Monthly Grocery Budget Challenge!!

[JaxJags08]

So I was doing well, but had to go to Target today. That's never a good thing because I always spend too much. I bought some things that don't classify as groceries, so I won't list them here.

Tinted moisturizer $6
Hand Soap Refill $4

Today's Total $10

Week Total $70

It's only Tuesday, so I'm going to have to really watch what I spend the rest of the week to stay close to my goal.

We ate out last night, so that goes towards the food budget.

Dinner out $15

Week Total $85 I knew we were going out last night, and we don't have plans to eat out for the rest of the week. So hopefully, I won't spend anything between now and next Monday (yeah, right!). This has been a bad week budget-wise. There are a lot of events planned that aren't included in this grocery budget. I'm feeling a little down, since I'm watching money especially close since joining this thread.

This is a lot tougher than I thought! I have never used a budget, but just tried to buy what I "needed" and what was on sale. This has worked out perfectly for us in the past. But with rising gas prices, I'm having to watch what I do now. I'm really going to have to go through the circulars for next week and shop smarter!

 

[stahshee]

week of June 6
One store I shopped with sale items
so far just for today( I will do more)
cherrys 1.98 1 lb
watermelon 6.99
skim milk 2.99 x3( on sale I was only allowed to get 3)
egg plant 49 cents a lb==2.90
= 20.84

more shopping useing price match at Walmart
mangos.99 cents each 10 total = 9.90
broccoli crowns 99 cents each x5 = 4.95
cherry tomatoes 99centsx 2= 198
grapes 88 cents lb= 440
21.23 I still need to do more

ok here we go again some stock pile
80% ground beef 1.29 lb = 10.42
Charmin 16 roll tp. on sale for 10.99 1$ coupon doubled = 8.99
Colgate tooth paste 2/5 dollars on sale 1.50 coupon doubled = 3.00 off=2$ I had 2 double coupons so I bought 4 tubes=4.00
4 salad dressing at 1.00 =4.00
eggs 1.68
sugar 1.98
ketchup bogo=1.78
23.68
dh went out to pick up some things
russet potatoes 5lb bag 2.88 x3=8.64



74.39 for the week

 

[stahshee]

week of june15

Aldi

4 foam plates @ 99 cents each
Bacon 2 @ 1.99 each
Ground beef hamburger patties = 4.99
Cream cheese 5 @ 99.cents each
Cheddar cheese 7 @ 1.89 each
4 parmesan cheese @ 1.99 each
Potatoes 4.99
Skim Milk 2.69
Tub butter 1.79
Sour cream 3 @ 99 cents each
Ranch dressing 99 cents
Salt 33 cents
2 Gravy mix 33 cents each
Popcorn 1.49
Boneless chicken breast 2 @ 5.49 each
Margarine spray 1.59
Cheese slices 1.99
=70.94

Local mom and pop store I used my free coupons here!
Total in coupons=9.67

Spaghetti sauce=2.29
Pasta=1.38
2 jelly’s @ 1.19 each
3 Parkay spray @ 1.69 each
Cat food 5.99
86% lean ground beef = 11.38
=19.27

Wal-Mart
Frozen turkey in gravy meal =2.21
Soda 5.68
2 100 cal bars @2.48 each
Ice-cream 4.12
B-b-q sauce 7 @68 cents each
2 ground turkey @ 1.78 each
2 cases of water @ 2.50 each
= 30.50
Dollar store
2 cans of corn @ 50 cents each
Aluminum foil= 2
Sandwich bags=1
5 Little Debbie snacks @ 1 each
Freeze pops=1
Pretzels=1
Kids snacks =2$
13.00
= 134.76 for all


more shopping
Strawberry’s from farmers market 3$ per container=12$

Ice cream =7$

Aldi

Lettuce 79cents each * 4
Cherry tomatoes 95 cents each * 4
Baby carrots 79 cents each *4
Pineapple 189 *4
= 19.07

Aldi again 10.76 milk 4 gallons on a great sale!

Walmart

2 quick oats =5.76

dollar general
greased lightening 3$ 1.50 off coupon
comet generic 3-1$
air freshners=1$
cat litter 2 @ 2.50 a bag
white vinegar 2@ 60 cents each
baking soda 50 cents
l debbie snacks 3@ 1$ each
window cleaner1$
=17.36




296.92 for the week

 

[stahshee]

week of June 22

Strawberry’s from farmers market =4$ for 2 containers fyi one container was 50% mold

Aldi 23.63
3 Sour cream .99
4 garden salad 99
5 cheddar cheese 1.89
cookies 1.19
American cheese slices 1.99
2 Salad dressing .99
3 cream cheese .99

 

[tonilea]

I'm in.

This is a short week. I usually spend $150 every two weeks. Last week I spent $103, so this is my lower week. Oh, and I didn't have any really good ads to price match.

Bananas 2+lbs $1.37
Polish Sausage $3.84
Shampoo $1.46
Shampoo $1.46
Pinto Beans $ .58
Ketchup $1.00
Spray & Wash $2.27 - .50 coupon
Tomatoes $1.00
Jarred Alfredo Sauce $1.58
Salsa $1.88
Diet Coke $3.00
Diet Coke $0 (had coupon for free 12 pk)
Bleach $1.28
Milk 2% 3.38
Grapes, 2pkgs 4+ lbs, (reg. 2.08lb, price match .99 lb) $4.38
Pasta $1.39
Dr. Thunder soda for DN 12 pk $2.00
Broccoli Crowns 1.74 lbs @ .99 price match (regular 1.58lb) I usually at least 4 lbs, but the selection was poor tonight - $1.74
Eggs dz (regular 1.58) price match .77
Eggs dz (regular 1.58) price match .77
Total w/ $2.30 in taxes - $40.93

Menu for the week:
Breakfasts - we aren't big on breakfast, usually toast, fruit, cereal or something quick.
Lunches - Usually leftovers or sandwiches
Dinners:
*BBQ Polish Sausage w/ rice and steamed broccoli. never had this before, special request from DN
*Chicken Pot Pie - homemade
*Grilled chicken breasts w/ mashed potatoes, green beans and corn.
*Breakfast - bacon, eggs, pancakes or possibly omelettes
*Beans & Cornbread, calico potatoes, steamed broccoli
*Pasta w. alfredo sauce, some crumbled bacon and salad.
*Leftovers

 

[skhess415]

I just joined a couple of days ago and am really enjoying and learning alot from these threads, so thanks everyone. And thanks to my dear friend "globalmom" for intoducing me to DISboards! I hope to have some successful shopping trips to share with you guys, as I am also trying to learn to shop on a budget and with coupons.

 

[global_mom]

I just joined a couple of days ago and am really enjoying and learning alot from these threads, so thanks everyone. And thanks to my dear friend "globalmom" for intoducing me to DISboards! I hope to have some successful shopping trips to share with you guys, as I am also trying to learn to shop on a budget and with coupons.

Glad to have you with us!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Yeah, I finally got some of my monthly shopping done... (Okay I know it's not the beginning of the month) We went to Aldis, Wegmans, and CVS. I only bought one item at CVS but it is on the way home and DH sat in the car while I ran in...

Here we go

CVS

2 - Dawn dish Detergents $1.77 after coupons ($1.00 ECB for next trip)

Total $1.77

Wegmans

Boneless Skinless Chicken $10.15 (8 in package, now have purchased 16 for the month)
Belgioioso Parmesian Cheese $3.33
1 dozen extra large eggs - free

Total $13.48

Aldis

2 Turkey Hams $3.24 each
2 cans tuna packed in water .54 each
2 packages of juice boxes $1.69 each (this is all I need for the whole month)
2 packages fruit snacks $1.89 each
cheese crackers $1.19
1 package animal cracker $1.19
1 package chocolate chip cookies 16oz $1.69 (purchase 3 packages per month - once gone they get no more)
4 lunch box pies .39 each (DH 1 per week)
Powdered sugar .99
Marshmellows $1.09
3# empire apples $2.25
3 green peppers $2.99
3 pack mixed colored peppers $3.49 (I freeze the majority and use as needed during the month)
5# red potatoes $2.99
Romaine Hearts $1.99
Cantelope $1.69
Plain bagels 6 large $1.39
Pure Olive Oil $3.49
Ranch Dressing .99
Salt .33
2 packages cheddar cheese bricks $1.89 each
12 pack Chicken Ramen Noodles $1.66 (this is a 2 month supply for DS)
Sandwich bags .99
Sour cream - lite .99
Vinegar .69
Arizona Tea (4) .69 (each one is 3 servings for DH's lunches)
Lite Syrup $1.29
Shells and Cheese $1.29
Cooking Spray $1.99
2 cans dices tomatoes .45 each
2 cans corn .39 each
3 cans green beans .39 each
2 cans chunk pineapple .79 each
2 cans mandarine oranges .45 each
4 cans tomato sauce .20 each

Total $71.08

Total shopping trip $86.33

I still have to go get cereal and do my SuperWalmart run for the month. In my freezer I took inventory:
1 soup chicken
16 boneless skinless chicken breasts
10 packages 90% lean ground beef
2 turkey hams
1 package italian sausage
1 package 3# top round
12 Sahlen's Hot Dogs
Turkey Bacon

In the cupboard
4 cans tuna
2 cans chicken

This is enough meat for the month except for hamburgers. I will buy London Broil that is b1g1f at a local chain for Father's Day if my budget allows.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I planned my food for the week though...

Breakfast's will be the same as what I stated in my original post. I have bagels leftover from last week and also 2 types of cereal. We have some of those HUGE muffins that I surprised DD with. I don't want to even know calorie or fat or nutrition on those... Well everyone deserves a reward once in a while and well they are almost gone already!

Lunches: DD will have her usual for the week, DS will buy school lunches, DH got some ham, bologna, and leftovers. Today he took the extra salad from last night...

So her we go starting with Sunday June 1st...


Sunday - Pizza night w/movie. I had a frozen pizza that I jazzed up with some leftover veggies, some romaine left that I made salad with, and a few stuffed pretzels and marinara (funny I don't even know where they came from but hey it helped clean out the freezer). We had fruit for dessert. Oh yeah the movie Peter Pan!
Monday - Chicken Nuggets, Thai Rice w/chicken broth, corn off the cob, and watermelon. (Soccer night) We will have strawberry shortcakes later tonight!
Tuesday - Chicken Alfredo w/fresh broccoli and fruit salad.
Wednesday - Leftover night. I have turkey soup, pulled pork, most likely chicken alfredo, a couple of hot dogs, and any fruit or veggie wanted. I only have leftovers once every other week. Other weeks I do duel recipes to use up the items. (Yeah, refrigerator is cleaned and restocked!!)
Thursday - Mock Beef stroganoff w/ garlic mashed potatoes, choice of brocolli steamed or green beans.
Friday - Ravioli and meatballs, salad, and garlic shells.
Saturday - Cook-out on the grill. I will have a veggie and fruit salad with it. If I am adventurous I may do baked beans or a potato salad. If not, chips... Yeah the "cool" mom!! Gotta love her!

Most of the items this week I have leftover from previous shopping trips. I did stock some chicken in my monthly post so far and got all the fruit and veggies in my weekly. Okay week #1 done !

Just gonna toot my horn...

I am spot-on with my breakfast's, lunches, and dinners. The garlic is in the oven roasting as we speak.. I love the smell of roasted garlic! Hope everyone is doing well this week also. I am learning alot with the posts and I hope to go under my monthly budget by $100.00 this month. If it works then I will try again next month. If that happens it will be a permanent change to the budget and $100.00 will go towards knocking down other bills!!

 

[albertamommyof4]

Last night i also went on a munchie run , hubby had them lol
I spend 8.29 ouch but that will last through out the weekend
So for a running total 89.49

So we went on a little run to walmart last night
WE bought 2 pizzas for supper they were 3.48 each
3 lunchables at 2.19 each
a panini for me at 3.68
a frozen dinner .99
toddler fruit chews 2.48
liquid hand soap 2.48
4 litre milk 4.28
2 chocolate bars 1.70 for both
So 30.60 with tax
total for month 120.09

 

[delmar411]

I'll see if I can keep track for the few weeks we are home this month. We'll be on a 2week road trip to visit my parents and the IL's so we won't be doing a lot of grocery shopping except buying milk.

I already did our weekly shopping trip for 6 ppl a few days back but it includes stuff that will last us all month. We had cleared out a lot of the fridge items before our vacation so I was replacing a lot of basics too.

Week 6/1-6/7
Meijer: $9.63 ~
2 cases of soda (this doesn't actually come from the grocery budget since I keep soda in another part of the budget)

Kroger: $78.75~
3 loaves of bread
2 packs of hot dog buns
2 packs of hamburger buns
1 gallon sweet tea
2 gallons milk
1 box Cheez-its
2 boxes Triscuits
4 boxes frozen waffles
2 boxes Super Preztels
1 box instant oatmeal
16 lbs of chicken breasts
6 doz organic eggs
2 containers mushrooms
2 bagged salads
12 cups yogurt
8 apples
6 peaches
2 pack of pizza crusts
2 bunches of broccoli
just over 2.5lbs of bananas
big bag of animal crackers

I won't be buying anymore drinks for the kids for the summertime since I got in on the Country Time lemonade deal last month and got over 100 canisters of it for less than $10 so special drinks for them won't be on any of my grocery lists.

Also I'm a stockpiler (obviously! LOL) so there are many items that we won't ever buy unless I buy them in bulk. Like there was only a few veggies on my list but we have a ton of frozen we are still working through. And you won't find any household type items on my grocery list as I'll get those at CVS or Wags for the most part and belong to the same budget line as my sodas.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

So we went on a little run to walmart last night
WE bought 2 pizzas for supper they were 3.48 each
3 lunchables at 2.19 each
a panini for me at 3.68
a frozen dinner .99
toddler fruit chews 2.48
liquid hand soap 2.48
4 litre milk 4.28
2 chocolate bars 1.70 for both
So 30.60 with tax
total for month 120.09

If you find that you are going over budget, I know it takes a bit of time, but we make our own lunchables for the kids. At the end of the week I take the leftover lunch meat and make them. They may get ham, turkey and bologna all in one. I always have cheese and some type of crackers. I add the fruit that may only have a few days left, and a treat of some sort. I have cheap storage containers that have compartments. I make them up on Thursday or Friday. They have them by Saturday. I find that this saves me money. The kids know that they can only have them on those days. It took me a while to get them to understand, but now its like a treat at weeks end for them!

Just a thought, hope it helps, Diane

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

I'm definitely taking notes! I have a family of 4 (+1 dog) and I'm lucky if I spend less than $150 a week, and that is with using coupons and paying attention to sales

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I'm definitely taking notes! I have a family of 4 (+1 dog) and I'm lucky if I spend less than $150 a week, and that is with using coupons and paying attention to sales

First,

Please post your grocery list, menu's, habits good and bad, and where you think your downfall is. Everyone will be more than happy to help. I learn something new everyday and am making great strides at tightening my budget.

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

Went to Store:
2 Jumbo Raisians
6 Honey Bunches Of Oats
3 Organic Mac & Cheese
6 Organic Tomatoes
2 Refried Beans
Spaghetti
Coke 12pk
Queso Dip
Dasani 24pk
4 Organic Soup
Baked Beans
2 Boxes Crackers
Applesauce
4 Baby Food Jars
$22.09 w/Tax


$61.74 worth of stuff

Of Course I bought a few other things--but they were not groceries...they were other "wanted/needed" things

 

[extremesoccermom]

I realized I had a $5.00 RR that expires today so I had to run back out!
Shop n Save
3.78 1 Tub of Vanilla Ice Cream
1.64 Realime Bottle
Total after coupon .07

Decided that since I was out I would run to Schnucks for some of the special buys.
3 NY Texas Toast 3/$6.00 - 3 .40 coupons which doubled
Tabasco Sauce 1.00 - .50
Peaches and Nectarines (4) 1.35lbs 2.69
Mango Smoothie Mix 1.00
Suddenly Salad 1.00 - .40 doubled to .80
________
Total 8.29
Realized now that I need a Mango for the Mango Smoothie Mix so I will have to pick up one with in the next couple of days. They are also on sale for 1.00 X3 +tax = 3.12

Monthly Total Update from post #101
362.10 to go

 

[albertamommyof4]

If you find that you are going over budget, I know it takes a bit of time, but we make our own lunchables for the kids. At the end of the week I take the leftover lunch meat and make them. They may get ham, turkey and bologna all in one. I always have cheese and some type of crackers. I add the fruit that may only have a few days left, and a treat of some sort. I have cheap storage containers that have compartments. I make them up on Thursday or Friday. They have them by Saturday. I find that this saves me money. The kids know that they can only have them on those days. It took me a while to get them to understand, but now its like a treat at weeks end for them!

Just a thought, hope it helps, Diane

Thanks that is a great idea and would be a money saver

 

[Mom2Kate-Anna]

I'm fairly new to the boards and am loving them. Would love to join in as like everyone I am trying to watch my spending habits! Just returned from the grocery and will post my list later on.

 

[stahshee]

I went shopping today and I bought 20.00 worth of sale items. I posted my item in my week of June 6 shopping. I did get some great deals. I got egg plant for 49 cents a lb . I am going to make egg plant parm for dinner this week..

I also did get milk for 2.99.. They had a limit of 3

I have to pick up some more items later

 

[stahshee]

I realized I had a $5.00 RR that expires today so I had to run back out!
Shop n Save
3.78 1 Tub of Vanilla Ice Cream
1.64 Realime Bottle
Total after coupon .07

Decided that since I was out I would run to Schnucks for some of the special buys.
3 NY Texas Toast 3/$6.00 - 3 .40 coupons which doubled
Tabasco Sauce 1.00 - .50
Peaches and Nectarines (4) 1.35lbs 2.69
Mango Smoothie Mix 1.00
Suddenly Salad 1.00 - .40 doubled to .80
________
Total 8.29
Realized now that I need a Mango for the Mango Smoothie Mix so I will have to pick up one with in the next couple of days. They are also on sale for 1.00

Monthly Total Update from post #101
364.15 to go

where did you get the coupons for ice cream?