Post your grocery list! (and help me!)

[Megan23]

I went grocery shopping today and spent 70 dollars! That may not seem like a lot, but it's just me and my husband I'm shopping for. That should last us for about 2 weeks, though I'll probably go back in a week for milk, bread, and soda. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to save money and/or get more variety when buying groceries? I also feel like we're always buying and eating the same stuff.

Here are some of the things I always buy:
bread, milk, soda, juice, tuna, vanilla pudding, potato chips or tortilla chips and salsa, sandwich meat, cheese, rice, frozen pizzas, frozen chicken tenders.

Post the items that are always on your list, and some advice for me if you have any!

Thanks!

 

[swankybeth]

Lots of produce is on my list-bananas, apples, lettuce, berries, melons. I tend to buy what's in season and on sale. Staples in my house are whole wheat pasta, low fat dairy products, frozen spanakopita, hummus, whole wheat bread, lean meats (ground turkey breast, boneless, skinless chicken), peanut butter, honey, cereal and protein bars.

Some stuff I do to save money-clip coupons, search the circulars for good deals and stock up when there is a really good sale. I also buy a lot of store brands. Most times they're just as good as a name brand

I also recommend shopping at Trader Joes if you don't already. Lots of great variety and excellent prices. You can buy the chips and salsa that you mentioned, tuna, bread, etc. I don't know if you're buying the little pudding cups, but it's definitely cheaper to buy the jello or store brand mix and make it yourself. When the sugar free, fat free jello pudding mixes go on sale I buy a bunch.

 

[becka]

Here are some things that always seem to be on my list:

bananas/grapes/apples (assorted fruits)
chicken breasts
lettuce, tomato, green onions (for salads)
hamburger meat
spaghetti sauce
pasta
stuffing mix/scalloped potato mix (some kind of starchy sides)
fresh veggies (corn, squash, broccoli, green beans, etc.)
cereal

 

[gradtchr]

I am going to be absolutely no help with the saving money portion as DH and I spend about 150 for two weeks of groceries.

Our normal list includes but is not limited to:
Salmon
Feta Cheese
Tortillas
Spinach
Cream Cheese
Pita Pockets
Mozzarella cheese
chicken tenders
Ground turkey
Black beans
Brown Rice
Lots of fresh veggies such as lettuce, tomato, squash, beans, avocados, broccoli, whatever is fresh
yogurt
cottage cheese
nutrition bars such as balance bars
Salad dressings (light or FF)
Lunch meat
Whole Wheat Pasta
Fresh and frozen fruit
protein powder


Menus: turkey black bean burritos, wraps, pitas are for chicken pizzas personal pan size, salads, chicken or fish w/ brown rice, protein shakes, etc..... We do eat 6 small meals a day so we have a lot of food on the list.

 

[Saphire]

Make sure you have the weekly circular from your favorite grocery store. Make a list from the sale items that your pantry can use. Now make a menu for the week from what meats (and other main dish items) they have on sale. I always buy boneless chicken when it is on sale, and marinate it in homemade stuff or store bought marinade until ready to use, then grill it. I use the leftovers for chicken ceaser salad. I usually buy boneless pork and grill that too. I make a few pasta dishes as well, with whatever vegetables may be seasonal. Tuna gemelli is a current favorite, using tuna, basil, grape tomatoes, pasta, etc. Allrecipes.com is a great place to find recipes. I think if you start with the store circular and build from there, it gives you ideas while helping to save money.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Wow $70, that would be AMAZING for DH and me. This week I spent around $130 between the grocery store and the fruit stand and that is just for one week. Here's a sampling of my list:
Tofurkey
Soy Cheese
Boars Head American Cheese from the deli
Whole wheat pita
Soy Milk
Stonyfield yogurt x 5
Large Fat Free Vanilla Stoneyfield Yogurt for smoothies
Natural Tostidos
Salsa
Hummus
Chicken breast
Ground turkey breast
Boca Burgers
Cous Cous (or brown rice, or other whole grain side)
Gum
Ginger Ale (or Fresca)
Bottled Water x5
Fuji Apples
Bananas
Other fruits (peaches, pears, nectarines, grapefruit, tangelos)
Spinach
Celery
Sweet Potatoes
Eggplant
Romaine Lettuce
Baby Carrots
Red Bell Pepper
Cucumber
Grape Tomatoes
Red onion

I am sure there is more, but that's all I can think of right now.

 

[lovemygoofy]

First, go take a look over on the budget board. They always have good threads going on saving money especially on food.

Now do you have a menu or at least ideas of the meals you plan to make when you go to the grocery store? I don't know how organized you like to be or need to be but when I have to be super organized, I have a dry erase board in my kitchen that I date for two weeks out and I list the meals on each day for the next two weeks. If I need to switch in the middle of the week, I just erase what should have been and write what was and write it in another day or make a notation that I have this stuff for a meal.

I also only buy certain things twice a month and that is stuff like sweets, chips and salsa, soda and other things that aren't really needed. If I buy doritos and the next day they are gone, well they are just gone until the next payday.

I also "budget" a specific amount each grocery trip and if there is anything left over, it goes straight into the "extras" account we have and that incldues all savings from coupons.

If you need more help do post on the budget board or just do a search, there is tons and tons of information over there. Good luck I know its difficult getting the budget under control sometimes.

 

[gottalovethem]

I purchase certain staples at discount stores like Aldi's, Walmart and Target -- and Walgreens even has some great sales on stuff like toilet paper, oj, milk and laundry detergent

My Aldi's list:
eggs
milk
chips
cookies
peanut butter
jelly
canned veggies
rice
tomato sauce
noodles
cheese ravioli
i browse their fresh veggies/fruits, it's hit and miss there
napkins
tissues
apple juice
canned soups (great for crockpot cooking)
cheese

 

[Nancy]

Well I spend way more than you, but I'm feeding 5. One thing I do is buy in big pack as much as possible. This week we have boneless/skinless chicken for 1.99 a pound. I will buy it and put it into smaller size packages to freeze. Last week 90 % ground beef was on sale so I bought that and split it into 5 1 lb packages. I always have the basics on hand: ketchup, mayo, mac and cheese, ramen, shredded cheeses and pasta sauces. Sometimes I make my own sauce, sometimes it's store bought. I buy store brand for pasta,bread, cereal, tuna, sauces, trash bags, paper towels, and toilet paper. My big splurges are the fresh fruit, and low fat snack foods for DH and the kids. Plus DH (and me) like Pepsi and the kids drink Powerade so I spend a bt more on that. I also buy store brand deli meats. I utilize coupons and the stores discount card as much as I can.

 

[Perlla55]

I buy bottled water, Orange and fruit juices, milk, yogurts, fresh fruits, packaged salads, bread, eggs, veggies, fish, meat, chicken, soap and cleaning products

 

[disykat]

I divide a piece of paper down the middle (actually 1/3, 2/3 if you want to get technical). I write "meals" on one side and "groceries" on the other. I then bully my dh and kids into putting their ideas on the list. When I'm ready to go shopping I look at the meal suggestions, add a few, check what ingredients I need and write them on the grocery side - and I'm good to go. Of course, I add staples for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Then I cut off the meal list and stick it on the side of the fridge so I know what meals I have all the ingredients for. Since I started doing this making the list is easier and so is trying to find inspiration at dinnertime.

I try to keep the a list going so that anytime the kids so that the grocery list is everyone's responsibility, not just mine. I swear "did you write in on the list?" will be on my tombstone.

 

[MinnieM21]

lettuce
onions
english cucumbers
tomatoes
balsamic vinegar
apple cider vinegar
chickpeas
black beans
hummus
diet coke
bottled water
sweet n low
crushed tomatoes
couscous
carrots
cabbage
gardenburgers
pasta
rice
extra virgin olive oil
bread
garlic
eggs
I buy my coffee at a different place than the grocery store.