[Bettina]

My paycheck is direct deposited and I usually just use my bank card to pay for groceries, gas etc. I have noticed lately I am spending more than I budgeted.

Looking for ideas to keep me in check besides going to the bank and taking out money and putting in envelopes!

Thanks for the help all!

[Kanella]

Curbside so you don’t overspend and just get what you need.

[Misty]

I also watched a video of a woman from the UK who had a little clicker. It looked like a pedometer sorta but she went by a list and everything she bought, she’d click for the dollar amount.

If something was 3.50, she’d click 4 times.

It kept a total so it was easier for her to keep up that way instead of a calculator.

[Diane]

I suggest… You establish a limit amount BEFORE you go. Your phone has a calculator on it. Use it. Or carry pen and paper and round up the amt of each item (to allow for tax) to the nearest $.

BEFORE you hit the checkout line..Look at the total and then review what you CAN do without or substitute to maintain your budget.

Allow time for swapping items and making more frugal choices.

Pretend the amount you had budgeted was all the cash you had access to and act accordingly.

[Margie]

When I first got my credit card, I carried an envelope in my purse, and wrote down the amount and where spent and put the receipt in the envelope.

[Layna]

Make a simple excel spreadsheet and keep it on your phone. Only takes a few seconds to add each purchase and it will keep you VERY accountable

[Kay]

My sister got a free delivery membership at her work …we order grocery’s online …cuts out a lot of impulse buying and with sales and digital couples we stock up on things we use most.

[Terri]

What used to be my envelopes are now extra savings accounts, insurance, auto repairs, home imp, etc.

After my direct deposit is made I transfer funds to my accounts.

[Linda]

Set a budget, pull that amount from the ATM, leave your card behind when you shop.

[Melissa]

Old school not so old. Know how much you have to spend. Use your phone calculater as you shop.

Old school I took a notebook and pen.

[Brianna]

For groceries when I’m there I add up the total on my phone as I go to make sure I’m under my budget.

[Jenhausen]

For groceries I buy online & pickup in the parking lot so I’m not tempted to buy anything I don’t need.

[Bethany]

I agree with making a list. I also like using the calculator on my phone as I am shopping.

If you give yourself a budget before you shop (with some grocery stores you can use the delivery/pick up cart to estimate how much you will spend, just don’t check out!) and then you can add up as you go along and it will help you stay within your budget.

I don’t ever use cash, and I’ve struggled as prices are not consistant but this method has helped!

I also check the sale flyers before I go shopping and pre-plan my meals around what I already have so I am shopping less for groceries.

[Rona]

You can use the notes option on your phone (or whatever Android calls it) to keep a running tally for the month or paycheck.

Since I always have my phone I use my notes even for a shared shopping list with my daughter that updates as we add or buy.

It’s convenient.

[Debbie]

This is what I do if not using envelopes: Calculate at the grocery as you are shopping before your purchase. Make your own “spreadsheet” on paper by listing your BUDGET amount in one column & listing the ACTUAL purchases in the next column.

It sounds like it’s a discipline issue if you are overspending budgeted amounts. . . I highly recommend the envelopes.

They do work.

You won’t overspend if the cash is not in the envelope.

[Tristia]

Leave your debit card at home unless you are making a pre planned purchase.

Take some cash and keep it for spending as you see fit.

[Wendy]

I think cash for those categories that you overspend in would help, but if you are opposed to that method…

Maybe try to identify the areas you are overspending, like eating out, etc.

Then keep an app or notebook with you with those categories and the budgeted amount you can spend per week or month.

Enter the amounts you spend as you spend it, and keep track of what you have left. Cut yourself off after you have spent what you budgeted.

[Cilla]

Typically, I use the notes app on my phone to list:

* Grocery lists & Restock
* Weekly Meals & Lazy meals so I have options

* Inventory in fresh produce, protein, and dry goods
* Any non-essential purchases so I can review if I really need the items

[Callie]

Food has gone up, which means you might want to look into recipes with cheaper ingredients for awhile.

(More rice, beans, etc., less meat/eggs/cheese/dairy products.)

[April]

Always alway always eat before shopping. Look at sale ads before making meal plans. Plan on using all if your produce or freeze later for stock or soups.

I had a conversation with my kids the other day and found out some of my cheapest meals are considered their comfort foods now.

[Jackie]

Doing grocery pickup and staying out of the store is helpful for me. You can see your total and adjust if needed.

Larger pickup order 2 times monthly and Aldi with a list in between.

[Michele]

Shop the sales and make a list. I buy extra pasta sauce when it’s on sale and next week buy extra soup on sale. Pantry stocked cheaper.

Some weeks just fresh stuff.

Discount stores like giant tiger and Aldies can help.

They don’t carry everything but prices are lower

[Margery]

See where you are overspending, figure out why and then you will know what to do.

[Victoria]

I set my budget limits for food, gas, etc. Keep the receipts or do a monthly accounting for those options that can creep up – not always due to your spending more, but often because the prices keep going up.

When that happens you have to decide- cut back, look for lower prices elsewhere, etc.

I have a Camry, I set $20 a week for gas, regular, go to options that offer a disount for paying cash and keep track.

I sometimes have to forgo a shopping trip out of area and shop local with fewer options to purchase.

[Cameron]

Grocery list
Look for sales all around you all retailers
Look for discounted meats

Sighn up for there loyalty card if they have one
You don’t get the sale price if you don’t have it

Ie, safeway, fredmyers, qfc,
Discount grocers like luckys is like grocery out let

[Hope]

I would review the store sale flyer and then plan based on what is on sale. You can also pre-shop in the app (like you are doing a pick-up) and see how much your bill is going to be before you go to the store.

I would over estimate for produce.

You can also grocery store hop, for instance I only buy cereal from one store, because they always have a BOGO, but I buy other items from the store by my home.

I also shop at Aldi’s for some things like tomato sauce canned tomatoes etc. they have the best price and I stock up, since it’s on the other side of town.

I also keep a pantry and buy several items I know I’m going to use at one time if on sale. If pasta is a BOGO, I get two or four, because in the end I’m saving money.

Always try to use food out of your pantry and fridge first. Lastly, we belong to a big box store, but I try to only buy things that I know we will use, for example a big box of chicken broth, we use it a lot and per container it cheaper in a big box store.

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