Hello everyone! I'm back. Probably back more here and there than every day or even every week, but never the less, I am back! I can't say the last month was pure bliss, but I can say it was good in its own way. Work was busy, the Holidays crept up faster than I was ready for (as they always do) and I got deathly ill with the flu for about a good week. Ehhh.
Anyways, 2013 was a good year for us. There were no new jobs or promotions, we didn't give birth to a child, build a new house or do any European vacations, but we still had a very solid year that we are more than thankful for. We enjoyed a family vacation to Florida with my family, I had the most amazing time in Ohio with my best friends, was part of our good friend's beautiful garden wedding, our nephew was born, we watched friends bring life into the world, get married, and announce pregnancies and engagements, we got to watch Ellis grow another year, and became even stronger as a family. For all of that we are more than grateful.
So that brings us to 2014. For some reason I think it is going to bring change. I am not sure exactly what kind of change, but I can just feel that 2014 is going to be a good year. Even though January 1st is really no different than any other day of the year and probably about 90% of us never follow through with our resolutions, there is just something comforting and exciting about the fresh start of a new year. I have been seeing this quote over and over lately and I love it. It is just so true.
A lot of people are not big on New Year's resolutions, but I always try and make at least one. Mine are never the typical 'work out more, eat better, and lose weight,' b/c I feel I do a pretty decent job at living a healthy lifestyle and do not believe in being overly obsessed in any of those areas. What I currently do is good enough for me.
Resolution #1: cut.out.all.swearing. Yes, it is kind of embarrassing, but I am a swearer. Not a horrible one, but never the less, it is not good to be any degree of a swearer when you have a 21 month old that will repeat pretty much any word you say. She hasn't repeated any bad words yet, but I cringe at the thought. So, if you hear me swear, remind me of how classless it is, ok? I will not get mad, I promise. If it wasn't for my Italian temper, I would probably be fine, but let's be real, my Italian temper probably isn't going anywhere. It is embedded in me.
Resolution #2: Cut our grocery bill from $700 to $500 a month. Quick question... Is it normal to spend $700 a month on groceries for a family with two adults and a toddler that eats breakfast and lunch at daycare four times a week???? I feel like that is really high. I am DETERMINED to get our bill down. I do not have time to coupon or sale shop, so don't ask me how I am going to do this, but I will. I will report back to you on how I do for January.
Back burner resolutions: To make all of our own 'green' cleaning supplies and our own body lotion. We will see if that ever happens. ;)
And a little recap video of 2013 (and a little bit of 2012)
HAPPY 2014! I hope this year brings good health and happiness to all!
We spent an average of $461/month last year on groceries (including formula and diapers for part of the year). Although, we don't eat near as healthy or organic as you guys, and we also eat out way too much. So, there's definitely some trade-offs.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing, Kinsey! I know that is part of it. I buy a fair amount organic and most of our groceries consist of produce and healthy baking ingredients. Why does it have to be so darn expensive to eat healthy?! ugg. We do not eat out much. We put eating out under our entertainment section on our budget.
ReplyDeleteWe joined a co-op. My husband has celiacs and we eat a lot of organic items as well. We buy things in bulk through the co-op, so you need freezer space and storage space. You can also buy bulk grains/cooking items through them. We have saved some money doing that. I don't do much couponing either- I only look at the things that come in the mail- but I buy a lot of things at target when they have buy this many and get a GC back and then I look through my coupons and usually have one for those items too. I do half of our shopping at target, so I try to check their online coupons as well. Saving on toliet paper, paper towels, razors, contact solution and others of those types of items help to balance spending a little more on groceries!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Beth! I have been meaning to look into a co-op!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you, Katie. I feel like it's impossible to spend as much as we do monthly when Makenzie is at daycare for breakfast and lunch 5 days a week! We put our gas and groceries on a credit card and then pay it off every month but we spend around $1500-$1700 a month on just those two things (for the most part) alone! Ridiculous. Granted Brian's truck is pretty expensive to fill up but still... come on!
ReplyDeleteI don't coupon anymore, I used to but it got too frustrating - I didn't mind putting in the prep work but when I got to the store everything I had a coupon for was cleared out! The best way I've found to save money on food is meal planning a week ahead of time, making the grocery list and then only going to the store once a week. The more times I go, the more money I spend on impulse!
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