Today I want to share my budgeting tips for managing our daily expenses at home. In particular, I'll be talking about how I find affordable yet fresh ingredients to cook with. I think this is a topic that resonates with a lot of people because it can be challenging to stick to a budget when everything seems to be getting more expensive.
Is it enough for a month's expenses?
As a working-class family, after receiving our salaries, we first set aside money for the Lord, pay all our bills for the month and my husband saves some money. Then, the remaining amount is what we use to cover our monthly food and toiletries budget. Before heading to the market, I always make a list of everything we need for the house.
veggies
Last Wednesday, my fridge was empty, so I rushed to the market to buy fresh meat and vegetables. I ended up buying onions, garlic, pepper, cabbage, bitter melon, and other vegetables we needed for the week. However, I was shocked to see the prices of the meat and chicken. Pork meat was already at 320 per kilo, while I only paid 280 per kilo last week. The chicken was also expensive, at 230 per kilo. Despite the high prices, I still got some Longanisa and hotdogs for breakfast. Eggs are very important for daily recipes.
pork and some breakfast ideas
chicken
After the market, I usually head to the grocery store to purchase toiletries and other household items. I prefer buying these items at the grocery store since they are generally cheaper there. However, I always make sure to buy fresh goods such as fruits and vegetables at the market since they are usually less expensive there.
snacks and sardines
Some personal needs
Detergent powder
Keeping an eye for best deal items.
more breakfast items
When I get to the grocery store, I grab a cart and head straight to the laundry soap section. This is one of the most important household items for me as I have a family, and we do a lot of laundry. After that, I move on to other sections of the store and carefully pick out items on my list while keeping an eye out for any good deals.
At the counter waiting
I also purchased some meat like pork belly cut into samgyupsal and grabbed some breakfast ideas. I buy coffee, sugar, some condiments, and sardines which my husband likes. I also added some snacks for all of us and chocolates.
After grabbing everything on my list, I went to pay at the cashier. I almost ran short of budget, and I wondered what my budget was short, it turned out that everything increased its price. Good thing I had some coins to pay for the tricycle going home.
going home
As I reached home, I arranged everything in its proper place and cooked lunch. It was a tiring yet fulfilling duty as a mother and a wife. Looking at our pantry full of goods for everyone makes us happy.
My budgeting tips are
- Make a list of everything needed before going shopping.
- Bring enough money only so you will not be tempted to spend unnecessary things.
- Do not be a compulsive buyer but if you have lots of money you can do it.
- Buy your fresh goods at the market and your household needs at the grocery.
- Do not go shopping when you are hungry cause you can grab more if you are.
How about you? do you have any tips for budgeting in your home? Let me know in the comments below. That would be all for today hope we have learned something. See you next time.