Shock and Awe!!!!

[BugLover]

 I have been trying to be the picture of frugality.  I have 1 going into college in the fall, and 1 that's a senior.  I have reason's to save money.
And to know me, you would know that I never ever ever could save money.  If I knew I had it, it was GONE!  I have no patience, and if I want something, I want it now...and someone will loose an ear if I don't get it.  I would hardly ever buy generic, and never really paid attention to what I was buying, and didn't care if it was on sale.  I couldn't leave Walmart without spending at least $300, and I have receipts to prove it!  I've banned myself from Walmart.  But, that's how bad I was....my kids dressed nice, food in the fridge, but my bank account would be crying! 

After figuring out how much tuition was going to cost me...I knew that all would have to stop.  So no more scrapbook supplies, I figure I would use up what I had.  No more buying anything at the grocery store if it's not on sale.  I've put myself on a budget, and joined the grocery game.  No more shopping for clothes, my kids can deal with what they have, or buy their own, they have jobs.

Well...this week showed me it can pay off.   I hit the grocery store yesterday, list and coupons in hand....and saved $102...only spending $54.

Then...last week, when I was having my epiphany, I decided one last splurge..hit ebay, and bid on 12x12 paper.

So yesterday I saved $102
Today, I got my package of 1000 sheets of 12x12 name brand paper that I won for $40!!

I dont' know if I should laugh or cry!

[SarahA]

 That is awesome! I've heard of the Grocery Game, but haven't really checked it out. Maybe now I'll have to!
Congrats to you on your willpower- I'm sure it's not easy!

[beachlover]

 you don't have time for either!  get scrappin!!!!   LOL

[sdwhru]

 that's a really good buy!!!  Should be proud of yourself.

[MLee]

 Great savings job!

[butterfly843]

 What great deals!!

[writerlady]

 I'm so impressed!  So - the grocery game is worth the money to join?  If so - please pm me, because I'll join, too.  TY

[purplewhale]

awwww...how nice of you to treat yourself for doing such a good job on your new budget and quest to save some money!  1000 sheets of paper?  

ROFLMWO!!!  Lookie how many more pages you got to scrap!!!

I'm jealous!  

Always the best of luck in your quest.

With WARMEST regards and lots of coupons,
-L 

[immom2anc]

 Since my DH just posted the Good Wife article as our new house rules... I just posted this as my response!! ROFL!! Let's see how long those rules stay posted!! LOL

[1grandma]

 What is the grocery game?  Never heard of it.

[Cimorosete]

 Wow....you really should be proud of yourself. You really  seem to develop some self discipline and it looks like its paying off. Congrats on your great buys.

[leslie9887]

 I totally know what you are talking about. It's like a hole is burning in my wallet when there is money in it. I have one going to college in one year & ahhhh! we do not know what we are going to do.?!*?!*?! We are praying for a really big scholarship for her since she is a phenominal cheerleader...we'll see. If not, she will have loans to pay then because she is looking at some expensive schools. Anyways, I feel for you! I have been doing the coupon thing & not going to Costco so much (my Costco is your Walmart)...that has helped! I think you should allow some $ money for you to spend, kinda like an allowance that you give yourself. Say give yourself $50 or $100 a month....just so you don't go stir crazy & explode so much that it hurts!   So, what is the grocery game?
Leslie

[BugLover]

 the grocery game is pretty cool.  You pick the stores you shop at...for me it's meijers and krogers.  Every tuesday they make a "list" you print out, and shop by.  Everything is color co-ordinated...black means it's on sale, buy if you NEED, but it's not rock bottom price.  Blue means it's on sale, rock bottom, save a bunch when you use that coupon.  Green means that you get it for free when you use your coupon. And yes, you do get it for free.
It costs me $15 every 8 weeks to play the game, but WELLLLLLLL worth it!   I went from spending $250wk in groceries to $175 and every week it goes down, because you build up a stockpile.
I have girls at work joining..lol.  I keep taking my receipts to work and showing everyone.  I'm gonna scrapbook the $102 one...that was amazed me!

Heck, I have enough paper, I could scrapbook each one!...lol

[Miss Daisy-NC]

 That's great!!!!!   We've had to cut way back too also, I've cut back on buying scrapping supplies too.

[SarahA]

 the grocery game is pretty cool.  You pick the stores you shop at...for me it's meijers and krogers.  Every tuesday they make a "list" you print out, and shop by.  Everything is color co-ordinated...black means it's on sale, buy if you NEED, but it's not rock bottom price.  Blue means it's on sale, rock bottom, save a bunch when you use that coupon.  Green means that you get it for free when you use your coupon. And yes, you do get it for free.
It costs me $15 every 8 weeks to play the game, but WELLLLLLLL worth it!   I went from spending $250wk in groceries to $175 and every week it goes down, because you build up a stockpile.
I have girls at work joining..lol.  I keep taking my receipts to work and showing everyone.  I'm gonna scrapbook the $102 one...that was amazed me!

Heck, I have enough paper, I could scrapbook each one!...lol

I shop at Meijer and  Kroger, too! I really have to sign up for this now- it's pretty cheap for 8 weeks, really!

[BeatrizS]

 I have been a member of the GG for about almost 2 months.  It hasn't been that great for me because It is something you have to stick with.  Although i have lots of things stockpiled (such as Toothpaste, Toilet paper, paper towels, and pasta) i havent saved AS much as alot of girls do on that site. I also have a very picky husband and 10 mouths to feed.  If i were to buy chicken just because it was rock bottom... He would not eat chicken every day of the week.  By day 3 he would already start complaining....  

The grocery game works for those of you who are looking to save money and are willing to forget about specific brands, and do without stuff.. But the key is for the first couple of weeks  when you go to the grocery store you only buy what you truly need if its not on sale.  and if you have extra money then you purchase the Rockbottom stuff for your stockpile. So if your kids like fruit roll ups (example) and they are not on sale you dont buy them that week they will have to have pretzels instead because they are the rock bottom price on the list.  hth

[Ladybug11]

 That is wonderful!!  There is nothing like getting a great deal on something!  I remember how amazing I felt when I got the best deal EVER on my Cricut Expression on e-bay!!  It is exhilerating isn't it!!  Well enjoy, and keep up the good work!!!

[ArmyWife95]

 Congrats, I think!!

[jiffy]

 Good for you and the shopping discipline you are demonstrating.    Hope it continues with much success for you!    (wish I cud be that good!)

[Shanscraps]

 way to go....