Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Grocery Budget Update - March


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?



6 comments:

  1. 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.
    Currently 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. :)

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  2. You 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.
    Thank you for sharing your frugal accomplishments with us. I really love your blog.
    Paula in Kansas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

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  3. I'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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I 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? :)

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