Today, on the last day of April, I picked up an order of groceries in the evening.
This was my first major grocery pick up since March 27, which, at the time, I considered as the first grocery shopping order for April, mostly because I had already spent all the grocery budget for March (I had not increased my regular grocery budget to allow for the fact that my daughter extended her visit to a total of three weeks). At the time, I had planned to write a blog post about that grocery shopping order, but, I never did.
I spent $38.07 in the March 27 grocery order and purchased:
Bananas, a pineapple, dinner rolls, half a gallon of whole milk, one pint of half and half, one pound of shrimp, 3 packages of ground coffee (12 oz. each), and there was a $0.30 bag fee for three plastic grocery bags.
Today's grocery pick up consisted of:
1 cucumber, reg. price $0.99, with coupon = $0.49
1 broccoli crown (0.7 lb.) reg. price $1.99/lb., $1.41/lb. with coupon = $.99
3 bananas (1.11 lb.) @ $0.69/lb. = $0.77
2.16 lb. grapes, on sale for $1.99/lb., $1.75/lb. with coupon = $3.80
3 lb. ground turkey, on sale with coupon @ $3.49/lb. = $10.47
2lb. bag frozen breaded shrimp, with coupon = $7.99
3 cans tuna in water, @$1.02 with coupon = $3.07
1 doz. large eggs = $4.49
32 oz. container yogurt = $4.19
1/2 gal. milk = $2.79
4 cans coconut milk, @$1.99 = $7.96
1 loaf sandwich bread = $2.49
1 box cheerios cereal (10.8 oz box), with coupon = $1.99
1 box frosted flakes cereal, 12 oz., free with coupon = $0.00
1 bottle ketchup (20 oz.) = $2.49
2 jars pasta sauce, @24 oz, @$1.29 on sale with coupon = $2.58
2 x 6 pack lemon-lime soda, multi buy "must buy 4" price of $3.00/6 pack = $6.00
2 x 6 pack cola, part of multi buy deal = $6.00
CA redemption value on the soda, $0.30 per 6 pack = $1.20
Sales tax (probably on the sodas) = $1.07
Less $5 off coupon on grocery order over $50
Total spent, per receipt = $65.84
Plus, there was another $11.58 spent at the dollar store on a can of corned beef, snacks, and dried chilies, earlier in the month!
Total spent on April groceries: $38.07 + $65.84 + $11.58 = $115.39
So, I went over my April grocery budget of $100 by $15.39, which I will deduct from the May budget of $100. In any case, much of what I bought today will be eaten in May!
I was able to take what they call a "sneak peak" at next week's grocery ads, too, today (the store sent me an email with the link; prices effective as of Wednesday, May 1) and whole chicken, thighs, and drumsticks will be on sale for $0.99/lb., which is my stock up price, these days. Store brand bacon is also on sale, with a coupon, for $3.99/lb. which is as good as it gets these days, I suppose. So, I do plan to go grocery shopping, again, next week, too.
That was my grocery shopping and spending in April. Although I went over budget by $15+, I'm happy with my spending.
How did you do with your grocery shopping budget in April?
Good morning, Bless. I've been so busy since returning home from London, that I've only just been able to catch up with all your news.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you experience a data breech that, understandably, caused you so much stress. I'm glad your daughter was able to help, as it must have been such a worry for you. Your garden is looking gorgeous! I'm not surprised you enjoy spending so much time out there. It really is beautiful at this time of year, and fingers crossed you'll enjoy a plentiful fruit harvest.
And I love the lap blanket. Someone will really appreciate that.
I am taking inspiration from your grocery list. I haven't been able to park near my house recently, due to some ongoing road works. Now that they are near completion, I am looking forward to being able to do a 'big shop' once again. Xx
Good morning, Jules. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with the blog and commenting.
DeleteYes, the data breach was worrying and I was very thankful for my daughter helping me with putting the protective measures in place.
The garden has been full of flowers and now, I'm looking forward to the fruit harvest!
I hope the blanket will help keep someone warm.
I hope you are able to get your big grocery shop done, soon!
We do plan meals but only because we're trying to lose weight, we rarely eat the same two days running but space them out, otherwise boredom can make me eat all the wrong things!
ReplyDeleteVariety is the spice of life, they say. :) Wish you all the best with the weight loss!
DeleteThose coupons worked out well for you. It looks like an amazing haul.
ReplyDeleteShopping the bargains is a real challenge these days.
Thank you, Lyssa; yes, I try to take advantage of the coupons when I stock up. It is a challenge to shop the bargains. Sometimes, the "bargains" are not much of a bargain!
DeleteI haven't bought eggs recently, but your price is about 2x as much as I paid last time. We need eggs, so I will be interested to see what they cost now. I think bird flu is affecting the prices.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I bought eggs was in early March and I paid the same price. I'd be interested to know how much you pay for eggs when you buy some.
DeleteYou did well with not much of an overspend. I don't blame you for stocking up on the chicken and bacon next week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I could have stayed within the budget if I hadn't bought the soda, but, this is the sale price at which I stock up. I will make up for the overspending, in May. :)
DeleteYou had some good savings there. I like the idea of a $5 off coupon when you spend over $50!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. Yes, they send these coupons for $s off ones purchases every so often and they are helpful. They also had a coupon for free grocery deliveries over the weekend with a $100 purchase, but, I didn't take advantage of that!
DeleteSome nice savings there. I did ok. I need to still cut back some more. I have to look up some different recipes and, now that the weather is warmer, there will be more salads on the menu. Hopefully that will help with the budget too!
ReplyDeleteThank you,, Sharon. It's important to shop the sales, otherwise, groceries can be quite expensive. I need to add more salads to my meal plan, too. I might splurge and buy a salad mix to make it easier!
DeleteWell, even though you theoretically went over for April, as you said, the food is really for May's consumption.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so behind on reading your blog, it's probably already eaten by now! lol
And yeah! for free cereal :)
I stocked up on frozen shrimp last week which was $5.97 a pound making the 2 lb bag under $12. So I got 2 bags of those. And bumble bee tuna was .97 a can in our buy 5 sale which I assume is similar to the sale your store runs so I stocked up on tuna as well.
LOL, I didn't quite finish eating the food I bought! :D Yes, I won't ever turn my nose up at free cereal! Or any free food, for that matter!
DeleteYou got a good deal on the frozen shrimp and the tuna. If your store is a Kroger affiliate, then, yes, that's the same store and sale. :)