Well, I must admit, 2024 is shaping up to be an expensive year for groceries. With moving, then living in temporary housing and now finally starting to get settled into our new place, I suppose it really couldn’t be helped.
Add to the equation that summer is in full swing and with it so hot outside, I really don’t feel like cooking. Not to mention I haven’t even gotten around to getting a frying pan {or flatware} yet. I did finally order a can opener and a saucepot last night though, so that’s progress. 😉
Costco $40.66
The HH headed to Costco last week for paper products and my only request was baby cucumbers, sausages and salad mix. The Naked Juice and potato salad were impulse items. 😉
Fact: The potato salad was a mistake. Neither of us liked it so we gave it away. When you’ve already got the best potato salad recipe on the planet, it’s hard to eat mediocre potato salad. It’s just not worth the calories.
That mediterranean crunch salad kit though, I could eat one of those every single day.
Another fact: The Newman’s Own pizzas have changed. It’s still a decent frozen pizza, but it’s not as good as it used to be.
HH if you are reading this: We need more salad! Two kits for $8.99 and each kit is about 3 portions. It’s a deal if you ask me.
You can never go wrong with nachos.
Or a hamd sandwich with cheese.
Trader Joe’s has the best avocados. I’ve never had a bad one from there. How is that even possible?
We went out for fish and chips one night.
And went to a vintage baseball game too and bought everything you see above for $11! Talk about a cheap date!
Playing baseball {with no gloves!} in wool uniforms on a hot and muggy day. Wowza. I felt bad for those guys. But it was a fun family event put on by the local historical society and I’m glad we went.
It was a good week. We’re slowly getting settled in. Hopefully by this time next week we’ll have everything we need for the kitchen unpacked {or bought} and I can get back to cooking again.
What’s cookin’ in YOUR kitchen lately? Anything good? Or maybe you’re on salad mode too?
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $40.66
Total Spent in July on Groceries $40.66
Total Spent in June on Groceries $484.69
Total Spent in May on Groceries $267.13
Total Spent in April on Groceries $135.90
Total Spent in March $235.99
Total Spent in February $282.90
Total Spent in January $167.55
J in OH-IO says
On Saturday, we were at a Fourth of July party and someone shared their recipe from the kitchn for crunchy cabbage & peanut slaw. So those ingredients are now on my shopping list for later this week. We also love the winter crunch salad from bon appetite that has kale, thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, apples in it.
In the meantime, tonight and tomorrow we are having bruchetta with extra tomatoes that my DD gave me from her meal prep. Win for everyone because that is a meal we all love and makes enough for two meals.
Happy you are settling in to your new place and enjoying it. You have tremendous energy and get so much accomplished – so inspiring! Thanks for taking us all along on your adventures. I look forward to reading your blog every day – it is wonderful -thank you!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks J!! 🙂 Crunchy cabbage & peanut slaw sounds like a winner. I am going to have to look that one up!
J in OH-IO says
I also made Brittany’s Bites: Sweet Peppers and Lentils as a side dish along with the bruschetta while having fresh basil available. Sharing this idea since you like lentils, too. It was easy to make.
LDA says
We have also spent a lot on groceries and take-out since mid-April.
We also made a big move from one state to another. I’m hoping things will settle down from here on out. I’ve been to 3 different grocery stores in the last 3 weeks to compare prices & item availability. However, restocking a pantry & fridge/freezer is expensive. I think my grocery tab for that 3 week period is around $650 which includes cleaning supplies, toiletries, & paper products so the actual food expenditures aren’t so bad.
Kathy of PA says
I made grilled lemon chicken served over rice with chopped spring/green onions and cilantro. Along with it, we had sauteed vegetables. It is one of our favorite meals!
eliz says
My husband likes the 2 pack frozen kirkland cauliflower crust supreme pizzas at Costco. You could give those a try if Newman’s isn’t so good anymore.
Rosemary says
It’s been pretty hot here so I am making “cool” items to eat. BLT (I made a pound of bacon and keep it in the fridge – that way I don’t have to cook a piece or two when I want it), tomato sandwiches, salad with tomatoes, pickled cherry tomatoes . . . can you tell that my garden is giving me LOTS of tomatoes. 🙂 I also made salsa with some tomatoes, bell peppers and onions (also from the garden). I put the salsa on homemade Italian bread (that I had in the freezer). Yummy!
PS: Hubby loves the kale salad kit from Costco.
Sluggy says
I don’t know where you’ve been for the last 3+ years but with inflation, the cost of groceries have gone through the roof!
Meg C says
Please don’t be mean or snarky in your comments. A lot of us like to follow Mavis’ adventures because her content is positive, and her community of readers are supportive and kind.
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s crazy how the prices just seem to keep going up. I could totally live off beans and rice, rice and beans but the HH isn’t interested. 😉 When is your next cruise?
Beth says
Looks like you’re having so much fun in your new place! Your meals still look pretty healthy and I think summer is for simple meals and lots of fun so you’re successful in my opinion. We’ve been having lots of melon, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. I did cook a chicken in the instant pot this weekend and made my mom a chicken noodle casserole (do you ever use the frozen egg noodles- they make the casserole amazing)- the casserole is pretty simple to make and she can heat it up for several days one portion at a time.
We have a great fruit and veggie stand about 2 miles from our house and this week is supposed to be over 100 degrees every day (!!!) so I think melon and salads are the plan or maybe just ice cream for dinner…
Jean C says
I have never seen frozen egg noodles -can you tell me what brand/store you find them at?
Cream Puff says
Did you bring the bbq?
Mavis Butterfield says
NOPE!!! 🙂 It was rarely used.
Susan says
I hear ya on not wanting to cook while it’s hot! In the PNW, it’s in the 90’s!!!
This week, I will be figuring out what to do with ~30 lbs of cherries I drove over to Wenatchee on Saturday to buy at the farmer’s market. They have more variety (although I was probably 2 weeks late) than we get on the west side. So far, we’ve taken some to a party over the weekend, eaten a few, pitted about 9 lbs and have the big 18 lb box yet to pit and will freeze.
Blueberries, tay berries, goji berries and raspberries are all ripening in the backyard right now. The next couple of weeks will entail a daily (or twice daily) berry harvest.
Mavis Butterfield says
90 degrees it too hot!! Yikes. If I had all those cherries, I’d be making this: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/cherry-almond-jam-recipe-its-amazing/
Ramona says
The baseball game looks like it was fun along with the hotdog meal you had at a bargain price.
I have never bought premade potato salad, always made my own. I’ve tasted premade when other people brought it to meals and never thought it was good no matter what brand.
What I’ve been cooking is soft food for over a week. Had a molar pulled.
I did buy a Costco rotisserie chicken yesterday. Also was given some smoked ribs but haven’t tried them yet.
Sue S. says
I find the prices at Trader Joe’s much more reasonable than Stop and Shop. I’m psyched because we are getting another one, in my town! So we’ll have 2 within 15 miles of each other. Too bad they discontinued their toothpaste though. So excited for your trip to the land of Downton Abbey Mavis.
Sue says
We’re having fish tacos tonight with zero-carb tortillas (Mission brand), spicy slaw, and frozen battered fish. I’m dreading heating up the oven (no air fryer) but it requires the least work possible. Other than eating cold beans from a can…which I would be totally down for!
Dianne says
Cook the fish on a grill. It’s very easy.
Lucy says
Aldi’s has their packaged salads for $2.99 and it indicates 3 servings as well. If you haven’t tried them and there’s one close by, give them a try.
Lana says
Yes! The Asian one is our favorite.
Patti says
It is hot here in South Carolina – feels over 100 degrees everyday. Our garden is producing in huge amounts so we are eating zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and green peppers any way we can. Tonight is Pork Chops and roasted veggies sheet pan recipe that uses Mango Salsa on the pork chops and olive oil, salt, and pepper on the veggies. It is so good and easy to do. You sear the chops first for 2 minutes in a cast iron pan on the stove, then cook all in the sheet pan at 425 degrees for 10 minutes at a time – you flip the veggies and pork chops every 10 minutes. The pork chops take 20 minutes, the veggies take 30 minutes. We have also made it with chicken. YUM! If you don’t like the Mango Salsa, you can use a BBQ sauce.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
We love the Taylor Farms chopped salad, especially the one with kale in it.
Actually, wool is perfect for a hot day! My mother wore socks every day of her life…lol. wool socks! My wool clothing is cooler in summer. My friend’s merino wool pants were cool in summer. He was surprised when I convinced him to buy them. Desert dwellers wore voluminous robes to stay out of sun and cool. My wool/silk sweater was very cool in spring and summer. Next, I want wool underwear. I am still sleeping under a 100% wool this summer.
About wool–it won’t burn, so wrap one around yourself to escape through fire. Yes, I am a fan of wool.
Practical Parsimony
Sue n says
I’m wondering then, is that what those fire blankets for the kitchen are made of? The kind you throw over a stove fire?
Linda Practical Parsimony says
Probably not wool. But, a wool blanket would smother the flames. That is a good question that I will find out the answer.
Practical Parsimony
Frances says
We have been buying tomatoes every week, as we didn’t plant any this year. I can’t remember who makes it but there is a Sunflower Crunch salad mix that is fabulous. Two of my favorite items from Trader Joe’s are the canned Greek garbanzo beans in a great sauce and the Brie pizzas. Oh and the frozen Sweet Bites (a dozen various flavor small cake slices). Good to have in the freezer for spontaneous get togethers
Lori says
Mavis if you ever make it to Portland you have to look up standard Bakery Co. Everything there is so good. Haven’t had anything I didn’t like there yet.
Mavis Butterfield says
Been there are LOVED it!!! https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/standard-baking-company-portland-maine/
Hawaii Planner says
I also loved those bagged salad, but I’m trying to break my bagged salad habit (mine is due to laziness, I have zero kitchen supplies excuses). I don’t like the waste with all of the little packages, and we have a bunch of garden veggies that need to be used up anyway!
Because it’s hot, we’re definitely in eating out of the freezer mode (fajitas, hot dogs, kebabs, etc).
Mel says
Our grocery budget is taking a hot lately for several reasons (prices are higher, I have less time, etc.), but the latest complication is our not quite two year old toddler eats far more than I expected. I made a steamer bag of broccoli, and he ate the whole thing in one sitting as a side dish. We ordered him an adult serving of pasta in a restaurant, and he ate the whole thing, plus fruit. The list goes on.
Ramona says
My 20 month grandchild eats a lot also. She eats a large portion of frozen vegies and fruit along with main part of meal when I have her. For breakfast the other morning she had two 5 inch pancakes, lots of watermelon, about the same size meal I ate only I had a strip of bacon also.
Mel says
He’s the size of a 5 year old, so it’s not totally unexpected, but it’s expensive! Also, I didn’t get any broccoli that night.
HollyG says
I wonder if part of the increase you’re seeing is the ‘troubled garden’ of 2024 followed by the ‘we sold our garden of 2024’. Fresh produse is expensive.
HollyG says
Oops – I meant ‘troubled garden of 2023’
JulieP says
It’s cold here in eastern England so hot meals are welcome it’s been cold and wet for weeks apart from one glorious week at the end of June. Don’t mind cooking it literally warms the kitchen. Having said that we went to Exmouth in Devon at the weekend. Weather bad on Friday and we had to have a boat ride to a restaurant floating in the River Ex which was fantastic if any of you guys find yourself in that neck of the woods. Saturday and Sunday morning were lovely if a bit blustery. Walks on the beach. Cake and coffee were eaten along the front. BBQ food Saturday evening. We checked out the supermarket there and the fuel! Generally cheaper than Norfolk everywhere bizarrely. Got home to rain and more rain I fear for my veg garden and your readers talk of tomatoes makes me quite jealous.
Mavis Butterfield says
Is this the place you were talking about? https://www.riverexecafe.com/
Ashley Bananas says
I try very hard to not spend a lot in the grocery category, but with prices I have to do the best I can and know that by trying to maintain my budget I am doing more than letting it run away with out any management. I don’t think we’ll ever get back to those extreme couponing days. So we just have to make the best we can out of things.