As it is getting towards the end of the year, fiscally, for us and our small business, I decided it was time to review our finances over all.
I wash shocked. Amazed. Disgusted. Surprised. Nauseated.
The biggest shock by far was learning that we had spent an average of $1,000 per month at the grocery store.
A thousand dollars a month!
To me, that was insane. And unacceptable.
Yes, we have six children, but two of them are now out of the house. Yes, we have a very well stocked pantry. Yes, I had a very productive garden for the past three years. Yes, I love to cook and eat. So how did our grocery expenditures get so out of hand?
I guess I should explain that at one time, I was able to feed five kids, provide formula to one, and have two kids in diapers, plus purchase all the groceries and paper products we needed for $400 a month. Of course, we lived in a larger city where there were plenty of coupons and competition. I needed to analyze what had happened to our grocery budget.
First, we moved up north to where we have two stores to choose from locally. And by locally, I mean within seven miles or less of our house. All the other stores are 45 miles or more away. One is the local butcher shop. Very good, high quality meats at competitive pricing with the local grocery stores. Everything else though is almost double in price. The other store is just extremely expensive. I can fill one cart at that store and it cost me around $500. A comparable cart at a different store 45 miles away would cost me about $300. That's a big difference.
Second, I stopped using coupons once I realized that all the coupons were for processed foods that I really did not want to feed my family. Using coupons was also challenging up north because we could not do the whole price match, doubling, or other coupon incentives that I had been used to in a larger city.
Third, we started celebrating the Sabbath on Friday nights with a really nice (read as expensive) meal - including soups, salads, main course, desserts, sparkling grape juice, and wine. Our main course usually featured beef tenderloin, rib eye steaks, gourmet hamburgers, store bought fresh asparagus, roasted red potatoes, and yummy decadent desserts from the bakery department. Thankfully, we are not big drinkers and drink a wine that is only $11 a gallon.
Fourth, the price of groceries has risen significantly and in fact are at their highest levels. The price of butter doubled per pound. Dairy products in general have increased. Beef prices increased. Chicken prices increased. Fresh produce has also increased. Everything has gone up incrementally and in some cases, rather substantially.
And finally, we changed our eating habits to be more in line with the Bible. This meant eating more fish, beef, and chicken, and eliminating pork products. Fish costs more. Beef prices are constantly rising. And let's face it - pork has historically been a super cheap meat. One that I could use to make three meals out of one big ham. In emulating the Proverbs 31 woman, I worked hard to provide the best and healthiest foods I could afford, which meant paying for things like organic salad and locally (as in the state we live in) processed coffee beans. So our decision on what to eat has also been a contributing factor.
I decided that I am going to try eliminating the grocery store. Google has shown a plethora of people and posts that have done a "No Grocery Store Challenge" for 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years. Obviously, there are some things that I will have to buy at the grocery store - like milk and some health and beauty products. But I can eliminate all paper products except toilet paper, and replace them with washable materials. I can make my own laundry soap. I can support the local Amish community by purchasing bulk products from them as well as fresh eggs. I will continue to grow many foods in the summer, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, and potatoes. I can also start using many of the items that I have stored in my pantry. We are already planning on buying half a cow next month. I'm going to try and find a local source for my poultry and will most likely still have to buy fish from the store.
My ultimate goal is to make our family more self-sustaining, and only have to make bulk purchased for things like flour, sugar, salt, coffee, and spices. I also want to support the people in our community.
Do you think that this is possible? Interested in joining me? Let me know what you think.
Be blessed.
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