Ask Mavis: Household Budgets, Pet Care Costs, Flu Shots and Cover Crops

It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:

Since you mentioned buying toothpaste I’m dying to know your budget on this category? I feel like health/beauty/household products eat up so much of my spending! Dish Soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, bath soap, toilet paper….and the list goes on. I don’t think you include these item in your grocery budget, but do you have a set budget for these items? Where do you shop for these items for your household?

~ Stacie

You’re right, I don’t consider health/beauty/household products groceries so they are not included in our grocery budget. Overall, I think I spend maybe $15 – 20 a month on health/beauty/household products combined… if that.

Early last year I picked up 15 big bottles of Suave {shampoo/conditioner combo} for less than $10 thanks to a Target deal. We are down to our last 2 bottles. Our kids, {now 20 &21} will typically buy their own products simply because they prefer a different brand/scent.  We also make sure to use every last drop of the products we buy. Because after all, we paid for it, so why wouldn’t we use every last bit up?

As far as soap and lotion go, we are still swimming in the freebies my mother gave for Christmas us last year.

We don’t typically buy any cleaning products besides vinegar, dish soap and laundry detergent.  Things like toothpaste, deodorant, dish soap and tp I typically buy on Amazon through their subscribe and save program when I find a deal. Sometimes I happen along an awesome deal in a store. My price point for toothpaste and deodorant is $1 or less. I haven’t bought a razor in years {I’m still working on a stash I acquired in my couponing days}.

The less products you use, the less you spend, the more simple your life is. And I’d like to think we keep it pretty simple around here.

Hey Mavis! I am just wondering how much you spend on Lucy per month or per year?

~Carrie

Another great question! Although I budget $100 a month for Lucy, we rarely ever spend that much. Here’s what we’ve paid for so far this year:

• $144 Nail trims {$16-$19 every 6-8 weeks}
• $75 on dog food {This year we’ve bought {2} Bags of Nutro Small Bites}
• $50 on dog treats {Zuke’s, biscuits, and Whimzees}
• $100 or so on Bully sticks {she gets about 2 a week}
• $76 Vet checkup and vaccinations
• $134 play dates at doggy daycare

The reason the dog food bill is low is because we mix in a small amount of yummies like meat, rice or vegetables to her meals {using whatever we are eating at the time}. That means so far this year we’ve spent $589 on the puggle princess.

Just wondering if you heard about flu shots at Target. If you get it there, you get a $5 Target gift card.

~Tristen

Cool beans! Thanks for letting us know.

What can I plant now that will enrich the soil in my raised garden? I know you blogged about it in the past, but I cannot find it. I think it was some kind of grass or ground cover. Thank you!

~Sara

In the past I’ve used a Cover Crop Seed Mix from amazon. Here’s a post I wrote on Cover Crops and ways to enrich your soil. I hope that helps!

Have a questions for me? Submit them HERE and I’ll try and answer them.

~Mavis