I put in an order for groceries, yesterday, and pick them up, today. This is my second grocery shopping order for this month (the first was done on August 5). I tried to keep my order to under $40, because I knew that I had just a little less than that in this month's budget ($39.40 to be exact). But, the discounts for digital coupons, etc., don't show up on the total when you order, and the order showed $45+ when the payment information was entered. I figured it would work out; if not, I'll "borrow" from September's budget! After all, some of what I'm buying during this grocery order will be eaten in September,
This morning, I received a text from the store saying that the frozen gyoza/potstickers I ordered weren't available, but, they could substitute a different brand, which was $1.00 cheaper; I accepted the substitution (I'm not brand loyal where a lot of things are concerned). Other than that one substitution, I received all my groceries, today!
So, what did I buy?
3 bananas (1.19 lb. @ $.65/lb.) = $0,77 (more than 3 and they get overripe before I can eat them)
6 apples (1.77 lb. @ $.99/lb; reg. price $2.99/lb.) = $1.75
4 mangos @ $1 = $4.00
1.43 lb. grapes @ $.99/lb. with digital coupon (reg. price $2,99/lb.) = $1.42
1 cucumber = $0.99 (Yay! I finally got my cucumber!)
1 iceberg lettuce = $1.49
1 package frozen corn (12 oz.) = $1.25
1/2 gal. milk = $2.69
1 tray/family pack chicken drumsticks (4.61 lb. @ $.99/lb.; reg. price $2.49/lb.) = $4.56
1 package (20 oz.) frozen vegetable and chicken dumplings/potstickers/gyoza = $5.99
1 frozen pizza (20 oz.) = $3.49 (on sale with digital coupon)
1 loaf (20 oz.) sandwich bread = $1.50 (went down in price!)
1 bar (4.25 oz.) chocolate = $2.49
1 container (48 fl. oz.) store brand mint chocolate chip ice cream = $2.79
Sub-total = $35.18
Less $5.00 discount from Jennifer, for the accidental omission of the cucumber from my previous order! I told her I would be just as happy if she just gave me this order's cucumber free, but, she said I deserved the discount! By the way, she assured me that the store had reimbursed her for the instant cup noodles she got for me from the dollar store, last time, which is good to know.
Total = $30.18
August grocery budget is $100 - $23.50 (overspent in July) = $76.50.
Spent to date = $37.10 (on August 5) + $30.18 = $67.28
Balance left = $9.22
Considering the fact that I was shopping with a reduced budget this month, I think I did quite well with my grocery spending in August! Even without Jennifer's generous discount, I still would have been under budget.
Yes, I'll carry over that $9.22 to September and use it for stocking up or for a splurge item!
After I came home and put away the groceries, I baked the pizza and had some for brunch, along with a bowl of ice cream. It's 92F here, today, and although not as hot as it has been, earlier, ice cream was a lovely, cold treat! At least, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! I'll find another excuse for the bar of chocolate, later! LOL.
I kept the chicken drumsticks in the fridge for now. I'll cook half of the tray for this week and freeze the rest, I think.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to order groceries online
- Curbside pick up and receiving all the groceries that I ordered
- Wonderful store clerks like Jennifer
- The car started without any problems (haven't driven it in nearly 3 weeks; just started the engine once a week)
- A safe drive to the store and back
How is your August grocery shopping coming along? Are you staying within your budget?
You did well with the shopping! I'm doing well with the meal planning, but I have got to start shopping the sales more and making sure to use up all that we buy. I've been doing better but, admittedly, there is still room for improvement
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. Well done with the meal planning, shopping the sales, and using up everything. It takes time and effort, but, it pays off in savings. According to the store receipt, I saved $16.11 by shopping the sales and that's without the $5 discount Jennifer gave me.
DeleteYou got some great bargains and did really well on the grocery budget for August. I have one last shop tomorrow for the month, so I'll see if I can stay within budget. Jennifer sure is a great clerk!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie; I'm well pleased with my grocery shopping, this month! Jennifer is definitely my friend! :D I'm sure she is in a position where she is able to make those decisions to give discounts, because I don't think all store clerks have that option.
DeleteJennifer is very kind to you and good to know she was reimbursed for the good deed she did for you. You did well with your budgeting. It's definitely the weather for ice cream and I have a bar of chocolate in the fridge bought because it's the Bank Holiday weekend and that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Jennifer is very kind, isn't she?
DeleteI am very pleased with how the grocery budget worked out, this month. There were a few things on my list that I didn't buy this time, which I will get on my next grocery order, but, I have enough for now, so that was not a problem. I am also waiting to see if butter will go on sale - it is currently selling for $4.49/lb. for store brand.
Oh, I love your reason for having a bar of chocolate in the fridge! My reason can be that I'm celebrating 48 years of coming to the USA! :D
I think it's important that you ate the chocolate bar quickly because in hat heat it could have melted, right? :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, I like the way you think, June! But, no, I kept it in the fridge to have on hand for that day when I feel that nothing but chocolate would do! :)
DeleteWonderful news on the grocery budget front. Even better news that you have some September splurge money!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne; I was especially pleased to see that I was able to carry over some money to September! I'll have to plan what I'm going to splurge on! :)
DeleteThat was nice to end up well under budget. I usually only buy 3 bananas at a time for the same reason. I'd hate to be endlessly baking banana bread! As for the chocolate, I buy dark chocolate every time the current bar is halfway used (one large square each every lunchtime) and I regard it as medicinal - a perfect excuse, and a good reason why I think it should be available on the health insurance plan!
ReplyDeleteI was going to out for groceries today but I have a cough and tight chest so I'm resting instead. No fever but I took a rapid test which was negative. Unfortunately I had to put off a visit from DS and DDIL but next weekend should be okay. I've plenty of food and books to read so I will take it easy.
I was very happy and pleasantly surprised to come under budget, this month! Oh, I do like your daily dose of medicinal chocolate! :D
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that you are feeling under the weather with a cough and congestion. Sorry, too, that you had to put off a visit from DS and DDIL. But, hopefully, you will recover quickly and you can all visit, next weekend. Please do take it easy and feel better, soon.
Well done on coming under budget for August.
ReplyDeleteYou may be interested to know that a small amount of dark chocolate every day is one of the things recommended by the nutritionist! I can't remember why so will ask next week. It has to be dark chocolate though, not milk chocolate.
Thank you, Eileen. I was able to stay under budget because I had a well stocked freezer and pantry.
DeleteYes, dark chocolate is supposed to be full of antioxidants. I must admit that the bar of chocolate I bought was milk chocolate, so not as good for me! I shall buy dark chocolate, next time. :)
Great job on succeeding with your grocery budget for the month! And you even came in under budget which is super considering how low your budget was.
ReplyDeleteYou got some good sales this trip. The apples were a nice sale at
.99 lb. I buy apples by the bag at Aldi's and this past week they were $3.89 for a 3 lb bag so that's $1.30 lb.
In the fall they will be much cheaper. Usually around $1.99 for the same bag. But I buy them all year because I like apples :)
I hope your potstickers are good - it sounds like the ice cream was :)
Thank you, Debra. I was very pleased to see that I was able to stay below budget, this month! The well stocked freezer and pantry helped!
DeleteThe apples were a great bargain! They are called 'honey crisp' apples, which I rarely buy because they have always been more expensive. I usually buy whichever apple is on sale - I'm not fussy; like you, I like apples! :)
I'm looking forward to the potstickers! The ice cream was lovely! We'll be having triple digit temperatures, next week and I will definitely be enjoying my ice cream then! :D