Have you wondered what happened to my monthly grocery budget posts? Well, since the next round of numbers ended in the middle of February I decided to wait until the end of February to report. For one very good reason. February 28th marked exactly one year that I have kept track of my grocery budget.
If you had been following along each month you could see the savings that I posted. Well, now that we have made it to one year I am so thrilled to report in my numbers.
Before I tell you how we did I want to point out a couple of things. First, I know a lot of you are new to couponing. Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of coupons or deals that are out there. Start slow, do a little at a time. Build up your stockpile and you will slowly see your numbers go down. And second, don’t feel like you have to use the same amount of coupons or deals that I use. If you want to that is fine and of course your savings will be big but I want you all to know that going to the grocery store and saving $20 a week is a big savings. A savings that equals out to $1000 a year. So, don’t judge your success or failure on how others are doing. You need to do what is right for you and your family.
::CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
Okay, with that said, here are my 1 year numbers from March 1, 2009 – February 28, 2010.
Total spent for the year: $3863.90. That equals $321.99 per month or $74.31 per week.
My goal was $75 a week so I can’t believe I made it. Almost exactly!
::MY SAVINGS
Previously we had spent $250 per week easily. That equals $13,000 per year. So our savings:
$13,000 – $3863.90 = $9136.10 SAVED!! Woohoo!
::WIN A $50 TARGET GIFT CARD
Now for the fun part. I am so excited about my savings that I want to celebrate. So, as part of my celebration and to thank you guys for being awesome readers, I am giving away a $50 Target Gift Card to one lucky LRWC winner. Yeap! Here is what you need to do to win:
1. Leave a Comment -Tell us how much you saved in February at the grocery store. If you have just started couponing, tell us your plan to save in March.
2. Follow My Blog Via Email or Reader – you can subscribe in the right sidebar. Please be sure to comment back to let me know you did it. If you are already following LRWC via email or reader just leave a seperate comment letting me know.
3. Follow Me On Twitter – Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LivinRichCoupon and Tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to copy me on your tweet by adding @LivinRichCoupon. Also comment back on the post that you have done this.
4. Follow Me On Facebook – Use the facebook link on the right sidebar. Please be sure to comment back to let me know you did it. If you are already a facebook fan just leave a comment letting me know.
Good Luck!!
Note: Target did not sponsor this giveaway. The Target gift card is a gift from LRWC and paid for by LRWC.
Photo Credit
Cindy Livesey is the force behind Living Rich With Coupons which provides its readers with all the resources they need to shop smart so they can get life’s luxuries for a lot less. Her family of 5 has saved over $11,000 a year in groceries. And you can too.
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Great giveaway! We’re saving for a wedding and buying a house so every little bit sure helps. I’ve just started couponing and it’s so fun!
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
I already follow and subscribe via email
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
My plan to save in March is to cut corners wherever possible. Also, don’t forget to bring my reusable bags to earn a few cents credit here and there!
I just started and I’m hoping to save $50 a week! You are inspiring
subscriber via google reader
Happy Savings! Thanks for such great Giveaway.
My total spent for the month of February was $345 with a savings of $546 (After coupons & Rebates) I keep track on a spreadsheet.
I am an email subscriber!
I found your site and a few others about a month ago. My savings in Feb. was triple what it has been in previous months. I saved over $200 in coupons and a total savings of over $500 in just one month. So thankful for you site! I subscribe to your email.
I tweeted hope I did it correctly.
http://twitter.com/Savvydealdiva/status/9893247034
I am also a FB Fan
I didn’t shop that much in February because we decided to eat mainly from our stockpile so we only really bought essentials. This month I plan on continuing to eat from our stockpile and only by the essentials again and save a ton! Thanks!
I have saved over $450 in February. I have taken advantage of the Harris Teeter Super Double promotion, however when I’m not shopping at Harris Teeter, I am shopping at the Military Commissary. The prices are great and makes for an amazing deal after coupons!
I just started saving this year. We can spend upwards $1000 a month on food for a family of 5. I cut that in 1/2 for this Jan & Febr. but need get a bit better at it. Im and email subscriber, follow you on twitter and facebook! THanks for the giveaway!
Hurray for you Lisa! Thank you for sharing your savings and for this opportunity to share even more!
Caroline
For the month of Feb I spent $326 and saved $351. Thank you for helping me save a ton of money !!
I saved about $400 in February with couponing during sales!
I am now following you on facebook. Look forward to seeing your post
Just signed up for email updates!
i love your website! since i started couponing in january, Ive saved over $500! i tell everyone about your website – keep up the great work
I am also a FB fan! Love your savings updates!!
I found you through a friend on FB… now I subscribe via email. Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS!! hope to be as good as you one day!! i am also just starting and trying to get the hang of it so this is my 1st month of really writing it all down. i just subsribed to your email so i am sure that will help.
thanxs
I saved about $150 in February. I just started shopping at CVS and Walgreens. I’m hoping to spend less and save a lot more in March.
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I’ve only begun using coupons again starting in January. I’ve started slowly but have used your tips and saved a great deal. I know with each trip to Walgreen’s or Pathmark I am saving about 1/3 to 1/2 depending on the deals. Now that I have stockpiled a bit, I intend to really limit the spending in March. Thank you for all your help!
I’ve been couponing for a few months now, but have never been very good at keeping track of my actual spending. So I hope to improve on this, and I hope that I can make a similar goal of $75 per week. I have a sense that I might be close (especially if I don’t count diapers as groceries:) but need to work at keeping track.
I am a Facebook fan.
I follow on twitter as frugalmomto4.
I have been couponing for a few months now, february was my best month thus far. My best savings trip was to scolaris, 74$ worth of groceries and I only paid 22$ !! I just got a great new binder and organized all of my coupons, it was worth it! We have 5 kids so every penny counts, I love saving money!!!!
I’ve just started couponing in the last 2 months and have saved about $50 a week to this point.
I’m so excited when I get a great deal! Thanks for all of the tricks and tips!
This is my first time on your blog…very interesting stuff! Thanks for entering me.
I plan on saving in March like I always do. I’ve been a coupon user since birth! LOL…I call it my “high”. I can’t wait to see at the bottom of some receipt where it says you save 49%,etc.. or even how much! I just got over 25.00 in items @ Rite Aid for 11.38!!
How awesome for you! Congratulations!
I don’t have my total for February. I’m just starting to track March. I’m going to limit my shopping to $150. per week. Once I hit that number I’m done. We have enough basics not to go hungry so I can do a more focuses stockpiling.
I follow your blog on Google Reader, I’m learning so much so thanks for the service!!
I have just started couponin not to long ago n am lookin forward to saving lots this yr…I am a fan of yours on face book n love it!!
Wow, how amazing! I hope to be like you in a year!
Keep up the good work and sending those goodies you find for us! thanks for all you do!
I cut my groceries in half at least for the month of February. I just started couponing in January. But I went from spending $200 a week to $60 a week on food! Yeah!
I follow you on twitter
I subscribe via google reader.
I follow you on facebook too!
I subscribe via email
Finally consistently meeting my goal of saving more than I spend on grocery and other drug store items! Saved over $120 this week and only spent $37 so far! Thank you for your grocery posts, they are the best around!
Congrats on the amazing savings. Very inspiring!
Love your website! I don’t really keep track of how much we safe, but it has helped us a lot while we are paying for two mortgages waiting for our house to sell! Thanks for all you do!
I’m also a Facebook fan!
I also receive your emails!
You are the Goddess of Coupons! That is some tremendous savings! You must be so proud. Give yourself a high 5!
TY for having a sweeps! I have always used coupons but since Jan10 have stepped it up and now track my savings (including “byobag” rebates, coupons, product/store rebates and store “on-sale” savings.) My Feb10 savings total is $157.44. I know I can cut back a LOT more and look forward to doing so and to your continued awesome suggestions!
…OH…almost forgot…also a FB page fan.
Thanks so much for what you do. You are helping so many people! I love your website and the daily info. I receive in my inbox. I follow you on Facebook too. The best I’ve ever done was at Walgreen’s. One day in Feb., I spent $4.35 and saved $43.32. The two women on line were so amazed and starting asking lots of questions. I, of course, credited it all to you. I am truly appreciative!
C. Maria
Great job savings! I bow before your superior frugalness.
Great Giveaway – thanks! I just subscribed!!
I am a subscriber, please pick me!
We have been building up a meat stockpile in our freezer, and in an incredible stroke of luck, my mom worked a food show a few months ago, and just gave us the fruits of her scavenging. We got BOXES and BOXES of dry goods, rice, flour, bullion, etc. We will be working off that, and should only need to purchase fresh items for the next couple of weeks.
I’ve done awesome with some rolling cats at Jewel so I’ve saved over 75% this month each trip
facebook fan
I love couponing and saved over $300 in the month of February!
my goal for march is half of what i spent last month.
this would be a huge savings for me =)
Holy cow, Cindy, that is FANTASTIC!!!
Last February I spent $984.85. This February I spent $571.56. Total savings of $413.29! The other thing is- the stuff I’ve been buying has been quality name brand stuff not the lesser quality I used to buy.
My goal by next February is to be down to about $300/350 a month; the youngest will turn 3 next Feb so hopefully diapers will be gone by then!
My March goal is to be under $500.
I follow via Google Reader.
Thank you for posting all of the great deals! I found your site a couple of weeks ago, and I have been telling everyone I know about it. In the past month, I have probably saved about $350-400 by using coupons and following sales. I am looking forward to saving even more next month with your website. Please add me to the gift card giveaway. Thank you!
I follow on Facebook!
I’m tweeting now!
I follow on face book. thanks!!!!
I just started in Feb, but have saved almost $200. I’m hoping to get my budget under $500 for March and $400 for April. I’ve learned so much by following this site! I’d love that gift card, I shop at Target all the time.
thanks for the chance to win
I subscribe via email
and i am also a fan on face book
Heh, FB fan here, accidently commented there too, oops!
I have been averaging $300/month for the past couple months for just my husband and I…(gulp!) But I want to try to cut that in half for March and beyond!
~Have been a Facebook fan.
~Just subscribed to the emails!
Thanks for everything you do!
I want to stick to my budget of $50 a week in March!!
http://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/9900816701
I’ve saved 120.00 last month! Looking forward to much more!
Awesome site — I just became a fan on facebook.
I subscribe
tainalatina1980@yahoo.com
I follow on twitter @lindalatina
tainalatina1980@yahoo.com
I started Nov 1, 2009 and just completed my 4th month. I saved $481.79 during February. All together for 4 months I have saved $2,066.05. My goal was $400 per month and I have beat that every time. Thanks for all the great tips.
i just started couponing THIS month and LOVE IT! i can’t believe how easy it is now that i understand what i’m doing! i’ve saved 50% each week on my grocery budget alone! (From 100 a week to 50). I’ve also saved a ton at the drugstore–instead of spending 40-50 a week at target i’m now spending 5-15 a week for tons of stuff! my cupboards NEVER used to be full and now they are overflowing. i am so excited and thankful!!
I am looking forward to saving on my grocery and household items with the coupons I will be getting from your website. I will be following you via email and Facebook!!! GO COUPONS!!!!
Just wanted to make sure I was entered for the Target gift card. Thanks! Debbi
I started in Nov watching what I am spending. In Feb I saved $394.11 !! For me who never watched or cared what I was spending is a great deal . Kids all grown but I guess I am a late starter but having so much fun saving money. This is a new hobby for me. I am trying to spend only $50 a week. Less is best. That is what I am shooting for
I am a fan on Facebook and subscribe on emails !!
Hi, I read your blog about 10times a day. I have been couponing for almost a year and did my best shopping trip month ever last month with only spending $235 total. Now, I have two small kids and a husband, so we don’t go through as much food as those families with big kids, but I am totally obsessed with saving money in grocery stores and online shopping. Thanks so much for taking the time to blog so we can all save money. I subscribe and follow you and please pick me! Thanks:)
Wow! That’s quite a savings! I love that you stress that even $20 saved each weeks adds up BIG!
I saved $692 in February and spent $134 (including diapers!) for our family of 2 adults, a preschooler, and a toddler with the appetite of a teen boy!
Thanks for celebrating your milestone with us!
Hi Cindy:
Congratulations on reaching your goal. I’ve been subscribing to your newsletter since October and know that you have been working hard to reach that $75.00 per week goal. I found you because you are the only person in my area to do the Shop Rite match ups. You helped me save so much, close to 50% off retail each time I shop. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Wow girl.. thats CRAZY!! I miss couponing so much. I’ve been trying to get back in the game but I’ve only gotten as far as collecting papers. Im going to start out small, so that means you’ll be seeing me on MSM very soon I hope! In the mean time, I’m your ultimate stalker – on FB, Twitter, and I have your RSS coming to my iPod so I can get you’re updates when I’m not at the computer!
I usually save a lot with coupons, but this month I just made it because I have family over!
Thanks for the chance, Cindy!
Love your emails and Facebook!! Great idea to have a give away!!
I’m a long time subscriber!
Follow you on Twitter, too!
Thanks! I’m a subscriber now – can’t wait for more deals and freebies!
Hi! Just followed you on twitter.. I’m Jennywrites
I follow on Facebook!
I Subscribed to your feed.. I love it!! Thank you!!
In Feb I saved over 250.00 dollars.. I’m brand new to coupons and this is my 3rd month.. My stockpile is incredible.. Thank you for the wealth of information you provide!!
I am still fairly new to couponing, but I feel like I am continuing to improve. Thank you for your tips, they are tremendously helpful. I am currently saving anywhere from $25-$45 on a shopping trip. My goal for March is to consistently save $40 or so on each trip.
My goal for March is to not spend more than $75 a week on groceries , hopefully by buying things that are on sale and matching it up with coupons. Thank you for blogging & offering this drawing!
I’m a fan on facebook! thanks!
I just subscribed, so I look forward to the emails!
I have saved over $450 in February. Thanks to you and the amazing deals!
Facebook fan and I love your website!
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