I got together with Mrs. HB for a third week in a row to do some grocery shopping with her and some meal prep at her house for the coming week ahead. Those are the pictures you’ll see when you scroll through this post. I’m also going to let her do all the talking today and then put together a separate post {which I’ll share with you on Wednesday} on observations I’ve made while I’ve been shopping with her and ways I think the majority of shoppers could be saving more at the stores. Little things you probably wouldn’t even notice… unless someone pointed them out to you.
Mrs. HB. she’s kind of funny, and really loving this whole process {including emailing me her photos and thoughts throughout the week}. I hope you all are enjoying this as much as I am. ~ Mavis
Monday, January 16th
Well this week is not getting off to the best start. But then you don’t know me and my past spending soooo I WILL make excuses. First little HB had a school project and it required foam board which only came in a three pack but I thought it wasn’t a bad idea since there could be do overs. He also needed pictures developed. Hence a Costco unplanned trip. Yikes!
I had not planned for the football playoffs and HB girl wanted to invite a friend as well as her parents over for the game. Since the HB boys were out of town, I thought it was a good idea BUT I really needed a few supplementary provisions to entertain. I had my Chicken Chile and PB cookies, some crackers and wine but didn’t want to use my supply for the week. Since I was at Costco getting a few things for the football party I also just couldn’t pass up the two pack of black leggings for $14 I had spotted when I was with Mavis last week. I did buy them but heck I have spent $30 on a certain brand for one pair and this was two for 14… I know it is not a good trend to start but I didn’t go hog wild.
HB girl also wanted baked Cheetos so I went to the grocery store and bought 2 bags on sale $7 but that was it… So depends how you see the glass? Half full or empty. Lastly, and yes there is more, HB girl and a group of friends wanted to go to Uwajimaya , a wonderful Asian super store.
While waiting and wrestling with not buying anything, I did have several items in tow but put them all back, I got really hungry! It must have been all the resistant training I was doing! Anyway, I broke down and bought a plate of Korean Kapche and turnip kimchi DELICIOUS! I am not going to make an excuse for that! Sorry I forgot to take a picture.
HB girl also volunteered for an AKC dog show for another friend, my stars she has a very full social life. She had asked for something to eat, I resisted at first seeing that she had had breakfast, it was 10:30am and I had asked her if we should take provisions, She had said no. But then I caved and bought her some kettle corn for $9, that was all that was available and she regretted having eaten it in the end… go figure! And so the week continues…….. Thank you all for your support!
Sunday, January 22nd
I cant believe that it’s only been two full weeks. I feel so invigorated and full of anticipation for the next couple of months. Though there have been a few lures here and there to go to the dark side, I think I am doing fairly well.
Granted I should stay out of Target for pee breaks but honestly it was so convenient and yes I was tempted to buy the coffee press and cozy mittens but I didn’t! So that IS progress.
Mr. HB is so proud of me as well. Bless his heart, after I told him about the coffee press story and how I think it would be a wise purchase, he went a bought me one off Amazon! I didn’t even have to go into my budget! Good things come to those who wait.
I also have done very well with taking my lunch to work but one day I had a lunch meeting and went out. Sushi… my down fall. I had hot tea, one sushi roll a side salad and we shared an appetizer. I offered to pay for that and when I got the bill I was shocked! $32 with tax and tip just for my portion! Before all this, I would have eaten, swiped my card and not even noticed what lunch cost. Probably would have even offered to buy the whole thing. I think one of the benefits that will help me long term is actually knowing what I spend money on and how much.. Cash only baby the only way to go!
Also had to tell you about some of my other purchases this week. First I had to buy chicken feed and some S hooks. I was excited to find that Happy Hen Treats were on sale $6 off a 10oz bag but you had to buy two! We use them occasionally and it was a great deal! I didn’t check the receipt until I was home and what to do you know I didn’t get the discount!!! 12 bucks and I wouldn’t have bought them except they were on sale.
Normally I would have just said shoot better look next time but not today! I marched myself right back to Wilco and got my money! They were so nice about it and caught the mistake that they had forgot to put in the deal the computer. I will check all receipts from now on.
As far as groceries went this week I spent $196.83 at Costco and $66.37 at Fred Meyer. That’s food and toiletries. More than I spent last week but if I hadn’t gone back to Costco for the football game accoutrements I would have been right on target … moral of that story DON’T GO BACK TO COSTCO!
~Mrs. HB
sharon says
Good for you on going back to the store get your money refunded! I always “pull over” to an out of the way spot before I leave the store and check my receipt. About 1 out of every 3 times I find a mistake. The store that I shop at gives you the item free if the mistake is their fault. That’s how I got a $54 prime rib roast for free at Christmas!
Rebecca in MD says
Wow, a free prime rib roast – – – what a score! That is an excellent tip to pull over out of the way and check the receipt before leaving the store. Once I get home I don’t feel like going back if I find an error, and as you noted, it happens frequently! I am going to take a tip from you and check before I leave the store!
Allison says
Yay! I have been so excited to see how this week went. Last week I swore that we were going to eat from the pantry/freezer all this week- but that didn’t happen.
I might need Mavis next…. I am in the habit of having my groceries delivered. From a mental health perspective, I can 100% justify, but from a budget perspective, it’s kinda a wash. I love that I know how much I’m spending when I hit the order button and there is NO impulse buying, but the prices are slightly inflated, you pay a monthly fee, AND you tip the delivery person. My plan is with a little perseverance I can get it to stick within budget AND keep my beloved delivery.
One trick that has really helped us eat at home after 10 years of marriage is to FINALLY get my husband to communicate what he likes, wants, wants to see more of, etc. I now cook a lot out of an Instant Pot (an electric pressure cooker- Mavis you need one!!!) and this has caused us to explore recipes together more. He is home today and called me earlier to ask if the chicken in the fridge was spoken for and if we could have butter chicken for dinner. He even OFFERED to do any prep needed for it!!! Because I know he likes it so, I now keep these ingredients on hand so it was easy to say YES! 6 months ago he would have called saying he was craving Indian food and asking if he could take me out for dinner. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!
Keep up the good work Mrs.HB, you are doing great!
Trace says
My favorite kitchen tool is my Insta-Pot. I have a farm, and if I don’t get dinner ready before the day starts, it’s hit or miss. That KILLED my budget! Now, a whole chicken cooks in 25 minutes! Who can top that??
Mavis Butterfield says
My HH and I have been together 23 years and I am STILL trying to get him to communicate what he likes to eat…. So 10 years? Way to go Allison!
Susie says
Sound like my husband of 16 years-He never tells me what sounds good. He just likes the basics over and over. Or steak.
E in Upstate NY says
re going back to the store: where I used to live my fav store was notorious for reducing prices at the product and not on the computer! I would not allow check out to begin until everything was out of the cart. Then I would stand staring at the cash register verifying prices with my memory. More than once, I’d challenge a price, including a needed price check. Sometimes, when I knew something was off, I’d take a cell pic. And yep, I’d be right. When cashed out, I’d often apologize to the people waiting in line for making them wait. Often they’d comment that they had not idea that prices weren’t in the computer and thank me.
Keep up the good work Mrs HB. Think we’ve all been there at some time of our life!
Leanna says
Good job Mrs. HB. So glad to see your hubby supporting you. I cave for my hubby…always. He is so picky and our oldest is worse. Small steps…you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peggy says
You’re thinking Mrs. Hillbilly, and that’s half the battle. Knowing what you spend, where you spend it. It takes awhile, Lord knows I fall off the wagon so many times. Just today it’s 2 pm, I was already kind of ticked at the family for not cleaning up after themselves, I work nigh shift on weekends and picked up last night too, so I’m super tired and ticked off. I almost ordered Chinese (lunch special of course) or pizza, I was thinking which one, then I had a wha la moment and said heck with it, I’m tired of spending money on stuff like that in a bind, the family will just have to wait for dinner and right now, I have left over chicken (chopped) in the oven with rigatoni noodles, broccoli, carrots and I used the broccoli stems too, finely chopped and a homemade white cheese sauce, oh and some Ranch seasoning mix, chili powder, and parsley flakes. All stuff I had and dinner is smelling great! But I could have easily bought that take out, I was almost there! Anyway, I cave into my family’s whims way too often, I’m trying to impose a 24 hr. notification thing so we can think up alternatives. 🙂 Good job this week Mrs. HB. 🙂
Mrs HB says
Awesome and proud of you . I know how that feels ! Who knows maybe they might start dinner for you while waiting for you to get home . Just share your goals . I have been nicely surprised at the support my husband and children have been giving me . The kids remind me constantly of my “budget” LOL.
Mavis Butterfield says
I like your idea of a 24 hr. notification thing. Pretty genius!!
Candice says
Congrats on your progress Mrs. HB..That aside, goodness (and I am not a hater) but you spent my entire grocery budget for the month..Listen to Mavis carefully. She helped me and she can help you. Baby steps, slowly but surely, or Giants steps-like ripping off a band aid. Maybe you could eat from your pantry, freezer this week if you can. Be creative, you can do it. I love reading your progress.
Mrs HB says
No I hear you but considering it was a lot higher than that I am happy , for now , it’s around 200 a week. But now that I am looking for more ways to save it does seem high . Especially seeing what some of you guys spend ! Wow . Just learning where and what stores have better deals knowing what the actual cost is so that I CAN compare is a lot of knowledge to learn . It is in itself a full time job ! Plus coupons ! I have to start getting into that more .
Mary Ann says
Coupons with sale prices and store rewards at Rite Aid, CVS, or Walgreens, is the only way to buy toiletries! You can get them for free or next to nothing — WAY cheaper than buying them at Costco!
Laura Z says
Yes, I haven’t paid for laundry detergent, shampoo, razors, soap, or toothpaste for years this way. There is trio of websites called I heart CVS, I heart wags, and I heart Rite Aid that gets the sale ads early and even does coupon matches for you, and Mavis already has great links for lot of coupons on her site. It takes a little while to get the hang of it,but it will save so much money. Most of MY CVS receipts say that I save 85 – 90%! I do most of my coupon organization and clipping while doing something I enjoy– like watching a movie or listening to an audiobook or great cd. It makes it much less tedious!
Marcia says
Don’t go back to Costco indeed. (I shop at Costco at least 2x a week. It’s the biggest part of my grocery budget.)
I occasionally get all the way home and find an error. It used to happen all the time when I had a baby or toddler. I never went back.
Carrie says
Hosting people on a budget is difficult for me. I want to supply everyone with a variety of snacks and drink options. I really overdid it for my get together with friends 2 Christmases ago. Spent $150 on food, wine and beer for 20 people and had well over half the food left and two bottles of wine. The food didn’t go to waste but I spent a lot of time preparing it that I won’t get back. I went to a Super Bowl party a month later and there were two options of snacks: chips and salsa and cheese and crackers. The snacks didn’t last long but I realized that my wealthier friends may be wealthier because they don’t overdo it. I also brought a bowl of queso and chips because I have a problem!!!! 😉
Best of luck this week!
Tracy L. says
Oh Carrie, I can TOTALLY relate. I have this problem. I’m Italian and have the need to feed. I go way overboard in the hopes that everyone is satisfied. And then I end up with stuff we don’t eat/drink and send it home with THEM. I FINALLY have decided that we will only buy things we drink, that way we’re not stuck with beverages we don’t drink.
It is baby steps Mrs HB. The most important one I think is awareness. Stop doing things so mindless. The more “aware” we are, I hope the less we spend. I’ve had the same thing happen where the ONLY reason I purchased the product was because of the deal, and then didn’t get the deal!!! And, only find out AFTER I’m home. I always have the best of intentions to go back, but then life gets in the way, I forget, or I feel like it’s not worth my time. So, I applaud you for going back. Their profit margin is big enough without us “giving” them more!!! I REALLY am enjoying watching your progress and Mavis’ tips!
Rosaleen says
We have a BJ’s Club in our town, so that is our “Costco.” Dietary issues make it easier to pass up on many of the budget-busting food splurges, so it isn’t too hard to buy just milk, eggs, and gasoline for us. Becoming aware is a huge step, not a baby step, IMHO. Now, to address snacks while out and about, consider keeping some sort of non-perishable snacks in the car. Easy things like granola bars, jerky, dried fruit, and nuts can fill in for over-priced, less healthy snacks, and keep quite a while in a car. Make carrying a couple of reusable bottles of water from home a habit, too. Good Luck!
Joanne says
In my local area if the computer makes the mistake you get the item for free for your trouble!
I live northern nj. You might want to check it out
Marybeth says
That was so sweet of your husband. You are doing a great job.
tia in boise says
Way to go, Mrs. HB! Keep at it! Realizing the cost of items and comparing to what you *could* be paying is really a big part of saving. Once you realize how much money you can save, you will never want to go back.
My oldest son was bragging to his GF about how I make the best taco salad, and she invited themselves up the next time I make it. I’m not rushing out to buy all the ingredients….I will plan carefully to save $, even if I’m excited to have them up! Beef is on sale and so is shredded cheese at Albertson’s this week; picked it up today–put in freezer. When I go pick up my free Annie’s mac/cheese from Fred Meyer, I will buy their corn chips (cheapest anywhere!) I stock up on beans (black, chili, kidney when they are $.50, so that’s already stockpiled in pantry). I will wait for next Wal-Mart visit to grab dressing and lettuce with a GC earned from Swagbucks!
Kristina says
To hear that sort of thing coming from one of your kids is priceless, though! And bravo for creating a home where your son’s friends are comfortable being so enthusiastic about your hospitality.
Mrs HB says
Amen to that ! I think I would blow my budget for that . Family, respect , appreciation is so worth the extra splurge. I am not quite there but as my children get older I would think that some things are more important …… today my HB daughter had exams she has excellent grades and is studying hard. She asked me for a raspberry smoothie. I told her it wasn’t in my budget but while I was doing errands , I decided to surprise her for all her hard efforts. After all I love her and am very proud of all she does . I didn’t buy anything for me and that was the success story in a roundabout way. I normally would have but this was for her not me.
Lauralli says
You should totally learn to make it at home–or she can learn to make one! SO much cheaper and most likely, better for you!! Having your smoothie and drinking it too! 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
As a 4H member, she should learn to make smoothies. Also $8 or $9 for popcorn…fooey. She could grab an apple from the car or know she has to carry her own snack from home. As for Boy Scouts spending $50 for 3 hamburgers. That wouldn’t fly here in Boise. it would have been McDs or Burger King orsomething with a $1 menu for the troops here. BUT…your leggins purchase at Costco was a very good deal. Reward yourself for teaching your kids to be self sufficient instead of rewarding them.
Bilkat says
I’m loving this…reminds me of when I first started and how far I’ve come, very cool and entertaining!!!
keep it up…it gets easier and easier.
Colleen says
I only go to the grocery store once a week but when I do, I do it like Mavis describes: I take a cart and walk through all the aisles and get tempted. I don’t plan my meals and do not stick to my shopping list. I also do not stock up on special deals.
BUT I consistently end up paying only between 50 and 60 Euros per shopping trip for our family of four. This includes toilettry and paper and occasionally kid’s clothes or other special offers. I have a knowledge of what items are cheap (carrots, potatoes, noodles,…) and which are not (chips, wine, prepared salds…) and try not to buy too much of the expensive stuff. But mostly, I credit the low expenses to the shop I go to. I buy at our local Lidl shop, it only has 5 short aisles and the items are reasonably priced. As far as I know, Lidl is not present in the States (yet) but Aldi is. They have a very similar concept. So if you happen to have such a store near you, Mrs. HB and Mavis, you might want to check it out 🙂
And yes, going to the store twice also usually means I spend more than I planned…
Carrie says
We have Aldi in North Carolina. I make a weekly trip there – they have good prices and I like a lot of their items that I can’t find at other stores. Unfortunately the produce selection is hit or miss. I buy mostly meat, dairy, canned goods and frozen veggies there. Only having a few isles to go down does make the trip shorter and more focused.
Julia says
Way to go mrs HB! I also keep snacks and bottled water in my car for when the hungries hit. Another tip is that dollar stores typically carry poster board (2 white sheets for $1) and foam board (1sheet) for a dollar. They also often have other craft supplies cheaper than the craft store. When my son needed to make some posters for 4-H we were able to get the foam board, stick on letters, and decorative duct tape all at the dollar store. Much cheaper than the craft store! Keep up the great work!
Rebecca in MD says
Mrs. HB, thank you so very much for sharing your grocery diary with us! I am enjoying it so much. As someone who is also working on reducing the amount spent on groceries, I am learning along with you.
They finally opened an Aldi near me. As others mentioned in the comments, they have excellent prices. I took my whole grocery list with me and got everything except 4 items on the list. I walked out with 4 bags of grocers for $34 and was thrilled. Among my bargains was a gallon of milk for $1.99, tuna for .65 a can, 4 lbs. of sugar for $1.79, 6 everything bagels for .59 – – – not a typo, really 59 cents. And so much more!
Mrs HB says
Thank you ! It has been an eye opening experience and I have only just started . Your comments along with everyone elses has really inspired me as well! It’s nice to know you are not alone and I think putting it out there really helps to hold ourselves accountable ! Keep up the great work!
Sara L says
Oooh – what is in that delicious looking crock pot? Mushrooms, onions, & what? Looks amazing!
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll see if I can get you her recipe.
Jen@FrugalSteppingStones says
I struggle with my entertainment and grocery budget myself. I find that using cash is the only way to keep my spending in check.
Libby says
A suggestion about the coffee container with the handle – because I totally understand the joy of using something that is well designed – buy the coffee in the container you like ONE more time. When the coffee is finished, wash the container and refill with the less expensive coffee. This way you get the container you like and save money on coffee down the road.