I have a new passion (well besides being a new mommy): saving money grocery shopping! I know it might sound nerdy and if you're on facebook, you probably see a thousand updates every day about people saving money grocery shopping, but I love it.

I used to have a slight shopping problem: if you knew me a few years ago (ie: pre-Mrs. Whitaker days) you know I had a little shoe fetish that got a little out of hand. I had to quit cold turkey and well now I can finally enjoy shopping, only this time around it involves saving money and getting the most I can for our weekly budget.

Case in point: this past Sunday I took my weekly trip to Publix where my total grocery bill was $102.25 - that might sound high until I tell you that my total savings (it tells you right on your receipt) was $80.25! That's right: I saved almost $81. I was floored. Every week I do a pretty good job especially at Publix but this week has been the highest savings amount so far.

It's even become a little friendly competition between me and my brother from another mother. He is the grocery shopper in their family and has started cracking me up calling me on Friday nights while he's at the store or emailing to compare deals. It's pretty funny and both of our spouses agree (all the while enjoying the awesome deals we both get). But I must say he does a GREAT job just going off the few things I've told him from the workshop I attended.

It all started a few months ago when I was listening to the radio on the way to work and they interviewed this lady about saving truck loads on her grocery bill. She went from spending $1,100 a month to just over $40 a week! I am always intrigued by all those women who use coupons to get stuff free, but as much as I've tried I can't get it down (I still can't, actually). After listening to the show, I found her blog, Faithful Provisions.com and started scouting out her workshops on grocery shopping and couponing. Right before Gabbie was born, I went to a grocery shopping workshop that REALLY helped change my way of thinking. I started thinking about grocery shopping the way my grandmother does: stockpiling. That's right. When things are buy one get one free, don't just buy one: buy as multiples! And so, that's what I've started doing. Sounds simple enough, right? Well why aren't thousands of other people doing the same thing?? She made a lot of great points in the workshop - definitely helping change the way we think. Buy in bulk and save. Don't always go to Walmart - they aren't always the cheapest. Their every day price will always beat other stores, but if you really shop and look for those sales, you can find better pricing. This was a big one for me - when we first moved to Nashville I was in sticker shock when I couldn't go to Walmart all the time for groceries. Everything seemed so much more expensive, but after learning how to shop the deals, I am MUCH better off.

The faithfulprovisions.com blog writer is amazing! She has a great testimony - starting the blog as a way to stay at home with her family and now that her husband is out of a job, it's supporting their family whole heartedly.

When I was in Chattanooga last time I saw an ad in the paper for another workshop by someone doing the same kind of thing. It's definitely not a new concept, but for all of you looking to save a dollar (and seriously - who isn't?) I would HIGHLY encourage you to check out faithfulprovisions.com (you can even become a fan on FB and get her updates) or something similar in your own city.

I'll keep updating you on my great deals! Brent just said yesterday that our pantry looks like we have 7 people in our household - ha ha!! Here's a picture of my freezer and pantry after this week's trip: