My Own Front Porch

Budgeting and meal planning; they go together, don’t they?  I’ve been buying my own groceries for more than 25 years.  You’d think by now I’d have this down to a science.  Well…there’s always something new to learn…go figure!

Last week, my husband and I agreed to change things up a little and now he does all of the finances for our family.  I have been doing it for the whole 18 years of our marriage!  I gratefully handed over a stack of bills and the checkbook.  Me (in a smug voice, talking to myself in my head):  “There!  Let’s see him do a better job!”  (sarcasm…sorry, I couldn’t help it)  Truthfully, this is a little painful.  I have to admit…I have some short-comings.  I’m not the best at planning ahead, so sometimes things get past me; but for the most part…I’m very good at juggling!

My husband is very methodical in everything that he does.  He really expected me to hand over a well-thought-out, tried and true plan that he could just…follow.  My constant responses of “I just don’t do things that way” somehow escaped him.  So…imagine my surprise when he said he wasn’t agreeing to take over everything.  I’m on my own for groceries.  Huh!

Well…I am happy to report that I’ve found out about this really awesome trick to saving money, time & energy (not to mention my sanity) that I’m sure no one out there has heard of before!  Are you ready?  Better go get a pen so you can write this down…  I just KNOW no one knows about this…  It’s called…

PLANNING AHEAD!

What?  You already knew?  Then…why didn’t you tell me?!  lol!

Okay…so maybe you already knew about it, and I’m just not a very good listener.  I’m also not very good at staving off those impulse buys.   You know…”What’s for supper tonight?” (*in the grocery store at 5:24 pm)  “Hey mom!  We need dishwasher tabs!” still sometimes trips me up because usually it’s the first words I hear when returning from Walmart, but we’re working on it.

So now…we’ve got a plan!   We’re using the envelope system for groceries.  I get a certain amount of CASH for the two-week pay period.  I can only buy groceries from THAT envelope.  No cheating, no using the debit card or writing a check.  If there’s an emergency…I have to make a deposit at the bank with money from my envelope to cover it.  If I run out of money before the end of the pay period…everybody starves!  With those kind of stakes, I guess I can get on the band wagon.  lol!

I know this method has been around forever, just not for me.  I didn’t need that!  I could handle this budgeting thing without remedial help!  I’m the world’s best…juggler…remember? (in a really small, fading voice)…

After only a week of carefully considering my purchases, I’ve discovered that I’m being forced to plan ahead!  I love it!  If I sit down and figure out what we’re having for dinner tomorrow TODAY…I can make sure I have the right ingredients on hand!  If the local market is having a sale on apples, guess what we’re having for dessert!…instead of something ready-made…or nothing at all…gasp! ( *Note:  We really only have dessert a few times a week.)  It’s cheaper if you plan ahead!  Who’da thunk?  lol!

I’ve realized my family doesn’t have to “settle for” ready made (more expensive) meals if I plan ahead.  We get lots more home-made stuff (after all, I love to brag about be a “HOMEMAKER”), and it’s even healthier because I have more time to think about what I’m making.  I don’t want to waste my precious cooking time making junk.

I can now spend more time perusing recipes and teaching my kids…we DO homeschool after all.  What a great lesson!  It’s cooking/baking (chemistry)/budgeting (Economics/math)…the list goes on.

It’s important not to go overboard…my system can’t take it.  Too much organization could put me over the edge!  (Ask anyone who knows me, lol!)  Right now, I’m taking it a few days at a time.  I’ve divided up my allowance and KNOW how much I can spend each day.  If I do run to the store, I can’t spend over a certain amount for that day.  I’m in the midst of planning a shopping trip right now that will buy groceries for the rest of the pay period.  I’m only taking my allotment for the rest of the week; leaving a few bucks in the envelope for those “emergency” items that may pop up on the weekend (before payday).

I found a really great article on the web when I googled “menu planning”.  Have a look at Menu Planning: Save Time In the Kitchen.  Your welcome!

I know you all may already have this area mastered…that is awesome for you!  This isn’t a new concept, but I’m a little slow on the uptake for some things…this is one of them.  Me?  Now?  I feel better.  A mom that doesn’t worry because dad’s taken care of things…PRICELESS!  …especially for the kids!