 |
| 8/9 Groceries |
There was just enough milk to make my mug of coffee, this morning. Usually, I put a little water into my coffee mug, fill it up the rest of the way with milk and then, microwave it to warm it up, before adding the instant coffee, sugar, and a little of the creamer. Today, I added the little milk I had, filled up the mug about 3/4 of the way with water, and added a little extra creamer!
I checked my emails and replied to blog comments while I had my coffee. I like this new morning routine! It lets me ease into the day. The only problem is, because I am getting up so late, by the time I finish responding to blog comments and check one or two other blogs, it is already noon before I get around to doing other things! Obviously, I need to reset my internal clock!
At noon, I watched some news on TV and then, planned my afternoon - the pharmacy to pick up my refill and then, the grocery in the same strip mall for milk and other items. I went through the grocery ads for the store I was going to and saw that they had my daughter's favorite coffee on sale at our "stock up" price of $4.99 each, provided you buy five. Earlier, it went on sale for $6.99 each, and daughter and I decided it wait and see, as she had enough coffee to last her a bit longer. I am glad we waited! So, I texted her to ask which flavors she wanted (I knew four of them, but didn't know what she'd want for the fifth one.)
Then, I took a shower, washed my hair, got dressed, took out the trash on my way out, and went to do my errands. I briefly considered putting gas to the car (I have half a tank), but I decided it could wait another couple of days. I generally like to fill up when it gets to half a tank, so that I am prepared for any emergencies, but half a tank is enough for right now. I will fill up when it is a bit cooler.
I drove to the pharmacy, first, and picked up my inhaler refill. Then, I went to the grocery store, armed with my shopping list:
- 1/2 gal. milk = $1.99
- coffee creamer = $2.69
- coffee for daughter, @ $4.99; buy 5 = $24.95
- pineapple = $.99
- cantaloupe = $.88
- bananas @ $.59/lb = $.65 (I bought just 3 because they ripen too fast in this heat)
- bleach = $3.49 (not included in the grocery budget)
The only item I bought that was not on my shopping list was a piece of steak, @$4.99/lb; the piece I chose was a little under one pound and was priced at $3.74.
My total came to $39.71, but that included the bleach and tax on it.
 |
| Receipt |
The food only total came to: $35.89
Without daughter's coffee, it came to = $35.89 - $24.95 = $10.94
My August grocery budget is $100; however, I went over my July grocery budget by $12.92 ($96.22 - $109.14 = -$12.92), which will be deducted from the August grocery budget.
Spent to date = $35.89
Balance remaining = $87.08 - $35.89 = $51.19
I might decide to pay for daughter's coffee from either the gifts budget or the miscellaneous budget! On the other hand, we are already almost one third of the way into August, so the balance $51 just might do for the remainder of the month. I think it should be OK. But, I do have the option of switching the coffee purchase to a different budget category.
After I came home and checked the mail, I found an envelope of coupons the grocery store sends me, and included in the coupons was this one:
 |
| Coupon for Coffee! |
After I came home and took the pictures of the groceries, I had a banana and then, I decided to cook the steak for a late lunch/early dinner (around 4:30 p.m.). Steak with caramelized onion, sauteed zucchini, and boiled frozen corn:
 |
| Late Lunch/Early Dinner |
There is half the steak, half the zucchini and a little corn left for another meal. Afterwards, I had a cup of tea. Later in the evening, I had some yogurt.
Today, I took a short nap on the sofa - I think the heat tired me out. The weather forecast says we are heading for a cool down; tomorrow's highs will be only in the mid-to-upper 90s. Yay!
I spent the rest of the evening doing some paperwork - mostly sorting through piles of mail set aside for filing.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in
- Drama-free refills at the pharmacy!
- Stock-up sale prices on daughter's coffee!
- Afternoon naps!
- All that I was able to accomplish, today.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Clean the other bathroom - FRIDAY
- Buy milk - DONE
- Pharmacy to pick up prescription refill (if ready) - DONE
- Do a load of laundry - FRIDAY
- Paperwork/filing - DID SOME
I took a break from the laundry, today. I have at least two loads to do, tomorrow!
Friday's To Do List:
- Clean the bathroom
- Laundry
- More paperwork/filing
- RSVP a birthday party invite I received
- Some tidying and dusting
How was your Thursday? Have you gone grocery shopping in August, yet? Have you found any items on sale at "stock up" prices? What is your stock up price for coffee?
I have been watching the news about the heat wave and fires in CA. I hope there is relief soon for everyone's sake. I'm amazed at what you've been able to do in the heat of your house. One's body adjusts to certain temperatures after awhile but I don't think over 100 counts.
ReplyDeleteThe sad fact about these fires is, some of them, at least, have been set off, on purpose, by arsonists. I will never understand the mind set of some people. As for the heat, the real heat usually comes in September, so it will get hotter, a bit later. But, the forecast for the next 7 days says, 98F today, and 95-97 for the next 6 days; no 100F in the forecast! Yay! LOL!
DeleteBecause I doctor my coffee with milk and sweetener, coffee is coffee. I have no special preferences. So for me, cheap is better. My brother gifted me a Keurig machine several years ago but I have just started using it the last few months. I buy the boxes of coffee pods (for company) when they are on sale, but otherwise I use the plastic reusable coffee pods that I refill every day from a 26 oz canister of ground coffee for myself. I think my "stock up" price is $6.99 or cheaper. I also keep my instant coffee on hand, just in case.
ReplyDeleteYour steak dinner looks so yummy. The best part is that you have another one just like it waiting in the wings.
As an environmentalist, I am glad that you use a reusable coffee pod! All those one time use plastic coffee pods are impossible to get rid of!
DeleteThank you! The steak dinner was very good; I'm thinking there will be enough meat to make beef and broccoli for a third meal. :)
Hi! I'm the same with you with the gas for the car. Great about the coffee! You're such a good mom! Always thinking of your daughter. Glad you are retired because your day is filled with many things. I know somedays I think I could just go on and on and never have an end to housekeeping or errands! Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. Daughter says this brand of coffee never goes on sale at that price, up there. She has tried some other equally popular brands of coffee, but she didn't like the taste; even in this brand, there are some blends that she says taste sour to her.
DeleteI'm hoping that my days will settle into more of a routine, once I catch up with all the little tasks that were neglected when I had been working. But, I won't have to worry about not having anything to do for some time to come! LOL.
Hi, I recall you like to tally food costs for the year to compare with previous years, for that reason, I suggest you request a sub total of actual foods for tracking, sub total to add in non food items like bleach/household expenditure and finally sub total for 'gift' category, DD or all the other folks you treat.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm a bit of a twit when I get a good coupon for a product I want in future. I list it as an 'event' on cell calendar mid September& 1st week October [take a photo if they accept those] so that I don't forget it. I keep an old vinyl envelop in my glove box for auto receipts, coupons, info of new destinations if I'm in a different city segment.
Finally, I wonder if you are willing to look at 'Gas Buddy' app if you expect to refill while on errands. I've made it a point to get gas on my way home so that I'm not in line in the AM when I feel pressure of an appointment. If the discounters are on my route, the price differential is worthwhile.
Good suggestion to request a subtotal for food and non-food items, Hon. Usually, I just do my own sub-totaling when I get home. :)
DeleteI should learn how to use the calendar feature on my phone! I still consider it as something to use only when I want to text daughter or take pictures!
No, I don't use the Gas Buddy app. There are two gas stations in my neighborhood that have the lowest gas prices for my area; one is closer than the other and I can go past it on my way to the grocery store or the pharmacy. The other one, I pass by when I go to the temple. I just fill up at these stations and it works well for me. No need to let everyone know my whereabouts, when using all these apps. :)
This week I didn't go to the store at all.
ReplyDeleteI normally buy a large can of coffee from BJs or Costco. I don't even remember the price I paid, because it doesn't happen even once a year. :) I keep some in a small jar for daily use and keep the big can in the freezer.
That's great that you didn't need to go to the store at all, this week, Nil. I remember you saying that you wanted to eat from the pantry, this month. Plus, you are getting a small harvest from your garden. :) Good idea to buy a big can of coffee and keep in the freezer! I stored my daughter's coffee in the fridge - I should ask her if she'd like me to keep them in the freezer. Hope the week is going well for you.
DeleteMy vouchers always arrive straight after I've done a big shop. I think the computers are programmed that way to encourage us to buy more in order to 'save' the money.
ReplyDeleteEloise, I think you are right! They know how to manipulate us, don't they? I've read that there's a lot of psychology involved with how a grocery store is set up, etc., to encourage us to buy more and spend more!
Delete