My budget grocery list!

[A1A1]

So many of you have been so kind. Thank you. Here is my budget grocery list, which seems like it can save me half of the $1,000 I planned for food if we eat out 4 or so times for nice character meals or buffet lunches. If you can think of something else that is easy that you buy to cook on your trips, please add it to the list. I don't eat much pasta at all, so the old stand-by spaghetti is out.


Nutrition bars - we live on these, and they will fit easily in fanny pack. The are meals for me 30 @ $1.75 each
Tuna pouches 7 @ $1.75 each
Healthy cereal 2@ $3.00 each
Easy Mac for dd 2 @ $3.00 each
Cooler - styrofoam $5.00
Pepperoni sliced 2 @ $2.50 each
Beef Jerky - I have never bought these, but thought for a quick protein snack??? Is that sick??? ? $2.00?
Cheeses $6.00
Peanuts only peanut butter $3.00
Fruit spread jelly $3.00
Grapes $3.00
Bananas $1.50
Bottled water!!! $15.00
Chicken Broth $2.00
Sunflower Seeds $2.00
Fruit strips $8.00
Mayonnaise $1.50
Bread whole grain/nuts $2.75
Celery $2.00
Carrots $4.00 [

Other meats $15.00
Milk $5.00


Total = approximately $ 136.00 !!! Not too bad!

 

[Kermit]

That looks good!

One thought about the peanut butter. Unless you go somewhere that carries the Smuckers natural peanut butter, I'd expect it to be closer to $5. The grocery store I shop at (Publix) quit carrying Smuckers and only carries the brands you would find at a healthfood store, and they're much more expensive.

This would only save a few cents, but being a perpetual penny pincher, my first thought when I saw $2 for chicken broth was that you could put some low sodium chicken bouillon cubes in a baggy in your luggage before you leave.

 

[MELSMICE]

I'd cut out the may & also maybe the fruit spread. You can get all the condiments you need at the counter service restaurants, as long as they have the small packets that you can transport back to your room.

Maybe it sounds tacky but we do it all the time because I hate to buy a large container & throw half of it away uneaten.

 

[jjsmom]

Sounds like a good plan. I was wondering... are you driving or flying? We drive from MD and we pack ( in addition to some of the items you mentioned) instant oatmeal, boxed donuts, (I know, not very healthy). Beef jerky is an interesting idea, however, if you've never tried it before, I might suggest trying some before you "stock up" at WDW. My DD & DH love this stuff, I cannot stomach it.

When you get to the grocery store, look for local produce that is on sale. You may be able to make some substitutions that will save some $$$.

 

[jgates]

A styrofoam cooler at WalMart should be closer to $2 something I believe. I think you could cut water cost also by purchasing at WM or Sam's Club. It's cheap here by us. Bottles are a little 'softer sided' than the premium brands but easier to crush when you throw in the trash.

Do you have a Dollar Tree near you? We just purchased the Pokemon Fruit Roll-ups packs for ... you guessed it - $1/box today. They are a nice treat for your dd if she likes that kind of stuff.

I know we keep telling you to go to WM. In Florida the one I know about is down by the Mideval Times. It takes forever if you go east on 192, but if you go out by ?Downtown Disney that road will bring you very close to it - check the maps. Try to get to Mideval Times on the map and WM will be there.

 

[A1A1]

Thanks all! Some of these things I will bring from home, like the nutrition bars and the peanut butter. Our local grocery chain makes their own "healthy" varieties of lots of foods, so I know the items and their prices, and trust the contents. I am kind of freaky about food lately. Lots of family illness, and I'm trying to get healthy.

I will look up that WalMart. Also the publix. Thanks again.

I just thought I would add "raisins" to the list. DD likes to snack on them.

 

[Cinders]

Bottled water!!! $15.00

You can really cut that price if you purchase a bottle for each family member then buy water by the gallon and refill your bottles. We buy gallon refills here at home for $.29 using the machines.

 

[tink2dw]

We get water that way too,st home. But I sure don't remember seeing themin Orlando??

Plus a couple of bottles of water a piece will be easir to carry then you just toss them in the nearest trash!

Do you have Fanny packs for you and Dd or a backpack to carry your snacks,water,tickets,sunglasses,sunblock in?? Will you have a stroller??

Fruit Snacks-aren't as messy as fruit roll ups.
Little Debby Star Crunch snacks-made with raisins
Cereal and milk
Bagel and cream cheese
muffins
almonds and cashews- no peanuts others are deadly allergic
Dryed fruits like pinapple or papaya,or banana chips
Dental floss to cut the cheese[saw this on a cooking show!],because no knives at WDW
carab dipped granola bars
buy 100% juice boxes for child
Cookies

yam or potatoe thinly sliced cooked on George forman
[do you use oil on the grills?]
salad fixings
mirowave tv type heath meals[weight watchers or Healthy choice]
cans of stew,soups,chicken noddle,[tomatoe soup counts as a vegi on weight wachers]
frozen waffles or pancakes
poptarts we like the Chocolate ones best crust is softer.

Don't forget to add lots of the thing you dd likes to eat!! Now is Not the time to change what she likes to eat,even if it doesn't fit your new health eating style.

 

[wdisneyaholic]

The tuna pouches at Wal Mart are only .96 a piece. Seems like if you take a trip to Wal Mart you could cut that budget in half. There water is also cheaper.

 

[Meagansmom]

We shopped at Winn Dixie on this last visit and found them not to be too expensive.

Ex: Cooler $1.59
Case of Dasani water bottles $7.99

Alot of things such as the nutrition bars I bought at home and packed in the suitcases. We filled one suitcase with mostly food and the suitcase was empty to bring home souveniers. If you have room, purchase what you can at home.