Flexibility ruled
this month. My stock up meat item this
month was supposed to be ground pork but I stumbled across a couple of nice
tavern hams in the markdown bin and decided to go in that direction. I still had stock up money left so I bought
four packages of bacon on sale. We
didn't have any ham or bacon so this was perfect timing. I also spent a lot of this month's budget to
stock up on a lot of pantry staples and some frozen items.
My non food budget
came in perfectly at $24.06. I was
thrilled with that. I bought cat food,
cat litter, facial tissues and sandwich bags.
I used coupons and purchased everything on sale so I was spending as
little as possible on each item. The
sandwich bags I bought at the dollar store.
This is the food
breakdown for the month. The items I
highlighted are the stock up items:
Groceries
|
$$$
|
||
Whole wheat flour - 50#
|
13.44
|
Cash & Carry
|
|
Oatmeal
|
13.75
|
Cash & Carry
|
|
Orange juice (2)
|
1.98
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Butter (2)
|
4.00
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Pot roast
|
9.19
|
Markdown
|
|
Salad dressing (2)
|
0.98
|
Sale/Coupon
|
|
Nutella
|
2.09
|
Markdown
|
|
Oyster crackers (2)
|
0.98
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Spaghetti sauce (10)
|
7.50
|
Sale
|
|
Canned veggies (8)
|
2.00
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Frozen dinners (10)
|
7.50
|
Sale
|
|
Frozen sausage (10)
|
7.50
|
Sale
|
|
Bacon (4)
|
7.96
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Ham (2)
|
10.71
|
Markdown
|
|
Ground beef (2)
|
4.77
|
Markdown
|
|
Tomatoes
|
0.79
|
Sale
|
|
Onions
|
0.81
|
||
Bananas
|
1.01
|
Sale
|
|
Tortillas (4)
|
3.00
|
Sale
|
|
Snapple - 6pk
|
4.99
|
Sale
|
|
Bottled water
|
0.75
|
Sale/Coupon
|
|
Lettuce
|
1.49
|
||
Store Promotion Coupon
|
(5.00)
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Spaghetti (3)
|
2.37
|
Sale
|
|
M&Ms (2)
|
4.00
|
Store Coupon/Coupon
|
|
Parmesan
|
1.59
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Milk - 1/2 gal. (2)
|
1.98
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Pepperoni
|
1.49
|
Markdown
|
|
Baking cocoa
|
1.59
|
Markdown
|
|
Whipped topping mix (2)
|
2.58
|
Markdown
|
|
Cheese (2)
|
2.33
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Blue corn chips
|
1.69
|
Markdown
|
|
Tortilla chips (3)
|
2.00
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Tuna (4)
|
2.39
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Customer Appreciation Rebate
|
(7.55)
|
||
Olives
|
1.00
|
Dollar Store
|
|
Cheese slices (2)
|
2.00
|
Dollar Store
|
|
Sundried tomatoes
|
1.00
|
Dollar Store
|
|
Eggs - 1 doz (2)
|
1.98
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Parmesan
|
0.99
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Milk - 1/2 gal.
|
0.99
|
Store Coupon
|
|
Lettuce
|
0.88
|
||
Sour cream
|
1.25
|
Coupon
|
|
Total
|
$ 128.74
|
It looks like I
went over a little bit but I actually didn't go over as much as you think. I had change leftover from my January and
February budget to use. I will, however,
be starting March out with a 31¢ deficit, which I can comfortably live with.
You'll notice the
$5 OFF $50 purchase coupon from Albertsons and my $7.55 rebate from Fred Meyer
gave me an extra $12.55 in buying power this month. Free money!
I'll take it!
$128.74 ÷
31 days ÷3 people = $1.38 per person per day!
How did you save money on
groceries this month? Were you able to
find some good sales and stock up on anything?
Dana, you amaze me with all bargains you're able to find. I do believe you are The Master Budgeter. Since following your blog I'm gotten better at managing my budgets.
ReplyDeleteCurrently our food budget is zero. Luckly, I have a number of meals in the freezer that the Little One and I can eat. I've used your method of preparing a meal, dividing it in half (in our case it's thirds) and freezing the remainder. Taking the hit of a new waterheater and garden equipment messed up my budgets horribly but it will pay off in the future. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
BTW, I've started my tomato seedlings the old fashion way, in empty egg shells. Hopefully they will grow and be ready to transplant once the weather gets warmer. Fingers crossed. ;)
Vanessa B
I'm glad you have a little stockpile of meals in your freezer. I know I've been saved many a time by doing this. I think I did extraordinarily well this month. The sales were definitely in my favor. Fingers crossed for your tomatoes. :)
DeleteYou found some good buys. That is so awesome to find those unexpected bargains. I am excited that we are getting a Neighborhood Walmart here in our little town. It is suppose to open April 8th and I am looking forward to being able to make my grocery budget go just a little bit farther. I picked up a few packets of seeds from the Dollar General store and am hoping I can get the spinach and lettuce planted tonight.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your frugal accomplishments with us. I really love your blog.
Paula in Kansas
Thank you Paula. So nice to hear. Our weather has taken a bit of a turn so I'm putting off planting. So far none of my seeds I planted inside have done anything. May need to start over. Me and my black thumb. I tell you.
DeleteI'very only went grocery shopping once this month so I've done good! I didn't spend much that trip either. I've still got a freezer full. I wish I could find great deals on meat like that! I couldn't tell you last time I bought meat, even the 'markdown' meat here only goes down a few cents.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to see those hams marked down, I can't even tell you. We have really been enjoying them. A full freezer gives a lot of peace of mind doesn't it? :)
Delete