition desserts for my family. The recipe is here...and I will share more in a video next week! joyfullythriving.com/the-classic-buckeye/
@@joyfullythriving ,
Thanks so very much! We will have to try them. As my Husband's family is Czech we make alot of Czech Christmas Cookies at Christmas Time as well as enjoying some Aussie Desserts and South African treats (my Dad was South African and sadly passed away in February this year). This has been a year of firsts without Dad and this Christmas will be quite different! xxxx
@belindafirley Awww. Yes, indeed. Christmas will be different indeed for your family but what a great way to remember your Dad by making some South African treats! ❤️
@@joyfullythriving ,
Yep! I agree! 💜🙏🏻xxx
Great job Kristen!!!
I got those Amazon hot chocolate deals for Christmas gifts. Older grandchildren work and I thought they could take with them.
Got two more for gifts with larger families and one box for home.
Great idea! That really was a great Amazon deal on the hot chocolate so I am glad you got it too. What a great gift idea! 🎁
Hey 👋 friend great vlog you seem like a sweet friend to have have a blessed week ❤
Thank you! 😊 May your week be full of joy as well!
I went over budget in November. We just had 2 extra people for the 4 days of Thanksgiving weekend & I bought chips, coffee, creamer & more fresh vegetables. We don’t drink coffee but guests do. We don’t usually buy chips. 1 guest was vegetarian so bought extra fresh vegetables than normal. Our 2 grocery stores did not have big discounts. I did get some free items with Ibotta. I have a freezer filled with meats such as roasts, ground beef& chicken but was not able to cook them while our guests were here. It is okay though, having guests visit is worth the extra expense.
😒
I agree! Having guests is worth the extra expense! ❤
i live in texas we have heb and walmart
I grew up in Texas with H-E-B! 🥰
and we do have alida
Always nice to have Aldi as an option!
Where in Missouri are your parents located? I am in the Kansas City area. Great deals! Take care.
My brother is in the St. Louis area which is where we all gathered. Unfortunately, my parents are much further South in Texas! Missouri seems to be the middle ground meeting place for our spread out family! 😁
❤❤
❤️
What do you plan to stock up on in December? It would be nice to know at the beginning of the month what is the best deals for the upcoming month to stock up on!!
I just filmed a general holiday video about that very thing! But I was considering adding a "What to Buy in January etc" video in the new year. Would that be helpful? For now, here is what I am watching for! th-cam.com/video/lg2lLkXAjk4/w-d-xo.html
@@joyfullythriving yes!! It would be so helpful at the beginning of each month to know what is generally good to stock up on and look for sales on that month!!
@@amandag156 I will work it into my video plans for the new year!