Today, I picked up the groceries I ordered, yesterday. I am mindful of the fact that prices are going up and as usual, I tried to order mostly from what was on sale this week. I am also mindful of the fact that the new sale prices tend to be higher than the old sale prices and this might, very well, be the best sale price I'll be able to get for a long time to come.
This morning, I received a text from the store stating that some of the items I ordered weren't available, but, they had substitutions for them, pending my approval. I went ahead and approved all the substitutions. I was happy that they had substitutions available and, as I've mentioned before, this store charges the lower price on substitutions.
Today's groceries included:
2.7 lb,Bananas (8 bananas) @ $.64/lb. = $1.79
2 lb. container Kiwi (reg price $4.99) = $3.99
1.65 lb. grapes @ $1.49/lb. (reg price $3.29/lb.) = $2.46
2.25 lb. small apples @ $1.49/lb = $3.35 (large apples were priced $1.99/lb.)
1 lb. package frozen mixed berries = $3.29*
(I ordered the 10 oz. package for $3.29; they substituted the 1 lb. package which is priced at $5.49)
1 Broccoli crown (.78 lb. @ $1.98/lb. = $1.55
1 Cucumber = $.99
1 frozen pizza = $3.97
1 package (8 oz.) breakfast sausages 8 count ( reg. price $2.49) = $2.00
2 lb. ground turkey @ $2.99/lb. (reg. price $5.99/lb.) = $5.98
1 lb. frozen shrimp (reg. price $7.99) = $5.99
12 cans, @ 5 oz. tuna in water @ $.89 = $10.68
2 x 32 oz. containers half & half, @$2.39 = $4.78
(cheaper than the 1/2 gal./64 oz. container which is now $5.29)
6 pkgs. ramen noodles @ $.33 (reg price $.40) = $2.00*
(I ordered soup noodle cups at $.49 each, but, they were out of them)
2 bottles (40 oz. @) canola oil @ $3.50 (reg. price $4.99) = $7.00
1 bottle (17 oz.) Sriracha sauce = $2.99
Grocery Items Total = $63.42
Non-grocery items:
1 box (90 count) snack size plastic zippered bags = $3.29
2 pairs rubber gloves @$1.59 = $3.18*
(I ordered the store brand, they substituted brand name ones that cost $4.29)
= $6.47
Non-grocery Items Total = $6.47
Today's total spending = $69.89
* substituted items
March grocery budget (food items only) = $200, plus $11.21 carried over from February = $211.21
Spent to date = $63.42
Balance left in the budget = $211.21 - $63.42 = $147.79
The canned tuna, ramen noodles, and oil were stock up items. The rubber gloves are the spare gloves to have on hand to replace the ones I use now (one pair in the kitchen for washing dishes and cleaning the stove, etc., and one pair in the bathroom to use when cleaning the bathroom and cleaning up after Dancer); I usually like to have a spare pair on hand, so, when I start to use the ones I bought today, I will buy new spares.
I baked the pizza for lunch, today, and daughter and I shared it. For dinner, I cooked the sausages I had been planning to cook, last week, with onions and bell peppers . We had them with rice and sauteed garlicky green beans. Which reminds me, I need to do a meal plan for this week!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to order groceries online and pick up, curbside
- The availability of the items I ordered
- The store's generous substitution policy
- Grocery stores
- Weekly deals
Today's joyful activity was picking up groceries; it truly is a blessing to be able to do so!
Have you gone grocery shopping in March, yet? Are you managing to find some good deals?
I am informed of the substitutions via email with the total amount charged which gives me chance to ponder if I want to accept them when the delivery turns up at my door I too have noticed sale prices are more expensive than they were a month or two ago, worrying isn't it with this cost of living crisis which sadly is bound to get worse now. My delivery arrives this afternoon but is only a smallish order as I still have a good freezer stock.
ReplyDeleteI have the option of accepting or declining the substitutions, but, I usually accept them because they don't charge me more for the substituted item, even when it costs more! The "new" sale prices seem to be the old "regular" prices, but, I suppose that is the price we pay for supply shortages, increased transportation costs, and so forth. Makes it hard for everyone because salaries and pensions don't keep up with these types of rapid price increases! I hope your delivery contains everything you wanted, Eileen, and you have a good day. :)
DeleteFood prices are definitely going up. I feel fortunate that I can still afford them, although I wish it were different.
ReplyDeleteI, too, feel fortunate to be able to afford to buy the groceries that I do! And for the availability of food. Friends and family in other parts of the world are saying that they are facing shortages of certain essential items due to economic constraints and politics.
DeleteI went shopping in-store this morning after my doctor's appointment. I only had a short list of stocks for the freezer and the ingredients I need for some batch booking tomorrow, so was able to keep the cost reasonably low. It's probably the only groceries I'll need to buy for this month so if that works out I'll only have spent about a third of my budget ... not a true picture of costs as I've been using up stocks purchased in previous month, which will have to be replaced in April!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful that you were able to get what you needed and, assuming you don't need to grocery shop later this month, you've managed to spend only about a third of this month's budget! You will be able to add the remainder of the budget to your savings! Unless, you use some of it to replenish your stocks, at the end of the month, instead of waiting until April. :)
DeleteI actually go into the grocery stores and buy my own groceries, but I only go at times I know the stores are not crowded. I know how fortunate I am that I can pick and choose times based on typical uncrowded shopping days. I am noticing more and more that wearing a mask is the exception rather than the rule. I guess I am glad I don't mind being exceptional.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have had to adjust my bargain prices. I bought a pork roast yesterday at what used to be the regular price, but now is the sale price. I didn't need it but figured I might as well go ahead and cook, shred and freeze it for some later meals.
Ha, ha, I always knew you were exceptional, Anne! :D
DeleteI would love to go back into a grocery store to wander up and down the aisles like I used to (often, there would be unadvertised specials on various items, plus, all the joys of the clearance rack!), but, indoor mask mandates have been lifted, here, and although our new Covid case numbers are down, I am still being careful.
Good idea to get the pork roast to cook and freeze; who knows what the price will be when it next goes on sale?
It look like you got some good deals. Buying groceries is a skill these days.
ReplyDeleteI am satisfied that I got the best prices on the items I wanted, Lyssa. Right now, I am able to work in the occasional splurge item (like the shrimp) into the budget and I am very grateful for that.
DeleteI fetched a few items while I was in town for a doctor's appointment to check a medication. I was about to pick up some canned tuna on special but noticed that in tiny print, the sign said until 04/03. I noticed a few other signs which should have been taken down, as when I checked with a clerk they said, yes, it did mean 4th March. I didn't need any tuna in a hurry so I left it for a future sale. I did get some other specials, though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you noticed the fine print about the dates! I wonder how many people got tricked into buying the canned tuna at full price, when they thought they were getting the sale price! Glad you were able to get some other specials and you can wait on the tuna.
DeleteThe grocery store sent me a link to preview next week's grocery weekly specials (the prices change on Wednesdays) and I made a note of a few items to buy. I finished my current jar of mayo (well, Miracle Whip, actually, as I prefer it to mayo), today, and while I have another jar in the cupboard, next week's specials include Miracle Whip, so I will buy another jar to keep on hand, to replace the jar in the cupboard, which I will be opening, next.
You are doing well with your grocery budget even with the rising prices. We all will just adjust and deal with things because that is all we can do, right?
ReplyDeleteI do think about my good fortune that we are comfortable in our life in our retirement. I know that that is because of the sacrifices we made, saving for our future, but it's also because of the good fortune we know in our lives because of where we live.
Especially now watching the news of these poor people in Ukraine, I am ever more conscious of it.
Back to the prices, I think it really helps to be a home cook when it comes to dealing with rising costs. Don't you?
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DeleteThank you, Debra. Yes, we will adjust as needed; I think we are both very good at doing that. :) You are right; we are very fortunate to be where we are!
DeleteYes, I, too, think it helps to be a home cook and cook mostly from scratch. I keep some convenience foods, like canned chicken broth, on hand for those emergencies, but, make my own broth with chicken bones and or vegetables for regular use. Speaking of chicken, it's on sale for $.99/lb. for drumsticks and thighs, this week. :)