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So, it is May 1. Here is what I saved for the month of April:

Total spent in the month of March on groceries, dining out, household (includes diapers): $1,950
Total spent in the month of April on groceries, dining out and household: $724.61
For a grand total savings of:

$1,225.51

I know!! We were just as shocked! Now, granted we spent a week in San Diego and didn't have to buy groceries that week but we still saved way more than I thought we would.

Now according to the "challenge" I would get half of that money to spend on whatever I want. You should have seen Drew back pedal!! So, we compromised. I didn't think we would save that much and neither did he. So, I get 1/4 of what we saved to spend on whatever I want (clothes). And I get a huge surge of satisfaction and motivation to keep spending less. I will post what I did to save money in a bit. It was very quite simple and really just comes down to mentality.

It makes me sick to think of all the money I have wasted....

The Challenge

Drew has challenged me to a shopping game. Well kind of...

We currently are spending $800-$850 a month on groceries! My boys are 1 and 3 and eat oatmeal, cereal, peanut butter and the little one nurses! I don't cook anything that exotic so how in the world are we spending so much every month! This does not include eating out or household (well maybe some diapers here and there).

So, the challenge is to decrease our spending on groceries. Whatever I save this month in groceries I get to split. Half of the savings will go to debt the other half I get to spend on whatever I want.

I have taken polls from other households with 2 kids. Other moms have said they spend way too much. Generally the consensus has been between $500-$800 with everyone going over their budget.

So....how to reduce spending on groceries?

Here are a few thoughts:

Buy bulk
Eat seasonally
Eat leftovers (yuck)


My goal:

To spend $100 a week $400 a month for the month of April.
That would be $450 less than what I spent on groceries in March.

This is going to be a challenge...

2010

2010 was a good year. Here is a quick overview:

March-
Brody turned 2
Mommy turned 31
Welcomed Jake Henry
June-
Annie got married
July-
Spent 4th of July in McCall and Cascade
August-
Went to the cabin in C'dAlene
September-
Brody started Montessori
Said goodbye to Drew
November-
Went to DC and New Orleans
December-
Jake's first Christmas

It is amazing how quickly time flies. Brody is talking non-stop and is quite a little character. Jake has 6 teeth and is almost wearing Brody's clothes. Jake took 5 steps the other day and cruises down the hall holding on to the wall. It won't be long before they are both playing football and talking to each other!

Jake Henry

Jake Henry
March 25, 2010
1:15pm
8lbs. 10 oz.
Boise, ID

Brody 22 months

Here are a couple of recent pictures of Brody. These were taken a few weeks ago in Palm Springs CA. He still loves to swim. I also included a pregnant photo of his mom.

January 2010

Well, 3/4 of us are in Boise Idaho while the other 1/4 is still in CA. Our newest member of the family will be joining us on or around April 2. Drew graduates from the DLI on April 1. Brody is getting taller and trying really, really hard to talk. He is in music class and tumbling and still goes to Stroller Strides with his mom. He loves trains, cars and air planes. But his most favorite thing in the world is still his dog, Bailey.

This is our latest family photo taken about 4 months ago in Monterey.

Family Vacation-C'd Alene Idaho 2009

On a family run
Mom and Brody on a boat ride

Brody and dad going to the lake

Brody on the boat