Why You Should Separate Budgets for Grocery Lists & Household Items

1. Separate your budgets

You don't need to increase your grocery budget; just separate it. If you are not aware of the household and personal care products you need during the month, they will creep up on you and wipe out your grocery budget. I can tell you that when I was shopping like that versus how I do it now, my budget is in much better shape now.

2. Creating a household category budget

By separating the budget now, you can completely focus on your grocery budget for just groceries, and then you can have a household category budget. You decide how much goes in. Typically, for me, $50 is enough.

At the end of each month, I take a notepad and walk around my house. 

I go through my linen closet. I check in my utility closet, under my husband's bathroom sink, where I keep some of our cleaning supplies. 

I also check in my drawers in the kitchen, where I keep aluminum foil, parchment paper, and things like that. I walk through the whole house, and after you've done this for a few months, you get good at knowing what you're running low on. 

3. Order your household items

I make a list of things that I need to get for the month. If I have enough items to last for the month, I might put some things on next month's list. I've written it down at the end of each month and placed an order. 

Typically I get on the Target app on my phone; I order everything I need and do a drive-up pickup. 

Target or Walmart pickup tends to be my favorite way to purchase my household items other than going to Dollar Tree. Another option is getting on Amazon and ordering what you need from there. I think you'll pay higher prices if you do that. 

You'll have to determine prices and which store is best for purchasing your household and personal care product items each month. Sometimes the price is better at Walmart; sometimes, it's better at Dollar Tree. 

I usually pick up my kids' shampoo, conditioners, and body wash at Dollar Tree. 

There is so much freedom when we go grocery shopping, knowing that we don't have to worry about purchasing anything other than food. I want to remind you that cash is unnecessary for your household budget category.

Some of you might cringe when I say that because you are cash envelope people, and so am I, but not necessarily with this category.

I would say 99% of the time; I am on my phone ordering a Target order to pick up because, to me, it is the easiest method. When I'm out running errands, I'll swing by, pick up my order, and it's done. 

Regarding skincare and makeup, I typically only purchase those twice a year, in May and November, so I will put aside money for that.

My household and personal care products budget typically go for things that are needed in the home. Everyone in the household knows the system.

My husband knows my system now, so at the end of each month, he'll tell me he needs more deodorant, or more bar soap, or whatever it is, and I include it in my Target order. 

Occasionally, I will run out of something in the middle of the month, and I'll need to use my grocery budget to purchase it, but most of the time, it's small things like paper plates or plastic spoons for school lunches. It's so inexpensive, and it does not bust my grocery budget. 

Why you should separate budgets for a grocery list & household items

I hope this inspires you to separate these two categories into their own budget. Having a grocery budget and a separate household budget are small changes that can significantly impact your financial success.

Your grocery budget greatly affects how much money you can save or use to pay off debt each month. How often do you go over your grocery budget? Comment below, and let me know if you separate your budgets.