October Grocery Shopping: Week 2-Part 2

Silk FlossTree(Ceiba speciosa) in Bloom at the Grocery Store Parking Lot

Isn't it pretty?  There are thorns all over the trunk and branches, but the flowers are lovely, and later, they form pods that are filled with fluffy white fibers that help disperse the seeds.  It is related to the kapok trees which are very common in Sri Lanka (we use the fibers of the kapok as stuffing in pillows and cushions). 

Close Up of the Flowers

I didn't go grocery shopping on Sunday, as planned.  Instead, I went shopping today (Tuesday).  I went to two stores, the Armenian store (Store 1) and Ralphs, which is a Kroger affiliate chain of supermarkets (Store 2).  At each store, I bought some things for my personal consumption and some items for the prayer gathering.

10/10 Regular Groceries

Store 1:
Mostly for the prayer gathering:
10 lb. bag of basmati rice = $9.49*
3 27 oz. cans of garbanzo beans, $1.69@ =  $5.07**
2.81 lb. brown onions, @$.20/lb.  = $.56
Subtotal = $15.12

Regular groceries:
1 celery @3/$1.00 = $.34
1 lb. bag carrots @2/$.79  = $.40
1 lb. potatoes @3lb/$1.00 = $.33
2.29 lb. red grapes @$.99/lb = $2. 27
Green beans @$1.69/lb = $.51
Subtotal = $3.85

Store 1 total = $18.97

Store 1 receipt:

10/10 Store 1 Receipt

* The bag of rice is for personal consumption, as well, and for the year end almsgiving, as well.  I might use all of 1 lb. for the prayer gathering, and I could allocate $1 of the cost to the prayer gathering and another $1 to the almsgiving budget and the remaining $7.49 to the regular budget.  But, then again, I am planning to use a package of the cashews I have in the freezer (about 1 lb. @$.799/lb) and 2 of the packets of flan mix ($1.09@) I have in the cabinets, and curry powder and spices I already have.  I think it all evens out.  In previous years, I would just add the prayer gathering budget to the regular grocery budget and not keep the accounts separate, the way I am doing now, partly for this very reason.

**I could have bought a bag of dried garbanzo beans, as well, and it would have been cheaper ($1.85/lb).  But dried garbanzo require soaking overnight and boiling and I know, from previous years, that no matter how much I plan ahead, I tend to get a bit rushed on the day of the event.  Especially since the temple is also having a religious festival on the same day as the prayer gathering and I have planned to make a cashew curry to take to that as my contribution to the temple lunch.  So, the canned garbanzo beans will be a convenience food and time saver.  All I will have to do is saute the onions and other spices and add the canned garbanzo. 

10/10 Prayer Gathering Items

Store 2:

Mostly for the prayer gathering:
2 containers passion fruit juice cocktail, $2.39@ less $.80 coupon on purchase of 2 = $3.98
3 air fresheners, $.99@ less $.60 coupon on purchase of 3 = $2.37 + $.28 sales tax = $2.65
Subtotal =  $6.63


Regular groceries:
1 12 oz. bag frozen green peas @$1.00 less $1.00 off coupon = $0
1/2 gal. milk = $1.99
4 ct. fruit cups = $1.99***
2 cans condensed milk, $1.79@ less $1.00 off coupon on purchase of 2 = $2.58
Subtotal = $6.56

*** I had a coupon for $.40 off, which I handed to the cashier, but she was distracted because the customer before me had forgotten and left part of her purchases behind and she was telling the bagger about it and wondering what to do; apparently she forgot to deduct it and although I checked my receipt at the store, I didn't notice it until just now.  Oh, well.

Store 2 receipt:

10/10 Store 2 Receipt

I bought 2 bags of cat food, as well, at $8.99 @, plus sales tax ($1.71) = $19.69

Store 2 total = $32.88 - $19.69 (for cat food) =  $13.19


October Prayer gathering budget = $300

Spent to date:

9/18:  $4.49 for smoked sausage
9/27: $1.29 for 2 cans of mixed nuts
10/4: $10.97 for 2 whole chickens

10/7: $2.06 for 1 dozen eggs and 2 boxes of mint chocolates
10/10:   $15.12 + $6.63 = $21.75
Spent to date:  $40.56

October regular grocery budget = $53

So far, I have spent $4.13 + $1.98 + $.61 + $5.94 + $12.04 + $3.85 + $6.56 = $35.11
Balance left in the budget = $53 - $35.11 = $17.89

How is your October grocery shopping coming along?