The Grocery Budgeting Solution

So the Hubbs and I have decided on a grocery budget solution. We really needed something that fit our lifestyle. So we came down to signing up for e-mealz and getting an app for our iphone that could be synced so that when I or he went shopping, we could record right away how much was spent and keep the monthly budget for groceries to what we have it at. Hopefully our plan will work. It's been one week. Ha!

So first we signed up for...

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It's basically a menu planner for each week. And a weekly grocery list is included. If you have a Super Wal-mart or Whole foods Stores nearby, this one is for you. Or I guess you could shop anywhere, as long as the prices stay within the certain range. Market Basket's prices are fairly close to Wal-mart's.

Oh, and look for coupon codes online for Emealz. We got a HUGE discount on GROUPON when we signed up for EMEALZ. 

Then we got this iPHONE app for budgeting,

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We use the free version of TOSHL (with iCLOUD, so we both can see the money spent on our own phones) for the iPHONE. The free version basically only allows for one budget category. For us we only need one. So far it's working. We just have to remember to put in how much we spend. One of those things that after time, I'm hoping will be a habit.

I will keep everyone updated as we continue our journey with this budget solution. So far I LOVE knowing I don't have to plan a meal for the day, it's already planned.

So, for tonight's grocery shopping: I have my list basically done. Just adding on a few things for breakfast and other necessities. LOVE!

Budgets are our worst and best enemies. Right?

My brain is literally mush right now. I've been going crazy getting the house cleaned and between kids napping, or not napping (they are both napping right now though) I thought I needed a small blogging break to clear things from my head.

I've been trying, not hard enough apparently, to get a good system down for grocery shopping and menu planning. My first step was to get a small "grocery" notebook and write on the left sheet my plan for meals for the week and the right sheet my plan on foods needed to make that happen, plus other groceries we need. That way I could be organized and not buy more than we need each week for food. I've been doing that for a few months now, and it works well. Just not well enough. Our food budget is tight, so I knew I had to be strict. Who knew two little ones could eat so much! Seriously?

Here's a few ideas that have come about in the last week:

The hubbs, Josh, thought we should get an app for our phone, a place we could both record how much we spend on food and it will always keep an updated amount left on our phones. I liked how there are apps that can connect our phones and our budget. Hey there's an app for like everything, why didn't I just look. Glad he saw that option.

One of them is called: iXpenselt 

Anyone use that? Or one similar.

Another idea I saw on PINTEREST was to make lots of meals ahead of time and freeze them, meats and veggies, with seasoning and whatever else is needed, in a freezer bag ready to throw in the crock pot or oven. Genius! There are so many options out there. Just need the time to do it. So I need to look at my time and see what works and what doesn't. Two kids keeps me busy enough.

And also I could use this:

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 Which I was just shown today by my bro. And it's made by non other than, DAVE RAMSEY! Haha. Awesome! Any feedback on e-mealz?

So, all in all I think I have a good start. I just need to do a bit more researching, planning, and get the plan going. I'm so thankful to all the resources we have.

How do you plan your weekly meals?

ps. I'll make sure to follow up on how things go.