Last week we stocked up on a lot of the basics; milk, bread and fruits and vegetables.
Fred Meyer $12.04
Milk and orange juice was on sale for $0.99 a half gallon and grapes were $0.99 a pound. The HH insisted on corn tortillas so I picked those up as well. Personally, The Girl and I are not a fans of corn tortillas, but the boys enjoy them. Which do you prefer? Corn or flour?
Costco $17.46
Lettuce, spinach cucumbers {my garden isn’t producing any yet!} and cream cheese. Seriously, can you taste the difference between Philadelphia cream cheese and the generic brand? I can’t, so why pay more?
Bakery Outlet $10.80
The Girl and I were in the Tacoma area last week running errands so we stopped by the bread outlet and stocked up on bagels and bread. Monkey Boy’s gagalicious white bread was on sale for $0.80 a loaf so we grabbed him one and even found a loaf of rye bread as well.
My punch card was full so I was able to grab a free loaf, plus when you buy $10 or more worth of bread you get a free loaf off the stores’ designated rack. Wahooo!
Fruit Stand $14.21
We also stopped by the local fruit stand and picked up a few odds and ends.
When we finished the watermelons we dropped those off to Mrs. HB’s hens and they were thrilled. I’m not sure if it was the melon they were happy about or the fact Mrs. HB had relocated her roo earlier that morning.
Here are the meals I ate last week {minus snacks}:
Monday
Breakfast – Toast with strawberry jam
Lunch – Cucumber, cream cheese and spinach sandwich, toasted
Dinner – Big Salad
Tuesday
Breakfast – Oatmeal with brown sugar
Lunch – Bagel with cream cheese
Dinner – Big Salad and toast
Wednesday
Breakfast – Smoothie
Linner – Cobb salad with chicken and bread {date day with the HH}
Thursday
Breakfast – Steel cut oats
Lunch – Smoothie and a bagel and cream cheese
Dinner – Waffles and eggs
Friday
Breakfast – Bacon and eggs
Lunch – Cucumber, cream cheese and spinach sandwich
Dinner – Pulled pork tacos
Saturday
Breakfast – Berry and spinach smoothie
Lunch – I have no idea
Dinner – Big salad
Sunday
Breakfast – Berry and spinach smoothie
Linner – 2 bowls of crock pot soup with crusty bread
I know I’m way over budget for the year but I just haven’t had the heart to add up my total yet to see how far I’m actually over. {Anyone want to do it for me?} Maybe if I just ignore the fact I’ve been spending too much on groceries it will go away. Sounds like a solid plan… right?
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $54.51
- Total Spent in July $121.97
- Total Spent in June $167.81
- Total Spent in May $299.74
- Total Spent in April $0
- Total Spent in March $136.58
- Total Spent in February $106.85
- Total Spent in Janaury $105.36
Freebies we’ve been gifted or were earned in 2016: $200
- $100 gift card to Whole Foods {Christmas gift from my parents}
- $100 gift card to Trader Joe’s {Christmas gift from my parents}
- 22 packets of vegetable seeds
- Free Zaycon Meat 30 pounds Chicken Thighs, 40 pounds Chicken Breasts, 30 pounds pulled pork
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
ilona says
Wow! you ran into some great deals! my daughter and i are going grocery shopping this afternoon … it’s always such a challenge, but i go prepared with my list and coupons … i also use the Walmart Savings Catcher Coupon … to date, i have saved almost $200 just by plugging into Savings Catcher for credit if an item is found advertised as cheaper with a competitor … the credit reflects the difference in the cost … i love it when i shop and can pass by an item with the thought in by head: “got that” or “grew that” or “canned that” or maybe “just don’t need that”. I have Pears calling my name out in the yard and have been freezing quarts of green beans pretty much all season … my tomatoes did very so-so; so, i will be buying a case or two to offset the lack … canning spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce and then just chopped tomatoes and some tomato puree too. the mint and basil went wild this year … no surprise on the mint; it’s not just a survivor but an aggressor.
Jennifer says
pls share the crock pot soup recipe-looks yummy
Linda says
Mavis, with the cost of groceries so much higher than when you first began your monthly challenge of $100. a month, perhaps you should figure the inflation in now. Maybe you’re still within a more than reasonable monthly amount. Here on the east coast, we’ve seen much higher grocery costs, but like ilona I can also pass by many items in the store.
I picked 4 gallons of blackberries in our backyard patch on Saturday – so many out there it’s time for friends and family to come help themselves – and canned 22 pints of blackberry jam after church yesterday. Great Christmas gifts.
Christine says
I’ve got you at $938.31 and 7 months completed. So I’d say you are $238.31 over at the moment.
Once you are eating more from the garden and another month or 2 of no spend, I think you’ll be fine!
Teckla says
Yes, $938.31, so to come out at $100 per month for the year, you can spend only $52.34 per month for the remainder of the year. You are going to have to scramble, scramble in order to make it, especially through the holidays. And that would be despite the offset with the garden produce, although that will make a HUGE difference. I’m thinking you may need to adjust for inflation or revise your food prep or eating style or something. Having said all of that, you do an awesome, awesome job at keeping your food costs low! Even with garden produce most of us would be scratching hard to get even close to your accomplishments. You don’t need to feel bad about what you spend, but . . . challenge on??
Michelle says
Hi Mavis, when you get a lot of bread like that, do you freeze it? I hadn’t considered stocking up on bread like that; I’ll have to find out if I have a similar outlet in my area. Thanks for the tips!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes we freeze bread. I just wrap each loaf in a plastic grocery bag and toss it in the freezer.
Jennifer Meyer says
I actually prefer the flavor of store brand cream cheese to Philadelphia. 🙂
Gail says
Total Spent in July $121.97
Total Spent in June $167.81
Total Spent in May $299.74
Total Spent in April $0
Total Spent in March $136.58
Total Spent in February $106.85
Total Spent in January $105.36
Total Year to Date $938.31
Not bad at all, especially considering most of it is for real food rather than junk.
Marcia says
I can tell the difference between Philadelphia and other brands. Philly is better. But I only buy it on sale, when it’s cheaper than the generics.
I eat corn tortillas because they are smaller and don’t have wheat. We eat both, but I’m less likely to go overboard on corn.
Ranee says
We eat corn tortillas when making enchiladas or quesadilla. But use various wraps when making fajitas. The wraps hold all of the chicken, salsa, tomatoes, avocados and cheese better. I love corn tortillas with just a little cheese toasted under the broiler for a snack. Ummm.
Susan says
Mavis, I think your budget is doable (if not challenging) for two people but considering you are feeding 4 people and one is a young man, this is simply heroic. Don’t you just love a good challenge!