Running thru life.... Money challenge Part 1 Food

Now that we have settled down from our trip to Greece and my birthday has passed it is back to reality. 
In the next couple of weeks we will be meeting with a financial planner and while I know we are ahead of most (i.e Putting money in our 401K thru our jobs,  putting money in a  401K we have privately, at least a certain % each month put into savings) I want to save more now while we can. 

Our goal this summer is to start spending less on stupid stuff and saving more and/or investing. 

So my hubby and I sat down and analyzed our spending and found a couple ways to decrease spending:

First Area:  FOOD!

This is the area that we feel we can decrease the most.
So here are ways we found to help us. 

1) Decrease our unnecessary grocery store trips to Wegmans
Yes it might be cheaper to go every week and just get a couple things. 
However, what is happening to us is- we decide we want something and run to the grocery store instead of making due with what we have in the house.  We live right next to a Wegmans which is sometime a curse.   Now if we need something that is different than if we just would like to have something. 

2) Decrease our Costco trips
I looked last year and we went to Costo 12 times (so almost once a month). 
This in my opinion is too often for what we use Costco for.  We use costco for toiletries like toilet paper, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, meats you can freeze, etc.  Ideally, I would like to space them out to twice a month or every 1 1/2 months. 

3) Decrease our eating out
This is a cutback we made without noticing last semester when Joe was in PhD school.  OMG!! It is amazing how much money we are saving.  Last week we ate out once and it was Friday night when we split a Chipotle Bowl.  Our goal has two parts  1) Decrease eating out to once a week (twice max if it is a special occassion)  2) Make more ecominical decisions regarding eating out.    Of course with special celebration there is always wiggle room here for birthdays, etc. 

4) Use what we have
This weekend I went thru the kitchen and really organized what we have.  I found over 50 + tea bags we accumulated from different events (I attended 3 bridal tea showers over 2 years).  So this summer instead of spending money on Crystal Light or drinks we will be making ice tea. 
Another example is we have left over rolls from a party we had that have been in the freezer.  Joe will now start using those to make his tuna fish sandwitches instead of buying bread. 
Another example- this weekend we having the family over for Father's Day.  We have recieved alot of wine over the year as gifts for various occassions.  So this weekend we picked three bottles to serve instead of buying new wine. 

5) Bring our lunches.
We are actually both really good about this.  Me because I am lucky if I get 20 minutes for lunch and Joe because he has to leave his building to get lunch which cuts into his hours.  Bring lunches can save you a tremedous amount.  If you figure $8 a day for lunch (Cost of Chiptole Burrito + Soda) x 5 days is $35.  Multiple that by 5 - $175 a month.  Multiple it by 12 - $2100 a month!!! On my goodness- Joe went to Greece for the cost of that!!!

6) Planting plants
In our previous summers we have a couple veggies/herbs that we love. 
Basil
Mint
Zuccinne
Squash
Red Onion
Tomotatoes

Well this year for the cost of less than $20 I planted everything.
Our mint is taking over.
Our Basil is out of control.
Our squash and zuccine are flowering
Our tomatoes on  the vine - currently green
Our onions are getting bigger.
Our bell pepper is not doing so well.

Side note- I am still using our dryed rosmary from last summer!!!

7) Stick to the grocery list or Costco list.  I have been a big fan of this but lately have been slacking just because of lack of time.  When I actually make a list I start a week before and go thru what we have and what we need.  So Joe went to Costco a couple weeks ago for me with list in hand and came back with everything on the list and nothing more.  I find this is really important when you go to costco because you can easily rack up a big on stupid little things.  Wednesday night we went to the grocery store, again list in hand, and returned home with everything on the list and nothing more.  Occassionally you think of something else but sticking to a list decreases you buying double items, wasting money, etc

So these are the ways we are looking to save on our food spending. 
Can you think of any more
Up next.... Other areas to save