I think I'm finally learning how to add

I've not had an issue with going over budget since we started doing the budget and envelope system, but at the same time I've had a time or two where I've been surprised by how much my total was when I got to the register.  I usually do one to two grocery trips in a week, depending on the sales.  Since Kroger runs Sun-Sat and Publix runs Wed-Tues, it's easy to compare them against each other and make sure I'm getting the best deals all around.  If things are even, I'll usually get them at Publix since from what I've seen on the things we buy the most their prices are about equal but since Publix doubles coupons (and our Krogers don't) and since I have a stack of $5 off coupons (ranging from $5/25 to $5/$50) that I can also use at Publix, Publix wins.  The last few weeks I've been spending less and less at Kroger.  Actually, I've been spending less and less at both stores but getting more and more.

Today I went to Publix.  We are at the end of our budget period and our envelopes get replenished tomorrow, BUT I won't have a chance to get to the grocery store again for a week or so, so I was a little more limited in what I could spend.  With that in mind, I didn't want to go to ring out and find that I didn't have enough in my envelope to pay for everything. So, my goal was to have everything in my basket total to less than what I had in my envelope BEFORE I used any coupons.  I did go over just a tad but it was because I had picked up a 6pk of beer for my hubby. I knew it was going to push it over but I also knew I'd be fine when it was all said and done.

I'm also getting a lot better about planning my trips out before I leave the house and knowing exactly what I'm going to get.  One thing that helps is waiting a little into the sale period to get some feedback from others on items that might not be advertised but are on sale.  For instance, this week at Publix Campbell's Chunky soup bowls are in sale for $1.29 but they aren't advertised.  My hubby enjoys these for his lunch during the week and I have quite a few coupons ranging from .50/1 to $2/4, so I picked up 8 for him to get him through the next couple of weeks.  I also went through my coupons one last time before I left the house to make sure I was using the best ones and in the process I noticed a coupon that was about to expire for Carnation Instant breakfast.  We both drink this stuff just about every day but I've yet to see it on sale and never see any coupons for it except the ones that print out at Kroger.  I had one of these from Kroger that was set to expire tomorrow, so I went ahead and used it at Publix and stocked us up on the stuff.

My Favorite Publix Deals This Week:

• Nestle cookie dough BOGO @ 2.89, paired with 2 $1/1 coupons = 2/.89
• Yo Crunch yogurt @2.69 (coupon in in store ad for BOGO, paired with 2/$1 coupons = 2/.69
• Betty Crocker supreme brownie mix BOGO @ 2.69 (paired with $1/2 coupon) = 2/$1.69
• Pepperidge Farms Cookies BOGO @ $3.39 (paired with 2 $1/1 coupons) = 2/$1.39
• Glade Scented Candles 2/$4 (paired with $1.50/2 coupon) = 2/$2.50

The hardest part seems to be finding room for the overstock, but we are making that work too.