It was a good week, and I think we only had to prepare meals 3 out of 7 days last week thanks to a giant pot of soup the HH made and Christmas dinner with all it’s glorious leftovers. We ate the last of the Copy Cat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup from the freezer, a frozen pizza and snacked like little piggies.
And when I didn’t feel like eating leftovers, I drained a can of canned chicken and tossed in chunks of apples, dried cranberries and relish and called it a meal.
These days, it feels like we are snacking much more than we used to… grazing is probably a better word for it. Working from home is kind of weird sometimes, and since my husband left his traditional 70-80 hour a week job a year and a half ago, it seems like dinner time {back then it was around 7:30 pm} has all but vanished. Instead, we are eating our big meal around noon or 1pm and having a light snack in the late afternoon.
Market Basket $32.11 for steaks
Getting older, is kind of weird too. Not just because you’re slowing down, but because without a schedule that is set in stone anymore {work or having to run kids all over town for school or sports activities} it takes a few years to adapt to your new normal.
The year before I started this blog, we were spending an average of $814 a month on groceries. This past year we spent an average of $249.56. And while I know we could get the grocery bill back down to around $150 a month if I really needed to, I also LOVE the fact that my husband has pretty much taken over the whole task of grocery shopping this past year and a half.
Without a doubt he comes home with more snacks than I would at this point in my life {cereal, pizza, candy, chips} but who cares. It’s a small price to pay for a task I had to do all by myself for 25 years, plus, he doesn’t seem to mind.
And while there has been a few learning curves with my husband working from home and pitching in at meal time {like not knowing he was supposed to stab the potatoes with a fork before baking them in the oven} I wouldn’t change a thing. I like having him around. He’s funny, and helpful and and even though he drives me crazy sometimes, we’ve come through the whole adjustment period of us both being home all the time, just fine.
Did I mention he cooks too?
And if I send him a text from the other room he will bring me lunch?
I spotted this while looking through the grocery ads the other day. DINNER CAKES!!! This right here is just another reason why I love living in New England. These people, they eat cake for dinner. YES!!!
And who doesn’t love getting a gift card for Christmas?
French toast smothered in maple syrup. Tis’ a good way to end the year.
Some years you spend more on some things than others. And this past year while we may have spent more on food than last year, it was worth it in my book.
Do I have any big fancy plans for cutting my grocery budget for next year? Nope. While I’ll always be on the lookout for a good deal, I think I like things just the way they are. 😉
Have a wonderful Monday everyone, I hope it’s an easy one.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $32.11
- Total Spent on Groceries in December $333.85
- Total Spent on Groceries in November $237.13
- Total Spent on Groceries in October $218.59
- Total Spent on Groceries in September $249.15
- Total Spent on Groceries in August $253.38
- Total Spent on Groceries in July $300.74
- Total Spent on Groceries in June $259.12
- Total Spent on Groceries in May $262.39 {More meat!}
- Total Spent on Groceries in April $284.56 {My husband bought a smoker and a BUNCH of meat!}
- Total Spent on Groceries in March $321.69
- Total Spent on Groceries in February $220.92
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $41.19
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2019 $2994.71 an average of $249.56 a month
You can go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories
Mel says
I think grocery budgets need to be adjusted pretty regularly. I can get our budget down, but it can only go so low without sacrificing quality, and our priorities change over time as well. This fall, we started paying for a CSA that supports a number of local causes. It’s technically expensive, but it’s still slightly cheaper than buying the same amount of produce and eggs from the grocery store, and the food is better quality and variety than I would normally be able to buy. Plus, it delivers. Likewise, we found a local source for meat that is probably more expensive than the grocery store, but it’s a family farm just up the street from us. But, we’re mostly relying on freezer meals right now and don’t need too many extras, so I may need to readjust again this spring.
Kari says
I about had a heart attack when I totaled up our groceries for the year. While my totals do include our non-food items like TP and toothpaste, it is still the most it has ever been, averaging $750/month. Like you, though, I wouldn’t change a thing. We were able to house my niece for four months this spring, hosted four minor league baseball players for the entire summer, have three kids still at home (two of which are teenage boys) and my husband has started cooking on Sundays, which usually requires last-minute shopping for some new pantry items, as he likes to try new recipes. Rather than freak out over the budget, I am just trying to be grateful that we are able to do all of this. I know the day will come when our bill will go down, but then things may be a bit to quiet.
Kari says
^^too quiet
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Aww… a Mavis love letter to HH. Hope he sees it — he’s certainly earned it! That guy is a keeper 😉
P.S. What was the decision on the leg lamp?? Inquiring minds want to know!
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s still there. 😉
Linda says
I somehow knew you’d let that one go. Small price to pay for a good man…that cooks and knows his way around the toolshed! Ha!!! Funny the things that don’t bother you as you get older too. Live & let live is my motto. My hubby’s balled up socks on the floor use to drive me nuts when we first got married. He had a heart attack at 44 & now those socks represent that he’s still here. I thank God every time I pick them up. He’s not as messy anymore either so there’s that!! Ha!!!
Lana says
I love it that you enjoy your Hubby time! I do too! There are far too many posts online about how much of a pain the guys are and it is so good to see the other side. We are 3 years into retirement and I would not go back to have him gone all day for anything!
Judy says
Hi Mavis, totally agree with you. Your meals are yummy and healthy. I know this because I’ve tried almost all your recipes. But yikes! A 70-80 hr work week? I didn’t know there were jobs like that. Take care.
Mary3M says
Many of us who worked in corporate America worked those hours. Exempt people don’t get overtime but have to work the hours to get the job done. As jobs were outsourced to the other side of the world, many of us (especially in IT) had to work double shifts to keep our jobs and make sure that things were covered. And many of us – in areas where good jobs were/are not plentiful – had to work long hours to keep our jobs as there was always someone ready to take our job. And even then jobs were outsourced. You would be surprised at how many companies have reduced their footprint in the US for cheaper labor in India, Brazil or other places. So bravo Miss Mavis and HH for having a plan and working to the plan – which is why he was able to retire early.
Mel says
I worked 80-90 hours a week as a classroom teacher but was obviously only paid for about 40. The expectation was just that you’d do all that extra work on early mornings, late evenings, and whole weekends. That lasted 2 years before I had to quit and move to a different corner of the education world, albeit one that pays less. So many jobs are insane nowadays!
T says
A year into retirement and not having a schedule (even though I was a stay at home Mom/wife) is off putting some days. There is something to daily/weekly routines. We are also eating a big meal around 2 pm and snacking a lot more than we used to. I wouldn’t change anything and so glad he retired. He actually said he was ready to retire so he could spend more time with me. I’m so blessed.
tia in boise says
huh. so that’s why you poke potatoes. I guess I thought it was so it cooked faster…who knew?
Vicki in Birmingham says
Speaking of that leg lamp earlier…this year I have seen a Hallmark ornament of it and a cookie cutter for it. Couldn’t help but think of you! I started to buy them both for you, but didn’t know where to mail it.
Sounds like a great year, groceries and all. Things change, desires, likes and dislikes change Just figure out what suits you and go with it. I think you have a wonderful life Mavis, filling in your days with things you love…I can’t imagine anything any better than that! Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!!!
Marcia says
Does this grocery total also including feeding the girl? I know it’s partly because I have a FT job, but man, I am having a hard time keeping my bill low with a teen boy and a younger boy – and they get free lunch at school too! I was trying hard to keep it under $165 a WEEK, and it just didn’t happen.
I have been working from home a lot this school break, and yeah…I am snacking a lot. I seem to have acquired a muffy. Will have to work on that. Hopefully more dog walks with our newly adopted Chi will help.
L. says
All I can say is that any woman who has a husband who cooks and shops is one lucky gal, for sure. My husbanf retired about 2 years ago and about all he can say, come dinner time, is “so, what are we having for dinner”! Oh, how I wish he could cook or would even give it a try bur alas, it’s not to be. If he cooked I could devote so much more time to my knitting, crocheting, and other crafting. I’m happy for you though and wish you and the HH a happy, healthy new year with many more deliciously cooked meals in the future.. ☺
Mimi says
Kudos to husbands who cook! Mine cooks breakfast but I’m hoping to teach him how to make a few dinner recipes soon. I still work, he’s retired, and by 4:00 my energy level is toast.
In the grocery budget department – I’m always striving to cut costs and would be interested to know how much it would add to your monthly total if meals out, bakery purchases etc. were added. I can’t imagine getting my monthly grocery expenses down to 249.56. We always eat at home (haven’t had a restaurant meal in almost 2 years), have the same number of people in our household, plant a garden every year, cook from scratch, don’t buy junk or soda and bulk buy as much as possible. Would love to spend even less than I do now.
Karen Phanco says
I am so with you , girl. My husband’s retirement let me see his cooking skills. They saw me through the last few years of working. Of course, now I want him cook all the time!
Jessica says
I absolutely love how real and normal and varied your meals are. Your way of eating is very inspirational to me. Lots of healthy foods, lots of delicious foods, and no dieting or restricting (That I can see.) These are some of my favorite posts of yours. <3
Sharon says
My grocery budget includes paper products, health & beauty items, laundry & cleaning products also. I enjoy the concept of keeping it in line: it does vary month to month but I track the monthly averages & adjust as needed. On another note, you mentioned once your favorite homemade tomato soup recipe, but was it ever posted? I would love to try it!
Mavis Butterfield says
The tomato soup recipe will post on January 7th. 🙂
Libby says
And don’t forget the fine old New England tradition of eating PIE for breakfast!!
Julia Park Tracey says
Because of you, I have been thinking all month about my goals for this year and for next, and as you are formulating and getting ready for a new set of goals, I would love for you and all your readers to use less plastic, or be more mindful about their grocery purchases covered in plastic, in the new year. We cut back A LOT in 2019, and feel better about buying food without wrapping (fresher veggies, not bagged salads, bring our own bags, tupperware for bulk goods, etc.). We also found that soda in bottles (usually made with cane sugar and from Mexico) tastes WAY better than soda in plastic or aluminum; it also costs more but then I buy less, and we get money back on the bottles.
Food for thought on this last day of the year and the decade. Love to you and your community, my friends.
Susie Janov says
This! Yes, I’ve started to do this too. If everyone cut back on their single-use plastics, it would be SO much kinder to our earth.