Here is the link to the recap of my 2016 grocery spending.
First, a few facts:
- My monthly grocery budget is for a one person household, but stretches to cover the occasional visits from my daughter.
- It covers food and beverages, only.
- It does not include any household products such as paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc. (budgeted at $10/month).
- It does not include any health and hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. (budgeted at $10/month).
- It does not include eating out/take out (budgeted at $25/month).
- Nor does it include pet food, although, very often, pet food is also purchased at the same time as my groceries.
For the most part, my grocery budget is set at $75 per month. I carry over any surplus and make up any over-runs in the following month or, sometimes, two.
The exceptions are in October, when I host the monthly prayer gathering and in December, when I hold the annual almsgiving. These two special events are budgeted for separately and those budgeted amounts are added to the monthly grocery budget during those two months.
In 2017, however, I tried to keep the monthly prayer gathering budget separate from the October grocery budget, to the extent I was able, for the simple reason I had gone over budget in August, when I spent over $72 at the Sri Lankan store and I was trying to make up for it in September and October. In September, I did a pantry challenge and managed to keep my spending down to just over $26 and made up almost $49 of the $71 I had overspent in August. In October, I deducted the balance $22 remaining of the amount I overspent from that month's grocery budget upfront and October's grocery budget for household groceries was set at $53 (I kept account of the prayer gathering budget, separately and came well under budget for that).
2017 Grocery Budget and Spending Chart:
Month
|
Budgeted $
|
Spent $
|
Balance (+) (-)
|
Carried Over
|
January
|
$75
|
$54.47
|
$20.53
|
$20.53
|
February
|
$75
|
$95.22
|
$0.31
|
$0
|
March
|
$75
|
$66.93
|
$8.07
|
$8.07
|
April
|
$75
|
$82.05
|
$1.02
|
$1.02
|
May
|
$75
|
$96.22
|
-$20.20*
|
$0
|
June
|
$75
|
$46.18
|
$28.82
|
$28.82
|
July
|
$75
|
$96.79
|
$7.03
|
$7.03
|
August
|
$75 + $7 (carried over from July) = $82.00
|
$152.97! (Sri Lankan Store Total = $72.47!)
|
-$70.97**
|
-$70.97 = -$71
|
September
|
$75 + (-$71)
|
$26.09
|
$48.91 = $49
|
(-$71) + $49 = -$22
|
October
|
$75 + (-$22) = $53
|
$47.34
|
$5.66
|
$5.66
|
November
|
$75 + $5.66 (carried over from Oct.) = $80.66
|
$81.75
|
- $1.09
|
- $1.09
|
December
|
$75 + $225 almsgiving budget = $300
|
$163.05 + (-1.09) = $164.14
|
$135.86
|
$135.86
|
Totals
|
$1,125***
|
$1,010.15
|
$114.85****
|
$0
|
* In May, I went over budget by $20.20 because I bought several packages of coffee for daughter, as it was on a good sale. After much debate, I decided to write it off, as I was able to switch the cost of the coffee to another category. As a result, I started off June without any debit being carried over.
** In August, I went to the Sri Lankan store, where I proceeded to spend over $72 on specialty items, mostly a stock pile of tea! I made it up over September and October. In September, I was able to keep my grocery spending to a little over $26 and saved almost $49 to make up a good portion of the $71 I had overspent in August, leaving $22 in the deficit at the end of September. In October, I deducted the outstanding amount from my October budget at the beginning of the month; therefore, my regular October grocery budget was $53.
***$75x12 = $900 + $225 = $1,125; total does not include amounts carried over from the previous months.
****This balance is mostly what was leftover from the almsgiving budget and will not be carried over to 2018 as it was diverted to cover holiday gifts!
Here is the recap from each month's grocery spending posts:
January grocery budget = $75
Spent = $5.12 + $4.39 + $5.25 + $6.28 + $14.47 +$18.96 = $54.47
Balance = $20.53
February grocery budget = $75 + $20.53 carried over from January = $95.53
Spent = $10.11 + $24.69 + $51.28 + $9.14 = $95.22
Balance = $.31
March grocery budget = $75
Spent = $5.50 + $21.90 + $15.84 + $15.81 + $7.88 = $66.93
Balance = $8.07
April grocery budget = $75 + $8.07 (carried over from March) = $83.07
Spent = $22.24 + $21.87 + $4.55+ $23.48 + $7.40 + $2.51 = $82.05
Balance = $83.07 - $82.05 = $1.02
May grocery budget = $75 + $1.02 (carried over from April) = $76.02
Spent = $14.07 + $46.11 + $14.98 + $10.64 + $10.42 = $96.22
Balance = $76.02 - $96.22 = -$20.20
I went over budget because I spent $23.95 for 5 bags of coffee for daughter; after some discussion, I decided to pay for it from my gifts budget, since it was a gift for her and not really a part of my groceries.
June grocery budget = $75
Spent = $7.93 + $14.17 + $9.67 + $5.18 + $9.23 = $46.18
Balance = $75 - $46.18 = $28.82
July grocery budget = $75 + $28.82 (carried over from June) = $103.82
Spent = $34.21 + $2.59 + $35.43 + $14.30 + $4.61 + $5.65 = $96.79
Balance = $103.82 - $96.79 = $7.03
August grocery budget = $75 + $7 (carried over from July) = $82
Spent = $54.15 + $13.65 + $12.70 + $72.47 (at the Sri Lankan store) = $152.97
Balance/Amount overspent = $82.00 - $152.97 = -$70.97!
September grocery budget = $75 + (-$71): I didn't try to make up the entire deficit of $71 from the September budget; I thought I'd keep the spending to $40 or under and apply the balance to the deficit.
Spent = $8.49 + $11.66 + $5.94 = $26.09
Balance = $75- $26.09 = $48.91 = $49 (I rounded it up!)
Amount overspent = $48 + (-$71) = -$22
October grocery budget = $75 + (-$22) = $53
Spent = $4.13 + $1.98 + $.61 + $5.94 + $12.04 + $3.85 + $6.56 + $3.49 + $8.74 = $47.34
Balance = $53 - $47.34 = $5.66
November grocery budget = $75 + $5.66 (carried over from October) = $80.66
Spent = $18.75 + $4.25 + $6.92 + $41.30 + $10.53 = $81.75
Balance = $80.66 - $81.75 = - $1.09
(Daughter had been home for 15 days - 4 days over the Veteran's Day weekend and 11 days over Thanksgiving - and I hadn't adjusted the budget to accommodate another person for half the month, so going over by $1 isn't too bad!)
December Grocery/Almsgiving Budget = $300
Spent = $28.82 + $52.19
Balance remaining = $300 - $163.05 + (-$1.09) = $135.86
Over all, I think I did well with my 2017 grocery budgeting. For the most part, I kept to my budget, each month and when I did go over, I either covered it with another budget category or I made it up in subsequent months.
My monthly grocery budget in 2018 will remain $75/month. I think this is a reasonable amount for me and one that I can maintain, as long as I keep a tight rein on those shopping sprees at the Sri Lankan store! LOL!
How did you do with your grocery budget in 2017? Will you keep to the same budget in 2018 as well? Or will you make some changes?
Wow that's a very detailed budget. I'm just trying to stick to a certain amount each week. I really need to do better with the mail planning as I think that really helps.
ReplyDeleteSharon, sometimes, it is easier to work with a monthly budget than a weekly one. I've done it both ways.
DeleteWhen I was budgeting for 3 of us (mother, daughter, myself), I knew that if I kept below a certain amount, each week, then, I'd come under budget, each month.
But, a weekly budget made it more difficult to stock up when there was a good sale on certain items and still keep to the weekly budget.
I prefer the monthly budget because of that - it lets me spend more certain weeks, and then, I adjust my spending the following weeks to stay within budget.
For example, in the 1st week of January 2018, I spent $40 because I stocked up on a few things. But, this week, I only spent $5.58, and I have almost $30 left in the budget for the rest of the month.
That is a detailed budget! You amaze me at how low you can keep your yearly grocery budget at.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I've seen others that are even more detailed than mine! I don't keep track by category, for example - dairy, fresh produce, etc. Just how much I spend each time I grocery shop and the totals.
DeleteAs for keeping it low - I shop the ethnic stores and buy only what is on sale, for the most part. And then, I go to the Sri Lankan store and blow the budget completely out of the water! :D But I don't do it too often!
I keep a loose budget which is more quarterly than monthly. I stock up when things are cheapest and might spend a lot one month, but the next month I might have to just fill in with fresh produce and milk. So I understand the fluid budget.
ReplyDeleteActually, quarterly would work well for me, too, because I am always carrying over or making up from month to month! Especially on those months when I stock up on rice, sugar, etc., although, now that I've switched from buying 20 lb. bags of rice to just 10 lb., it is a little better!
DeleteIt seems like you'd figured out the right amount to spend for food--one that you can afford and one that still lets you have mostly what you want.
ReplyDeleteIt works out well enough for me, Live and Learn. I can increase the budget if I need to, but I won't, because I feel I can live well on this budget. I don't feel deprived in any way and I can splurge within reason (I have to be careful, though, because of dietary restrictions).
DeleteYou keep wonderful detailed accounts and I like the idea that you are not rigid and when you see a good sale stock up.
ReplyDeleteI believe stocking up on good offers of items you normally use is the way to a successful spending. I apply this to groceries, paper, cleaning, personal goods. I do not have a set budget partly because my husband must only eat certain foods and they do cost more. I do try to purchase fruits and fresh produce that is in season.
Your sharing your spending details is very encouraging.
Sandy, I am able to be flexible with my spending, partly because, these days, I keep accounts for my own amusement rather than necessity!
DeleteStocking up when things are on sale is the way to go. For the most part, I only buy what is on sale that week. A few things never seem to go on sale, so those things I buy as the need arises. I'm afraid that butter is going to be one of those items! I can never find it on a good sale, these days, and I am considering $2.50/lb. as a good sale! But store brand is $3.99 right now and brand name is over $4.
I think your method works well for you. Obviously you are a pro at staying on budget and avoid overspending, and if you do, you are willing to make the necessary corrections to get back on track right away.
ReplyDeleteI'm following your lead this month since I overspent the first 2 weeks and I only have about $100 left for the month with 2 shopping weeks left. I will NOT put anything in my cart tomorrow that I haven't already planned to buy and should come in at right about $50. I was surprised it even was that much, but I do use a lot of produce these days.
And you use that produce to good effect, too! Good luck with keeping the spending to $50 the next couple of weeks. I'm sure you'll be able to do it. :)
DeleteThanks Bless, I really enjoy your recap. Do you monitor gifts of food brought by relatives or taken to relatives for their events/illnesses? Have you found any of your categories had to be adjusted? I had to increase 'dog's allowance,' his supplies seem to increase twice a year. I've gotten to the point of having ugly/discolored, micro fiber cloths to cut up to fit Swiffers, and other tasks. It's cut back on paper towels.
ReplyDeleteWhen the CC began their 5% cash rebate programs, we decided to join the fray, charging groceries. The unanticipated benefit was their billing identifies not only the specific store but broad categories like 'FOOD,' even when purchased at a drug store or Liquidator. I don't buy highest profit, non edible, household goods, detergent, paper products, personal hygiene products at groceries. When the bill comes I note any unusual expenditure.
The competition iis so intense, they've now increased 'cash back' to 6% on certain categories like FOOD and Gas [both disposibles].
Hon, no, I don't include gifts of food received from friends and relatives; food taken to their functions vary - if I take something homemade, like the cornbread I took to my cousin's for Thanksgiving, then, it is usually included in groceries, because, more often than not, it will be made from things I have on hand. If it is something I buy ready prepared from the grocery store - like the pie I took to my friend's house for Thanksgiving, then, that usually comes from the gifts or miscellaneous budget.
ReplyDeleteI have adjusted many of my categories, as needs changed. When I was taking my daughter to campus and back, driving 60 miles a day and gas (petrol) was over $4/gallon, I found I had to put $50 worth of gas twice a week, so I increased my budget to $400/month for gas. When I no longer had to drive her and gas prices went down, I gradually lowered the gas budget. Currently, I keep it at $50/week, so $200/month. I am usually putting about $30 worth of gas a week, but I don't want to reduce the budgeted amount any further - this way, if there is an increase in price (as often is the case), then, the budget can handle it.
I also reduced my grocery budget from $150/month when daughter was home to $75 for only me.
I haven't increased my pet supplies budget, but I did increase my gardening budget, this year, and I might need to increase my property tax budget, too. For now, however, I tend to have a lot of padding in my categories, so small increases are easily absorbed.
I haven't got into the CC game. I have had credit fraud on one of my cards, not once, but twice (and then, I just cancelled it!) I might be losing money by doing so, but I actually prefer to use cash or checks.
I comparison shop and buy whatever I need at whichever store they are cheapest that week, using coupons where I can. Very often, the brand of shampoo I use is cheaper at the grocery store than anywhere else, when it goes on sale. Same with the air fresheners I buy. The trick is to know the regular prices and take advantage of sales. :)
Fantastic job on your yearly budget.. I too, visit several stores and buy what is on sale.. I do a monthLy budget, so I can stock up on sale items.. Some weeks , I go over, but normally, the next week, i spend less. i need to work on my other expenses [such as house hold items/tolitry items.. I don't budget them, and need to.] I agree knowing normal prices, helps us to know when to buy and when to leave items..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy. I have a fairly flexible account for household items - some months I don't buy anything and other months, I stock up on items. It all evens out in the end, I think.
Delete