Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
It was my fourth full week of doing my new cash budget system – Groceries $40 for 4. This week I was able to get quite a few items with my $40 budget thanks to clearance items and coupons! Although it has been a learning process the last few weeks this one went pretty well. It is always a learning and growing progress for our family. We are continuing to utilize the food we already have in our pantry and freezer. Below are my grocery shopping adventures for the week!
RiteAid Groceries Grcoeries from RiteAid:
- $2.16 at RiteAid for Cake Mix (25 cents), Hamburger Dinner (25 cents), Onion Spices, Ground Cinnamon, 2 Tomato Juices (25 cents each), Individual peanut packs, Combos, and two free Easter Candies. Plus I used an UP Reward towards the purchase.
FREE Mushrooms at Walgreens! Groceries from Walgreens:
- $0.00 (FREE) at Walgreens for 4 cans of Geisha Mushrooms (used the Walgreens Coupon Insert and Register Reward to pay for the mushrooms! Can’t beat free!
Groceries from Bi-Lo Groceries from Bi-Lo:
- $36.52 at Bi-Lo for 4 gallons of milk (froze 2 gallons), 1 pack of Cheese Crackers, 2 Slow Cooker Packs, 2 Applesauce Packs, 1 Loaf of Bread, 1 box of Uncle Bens Rice (on closeout), 4 bags of Individually Wrapped Chocolate Covered Raisins (on clearance for 75 cents each), 1 bag of Chickpeas, 2 packs of Pasta, 2 packs of Cheese Sauce Mix, 1 jar Raspberry BBQ Sauce (on closeout), 4 bags shredded cheese, 2 bags sliced cheese, 1 package of fresh Chicken (99 cents / pound). I used several store and manufacturer’s coupons plus I had a coupon from Bi-Lo for $5 off the entire purchase which helped bring the amount down below $40.
It was our fourth week of the challenge – Groceries $40 for 4 and we spent $38.68 thankfully we did better this week . I was able to stock up on some great dairy items this week – Milk (even froze 2 gallons), Cheese (which freezes well too), Chicken (enough for 2 to 3 meals for our family) and snacks for after school! I am still trying to work out all the details of how to make the budget most effective for our family and I think some weeks have been easier than others. I used some coupons, bought clearance items, and utilized weekly ad discounts to help save us a little extra on our grocery budget. I hope to do better next week! We’ll see how I do!
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
Groceries from CVS, Walgreens, & RiteAid It was my first week of doing my new cash budget system – Groceries $40 for 4. Although it has been a learning process the week has gone pretty well so far. Since this my first week am I still testing the water and we continue trying to utilize the food we already have in our pantry and freezer. Here is my grocery spending for the week:
- $1.61 at Walgreens for 2 cans of Mandarin Oranges and 1 can of Mushrooms
- $7.96 at RiteAid for a gallon of Milk, 2 packs of Cheese, 1 container of Sour Cream
- $3.72 at CVS for a 24 pack of Bottled Water and 2 boxes of Popcorn
Groceries from Ingles and CVS! - $1.98 at CVS for another 24 pack of Bottled Water (Jake should be set for a little bit!) & Free Mike-n-Ikes Candy!
- $10.00 at Ingles for Strawberries, Oranges, Tangerines, Onion, Seafood, and Apples.
Groceries from Aldi's - $14.06 at Aldi’s for Pineapple’s ($0.99 each), Salmon Fillets, 2 Cheese Packages, Cucumber, Bananas, Cheese sticks, and Celery.
It was our first week of the challenge – Groceries $40 for 4 and we spent $39.33 so we were very close to going over. I was disappointed to see RiteAid’s milk spike up this week, but thrilled to get the 24 packs of water for $1.98 as well as some fresh fruit and veggies on sale. I used some coupons, bought clearance items, and utilized weekly ad discounts to help save us a little extra on our grocery budget. Since it was my first week I was testing the water and hope to do better next week now that we have replenished our fruit and veggie drawers. We’ll see how I do!
I hope to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. I hope by taking the extra time to watch my grocery spending it will allow us to feed our family, enjoy life, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of December 1-7, 2010
Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Beef Bottom Round Roast – $2.69 per lb
Bone-In Shank Portion Ham – $1.19 per lb
2 lb bag Frozen Cooked Shrimp – $9.99
Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies – $2.49
Use $1/2 coupon from 11/14 Red Plum insert (Expires 12/11/2010)
$1.99 each after couponOscar Mayer Ready to Eat Bacon – $2.49
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Chef Antonio Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza – $2.99
Banquet Family Size Entrees – $1.79
Use $0.35/1 coupon found in Banquet Package (Expires 2/1/2011)
Use $0.60/6 coupon found in Banquet Package (Expires 2/1/2011)
As low as $1.44 each after couponBanquet Pot Pies or Fruit Pies – $0.50
Use $0.35/1 coupon from 10/24 Smart Source insert (Expires 12/15/2010)
Use $0.60/6 coupon found in Banquet Package (Expires 2/1/2011)
As low as $0.15 each after couponCreamy Whip Whipped Topping – $0.79
Country Crossings Marvella Cheese Spread – $3.49
Household
Charmin Basic Bath Tissue – $2.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 10/17 Red Plum insert (Expires 12/17/2010)
Use $1/1 coupon from 11/28 Protector & Gamble insert (Expires 12/31/2010)
Use $0.25/1 coupon from 11/28 Protector & Gamble insert (Expires 12/31/2010)
Use $1/1 coupon found in package (Expires 4/30/2011)
Use $1/1 coupon found in package (Expires 7/31/2012)
Use $1/1 coupon found in package (Expires 8/31/2012)
As low as $1.99 each after couponWrightware Foam Plates – $0.99
Produce
3lb Bag of Navel Oranges – $1.50
3lb Bag of Tangerines – $1.50
3 lb Bag of Grapefruit – $1.50
Grocery
Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.79
Use $0.75/1 coupon found in package (Expires 12/30/2010)
Use $0.55/1 printable coupon from Smart Source (Thanks Vanessa!)
Use $1/2 coupon from 10/31 Smart Source insert (Expires 12/11/2010)
Use $1/2 coupon from 11/7 Smart Source insert (Expires 12/18/2010)
As low as $1.04 each after couponLucky Charms – $1.79
Use $1/2 coupon from 10/31 Smart Source insert (Expires 12/11/2010)
$1.29 each after couponCookie Crisp – $1.79
Use $1/2 coupon from 10/31 Smart Source insert (Expires 12/11/2010)
$1.29 each after couponTrix – $1.79
Use $0.55/1 printable coupon from Betty Crocker
Use $1/2 coupon from 10/31 Smart Source insert (Expires 12/11/2010)
As low as $1.24 each after couponCheez-It Snack Crackers – $1.79
Use $1/3 printable coupon from Kelloggs
$1.46 each after couponKellogg’s Pop Tarts – $1.69
Use $0.55/1 coupon peelie found on packages (Expires 2/28/2011)
Use $1/2 coupon tearpad found in aisle (Expires 2/28/2011)
Use $1/3 coupon found in package (Expires 3/31/2011)
As low as $1.14 each after couponGinger Evans Cake Mix – $0.89
Ginger Evans Frosting – $1.19
Ginger Evans Graham Cracker Crust – $1.29
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – $1.50
Morning Delight Crescent Rolls – $1.49
Morning Delight Pancake Mix – $1.00
Morning Delight Syrup – $1.00
Wylwood Mushrooms – $0.50
Save-A-Lot Soda – $0.69
Sunny D Citrus Drink (48 oz) – $0.99
Bay mist Cranberry Juice Cocktails (64 oz) – $1.99
Crystal 2 0 Drinking Water – $2.49
Hills Bros Coffee – $4.99
Red Gold Ketchup – $1.00
Coburn Farms Evaporated Milk – $0.69
Westcott Vegetable Oil – $2.29
Shelby’s Grove Applesauce – $0.99
Del Pino’s Canned Pasta – $0.69
Portmann’s Cocktail Sauce – $1.29
Enhance Coffee Creamer – $1.49
J. Higg’s Original or BBQ Cornies – $0.99
Salted or Unsalted J. Higgs Crackers – $0.89
Maruchan Ramen Cups – $0.33
Theodoro Plain or Cinnamon Raisin Bagels – $1.39
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
