WFM Wednesday 7/11/12

Today's Works For Me Wednesday is all about grocery shopping. I took the time and made a pre-filled out list and broke it into sections. I have a space to mark down the amount of each item we need and I put a C next to the item if I have a coupon. I keep a highligher in the kitchen so the kids and husband can just highlight what we need or what they want. I also have a  blank space to write in items that I may need just on occasion or if I am trying a new recipe and need a rare item. I like having this already pre-printed....it makes it easier to read rather than my kids horrible spelling. (Or my husband's...lol) And I can update the list as needed too. Below is my master grocery list. I put mine in excel form. Do you use a pre-made form or write it down or do you have it in your smart phone or ipad?

Master Grocery List
Produce		Snacks		Ethnic Food		Condiments		Cereal
Potatoes		Cookies		Refried Beans		BBQ Sauce		Oatmeal
Onions		Graham crackers		Taco Shells		Mustard		Cherrios
Lettuce		Popcorn		Enchilada Sauce		Mayo		Fruit loops
Carrots		Chips		Salsa		Relish		Grits
Bananas		Gum		Soy Sauce		Ketchup
Apples				Rice		Salad Dressing
Grapes				Taco Seasoning		Vinegar
Tomatoes		Canned Goods		Pizza Sauce		Syrup
Strawberries		Sp. Sauce		Pepperoni		Honey
		Corn
		Baked Beans
		Tom Sauce		Meat
		Tom paste		Ground Beef		PB Aisle
		Tom soup		Chicken		Peanut Butter
Breads		Green Beans		Stew meat		Nutella
Breads		Canned Beans		Lunch meat		Jelly
Flat Bread		Mushrooms		Pork Chops
Rolls		Rotel		Pork Loin
Hotdog buns		Cranberry Sauce		Bacon
Burger buns		Tomatoes		Hotdogs		Frozen Food
Tortillas				Smokies		Ice Cream
		Dairy		Sausage		Veg
		Milk				Waffles
		Butter				Pizza
Beverages		Eggs
Juice		Yogurt		Baking Aisle
Soda		Am Cheese		Flour
Lemonade		Cheddar		Sugar		Household Goods
Coffee		Mozzarella		Brown Sugar		P Towels
Tea		Cream Cheese		Powdered Sugar		T. Paper
Wine		Velveeta		Yeast		Tissue
		Coffee Mate		Pudding Mix		Bleach
				Cake Mix		Dish detergent
Canned fruits				Choc. Chips		Foil
Applesauce		Pasta		Fluff		Baggies
Peaches		Spaghetti		Pam		Dish soap
Raisins		Mac & cheese		Oil		Trash bags
				Olive Oil
				Brownie Mix
				Garlic

Resolutions

As December winds down and Christmas draws to a close I like most of you I am sure find myself thinking of how to make next year better than the one that is ending. 2010 was an interesting year to say the least. I watched my children become a year older, my oldest went from elementary into junior high school, my baby not only started school but thrives there, and my husband became temporarily (thank God) unemployed. He is back to work now which is good but timing as always has a way of biting me in the rear & he will miss Christmas again this year. I have done good on some of my goals. We have whittled down our debt by paying off 2 credit cards & paying down another. But this still seems to be taking a toll so we have decided to make bigger changes. We stopped paying Child support in April so now we have some extra room in the budget to start snowballing things. We've also decided to give up tv beginning in January. Next will be our landline in Feb & reducing our cell phones in Feb too. I also have my van up for sale and if all that goes as planned we can put close to $700 more a month to our debt. I know the mortgages won't get paid off sooner but I am not concerned with those. I just really want to pay the credit cards off completely.
Also, I'm coming up with a new business venture which may allow me to keep the van & to have it pay for itself. In the new year I will be a personal grocery shopper. I even have my first client lined up. I think this will be a great idea. I am really excited. I think there are people who will pay a reasonable fee to have someone do their grocery shopping for them.
I don't really have any resolutions....I am not saying I am resolved to be/do this that or the other but I do have goals which I will be writing up for another post & I will be printing them & posting them in my home to help hold myself accountable. I look forward to announcing wheneve a step has been accomplished towards my goals.

Do you have goals or resolutions for 2011?

When to stock up

Thanks to The Krazy Coupon Lady for this comprehensive list of products. This is a great reference to use for when you want to know when to stock up or when something is going to go on sale. Now....some things vary by region. (Example we have Mardi Gras so there are usually sales that time for things like red beans, rice, zatarins mixes, etc) When these things are about to go on sale you MUST get your paper for your coupons. If its full of things your family uses regularly & you have room for it AND it won't go bad consider buying multiple papers & stockpiling. I have room for a few things but not everything so I pick what I can store. I will not be one of these people whose house looks like Wal-mart threw up in their home. Hope this list helps.

January: Oatmeal, diet foods, Superbowl Sunday items (chips, drinks, snacks), oranges, pears, carrots, spinach, Christmas items, cold medicine & vitamins

February: National Canned food month, national hot breakfast month, valentines candy, Chinese new year, potatoes, carrots, spinach.

March: Frozen food month, lemons, limes

April: Easter items, ham, eggs, some baking supplies, chocolate, Earth day, organic foods, energy saver items, beets, cabbages, mushrooms. Stock up after Easter on clearance items.

May: Memorial Day, BBQ Items, paper products, insect repellent, sunscreen, Cinco De Mayo, salsa

June: National Dairy Month, (sometime a free milk catalina wyb 3 or 4 cereals), end of June is gearing up for 4th of July, blackberries

July- 4th of July items, national ice cream month, blueberries, 4th of July clearance items

Aug. Back to school items, school lunch items, office supplies, apples, plums

September: Back to School sales, Labor Day items, BBQ & summer clearance, diabetes awareness, oranges, grapes

October: Halloween candy, start of baking supplies, adopt a shelter dog month, dog food, Halloween clearance

November: Baking items, canned foods, pears, end of the month Thanksgiving decorations

December: holiday dinner food, baking supplies, canned food.


This is just a guide....not a complete list. Good luck.