Grocery Challenge--blown by a trip to Costco

Why I ever decided to walk into the $200 a trip store in a month I am trying to spend $150 on groceries is beyond me. Yes, milk is $1.84 and I bought 7 gallons--maybe enough to last until the end of the month. But why did I need the other $150 worth of stuff? And I still had to go to Harris Teeter and spend $60 on items I can't really get at Costco.
Maybe next month??

Grocery Challenge

First of all, I probably have too much time on my hands. Even with having 3 little ones at home all week and not allowing myself to use the computer from 10-12 and again from 4:30-7:30 no phone or computer, I still somehow have the time to read blogs of all these women who are spending way less than me on groceries (and I am the coupon queen or so I thought). There is a mom who spends $30 a week all year. I might be able to do that one week, maybe! I have been reading tons of blogs of women all over NC and the Southeast who are really saving money on their grocery bill. One lady has only spent $237 total since January 1. Honestly, how does she do it?
So in March, I decided I would eat down the pantry and freezer and try to spend only $150. Of course, I failed in that by spending $322 and that was half what I normally spend and what I now normally spend is half what I spent 2 years ago. I know it is just the competition factor that has me motivated, but this month I am going to try again. I am not buying anything except milk that is not FREE. (OK, I'll be honest: I will buy soda and coffee if we run out because I am addicted). I am going to try to make a gallon of milk last 2 days instead of going through a gallon a day like we usually do.
I am completely stocked up on all toiletries, paper products, diapers, wipes, meat, fish, frozen vegetables, breakfast items, lunch items, pasta, rice, spices, juice, soda, butter, condiments, etc. Truly, I should be able to get by with just buying milk and fresh fruit. I should be able to do that for $150.

Spring Break

I didn't realize how much I would look forward to spring break since I'm not teaching. It makes sense that I would pray for a snow day and dream about spring break when it really means I get a break. I like the little things like not having to get the kids dressed in the morning or think about what I'm going to put in their lunch boxes. I would say I like the part about sleeping in, but inevitably one of them will get up at 6:30 anyway. I am looking forward to having Michael and Hannah home all week. We've had a big start to our vacation. We went to Chuckie Cheese on Friday, had our friends over Friday night for martinis and appetizers, Hannah & Caden had a sleepover Friday night, had 2 Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday, went to see Princess and the Frog at the dollar ($2) theater, took the train to Time Warner Arena for the Elevation Easter service (ok--that was not really for the kids, but it was an incredible event for Mommy), and had Easter dinner with family and friends. The weather here in Charlotte has been absolutely incredible! 80's and sunshine all weekend. All winter I kept saying I would be happy to deal with pollen and all its evilness just to be warm. So here I am unable to put my contacts in, drugging up on allergy meds, and blowing my nose every 5 minutes. It is all worth it to be warm. Spring didn't just spring--it catapulted!
Off to plan some fun, cheap activities for 3 little ones the rest of the week!