6 Weeks to Saving More Money at the Grocery Store-Week 1: Price Book

Grocery store pricing is sooo confusing! How do you know whether the advertised sale is actually a good deal or not?  Start with a price book.

As I would look through the sale ads on my lunch break, one of my co-workers kept telling me that she would have to check her price book to see if an item was really a good deal or not.  Upon further investigation, I found out that a price book is a way to get started in saving money at the grocery store by tracking prices and sales for items that you normally buy.

I decided I was going to try it. 

I waited for a normal big grocery shopping trip.  When I got home I sat down with my receipts, store ads, and a used spiral notebook that I took out of my kid's room.

 

You can make this as detailed or simple of a process as you like.  Mine was very simple because I just wanted a quick way to see what I was paying for the items I normally purchased. I just listed the prices I paid at each store.

For even more information you can make a more detailed price book including the break down of the quantity/price of the items you are buying.

 

 

You can search price book printables on the web.  Here is one that I found: http://organizedhome.com/sites/default/files/image/pdf/food_price_book.pdf

If you really want to get into tech savvy you can also build your own spreadsheet.  If you build your spreadsheet in Google Docs, you can even view it from your iPhone with the Google Drive App.  I am sure there are also mobile apps that can track this for you as well.  I did a quick search on my iPhone and found a couple...PriceBook and ValueTracker.

It only took me a few grocery shopping trips to have listed most of the items that I routinely purchase at the grocery store.  I would get the weekly sale ads and compare them to my price book to see if that item was really a good deal or not.  And if so…..stock up!

After doing this for a while, I didn’t need the price book anymore because I learned what price I would consider a good deal on those items.

DIY Chalkboard Family Calendar

I mentioned in my post about Morning Routines that we live by our Family Calendar.  We have a chalkboard in our kitchen that lists each day of the week along with the activities for each day.  Sorry I don't have step by step photos, but I made my chalkboard calendar about a year ago.

This is a very simple project that only costs a few dollars.

Here's what you need:

• Old Picture Frame
• Chalkboard Spray Paint
• Old Newspaper

STEP 1
Remove the glass from the picture frame and clean it and dry it thoroughly.

STEP 2
Spread out the old newspapers in your basement, garage, or yard.  Follow the directions on the spray paint can.  Hold spray paint can about a foot away from the glass to avoid globs, runs or drips of paint.  Spray a thin coat of chalkboard paint. Spray in a sweeping motion beginning off the surface and continue to the other side.  Apply multiple thin coats, about 3-4 coats.  Be sure to wait the recommended time between coats.

STEP 3
When the paint has dried according to instructions on the spray paint can, put the glass back in the frame. 

That's it, you are done!

This is a simple, easy, and fun project that you can use anywhere in your home and change it anytime to fit your needs.  You can even use it as a menu board or to display inspirational quotes.

Do you have a chalkboard in your home? What do you use it for?

Morning Routines

It seems like the first few weeks of school the kids are up and out of bed and we start off the school year with the mornings running smoothly.  Then a few weeks in, our morning schedule seems to fall apart. We try to prepare for our mornings, but let’s face it, some days it happens and some days it just doesn’t.  I want to share with you some of the ways that we get out the door in time without strangling each other on a good day! 

First, preparing for the morning should actually start the night before. 

Pick Out Clothes- Have your child lay out their clothes out on the floor including underwear, socks, hair accessories, and shoes.  Make sure their backpack is ready to go and their coat and gloves are lying next to it.

Gage's silly face was because he was trying to fart while I took his photo!
He did...then he started rolling on the floor laughing....Boys!!

Prepare Lunch- While cooking dinner, start planning what you are going to pack in the kid’s lunch boxes the next day.  Get them involved and start sticking items in the lunch box and place it in the fridge so you can just grab and go. Make your lunch for work too!

Family Calendar-We have a chalkboard in our kitchen that lists each day of the week along with the activities for each day.  While cooking dinner and again at breakfast we review the list for the day so that I can confirm that everyone knows what is going on.  I remind them that they need to be sure to have packed for anything that they need for after school events, etc. In another post, I will show you how to make a DIY Chalkboard Calendar.

Time to Wake Up-Use an alarm clock to get that sleepyhead out of bed! I used to wake up my kids myself but I had to stop getting myself ready to go constantly remind the kids to get up and out of bed! This leads to frustration pretty quickly.  So I bought alarm clocks for both kids…..you can also have your kids set their iPod or cell phone for an alarm if they respond to that better.  Let your child choose if they want music or a buzzer.  For some reason my son can make himself wake up when the alarm is music, but it if is a buzzer he sleeps like a baby right through the loud annoying sound!

Breakfast-Most days our breakfast menu includes cereal, toast, pop-tarts, or waffles.  Go ahead and set out their plates, bowls, or utensils on the counter the night before.  For a variety sometimes I throw in hard-boiled eggs (leftover from dinner) with pre-cooked bacon, yogurt, freezer breakfast casserole, or freezer breakfast burritos.  In another post, I will show you how to make and freeze these items ahead of time.

 A few other time-saving morning tips:

 

• TV is a distraction and causes us more chaos.

• Have a small water bottle and comb handy when your child wakes up with the Rooster-do.
• Wrap hair elastics around the end of a brush to keep them handy.
• Wake up before the kids to get your shower out of the way. Part of the reason things are hectic is because we have to also get ready for work.
• Lay out your work clothes and jewelry the night before.  Go ahead and iron them.
• Wash your hair every other day.  Use dry shampoo or curl it on the second day.  It saves you time and is better for your hair.

I know that my behavior can set the tone for the morning.  Some mornings my gentle reminders to get ready can turn into some major aggravation.  On these days I make a special point to try to wrap up the morning on a positive note during the car ride to school by reminding the kids that I love them and to have a good day at school!

What are some things that your family does to save time and frustration in the mornings?

 

Introduction-Hi There!

I am Jill Williams, a full-time working mother of two kids.  As for any working mother, my life is busy and downright hectic at times.  My husband travels a lot with his job, so I keep busy just trying to keep it all together.  I am blessed to work for a great company and my greatest joy is being a mom. 

I’m writing this blog because I love to learn about saving money, career advice, and juggling work and family life. The purpose of this blog is to have a place where I can share my own experiences and so can other working mothers who have been there.

I am by no means an expert in any of the areas mentioned above.  I just write this blog for fun, so that I can say I have a hobby of my own, or maybe so that when people ask me what I have been up to I can say more than “working and running kids around!” 

Every post has a comment section. This is your chance to contribute: give us your feedback, advice, or personal opinion. Your input is what makes this blog fun and helpful to everyone. If you would like share a guest post, please email me at jillbeanwilliams@gmail.com.