Filed under: $350 Per Month in 2012
This week we saw double coupons at No Frills again. (Still opportunities through Tuesday.) Trying to dissect it, well, the best I can figure it’s about once a month. There doesn’t seem to be a set policy or pattern, so I just think of it as an interesting surprise when it happens.
Since Mother’s Day was coming up, I weighed the cash v. cleanup time issue. I ended up finding a great deal on breakfast-in-bed items, so we went that route. I still had to clean up. Also found some treats and awesome produce for healthy meals.
No Frills: Doubles got me there this week. Two trips, one a scouting mission, and another bigger visit. Chips Ahoy!, peanut butter, DiGiorno pizzas, Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and broccoli slaw, were the only deals I got this round. Thank goodness for the pb! Total for food $16.41.
Bag N Save: Early in the week I went back for two more milks at 2.29. After Wednesday, I found some great grocery deals: large dozen eggs .79, split chicken breasts .88/#, Kraft colby slices (4.39 – $2 sticker markdown coupons – .55 insert coupons = 1.84), LoL sliced ham 2.99 – $1 insert coupon, apples, sausage for brunch, flour tortillas 1.79, green onions (beautiful!) .50, romaine 1.69, bananas, cereals, potatoes. Total for food $39.74.
Aldi: I always run into someone I know at Aldi! Twice this week, I saw old friends. Milks were 2.29 again, for all variety gallons. Thank you. I picked up list items here, mostly, and some great looking produce at great prices. Cucumbers for .29 — outrageous. Later returned for a gift item. Total for food: $16.88.
Target: Brown rice for .79.
Total this week: $73.82, which puts my monthly total just for food at $126.99. I didn’t get much meat, but did get easy-make items for the lazy weekend. Next week is the last rush-rush week for a while, and I’m glad.
What I have for the coming weeks: Some ground chicken, split breasts, lots of produce, a little pork, and a flat iron beef steak. Also some premade/planned over ingredients. I hope to make chicken enchiladas this week, some for the freezer. We’ll see.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week. They list how much each dinner costs, which is usually less than $5 for dinner for four.
May 14, 2012
I cut back on my deal-doing this week. I only got the things I needed, plus one or two or so “what was that?” deals tossed in the cart. I did pretty well, really.
First, I only stopped at Aldi and Bag N Save. On purpose, so I wouldn’t PM or grab bargains. I did stop at No Frills, but that was for a birthday card and a discount deli snack for #1, which came out of another budget. We’re trying to eat down the pantry and freezers since we’ll be less at home this summer.
Aldi: The price of milk went up to more than $3 for 2% and whole gallons; they had to put a sign on the milk doors to not harrass the cashiers about the price. Really, that’s sad. I got apples, breakfast sausage, tortillas, pears, and stocked up for the year on dressing mix packets. Total for food: $15.82.
Bag N Save: Potatoes, tomatoes (and stupidly forgot the lettuce), boneless pork ribs cheap, pork filets, oven fries, Philly cooking creme for 1.49, lunchmeat, Swiss for 1.99, large eggs for .99/dozen, bread, and milks for 2.29 (cheaper than Aldi this week). I didn’t need the cooking creme, but it was half price, and I immediately made plans for it this week. I also got mac & cheese for the food pantry at 3/$1. Total for food: $37.35.
Total this week: $53.17, which puts my monthly total just for food at $53.17. I’m workin’ on it. In a few more weeks I’ll have a little more time at home, so I’ll probably turn to scratch cooking more. Plus, the weather will be hottER, and we’ll feel less like eating gobs of food.
What I have for the coming weeks: Still lots of everything we need. That recent freezer inventory seems untouched, even though I’ve been using stock. I got the pork this week just to add variety. And there is lettuce growing in my square foot pots from last year’s plants! (I thought I cleared those out, but they came back.)
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week. They list how much each dinner costs, which is usually less than $5 for dinner for four.
May 5, 2012
So I overdid it a little. I couldn’t pass up some deals for donations. Double coupons at HyVee, and some great SuperSaver deals, along with my regular weekly needs, bumped me over. But I’m not sweating, because I know a lot of it went to help a lot of people.
Super Saver: Despite the cashier entry snafu, this was a great trip. Whole wheat Ritz for 1.44, Kraft shredded and bar cheeses .97, marked down turkey tenderloin and pork tenderloin, can vegs .38, can pasta sauce .63. Total for food $41.36.
Target: Gold N Plump chicken breasts 5.69 – $3 Target stickers – $1.50 manuf coupon = 1.19 each (4-5 breasts in each pack). MP pasta and sauce $1 each – $1/2 Target coupons = .50 each for food pantry. Total for food $4.38.
No Frills: Deal of the Day: 6-pack ActII popcorn FF just .78! Roberts yogurts 3/$1 – .30, bananas .19/#, PM ice cream 1.49, PM pasta .88. Total for food $15.57.
Aldi: Milks 2.26/gallon on 4/28. Cereal 1.49, fruit bars 1.49, bologna .99, strawberries .99, a little this and that. Total for food $36.46.
HyVee: Hormel chili FREE, Jolly Time popcorn .50, more ice cream, Mrs. Dash, and a freezer meal for “those” nights. Total for food $7.60.
Bag N Save: Bl/sl chicken breasts 4.49 (1.36/#), Banquet boneless breaded chicken 2.49, Roberts sour cream .80, sommadis, sommadat. Total for food $12.74.
Total this week: $118.11, which puts my monthly total just for food at $354.02 — Woah! A little over the budget, and well above my “self imposed” budget for this month. HOWEVER! I am happy to report that a big chunk of that went toward donations for Project Hope and Scouting for Food. I also cleaned out my own pantry and donated a bunch of stuff. So, if I had to guess, I’d say I did come in around $300 for my family.
What I have for the coming weeks: Lots of everything we need. Variety, volume, and versatility. I’m looking for new ways to put together some of the things I have, and I’m hoping the weather will clear up now that I have time to grill.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
April 28, 2012
Last week to help Project Hope during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations by April 30! This is a great opportunity to Spring Clean your pantries! Or donate a portion of your budget, and it will apply to the challenge, too.
I found some great deals this week, and was able to maintain my enthusiasm for some select deals. Funny what an empty shelf will do, huh? Guess I didn’t need it after all. I had a purposeful shop at Target, two at Bag N Save, a PM trip to NF, and my regular stop at Aldi. I even stopped into HyVee for the Kraft cheese $1, but they were OUT, and the ad said “while supplies last.” Early bird and all.
Target: Market Pantry brown rice 1# pkgs were .71. Market Pantry pasta $1 plus sauce $1 – $1/both = $1 each dinner. Multigrain Cheerios: 2.50 – .85 and .75 printables, – $1/2 = 1.15 and 1.25 each. Roberts milk gallons were 2.99 (I was fresh out of insert coupons). Total for food: $22.33.
Bag N Save: Stopped in Monday for some sale deals. Pork sirloin roasts for 3.60 and 3.92, grape tomatoes .79, bacon 1.88, cereals 1.78, eggs .89. Total for food: 16.53.
Another trip on Friday for new sale deals not PMd at NF. Eng muffins, cheese, deli meat 4.99/#, bread. Total for food: 18.27.
No Frills: Did some PMing, but shelves were cleared, so I was OOL on some items. They gladly substituted a name brand brownie mix for Our Fam, and even credited it properly for the 11/$10 sale. Other items in the sale going to Project Hope, like the Suave shampoo/conditioner 2-in-1, and deodorant. Nash Brothers organic popcorn mini bags 3.75 – $2 = 1.75 for 8 portions, the same 9 oz as a 3-bag pack. Pork & beans PM to HyVee for .29/can. Again I found 2# baby carrots for .99, and a nice arm steak for less than $2.50. PMd lots of Our Fam products to BnS, but I still have to go there for what I didn’t get at NF. Total for food: $37.88.
Aldi: I am thankful for my favorite cashier. I realized in line that I had less cash than I thought. She worked with me quickly and accurately, so as not to hold up the line, and she. is. AWESOME! Fresh produce selection was incredible, and very fresh. Tri-color pepper 3-packs for .99! broccoli crowns .79. Seriously good prices. Total for food: 19.41.
Total this week: $114.42, which puts my monthly total just for food at $235.91 — YAY! A little over a week left in the month, and I’m more than $100 below budget — or $65 below my self-imposed $300 budget for this month. This makes me happy to get more for the food pantry. I purchased several health care items for Project Hope, as well, and a few more things rotated out of my pantry for Scouting for Food.
What I have for the coming weeks: A wide variety of meats, fresh vegs that I need to process and pack today, and a chocolate bar that might just get me through the weekend, IYKWIM. Still no peanut butter, but we’ll survive. The peanuts I got this week will tide us over.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
April 21, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April! This is a great opportunity to Spring Clean your pantries! Or donate a portion of your budget, and it will apply to the challenge, too.
I didn’t feel like shopping, really. The rainy, stormy clouds are to blame, perhaps, or maybe my full coffers. In any case, I made a quick stop to Aldi, then another to Walmart. A little this and that to fill in the holes, and we’re good. So happy to find fresh gallons of milk at an awesome price; best since a sale w/coupon surprise a few months ago.
Aldi — I snuck in for milk, produce and a few list items. Skim milks 2.26/gallon on 4/11/12! This was an unexpected deal, especially since the case sign said 2.33. Not much else, really. Pears were .79 for four, romaine hearts surprisingly high at 2.49 for the package of 3. Best deal (non-food): 100 tablets of vitamins for 3.79. Total for food $23.75.
Walmart — Another quick stop to get a gift and the stuff that was put on the list after I did my shopping (YKWIM). Apples 3.97, bananas .99. Total for food $4.96.
Total this week: $28.71, which puts my monthly total just for food at $121.49. Wow. It’s mid-month, and my self-imposed $300 budget this month is still $178.51 away! More for pantry donations this week – that’s a blessing. Note that this week I didn’t use coupons — shock and gasp! And I do have so much in my freezers and pantries that I’m pulling for meals.
What I have for the coming weeks: Lots of pre-cooked and to-be-cooked meats and vegs. Pantries with plenty of necessities and a few surprises I found last week.
What I don’t have for the coming weeks: Peanut butter! What?! We’re on our last jar, and that will magically last a few weeks. I simply won’t pay 2.49 for an itty bitty jar of pb. Hoping for a great sale and coupon matchup soon.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
April 16, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April! This is a great opportunity to Spring Clean your pantries!
This first week of April has been “Desserts!” It’s interesting how our tumult coincided with the end days of Lent, and how now, with Easter here, and all the joy and New Life that brings, we have our own magnified sense of resurrection on a personal level. I’ll spare you all the details, but we’ve been experiencing worldly impositions like unexpected and expensive car repairs, a visitor, serious family health issues involving major surgery and difficulty with recovery, and other things. But it’s just us, and all of us, now, and the activities and comings-and-goings are manageable. That helps with the budget, of course.
This week I fit in two grocery trips: one to Aldi for regular items and produce, and one to No Frills for Double Coupons. I did very well on both accounts. Today I inventory my pantries and freezers again, and I suspect next week will have me getting just list items and produce.
Aldi: Gallon milk 2.33 still on 4/5/12. We buy 4 at a time. I love their cereals at 1.69! Pineapple .99, carrots .99, Easter ham 1.69/# (found one for ~$12). Sliced Swiss for DH’s sandwiches just 1.99! Brown n Serve rolls .99. Total for food $39.73.
No Frills: I did not attempt any price matching this time, or any fancy combined instant deals. Just straight out double coupons and great finds. Other than these deals, I also found Lunchmakers .50, Our Fam can vegs 3/$1 for Project Hope, jelly beans .99, and Tyson cooked bacon reduced for $1! Total for food $18.05.
My employer: I’m on assignment at a company that experienced a shipping oops, and offered us all-natural, cooked bratwurst at a ridiculous price (less than half). I got a box for $35, and that’s enough for a good part of the summer.
Also, my Omaha Steaks package arrived, and it was FREE for me!
Total this week: $92.78, which puts my monthly total just for food at $92.78. Now, since my freezers are bursting with ingredients including wonderful meats, and I’m doing that inventory today, there are sure to be tons and tons of wonderful menus available without extra expense. I’m getting back on track, and I’m challenging myself to “$300 per Month in April!” It’s doable.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: I’ll know better later today, but we have lots of everything! God is good and faithful!
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
April 7, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
Not the week I thought it would be. Boy, did time fly! Two trips to Bag N Save (one quickie and one full trip), and a stop at Aldi. Sorry, this post wasn’t completed last week and is late. I had seriously good reasons, though. So here you go….
Aldi: May first I say how Thrilled I am that my favorite cashier is back?! The cutest baby boy on her smart phone, too. Okay, skim milks were 2.33/gallon on 3/30. Flour tortillas at .99, split green peas at .69, and crescent rolls at .99 were great bargains. I got a bunch of list staples, and cake mix for Easter, too. Total for food $26.25.
Bag N Save: Banquet frozen family meals for 1.75 are a great buy, and while we use two per dinner starter, that’s still just $3.50 per meal with leftovers! Our Fam cereal 2.29 – .5o OF coupon = 1.79. Lunchmeat for $1.99. Total for food this trip $21.74.
Another trip to do my real shopping: Coffee 4.99, turkey breast ~$6 each! Old Orch juice (because we needed it) 2.19 - BOGO (1.10 each). Other can vegs for Project Hope and Scouting for Food. Total for food $55.34.
Total this week: $103.33, which puts my monthly total just for food at $318.10, which includes food for our visitor. While I would have liked to see this number lower, there were a variety of personal factors that compelled me to take some shortcuts. I’m still under budget.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Chicken, fish, that .99 ground beef, and pantry staples. I cleaned out my pantry and divided the bags between Project Hope and Scouting for Food. I still have a blessed bounty, which is going to come in handy during the next two months as we scrimp and save to pay off those car repair bills.
I’m looking forward to a peaceful spring now, and a slower, more purposeful pace that will allow me to make better decisions with our budget, and with our lives in general. (Soapbox moment: I really believe that families that live too active lives, without down time, tend to make rash decisions, and to not take teachable moments to their fullest potential. Just sayin’. Done now.)
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
April 7, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!” I felt like the White Rabbit this week, running, doing, chauffering, and planning this and that. Phew! Thusly, I only shopped at Aldi this week for my list groceries. And then a fast bolt into Baker’s for some steaks for the grill.
(Who knew the steak in Germany is so bad the teens won’t touch it?! Well, they can’t come to Nebraska without getting the best beef steaks in the world — the Real Deal. So steak it is, and the weather is certainly cooperating for grillage.)
Aldi: Skim milk was 2.33/gallon on 3/21. I restocked some staples, got butter for 1.99, fish stix for 2.99, cracked wheat snack crackers for 1.79, cream cheese for .99, strawberries .99/#, whole wheat bread 1.69, and a little this and that. Total for food $41.05.
Baker’s: We were right there getting hairs cut, and I’m all about saving gas these days. Found grill steaks on sale for 3.99/#, and that works for me. Total for food $19.34.
Total this week: $60.39, which puts my monthly total just for food at $214.77, and I am so okay with that, it’s silly. I splurged a little for things our friend would like, and I’m glad I could! Our meals will be partly here, partly out and about, so I will probably not get close to $350 this month. Too bad, so sad.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Still planned Midwestern delicacies for our visitor, STILL lots of chicken, and beginnings of light meals. Love the variety my pantries and freezers provide.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
March 25, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
“Just the facts, Ma’am.” That’s how my grocery shopping was this week. Simple, precise, and bo-ring. With so much other drama going on at Chez CT, I guess that’s what we needed to create some balance. Here’s what our grocery budget got us this week:
Aldi: Skim milk was still 2.33/gallon on March 15. We found 2-liter cola for .59, and we thought we’d give that a try. Lots of produce: oranges 1.48, bananas .44/#, red apples 2.99, red potatoes .99, pears .99. Juice 1.79, salsa 1.49, chips .99, lots of carb-y snacks for the guys. 100% whole wheat bread 1.89, and sliced Swiss just 1.99. Total for food $32.45.
WalMart: Made a quick pit stop for cheese for grilled cheese dinner (who ate all the cheese?). Also got some day-old donuts to keep the guys at work on my side. Not that they’re not. Total for food $2.78.
Bag N Save: Something seems fishy — pollock for 1.79/#, however, is awesome, and my freezer now has packages for five dinners. Total for food $11.94.
Total this week: $47.17, which puts my monthly total just for food at $154.38, and it’s already the 18th. This is good, because I still haven’t stocked up for our foreign visitor, who arrives in just a few days.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Makings for Crock Pot roast, tacos, bbq chicken, fish, and lots of soup (because it wasn’t a long, cold winter).
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
March 18, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
I apologize, but Life has gotten in the way of Life, iykwim. It’s been one thing after another here, and I’m still afloat! So it has been, too, with my grocery budget. Without much time or extra cash, we’ve been eating from our stashes, and making fewer stops for groceries. Consolidation of energy, time and resources has been the name of the game. Here’s where my food dollars went in Week 10:
No Frills: A little price matching (with snafu) and a big sale w/instant coupon. Here’s a new twist on the price matching change game at No Frills. Their “rules” keep changing, and you don’t know how it will play out till you’re at the register. And I was at the register with a new employee. Her trainers wanted to leave for the day and kept slipping into the office. So it took several more minutes than it should have. And I was really disappointed in this latest PM decision. BagNSave had Kellogg’s cereals on sale 2.19, with an “instant coupon” to save .50 each wyb4. NF would not honor the sale price of 2.19 — I didn’t try to PM the instant coupon discount, b/c I had another, better coupon. But nope! And a ‘tude.
So, anyway, I got lots of pastas, some household necessecities, and sodas for a long time (a 12-pack lasts a long time here). PMd Kraft cheese to 1.49 and used $1/3 coupons. PMd BirdsEye veg to 3/$1 and used a $1/3 coupon. I also PMd a nice chuck roast for the Crock at 2.99/#. Total for food $29.48.
Aldi: Just got some things we needed. Milk was 2.33/gallon for skim on 3/8. Strawberries were 1.29/#! Total for food $16.51.
Baker’s: Found tons of Kroger beer cheese brats at 1.99. Bananas and cabbage were on my list. Total for food $9.88.
Total this week: $55.87, which puts my monthly total just for food at $107.21. Oh, we have tons in the freezers and pantries, still. And when the boys bring home leftovers from campouts, well, we just get creative for a day or so.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: I can’t believe I’m low on pork! All those good deals got eaten up. Some variety of beef, and many, many meals of chicken breasts, thighs and quarters.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
March 18, 2012
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
It was rough fitting in my grocery shopping this week. And to be honest, I only needed a few things. I did, though, get a few extra deals, just being frugal.
I was busy, and even though I did my due diligence and reported lots of deals, I only went to two stores, to get the necessary items on my list. Unfortunately, I did not find loratadine (Claritin), so tomorrow I suffer. Here’s what I got.
Bag N Save: The need for a gallon of milk got me to the store, 3.49 – .40 insert coupon. Picked up some Banquet meals for #1′s lunches. Couldn’t pass up the 18-ct eggs for 1.39, or the bacon (pretty good ratio of meat/fat, actually) for 1.99. Strawberries 1.99! RC cola .99. And some Johnsonville brats 2.99 – $1 insert coupon. Total for food: $21.50.
Aldi: MILKS WERE 2.33/GALLON on 3/3/12! Pickles, crackers, tortilla chips to go with chili, grahams, the usual we’re-out-of items. Also picked up small cans of diced chiles for .59, apples 2.99, 2# grapes 1.58, tartar sauce, oj, and Romaine hearts. Total for food: $29.84.
Total this week: $51.34, which starts my monthly total just for food at $51.34. Didn’t need much this week, as the freezers are getting us by. (I actually found some cooked pork I turned into bbq this weekend.) We’re starting to think of “American style” meals to serve our exchange student in a few weeks, so I’ll be looking for deals to make those. Pizza’s on the list, of course. And I’m hoping for a good sale on beef for a giant pot roast.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Believe it or not, still tons of chicken! I was planning to make coq au vin Monday, but another vehicle issue could take up the precious time needed to tend properly to the bird. “It’s always somethin’.” — Grandma Rosannadanna. We’ve also got some ground beef, meatballs, makings for turkey tacos, fish, and vegs! Lots of vegs. Still eating (mostly) lean meals, and starches for the guys (eh, a teeny bit for me).
March is National Frozen Foods Month, and the coupons have appeared, so I’m expecting the sales this week.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
March 5, 2012
Okay, I spent quite a bit this week. BUT! I found some terrific stock-up opportunities, as well as opportunities for Project Hope donations. So I’m still under budget for the month!
I stopped by No Frills twice, Bag N Save twice, Aldi, and had a quite successful (on all counts) trip to Target. My freezer is getting full again, which is a good thing, because our German exchange visitor will be here in about a month. I’ll be cooking for “eight” to serve two adults, one tween and two teen boys.
There were some great produce deals and guess what? I stocked up, because I have Green Bags, and they work. Some went straight in, but the broccoli got blanched and frozen (some raw saved for munching). Here’s what I got this week:
Bag N Save: Tuna .29/can (limit 4, so two trips). Banquet meatballs and marinara on sale; I didn’t get 10 items, so paid 1.99, which is still a fantastic price for a meal. Meat bargain: petite sirloins, enough for date night and leftovers, 4.44. Pollock fillets 1.79/#. Salmon filets $1 each. Lunchmeats 9 oz for 1.99 (3.54/#). Wasa crackers 3.29 – 1.50/2 coupon. 1# black beans 1.79. Our Fam sliced Swiss 2.69 – .55 coupon. Total for food: $35.63.
No Frills: I went Tuesday to take advantage of a sale. A chat with the meat manager told me that they would honor the Elkhorn sale flyer, because it did look like an all-No Frills sale. I learned some interesting things in that conversation. Boneless skinless chicken breasts for .99/#. Jennie O turkey bacon .99. I went on Thursday to take advantage of the new sales; I’m using the online flyer now, and treating the mail ad as a price match. Strawberry jam 2.99. Our Fam popcorn .91. Quaker Chewy granola bars .99. Our Fam rotini and bow ties .91. Cascade action packs 3.98 – $1 mailer coupon! Our Fam biscuits .50. Ground beef — .99/#!!! Eggplant .99. Baby carrots .91. Total for food: $30.14.
Aldi: Milks were 2.53/gallon; we buy skim almost always. Cranberry apple juice 1.79. Mini raviolis 1.69. Large vanilla yogurt 1.99 and 1# frozen mixed berries 2.99. Multi-colored peppers (3) 1.29. Zuchinni (3 large) 1.29. Broccoli crowns .79/huge packages. Mushrooms 1# .79. Cauliflower 1.69. 3 hearts of Romaine 2.49. 3# onions .79. Total for food: 35.52.
Target: I kept really, really close track of prices on every item I put in the cart, and I the total was exactly right this time. Emerald cinnamon almonds 100 calorie packs (so helpful, and SO delicious!) 2.39 – 1.50/2 insert coupon. Lloyd’s double-single packs 2.79 – $1 peelies = 1.79 — this comes to less per pound than the larger tubs with $1 insert coupons; I did the math. Hormel Italian beef roast 4.99 – $1 coupons = 3.99 x 2 and FREE Country Crock potatoes. Muir Glen tomato paste .92 – 1.10/2 coupon. MP brown rice .79. Kraft Parmesan 1.79 – .55 insert coupon. Honey Bunches of Oats Fruit Blends 2.33 – $1 coupon. Life Crunchtime apple 2.74 – $1 coupon. Crunchy Nut and Raisin Bran (2 each) – $4/4 coupon – 2 $1/2 coupons. BirdsEye steam vegs $1 – $1/2 coupons. Stouffer’s Fresh Harvest mac/cheese 4.89 – $2 insert coupon (for a meatless kids’ meal or a side). MP box mac/cheese .64 – $1/4 T coupon, for Project Hope. No free chicken this week. Total for food: 40.34. Also got some H&B for Project Hope.
Total this week: $141.63 , which brings my monthly total just for food to $322.50. I am so Thrilled that I’ve built up frozen treasures that will serve us well for quite a while. My freezer and pantry inventory tells me I have makings of more than a month of meals. What that means to me is that I can rest secure for a while and maybe get some roasts and such for our guest.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Fish and chicken, ground beef, and, well, more chicken. We’re having more fresh veg sides, but the guys are having starches still. (Did I mention I lost 3 pounds this week just cutting out starches?) Still, we have mac and cheese for the guys, and pastas, which I’ll be measuring out for myself. And, as always, a stash of brown rice, which is so nutritious it’s ridiculous. March is National Frozen Foods Month, so maybe I’ll catch some deals and be able to take some water jugs out of the freezer.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
February 25, 2012
I was out of pocket most of the week, racing home and trying different routes for that. Things are settling down, and I think I have the travel patterns figured out now. Getting home a few hours earlier in the day is helpful in so many ways. Grocery and meal issues are much easier to work with now. And while my new “normal” does not want to go to the place where a nice fish filet is $8/#, I’m still keeping the grocery bill pretty low.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week! Here’s what I got last week:
Baker’s: I stopped to get milk and dishwasher detergent, a quick in-and-out on the way home. I also got some sale items: frozen fish filets, eggs for .99/dozen, some lettuce. Total for food: 9.84.
Aldi: Milk is up to 2.53/gallon, but the price does fluctuate. It was 2.33 just days before I went back on Thursday. Produce is improving in variety and quality, imho. And I picked up a special pizza for #1 since he was home alone most of the weekend (he appreciated it for sure). We needed some staples. Oh, yes, and the two slices of cheesecake for a special treat. Total for food: 35.48 (it’s the milk!).
Bag N Save: I bagged several .29 mac and cheese for Project Hope. Ocean Spray cranberry blend 1.99, and the last cranberry/cherry counted for the FREE cherry juice product for the coupon. Awesome. Roberts orange juices 2.24 each. Some quick sale lunch meats and a .99 baguette for sandwiches. Total for food: 17.07.
Total this week: $62.39. Total for the month so far: 180.87. The month is 3/4 over, so I’m happy with this spending! I may take advantage of the surplus this week for some sale fish items, stocking up on low-fat, heart-healthy items, and other good stuff like vegs.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Chicken. (Really?) Sides in the freezer, both Honeybaked and my own. I found a bunch of “this and that” in the freezers, so I’ll be getting creative using vegs in my dishes. To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
February 20, 2012
I’ll say it again: distractions at the register can lead to transaction mishaps! Sometimes those distractions can be the store employees themselves. Fortunately, customer service people can be very understanding. But mishaps come in many forms.
This week, I ventured to No Frills in Elkhorn again, to use the home-delivery coupons for FREE bananas and a .99 24-pack of water. I did most of my shopping there this week, along with a few price matches. We purchased some chips, and were having difficulty with the bagger trying to put them under the heavier items. So I was distracted. After coupons, my total was about $144; I’d calculated about $50 total. But seeing the “are you done yet” faces, I was not about to hold up the line, or risk even more grocery damage. Since I didn’t have $144 cash, I put the purchase on my credit card, which I really hate to do. Reviewing the receipt, I found the culprit: “meat item….93.30″. I’d picked up two packages of Smart Chicken Italian sausages priced .99 each (great deal!). From the muffled discussions at the CS desk, and a request to copy my receipt, I gathered that cashier mistakes are not uncommon there. (This was a clearance item, keyed in, not scanned.) How does a .99 tag become 93.30? The refund was made to my credit card, but now I’ve got those charges to deal with, and we’ve been trying to keep my credit card balance gas-only low. “Oops.” Oh, and after I got home I realized only one of my milks was PMd, so there was an extra .63.
So if you go to Elkhorn No Frills, be prepared to stop the cashier when there are distractions, errors in ringing, and gold-plated meat being charged. As for me, it will be a while before I head back there, great coupons or not.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week! Here’s what I got this week:
Aldi: Milk is still 2.33/gallon! Yippee! The strawberries for 1.49 are terrific (not at all mushy or underripe), and I found some mini sweet peppers for 1.69 (these look like hot peppers but have the taste of bells — nice for a small amount). This and that staples. Total for food: $24.57. I also got some fabulous roses 9.99/dozen for church flowers.
No Frills: See above. Diamond-encrusted sausages aside, I got some deals. FREE 5# flour went to Project Hope. 24-pack of water bottles .99. FREE 1# bananas. Pillsbury pie crust 1.50 – .50/2 = 1.25. Milk should have been 2.66 – .30 = 2.36. Campbell’s soups .44 – .40/4 = .34. Butter Kernel vegs 2/$1 – $1/4 = .25. Great deals on detergent, cleaners, and some H&B. Total for food: $25.14.
Total this week: $49.71. Total for the month so far: 118.48. The only meat I got was for sandwiches, and the chicken Italian sausages. I’m glad to still find nice seasonal vegs and fruits.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Still with the chicken! Pastas, I see, and some wrapped turkey tenderloin filets for Valentine’s Day (also our 20th anniversary). And I cashed in my Honeybaked Ham voucher, so I have lots of sides in the freezer. To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week.
February 13, 2012
YES! This is the second month in a row that No Frills has had double coupons. Even though it was just for three days — and one was a snow emergency day — it was still a Thrill!
Because I went to a monthly budget, rather than weekly, I was able to cash in on the doubles without too much damage. Although I must say, the deals were not as awesome this round. On the other hand, if they’re going to make a regular thing of this, I can certainly take it. You’ll see I still went to two other stores, which was done before the doubles.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week! Here’s what I got this week:
Bag N Save: I found some unexpected deals at BnS. Various sizes of Energizer Max batteries (tons) in the clearance bin marked 2/$1 – .75= FREE! Hershey bars 2/$1 with FREE Air Delight wyb a Hershey bar. Not free, but an awesome food pantry contribution: 12 oz R&F vermicelli with the regular pasta, 2/$1. Our Fam Hula Fruits cereal 2.79 – $1 = 1.79. 2 Kraft dressings $5 – $1 = $2 each. Some frozen pizzas for an overnight guest ~$5 each. Total on food: $25.95
Aldi: Needed milk, and was pleased to find it down to 2.33/gallon! Red velvet cake mix for two cakes from one box = .99. broccoli, cauliflower, bananas, yogurt, 1 cream soup, and fruit bars marked ridiculously at 1.89. Total on food: $17.59
No Frills: I made two trips to two different stores. How confusing it this?! Different sales at each store, so what I’d planned after visiting one store didn’t pan out at the other. Well, I got some deals, anyway. At 132/Center: Chunky soups to dress up and serve with biscuits. Hormel chili and Helper meals for Project Hope. Hormel pepperoni PMd. Sunny D .48 Our Fam raisin bran 1.13. Banquet pot pies and fruit pies for #1′s lunches. Doritos PMd for 1.98! Kraft block cheeses 1.38.
Second trip was to Elkhorn, where I did not find some of the sales I planned for after visiting 132/Center. I did get Our Fam breadsticks 1.43, Sunny D .48, Jolly Time popcorn .34, and more Kraft cheese 1.38. Total for food combined: $25.23
Total this week: $68.77. Again, I didn’t get much meat, just what was on the pizzas, plus some pepperoni for future meals. I scored on some nice seasonal vegs and fruits, and loved doing the double coupon deals. (I’m glad I had the time this week, since it’s back to work I go.) I’m also very glad I was able to get some donations for Project Hope.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: PLENTY of chicken! I’ve got boneless breasts, split breasts, tenders, quarters, half chickens. Oh my! I also have some of those pork loin chops, turkey taco meat, tuna, and a little this and that which I inventoried. And eggs! I hope they stay bargain-priced for a few more weeks. To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week!
February 5, 2012
Since I had some money left in my grocery budget, and since there has been increased need at Project Hope, I went out to get donations (because I do that from my grocery budget — that’s just me). I also found a few meat and dairy bargains for us. Here’s what I got this week:
Baker’s: Hangtag alert! On various Vlasic pickle jars: $1/2 Vlasic pickles or relish exp April. I used mine right away on new lower sodium dill spears at 2.49 – $1/2 = 1.99 each. Kroger ketchup $1. Roasting root vegs marked to .99 to replace a veg tomorrow. Big bag o salad also marked to .99 for two dinners. Dairy manager special (Pepperwood, in the bin next to dairy): Kroger 10 whole wheat tortillas half off = .79 — I got 3 and left plenty, so hurry if you want some. Also got oxi detergent for PH at 2.49. Total on food: 14.66
Bag N Save: I went specifically to get the Chunky soups for PH, and I did get them 1.25 – $1/4 (my last coupon!) = $1. Also found Johnsonville beer brats (the good kind) 2.99 – $1/2 = 2.49. And some wrapped turkey tenders for a special Valentine dinner $5. OF complete pancake mix 2.29 – .50 OF coupon = 1.79. Also some wipes for PH and HE detergent for us. Total on food: 20.64
Total this week: $$35.30, which brings my monthly total just for food to $353.14. Ooh, so close! And yet, at least $30 of that total went to Project Hope donations. I’m glad I can take it out of my grocery budget! (So for our own personal groceries, about $325, but I’m counting the whole amount.)
It is entirely possible to eat well on a very tight budget! This month I loaded up on loss leader meats (but I didn’t have to). So for the next couple of months, I won’t need to get much meat. Unless, of course, there is an unbelievable loss leader sale on beef. Pork and chicken and turkey are plentiful, though. And pantries are full. WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED!
I’d like to remind everyone that Project Hope can again benefit even more from your donations during the Feinstein Challenge. Remember to contribute food donations in March and April!
REMEMBER: To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week!
January 31, 2012
Feeding a family on a budget is about more than just getting free or cheap stuff at the grocery store. It’s about finding nutritious, tasty fuel for growing people, healing bodies, and hungry tummies!
This week I’ve concentrated on healthy foods and ingredients that can fuel our family members properly. No junk! Sure, we include cheese and some prepared ingredients in our meals — because it’s all about balance. But living off prepackaged, quasi-meals on a regular basis will not give you the nutrition bodies need for proper performance; it’ll only get you fat and unhealthy. Our bodies need fruit, vegs, protein, whole grains, and, yes, something to help the fat-soluble nutrients absorb into our systems.
It is entirely possible to do this on a tight budget! Even a food stamp budget. And it’s possible to create healthy meals for your freezer on the same budget. To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week! Here’s what I got this week:
Bag N Save: I went on Tuesday to double-dip in the sales pond. Among my best finds were whole peppercorn and sea salt grinders in the dollar aisle for .89! These will last at least 4 months, and we use s&p all the time. Also in the dollar aisle was 16 oz. ziti (pasta) for .79. Large eggs cannot be beat for nutrition for just .79/dozen. With extra coupons from the Sunday inserts, Country Hearth whole wheat bread was just 1.44/loaf (and these keep well in the freezer for a few weeks). The Musselman’s applesauce deal (unsweetened) was not only a food deal, but gives us free entertainment, as well. Banquet pies for #1′s lunches were a deal at .69 (although not the best healthy option, they are fast and do pack lots of vegs and some protein to accompany the fruit). Then I headed out to BnS on Wednesday, for the Big G (whole grain) cereal deal, and found tri-color spiral pasta in the dollar aisle of this different store for .75. On Friday, I decided to try to use the $4.50 milk coupon at my nearby regular store, and it worked! Since I bought two containers of skim milk to total just over the coupon amount, it took off the total amount (total for this trip was .28). Total on food: $26.41.
SuperSaver: I combined my trips to SS and BnS to save time and gas; it was worth it. Planters peanut butter for .93 each is a high-protein lunch and snack item, especially on that whole wheat bread. Progresso Lite soups for weekend lunches or quick dinners are balanced and just .86/can (1.17 unexpected sale – 1.25/4 coupon). We eat canned green beans here, which may not be as nutritious as frozen or fresh, but that’s what DH likes — .48/can. For high-fiber snacks, I found Hilger 2# popcorn (no pesticides or insecticides) with microwave instructions right on the package, for 1.58, which was less than the sale priced store brand conventional item. We adore popcorn, so this was a real bargain! And the Honey Bunches of oats deal at 1.88 makes for quick and healthy breakfasts. Cabbage was .38/#, and makes great cole slaw with the Aldi carrots. Dark leaf (Romaine) lettuce was also a good price. The Kraft natural cheeses went into the freezer for judicious use over the next couple of months. Total on food: $21.27.
Aldi: On my Wednesday trip, I had to go to the library, and drove right past Aldi, so I went in to round out our produce. Navel oranges 1.48, avocados .29 each (cheap lunch!), celery .69, baby carrots .49 (outrageously low price!), chicken breasts 1.85 total, and boneless beef ribs 4.10 total. Total on food: 14.84.
Total this week: $62.52. I have so much meat in the freezers that I didn’t get much this week. Instead, I focused on other healthy items to fuel our bodies properly and to use with what we already have. Total for this month so far: $317.84. I’m $32.16 under budget, with 3 days to go. I didn’t get Project Hope donations yet this week, so I’ll be getting some on Monday or Tuesday from this food budget.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: The whole turkey will be the impetus for my menus this coming week! This turkey was FREE a few months ago at No Frills, and what a budget-saver! Some of the meat will make its way into whole wheat sandwiches, and veg-ful casseroles. To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week!
January 28, 2012
This was a good week . I found some new recipes to try, rediscovered old faves, tried new tricks. And I stayed on target with my grocery spending. I’ve gone back to paying with cash, and that really helps keep me focused on how much I’m spending. This has been a key factor in my grocery savings over the years.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week! Here’s some of what I got:
Target: Yes, I went back, and the cashier was kind to understand my request to wait so I could watch the register. Very helpful gal. Hormel lunchmeats 2.04, Farmland bacon 2.49, Swiss Miss cocoa .89. Total on food: $10.84
Bag N Save: Dozen large eggs .79, loaves of wheat bread 1.44, frozen veg .67, cans of tuna .49. Total on food: $8.57
Aldi: 5# potatoes .99, 2# spaghetti 1.59 (.80/#), produce, bananas .44/#, sliced Swiss cheese 2.19, pure vanilla extract 1.99 (at another store for $4+). Total on food: 23.01
Baker’s: Free Brawny, of course, which is not considered grocery in my house. Milk $1/half gallon, Helper meals for Project Hope, yogurts for lunches .33, 3-pack ranch dressing packets 1.99 (.66 each, cheaper than Aldi for the brief moment they have them), 1# ground pork 1.69. Also not a grocery purchase: Oral B dental floss $1.29 – $1 dentist bag coupon = .29. Total on food: $21.80
Total this week: $64.22. No compelling loss leaders to upset the balance this week. Total for this month so far: $255.32. I’m $94.68 under budget, with 11 days to go. I hope to use the balance for more Project Hope donations next week.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: I’ve been able to round out my pantries/freezers. Also, the new “budget recipes” I’ve been researching have given me inspiration. (The whole turkey will be the impetus of my menus a week from now. If you’ve been wondering.)
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week!
January 21, 2012
I was a grocery shopping wuss this week. The weather turned crazy windy (50 mph gusts), and frigid (wind chill temps well below zero). I did not care to go out in it, so I planned my travels accordingly.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week! Here’s some of what I got:
Target: Oh, my! BEWARE at the register. Although I was very careful to jot down the shelf price, and to watch the register scans, I still got taken for about $1 this week. Of course, I didn’t thoroughly examine the receipt till I got home, which was my mistake, I suppose. (But really, why shouldn’t I wait, when the register looked correct while ringing?) I got split chicken breasts which should have been $4.19 – stacked coupons = 1.44/pkg (.82/#), but ended up being 4.79 – coupons = 2.04/pkg (1.17/#) — see what I mean? (Very disappointing! I may have to really slow it down for other customers at the checkout.) I also got chicken tenders, whole wheat bread 2.15 – $1/2 coupon = 1.65 each. And there’s the Market Pantry mac/cheese dinner which should have been 1.44 – $1 coupon = .44, but rang up 1.59 on my receipt – $1 = .59; that’s going to Project Hope, but still, it’s 34% more than I planned to pay! Total on food: $26.06.
Bag N Save: “HI!” to the man in the juice aisle! (Now you know why we were loading up!) Old Orchard juices for .49 w/coupon. The .79/# chicken breasts were considerably Cheaper than the Target “deal.” Jennie O taco meat can’t be beat at 1.49 after peelie wyb2! These will be used in soft tacos, casseroles, and maybe chili. Elbow macaroni .75 in the dollar aisle! I picked up 1# bacon for$2 and ~1# beef rope sausage for 1.87. Total on food: $50.09. (See below.)
Aldi: Milk at 2.49/gallon, yogurts .38, grape tomatoes 1.19, regular list items. Total on food: $22.22.
HyVee: I went back into the 132/Dodge store. Kleenex for .60 is compelling, really. Total on food: $1.14 for sale bin items.
Total this week: $99.51. It was the chicken — I couldn’t pass up the .79 deal. So next week, unless there’s an unsurpassed beef deal (which is highly unlikely), I’m gonna have to beg off stocking up on the meat, in order to meet my monthly budget. Total for this month so far: $191.10. That’s so doable.
What I’ve got for the coming weeks: Now-frozen-leftover ham for casseroles, the pork, the whole turkey, many meals of chicken, and taco meat. Plus pastas, potatoes and rice, and vegs, and the makings for breads, rolls and pizza doughs.
To see how I put these provisions together into menu plans, check out my Menu Plan Monday posts each week!
January 16, 2012
I was just reviewing some old posts, including my Week 52 of $80/Week in 2010 post. WOW! What an eye-opener!
Can you believe that less than a year ago, milk was 1.79/gallon at Aldi? It’s up to 2.49, a 39% increase! Peanut butter up 50% to 1.49 best recent sale price. Bread deals are still around, though. Cheese is up 25% to 1.25 best recent sale price.
Still, it’s possible to get great grocery deals, finding clearance, using coupons, stacking, and being smart about what you buy. Eating well is about balance: protein, whole grain, vegs, fruits, and the occasional treat.
My predictions for this year’s prices include local fruits and vegs at great prices, especially in spring, with the warm winter. Eggs, I predict, will be the most affordable animal protein. Whole grains, especially corn, will likely skyrocket until late in the year. And the gas to get to the store will go up, up, up, too (because of the ethanol funding withdrawal).
It’s educational to look back, to review what worked and what didn’t. How much our lives have changed. I am fully aware that someone is selling hollow legs to tween and teen boys in our area! Aside from that, though, it’s the price of groceries that has had the biggest impact on feeding our family.
And yet, I’m sticking to my $350/Month in 2012 budget. Oh, btw, I’m still making Project Hope donations from the food budget. It makes me pause, and realize that I’m helping feed another family. It makes me really appreciate the Daily Bread I’ve been given.
January 9, 2012
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