This morning Sherri and I had our weekly “Coin and Calendar” meeting.
Every Friday (our day off) we have a scheduled time to work our system.
Our system looks like this:
- Enter all receipts in the checkbook
- Balance the checkbook
- Enter the receipts on our Spending Plan (budget) so that we can track each line item
- Adjust the “Kill-Debt Plan” (our get out of debt payment plan)
- Make any necessary adjustments to our Spending Plan or”Kill-Debt Plan” (Sometimes we overspend in a category and have to move funds around to make up the difference)
- Pay bills
- Calendar (during this time we look ahead and make sure we are on the same page with dates, appointments, etc. AND we make sure that our Spending Plan reflects our schedule in the upcoming days.)
This is probably the toughest meeting of either of our weeks. Anybody know what I’m talking about? 😉
Today we were frustrated because we keep going over on groceries and gas.
After our morning meeting we talked to three other couples about what they do in these two areas, and guess what… each couple said that these two areas (groceries and gas) are budget busters for them too!
So what are we going to do?
Well, we can’t stop eating or going, so we’re in the process of identifying how to cut costs, shop smarter, and travel wiser.
How about you?
What do you find are your budget busters? Do you have any tips you want to share?
paulpetersonlive.com 
Angel Food Ministries, my friend! $30 for a lot of food. You get enough to fill a cooler or a laundry basket. And there are specials that you can buy too. Check it out: http://www.angelfoodministries.com
Hey man quit stocking up so much 🙂 We have cut back now since we are sooooo stocked. I also usually try to budget heavy on gas, that way I can carry some over.
Tim
Dude..it really IS the toughest meeting of the week and the only person I have to meet with is MYSELF! ha ha. Oh, and I agree with “mirrored Grace”. Angelfoodministries rocks! I used to volunteer there back in high school.
I can’t believe how much your life has changed since I met you. Paul you have become an offical ReThink Money MENTOR!!! I would trust you to teach it all around the world. I am proud of you and your bride! Keep it up. If you want ReThink Money to come to a church or business email me at graham_ibs@bellsouth.net … I want everyone to hear this!
Yes I have to third the Angel Food suggestion. It has been a blessing to my family. We have been using it as an outreach ministry for two years with great success. Here is the closest host site to your location.
Shiloh United Methodist Chuch
http://www.shiloh-umc.com
(770) 887-8075
Peace
Jeff
PAUL, go to http://www.debtfreepastors.wordpress.com
You made the list!!!
Cutting back on groceries when your family is growing might not be a real possibility. There’s no way to get around needing more food. Some things we have tried to help tame our grocery bill…
Protein tips:
Eat venison (get to know a hunter)
Buy beef/ pork straight from a farmer
Cooking with dried beans also helps cut back on the meat cost
Eat eggs for dinner every now an then
Make soups ( I have tons of recipes if Sheri wants any)
I also have a salmon patty recipe that’s cheap
Other tips:
Have a garden (or help a friend with one)
Freeze your over abundance from your garden
Eliminate foofy commercial junk from your grocery list and resist the impulse buy at the check out or gas station
Air pop popcorn
Cook from scratch as much as possible
Find a food coop
Read my blog post “Saving Money”
Also, you might not like this bit of advice, but sometimes you might just have to say “no” to going AND there might be another budget category that should be cut to make more room for more food. Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.