For one month we would each keep track of how much we were spending on groceries, including pet food, health and beauty aids, over the counter medicine, and so on. At the end of the month, who ever spent the least amount wins.
So established some ground rules. First of all, Krista has one more child than I do. So instead of looking at totals spend on groceries, we will be dividing the totals by five for her family and four for mine to determine the average monthly cost per person in the family. Second, we are including all pet foods as we both have two large dogs and a cat. Third, Krista works outside the home but for this month she will be required to either pack her lunch or go home for lunch. Eating out as a way to save on grocery costs is not allowed (and counter-productive to the whole purpose of the contest). Fourth, we both promised to report all “quickie” stops at the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk or loaf of bread. Last, we would both still feed our families nutritious, filling meals and snack. In other words, we cannot make out families suffer because we have a contest to win.
Then, we decided on the prize for the winner. The loser (such a harsh word) will baby-sit the winner’s kids for an evening so the winner and her husband can enjoy a night out or an evening in alone. Sounds good to both of us.
The first thing I did upon entering this contest was to form a plan. I thoroughly examined everything in my cupboards and freezer and came up with as many menu plans as I could. Then I wrote out an extensive list of everything I needed for these meals and others that I would make over the course of the month. Then I hit the local discount grocery store (Save-A-Lot). I loaded up on canned vegetables, meat, cereal, baking supplies, lunch meat, and so on. I spent close to $150.00 but I felt I had stocked up enough to last us two or three weeks, if I stick to my
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