Friday, January 27, 2017

My Grocery Budget 2017 - January Update


So, right out of the gate for 2017, I am over my monthly grocery budget!  In order to make up the difference the girls and I decided to give up dining out and entertainment this month and put that money into the pot for groceries.  I think it was a wise decision for a number of reasons.


At the beginning of the month Cash & Carry had a fantastic deal on their ground meats and boneless skinless chicken breast.  I felt compelled to take advantage of that and made the decision to put a large chunk of our budget toward making that purchase.  As a result we probably have enough chicken to last the year and enough ground meat for several months.

40 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
With the winter storm warning and possibility of power outages I made an extra trip to the store to pick up items we were running low on as well as a few easier to prepare items to have on hand, just in case.


We also had to make an extra shopping trip so the girls could pick up some items they needed to prepare meals when they took over while I was recuperating.  They had a fabulous job with their shopping and sticking to a $25 budget.


I was able to stock up on household supplies for FREE by using Amazon Prime Pantry and the rewards points on my credit card to pay for it.  I also bought a 16# bag of cat food ($10.20) and a large box of Pop Tarts ($3.67) while I was at it.  I picked up toilet paper, tissues, feminine hygiene supplies  and cat litter.  Once all was said and done I spent a total of $25.26 on non food items.  Just a skidge over my $25.00 budget.


Without further ado, here is the list of food I bought.  The items highlighted in red are my stock up items:

Groceries

 $$$





Chicken breast - 40#

         43.90
Sale
Ground beef - 10#

         17.90
Sale
Pork sausage - 5#

           6.98
Sale
Italian sausage - 5#

           6.98
Sale
Cheddar cheese - 5#

         11.58
Sale
Oranges - 10#

           5.98
Sale
Lettuce

           1.29

Bread

           1.69
Store Coupon
Steak

           3.40
Markdown
Bread (2)

           1.98
Sale
Bananas

           1.11

Tomatoes

           0.62

Bell pepper

           0.99

Milk - 1 gal

           1.99

Veggie tray

           7.99

Tortilla chips (2)

           2.00

Flour tortillas

           2.49

Pot roast

           5.83
Sale
Pot roast

           9.16
Sale
Pot roast

           8.28
Sale
Apples

           4.26
Sale
Blueberry juice

           2.99

Cran raspberry juice

           1.49
Sale
Potato chips (2)

           3.58
Sale
Pop Tarts - 16ct

           3.67
Sale
Cottage cheese (4)

           1.85
Markdown
Sour cream (3)

           2.97
Store Coupon
Flour - 5# (2)

           3.68

Customer Appreciation

          (2.00)
Store Coupon
Onions

           0.84

Pizza (2)

           7.00
Sale
Hot dog buns

           1.29

Hamburger buns

           1.29

Lettuce

           0.99

Cole slaw mix

           1.25

Mushrooms

           0.89
Markdown
Veggie tray

           3.99
Markdown
Tortilla chips (2)

           2.00

Potato chips

           1.59





Total

 $     185.76


$185.76 ÷ 31 days ÷3 people = $2.00 per person per day!

Did you stock up on anything this month?  Come across any super deals?

This budget month runs from January 1 through January 31


13 comments:

  1. I get the great deals on items we use when the deals are there. Makes no sense to not do it and turn around and spend twice as much or more later for something I know we use. Then there will be a few weeks of things I don't buy on sale and it all seems to even out. We need variety, low cost and that's the way I do it and you do too. Your girls are learning such valuable lessons about finances and running a home. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Crystal. I agree. It doesn't make sense not to buy things on sale if you have the money. :)

      Delete
  2. I am like you and went way over budget this month, but I am fairly well stocked now and should be able to make up for it during February.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, you hedonist!

    Actually, I am green with envy over the chicken breast and ground beef deals you found. Safeway here has hamburger (73% fat) at $1.99 this week -- an insane deal. (The 90% stuff is $3.99/lb -- almost the price of steak.)
    The best I could do on boneless chicken breast is $1.67/lb. Good, but not the screaming deal you got.
    However, my favorite discount store still has 40 pounds of chickens for $20.00. We've taken advantage of that a couple of times now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am under budget, but we have been living out of the pantry and freezer. I will have to go to the store soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I, too, have been eating from the pantry and freezer this month. However, I will be stocking up on coffee this weekend, as my daughter's favorite brand is on sale. Even so, I'll still be under budget.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you. I think we'll do better in the coming months.

      Delete
  6. I have went over budget this month also...I knew I was, but I took advantage of several really good sales.. My deep freezers are full and pantry is stocked.. So I will not have to buy as much in Feb. [Definitely take advantage of sales when I find them]
    Whole chicken- 79 cents lb
    beef angus roast - 2.18 lb
    Potatoes -1.49- 10 lb
    Hamburger/hotdog buns -79 cents
    Tasters choice coffee [Cvs]- 6.99 [At the grocery stores, it is $12. So I watch cvs and buy several jars at a time..
    Have a great day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You got some really good deals Judy! I think it is okay to go over budget a bit to get the good deals. If you have the extra cash, why not?

      Delete
  7. I am not that thrifty. I just don't buy little things that does not matter but spend on big things that do.

    ReplyDelete

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