It’s hard to believe that I’ve also been keeping track of what we’ve spent on groceries for the past 17 years, but I have.
Part of me thinks that’s nuts {who does that?} and part of me still thinks what we {people in general} eat and put into their cart is as interesting as ever.
There are some days I want to continue to share what I’ve made for dinner {or the case of the past few years, linner, as we don’t eat as much as we used to} and some days I don’t.
Taking photos of all the groceries we buy or care packages we receive gets a little old. But then I go somewhere new, or see something odd and it becomes interesting all over again.
Milk sold in bags! 4 aisles of cheese! Food flown in from 5,000 miles away to put on a store shelf when it’s growing 3 miles down the road. It’s all so fascinating.
I have no idea if I’ll keep sharing about our groceries in 2025. I guess we’ll just see how it goes.
The foods I most loved eating this year: Costco’s Mediterranean crunch salad, Trader Joe’s Kung Pao chicken, cheese and scones.
Some things never change.
Fact: I am not a fan of tater tots, but I do love Mel’s drunken beans.
And tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches never go out of style.
I’d like to say I’ll try and be more conscious about eating healthier in 2025, but isn’t everyone saying that?
I mean, I don’t think there are people out there who are like, you know, I think I’ll take up smoking ciggies and eating a pound of bacon everyday next year… Are there? Maybe there are. Who knows.
All I know is this … Big salads are cool. Fresh food is cool and we should all be eating more of it.
Did you try any new recipes this year or find a food product in the grocery store that you just can’t seem to get enough of this year? Do tell. Because we all might want to try it too!
Happy Monday everyone.
~Mavis
Total Spent On Groceries This Year
December Groceries $149.64
November Groceries $39.69
October Groceries: $1,375.30
September Groceries: $246.41
August Groceries: $115.71
July Groceries: $401.88
June Groceries: $484.69
May Groceries: $267.13
April Groceries: $135.90
March Groceries: $235.99
February Groceries: $282.90
January Groceries: $167.55
Alice says
You’re not crazy tracking groceries prices! I have been tracking since 1998 which is 26 years along with tracking every other household expense. Those were the days of 3 young children that have since grown up into adults and one has even given us a grandchild! I’m still tracking though I never could be below $100 per month. There’s nothing better to see all expenses “at a glance”.
Lindsey says
I join you—4 decades of tracking every single penny the husband and I have spent, all of which are categorized to make taxes easier, too. I can tell you how much we spent on food, magazine subscriptions, cleaning supplies in 1984 versus 2024 because the program will do any kind of chart I want. I find it very illuminating and also a way of keeping control.
Jaime says
What program do you use??? I want to track but when I go to the store, I buy not just food but toiletries, maybe garden supply, clothes at some stores plus groceries. It seems almost impossible!
Brianna says
I find all of the ‘new’ products in the grocery store annoying and fascinating. For example, yesterday I found vegan “egg” halves at Safeway. The packaging was extensive, the eggs were full of fat, crazy amount of ingredients (coconut oil, pea protein, annatto, etc.) and were a whopping $8.00+……for 3 eggs (6 halves). I can’t wrap my head around how this is healthier for my budget, for my body, or for the emissions to produce them. I have a friend who is severely allergic to eggs and no way would he eat those, he has been allergic his whole life and has done fine without the dupe. Baked goods and foods from their house taste just fine too. I feel a lot of the ‘plant based’ foods are making a push, but I remember growing up with many vegetarians and 7th day Adventist and they didn’t eat all the weird cheezecakes, sauzage, etc. It is a fascinating movement now and it is expensive for all the weird alternative foods made to look and taste like the real thing.
I think what is annoying about grocery shopping is all of the selection, the smaller sizes, and higher prices. I paid $2.50 the other day for a single apple because I thought it was a Fuji, but was some odd variety and I didn’t realize it until later when reviewing my receipt. It made me mad. Eggs fluctuate like the stock market. Sugar and butter are pricey. Beef costs a fortune and has gone way up in price, but the farmers aren’t doing any better and are still struggling and not seeing it on their end. Why do I need coffee in flavors like sugar cookie, peppermint, bourbon, etc.? I just want simple whole bean medium roast coffee. Half the aisle is full of odd flavors, stale ground stuff, and boutique expensive brands. I have to be careful even grabbing a can of beans because there are so many flavors on the shelves, I just want plain beans.
Andrea says
I agree! Grocery shopping is exhausting and frustrating!
Peg says
I agree too! Buying groceries anymore stresses me out. The prices are unbelievable!
Samantha says
I agree! Common sense single ingredient foods are best for your health and budget!
Lisa says
I agree with all of you. Too many wacky “food” choices. I just want to buy basic ingredients and combine them my way. And the vegan substitutes are a complete mystery to me — if you don’t want to eat bacon, why would you prefer to eat a bunch of chemicals that taste (sort of) like bacon? Crazy!
Laura Z says
Because for many vegans, they like the taste of bacon, but don’t want to contribute to killing an animal. When you know that male chicks are sent alive into grinding choppers as a byproduct of the egg industry, it makes you not want to participate in buying eggs. Obviously, eating a whole food plant based diet is healthier and better and more economical, but those substitutes are good for folks who want junk food but don’t want to hurt animals. Also, while they are super processed, nothing takes a toll on the environment quite like factory farming in the USA. Of course, if a mega corporation can make money from processed food, they will!
Casey says
I went to Trader Joe’s to get a jar or two of their instant coffee. They were out of it but had “instant coffee packets with sugar and cream in the packets”. Uh… no thanks. I’ve noticed that the amount of sodium in canned and frozen foods and plant based is awful. I used to just look at sugar and fat co tent but now look at all three.Grocery shopping is taking me longer than it did in the past because of having to really read the labels.
Lori says
I love food and cooking, so I always enjoy your food posts.
Nancy says
After reading your post about the Taylor Farms salad kits, I saw that brand at Walmart. They have around 10-12 different kinds – a relative of mine loves the Maple Bourbon Bacon. Anyway, they are so much better than the Aldi chopped salads I used to buy once in awhile. I am going to try more of the Taylor Farms kits!
I love the cranberry white cheddar cheese at Aldi. My daughter used it to make a grilled cheese and also put the Aldi BerryHill orange marmalade on it. So yummy.
I gave several food gifts this year for Christmas – purchased jars of raspberry honey mustard with a bag of good pretzels; jars of marinades/glazes, pepper jelly jams, chocolates, tea, etc. Always nice to try new things or have around for company.
I wish I had a Trader Joe’s near me!
Chris says
I like your “what we ate” posts. I wish I could get my hubby to embrace linner. He is a 3 squares a day kind of guy – sigh. My favorite find of the year is from Market Basket. It’s Ziyad brand Cracked Wheat with Toasted Vermicelli. It’s an easy side that’s kind of like homemade Rice a Roni.
Beccah says
I love your what’s for dinner posts. I have two young kids, one very picky, and there was a time when making dinner would make me cry because it felt like one of my kids was surviving on air and spite. I now have a list of meals under my belt that my family generally eats with minimal complaining and life is less stressful. My favorite food find this year is the chicken shawarma bowl from Trader Joe’s. It’s great on its own, or even better with a huge dollop of hummus and a piece of naan. Happy New Year, pals!
Casey says
“Surviving on air and spite”
Paula says
I also love your food posts. I find them inspirational. I keep track of what we spend each month.
Joely says
I love the food posts…what you’re cooking, what you are eating, where you buy it, etc. Food always has been and will continue to be an interesting topic to me.
Mona R McGinnis says
Food never gets old whether we eat to live or live to eat. I’m not a big fan of all the bastardized versions of food & drink these days but each to their own.
“There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & eat each other’s cooking & say it was good.” Real Reason by Brian Andreas.
Beth says
Mavis,
I hope you keep tracking your meals/groceries but I get it if you’re tired of it after doing it for so many years. Let’s see…I love beans from Rancho Gordo because of you…can one own too many bags of beans…I think not. Other than going into Costco and Trader Joe’s I mostly prefer curbside orders these days…and it saves me money because I don’t add as much stuff to my curbside orders. I love bagged salads and they are the right amount for my husband and I most of the time. We can have a protein and bagged salad and call it a meal…awesomeness. We did just get an Ooni pizza oven so I foresee lots and lots of pizzas in our future…pizza and salad…winner!
CherylV says
I also find it interesting what other folks buy. I have been tempted several times to ask for recipes or how to cook something just from what I see in baskets.
I have an auto immune digestive disease, so learning how to eat has been like walking through a mine field at times.
But anyway….
Julie says
I love your food posts and have tried many of the finds you’ve shared.
Diana says
I try to grow most of the food we eat. Living on 1 1/2 acres in the San Diego area means we grow food year round We rarely eat out as my husband loves the food we cook better than anything we can buy. This last week I had fun with eggplant! I made baba ganoush, air -fried eggplant cubes, and eggplant lasagna with homemade sauce. I love reading three or four recipes and then making up my own versions. We have a lot of greens growing now so have been trying reciopes with mizuna and mustard greens. Making tomato pie tonight as we have so many tomatoes still coming in!
When we eat our dinner we play music that follows the theme of the meal. We alternate who picks the music, and it is so much fun!
J in OH-IO says
Favorite food find is farro an ancient grain. 1 cup farro to 2.5 cups of water in the rice cooker on the brown rice setting. Much more nutritious than brown rice and is hearty and filling. Been serving it with air fryer salmon, tofu, or using cold leftovers on top of a spinach salad. It is yummy!
Linda Sand says
Marie Callander pies! No more rolling out dough!
Carolyn says
I have kept track of ALL our spending for the past 15 years using AceMoney Lite. love reflecting on expenditures…keeps us on track!
Becka says
My daughter has been reading recipes on a website called Salad Lab and got the cookbook for Christmas. I think you would enjoy it—many unique salads and dressings.
Debi Kruis says
Mavis…I certainly hope you to continue to share your “linner”meals and shopping adventures! They’re the best and so full of great ideas!!
I have been reading your posts for years and certainly enjoy them!
Happy New Year to You, the HH and children…
Sue S. says
I read everything you post Mavis
I’ve given up trying to track what I spend at the grocery store. I just find shopping at Trader Joe’s is so much easier, less time consuming and less costly than Stop and shop. I get so aggravated when I run in the big store #1 because it’s too big, and #2 ,the prices. I love your recipes best and the unusual places you find to inspire us.
Betty says
Mavis I hope you keep sharing your meals and food expenses with us. Food has gotten so expensive but your post help keep us motivated, connected and trying ! Maybe you should change it from a 100 a month challenge to say 300 a month ?Thank you for all your great recipes and help! I’m thinking we need you more then ever!!!
Mary says
I also hope you continue your linner and grocery posts. Most enjoyable.
Linda M says
I sure hope so also! I really enjoy and they are motivating.
Lindsey says
I notice the increase in food prices, but the truth is that U.S. spending on food, proportional to our income, has actually declined dramatically since 1960s. Another source says that “we actually spend a much lower percentage of our total household expenditures on food now than what our ancestors did a hundred years ago. For example, a typical medium income family in 1919 in the United States spent 30% of total expenditures on food, while today a medium income family spends only 14% on food.”
I don’t know how to explain it and since the data comes from various sources and is consistent across those sources, it seems accurate. Is it that so many other things have become more expensive (or, like cell phones and computers, have become necessities) so we have less to spend on food and watch prices more? One more thing about the economy that I don’t understand…
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
Mavis, it’s interesting you would post this today. My husband and I were traveling out of town and visited a big box store. I was actually in search of a specific heavily discounted Christmas item, which I didn’t find. (Like you we don’t need more). But we then had a follow up conversation regarding the food prices I noticed in our quick stop.
I noted the prices and how they compared to prices in the past. Like others here, I have tracked my food prices for coming up on 20 years, which is pretty shocking to me! And yes, maybe a little nuts!
He insisted that no one pays attention to prices and thinks about food like I do! I told him I begged to differ-that lots of people online are like me. They track spending, think about food and food budgets, look at novel food items-some crazy options, some not, like to visit grocery stores when traveling domestically or abroad and try to be a good steward of money (which has become more and more difficult). Then he added, well nobody else where we live, that we know. I realized that observation was correct. There are no local people with whom I share this “hobby “. I find camaraderie with those online who share prices and stories about food, as I too find food interesting!
So Mavis, I understand if you no longer want to post about food purchased and prepared. But just know that there are those of us who continue to find those posts interesting. And because of you, I really want to try that Costco Mediterranean salad!!
Happiest of New Year’s to you and yours.
Judi Y. says
My favorite is a Chipotle veggie bowl. It is about 4 meals for me. It’s all fresh and I don’t have to buy 18 things to make it. I don’t do it a lot but it tastes better to me than anything I could ever make.
Sue says
It may seem boring to you, but I find your posts about grocery shopping, meals, and recipes are always very interesting. I love reading about new products you’ve found.
Lynne H says
My biggest success in the foodie department was sourdough. after trying (unsuccessfully) to get a starter going from scratch, I gave up. Then, my HH was gifted an established starter from his boss, and theres been no looking back. I LOVE sourdough bread! It doesn’t upset my stomach like traditional yeast breads do.
Love reading your Monday Food Blog…it’s inspiring :-). But I can see how it would get old. Do what you need to do, and I’ll look forward to reading whatever and whenever you put a post up. LynneinMN
Jane says
I enjoy your food pictures and grocery hauls too! We are empty nesters –ages 77 and 81. I like grocery shopping. Dislike regular shopping for other things which I can never find. (Thank goodness for Amazon).
I planned to make your frito pie recipe while the gang was here for Christmas and I can’t find it. Can you publish it again?
Happy New Year! Jane in Florida
Mavis Butterfield says
Happy New Year!! Here you go: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/frito-pie-casserole/
Rebecca Anne says
Thank you for all the food products you have shared with us over the years, Mavis! It’s fun and inspiring to see what you’re buying and it does influence my grocery list, cravings and recipes sometimes, so thanks for that! If you’re “done” with it though, then it’s time to let it go so you have more energy for things that do matter to you and I know I’ll still be happy to ready whatever you post about!
We got home from our trip and the box of goodies was waiting tor us and man, oh man, SO DELICIOUS!!! My husband said, “ Oh wow, this is amazing!” after he had a bit of the caramel corn. I thought it tasted like homemade from when I was little girl….so good and perfect! And we all liked the caramels! Definitely recommend everyone trying Annie B’s salted caramels and sea salt caramel popcorn! Thank you for introducing us to these amazing products and for sending them to us with the giveaway! LOVE your blog! Thanks for all the writing you do! Sending you love and thanks!