Paying Cash for Groceries...help!

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread explores various personal experiences and strategies related to managing grocery budgets, particularly through cash payments and estimation methods. Participants share their thoughts on using tools like calculators and tally clickers, as well as their approaches to staying within budget while shopping.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses concern about transitioning to cash payments and not wanting to put items back at the checkout.
  • Several participants recall using handheld tally clickers in the past and share fond memories of their mothers using similar tools or methods to keep track of spending.
  • One participant shares their experience of budgeting $100 for groceries over two weeks while using a calculator to track expenses in real-time.
  • Another participant mentions using mental math to estimate costs while shopping, finding it effective for staying close to the actual total.
  • Some participants discuss the importance of making a shopping list and estimating prices to help manage their budgets effectively.
  • One participant notes the challenges of staying on budget due to unexpected shortages of items at the store, which can lead to overspending.
  • Another participant mentions the strategy of rounding up prices in their head to maintain a rough estimate of their total spending.
  • Several users mention their experiences with the Total Money Makeover program by Dave Ramsey and how it influences their budgeting practices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best methods for tracking grocery expenses, with some participants favoring mental calculations while others prefer using calculators or lists. No clear consensus emerges on the most effective approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal anecdotes and methods that have worked for them in managing grocery budgets, reflecting a variety of experiences and preferences.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for different strategies to manage grocery budgets and those interested in personal budgeting techniques may find this discussion relevant.

G
GeorgiaPeach
Silver Member
Messages
1,367
For the record...starting a thread is SO hard :) I want to make the title something cute and catchy to grab your attention but that was all I could come up with....maybe I should have put KY. :p A while back we had a thread regarding Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University. He advocates dividing up your money into envelopes and paying cash for everything. Friday I completely ran out of checks so this week we are forced to begin the envelope system :)I always write a check so don't worry about exactly what is going in the cart. So if it's $70 or $78...not a problem. I'm worried about paying with cash. I don't want to have to put stuff back.I've seen (many years ago!) little hand held "clickers" that you use to tally what goes in your cart. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Know where I can get one? Anyone else pay cash and have little tips or suggestions?
 
My mom must have had one of those. I remember playing with one when I was a kid.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
JAE said:
My mom must have had one of those. I remember playing with one when I was a kid.
Click to expand...

See if she remembers what it's called. I thought a catalog like Harriet Carter would have them or I could google it. But don't think "grocery clicker thing" will work :)
 
My mom always kept track in her head. Which is why we weren't allowed to talk when she was grocery shopping.
 
When my husband was in the military, we were on a really tight budget. I would only spend $100 or less for two weeks of groceries. I always just took a small calculator and added everything up as I went along.
 
I haven't seen one of those in years!
 
My Mom had one of the clickers. I have no idea where you could get one today - sorry no help.
 
My sister used write her list up at home and the estimate prices next to them. Then when she went to the store, she kept track on a calculator so she knew if she was on target or off target with how much money she was spending. I know that this helped her out alot.
 
I try to stay on budget for groceries.....I use a little trick my dad taught me years ago - I keep track in my head, rounding up or down to the nearest dollar - so for example:

Ground round - $3.29 ($3)
organic eggs - $2.79 ($3)
carrots $1.39 ($1)
Apples $1.99 ($2)
Cereal $3.19 ($3)
________________________
Total $12.65 vs $12.00

It's amazing how it works! When I do this, I am always within a dollar or two of the actual cost ~ and I don't have to worry about if I accidently erase a total or make an error with a calculator.
 
My first post! They were called "Add-A-Matic"s, and there is at least one on http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Chadwick-Super-Add-A-Matic_W0QQitemZ200189219614QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0801041025a11314.I use the estimation method, too, but I am awful at keeping track as I go. I'm like ChefAnn's mom, only my kids don't actually stay quiet! So I "touch and add" a few times during the trip (of course, you have to pay real attention to prices as you put items in the cart).
 
I wish I could stay on budget. I did great today, but I didn't get milk or bagels because the store was out. (Yes, the store was out of the skim milk that was on sale. Seriously!) My kids love blueberry bagels, anhd they were $1 and gone. Also needed hair color and my color was gone. Sale was buy two and get a $5 off. There was only one. So, back to the store in a few days to finish. It will blow the budget, but that's one of the reasons I sell PC, so I can afford to blow my budget.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
JAE said:
I wish I could stay on budget. I did great today, but I didn't get milk or bagels because the store was out. (Yes, the store was out of the skim milk that was on sale. Seriously!) My kids love blueberry bagels, anhd they were $1 and gone. Also needed hair color and my color was gone. Sale was buy two and get a $5 off. There was only one. So, back to the store in a few days to finish. It will blow the budget, but that's one of the reasons I sell PC, so I can afford to blow my budget.
Click to expand...

What's up with the milk shortage?? I've noticed it around here. WalMart (where I do the majority of my shopping) has been out of skim 3 out of the last 4 times I've been there. Sunday had to buy a half gallon, stopped at a convenience store tonight to just grab one...nothing but whole milk. Milk in Macon is almost $1.50 more per gallon than in my in laws dinky little town in WV.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
I'm afraid to use a calculator because I'd probably clear it out by accident. I think I'll try the "round up and make tally marks on my list" method. I did find a tally clicker thing for $8, looks like something I can buy at a sporting goods place...like one of those things they used to use to count people as they enter a ball game.
 
We've been doing this for a while and I definately think making a list is a must. If I don't have a list and have estimates for items then it's very difficult to stay in budget and get everything I need. I do try to plan ahead for those items like toilet paper, hair color, etc. that I don't purchase every week so that I spread those out. I also put an estimate next to everything and then just keep track as I go along if things are more or less than the budget. We make a game out of it and when I store up enough extra money by being under budget we all go out to dinner. It is so much easier to overspend when you don't use cash...especially at places like Costco!
 
MicheleC said:
We've been doing this for a while and I definately think making a list is a must. If I don't have a list and have estimates for items then it's very difficult to stay in budget and get everything I need. I do try to plan ahead for those items like toilet paper, hair color, etc. that I don't purchase every week so that I spread those out. I also put an estimate next to everything and then just keep track as I go along if things are more or less than the budget. We make a game out of it and when I store up enough extra money by being under budget we all go out to dinner. It is so much easier to overspend when you don't use cash...especially at places like Costco!
Click to expand...
We are on DR's plan also. I have a hard time with this too. I end up stealing from another envelope if I go over. I am getting better though. I think I am going to start doing an estimate on paper and then keep track at the store.

We let our Costco membership go because we always bought things we didn't need and then spent like $200! I just go to the grocery store and buy everything. I even need to stay out of Target!!
 
You can use any basic counter...I'll look at work, we may have a few sitting around from back before the PCs when packers would count their packages for the tally sheets.

I round and add in my head - I'm usually within a buck or two. I use a debit card - still paying cash basically but not carrying cash. You just have to stick to your budget.
 
I am in the process of the Total Money Makeover with Dave Ramsey. I am so excited to be getting my finances straight. I haven't made it to the cash/envelope method yet but like these ideas for keeping track of the budget.
 
chefann said:
My mom always kept track in her head. Which is why we weren't allowed to talk when she was grocery shopping.
Click to expand...
My mom did the same thing. Could not talk while we were shopping. I do remember the "grocery clicker thing" though.

I am about to use Dave Ramsey.
 
I don't know about the clicker, but I have a lot of friends who use calculators.
 
I'm doing DR's TMMO and add in my head. I know how much I can spend on groceries each week so I just add up and go. Definitely use a list and stick to it. The reality is, if yo budget $100 and your total is $110, put $10 back. People do it ALL THE TIME at the Meijer I go to. No one cares... it's not big deal. And no one is going to starve because that last $10 worth didn't make it home.Good luck... once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard!
 
I also use the envelope system. It is taking a while to get used to. So much easier to swipe that debit card. LOL. I have been using a small calculator or just add on my grocery list. I always round up so that I make sure I have enough.
 
I'm doing Dave Ramsey's plan also. DH and I are doing the Financial Peace University classes. Love it! We got our budget planned out for Jan 1. The first week at the store was a little scary! I had alreay purchased some items at another store so I only had about $78 for 1 week. I loaded my stuff on to the conveyer belt thing in order of importance... the stuff we HAD to have went first... things I could put back went on last. I just watched the total as it added up on the screen. I was ready to pull the plug when it hit $75 or so. I didn't go over... I had about 1.25 left. SUCH A GOOD FEELING!! We didn't get cash out this week - forgot so we did the debit card - I feel better with Cash. I knew if we went over with the card I wouldn't put stuff back!

A list is a must... we planned out our meals for the week and stuck by it. This week however I have to scrounge in the freezer and pantry... we didn't get all we needed because I forgot my list and now we are out of budget. We will make it but... not fun.

I can't wait to get things paid off though!! That will make this all worth while! We can do it!
 
If anyone's looking for a little help, there are several of us on the boards who use Grocery Game to save on groceries. It might be a little tough to start while you're following DR, but it can really help with the grocery budget.

We get free weeks for referrals, so if you're considering trying it, PM me or Colleen (finley1991) - or anyone else who wants to share that they do GG.
 
chefann said:
My mom always kept track in her head. Which is why we weren't allowed to talk when she was grocery shopping.
Click to expand...

I think it was just because she wanted some peace and quiet.:love:
 
katie0128 said:
I think it was just because she wanted some peace and quiet.:love:
Click to expand...
We were quiet. "Children should be seen and not heard," after all. But, man, would we get in trouble if we made her lose count in the grocery store!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I effectively budget for groceries when paying with cash?

To effectively budget for groceries when using cash, start by determining your monthly grocery expenses. Track your spending for a month to understand your typical costs. Then, set a cash limit based on your budget and withdraw that amount at the beginning of the month. Use envelopes or a cash management system to allocate funds for different grocery categories, ensuring you stick to your budget throughout the month.

What are some tips for saving money on groceries when paying cash?

To save money on groceries while paying cash, consider planning your meals for the week and creating a shopping list based on sales and discounts. Use coupons and take advantage of loyalty programs at your local grocery store. Buy in bulk for non-perishable items and consider shopping at discount stores or farmers' markets for fresh produce. Additionally, avoid shopping when hungry to reduce impulse purchases.

How can I avoid overspending when using cash for groceries?

To avoid overspending when using cash for groceries, stick to your shopping list and resist the temptation to buy items that aren't planned. Set a specific cash amount to take with you and leave your credit or debit cards at home. If you find yourself tempted by sales or impulse buys, take a moment to evaluate whether the purchase is necessary before adding it to your cart.

What should I do if I run out of cash before the end of the month?

If you run out of cash before the end of the month, assess your remaining grocery needs and prioritize essential items. Consider adjusting your meal plan to use what you already have at home. You can also look for ways to earn extra cash, such as selling unused items or doing odd jobs, to replenish your grocery fund. Finally, reflect on your spending habits to identify areas for improvement in your budgeting strategy.

Are there any apps or tools that can help me manage cash spending on groceries?

Yes, there are several apps and tools that can help you manage cash spending on groceries. Budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need A Budget) allow you to track your expenses and set cash limits. You can also use grocery list apps that help you plan meals and keep track of your spending. Some apps even provide digital coupons and store deals, making it easier to stick to your budget while shopping.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

Save on Travel Expenses: AAA Cash Packs for British Pounds
  • ChefLoriG
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
10
Views
1K
jkinak
Holiday Dash for Cash: 7 Shows & Counting!
  • beckysuem
    • Pampered Chef Sales
Replies
7
Views
2K
rlombas
Boost Your Booth Sales with Top Cash and Carry Items | Tips for Beginners
  • pcladyofms
    • Pampered Chef Booths
Replies
13
Views
4K
pampchefsarah
Dave Ramsey- Financial Peace Discussion
  • esavvymom
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
6
Views
2K
NooraK
Streamline Your Booth Cash and Carry with a Personal Inventory Order
  • NooraK
    • Pampered Chef Sales
Replies
13
Views
2K
JackieB999
How Can I Make Cash Donations to Help Whip Cancer?
  • crystalscookingnow
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
2
Views
2K
krismaur
How to Price Cash and Carry Items?
  • ChefForrester
    • Pampered Chef Booths
Replies
7
Views
4K
lt1jane
How Can Your Phone Act as Your Cash Register in Direct Sales?
  • Deb Bixler
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
20
Views
3K
cmdtrgd
Since I'm so New to This, I Am a Little Confused About Paying
  • dancedivine
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
9
Views
2K
dancedivine
What Does My Daughter Need for Her New College Laptop?
  • itsjustCarla
    • General Pampered Chef Chat
Replies
11
Views
2K
itsjustCarla
Back
Top