I always like to start the new year off with some sort of food challenge.
And over the past few weeks as I was gearing up for another year {my 13th!} of writing this blog, I began to wonder if it would be possible to not only spend just $100 a month for groceries in 2022, but also create a way to pay for those groceries {$1,200 worth} that would be totally free to us.
And while this wouldn’t be a true starting from scratch, Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard and the cupboard was bare on January 1st, 2022 type scenario {we did stock up quite a bit last year on dry goods, mainly beans, rice, oats, coffee and other canned foodstuffs when we saw that prices were increasing like mad} it does leave me curious to see if we’d be able to spend just $100 a month on groceries this year.
My definition of groceries: Food we buy to eat at home {or on a picnic}.
Laundry detergent is not a grocery item. Toothpaste is not a grocery item. A bakery treat or a meal out on a date day with my husband does not count as a grocery item. Those fall into different categories like household goods and entertainment.
Gardening seeds, while they do provide food {some short term, others like perennials long term} don’t technically count towards my food costs, but I will keep a separate tally this year on the amount I do spend on fruit trees, fruiting bushes and any additional seeds I purchase for the veg patch.
After all, I have plans for a big vegetable garden this year. And I have a boatload of canning jars, and all the equipment to can food with {a hot water bath canner and a pressure canner} so I might as well put them to good use.
And now that I think about it… maybe I should find a way to pay for those gardening things {seeds, trees and bushes} as well that doesn’t cost us a penny either.
Basically my plan to pay for our groceries this year is to collect something from nature that is free to us, but that someone else would be interested in and turn around and sell it. The whole idea seems pretty straight forward if you ask me. And this is one goal I’m super excited about.
I’ll tell you what that something is next weekend, once I’ve had a chance to take pictures and start offering it for sale online.
But before I do that, I want to tell you about our trip to Market Basket this weekend. It was the first time I had set foot in a grocery store in over 3 months and Whoa Nellie, it was exciting!
Our first stop was to the café counter where we ordered donuts and a hot chocolate. The dining area was full of old men and it was AWESOME! I wonder if they all meet up there just to get out of the house for an hour every morning, or if that’s just where the old guys hang out while the little woman does the shopping. Who knows.
Bu in any case, I told the HH that will be him in another 10 or 15 years. 🙂
Just look at all that beautiful produce!
I love Market Basket. The store is always clean and well stocked and the employees are friendly. And the prices are spot on too. No gimmicks, no club cards, no instore coupon games, just low prices. I love shopping there. And I wish we lived close to one.
We didn’t need any meat, but I went ahead and took a few pictures so you could see what their every day prices are here in Maine.
How do those prices compare to where you are? I’m curious!
In the end, all we did was load up on fruits, veggies, dairy, OJ and English muffins. That’s all we needed. {$69.56}
Oh, and on the way home we stopped by the Duck Lady’s place and picked up a dozen eggs too. {$4}
It was a great shopping trip, and I’m excited for tonight’s dinner… stuffed bell peppers.
This year, it’s going to be an interesting one, that’s for sure.
$100 a month for groceries… Do you think I can pull it off? I sure hope I can. 🙂
Have a great Monday everyone, I’m off to go put some more wood on the fire. It’s a chilly 17 degrees here this morning in Mid Coast Maine.
~Mavis
*****
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $73.56
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $73.56
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2022 $73.56
Sara says
Chicken Breasts in Texas are $1.97 per pound
Catherine Krajewski says
you. are lucky with chicken way more expensive in North East.
this artical is also likely to be based on people who have no health issues.
Diabetics which is vastly becoming a majority to needs 5 small meals daily
Taylor says
I’ve been diabetic over
30 years. There’s no way I could eat 5 meals a day. It’s strictly light breakfast, larger meal for lunch, and lite supper.
Snack small amount of fruit or veggies.
I’m going to try this $100.00 challenge.
CT Garden Gal says
I am a type 1 diabetic and considered by my endocrinologist to be a brittle diabetic. I am required to eat 5 to 7 tiny meals a day and it’s not easy nor fun. Everyone who experiences diabetes has their own way that it must be managed in type 1 is quite different than type 2. You say you could never eat 5 times a day, when you see the portion sizes you might change that opinion and if you need to for medical reasons then you will
Pam says
Want to try $5.99 a pound in Illinois
Lisa says
I bought some today, here in Connecticut, $8.49 a pound, Not on sale but I needed it so I had to pay it. Last week I found it on sale for $4.99 a pound. People don’t realize different parts of the country have dramatically different food costs than others and the northeast is one of the most expensive places for food in the country
Nat says
Where? I’m between Midland/Odessa and Lubbock and ours are $3.97/lb.
Patrice Karns says
Here in florida we spend 1.99 a pound for boneless, skinless chicken breast.
Kari says
Ooh, this will be fun to follow. Grocery prices have gone up so much in my neck of the woods, that i seem to be spending way more than I used to. I need to find ways to reduce our spending. Following…
Thanks for entertaining us for 13 years. I’ve been along for the entire ride!
Kath says
Prices at Giant Eagle in Northwestern PA:
Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast = $2.99 per pound
Spiral Sliced Ham = $4.49 per pound
80% Lean Ground Beef = $4.99 per pound
Cheryl says
I live in Western PA also. Hope Mavis doesn’t like meat much because it isn’t cheap here.
Marcia says
I just got back from visiting family in NW Pa. Meat’s not cheap, but it’s WAY cheaper than California, where I live now.
Cindy says
Wow!
Lana says
We bought spiral hams with the bone for 95 cents a pound at Aldi this Christmas. I was curious abut the price comparison of those and the 2.99 a pound boneless ones so I took off all the slices and weighed them. The slices on a ten pound bone in ham weighed just over 5 pounds so the bone in ham won. I got another two pounds of meat from the bone so that made them an even better deal.
Chicken breasts are 1.99 a pound every day at Aldi. I am still able to find ground chuck for 2.99 a pound on sale here in SC.
I think $100 is possible if you are starting out with a very well stocked pantry but it will take a strong will and determination which I know you have. Best of luck!
Jackie Duffield says
I have to agree Aldis chicken breast are much lower at 1.99 per pound everyday and less.Whole chickens 98 cents per lb.I may be mixed up here but is author mean $100 a year or month?If so they have spent majority of budget this year?That needs to be clarified.
Jackie says
I’m sorry she says 100 per month.!!It depends on her well stocked pantry.That’s for sure as I don’t see much food for this month.I love fresh vegetables and fruits for health and I have very well stocked pantry.But we all know it’s how much stock they have already.Aldis is my go to store as they have better prices on organic as well which I love.
Karen says
Ohio–ground beef (store brand) is $5 a pound. If you get the three-pound chub, it’s a little over $13 dollars. Yikes. We have ground beef once a week; we have four boys and they love beef. But no steaks here!
Chicken is cheaper, drumsticks are $1.59 a pound (again, store brand, not fancy Tyson) and we all love drumsticks, so those are a good buy.
Karen says
Forgot to mention that when turkeys were 88 cents a pound, we made sure to buy two and use one for Thanksgiving and another for various meals–in place of beef! And ham was recently on sale for 89 cents a pound, but it usually is around Christmas.
laura Golak says
Five dollars a pound in Ohio? I just bought some from Meijer’s in Ohio, for 2.99 a pound. And cheap steaks are 7.99 a pound. Chicken legs are .99 a pound. What part of Ohio are you from?
Beth B says
I just went to the grocery store yesterday after a hiatus during the holiday season…not as long as yours, but I didn’t want to go near the stores anytime in the week of/after Christmas. My favorite grocery stores by far are Ruler Foods (owned by Kroger) and Aldi.
Often if you go in the morning, you’ll be able to get the marked down meats. I stocked up:
Tyson Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, I got for $1.79/lb.
80/20 ground beef: $3.49/lb.
Flat Iron Steak: $7.49/lb. plus $2.00 off peal coupon.
Can’t wait to see how you do for your $100/month goal and what you are going to sell to offset.
Margo says
Don’t think I could do $100 a month easily in SoCal. Think it is possible to do it when your garden produces well if you can grow enough produce and you love beans. Many years ago we were in a very tough financial picture and food stamps and other food aid wasn’t available. We ate well, but I learned how to cut larger pieces of meat into smaller portions, stretch any meat we did have with potatoes, rice, or pasta, and almost everything was homemade as far as baked goods, snacks, or bread. I also learned a cupboard full of herbs and spices could make a bland meal better. We didn’t eat meat every day, and we never went hungry. We may not have had everything we wanted, but we had everything we needed. And truth be told, I think we ate healthier than we do today.
Sheila Y Abbott says
I will be joining you sort of. We have a family of 5 and my mother eats with us 3-4 times a week. WE are super well stocked up. My plan for January until June is to spend $200 a month on groceries for us. This will mainly be fruit and veggies with a lot of diary included! I can’t to follow you!
Judy says
I am doing a 100 grocery spending challenge in January. We are well stocked from Christmas and the freezers are full. I am looking forward to finding creative ways to use what we already have in the house. I think this might be harder on hubby as he tends to be an impulse buyer.
Jennifer says
Ck breasts are $1.99 some where everyday here in NC. Probably because chicken farms are plentiful here. I bought 2 Boston Butts, aka Pork Shoulder for .99# yesterday. Occasionally I can find boneless pork loin for $1.99#. Ground beef is $3# and I think I bought onec3# chubby in the last 3 minths. Otherwise, beef is out of my budget, much to dh’s dismay.
Pj says
Seaweed for the free to you item others will purchase.
LDA says
Our grocery prices are similar here in northern KY. Boneless chicken breast can be found for $1.99/# on sale occasionally. I may try your $100 a month challenge. I have a well stocked pantry & freezer so I think I can do it!
PSUCHIC06 says
Good luck!
It would be neat if you tally the poundage of berries and veggies & tabulate how much you spent on seeds or plants, to harvest and how much the weight of produce would cost at the store. Jars and lids can be reused and make money in the long run! Growing things from seed…is fun, satisfying & saves $.
And anyone that gives you grief about money spent on bakery buys and dates with the HH …well who cares!
Janis says
I am so jealous of the picture of all those fresh veggies….just got my order from Kroger…..I pick up my groceries…… No mushrooms, horrible lettuce (all brown), no whole chickens, no berries, no ice cream (the apple crisp will be plain). Seriously half of what I ordered was out of stock.
Might try to grow some veggies in the house.
Hope everyone else has better luck!
Brett Uftring says
Frozen blueberries, peaches,or frozen mangos are awesome with half apples for a apple crisp. And believe it or not pineapple and apples works magnificently for a crisp
Denise T Brandon says
If anyone can pull off this challenge, it is you! We stocked up SO much last year that I’m actually worried about things going out of date, spoiling, etc. in the next year. One of my New Year’s resolutions is that we are going to use the stockpile and spend $25/week on fruits, vegetables, eggs and bread. There are only two of us at home, so we should be good. I would love to do this for a year too! I sell items on Poshmark, and I’m using that money to buy groceries. Good luck to you!
Regina says
We only have 2 of us now & luckily have full freezer & nice pantry. Many things are still good after use by date so don’t freak out throw away just because of date, just check for normal spoilage signs.
We were fortunate to buy beef ($2.50-$3/pound) & chickens ($1/pound) from local farmer & buy most other meat as needed (most $1-$3 and steaks $5/pound). Try to get most food $1-$2 each product. plus growing own when can.
Here in Michigan food has been scarce since beginning of pandemic & continues to have bare shelves.
Karen says
My guess is that you’ll be selling Maple syrup from your trees or maybe even honey too… And hats off to you for making us all a little more savvy about food waste and how we can get by with less if we are intentional!
Jane says
So fun! Can’t wait to hear! I think your prices are comparable to mine in central Florida. I’ve been trying to turn down my spending too. I have four teenagers at home so it’s challenging! A coffee nerd wants to know if that coffee was good 🙂
Cherilyn says
Hi Mavis,
If it is what I’m thinking, I’m very excited for you as there is a high demand for ‘something- that- is- free- to- you’! I will be a customer.
Richelle says
I was thinking, in addition to seaweed, you may also be referring to maple syrup, though you did you only have two trees, so maybe not. FYI, In Washington a permit is needed to harvest seaweed (for your own use) and it’s prohibited to harvest it for sale.
Marcia says
Back to $100/month eh? Good luck. It will be fun following along.
Jules says
Looking forward to seeing you eat on$100 a month again. And feeling challenged to get our grocery bill down too. I’m going to have to do some research and figure out a decent amount $ for the 7 of us here
Dianne says
Selling product for Lasagna Gardens? Fishing bait? Vegetable stand? Can’t wait to see what you have come up with. You are so versatile! Good luck with the $100. grocery challenge! Got my fingers crossed.
Jennifer says
If anyone can do it, it is you! But having a very well stocked pantry and having it just be the 2 of you will definitely help. No way could I do it since I am feeding 4 on the regular with 2 more kids at college.
I am doing a pantry challenge right now and am happy to say that I sent dh to the store today for the loss leader produce and yogurt deals and he spent $23. He also went to Costco and ONLY got toilet paper. He absolutely sticks to the list. That will likely be my tactic this month.
Laura L. says
I know I must be out of touch but can you explain the loss leader produce? Where does the market generally place this produce? Thanks for the info.
Margery says
I am trying to stay in budget this year, last year it didn’t happen at all. I laugh that my food budget hasn’t changed in 20 years.I still get 400 a month from the family budget, but usually add to it from my money. But this year I really want to stay on budget. I would like to use my pay check toward some other bills.
The pantry is well stocked, and it should be possible. I am feeding 4 every day ,two are boys and another 2 once a week. Plus the college girl who when she comes home we let her choose what she needs from the pantry.
Susanne Janov says
I’ve been following you since way back in your couponing and produce-salvaging days, so I’m excited to see you take up this challenge! Question: are you going to utilize any coupons (online, probably not into clipping) and/or rebate apps like Ibotta or Fetch? I know you quit couponing partly because you wanted to eat more healthy foods, but there are many more healthy & fresh offers available now.
Janice says
You’ve inspired me! I’m going to do a pantry challenge for the month of January and figure I can feed the two of us pretty well with maybe one trip to the store for milk. I’ve got a well stocked pantry and freezer. I’m anxious to know what you’ll be selling and am going to try your idea of finding something to sell to cover either food costs or at the very least sell enough plants to cover the cost of my garden supplies.
Terri S. says
Our chicken is $2.39/lb buy you need a loyalty card to buy it at the price. The burger is $4.99/lb for the better quality but still over $3.50/lb for the cheaper one. I about passed out when I saw the cost of bacon the last time I was in the store, $8.00. I live in Southern Missouri. I’ve mentioned checking out relocating to Maine, but the Homestead Kid said it’s expensive. I’m going to show him these prices, so maybe I can convince him to visit the state. I’ve been there and love it and enjoy the people.
I’m doing a pantry challenge this month and also trying to do a no spend month. So far, we did pick up toilet paper and a bag of lemons. My Homestead Kid wanted lemon cookies. Lol
For New Year’s Eve I bought a 12 pk of soda. I made the mistake of not looking at the price before they rang it up, $6.00. Nope, I’ve quit soda because I refuse to spend that kind of price. We’re wanting to pay off the few credit cards we have. We don’t owe much, but we figure by doing a pantry challenge for a few months and doing the no spend. Lol
andrea d says
Hmm… you might need to adjust your $100 a bit to account for inflation. Haha! Just kidding (sort of). Southeastern Pa here (suburbs of Philadelphia)- boneless skinless chicken breasts at Aldi or BJ’s Wholesale usually range $1.79- $1.99 per pound for the bulk packages. I have noticed prices on my regular list items have gone up a bit in the last 2 months but still attempting to keep it to $100 per week for my family of 7 (which includes 4 teens and 1 preteen- and homeschooled so all 3 meals in home 7 days a week). I have pretty well stocked freezers and pantry so might try to keep Jan/Feb groceries to perishables like milk and eggs only.
If your sell-to-cover-groceries idea was a course on how to start a craft business, I’d be game- would love to get my daughter started in selling her handmade jewelry. But my guess is you will put your husbands wood chipper to work and start selling mulch/wood chips.
Happy new year! and thanks for letting us join you again on another year of adventures.
Theresa says
I live in Iosco county MI & the Foods are almost double the prices of the cities! I couldn’t live on a $100.00 even for 2 weeks!! Prices are so bad up here it takes at least $800.00 a month for 2 people to eat & that’s at home, Not going out at all.
Suzanne says
Just got home from Aldi’s. $104.00. Lots of food. Hopefully another 2weeks b4 we go back. Will fill in at local store for mis. Trying to cut back from 500@ mos. To 300.00. just two of us. Eat out seldom.
Vicky says
I think I missing something here! You’re going to do $100 a month for groceries. You spent $73 already in January already out of the hundred dollars a month budget and it’s only 5 January?? So you got approximately $26 for the rest of the month??
Karen L Herod says
I will say you have to wait for the sale and buy several packs while on special. I purchased a 11 pound spiral ham for $10 around Christmas. I purchased turkey for $8 around my Thanksgiving. The chicken wings are outrageous! The thighs and the drumsticks I purchased a family pack for $5 . The roast beef was on sale the week after Thanksgiving I purchased an original price$24 for $11.
AND never forget to lookout for markdown meats.
Susan says
I always shop the loss leaders and markdowns. I go to Winco for fill-in items.
Last week QFC had fresh, organic turkeys for .49 lb. Right after Christmas and they had to go! I only bought 1 b/c my freezer is full and I cooked it fresh.
Just 2 of us…ate turkey dinners for 3 days, made turkey salad, froze 1 meal of turkey /gravy and made a gallon of soup!
Safeway has boneless, skinless chicken breast for $1.27 lb this week- Limit 2 value packs with e-coupon on your card. Bought 2 packages- cut into chicken tenders and froze some whole,
Also bought 2 hams between Thanksgiving and Christmas at QFC for .49 lb. Froze 1 and cooked the other. had lots of ham dinners and ham and beans,
One of my goals for the last few years has been to really work on using the food I grow and buy. No waste. I feel I do exceptionally good on that,
I make stock or bone broth with all my bones from meat, tomato powder from the tomato skins, dry lots of herbs, make salves from my flowers, etc.
I LOVE reading about everyone’s tips and shopping habits! And sharing recipes. I’ve been a follower since your coupon days, and enjoy seeing the evolution of ALL of us!
Times change, things change but I always enjoy seeing what you’re up to!!
Hope everyone has a happy, healthy New Year!!
Lee says
I live in Texas and we have HEB. 10lb bag of chicken for $4.98 total. So this challenge seems legit something I want to try. HEB is amazing when it comes to food prices.
Nat says
Yes, they can be, if you live close enough to check often. unfortunately, our nearest is almost two hours away. I do check when going to the city for doc appointments etc. Our tiny town has one,low quality grocery store with agronomic prices as they recently built a new building, on new land.
I got Prime Rib roasts for $4.97/lb three days before Christmas! We bought three, but we had to each buy one as it was one per customer. I only felt a little guilty but it’s prime rib! We cut two into ribeye steaks and left one whole. I’m excited to have it in the freezer.
Nat says
• astronomic prices
Sarah says
I’m not sure about chicken, but I pay about $9 a lb for hamburger.