My Grocery Budget 2019 - March Update

Last month I mentioned I was going back to my regular grocery budget.  I forgot that March is the month where I usually get my income tax refund and I like to add an extra $100 our budget to stock up a bit.  It works out really well, timing wise, after the holidays, winter months, higher heat bills, etc.  So instead of keeping it under $150, I actually had $250 to spend on groceries this month.

I used sales, coupons and strategic shopping to restock our pantry and spice cupboard, add to our freezers and keep us in fresh produce and some dairy items.  I even manage to squeeze in a trip to Cash & Carry as well as to purchase a couple items for my daughter's upcoming graduation party.

I kept my nonfood spending pretty minimal as there wasn't much we really needed this month.  Some canned catfood, kitty litter and a couple comet cleansers from the dollar store.  Total spent on those items came in at $10.92 of my $25 budget.

This month's acquired freebies

Here is the food I bought this month:

Groceries		$$$
Cream (2)		6.76		Wal-Mart
Bratwurst patties (2)		5.14		Wal-Mart
Coleslaw mix (2)		2.94		Wal-Mart
Onion		0.47		Wal-Mart
Mushrooms		1.78		Wal-Mart
Avocados (2)		1.76		Wal-Mart
Grape tomatoes		2.26		Wal-Mart
Whipped cream		2.68		Wal-Mart
Green onions		0.98		Wal-Mart
Turkey sausages		4.18		Wal-Mart
Cheese - 1# (2)		5.56		Wal-Mart
Pan spray		1.53		Wal-Mart
Chia seeds		3.98		Wal-Mart
Bakers chocolate (2)		3.94		Wal-Mart
Gelatin (2)		0.68		Wal-Mart
Gelatin		0.72		Wal-Mart
Ground beef - 10#		19.90	Sale	Cash & Carry
Cheddar - 5#		10.93		Cash & Carry
Monteray Jack - 5#		9.68	Sale	Cash & Carry
Soy sauce		1.99		Cash & Carry
SF Syrup		2.59		Cash & Carry
Apples - 4#		3.28		Cash & Carry
Bananas		0.91		Cash & Carry
Blueberries - 2.5#		5.38		Cash & Carry
Green beans- 5#		4.86		Cash & Carry
Yogurt (8)		7.80	Sale/Digital Coupon	Albertsons
Onion		0.47		Albertsons
Strawberries - 2#		4.47	Sale	Albertsons
Grapes		3.48	Sale	Albertsons
Avocados (2)		1.54	Coupon	Albertsons
Almonds		5.99		Trader Joes
Olive oil		6.99		Trader Joes
Avocados (6)		2.99		Trader Joes
Mushrooms		1.79		Trader Joes
Bell pepper		0.69		Trader Joes
Grape tomatoes		2.49		Trader Joes
Bananas		1.14		Trader Joes
Rib eye		7.99		Trader Joes
Tortilla chips		3.34	Sale	Albertsons
String cheese (2)		3.50	Markdown	Albertsons
Chicken breasts		0.35	Sale/Digital Coupon	Albertsons
Grapes		3.16	Sale	Albertsons
Strawberries - 2#		2.98	Sale	Albertsons
Yogurt (4)		3.52	Sale	Albertsons
Yogurt		0.50	Digital Coupon	Albertsons
Salad mix		1.99	Digital Coupon	Albertsons
Salad mix		1.59		Albertsons
Bananas		0.44		Albertsons
Broccoli (2)		3.04		WinCo
Cauliflower (2)		2.76		WinCo
Sausages		3.53	Sale	WinCo
Burger patties		11.98		WinCo
Tater tots		1.58		WinCo
SF Pudding (3)		1.56		WinCo
Pork sausage (2)		3.98	Sale	WinCo
Olives (3)		2.94		WinCo
Enchilada sauce (2)		1.56		WinCo
Canned tomatoes (4)		1.84		WinCo
Tomato sauce (2)		0.92		WinCo
Tomato sauce (4)		1.04		WinCo
Applesauce		1.48		WinCo
Tuna (2)		1.36		WinCo
Soy sauce		1.25		WinCo
Sour cream		1.18		WinCo
Chili powder		0.51		WinCo
Onion		0.36		WinCo
Coleslaw mix (2)		1.96		WinCo
Zucchini		0.88		WinCo
Squash		0.40		WinCo
Vanilla		0.88		WinCo
Bread		1.18		WinCo
Broccoli		3.24	Sale/Digital Coupon	Fred Meyer
Bell pepper (3)		1.00	Markdown	Fred Meyer
Salmon		6.99	Sale	Fred Meyer
Total		233.48

$233.48 ÷ 31 days ÷3 people = $2.51 per person per day!

Next month I will definitely be back to shopping on a much smaller budget.  As usual I'll be looking to spend my money wisely and make sure I get everything I need at a really good price.  I'll keep my eye on sales and look for coupons to help me shave even more off the final prices too.

This budget month runs from March 1 through March 31