It was another great week in the meal department. Having been without an oven since April, being able to cook real meals again has been sort of a treat.
We may not have countertops or running water in the kitchen yet, but hopefully by this time next month {or sooner!} I’ll be able to get back to baking again without having to wash all the pots and pans outside.
It’s raining today here in Maine though… so at least if I do any sort of baking I can at least set stuff on the back deck for an effortless pre rinse. 😉
Ahhh the joy of home renovations. You have to stay positive… or it will make you crazy.
Hannaford $3.69
Hannaford had brussels sprouts on sale for $1.99 a pound.
Roasted brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and meatloaf. A winning combination.
The next night we had meatloaf, broccoli and rice.
Followed by roasted carrots, beets and the last of the meatloaf.
Chicky pot pie. Always a winner.
Freezer lasagna and green beans.
And last but not least, tuna casserole. The HH had an appointment down south so I had asked him to pick up a block or two of cheese and a 5 dozen pack of eggs {for holiday baking}.
I specifically told him to ONLY buy those things because I wanted to hit my target of only spending an average of $100 a month for groceries for 2022.
I knew if we’d totally make it to the end of the year without going over if we just used the remaining money {$90 or so} for dairy products.
But did he listen?
Nope.
He spent a whopping $127.84 at Costco which put us over the $100 a month for groceries mark. 🙁
So far this year we’ve spent $1249.80 on groceries. My new plan {since the HH squashed my old one} is to only buy milk for the rest of the year.
And to keep my husband away from the grocery store.
There are 68 days until the New Year. I know I have the willpower to see this goal through, but does my husband? If I’m going to keep him away from the grocery store… then that means only one thing.
I’ll have to go there myself to buy milk.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $131.53
- Total Spent in October on Groceries $140.91
- Total Spent in September on Groceries $57.08
- Total Spent in August of Groceries $24.29
- Total Spent in July on Groceries $335.47
- 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 $1249.80
Shari Harniss says
If you want something done…
Karen says
If you want something done right do it yourself.
Shari Harniss says
Yes, I know.
Brianna says
It will be an interesting week for food here. I am trying to clear out all of the odds and ends food since we should be closing on our new house this week or next if all goes accordingly. I see it as a good way of having less to move. Everything that is eaten is less I have to move halfway across the county. I am looking forward to finally getting my deep freezer out of storage and having a walk in pantry. That has totally crippled my grocery stocking and cooking this past year, but has kept me out of Costco.
Elle says
Well poop. YOU stuck to your goal-hang the excess on HH coat hook 😉
Jeanine says
The man has got to have his coffee! And now you can have some picky bits with cheese and crackers. I’m amazed that you have been staying on course with this goal as well as you have with the prices these days. You’re close enough in my book. Enjoy the rain!
Melissa says
I think starting out the beginning of the year, $100 a month was a tight goal. With inflation of the past year factored in, the goal became more than tight & moved into the nearly impossible. I think you did awesome on this one, Mavis—like knocked it out the park. Way to go on how much you saved with your own gardening & preserving. And even through a kitchen remodel. An amazing feat!
Betty says
I would be super upset and would send him back to return it !!!
Connie L says
Sometimes you gotta move the goal posts. Having a bit of extra food around sounds like a good investment to me. Plus, acknowledging the husbands desires is a boon to a good marriage; keeping the scales balanced. Your canning pantry is definitely pleasing to the eye! Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Laura Z says
Honestly, with the amount that food prices have risen, I’d be proud of myself if I spent twice your goal, and that’s coming from someone who tries to cook everything from scratch, shops salvage grocery stores, plans using circulars, and eats mostly vegetarian. Honestly, really good job!
Laura L. says
Couldn’t agree more! You’re very lucky he likes to go food shopping as I can’t get my husband to set foot in the grocery store and many times, it would be nice to have the help.
Ashley Bananas says
lol – You still did good!
Marcia says
Ha ha ha. I have been doubtful all along that you could do it. Then, as we hit October, I was so impressed – like, dang! If she keeps the hubby out of the grocery store, she’s gonna do it!
So, great job. Blame the husband.
Laurie Lasala-Tuttle says
Hi Mavis, are you still using the same meatloaf recipe that you posted in 2015, or have you made changes? Our weather is FINALLY cooler in southern California, so itching to use my oven for cozy meals!
Lori says
I think you should only count what you told HH to buy. The rest should be a gift from him!
Tom says
To H H- from one husband to another…Dude WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! After she washes the pots and pans outside etc,and you go and do this?
Lori says
I feel like those extra items should just come out of his entertainment budget. Then it would be problem solved!
Debdee says
Looking at what he bought it seems he missed snacking foods. Some avacado, humus, pears. Man can not exist on just meals alone. Wake up call is that snacks are needed.
Rosaleen says
Fifty-two years in and I still regret any time that I send hubby into a grocery store. It is what it is.
Sue says
Washing the dishes outdoors! Reminds me of one of my favorite childhood books: “The Man Who Never Washed His Dishes”. That was a looooong time ago and I think it’s out of print now, but it was so fun to read and remember.
Jennifer says
I had the same book!!! A classic.
Ramona says
I googled the book and it is still available.
Sandy & Chip says
Mavis,
There is a Costco coming to Scarborough, Maine at the Old Racetrack. My husband works at Costco. My Favorite Place To Shop.
Tonight We Made Pork Chops with Apples, Onions, Thyme & Honey Mustard. It Was so Tender and Flavorful. YUM!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I am very excited about there being a Costco in Maine!! 🙂
Annette says
At least he bought somewhat healthy stuff. If I send mine to the store, he comes home with candy, cookies, chips, every sort of junk food.
Maria says
Ours must be twins! He called me recently from Costco (an hour away from home, the closest one) and I yelled into the phone, “whatever is in the cart, put it back!”. He didn’t.
Michelle of Ephrata says
Haha. I don’t blame hubby honestly. Was it his goal or yours? I think he did great all year following the plan. You have the very best goals, dedication, and perservence of any individual I know (or rather read about). Congrats! I agree with the above. Meeting this goal was intense for the current cost of groceries. So congrats all around! Happy eating for the final 68 days. One more thought, why not do a plywood temp counter for the next month? Even a sink could be set in place if framed for the moment. That’s what we did during our lengthy kitchen remodel.
Dianna says
The over-budget would be worth it to me not to have to go into the store. I hate grocery shopping. Plus HH probably needs to be allowed to get some stuff he wants, too.
Emily says
Shrug. What can you do? You’ve come admirably close, especially I’m a year of rising food prices. I still say, well done!
Dee says
Praise the good, ignore the bad. Sometimes it’s best to back off and accept that we can’t control everything. Over-spending at Cosco is almost epected, there is so much to look at! Let it go… it just isn’t such a terrible thing to do. You know you will enjoy eating the food he bought.
Mary Margaret Ripley says
I groaned when I first read this because I know you have worked so hard at this goal but like my goal of paying off our $8,000 credit card in 4 months, sometimes things just come up and we have to roll with it. Good thing we aren’t living 150 years ago and can go to the grocery anytime we need. Seriously great job at staying on budget 🙂
GrannyB says
Next year raise the goal to $200 a month, because with the size of the garden HH made you, he will have to take over cooking. That means he will also be grocery shopping more and well you know the outcome of that!! LOL
Debby T says
You have used this $100 a month goal for over 10 years. I think it is about time you considered inflation and increase the goal. This past year was appx 8.2% inflation, last year 6.7%, and the 8 years before, total more than 14%. I will be waiting to see your goal for next year. Maybe even adjust the blog name.