As of this morning I’ve spent a whopping $999.87 on groceries for this year.
That leaves me with only $200.13 left in my grocery budget for 2022 if I am going to stay on track and only spend an average of $100 a month on groceries for the year. I should probably be worried about this. 166 days with only $200.13 left to spend, that’s a little exciting.
And although it may look like I’ve dug myself into a bit of a hole, I’m actually not too worried. Because really, from here on out, it’s all about willpower.
166 days is roughly 24 weeks. $200.13 divided by 24 comes out to about $8.33 a week for groceries. Which sounds a bit on the thin side.
But then again, technically we have enough food in our pantry to get us through to the end of the year. And we have a big garden that will provide all the vegetables we’ll need {pending any sort of major catastrophe or by wildlife}.
So really, in my mind, all we’ll really need to buy is simple dairy items like milk, butter and cheese to tide us over to the New Year.
On paper, it sounds totally doable, right?
The hard part though, will be not giving in to temptation. To stop looking at grocery ads and to basically stay away from the grocery store unless we are out of the following 3 things: milk, eggs or cheese.
Do I think we can do it?
Yes.
Why?
Because patience is EVERYTHING. And have I mentioned… I love a good challenge? 🙂
Market Basket $50.55
I wasn’t planning on making a trip to Market Basket last week as it’s a bit of a jaunt. But then my friend Heather from MA texted and wanted to get together to catch up and well, since Portsmouth is about the halfway point and there was a Market Basket nearby, I decided to pop in and pick up a few things.
And it’s a good thing too because they had pot roasts {top round roasts} on sale for $2.99 a pound. I already had 1 left in the freezer but with the additional 3 roasts, that will be plenty to tide us over until the end of the year.
I also loaded up on onions, peppers and carrots.
Pro Tip: Always compare the weight of pre-bagged produce before putting it in your cart.
I always weigh a few bags first before tossing them in my cart. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference in the weight of the bags. I bought 2 {2 pound} bags of carrots at Market Basket and both of the bags I put in my cart each had a half of a pound extra of carrots in them.
Yee-Haw! 2 1/2 pounds for the price of 2! Who wouldn’t want that deal?
Hannaford $33.58
Hannaford had split chicken breasts on sale for $0.99 a pound so we loaded up.
We still have some whole chickens and a few chicken breasts in the freezer from the last time they were on sale so we’re good on chicken now for the rest of the year as well.
Local Farmstand $13.96
$3.74 for a half pint of raspberries. I thought the price was a little high, but I wanted them so I could make a batch of raspberry blueberry jam for this winter.
I also made two batches of carrot cake jam. Because seriously, you can never have enough jam.
I also dehydrated a few heads of cabbage too. 🙂 I know you’re probably asking yourself who dehydrates cabbage!? Weirdos like me, that’s who. Because hello… Winter soups!
Here are a few of the meals we ate last week:
Pickety bits.
Canned tuna with zucchini relish, chives on crackers.
Beans and rice, rice and beans.
With expired cheese! Last summer I stocked up on Monteray jack cheese. This was my last block and I’ll be a little bummed when it’s gone. Cheese is so expensive now. I seriously think it has gone up at least 25% in the last year. Maybe even more.
Leftovers.
Salmon and rice. We still have nearly an entire bag of frozen salmon in the freezer.
And a little bit of shrimp too. And yes, those are fresh peas… from our garden. If you were thinking about growing shelling peas next year, we grew the Tall Telephone variety this year and they are superb! Next year I’m going to plant 10x as many and freeze them.
And last but not least, a goat cheese, bacon and honey crepe from La Maison Navarre in Portsmouth. My buddy Heather and I ordered the same thing {because that’s what we do!} and the crepes were devine.
If you ever make it to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, be sure and stop in for a treat at La Maison Navarre. It’s one of my favorite spots.
It was a good week! Good deals, good food and good company. What more could you ask for?
How about YOU? Did you find any great buys this past week? We want to know.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $98.09
- Total Spent in July on Groceries $303.13
- Total Spent in June for Groceries $124.45
- Total Spent in May for Groceries $172.47 {$47 of it was spent at Farmers Markets}
- Total Spent in April on Groceries $94.48
- Total Spent in March on Groceries $114.12
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $94.64
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $96.58
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2022 $999.87
Looking to save some money on your groceries? Check out my Top 16 Ways to Stretch Your Grocery Budget. It’s packed with all sorts of ideas.
Sharon says
Mavis:
That’s a commendable goal, but the price of groceries has gone nuts and probably will stay that way for the remainder of the year (and that goes for the basics like milk and eggs). Maybe you should give yourself an inflation bonus? But if you can stick that goal, AMAZING!!!
Julie K Whitmore says
Let’s not forget the fact that you are loved and receive many fine care packages. Not trying to be snippy here. 🙂
Kara says
I had same thought. I wish someone gave me such lovely food gifts!
Kim says
If anybody can do it, Mavis can! Go for it.
Brianna says
Groceries and the gas pumps are just terrible. I feel like I am paying luxury prices for ordinary stuff. I have been grocery shopping with a list and planning stuff out, but with the prices it is terrible and we have cut back or cut out some things entirely. I really am not seeing any good sale or stock up prices on much anymore. A lot of older people I talk to say with their past experience and inflation, that when it hits on everyday items it never goes down. It is discouraging to hear.
Next month is back to school supply shopping (3 kids) and I am already dreading that. Their school did not send them home with any of their supplies (scissors, earbuds, rulers, calculators, etc.) last month, so we have to buy it all again.
Aunt Diane from Streator says
I find it odd that required school supplies now become classroom supplies. We always had “our own” supplies. They came home with us for the summer, then went back to school with us in the fall. We enjoyed sharpening pencils and removing used sheets from notebooks. We used the same scissors, rulers, protractors & such every year. It was a big deal to receive a new box of crayons! Our kids used the same book bags from kindergarten through college. They were really attached to those bags!
Ashley Bananas says
The Ibotta app tends to do a number of free items during August and September for back to school items. The items are usually free at Walmart, it wont include everything you need but could help. The last two years the app has also featured a free turkey, and free accompaniments for Thanksgiving. I have started to use it weekly for free and cheap items. I am having to acknowledge that couponing is almost all digital now. Mostly the items are free or close to free toiletries, and every now and then a free or bogo food item. I have a hungry and growing teenage boy. So, I have gotten back into the couponing game using ibotta, and also scanning receipts on Fetch and Receipt Hog. It’s not what I want to be doing necessarily, but I think it’s prudent at this time.
Anne in VA says
A friend grows a huge garden and buys very little at the store. She taught me to freeze cabbage. Blanche it, plunge it into a pan with lots of ice. Drain well and freeze. It is great!!
sharon says
how does she use it from the freezer?
Marti says
I freeze cabbage–just shred and freeze. I use it in stir fry, casseroles, and soups.
Diane says
How is the texture when it’s thawed and cooked? Is it only good for soups or does it stay crisp enough for a side dish of sautéed cabbage, etc.?
Karen says
Maybe it is time to get chickens?
Pam says
I have chickens and love them. But the price of chicken feed has gone up along with everything. else. Also lumber if you need to build a coop.
Karen says
Pam, can you feed them garden or food scraps to save on the feed cost?
Rosemary Calhoun says
Publix has strawberries on sale – .99 for a 1 lb package. I bought several pks – plan to freeze some. They also had some BOGO deals that I stocked up on.
Seems like gas prices are coming down – paid 4.05 at Costco last week. Can’t believe that I now think that is a good deal . . .
My granddaughter will be starting high school and I know she will need a few things. Florida is having a sales tax holiday on school supplies (including clothes) from July 25th – August 7th, so I will wait until then to take her shopping. (school starts on August 10th here) I have a budget – just hope it will be enough. 🙂
Laura Z says
If any of y’all are struggling and have salvage grocery stores near you, I encourage you to check them out. Ours has lots of fresh produce that is about to go out of date but is still perfectly fine (giant clamshells of organic spinach for a dollar, etc.). I’ve purchased cases of green beans for $3 that i can freeze, for example. Those places aren’t for the feint of heart — less than zero ambience– but they are my go to places for really cheap frozen, produce, dried pasta and beans, and tea/coffee. No one else comes close in price and it makes me feel good that I’m rescuing things that would go into the waste stream not because the items are old or inferior, but just because they have been overordered by the store or the packaging has been changed!
Lana says
I agree! We have several in our area and they keep us stocked for very little.
Susan says
LOVE my dehydrated cabbage! My favorite thing to dry.
Becky-TN says
Mavis,
I purchased the same dehydrator you have. Is there a dehydrator book that you recommend?
Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
I don’t use a book anymore, but I used to have the Mary Bell’s Complete Dehydrator Cookbook and I remember liking that.
Becky-TN says
Thanks!
Cheryl says
Your poor husband. He’ll be without milk again this year.
Patti says
I thought about you when I saw an ad for avocados for $.77 each. Not sure if they are the size of the $5.79 one you saw or organic but that seems like a good price and you can freeze them for guacamole.
Laura Z says
Yes, our Ingles grocery stores have had those this week. 77 cent avocados! I bought 8!
Denise T Brandon says
I have watched you achieve SO many goals over the years that I’m pretty sure that if anyone can do it, you can! I am always in awe of your determination; you go, girl!
Lori King says
Yes willpower! No locally baked pies or sweets at those roadside stands – that’s going to be tough. I bet you can do it though!
Ashley Bananas says
Food is so costly, I have re-entered myself in to the couponing game and boy has it changed. It’s almost tall digital now. I thought I was beyond this point of needing to coupon but I am back to it again. I also realize I will have less time when school starts so I have started to coupon more in the event that I wont be able to find the time when school starts in August.
Bonnie Schmidt says
You might be able to do it, but why suffer? You live in an amazing area with wonderful pies, seafood, etc. which it seems that you and your husband enjoy. Enjoy your life. Tomorrow is not promised.
Linda says
I always wonder the same thing. But, different strokes I guess.
Sue says
Mavis, use some of the produce you are growing to barter for the extra things you need. That’s not money spent. Good luck and can I say you are amazing.
Gave up on my grocery goals, dealing with a very sick husband.
Sue S. says
Any adjustments in your budget for the increases in grocery bills? I find myself leaving things on the shelf if I see the price has gone too high. I’m adopting a “do without” attitude lately.
Dee Patterson says
Nobody will mind if you can’t do this, just make sure you do eat well .
I don’t know how your seasons are compared to mine here in Devon, England , but right now, everyone has raspberries growing like mad, black currents, gooseberries and veg wide, potatoes, courgettes, broad beans, runners etc.
Your articles are always Interesting but really , it’s ok not to get to the $100 a month , prices have risen , it’s ok .
Beth N says
There has been 10% inflation since you started so if you go 10% over i will understand.
Dianna says
I was wondering how tax affected your grocery budget, so looked it up and found that you don’t have to pay tax on food (at least, non-prepared). Here in our corner of TN, tax is 9.75% on everything including groceries. That adds a big chunk to the final bill! We also have 2 teens at home, and they can EAT. It seems impossible to me to spend only $100 per month, so I live vicariously through you. haha
Tiffany F says
Dehydrated cabbage?!?!?!
I’m SO excited! I love to dehydrate and can but never knew of a way for preserving cabbage. Next year I will be growing A LOT. I cannot wait.
I also never thought freezing would work. But I love dehydrating, and not taking up freezer space, so I’ll definitely be trying that out.
Eliza says
Maison Navarre – my other favorite place in Portsmouth! (Along with Strawberry Banke!)
Never thought to dehydrate cabbage, but now that this is in my mind I think next year cabbage will be added to the garden plans!