• Living on a Budget: How to Save on Fresh Meat & Produce

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    There are many ways you can save on groceries.  I have had a lot of people ask me for recommendations for ways to save without using coupons or for stores that typically do not allow coupons.  One of the complaints I have heard a number of times is that they find it hard to locate coupons for items that they purchase regularly like fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, and meat.

    I have three easy and simple ways to help you save on groceries and it doesn’t matter where you shop, you can buy organic or not, and you don’t have to find, cut, or bring coupons to the store either!  Are you ready to start saving?!

    1. Snap by Groupon – I learned about this way of savings on groceries from my friend Ashley at Reflecting on the Simple Things in Life  just this week and have already saved over $3.00 in two grocery store trips.  The money saved was for staple items that we needed in our house like milk, bread, fruit, and vegetables!!!  How it works – Go to the Snap website and sign up or you can download the Snap app for your iPhone or Android device.  You can either look through their current offers or go to the store and check their website or app when you are there or when you get home.  I typically get what I need and then check to see if there are any additional savings for anything I purchased.  Once you have purchased your items “snap” a picture of your receipt, pick the items with savings on the website, and you get cash put into your account. You will get an email immediately confirming that your receipt is being processed and in about 48 hours you get another email confirming that the money is in your account.   After you get at least $20 in your account you get a check!  Based on my experience this week it will not take long to get enough money in the account to get your check.  Even though I have just started using Snap by Groupon it is very similar to a program I have been using for awhile now that works really well which I will share with you next!
    2. Checkout 51 – is one I have been using for awhile now.  I have continued to purchase my normal groceries at all the stores I like to shop at and having been earning extra savings along the way.  It really doesn’t take long at all to accumulate your $20 and the extra money back on items I am already purchasing is always nice!  Right now I have am about halfway to getting my next check.  I noticed that some of the items for both Checkout51 and Snap by Groupon are the same so I get extra money back from both sites on the same item which is makes it even better.  How it works – Go to the Checkout 51 website and sign up or you can download the Checkout 51 app for your iPhone or Android device.  Look at the current offers either before or after you go to the store.  Upload your receipt using Checkout 51’s website or app, select the items you purchased, and you will get money added to your account.  You will first receive an email stating they are processing your receipt and usually within a few minutes to hours the money you earned is credited to your account.  Once your balance reaches $20 you cash out and get a check.  The Checkout 51 deals run from 12:00 am Thursday (in each timezone) until the next Wednesday at 11:59 pm.  This is an easy way to get extra money back on your groceries for items you already purchase no matter what store you go to and you don’t need to have any coupons with you, plus based on my experience it adds up pretty quickly.
    3. Shop the Clearance Racks for meat,produce, dairy, and other items –  When I am in the store I always walk the outer aisle to check out the fresh produce, dairy, meat and more.  A lot of times the stores will mark down perfectly good food that is near expiration date.  Most of the time if you use it within the next few days or freeze the items they are fine.  Make sure you look over the items and if they appear to be in good condition go ahead and try it!

    Example of how I saved using these three methods on my most recent grocery trip to Aldi’s:

    • 2 pomegranates – $0.49 each
    • 1 Muller Greek Yogurt + Blackberry and Raspberry – $0.49 (was marked down on clearance)
    • 1 Acorn Squash – $1.29
    • 1 Loaf of Bread – $0.89 (Received $1.00 back from Snap by Groupon which is more than the price of the bread)
    • 1 pound Sweet Mini Peppers – $2.29
    • 8 Roma Tomatoes – $1.49 total (Received $0.25 back from Checkout 51)
    • 2.43 pounds All Natural Ground Beef Sirloin (90% Lean) – $7.15 (was $11.15 and marked down $4.00 on clearance)
    • 2.09 pounds Bananas – $0.92 (Received $0.25 back from Checkout 51)
    • 2 pounds Carrots – $0.79 (Received $0.25 back from Checkout 51)
    • 3 pounds Gala Apples – $1.98 (Received $0.50 back from Snap by Groupon)
    • 2 pounds Bartlett Pears – $1.58
    • 2 pounds Gold Russet Pears – $1.58
    • 2 pounds Red Grapes – $1.98

    On this shopping trip I spent $23.64 at Aldi’s and saved an additional $7.25 on this specific shopping trip on items already on my shopping list between Snap by Groupon, shopping for items on clearance, and Checkout 51.

    P1290388cHealthy & Easy Way to Wash Produce!

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    Groceries from Save A Lot | RiteAid

    It has a whirlwind of weeks this year from traveling, school, work, volunteering weekly, and so much more.  The first few weeks of the year I did the No Grocery Shopping Challenge in order to use up some of the items we had in stock in both our refrigerator, freezers, and pantry.   It really well and we made it a little over 7 weeks which I was thankful for since it was my goal to make it at least a month.  Now that we are starting to get lower on some items I decided it was time to start our regular weekly $40 for 4 grocery budget again.    I even remembered to take pictures this week so I could do the post for you! 🙂

    Jake has been in Charleston for some work meetings, so we are looking forward to spending time with him this weekend.  I did manage to get a lot of projects done (just not necessarily things that I planned to do).  Do you ever have weeks like that?  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:

    • $18.45 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 3 containers Fresh Strawberries (marked down), 1 container Fresh Mushrooms (marked down), 3 Mountain Dew 2 liters, 1 gallon of Milk, 1 box Pillsbury Fudge Brownie Mix, 1 can Canola Cooking Spray, 1 container Cool Whip, 1 bag Sandwich Bread, 1 bag Kiggins Cereal, 2 cans Sliced Pineapple. (Everything I purchased at Save A Lot | RiteAid was either on sale or marked down.  All the produce was marked down as low as 99 cents as you can see from the bright green and orange stickers.)

    Groceries from Ingles

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $24.66 at Ingles for 1 bag English Muffins, 1 container Yogurt (marked down), 1 container Chip Dip (marked down), 1 package Ground Beef (marked down), 1 package Pork (marked down), 1 bag Red Delicious Apples, 1 container Blue Cheese Crumbles, 1 bag Bananas (marked down), 27 packs Wylers Red Koolaide, and 1 bottle Pepsi Next 2 liter (free after coupon).  (Most items were either marked down or on sale with an exception of the blue cheese.  I got the Blue Cheese as a special treat for my man since he was away working all week, couldn’t help spoiling him a little bit! 🙂 )

    This week I spent $43.11  on groceries.   I went over on the budget this week, but thankfully it was over by only $3 dollars.   I was happy to get some produce deals and stock back up on a few items we were needing to replenish in our fridge and pantry.  Hopefully next week we can come under budget and March will be a good month for us!

    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 Ingles & BiLo

    It was a whirlwind of a week with the girls off two days from school, elections, and numerous unexpected activities.  Despite the busyness I was determined to give you a grocery update this week (thanks for bearing with me).  I even remembered to take pictures this week!

    Jake has been in Charleston for some work meetings, so we are looking forward to spending time with him this weekend.  I did manage to get a lot of projects done (just not necessarily things that I planned to do).  Do you ever have weeks like that?  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $13.04 at Ingles for 2 containers Fresh Strawberries (marked down), 1 bag Lenders Bagels (sale), 1 (5 pound) bag Fresh Grapefruit (sale), 1 bag Fresh Bananas (marked down), 1 container Fresh Potatoes (marked down), 2 loaves Laura Lynn Bread (sale), 1 bag Fresh Spinach (marked down)(Everything I purchased at Ingles was either on sale or marked down or I had a coupon.  All the produce was marked down some as low as 99 cents as you can see from the bright green stickers.)

    BiLo Groceries:

    • $2.48 at BiLo for 1 container Southern Home Butter Spread (This was on sale and it is about the only reasonable priced butter that we have found that is made out of soy instead of dairy since we have a family member not eating dairy right now.  I also received an additional 5 cent discount for bringing my own reusable bag.)

    Groceries from KMart

    KMart Groceries:

    • $6.00 at KMart for 6 big bags Smart Sense Wavy Potato Chips (I cannot remember the last time I found plain potato chips on sale for $1.00 recently.  With all the upcoming events and activities these will come in really handy!  Actually, I purchased them on Thursday and that same evening I used up one bag when a group of friends came over at last minute.)

    This week I spent $21.52  on groceries.   I went under on the budget this week, YAY!!!   I was happy to get some produce deals and stock back up on a few items we were needing to replenish in our fridge and pantry.  Hopefully next week we can come under budget and November will be a better month for us!

    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 Walmart &  Ingles

    It was a whirlwind of a week.  Jake had to head to Charleston for some work meetings, but we are thankful to have him back home with us again.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Walmart Groceries:

    • $8.96 at Walmart for 1 bag of Great Value Splenda Sugar Substitute, 1 bag Lindt Assorted Chocolate Truffles (FREE after coupon), and 1 jar Hellman’s Mayonnaise.

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $38.66 at Ingles for 6 boxes Jiffy Corn Bread Mix, 2 packs McCormick  Enchilada Mix, 2 packs McCormick Chicken, 2 packs McCormick Burrito Mix, 2 packs McCormick Fajitas Marinade, 2 packs McCormick Taco Seasoning, 2 packs McCormick Chili Mix, 2 packs Chili-O Seasoning, 2 packs Chicken Marinade, 2 packs Meatball Seasoning, 1 bag Laura Lynn Potato Chips, 1 bag Laura Lynn Tortilla Chips, 2 bags Laura Lynn Sandwich Bread, 2 gallons Laura Lynn 2% Milk, 1 bag Sorrento String Cheese (sale plus coupon), 1 container Chocolate Cool Whip (marked down), 2 packs Laura Lynn English Muffins, 1 bag Rhodes Dinner Rolls, 1 box Tai Pei Orange Chicken (FREE product coupon), 1 bag Broccoli Coleslaw (marked down), 1 bag mixed Vegetables (marked down), 1 bag Yellow Delicious Apples (marked down), 1 tube All World Garlic (marked down), and 1 tube All World Sweet Basil (marked down).  (Everything I purchased at Ingles was either on sale or marked down or I had a free product coupon.  All the produce was marked down to 99 cents as you can see from the bright green stickers.)

    This week I spent $47.62  on groceries.   I went over on the budget this week.   I was happy to get some produce deals and stock back up on a few items we were needing to replenish in our fridge and pantry.  Hopefully next week we can come under budget and October will be a better month for us!

    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 Ingles

    Now that I am home again and school is in full swing I am trying to do better at posting my weekly grocery update.  Thanks for hanging in there with me as I traveled, spent time with my family over summer vacation, and transitioned in the new school schedule.  It is nice to get back in to the routine and giving you regular updates (they really do help me stay on target).   I was super excited to score some great fresh produce on clearance at Ingles this week (our garden is almost done producing).  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $16.83 at Ingles for 1 container of Mushrooms (clearance), 1 loaf Laura Lynn Sandwich Bread (sale), 2 packs Vegan Gourmet Cheese (clearance),  1 bag fresh Brussel Sprouts (clearance), 1 bag fresh Broccoli (clearance), 1 gallon Milk (sale), 2 pack Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough (clearance), 1 tray Apple Slices & Cheese (clearance), 1 pack fresh Snow Peas (clearance), 1 pack fresh Sugar Snap Beans (clearance), 1 bag Chipotle Coleslaw (clearance), and 1 bag fresh Cauliflower, Carrots, & Broccoli (clearance).   Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance including the non-dairy cheese because we have a family member who is not currently eating dairy (all produce was $0.99 or less) at Ingles.

    This week I spent $16.83  on groceries.   I went under on the budget this week, but only because I had a few weeks that I wasn’t tracking the spending well and went way over!  Thankfully we are stocked up on most items so I could save a little from this week to spread out over the rest of the month .  I was happy to find some cheese deals and some fresh produce on clearance that should last us for quite awhile especially with the girls taking lunches to school everyday.  Hopefully next week we can come under budget and September will be a better month for us!

    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 Ingles and Save A Lot | RiteAid

    Last week we were in Charleston so this week were are back home and in the new summer routine.  The girls had a fun week at VBS and I was able to catch up on a few projects I needed to tackle.  Our family is juggling one car for awhile now so my grocery shopping may be a little higher one week and lower the next depending on when I get the vehicle.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $17.96 at Ingles for 1 bag Mixed Fruit (5 lbs apples and oranges), 1 container of Mushrooms (clearance), 1 bag Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Carrots (clearance), 1 bag Oranges (clearance), 1 container Fresh sliced Pineapple (clearance), 1 container fresh Salsa (clearance), 2 bags Sorrento Mozzarella String Cheese (sale & used coupon), over 3 pounds Ground Beef (clearance), and 2 Sweet Yellow Onions. Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance (all produce was $0.99 or less) at Ingles.

    Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:

    • $22.05 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 1 gallon Milk, 1 container of Whipped Topping, 1 bag English Muffins, 2 boxes Brownies, 3 cans sliced Pineapples, 3 cans Mandarin Oranges, 1 bag Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, 2 cans sliced Peaches, 1 bag Cheese Balls, 1 bag Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix, 2 cans Fruit Cocktail, and 1 bag Corn Tortilla Chips.

    Groceries from Ingles

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $43.58 at Ingles for 1 container of Mushrooms (clearance), 1 loaf  Bread, 20 packs Kool Aid Pink Lemonade, 1 bag Spinach (clearance), 2 Orange Crush two liters (on sale for $0.88), 2 Mountain Dew two liters (on sale for $0.88), 1 can Heavy Whipping Cream, 2 bags Mozarella Cheese Sticks (12 count), 10 bags Kraft Shredded Cheese, 3 blocks Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1 bag Bananas (clearance), 1 bag Potatoes (clearance), and 1 container Soy Beans (clearance). Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.

    This week I spent $83.59  on groceries.   I went way over budget this week, it’s embarrassing……!  Thankfully with us being in Charleston last week we didn’t spend any on groceries so in some ways this is like grocery shopping for two weeks instead of one (makes me feel a tiny bit better).  I was happy to find some cheese deals and some fresh produce on clearance that should last us for quite awhile, although I am not too thrilled about how much I went over this week.  We are still juggling around one car in our family so that makes schedules and grocery store shopping a little more challenging.  Next week it looks like I won’t have the car most days so it should be a lower week to help make up for this week.   Hopefully next week we can come under budget and July will be a better month for us!

    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 Ingles

    Last week didn’t go as I planned.  My husband was in an accident and the van was totaled so my priorities were altered.   Thankfully he is ok but my week didn’t go quite as smoothly as planned.  I didn’t shop any sales this week, but I did get some groceries,  took the time to take pictures, however, I know I picked up other groceries but forgot to take pictures and cannot seem to locate the receipt either.   Unfortunately, I went over again with the busy week, Father’s Day Holiday, and planning for the upcoming week of no grocery shopping.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4 (with the items I tracked).

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $22.09 at Ingles for 1 container of Mixed Fresh Peppers (clearance), 1 loaf  Bread, 6 packs Strawberry Yogurt  (clearance), 2 (32 oz) bags Carrots (clearance), 1 bag Strawberry Lettuce Mix (clearance), 1 container fresh Strawberries (clearance), 1 bag fresh Broccoli, 1 bag fresh Bananas, 1 bag fresh bakery Bread,  1 container fresh Pineapple (clearance), and 1 bag Corn Tortillas (clearance) Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.

     

    Groceries from BiLo

    BiLo Groceries:

    • $26.77 at BiLo for 1 gallon Milk, 1 Red Baron Pizza, 1 Southern Home Mini Bagels, 1 box Smores Poptarts, 1 box Cherry Poptarts, 1 two liter Mountain Dew, 1 container Ice Cream, 1 Red Barron Pan Pasta, 1 bag Spanakopita Rolls, 1 box Southern Home Frosted Flakes, 1 box Southern Home Fruit Loops, 1 box Southern Home Crisp Rice  (these items were bought in a hurry with the girls on our way home to check on Jake.  The Red Barron pizza, Red Barron Pasta, Mini Bagels, Mountain Dew, Spanakopita Rolls, and ice cream were part of a BiLo Meal Deal.)

    It was a tough week when it came to groceries this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we needed in the house but I didn’t do a good job of shopping the sales or keeping track of what I bought.  With Jake’s accident this week my mind has been a little preoccupied with him and all the other details.  Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season!

    This week I spent $48.86  on groceries (on the items I tracked, not sure yet how much total was spent with the other quick trip I made).  I was bummed that I didn’t keep up with everything this week but sometimes life has a way of changing my plans.  I was happy to find the meal deal for our busy week to help us from eating out and some fresh produce on clearance.  Next week I am taking off from grocery shopping in celebrate of the girls first week out of school, spending time with the family, going on a couple fun adventures, and trying to help recover from going over budget the past couple of weeks.  I hope the following week we can come under budget!

    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

    I apologize it has been so long since I have posted my $40 for 4 grocery update!  It has been a fun, amazing, wild, memorable several months with a trip to India, Charleston, Disney, Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, family staying with us on and off for a month as well as many other wonderful activities! I have been doing my best to stay within budget but having you alongside of me and reading my regular post definitely keeps me more accountable because I have blown the budget several times since I last posted!   Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Save A Lot | RiteAid and Ingles

    Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:

    • $4.87 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 1 gallon Milk and 1 bag Brown Sugar (ran out of milk and used the rest of my brown sugar for the homeless dinner our Community Group hosted on Monday evening so had to restock these items)

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $11.79 at Ingles for 2 loaves Bread,  1 gallon Milk, 1 Yellow Sweet Onion, 1 container Pina Colada Yogurt (on clearance & so delicious I almost didn’t share it), 1 bag Fresh Green Beans (clearance $0.99), 1 bag Fresh Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Carrots (clearance $0.99), 1 container Mushrooms (clearance $0.99), 1 container Dill Veggie Dip (clearance $0.99), and 1 package Wholly Avocado Dip (clearance $0.99).  Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.

    Groceries from Ingles and Save A Lot | RiteAid

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $7.77 at Ingles for 1 container of Dill Seasoning, 1 loaf French Bread, 1 container Peach Yogurt  (on clearance), 1 container Fresh Pink Lemonade (clearance $0.99), 1 container Veggie Dip (clearance $0.99), and 1 container fresh Chicken Salad  (on clearance) Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.
    • Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:$17.33 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 1 package Flour Tortillas, 2 multi-packs Trident Gum (clearance $0.74), 2 Ham & Cheddar Lunchables, 1 bag Chicken Breasts, 6 packs Sandwich Creme Cookies (clearance $0.69), 1 pack Powdered Donuts (clearance $0.84), bags of Cheddar Cheese Balls, and 1 Watermelon.

    I was able to get a few great items this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we’ll need over the next couple of weeks even if a couple of unexpected items got added to the list.  Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season!  I don’t anticipate life slowing down too much though since the girls will be getting out of school next week and we have a lot of exciting adventures planned for their summer break.

    This week I spent $41.76  on groceries.  I was bummed that I went over on my budgeted amount for the week again but thankful I was only $1.76 over!  I would have made it but I was asked to provide snacks for the girls field day so it was extra items I wasn’t planning on for the week that helped me slide past my goal.  I was happy to find a few items marked down on clearance and provide snacks (watermelon, cookies, and cheese balls) for 20 students while staying pretty close to my budgeted amount.  I hope that next week we can come under budget!

    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

    It has been a wild week with everything going on and I have been a little more distracted.  I know this past weekend I picked up a few items at the grocery store but I cannot remember what they were or how much I paid…….can you tell what type of week it was!?  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Publix and Walgreens

    Publix Groceries:

    • $7.43 at Publix for 1 box Maztos (on clearance), 1 bag Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins, 1 box Melba Toast, and 1 bag Rice & Lentils (on clearance).

    Walgreens Groceries:

    • $2.84 for 2 gallons Milk (on sale for $2.79 each and used a Register Reward)

    We were able to get a few items this week.  I almost didn’t post this week with everything going on but figured it keeps me more accountable when I share my weekly grocery budget especially during the busier times.  Thanks for helping keep me on track!

    This week I spent $10.27 on groceries.  I was under on my budgeted amount for the week, yay!  I was happy to find milk on sale.  I hope that next week we can come under budget!

    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

    The phrase “it’s a wild….wild….week” (kind of a spin off the phrase it’s a mad mad world) kept going through my head this week.  I don’t see life slowing down for the next….well few months at least.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

     

    Groceries from  Save A Lot | RiteAid

    Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:

    • $11.03 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 1 gallon Milk, 1 bag Cinnamon Raisin Bagels (on clearance), 2 trays Cube Steak (on clearance), 2 packs Sliced Cheese, and 1 bag fresh Carrots.

    Groceries from Ingles

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $20.20 at Ingles for 2 bags Apples (clearance), 1 bag shredded Mozzarella Cheese (32 oz), 1 bag shredded Mexican Cheese (32 oz), 1 container Butter spread, 1 large container fresh Spinach (clearance), and 1 container fresh Mushrooms (clearance).  (All the items were on sale or clearance.)

    We were able to stock up on a couple great items this week.  It was a busy week so I didn’t get a chance to shop around much, it was a maintenance week for us.  I hope fill you in soon on some of the exciting stuff going on in our family! 🙂 Thanks for hanging in there with me while life is spinning around me!

    This week I spent $31.23 on groceries.  I was under on my budgeted amount for the week, yay!  I was happy to find fresh produce and meat on sale that we can use for several meals.  I hope that next week is better week, back to normal, and we can come under budget!

    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.