Guest Post: Conquer the Budget Busters

The following is a guest post from Shelly at Coupon Teacher.

Please tell me you have the same problems as me.  It seems like I am rolling along pretty well with my low grocery budget, and then BAM! All of the sudden, the cat needs food and litter, we are out of milk and bread, and hubby forgets to tell me he is out of deodorant.  Oh and maybe, I find out that somehow I am completely out of chicken.

There is no way I can get all that in one week and stay under budget (unless there is a special coupon event going on).  What are some strategies to use when all the expensive items are needed the same week?

1. Preventative Measures. I guess this isn’t a real strategy for when it happens, but it might help before it happens.  Keeping a close eye on your stockpile and food levels will help prevent the week when everything expensive runs out.
2. Keep an extra envelope. A lot of you are probably on the all cash system.  If you are, when your grocery envelope runs dry, you are out of money. Period.  If your budget allows it, keep an extra envelope with $20 in it for the rare occasions like this one.
3. Get gift cards. Ask for gift cards to the stores you shop at most for your birthday and/or Christmas.  Save the gift cards until there are bigger items you need to purchase.  Don’t forget to enter blog giveaways for gift cards too.  I haven’t paid for cat food since I started blogging, because I have won several small Walmart and Target gift cards.
4. Use ECB, RR, or rebate checks. I know it hurts to not roll those ECB or RR, but sometimes you can use them for needed items.  As a matter of fact, sometimes you might have to.  It will be ok.  You can earn more.  I try to put all my rebate checks into savings, but if necessary, I will add them back into my grocery budget.
5. Plan your menu to leave out items you don’t have. If I am out of chicken and it isn’t on sale, we won’t be having chicken that week.  Now I realize that milk, bread, and eggs are staples, but some items we can do without until we have more money or a sale.

What do you do when your grocery budget seems like it won’t stretch far enough?

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Shelly is a full-time fourth grade teacher and blogs at Coupon Teacher. She wants you to share and celebrate your successes with her, and she may give you a few tips along the way!  Right now, she is offering a free savvy shopping course.  She would love for you to join her!