Monthly Grocery Budget Challenge!!

[extremesoccermom]

Yes, that is how I shop. I get everything that I "have to have" then the rest is either put aside for future weeks or spent on special priced items that I can store.
My grocery shopping runs from the 4th of the month to the 3 of next money because we put everything on the credit card to get the Disney Rewards. I will be shopping tomorrow since my closest grocery store has a special this Thur $10/$50 but right now I really don't need anything so I will look at items for stockpiling.
Updates in Red
They also have a Meal Deal: buy one each; 1lb or more of salmon filet 6.98 side, 1 bag One Mann's Bagged Veggies 2.98, 1 bag Dole salad (on sale 1.67) 2 3.43 -.55 x 2 and 1 Bountifuls Salad Dressing 3.18 x2 - .55/2and get $5.00 at the register (I also have a coupon for salad and the dressing) this will usually run about $10-15 before the coupons.
Frozen Chicken Breasts 3lbs 5.97 see coupon below
Twin French Bread Whole Grain 1.99

2 Pasta or Rice a Roni1.00 @ - .50 x 2Q + 2 Delmonte Veggie Cans 1.40@ = -2.00 on chicken

Store Brand sour cream 16oz (will need for Fathers Day) 1.00@
Those were on the original list, decided not to get the ice cream or potatoes (I still have some at home)
The extras I tagged on due to coupons and/or hunger
Mission Fajita Wrap 2.00 -1.00Q
Taste Escapes Beef 2.00 - 1.00Q
Taste Escapes Turkey 2.00 - 1.00Q
Wholy Guacamole 2.50X3 - 3 Free coupons
Fiesta Crab Meat 1.67
Store Brand WW Bagel 1.00
Bar S Honey Ham 3.00 - 1.00Q
Won Ton Wrapers 1.98
Philly Cream Cheese 1.25
Coffemate Liquid 2x 2.00 - 2 1.00Q
Total before coupns 61.39
After coupons 26.42 I used a Gift Card that I bought last week the store was giving an extra 10% Stimulus Rebate Deal So I will put the 26.42 cash into the savings account instead.
My monthly food total 400.00 - 26.42 = 373.58

We usually have whatever we want for breakfast cereal, oatmeal, eggs, toast, bagel
Lunch is usually a salad or left overs. The kids get Sandwiches, Chips and Desert

Dinner this comming week I am trying to empty out the freezer all 3 are packed full:
Pork Fried Rice w/ Crab Rangoon (Pork was left from earlier this week)
Shrimp (in the freezer) w/ Alfredo Noodles, Salad, Garlic Toast
L/O Roast Beef, Potatoes, Corn, Salad
Panini Sandwiches to go (Free Concert in the Park) Chips and Fruit (I will have to run to Aldis or Sams)
Home made Veggie and Cheese Pizza (again items in the freezer or garden)
BBQ from the freezer Chicken Brats, Beans, Salad

 

[stahshee]

well I certainly do not need 20 bottles of shampoo but that is such a great deal.. I say go for a great deal. you are saveing money, so go for it while its on sale

 

[mefordis]

Well, I didn't do so well. When I told my dh that I was going to budget myself with groceries he was like, "Great, so now we won't have anything to eat." I think I let this sabotage me a bit. He said he wants me to cut back in other areas but likes to have good food around.

Anyway, I DID manage only 2 trips this week. And I managed to keep it under $300 -- so progress but not under $250 like I had hoped

Whole Foods: $238
King: $53
= 291

Whole Foods:
I"m sorry! I lost my receipt!

Kings:
Meatballs (prepared) 7.99
Sirloin Steak .93 lb 9.29 (-3.72 on sale)
Sabra Spicy Hummus 4.69
Heinz Ketchup 2.00
Pepp Farm Goldfish (to-go containers) .99 x 3
Organic 1% Milk 4.49
Cottage Cheese 3.49 x 2
Raspberries 4.99
Loreal Kids Shampoo Smoothers 3.29
Loreal Kids Hair Detangler 3.29
Tamari soy sauce 3.29
Org CRT# 2.99 (I forgot what this is!!! I'm reading from the receipt)
= $53

 

[Holly&Joesmommy]

Just finished all 7 pages of this ,...LUV it!

I made a choice to NOT shop this week for food, because we are leaving for WDW on Sunday,..so I am trying to use up all we have in the house. I did have to break down and spent 14.50. BUT I think that'll get us by.

Keep all the meal ideas coming too. It is really helpful to see that you will do with the food you bought on your list. It gives the rest of us good tips for our boring meals.

I want to try this when we get back form WDW, ...4 more day til we go!!! HOWEVER,...I'm gonna REALLY be out of food,..no stock left. oh well, that'll just make it more challenging.

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for taking the time to share your grocery lists. No disrespect, but I still see gaps in some of the lists where there is not much food, and on other lists, I see lots of processed food like tater tots with dinner and pop tarts and honey buns for breakfast. Also, I am amazed at the price discrepancies around the country. If I shopped the same list as the pp, I would spend at least $20 more.

Some of the meals are healthy, but sloppy joes, suddenly salad, and hot dogs are not staples I could raise my kids on week in and week out. I shudder to think what kind of "meat" is in the $1.00 package of hotdogs and don't even get me started on the carb overload with the foods, either.

Okay, sorry to be a downer but I could not shop or eat like many of you. I wish I could, but I would not metabolize that food and would be very overweight in due time. Again, not all of the meals were like this, but most are. I see now why my groceries cost a lot more. We just eat differently. Also, we go through 4 or 5 gallons of fat free milk each week. One gallon would last a little over a day.

Did you post your list yet? I'm curious to see what you buy. We may shop a like. I am careful to buy hormone free, nitrate free meats, especially for my dd4 and because I am pregnant. I shop for quality. I buy nearly all organic fruit and vegetables, lots of fresh things. Therefore, no way could I spend under $200 per week. It is very interesting to see all of the lists, though. I definitely don't think how I shop is the norm.

Everything I buy is of good quality. As a result, I cannot stomach eating at places like Applebees, where the food is grade D. I think I've trained my palette to reject that stuff.

Thank you for printing your lists, everyone. I will post my details from King, but unfortunately I lost my Whole Foods receipt!

 

[estherhead]

What are ya'lls thoughts on going over your weekly grocery budget in order to buy items that are on special even if you dont need them this week?

Here is the scenario: I am doing the challenge of $75 per week for fam of 5 not including household products in this total (I have a sepaate line item for those things). I am underbudget cool1: ) for this week but only by $10 so far. I dont NEED anything right now, we are stocked. But Publix is having a very good sale of itmes that I will NEED in about 2 weeks. Seems silly to pay a higher price 2 weeks from now when I can buy these items right now as BOGOfree and 10-4-10 deals.

How does everyone handle this?

I definately stock up, that is how I stay within my budget. Honestly, I don't have a weekly budget, I just only do that to keep myself on budget weekly. My real budget is $550 per month. So if one week I spend more because there are a lot of deals, then that is fine. I'll just spend less the next week. Like I said, for me this week is kind of lame sale wise so I'll just hold on to some money so I can seriously stock up when prices & coupons get better.

 

[estherhead]

Well, I didn't do so well. When I told my dh that I was going to budget myself with groceries he was like, "Great, so now we won't have anything to eat." I think I let this sabotage me a bit. He said he wants me to cut back in other areas but likes to have good food around.

Anyway, I DID manage only 2 trips this week. And I managed to keep it under $300 -- so progress but not under $250 like I had hoped

Whole Foods: $238
King: $53
= 291

I'm so glad you are on this thread, though, as I think people in all grocery brackets need representation! Sometimes those spending more feel all guilty, but I feel like we all spend both what we have in our income bracket & what our family needs.

As for dh's comments, it took a lot of training for my dh to swing to my side. Honestly, I've been working on him for 13 years. He came from an everything prepared, eat according to your belly. I came from an everything from scratch, eat according to what's on the table. We've met comfortably in the middle. I use quite a few prepared things now & he eats what I put down in front of him.

So please keep telling us what you're buying!

 

[grumpy28]

I can't wait to give this a try.....on Monday! (sounds like my diet excuse!) But, I really have to wait, since we are going out of town tomorrow and won't be back til Sunday night.

I have told hubby that we really need to buckle down and stick to a budget, since times are tough. I think it will be a fun challenge to try and do this (unless I'm craving something out of budget! )

I look forward to reading everyones shopping lists and menus and cannot wait to share my own!

 

[mefordis]

I'm so glad you are on this thread, though, as I think people in all grocery brackets need representation! Sometimes those spending more feel all guilty, but I feel like we all spend both what we have in our income bracket & what our family needs.

As for dh's comments, it took a lot of training for my dh to swing to my side. Honestly, I've been working on him for 13 years. He came from an everything prepared, eat according to your belly. I came from an everything from scratch, eat according to what's on the table. We've met comfortably in the middle. I use quite a few prepared things now & he eats what I put down in front of him.

So please keep telling us what you're buying!

Thank you for your kind words! It's not that DH necessarily wants everything prepared, he just wants food there when he gets home. He likes steak, chicken, vegetables, hummus, salsa, tortilla chips, cheese. He's not a fan of junk food and doesn't like sweets. (Unlike me!) He wants to make budget cuts but not in the area of food.

I added to my previous post what I bought at King.

 

[global_mom]

I didn't post my menus.....

Already had monday's and Tuesday's:

-Mahi Mahi with mango, Italian beans, whole wheat pasta
-Pulled mexican chicken (in crock pot with seasoning), organic corn tortillas, salsa, lettuce etc.

-Tonight - no cooking, going to see Jeff Dunham in Atlanta cool1: )

-Pasta primavera with organic zucchini, sqaush, onion, and mushrooms, salad
-Turkey Chili with salad
-Seasoned Tuna with orzo on bed of lettuce
-Sunday night undetermined, but probably homemade pizza on whole wheat crust with pepperoni and veggies

Lunches are usually some combo of veggie hotdogs (kids dont know), turkey sandwhiches, pizza, pb&j etc. And we always have hummus, carrot sticks, veggie straws, pretzels, sugar free popsicales, etc. on hand to compliment.

Breakfast is the normal stuff depending on the kids moods: yogurts, bacon (Hormel micro bacon so no grease from cooking, 70cals for 4 slices), waffles, box cereal, sausage, English muffins with cream cheese.

Now when we go to WDW next week it will be "vacation eating" for all of us. Cant wait!!

 

[estherhead]

Thank you for your kind words! It's not that DH necessarily wants everything prepared, he just wants food there when he gets home. He likes steak, chicken, vegetables, hummus, salsa, tortilla chips, cheese. He's not a fan of junk food and doesn't like sweets. (Unlike me!) He wants to make budget cuts but not in the area of food.

I added to my previous post what I bought at King.

Our family took a giant step forward in our budgeting when a friend gave us an upright freezer which happened simultaneously with my dh building me a new pantry and kitchen & putting all my old kitchen cabinets up in my basement. I've always been a buy on the run kinda gal, but with all that empty space staring at me (the cabinets were empty for a whole year, totally empty) I started researching stockpiling. It has really worked out well for us. My freezer is COMPLETELY full with Bagelfuls (I bought 20 boxes with a $1.00 off coupon so they were $.97) boneless/skinless chicken bought for $1.67 per lb a few weeks ago. Pork loin roasts at $1.88. T-bone steaks in the discount bin at Kroger's for $2.57 per lb! I was really excited about that one.

I bought 30 bags of Goldfish crackers for $.50 in February. We still have 15 of them. With 3 kids we can eat a whole bag in one trip so no need for the "To-Go" ones. I got 4 bags of Baked Tostitoes at CVS a few weeks ago with a coupon & a great deal. I buy fresh salsa at Aldi's & just add extra garlic & cilantro.

Anyway, just looking at a few of the things you guys like (I stockpiled on the Heinz ketchup at $1.58 per big bottle) I thought having a freezer & extra storage might be able to get you to the $250.00 mark without sacrificing one bit.

My dh said his eating went UP a notch when I started watching our budget. I used to get off brand bagels, for example, cause they were $2 cheaper. But now I drive on Wednesday to the half price sale at Heiner's warehouse & get real Sara Lee blueberry bagels for $1.00! Man, does he love those soft Sara Lee bagels.

I'm the junk food, sweet eater around here too! Sign me up for the M&M's & chips. It's sad, but true. Now that my house is jammed full of food, I'm the one who really has to watch, not the budget, but my waistline!

 

[nextbigloser]

This is a great thread and I plan on working out a budget with DH when he gets home Thurs. night.

 

[IDoDis]

Did you post your list yet? I'm curious to see what you buy. We may shop a like. I am careful to buy hormone free, nitrate free meats, especially for my dd4 and because I am pregnant. I shop for quality. I buy nearly all organic fruit and vegetables, lots of fresh things. Therefore, no way could I spend under $200 per week. It is very interesting to see all of the lists, though. I definitely don't think how I shop is the norm.

Everything I buy is of good quality. As a result, I cannot stomach eating at places like Applebees, where the food is grade D. I think I've trained my palette to reject that stuff.

Thank you for printing your lists, everyone. I will post my details from King, but unfortunately I lost my Whole Foods receipt!

We just got back from Orlando yesterday, so I'm going to the store later today and will post my list. I'll save a spot under this post. I'm only going to one store, otherwise I'd have stuff from Trader Joe's, too. I work close to a Trader Joe's but since we are now off for the summer, I don't want to waste the gas money driving there and will have to wait until I'm in the area.

 

[IDoDis]

Week one: 6/4/08 for a family of four

I had to go to Sam's club today besides the grocery store to stock up on some things.

Sam's Club

Stir Fry veggies $5.75
Yoplait 15ct yogurt $6.88
170 oz laundry soap $13.73 (supposed to be equal to Tide. I figured I'd give it a shot and see)
bag of whole carrots $1.85
mixed fruit bag $4.86 (various apples & oranges)
chicken breasts $12.97
bananas $.99
strawberries $5.00
frozen berries $7.32
bottled water $4.88
Rotissori Chicken $4.97

Total: $69.20
Tax $1.29
Total: $ 70.49

Wal-Mart (price-matched several items)

waffle mix $2.14
Kashi Go Lean Cereal $2.50
Wheat Chex Cereal $2.14
whole wheat penne pasta $1.50
cheddar cheese $2.17
doz large eggs $1.25
frozen can of orange juice $1.32
cough medicine $1.94
mandarine oranges $1.96
tuna in water pouch $1.74
corn tortillas $.63
whole wheat flour tortillas $1.69
flank steak $5.81
ground turkey (x-tra lean) $4.52
frozen mixed veggies $1.25
4 gallons of fat-free milk $10.00 ($2.50 per gallon)
quart of Danon low-sugar yogurt $2.46
diced tomatoes $.94
minced garlic $1.34
Natural Peanut butter crunchy $2.54
" " " " smooth $2.54 (we go through 2 jars of pb each week)
blackberry jam (low sugar) $2.38
olive oil $5.12
2 cans of black beans $1.36
fat free chicken broth .78
Hershey's chocolate syrup $1.50 (kids put it in their milk)
2 cans of green beans .98
whole wheat pita bread $1.78
whole wheat bread $1.97
organic turkey lunch meat $3.99
green grapes .92
cantaloupe (whole) .88
onions .58
apricots (6) .76
one cucumber .98
bell pepper green .89
bell pepper red $1.59
avacado (2) $1.50
broccoli crowns .63
red leaf lettuce .99
skinny cow ice cream sandwiches $3.00

Total: $84.96 + .13 tax = $85.09

Total spent for the week $155.58

And... I'll still have to go back in a few days for more milk and bananas and who knows what else. Now, I had to stock up a lot this week. We ate out of the fridge & freezer all week before our trip to Disney so I didn't shop at all that week. We didn't have anything fresh when we got back. The laundry soap should last me a couple of months, too.

I hope to get it down to $125 per week consistently. Looks like I'm doing the worst so far. I may try the farmer's market this weekend to see how the prices are there for fresh fruits & veggies. Any tips to bring this down?

Menu:
Breakfast daily (varies depending on who is eating: fruit smoothies or cereal or scrambled/boiled eggs, cottage cheese, or waffles from our Mickey waffle-maker.
Wednesday: Rotisserie chicken, brown rice (made w/ chicken broth), mixed veggies, biscuits
Thursday: Lunch -- leftover chicken w/ cut up green chile, fat-free mayo, lettuce & onion made into pita pockets, carrots w/ ranch, homemade apple sauce
Dinner -- Black bean pasta, corn & red bell pepper mix
Friday: Lunch -- turkey sandwiches & fruit
Dinner -- Carne Asada tacos, spanish rice w/ green chili, tortillas
Saturday Lunch -- tuna salad sandwiches, veggies w/ dip, orange slices
Dinner -- Our "eat out night" (added to say we ate at Chili's)
Sunday Lunch -- leftovers -- diner's choice
Dinner -- grilled teryaki chicken cabobs (chicken breast chunks, red & green bell pepper, pineapple chunks, onion), sweet potatoes, pasta salad
Monday Lunch -- turkey sandwiches, fruit
Dinner: spaghetti w/ ground turkey, salad, bread

 

[IDoDis]

Week 2:

June 9th:
Monday:

2 gallons of skim milk 2 for $5.00
bananas $1.69
whole wheat bread $1.89
2 cans of Dole Mandarin oranges $2.00
2 liter diet rootbeer $1.25
frozen concentrate orange juice $1.89

Total: $12.47 I know I'll be going back in a few days.

Wednesday --
Bread $1.89
Dannon low sugar quart of yogurt: $2.46
coffee $4.16
bananas $2.28
dozen eggs $1.89
2 gallons of fat-free milk $3.79 X2 = $7.58(not on sale anywhere this week!)
fresh peaches $1.86
Dole Mandarin oranges (2 cans a $1.00 each) $2.00
turkey lunch meat $2.50
Natural peanut butter 2 jars at $3.29 each = $6.58
2 packages of kool-aid @ .20 each = .40
2 boxes of cereal at $2.50 each = $5.00
one box of blueberry muffin mix = $2.79
bag of Baked Lay's chips = $3.00
paper towels = $3.89
toilet paper = $7.19
can of almonds = 5.00
sweet freedom fudgesicles = $3.19
Total: 63.66

6/13 decided to go out for pizza after seeing a movie
pizza, salad & pitcher of soda - $19.76

Sam's Club 6/14 (I can't find the receipt but I think I remember)
2 pack of chips (for DD's swim party) - $4.88
guacamole (for swim party) - $9.22
2 gallon skim milk - $2.65X2 = $5.30
1# bananas $.99
4# grapes $4.54
Total: $24.93

Total for the week so far: $120.82

Menu for the week:
Monday: flank steak, fresh broccoli & cauliflower, biscuits
Tuesday: Leftovers from Monday. I usually add a dinner salad because there's never enough of the leftover veggies.
Wednesday: chicken stiry fry over rice
Thursday: broiled chicken breasts w/ honey mustard sauce, spinach, wild rice
Friday: BBQ chicken on the grill, grilled zucchini & squash in olive oil (sooo good!), baked(grilled) potatoes
Saturday: DD's figure skating club is having its annual summer swimming party. We were assigned to bring chips.
Sunday: Father's Day -- We are going to the mountains to hike & sit in the hotsprings, so we'll pack a picnic lunch and will most likely eat dinner at one of our favorite restaurants up there.


DH is also a big bread eater. He's been trying to cut down because of the extra carbs, but just know there is bread with every meal. We only eat whole wheat unless I make buscuits or cornbread.

 

[IDoDis]

Week 3 & 4:

6/16

3 cans of green beans @.50 each $1.50
ibprofen $4.28
flaxseed $1.74
box of Triscuit crackers $2.48
frozen mixed vegetables $ 1.89
large can of mixed nuts $4.48
Danon quart of low-sugar yogurt $2.46
2 cans of black beans @.88 each $1.76
Laura Scutters Natural creamy peanut butter $2.54
Laura Scutter's Natural cruchy peanut butter $2.54
whole wheat bread $2.48
eye of round thin-cut $3.38
Kashi Go-lean cereal $2.99
Captain Crunch (DS's special request) $1.99
peaches 1.41 lb - $1.18
grape tomatoes $2.28
2 bunches of broccoli $1.50
1 cucumber .99
1 head leaf lettuce $1.29
roisserie chicken (whole) $4.74
1 gallon fat free milk $3.47
1 whole watermelon $2.50

Total: $55.46

6/17 2 gallons of milk $5.00 (went back today because I knew it was going back on sale)
Total: $5.00

6/19

Fat free milk 2 gallons @2.50 ea. $5.00
blueberries $2.98
skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches $2.98
sunflower seeds $1.87
red onion .94
green bell pepper .92
head of cauliflower $2.50
whole wheat bread $2.48
Bananas $1.75
peaches $2.48
blueberries $2.98
strawberries $2.28
apples $2.29
dozen eggs $1.00
blackberry jam $2.38
chicken rub seasoning $2.38
mixed nuts $4.48
Chunky natural peanut butter $2.54
ground turkey $3.68
chicken breasts $7.28

Total: 69.87
Total for the week: $131.33

Leaving town tomorrow until Saturday so no groceries for most of next week! Woo hoo! We are taking the fruit with us for the road.

June 28th --
Got back into town yesterday afternoon and zipped over to Target to get 10 boxes of cereal for the "Buy 5 for $11 and get a free $5 Target gift card" before the deal ended at closing yesterday. I had four $1.00 off coupons so the ten boxes actually cost me $8.00 or $.80 each!

Total cost $8.00

 

[cruisnfamily]

My dh said his eating went UP a notch when I started watching our budget. I used to get off brand

This is what happened with us...I use www.thegrocerygame.com and before I did this, I wouldn't really plan, I'd just buy generic and cut corners here and there. Now that I plan the coupons along with the sales circular using the grocery game, we have MORE food and in the house, greater variety, more name brands....and we spend less money. Everybody is really happy with this! For all those who say no prepared food, or all organic....well, you probably wouldn't like how we eat as we have a mix of from scratch foods mixed in with hamburger helper type foods. Probably more from scratch than not, but I'm not anti the prepared stuff either. Anyway, my point is we have more food now that I do a better job with our grocery budget.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Ok, I'd like to join in here as well. Rarely do I spend $75.00 in one week or $300 per month. But, then there will be a week or month that I will go over that because of stocking up on some items that will last me a few months. Hope that made sense.

well I certainly do not need 20 bottles of shampoo but that is such a great deal.. I say go for a great deal. you are saving money, so go for it while its on sale

This is the right way to think. By stocking up now, it will save you in the long run.

Here's my first week so far:
06/01
Produce 3.58 corn on the cob
Grocery 4.49 cereal
Dairy 3.69 sour cream
General 2.49 newspaper
Hse. hold 2.19 sos pads
Bakery 6.35 lil pies for lunch
22.79
This was a bad shopping for me. I only went in to get sos and the paper. I was PMSing so the rest was impulse and I was hungry. Usually I only get what I need and always use coupons. Bad me.

$75.00
-22.79
=52.21

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

W/e 06/14
Sorry for the delay in posting but, it's been a crazy 2 weeks.

This week I only spent $10 something.

$5.58 on 2 gal. of milk and
$1.50 on 1 Sunday paper.
The rest was on fruit.

$75.00
- 11.00 (rounded up)
64.21

To date I have spent $33.79 for the month

Just wanted to add that we had a graduation party on the 14th. We had 27 people over. And, it didn't cost me anything extra this week because I already had everything I needed. Food items were purchased at different times when they went on sale and stored. Decorations were purchased last year when they were clearanced.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

W/e 06/21

Made a Costco run on Saturday.
5.58 2 gals. of milk
1.99 Rolls
6.39 Fruit
_____
$ 13.96
+ 33.79
________
$47.75 spent to date for the month of June

Mind you not every month is this good. But, I do try to keep my Monthly btwn. $100- 150.00 for a family of 3 with 1 dog and many drop ins every weekend.