This week's groceries

Why do I keep posting my grocery spending, you ask?  Because I want to prove that you don't have to be a dumpster diving extreme couponer to buy on a budget.  It might take a little creativity and a little extra effort, but it's entirely doable.  I have an average-size pantry, refrigerator, freezer and the little cabinet space we do have is completely used by dishware, glasses, pots & pans.  We have a 7 yr old, 4 yr old and 1.5 year old, so I think you can also say we have the average 2.5 kids, at least when it comes to eating.  No dog (yet ;) but for the most part, we are a very average American family living on a very average American salary, but trying to spend less than we earn wherever we can.  College ain't getting any cheaper ... and one day we'd like to own a house of our own .... *sigh*  But I digress.

I lost one of last week's receipts, but you have my word it was around $52.  (I had the extra $ from the week before :)  Maybe some amount of change  over.  The highlight was this tortilla crusted tilapia (frozen) from Costco.  $13.50 for the box, which is enough for 2 dinners for our family and it was delish and it was seafood that even A liked!

Here are this week's numbers ...

Aldi:
1 bag potato chips $1.49
1 package chocolate chip cookies $0.89 (clearance)
1 bunch bananas 2.56 lb $0.38/lb = $0.97
Total:  $3.43


Fresh Farms:
1 bunch celery $0.89
1 bunch green onion $0.33
1 bunch romaine lettuce $0.88
1 head green cabbage $0.80
4 tomatoes on the vine $1.39
2 lbs. organic gala apples $4.04
2 lbs. whole pork tenderloin $7.66
6 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast $1.99/lb = $11.86
2 dozen extra large eggs $0.79 each = $1.58

Total: $30.09

Jewel:
1 box Jewel corn starch $1.43

8oz. Jewel whipping cream $1.34
Buy 10, get $5 off deal:
3 Rice-A-Roni Mexican rice $0.75 each = $1.50
1 Hellmann's Mayo w/Olive Oil $1.50 (with $1 off coupon)
2 lbs. Barilla spaghetti $0.75 each = $1.50
1 box Barilla mostaccioli $0.75
1 box Barilla farfalle $0.75
2 boxes Pasta-Roni $0.75
Total: $11.28


Dominicks:
3 packs Vienna franks $2.77 each
Total: $8.50

Grand Total:  $53.30

Grocery Day Update

Since I didn't get to post my grocery spending last week and I'm postponing my shower until after the Bulls game, I have a few minutes to give you the rundown.  I was under budget this week, yay!  It was a much more typical shopping experience this week with no coupons at 3 stores (also why I wanted to post).

Dominicks:
~3 lbs. chicken drumsticks $0.99/lb = $4.02
~3 lbs. organic fuji apples $1.79/lb = $4.94
1 12oz. package wontons $3.29
brownie mix $0.99
Total:  $13.54

Fresh Farms:
1 bunch green onions $0.33
~2 lbs. ground round beef $6.04
~1-2 lbs. mild italian sausage $2.29
2 dozen extra lg eggs $0.89 each = $1.78
Total:  $10.67

Aldi:
~2.5 lbs bananas $0.38/lb = $1.00
1 package corn tortillas $0.35
1 pack hamburger buns $0.99
1 lb. strawberries $0.99
3 pints blackberries $0.79 each = $2.37*
1 apple juice concentrate $0.92
1 bag potato chips $1.49
1 bag romaine hearts $1.79
1 package applesauce cups $1.29
4 lb. bag navel oranges $3.49
1 package chicken breasts $4.02
Total:  $19.12

Grand Total:  $43.33 (+$4.75 carryover from last week) = $48.08; $1.92 extra for next week

*Just as a side note, Aldi's blackberries were delicious!  As are their navel oranges - part of why I buy them all the time.  But since I'm not usually a huge fan of blackberries (usually too sour), this was quite remarkable.  Yay Aldi!

This Week's Groceries

Last week, I posted my grocery budget and $ spent for the week, promising to prove this week that I don't usually shop at so many stores or use so many coupons.  Well ... I came through on half of that promise.  But I also went over budget!  Boo.  Here's the rundown - only used 1 coupon this week.

Thursday, I had to make a return at Carson's, which doesn't open til 10.  Since I have to drop the girlies off at school at 9, I used the hour and did a little grocery shopping.

Aldi:  4-lb. bag of navel oranges $1.49
          6 kiwis $0.69 (yes, total)
          bag of 9 Gala apples $1.89
          1-lb. strawberries $0.99
Total:  $5.17

Garden Fresh:  3-lb. bag onions $1.00
                         1 lb. turkey breast lunchmeat $2.86
Total:  $3.95

Fresh Farms:  1 can black beans $0.99
                       1 jar hoisin sauce $2.19
                       1 bunch green onions $0.33
                       1 tub House tofu $1.49
Total: $5.11

Costco:  4 box-pack of Capri Sun $7.99
Total:  $8.73

Today, I finished off my grocery shopping with just two stores.  Lately I've been finding more deals at Dominick's than Jewel.  Crazy, right?  Well, now that I'm done rocking your mind, here's the rest:

Dominick's:  ~4 lbs. round steak $9.16 ($2.49/lb)
                     BUY 8, MIX & MATCH DEAL:
                     28 oz. Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce $1.99
                     3 cans Hunt's petite diced tomatoes $2.97 ($0.99 each)
                     2 Lipton Pasta Sides $1.58 ($0.79 each)
                     2 Rosarita refried beans ($0.79 each and used $0.50 off 2 coupon)
Total: $17.17

Joe Caputo:  1 box Barilla Ditalini $0.99
                     1 box Barilla Farfalle $0.99
                     3 plum tomatoes $0.55 ($0.79/lb.)
                     3 frozen pizzas $6.00
                     ~2 lbs. chicken leg quarters $1.91 ($0.89/lb.)
                     ~1.5 lbs. ground sirloin $3.86 ($2.99/lb.)
Total:  $14.62

Grand Total:  $54.75

So I have $4.75 less to spend next week.  I guess I'll survive.  I'm actually a little proud of myself for getting so much meat but only going over by $5.  *patting myself on the shoulder*  Hope you all (and by that, I mean all 2-3 people who actually read this) have a great weekend!
                 

Grocery Day

Friday is grocery shopping day in our household.  I try to spread it out over the week if I happen to be near a store, etc., but usually do most of it in one day.  For the past couple of months, I've been trying to cut our budget down more and more to see how little I could spend while still getting everything we need.  Originally, our budget was $75/week but I'm happy to say we've gotten it down to $50/week for the past month or two and have been doing very well, not because we've just been eating out more.  Actually, we've been eating out less!  The funny thing is, I rarely use coupons.  This week I happened to use the most I have in a very long time (9).  But most weeks, I honestly don't use any, maybe 1-2.  The trick?  Mostly, Aldi.  But here's the breakdown for this week's groceries if it helps.

Walgreens:  2 bottles Kids Aquafresh toothpaste - 18 cents each with 1 Walgreens and 1 manufacturer coupon per bottle.
Total:  $0.36

Dominicks:  18 ct large eggs on clearance - $1.49
                   2 8-ct. Go-Gurt - $1.495 (?) each after Just for U savings &  manufacturer coupon - $3.01
                   2 loaves Nancy Martin bread - 59 cents each after Just for U savings
                   1 bunch of green bananas - 0.49/lb - $1.13
Total: $6.98

Jewel:  2 bottles Kens salad dressing - 50 cents each after 1 Jewel & 1 manufacturer coupon
Total:  $1.02

Fresh Farms:1 box mochiko flour - $1.99
                      1 lemon - 0.98/lb - $0.32
                      2.04 lb organic gala apples (about 6) - 1.79/lb - $3.65
                      3 lbs chicken leg quarters - $3.05
                      1 dozen extra lg eggs - $0.99
                      1/2 lb salami - $2.07
                      1/2 lb bologna - $1.59
Total:  $13.97

Aldi:  1 bag romaine hearts - $1.59
         1 bottle cran/raspberry juice - $1.49
         3 green peppers - $0.99
         1 lb strawberries - $0.99
         1 lb. bacon - $2.79
         1 bag potato chips - $1.49
         1 apple juice concentrate - $0.92
         1 grape juice concentrate - $1.49
         1 lb baby carrots - $0.49 on clearance
         brown sugar - $1.49
         1 sm bag flour - $1.69
         4 lbs. navel oranges (6 in a bag) - $2.69
Total:  $18.61

Grand Total:   $40.94

I had an extra $10-11 from last week so I used that with what I saved this week to get 2 200-ct bottles of fish oil from Walgreens with 2 coupons and a BOGO sale for $20 and some change.  Just as we were running out.  God is truly the perfect provider - something He's shown me again and again in our grocery budgeting adventures.

This is by far the most coupons (and most stores) I've used in a long time.  I'll try to post again next week to prove it. :)