Comments on: January spending & saving results http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html Discover a better bottom line. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Keri http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-974 Keri Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:34:09 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-974 Ang...thanks for the tips and advice. I think I need to work on building a better stockpile so that I can cook more from the pantry. I try to only buy things with coupons that are free/ nearly free/less than I would normally pay, and I'm still shopping at Winco for the "needs" based items. Right now my goal is just to stay within a monthly budget period...maybe after that I can start trimming or examining what I need to trim. I only go to the store once a week, so I don't know that I can cut back on that anymore with needing to get produce/dairy. I have to say, the freezer meals are definitely helping us save and eat more at home. Ang…thanks for the tips and advice. I think I need to work on building a better stockpile so that I can cook more from the pantry. I try to only buy things with coupons that are free/ nearly free/less than I would normally pay, and I’m still shopping at Winco for the “needs” based items. Right now my goal is just to stay within a monthly budget period…maybe after that I can start trimming or examining what I need to trim. I only go to the store once a week, so I don’t know that I can cut back on that anymore with needing to get produce/dairy. I have to say, the freezer meals are definitely helping us save and eat more at home.

]]> By: Angela Russell http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-973 Angela Russell Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:29:42 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-973 Great! I won't have time to get to this tonight, I've got a much more pressing project on my desk. But for anyone else proficient with Excel: if you notice the references for the Discounts column, they are pointing you to a wrong field. You would just need to make the adjustments. More to come soon. THe monthly tabs are all correct though (at least to my knowledge!!). Great! I won’t have time to get to this tonight, I’ve got a much more pressing project on my desk. But for anyone else proficient with Excel: if you notice the references for the Discounts column, they are pointing you to a wrong field. You would just need to make the adjustments. More to come soon. THe monthly tabs are all correct though (at least to my knowledge!!).

]]> By: Roni http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-972 Roni Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:09:39 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-972 I noticed it and was able to fix it....Thanks I love this spreadsheet. I noticed it and was able to fix it….Thanks I love this spreadsheet.

]]> By: Mississippi Mama http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-971 Mississippi Mama Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:37:50 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-971 I noticed the summary glitch this afternoon when entering my Kroger receipt, so I'm looking forward to the fix! I know NOTHING about Excel, so I hope you make it really easy for dummies like me. :) I noticed the summary glitch this afternoon when entering my Kroger receipt, so I’m looking forward to the fix! I know NOTHING about Excel, so I hope you make it really easy for dummies like me. :)

]]> By: julie http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-970 julie Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:39:18 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-970 Thank you for this spread sheet. I'd been keeping track on paper, but this is much easier. Thank you for this spread sheet. I’d been keeping track on paper, but this is much easier.

]]> By: Angela Russell http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-969 Angela Russell Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:28:11 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-969 I'll most likely be back this week with my Register Rewards! I can tell you when I first started couponing, I was spending more like $500 - about what I had been before. I was just getting twice the amount of stuff! My initial goal was to get to $200 or less, but I see now that's not a reasonable goal. I'm trying to eat better in losing weight, and I would like to be able to pay for fresh, local produce every week. I think $300 is perfect for us - as you can see this month, we didn't even make it. My pantry and freezer are getting SOOO full...that honestly, I don't need to make a lot of trips. Probably the best way to save money is to just try to avoid the store!! Try picking a week that you will do NO shopping. That alone will save you!! Please also note that we keep a separate budget for Terry's work food. It was just getting too crazy to try to meld it altogether. Since he's up there for 48-hour shifts, it makes sense to just have him have his own food budget per month for dinners with the crew, lunches, and snacks. Wherever possible though, we try to plan so he can take food to work. HTH a little...but remember, everyone's budget, "bottom line" and pantry will be different. Do the best you can do!! I’ll most likely be back this week with my Register Rewards! I can tell you when I first started couponing, I was spending more like $500 – about what I had been before. I was just getting twice the amount of stuff!

My initial goal was to get to $200 or less, but I see now that’s not a reasonable goal. I’m trying to eat better in losing weight, and I would like to be able to pay for fresh, local produce every week. I think $300 is perfect for us – as you can see this month, we didn’t even make it.

My pantry and freezer are getting SOOO full…that honestly, I don’t need to make a lot of trips. Probably the best way to save money is to just try to avoid the store!! Try picking a week that you will do NO shopping. That alone will save you!!

Please also note that we keep a separate budget for Terry’s work food. It was just getting too crazy to try to meld it altogether. Since he’s up there for 48-hour shifts, it makes sense to just have him have his own food budget per month for dinners with the crew, lunches, and snacks. Wherever possible though, we try to plan so he can take food to work.

HTH a little…but remember, everyone’s budget, “bottom line” and pantry will be different. Do the best you can do!!

]]> By: Keri http://thecouponproject.com/2010/02/january-spending-saving-results.html/comment-page-1#comment-968 Keri Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:14:25 +0000 http://localhost/wp_coupon/?p=417#comment-968 Hey...we must've missed you at WAGS! :) The boys would have been so happy to see eachother. So, I am still amazed that you can do even $349 for the whole month. I need to get to that point, since that is close to what I am spending every 2 weeks. :( How long were you couponing before you go to that bottom line? I need more help on getting there. I think I do a good job of getting deals, but I guess it's just not translating into bottom line savings. Hey…we must’ve missed you at WAGS! :) The boys would have been so happy to see eachother. So, I am still amazed that you can do even $349 for the whole month. I need to get to that point, since that is close to what I am spending every 2 weeks. :( How long were you couponing before you go to that bottom line? I need more help on getting there. I think I do a good job of getting deals, but I guess it’s just not translating into bottom line savings.

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