Went to four stores tonight: I used to laugh at my mom for doing the same thing, now I know why she did it...
At any rate, done shopping for the next 2 weeks.
At any rate, done shopping for the next 2 weeks.
Hard to see but:
- ~2.5 lbs chicken gizzards @ .99/lb (dog food)
- 2 bags macaroni @ .73
- ~24 lbs chicken thighs @ .99/lb (dog food) -not enough chicken for the dogs for 2 weeks, but we have turkey, other chicken, and organ meat in the freezer.
Total = $27.86
- Organic yogurt 3 @.50
- mushroom pieces 2 @ .67
- kidney beans .89
- tomato sauce (spanish style) .45
- pepperoni $2.99
- Boneless chicken thighs ~4lbs @$1.39/lb
- carrots 2lbs @ .50/lb (dog food)
- bananas .99lb @ .39/lb
- broccoli $1.31 (partially dog food)
- squash 2.19lbs @ .39/lb (dog food)
- cabbage 14.96lbs @ .35/lb (partially dog food)
- cantalope $1.50
- yams .40 (reduced=dog food)
- overipe bananas ~3lbs @ .19/lb (banana bread)
- red pepper .40lb @ $1.99/lb
- tomato .53lb @ .99/lb
- TP (12 double rolls) $3.99 (w/$1 off coupon)
Total = $29.79
Big Y
- navel oranges 10 $5.98
- organic baby carrots $1.78
- Organic romaine lettuce (3 heads) $2.48
- Flour tortillas $1.59
- organic vegetarian fat free refried beans $1.29
- kidney beans .89 (yes I forgot I bought the last can)
- Quaker Oatmeal $2.99
Total = $16.96
Price Chopper
- 2 red potatoes 5lb bag (B1G1) $3.99
- salsa $1.50
- spaghetti sauce 4 @ $1
- granola bars $3.09 w/coupon
- nut cluster $2.50 w/coupon
- mayo $2.99
- string cheese $3
- Cottage cheese 2 @ $1.99
- Cheerios 2 @ $2 w/coupon
- wisconsin sharp cheddar $2.42
- baby swiss cheese $3.99
Total = $35.46
Grand Total of all trips= $144.92
woohoo, I did a little dance, we're set for 2 weeks and under budget.
BUT WAIT....ummm we'll need milk in a couple days
- Milk $7
New Grand Total = 151.92
So, that's how you spend $150 on 2 weeks of groceries for 2 people and 3 dogs...hahaha I have some work to do! This 2 week period I was lucky and could buy half the chicken I needed for the dogs, but the next shopping period I'll probably have to buy closer to 40/50lbs of chicken, so that's going to be challenging. Still, I'm committed to keeping the dog's food in our weekly grocery budget.
Now I suppose I coud buy regular milk, carrots, lettuce, and yogurt, but for me the flavor difference is worth the price, so I compromise.
The good thing is I learned there are lots of areas I can improve, and I thought I was a way better shopper than this.
Now I suppose I coud buy regular milk, carrots, lettuce, and yogurt, but for me the flavor difference is worth the price, so I compromise.
The good thing is I learned there are lots of areas I can improve, and I thought I was a way better shopper than this.
Examples:
- I bought 2 cans of kidney beans (only need 1), and when I was putting them away I found one hiding! So make a better list.
- Also I could have waited to buy a couple things, like chicken thighs, TP, tomato sauce.
- I could have also skipped things entirely, the book from yesterday, granola bars, elbow macaroni, etc...
- Biggest issue was Big Y not having sales that I expected. The prices I found on their website were very different than the in store prices, BECAUSE I made my list on Monday, the sales ended Wednesday, and I shopped on Friday. DUH! So I ended up paying full price for certain things that I thought were on sale, and bought things other places that ended up being on sale in Big Y.
As for the gym, went again and I learned a couple things there too. I'm liking list styles today so here ya go:
- Spinning class HURTS my bottom, the seats are too narrow and by the end of class it felt like I was sitting on a pointy rock. I need a wider cushier bike seat for my fat butt.
- The instructor is loud and even thinner than the aerobics instructor, she's very perky and encouraging, and way too nice to dislike.
- Five finger shoes are not the best shoe for biking, toes get caught in the stirrups, soft soles feel every bump on the pedal.
- I love being able to close my eyes and workout without worrying about falling over, running into someone, or otherwise hurting myself. I imagine a nice warm beach. =0)
- "The beach" in my head is so relaxing I slooooow way down.
- The instructor loudly encourages me because of #5, I can almost dislike her for calling me out.
- I'm very happy I'm not going to spinning class again until next Friday.
FYI: I don't know if it would be worth the gas but we buy all of our meat from Arnold's Meats in Chicopee. They have whole chicken quarters for 59 cents a lb and chicken backs for 39 cents a lb consistently. Thighs are cheap too, I don't know the exact price but I usually just buy a few packages for us. Typically I walk out of there with 100 lbs of meat for around $95 but that is for the whole month. They package it for you (if you do go ask them to rebox it!! They tend to leave it how they got it which is a wax covered box with holes in the bottom since they pack the meat on ice and I'm here to tell you it makes a mess, so repackage please!) We bought a separate freezer just for the dog food ($25 on Craigs list and the thing is awesome)
ReplyDeleteBut it looks like you made out like a bandit! But seriously...coupons are your friend and will allow you to buy the better quality milk and stuff without going over budget. Sometimes I find that we can stock up on non perishables when they are on sale and with the coupon (which puts you over the weekly limit but then the next week you spend way under)
Just some thoughts I wanted to share since money has been tight and I'm used to this! :)
We can get backs @ .49/lb and whole chicken quarters at .69/lb, BUT then we have to chop it up to put in our grinder, and it clogs it all up. So for convenience we buy the thighs. It's easier, LOL I know lazy, but grinding is a process....and anything that makes it shorter is good. However, when we get the moster grinder we want from Cabela's LOL THEN we'll be buying quarters and backs again.
ReplyDeleteLOL Chris is a Cabela's member and they just had all these employee discount sales! We probably could have gotten you a sweet deal haha, I'll try to remember you next time, they are always running some special sale :)
ReplyDelete