Well, my surprise win has really forced me to quickly rethink my new year’s resolutions and goals for 2009!
My original resolution: To spend less than $300 each month on groceries and diapers…using the CASH only system. I found that when I used cash in December, I paid much more attention to what I put into my grocery cart…as I didn’t want to come up short on cash come time to pay.
My new resolution (now that all my groceries are paid for!!!): To spend $50-60 a week on groceries using cash only system at Trader Joes or Kroger. Why? Well, I’m not sure that Walmart carries gluten free, casein free, soy free products. I will soon find out! If not, then I will need some extra cash each month to buy rice milk and other GFCFSF flour mixes and other products for the boys. (I do plan to stick to the $300 total food budget, so will aim for $250/month at Walmart.)
Goals for $5 Dinners
1. To inspire you all on your own frugal journeys.
2. To be creative and resourceful in the kitchen.
3. To continue spreading the word about the site (HINT: Tell your friends!!!)
Financial Goals for 2009
1. Buy a minivan with cash.
2. Make one extra payment this year on our mortgage.
3. Be wise in the way I spend my prize money.
4. Give at least 10% of my prize money by purchasing different items for different charities.
I would LOVE to hear what your resolutions and goals are for 2009!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I do better using cash for groceries too. I’m trying to help you spread the word: I have a link to this site on my blog.
I know Walmart carries Rice Milk. I buy it every week for my youngest boy. Depending on the location I know they have some GF stuff. Don’t know about CF or SF.
Congrats on the win!
We just switched to using a cash system this fall, and it is working out so wonderfully for us. Good luck!
Wal-Mart does have gluten free. Their Great Value store brand is real good about putting gluten free on the labels. However, I don’t know about the rest of “GFCFSF” alphabet soup diet.
Hugs,
Melinda
I’m sure it varies between different Walmarts, but I have noticed ours getting a bigger selection of specialty foods… rice pastas, rice flour, etc. Good luck!
Surprisingly enough many of the Walmart brand generics are actually labeled as gluten free so be sure to check.
Hello! I’ve been using cash forever, but would love to get my meals down. Not sure that can be done for a busy, busy family of 6, but I’m looking forward to reading your blog throughout 2009 and learning some great tips. Congrats on winning the groceries
Also, I started my resolutions the other day, but I’m determined to have them up before the end of the night.
The gluten free brown rice pasta from Waltmart isn’t the greatest :0( . My little guy didn’t like it at all and usually he isn’t picky about food. We just used the rest of them up for craft projects, lol.
To read you blog and save a lot of money on food.
I always use cash for groceries too and it really makes a difference on how much you spend. I’ve just started reading your blog and look forward to your tips in 2009. I posted my resolution on my blog too. I love reading blogs and its interesting to see how everyone intends to make 2009 a more productive year.
Congrats on your big win! That is so AWESOME!!
Happy New Year and many blessings to you!
Marcy
I love your goals; they do seem doable too! my goal is to try to inch away at getting our credit card paid off; made some more decisions over the years with it and now trying to be credit free; also to continue with saving money, did open a savings account and putting away money each payday so will continue that
betty
My #1 resolution is to continue to reduce waste. Our family of 4 does well overall (considering I cook every.single.day) but could do better in managing leftovers.
My #2 resolution is to purchase a small chest freezer to help with #1!
Congratulations on your win!
We decided to shop at Aldi & Kroger this year. I would also like to lower my budget. If you can do $300 a month will all your "issues", I'm sure we can too. Thankfully, we are "issue-free." Your blog is such an inspiration to me, I cannot even tell you. Congratulations on your Walmart win! What an absolute blessing!
I won’t be making big goals for the year 2009. (Last year I made 7 big goals, and reach none of them.) Instead, I will be making mini-goals that help me to redeem the time. (see my post here: http://psalm37v4.blogspot.com/2008/12/2009-mini-goals.html)
I am so glad that I have found your site. I have been praying about how to stretch my very meager allowance each month. My husband and I are on a very strict budget and as all the prices have grown, of course, our budget hasn’t. I will be visiting you for tips and hints for sure!
first off, SUPER congrats, I am so happy that you won!! Thats just an amazing blessing, is it not?
One will definatly be paying more atention to your site. It has saved me a ton of money in 2008, I cant wait to see what it holds for 2009!
I listed my “goals” for this year on my blog
I would like to pay off all of our debt and start saving $100 a month.
Ok… I am here… I just found you through my the Crockpot for a year site!
I’ve done pretty good on feeding my family of 8 on 100$ a week, however, I am ALWAYS up for new ideas… etc.!
I look forward to following you and I’m now going back to see some of your older posts!
Congrats on the win. Great video.
Wow! congratulations! What a blessing! A wonderful thing to be able to do is take the money you spend on food and save it for the van or paying off the mortgage! Neat!!
What a great way to start out the new year!
so, do they have a certain amount that they limit you to the amount of money?
That’s so awesome! Congratulations on your win! I hope you find more GF products than you expect at Wal Mart so you can save even more. Cash only is the best way for our family too. It’s just so concrete and you can’t fudge with yourself if you run out of cash. Good luck!
I know that DLM can be rather expensive, but they often have good sales and have an INCREDIBLE selection of gluten free foods…just in case you have not tried them yet. Well, perhaps it will be easier too now that your regular groceries are being paid for!! LOL!