I picked up another grocery order, today. Jennifer, the friendly store clerk brought the order to the car and she said she knew my daughter must be coming home, because I had ordered half and half creamer for her coffee! LOL.
I bought:
1 quart container half and half = $3.50
1/2 gal. milk = $2.69
1 x 3 lb. bag mandarins (with $2 off coupon) = $3.99
1 pineapple (with $2 off coupon) = $1.50
4 mangos, @ $1 = $4.00
2 x cranberry juice, @ 64 fl. oz. @ $4.49 = $8.98
1.73 lb. green beans @ $2.49/lb. = $4.31
2 x pasta shells, @ 7 oz., @ $.39 = $.78
1 loaf multi grain bread - $2.99
1 chocolate satin frozen pie = $6.99
2 x 10 lb. sugar, @ $6.99 = $13.98
Total = $53.71
In addition, I bought three 18 oz. jar candles (regular price $8.99@, on sale with coupons for $3.99@), which came to $11.97 + $1.14 sales tax, to add to the holiday gifts. But, that's not part of the grocery budget.
My December grocery budget = $100 + $52.22 carried over from November = $152.22
Spent to date = $52.65 + $53.71 = $106.36
Balance left in the December grocery budget = $45.86. I will not be carrying that over to the new year; instead, I will round it up to $50 and make a donation to a food bank. According to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank website, a donation of $25 can feed 100 people. Not quite sure how they manage to do that, but, if I can help feed even 10 people, then, that is a good thing to do and I am thankful that I can help.
By the way, I tried to order a can opener, but, according to the store website, they were available in store, only.
What is everyone planning to make for their Christmas meal?
lol That is funny that Jennifer knew by the half&half purchase that your daughter was coming home. She sounds like such a sweet girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to donate your end-of-year food budget overage to the food bank. I really like that idea.
I do my year-end donation checks next week but your idea is a good thought for a reason to stay under budget monthly next year. A little game I can play with myself lol
As I mentioned before we are having ham and I will make mashed potatoes too -that's my husband's other love - mashed potatoes :)
I will probably make a nice big baked potato for me while the ham is baking and also roast some carrots and maybe some butternut squash which I just peeled and cubed. That's a job - the butternut squash prep.
I'm marinating artichokes and will also have roasted red peppers, and marinated mushrooms etc for a sort of relish tray. We both enjoy that sort of food as part of our meal.
I was going to make a cake (I even got things out this morning to do so) but I said, "Stop!" We already have so many treats.
I just made a big batch of fudge two days ago so the sweet area is covered.
I hope your other readers respond with their meal plans. I enjoy seeing what others are serving.
Jennifer knows that I buy half and half for my daughter! :D
DeleteThank you, Debra. I wanted to give back a little in thanksgiving for the many blessings my daughter and I have received.
I really like your Christmas meal plan (I, too, love mashed potatoes!). I'm glad you stopped yourself from making the cake! You don't want to get so tired that you won't be able to enjoy the actual day!
My daughter and I had leftover pizza for Christmas lunch! LOL. I cooked some lentils (dhal) and curried green beans later in the evening for dinner, with leftover rice and chicken curry. Then, we indulged in the sweets! Tomorrow, I need to monitor my sugar intake!
That's a generous and appropriate idea to donate your overage to the food bank. I'd also be interested to to know how $25 can feed 100 people. Maybe those are old numbers or maybe they get some kind of matching funds that extends the budget.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. I don't know how they can provide up to 4 meals for each $1 donated; I looked up their 2021 Annual Financial Report that's posted on their website and it looks like they do receive a lot of grants, corporate donations, state funding, etc., so an individual's donation augments that. Or, perhaps it helps with their operations costs?
DeleteWhat a great and kind way to use your surplus budget! I'm sure the money will be well spent (they certainly seem to know how to make it count!) and gratefully received.
ReplyDeleteWas the tin opener you were given not very efficient?
Ella
Thank you, Lady Ella. It seems that the food bank receives quite a few grants, state funding, corporate donations, etc., and an individual's donation goes to augment that (I looked up their financial report for 2021).
DeleteThe can opener I received is very efficient, but, I was thinking it might be a good idea to have a second one to add to my emergency earthquake kit!
A donation to a food bank is a great use for the remaining balance of your food budget. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. It'll be a small way to give thanks for the blessings we've received all year.
DeleteI am so glad your daughter is home!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am getting things that can be done ahead of time ready for our Christmas brunch. I am still not certain what we will have, but I have enough food in the freezer to feed an army so I will figure something out.
Thank you, Anne. :)
DeleteI'm sure you had quite a spread for your Christmas brunch! I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas.
That's a very kind thing to do to donate money to the food bank. They need all the help they can get.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angie. I feel that it is the right thing to do. We've been so blessed; it's time to give back a little.
Delete