Comments on: Household Budgeting On $800 A Year

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:02:20 +0000

This is all perception. When I look over her website I feel inspired to do better with the resources I have. I am inspired. She does not use just grocery stores but includes drugstores. She does not spend hours on shopping. I know people who spend 20-30 hrs a month shopping and window shopping at malls. I also look for tips that will work for me. There is a saying “take what you need and leave the rest”. I do buy things I don’t need to make a deal that will make money for me in gift cards and rebates. I then donate those things to food banks and churches. I only need so much toothpaste, shampoo, etc. but I’ve made $50-100 in a month doing these deals that can go to my food/household budget and feel good donating to help others. I like couponmom.com for a free grocery deal service and slickdeals.net for drugstores, food stores, general shopping and even vacation deals. If you get even one idea to help you be grateful and leave the rest, don’t tear it down cuz it isn’t all for you.

By: Alex Fernandes

Alex Fernandes — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:52:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing such great post, according to me it will surely help many people to manage their household budgeting.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:57:50 +0000

I’m “delurking” to toss my two cents into the ring – I think this manner of buying works out great. And as far as not counting things that were bought previously, it works out because when you buy in bigger amounts you aren’t using it all NOW, it’s for the future, so it is all working out in the long run. Not sure if I’m explaining it correctly but that’s my own worthless two cents. I love your website though, thanks for sharing!

By: David

David — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:02:00 +0000

That’s good for those who can do that. However, if you plan to eat as healthy as you can, this is basically an impossible goal (not to be pessimistic or anything). Living in the city purchasing such items as antibiotic free chicken, 8L of milk per week, foods that are higher in fibre, whole wheat foods, etc, (not even including other household items), I don’t see how $800 is achievable. If I can spend only $100/week, I’m happy. Am I waaay off base? (A 4L bag is roughly $4, or $5.50 if buying premium, 8L a week is $415-570/year on milk ALONE!).

By: Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:20:35 +0000

Hi,
I follow Erin and also coupon shop.While I am no where near where Erin is with her budget yet, I plan to be in the future. I have a family of 5 (2 adults, 1 teen boy, 1 tween boy, and a growing daughter) and we average about $30 a wk on groceries. And no one in our home is obese or unhealthy in any way. If you take some time to look at Erin’s site she feeds her family very well, she just spends some time thinking and planning her shopping trips. It is possible after some time and thought to live on $800 a year and she shouldnt be criticized for teaching those of us that must live this way how to do it. It seems that if you are reading a frugal blog you would at least give this her an opportunity before playing judge and jury.

By: Tara

Tara — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:34:32 +0000

O.K. since my last posting I have listened to all the good and bad about this topic. I have gone on the website and checked into this a lot more. My final answer is that She had to have worked very hard at this in the beginning. Probably has a system in place by now but I think it is like a game or challenge and I am going to try this. I am not going to put 800.00 in an account for the year at this point but I am going to try this for a few months and see what all I can save. I have to say that it seems like it can be addicting. Its Sunday today so all new coupons should be out and I know that the grocery stores change there fliers every Thrusday so that is going to be my start.. We will see how I do.

By: TStrump

TStrump — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:50:33 +0000

Wow – my hats off to her!
It makes me take a look at my own budget.
I guess we really do waste lots of money.

By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad

DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:42:55 +0000

This sounds too good to be true . . .

But it makes me wonder what else I can do to cut more . . . it is a worthy goal.

By: Checkout Chicks

Checkout Chicks — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:03:59 +0000

It truly is possible. Not easy and it requires devotion but it’s totally possible. I can’t even tell you how much I get for free by shopping the drugstores, free gift card for prescription hopping and watching for sales to combine w/ coupons. I never pay for toilet paper anymore because it’s always free! I have a great stockpile of toiletries and household cleaners that were all either free or under $1 each.

If you approach it like a game of strategy, it can be a lot of fun.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:14:49 +0000

I might be wrong but I checked out the site in question too and read through quite a bit of the older posts and it seems she is really doing what she says. She takes her family out to eat on occasion using coupons and free offers, takes advantage of many “free” offer she sees (take a test drive and get a $25 gift card, B1G1Free) and uses these freebies towards her purchases. I read it that she is just saying she is keeping her out of pocket spending at under $800 for the year. It looks like she did last year but regardless, why not give her credit for trying hard to spend what she has carefully and thoughtfully and making a chronicle of her journey?

I say kudos to her…I don’t have it in me but I’m impressed that she does!