Tuesday, September 26, 2023

September Grocery Shopping - Part 2

I debated whether to order any groceries this week (there was very little that I really needed), but, there were some good deals to be had, especially on treats and splurge items, and today was the last day to get those deals, as the weekly sales in my area are in effect from Wednesday to Tuesday.  I did take a look at the new week's deals, as well, as the grocery ads were available for preview online, but, the current deals were better for me.  So, since I had most of my September grocery budget intact, I decided to stock up and splurge a little, too.  

The items with an asterisk * on the list below were on a "buy 5 or more mix & match for $0,99 each" sale.

Here's what I bought:

2 Bartlett pears (1.22 lbs. @ $1.50/lb, with coupon; reg. price $1.99'lb.) = $1.83
3 Bananas (1.04 lbs. @$0.65/lb,) = $0.68

4 packets store brand angel hair pasta, 16 oz.@ (reg. price $1.39@, on sale for $0.99@) = $3.96*

1 loaf white bread, store brand (reg. price $2.49; on sale for $0.99) = $0.99*

1 box cornflakes (13.5 oz; reg price $4.99; free with "best customer" coupon!) = $0.00 

2 boxes (8 oz. @) cream cheese, store brand (reg. price $2.49; on sale for $0.99@) = $1.98*

1 container, 32 oz., plain yogurt = $4.79

5 cans tuna in water, 5 oz.@, store brand, $1.19@ = $5.95 (for me!  Not Dancer!  LOL!)

1 package (30 oz.) popcorn kernels, store brand = $2.79

Splurges/Treats:
2 boxes chocolate fudge cake mix, on sale for $1.50@ (reg. price $2,69@) = $3.00

1 container vanilla ice cream, 48 fl. oz., (reg. price $6.99; on sale with digital coupon) = $2.79

3 chocolate pudding mixes, 5 oz.@ (reg. price $2.50@; on sale for $0.99@) = $2.97*

1 package refrigerated puff pastry dough, 13.2 oz. = $4.49

3 bars chocolate, 4.4 oz. @ (reg. price $4.49@; on sale for $2.00@) = $6.00
(Splurge items subtotal = $19.25)

My groceries (and splurges!) total came to $42.22.  

(Without the splurges, the grocery total would have been $22.97.)

In addition, I bought 2 packages of night light bulbs, 4 bulbs per package, reg. price $3.99@, on sale for $2.99@, if you buy two.  Plus $0.94 sales tax on them.  However, I don't include these items in my household budget and pay for them from a separate household budget (and things like shampoo, soap, and toothpaste are paid out of a toiletries budget).  But, I know that some people include all items, including household supplies and toiletries.  Others, I know, exclude snacks and treats and pay for them from their own personal allowances.  I include all snacks and treats in my grocery budget.  Altogether, I spent $49.14 for groceries, splurge items, and the lightbulbs, according to the receipt.

My September grocery budget (for food for me, only) is $100 + $36.12 carried over from August = $136.12.

Spent so far in September = $17.38 + $42.22 = $59.60

Balance left in the September grocery budget = $136.12 - $59.60 = $76.52

Now, the question is, will I carry that $76 forward to October?  It seems ridiculous to carry that amount forward when my monthly budget is supposed to be $100!  Maybe I'll keep it and splurge on salmon when my daughter comes home for Thanksgiving and Christmas!  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online
- For same day curbside pick up
- Being able to afford some splurge items and treats
- A safe drive to the grocery store and back
- The availability of the items I ordered

Today's joyful activity was picking up groceries!  

14 comments:

  1. So glad to hear you splurged on some treats, Bless. You do an amazing job with your grocery budgeting and shopping. You are so aware. Sounds like you and your daughter will have a special Christmas together.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I do keep track of prices to know what is a good deal or not! Then, I will buy what is on sale and plan my meals around it. Things like bread, milk, eggs, etc., will be bought at whatever price and I will think long and hard when I want certain other items that don't go on sale!

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  2. It's good to be able to splurge on treats now and again and saving some money for when your daughter comes home sounds like an excellent idea.
    I started doing some Christmas shopping this week only because there is a minimum spend for home delivery and I didn't need much in the way of groceries and like you I will stock up on things when they are on offer. I popped into a supermarket this week and the staff were busy shelf filling their Christmas lines, it seems to get earlier every year.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. I really shouldn't get too many treats, but, I like to stock up on them when there's a sale! Yes, I'll keep that extra money aside for when my daughter comes home. Or to stock up on things at the Sri Lankan grocery store! Good idea to stock up on Christmas items, a little at a time; it's never too early in my opinion! LOL.

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  3. A good mix of essentials and splurges. I remember years ago writing out a shopping list. I began with two columns headed STAPLES and TREATS. My young daughter was really confused - she thought we were going to buy office supplies!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. Staples and treats - I must remember that! :D

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  4. I remember writing a shopping list years ago. I began by drawing two columns headed STAPLES and TREATS. My young daughter was really confused. She thought I was buying office supplies!

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    1. Two comments from you! I didn't know which one to pick, so published both! LOL.

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  5. I think I would put the added money into either a holiday fund or a stock up fund (as long as you have a little extra for a few indulgences)

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    1. Thank you, Anne. I haven't gone on a holiday in years! The last time I went somewhere for the weekend was back in 2016 when I went up to Berkeley for my daughter's graduation! I think I'll set the extra money aside to stock up on groceries from the Sri Lankan store!

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  6. Another good shopping trip for you. You got some good prices especially on your buy 5 sale combination purchase.
    And free cornflakes! What's not to like about that? :)
    I think saving the extra towards salmon and other treats for the holiday with your daughter is a good idea.

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    1. Thank you, Debra. I was very pleased with the deals (and, as you can see, I made it a point to order more than just the minimum 5 items so they couldn't say they were out of something and charge me full price!) In any case, they are items I wanted to stock up on. I seem to be getting one free item a month, lately! So far, I've received a free cake mix, a free jar of peanuts, and this free box of cornflakes!
      Yes, I think I will splurge on some salmon when my daughter comes home and use the rest to stock up on treats from the Sri Lankan store!

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  7. Your plain yogurt is more expensive that what I buy here, even if I bought it in the other store where it is dearer! But you saved a lot on some items. I totally approve the treats purchases, especially chocolate (which I consider a health product!)

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    1. This was the cheapest larger container of plain yogurt - it is a branded variety, but, the store brand was more expensive! I should make my own, again, but, I was being lazy! I did get some good bargains on other items, though, didn't I? Thank you for approving of the treats and chocolates! I still have a little bit of the healthier, dark chocolate I bought earlier, but, this time, I got the not so healthy milk chocolate! They help to keep me sweet! LOL.

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