I learned that there is a CAA - I didn't know!

I didn't get any idea of dishonesty from that. Not only will you make it easier on yourself if you pick any easygoing cashier because you won't have to fight *for what is already policy, regardless* on every match, but it's kinder to *them*, too. If there's a cashier that's going to be made cranky by dealing with price-matches, and another that doesn't mind it, doesn't it seem better for everyone to go with the one that doesn't mind?

Some commenters have said that your grocery amounts are way too high - readers need to recognize that this depends on the situation and location. I was always really good with my grocery budget, until we had to go gluten-free right around the time that grocery prices started skyrocketing. They're literally around double what they were two years ago. And we don't live in a low cost-of-living area to start with. My entire household budget, for a family of 6 is $600 - and it's NOT enough. $600 for our groceries would be just about perfect. I am a good shopper, but I also refuse to feed my family white noodles and other cheap-but-nutritionally-useless foods just to save money. REAL food costs money.

I am curious if you ever bump your grocery budget up to allow for circumstances. What I mean is - for example - I was just on partial bed rest for about a month, and now have a new baby. So *I* am not the one doing the grocery shopping. I'm not able to do my regular deal-hunting. AND I am not able to put in the tradeoff of time that ordinarily helps keep down the monetary costs. I know you mentioned convenience as a factor for why we spend too much, but I'm curious if you ever consciously, intentionally, adapt for that tradeoff.

Also, on the haircuts...I get my hair cut at the barbershop around the corner. A lot of people don't know that barbershops will do women's cuts, but they generally do, and it's much cheaper than a salon. Since I don't need any coloring/perms/etc. - just the cut - it's a great option for me.
My recent post RawEssence

May I make a recommendation, for those who are asking about Costco trips, etc.? (Because we don't do Costco, but we place a couple of larger internet orders at the beginning of each month, so it's what I've been thinking I need to do.) Break the month down, just like this - but don't break it down evenly. Allot a larger amount of the grocery budget for week 1, and then smaller amounts for weeks 2-4. If you're making a big Costco run, you'll be spending a larger percentage of your grocery budget the week of the run - but then you should be spending a *smaller* percentage the remaining weeks. So just plan it that way when you're breaking it down. :)
My recent post What is Parenting?

Oh, thank you! I have tried to use the cash envelope system, and it makes a muddle of things for me because I do such a chunk of my shopping online. I've never been able to figure out what in the world to do with those online expenses and how to integrate them with my cash envelopes, so it just has all fallen apart. I'll have to give this a try!

What a great surprise! (And what a creative way of contacting people!)
My recent post My Task Cards

I just got some, but I'm not sure what to do with it (besides the one recipe that prompted its purchase). Can you sub it 1-1 for white sugar?

Hanging my scarves like this has saved my scarves! They were on hooks, and the toddler kept taking them - by grabbing the ends and yanking them across the hooks. (Makes me cringe just thinking about it.) Now she's not tearing them up.
My recent post Gluten-Free “Saltine” Candy

This would be a really good use for those cups you get as souveneirs, that nobody ever uses, but your family members don't want thrown out. ;)

This one's on my wish list. There are a couple assertions in the book that I find unfounded but, overall, it's a great, great introduction to - as you said - a whole new (old!) way of looking at food.

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