$32K Savings Challenge for 2011.....May Totals

I present to you May of the 2011 $32K Savings Challenge!

I have posted my MAY End of Month $32K $AVING$ CHALLENGE Totals.
Check out the side bar to your right for the specific numbers.

I have 2 goals really each month.....
The 1st is to actually finish each month in the black and not the red.
The 2nd is to hit the targeted savings amount of $2,666.67.

I have to report that we finished up May in the black!
The extra cash amount we ended the month of May with.......$3,297.11.

Income
We had $3221.15 left over from our income after our monthly expenses were deducted.
Add in $75.96 of Rebates applied against the food expenses and you have a deposit of $3,297.11  toward the Savings Challenge!

Our monthly target is an average of $2,666.67 to reach our Year End Goal.  We came in well over that amount for May.  This is only the second month so far this year that we have met or exceeded the monthly target amount for this challenge.

Outgo
As for the expenses in May....

HERE are the GOOD THINGS
*The electric bill went down another $141.
*We had NO car maintenance expenses in May.  But we did lose a car. 8-(
*We had no annual/bi-annual/quarterly payments to make.
*The WAM money was lower than usual.

HERE are the BAD THINGS
*The credit card bill was up again in the $1K range.
*Lots of Doctor visit co-pays, most of which were for camp physicals.
*$195 for annual dog vet check-ups and meds.


The Food Budget costs for May are in another post, which is located HERE.  The actual Food/Toiletries spending in May was more than $190.26 over budget or $114.30 when you take off my rebate check total which I use toward the food bill.

What's ahead for June.......
There are the usual suspects: electricity, water, phone, cable, credit card bill, food cash, etc.

Non-monthly bills include the summer camp payment for #2 son(ouch!), and the quarterly garbage pick-up payment.

So If I can keep the food spending on budget, we should be able to put away a good sized amount into savings this month.

YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL.....
With 5 months behind us, our Savings total to-date for 2011 is $14,933.99.
We finally are ahead of schedule with the Savings goal for the year!


And if you need to start putting money into savings......What's that you say?  You don't have an emergency fund of 6-8 months worth of expenses!!??....consider playing along in 2011 with me and Challenging Yourself to Save Money each Month Toward a Realistic for YOU Savings Goal!
Not everyone can shoot for $32K, I fully get that!
But everyone can shoot for some number, right!?

Find a money goal that works for you and put that number out there for everyone to see.  It will help keep you accountable to your goal if other eyes are on you.
Ooo, that sounded kind of creepy didn't it? ;-)

So how was your May financially? 
Did you spend less than you made?
Did you stay within your budget or not?

Leave a comment and share with us what you did with your money, both the good and not-so good.   Do you have any tricks or tips that help you to end your month before the money runs out?    Let us know!
If you posted your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check you out too!

Sluggy

A Break from Company to Tell You about my Rite-Aid Trip

So the relatives have begun arriving.
Pray for my sanity.

I went to Rite-Aid on Sunday and did this.....

1 x Sunday paper=$1.20  *Not pictured*
1 x Gillette Razor on sale=$9.03 **20% wellness discount made this cheaper than sale price**
2 x Oral-B Power Toothbrush on sale $5.99=$11.98
SubTotal.....$22.21

Coupons Used
1 x $3/$15 SurveyQ=$3.00
1 x $4/1 Gillette Razor ManuQ(Sunday P&G insert)=$4.00
2 x $3/1 Oral-B Power Toothbrush ManuQ(Sunday P&G insert)=$6.00
Coupon Total....$13.00

$22.21-$13.00=$9.21
I used $9 in +Up Rewards and put the .21¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card, $0 OOP.
I received $9.98 in +Up Rewards back(2 x $2.99 Oral-B,$4 Razor), so I am 'up' .98¢ for this transaction.

Then I bought.....

1 x Sunday Newspaper=$1.20 *not pictured*
2 x Veet w/20% wellness discount $5.35=$10.70
2 x Oral-B manual toothbrush on sale $2.57=$5.14
2 x Coast 3-pack bar soap on sale BOGO=$2.99
SubTotal....$20.03

Coupons Used
1 x $3/$15 Store survey Q=$3.00
2 x $3/1 Veet IPQ(facebook)=$6.00
2 x $2/1 Veet In-Ad Q=$4.00
2 x $1/1 Oral-B toothbrush P&G Homemailer Q=$2.00
Coupon Total....$15.00

$20.03-$15.00=$5.03
I used $5 in +Up Rewards to pay and put the .03¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card, so Zero OOP again.
I received $10.20 back in +Up Rewards(2 x $1.60 Toothbrushes, $5 WYB 2 Veet, $2 WYB 2 Coast soap).
Used $5, got $10.20 so I am 'up' $5.20 for this transaction.


THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....2
Total Spent....$.24 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$59.61
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$0.00
+Up Rewards earned...$20.18
+Up Rewards spent.....$14.00
+Up Rewards left to spend.....$57.15  And I have $43.69 left on my gift card.


Rite-Aid GRAND TOTALS--JUNE Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......4
Total Spent....$1.02 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$82.20
SCR qualified for....$0.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for June SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 6/1.....$50.97
+Up Rewards spent....$29.00
+Up Rewards earned....$35.15
+Up Rewards left....$57.15  includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period
 
What is everyone else buying this week at Rite-Aid?
I still have $3 in +Ups to spend before Saturday so I'll be going back this week.
 
Sluggy

Represent NEPA, Spending Money Already in June & Get a Freebie!

NEPA is in da house!....NEPA aka "Northeast Pennsylvania" for those of you who don't live around here. ;-)
Represent y'all!!

My area is all abuzz this morning with excitement.  The winner of this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee was crowned last night and it happens to be a local girl!
Abuzz"......Spelling 'Bee'?
Get it?lol

One of our local papers sponsored her.
Read about it HERE.  They announced on the news at 5pm that she had qualified for the Final Rounds so I stayed up last night and watched the televised portion of the competition.
Yes, I am a nerd.....

I use to do well in spelling bees in school.  I even won some stuff for being a good speller.  Now that my kids are in school it doesn't seem like they value good spelling skills as much anymore...that's a pity!
#1 son was an excellent speller and #2 son was very good at that skill as well.  Daughter however, daughter who has educational awards up the ying-yang can't spell her way out of a paper bag.
Seriously.
But then again, Hubs can't spell either.....and he has a B.A from Johns Hopkins and a Masters from University of VA.....in ENGLISH!
LOLOL
This family's underachievers are excellent spellers and the overachievers suck at letters.....go figure.

After #2 son's orthodontist appt. the other day,  I found myself over by the local Health Food Store.  I have been meaning to get over there for months now since I am down to the last few grains of Celtic Sea Salt in the big bag I bought 2+ years ago.
I buy the coarse sea salt and grind it myself in my little ceramic salt grinder.
We were also out of local honey, so I picked more up.  I found the price of THAT has gone way up!
I also bought a bag of Himalayan pink salt to try.

My grocery budget is out $23.48 for these 3 items.
Dang!  I could shop at Rite-Aid for 3 MONTHS and NOT Spend THAT MUCH!!!lol


Speaking of Rite-Aid......
You know I couldn't stay away from Rite-Aid now, don't you?
I rolled about $15 in +Ups this week.....

2 Transactions at 2 different stores.
1 on my card, 1 on BIL's card.

2 x Renpure 'Poo on sale=$9.98
1 x Cella cherry w/wellness discount=$.26
SubTotal.....$10.24 +.02¢ tax=$10.26

No Qs used....eek!

I used $10 in +Up Rewards and put the .26¢ on my free Rite-Aid gift card.
I received $9.98 in +Up Rewards for the Renpure 'Poo.

Then I bought....
1 x Renpure(they only had 1 'poo left) on sale=$4.99
1 x candy bar on sale=$.50
SubTotal....$5.49 + .03¢ tax=$5.52

Again, no Qs were used.
I paid with $5 in +Up Rewards, put the .52¢ on the gift card and received $4.99 in +Ups back.

**FREEBIE ALERT**
 With the +Up Reward it gives, these Renpure products are FREE.

Here's a tip, if you aren't concerned with rolling +Ups and can just use getting this shampoo for free, get a raincheck for the 2 bottles that are the limit per person/account.

Your raincheck will have them marked as being free since you won't get an +Up Reward after Saturday!
And you have a whole 30 days for them to get more in stock to use the raincheck(or longer if your store extends how long you can use a raincheck if they are out of stock of it for 30 days).

2 bottles of shampoo or conditioner for FREE.....just for getting a raincheck.
Even if you don't shop there, this is worth going in and getting if you happen to drive by one!

THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....2
Total Spent....$.78 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$22.59
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$0.00
+Up Rewards earned...$14.97
+Up Rewards spent.....$15.00
+Up Rewards left to spend.....$50.97  And I have $43.93 left on my gift card.


Rite-Aid GRAND TOTALS--JUNE Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......2
Total Spent....$.78 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$22.59
SCR qualified for....$0.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for June SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 5/28.....$51.00
+Up Rewards spent....$15.00
+Up Rewards earned....$14.97
+Up Rewards left....$50.97  includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period
 

Sluggy

What Food I Bought in May...A Big Boring List

My good blogging buddy Annie Jones over at Real Live Living  posts what she buys every month.  The way she tells it, it shows people that she really does get a lot of food for the little amount she spends each month.  You can eat well and still be frugal.
I think it's a good idea, especially to keep yourself accountable....accountable to what you are spending your food dollars on.
HERE  is her posted list for May.

So I thought this was a real good idea and decided to steal borrow her idea and post all the food I bought in May.

Before I show y'all the list, let me preface it with a couple of caveats so you don't think I regularly buy so much CRAP food. ;-)
Most of the candy was bought as "filler" items for Rite-Aid transactions....except the malted milk balls and the Dove chocies.  I am SO OWNING THAT! 8-)

The chips, whipped cream, cookies, burritos, pizza rolls and some of the ice cream and soda were bought in great numbers for the upcoming graduation party and to keep #2 son happy during the 1st part of the summer.  I don't usually buy some of that stuff and if I do buy it regularly I don't buy so much....unless it's free at Rite-Aid. ;-)

This list isn't necessarily what we "ate" in May since I stockpile, so we may have only eaten a few things(besides the obvious fresh produce).
But it shows you how far, buying on discount, bulk, sale and paring coupons and/or rebates with the deals you can make your money go.

Here's the food items, including pet foods, I bought in May for an out of pocket of $364.30.

MEAT, POULTRY AND EGGS

Boston Butt Pork Roast-4lbs.

Roast Beef Lunchmeat-1lb.

Turkey Breast Lunchmeat-2 lb.

Chicken Breast(split)-4.5 lb.

Bacon-1 lb.-6 packages

Hamburger Patties-2lb-3 boxes

SEAFOOD

Chopped Clams-1 can

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Blackberries-1.5 lb.

Yellow Squash-2.5 lb.

Apple Butter-1 jar

Watermelon-1

Bananas-1 lb.

Lettuce-2 heads

Creamed Spinach(frozen)-4 boxes

Brussell Sprouts(frozen)-4 boxes

Celery-1 bunch

Corn-10 ears

Tomatoes-2 lb.

Salad Mix-5 bags

DAIRY 

Ricotta Cheese-2lb.

2% Milk-2 gallon

2% Milk-1/2 gallon-2

Skim Milk-1/2 gallon-2

Cooper Sharp Cheese-5 lb.

Whipped Cream-3 cans

Ice Cream-7 containers

Eggs-3 dozen

Sour Cream-16 oz.-2

1lb. Butter-2

Margarine-3

PASTA, GRAINS, BEANS

Baked Beans-2 cans

Ravioli(frozen)-2 bags

BREADS

Pretzel Rolls-4

Pie Crust-2

Hot Dog Rolls-3

BAKING/COOKING STAPLES

Spray Oil-2 cans

CONDIMENTS/SPICES/HERBS

Ketchup-2 bottles

Mustard-1 bottle

SNACKS

Doritos-4 bags

Tostitos-3 bag

Potato Chips-11 bags

Cookies-4 bags

CANDY

Robin’s Eggs malted milk balls-1

Choc. covered Cherry-single pce.-2

Dove Chocolates-4 bags

Peeps-3 single boxes

Reese’s PB Egg-single-1

BEVERAGES

Apple Juice-7 bottles

100% Grape Juice-2 bottles

100% Juice Blend-2 bottles

Energy Drinks-8 cans

Instant Coffee-4 container

Juice Boxes-2 packs 

Iced Tea/Soda-single bottle-3

2 ltr. Soda-2 bottles
Soda-12 packs-8

PREPARED

Blue Cheese Dressing-1 gal.

Spaghetti Sauce-17 cans/jars

Tomato Paste-1 can

Canned Ravioli/Beefaroni-39 cans

Cinnamon Roll Whack Biscuits-3 tubes

Pizza(frozen)-2

Bagel Bites(frozen)-2 boxes

Hash Brown(dehydrated)-4

Pizza Rolls(frozen)-2 large bags

Suddenly Salad-4 boxes

Burritos(frozen)-7 bags

Nesquik Chocolate Powder-16

Nesquik Chocolate Syrup-8

Coffee-mate Powder-1 container

DOG FOOD

Alpo-14 cans

Mighty Dog-56 cans

Busy Bone(dog treat)-1

Dog Chow Kibble-17 lb-7 bags

May Budget Results......Food and Toiletries Spending

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for MAY 2011.

I have posted May's totals on the right side bar under Total Grocery Savings for 2011 and updated the Yearly Totals.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in May.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Summary.

My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Pet Supplies, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable.We are a family of 5(4 at home this month)& 2 dogs. No kids under 15.
******************

CARONE'S(small local independent store)
OOP  $102.08

Qs/Ads  $89.40
Value  $191.48
Savings  46.69%

CVS
OOP  $.99
Qs/Ads $3.49
Value  $4.48
Savings  78%

DOLLAR TREE
OOP  $2.00
Value  $3.98
Savings  49.75%

GERRITY'S
OOP  $32.30
Qs/Ads $44.22
Value  $76.52
Savings  57.80%

KEYCO(restaurant supply store)
OOP  $37.80

Value  $70.36
Savings  46.28%

REDNER'S
OOP  $34.39
Qs/Ads $18.53
Value  $52.92
Savings  35%

RITE AID
OOP  $10.77 (whole amount put on free Rite-Aid Gift Cards)=$.00 actual OOP
Qs/Ads/+Ups  $729.89
Value  $740.66
Savings  98.55% before gift cards/ 100% savings after free gift cards

WEIS (local chain Grocery store that doesn't take IP Qs in my town/doubles up to $1 total)
OOP  $230.70
Qs/Ads  $274.24
Value  $504.94
Savings   54.31% & ended the month with $12 in Catalina Qs

I don't track Rite-Aid's +Ups here, nor CVS's ECBs & Walgreen's RRs. They will be included when used on purchases under "Coupons".   I'll keep track of what rebates are received monthly.  Rebate money/gift cards will be considered 'income' & will go into the Food/Toiletries budget, offsetting the Out of Pocket. Cash will go immediately into the Budget kitty, while Gift Cards will be calculated in when spent.

REBATE CHECKS RECEIVED IN MAY

Phillips Toothbrush....$10.00
Pinecone Research....$6.00
Rite-Aid SCR...$59.96
Subtotal........$75.96

GIFT CARDS and CERTIFICATES

Walmart Gift Card(from Giveaway)....$15.00

Subtotal....$15.00

TOTAL Value of Cash/Store Checks/Gift Card Rebates Received...$90.96

COUPONS and FREEBIES

Cottonelle....Free Item Q
Hard Rock Hotel...Water Bottle(from giveaway)
Suave....Free Item Q
Vocal Point....Cereal sample and Qs

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were from Rite-Aid at 100%,  CVS at 78% and Gerrity's at 57.80%.  I shopped at 8 stores in May.


TOTAL Out of Pocket...............................$440.26
TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$1,205.08
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$1,645.34 with Rite-Aid figured in
TOTAL Savings of...................................73.25%

TOTAL of CASH Rebates........................$75.96

TOTAL Out of Pocket After Rebates........$364.30
TOTAL Savings including Rebates...........$1,281.04
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$1,645.34
TOTAL Savings After Rebates...................77.86%

Since my Rite-Aid shopping(which contains No OOP)always skews my savings percentages, I like to figure my Totals without the Rite-Aid numbers also.
TOTAL OOP after Rebates.....$364.30
TOTAL Value of Items Purchases(w/out Rite-Aid items)....$904.68
TOTAL Savings After Rebates(w/out Rite-Aid items).....59.74%
My food savings percentage seems to run about 50%-60% for the strictly food items only.
Those Rite-Aid purchases always boost up my savings total about 20% points.

This closes out the May spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month-
Obviously I went way over my $250 budgeted amount for food spending in May, even with the rebate checks added to my budget. I did the Weis Catalina deals as planned and stocked up at the restaurant supply store.  Plus some buying ahead for the graduation party in June(hamburger patties, chips, soda).

What's ahead for June.....
The relatives begin showing up on Sunday for the graduation.  I'll have more party buying to do and I'll be using lots from the freezer otherwise to feed them all.  The back end of the month will only have Hubs and I here to prepare meals for, so low spending those weeks will help balance the food budget out this month and I should be able to stay within or close to my self-imposed $250 limit.


How did you do in May with your Food Budget?
What are your challenges for June?  Any family coming to stay....or are you trying to figure out a food budget for a vacation?
Please leave a comment or link to your post and let us hear about your progress!  By sharing our struggles and efforts we can help each other stick to our budgets and learn to be better guardians of our resources.


Sluggy