As a reminder to everyone, this was my plan for the month of January:

CRACK-DOWN PLAN
1. I would like to spend no more than $300 per month for my family of 6. We are starting to eat more fresh foods so I am leaving my budget flexible at the beginning until I see how much we eat and how much things will cost. I will adjust if necessary.
2. We will eat out no more than once per month. That includes Little Ceaser’s Hot N Ready Pizza (which has become too much of a friend to us).
3. I will plan my menus out a month at a time. I would like to get 6 months at a time if possible. Meal planning always helps me spend less at the store and takes the headache out of the end of the day.
4. Cook from scratch as much as possible.
5. Start couponing again as much as possible for the foods we eat.
6. Use supplies from my food storage and stockpile to fuel my meals. This will get us used to the food I store as well as rotate what I have.

What do you think? Did I stick to my plan this month?

I ended up spending a total of $414.31. Although $65 of that was on building up my food storage (I can’t empty my shelves completely!) and I don’t count that against my grocery budget. So….I really ended up spending $349.31 on groceries for for January for our family of six.

I am pleased with myself! When I set my original goal of $300, it was a loose goal. I wasn’t sure how things would go with my menu plan. I was dedicated this month…but there were some things I realized I could do better at. It is all a learning process, folks! I did everything on my crack-down plan list…some more than others but I did them. And I will continue to do them. The important thing is this:

I set a budget for myself and tried my hardest to stick to it! And I did my best.

I am also happy to report that as a family we did eat out only once…and we didn’t even have to pay for it! It was our HOA’s annual meeting at the pizza joint down the street. So we had a free dinner that night. Gotta love that! We didn’t give in to wanting to eat out at all!

It’s important to remember that changing habits is hard! Sometimes it can take several months to get in the swing of things. I kept reminding myself that this past month. As I have tried to spend less and eat better…which sometimes don’t go hand-in-hand.

Here is what I have learned the past 31 days:

1. I can make many more things from scratch than I originally thought. Items like english muffins and yogurt, for example. If I had made those from scratch this month I would have saved an additional $18! ( I only buy Mountain High yogurt, which is a little more expensive.)

2. I learned to improvise in my recipes. When I was out of an ingredient, I made do with what I had. Or I searched on Google to see if I could use another ingredient as a replacement.

3. Having a menu plan helps you stick to your budget. I always knew what we were doing, and it helped to have a plan in case I needed to switch things up. Only once all month did I have to run to the store for an extra trip. On my regular shopping day (Tuesdays) I was able to everything I needed because I was organized with my menu planning binder.

4. Sticking to basic meals a few times a month is a win-win situation. I learned a long time ago that trying new recipes all the time backfires. When there are recipes I KNOW my family eats, I make it. Sometimes a few times a month. Meals like baked potatoes and steamed veggies pleases everyone! Including my pocketbook. I will try new recipes once or twice a month, but for the most part I stick to basic meals.

Here is the bottom line for me: I enjoyed the challenge I gave myself this month! I am planning on continuing this for February. I am setting my grocery budget for $350 for February.

Here is my menu plan for February in case you are interested. I still need to add or change a few things but here it is. And here is a blank February calendar for your menu plan.

What about you? I know several of you at the start of January wanted to do this too. Did you meet your goal? What did you learn?

Other posts in this series:
2012 Grocery Budget Crack-Down Plan
2012 Grocery Budget Crack-Down Plan: Menu Planning
2012 Grocery Budget Crack-Down Plan: Menu Planning Binder
2012 Grocery Budget Crack-Down Plan: Monthly Check-in
2012 Grocery Budget Crack-Down Plan: Budgeting
2012 Grocery Budget Crack-Down Plan: Cooking From Scratch

Today is the last day of January.  That means that the printable coupon sites will update their coupons tomorrow.  If there are any coupons you want, print them today!  Check out Group A, Group C and Coupon Network, where there are still some great coupons left.  Remember, you can print each coupon twice.

* Check out the PYP Navigating Rite Aid posts to help you along your shopping journey at Rite Aid.

* Read the Rite Aid coupon policy and keep it in your coupon binder.

* These are just the BEST offers this week. Always check your local ad to verify prices as they change by region.

* Participate in Rite Aid’s Video Values to be able to print valuable coupons that you can combine with manufacturer coupons!

Triaminic $4.99
Use Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever product, any $3/1 (2-15-12) SS-12/4 AND $2/1 Video Values printable coupon
Final Price: FREE after coupons!

Centrum Pro Nutrients $9.99
Use Centrum ProNutrients Supplements, any $5/1 (2-26-12) RP-1/1 AND $4/1 Video Values printable coupon
Get a $10 +Up when you buy $25
Final Price: $.32 each after coupons and reward!

Old Spice BodySpray or BodyWash 2/$8
Use (2)Old Spice Bodywash or Body Spray, excludes trial size $2/1 (1-31-12) PG-1/1 (expires tomorrow!)
Get a $2 +Up Reward when you buy two
Final Price: $1 each after coupons and reward!

Alka-Seltzer $4.99
Use Alka-Seltzer Plus product, any $2/1 (3-31-12) RP-12/4
Get a $2 +Up Reward
Final Price: $.99 after coupon and reward!

Chex Mix $1.49
Use (4) $.60/1 printable coupon AND $1/4 Video Values printable couponGet a $5 +UP Reward when you buy $15 worth of participating items
Final Price: $.14 each after coupons and reward!

Lays Stax or TGI Friday’s Potato Skins $1
Get a $5 +Up Reward when you buy $15 worth of participating items
Final Price: $.66 each after reward!

Pepsi or 7-Up 12pk 3/$9.99 (Buy 3)
Get a $2 +Up Reward (when you buy 3)
Get a $5 +Up Reward when you buy $15 worth of participating items
Final Price: $1.76 each after both rewards!

Pantene 2/$7
Use Pantene products, excludes trial size $3/2 (1-31-12) PG-1/1 (expires tomorrow!)
Get a $10 +Up Reward when you buy $30 of participating products
Final Price: $1.32 after coupon and reward!

Always or Tampax 2/$11
Use (2)Tampax Pearl or Tampax Pearl Compak, 18 ct. or higher $2/1 (1-31-12) PG-1/1 OR Tampax, 18 ct. or higher $1/1 (1-31-12) PG-1/1 (expires tomorrow!)
Always Pads, Clean or Feminine Cleansing Cloths $1/1 (1-31-12) PG-1/1(expires tomorrow!)
Get a $10 +Up Reward when you buy $30 of participating products
Final Price: $2.97 each after coupons and reward!

Covergirl Cosmetics B1G1 50% Off
Use CoverGirl product $1/1 (1-31-12) SS-12/11
CoverGirl product $1/1 (1-31-12) PG-1/1
CoverGirl product, excludes trial/travel size $1/1 (2-29-12) PG-1/29
Get a $10 +Up Reward when you buy $30 of participating products
Final Price: Unknown

Print this Robitussin $1/1 Printable Coupon quickly, before it disappears.  These are only $0.17 at Walgreens and $0.16 at CVS after coupon with the new Pfizer $10 Mail-in Rebate.  See details for the Walgreens deal HERE and the CVS deal HERE.  Remember, you can print each coupon twicel

Did you notice the Walmart single page ad in the Unilever 1/30/12 Redplum insert for 3 oz Vaseline Total Moisture Lotion for .97?  The ad tells you to “look for a coupon in the insert” You can find a $1 coupon on page 8–which means FREE lotion!

There are only limited prints available for this coupon so hurry over HERE and print a buy one get one free coupon for Ocean Spray 64 oz Cherry Drinks!