The Beginning

Why here...why now?

I have been doing a great day of 'couponing' in the last 3 years on my grocery purchases, but I recently realized I wasn't being extra careful where I was spending our other money.  I would do a really good job as I would take my couponing trip(s) each week, but I would sometimes go back to the store and just randomly buy things even if they weren't on sale.

Here is my plan for the next 12 months:
1. I get $10 each week for unnecessary food purcahses (fast food, eating out, pops, snacks for the kids while we are out)
2. Only buy groceries when they are on sale and I have a coupon for them. Which means I will have to do a great deal of planning ahead on what I am going to need.
3. I have to cook meals from what is in the pantry and freezer.
4. If we need any non-consumable items, we have to wait at least 2 weeks to make the purchase, and it has to be on sale (or have a coupon) or it has to be used.  The 2 week wait period will ensure we really need the item we have been wanting.
5. I have to blog my shopping trips and meal plan...so I stay accountable to my readers.
6. No items are to be purchased unless they are necessary.
7. If the kids want items that are unnecesary they will have to earn and save their money for these purchases.

Thank you for keeping me accountable and for sharing in this journey with me :)