I ordered and picked up more groceries, today. I needed more half and half and bananas and I wanted to take advantage of a "buy one get one free" deal on chicken and a good deal on raspberries. Here's the receipt:
Rewards
Order Summary
Item Details
7 Items
The raspberries were a good price with the digital coupon; it was what I paid for the blackberries at the ethnic store. They are a treat for my daughter as the last time I ate raspberries, I noticed that I experienced mild symptoms of a food allergy (tingling in my mouth, upper palate, etc.)
My total came to: $17.14
I had started out the year budgeting $200/month for groceries for my daughter and myself. I went over that budget by a little over $15 in January. I deducted that amount from the February's budget of $200.
My February grocery budget, after deducting what I overspent in January, was $184.55
Spent to date in February: $60.21 + $63.44 + $28.13 + $42.35 + $4 (spent at the dollar store for 8 Jamaican style hand pies) + $12.40 (for pork chops and chestnuts) + $17.14 = $227.67
Amount overspent in February = $184.55 - $227.67 = -$43.12
I am not planning on going grocery shopping again, this week. But, if I need to, it would have to be only for half and half, bread, or milk and the total amount of money overspent has to be $50 or less. Why $50? Because that's what I allocate for gas for the car, each month, and I haven't used any of it, so far, this month. If I use the gas money to cover the grocery overspending, I won't have to deduct any money from the March grocery budget. If not, my March grocery budget might be $150 and that might be interesting!
As always, I am grateful for:
- Being able to afford groceries and having a bit of a leeway with the budgeting
- The availability of groceries
- Being able to take advantage of sales
- Getting free pick up
- A safe drive to the grocery store and back
I went ahead and cooked both trays of chicken after I got home. I had bought the "picnic" packs which are a mixture of thighs and drumsticks. I baked the drumsticks with a tomato chutney glaze and baked the thighs with a curry powder-chili powder rub. I might freeze some of it; if not, they will be the basis of next week's meals and I will have minimal cooking!
How is your grocery shopping coming along this month? Are you finding good bargains?
You got a great deal there. I don't think there are any buy one get one free deals over here. I didn't manage to get any bargains in yesterday's grocery shop. And disappointingly, cat food has gone back up to full price again.
ReplyDeleteBut like you say, Bless, there is a lot to be grateful for. Xx
Thank you, Jules. I used to pass up the buy 1 get 1 free chicken deals and wait for it to go on sale for $0.99/lb. as that was a little cheaper. But, this particular store hasn't had any chicken on sale for $0.99/lb. in months. So, the buy 1 get 1 free is the best deal now. I usually cook 1 tray and freeze the other, but, this time, I cooked both.
DeleteI'm sorry you didn't manage to get any bargains during yesterday's grocery shop and the cat food is full price, again. Yes, count those blessings and hope for bargains, next time.
We usually get our chicken at Costco. You can get an entire rotisserie chicken for $4.99. That's a loss leader and something they vow to not raise the price on. They sell so many that they have their own chicken farms. Anyway, we cut up the chicken and eat it different ways and usually freeze some.
ReplyDeleteTheir rotisserie chicken is good, isn't it? I gave up my Costco membership almost 10 years ago, though. They had raised their membership fee and I wasn't buying enough to offset the cost of the membership fee with the amount of savings on what I bought at the time. Maybe, once my daughter comes home to stay, I might look into getting another membership.
Delete$200.00 a month would never work for me. I don't do a budget, I also don't shop on any schedule. I LOVE ordering groceries and picking them up curbside which I started during Covid and have continued. I've never like grocery shopping and I find I do better being able to sit at the computer and order. It seems to cause me to think more about what I'm buying, and I believe we waste far less food than we did before. We buy canned goods as much as we can at Costco's by the case which saves a good amount.
ReplyDeleteI am finding out that $200/month is not working for me, either, Sandy. I used to enjoy grocery shopping in person, but, like you, I switched to ordering online and picking up curbside during Covid and have continued to do so. It's good that you find shopping online helps you to buy more intentionally and there's less food waste as a result. I gave up my Costco membership about 10 years ago because I felt that I wasn't saving enough to offset the cost of the membership. I might have to reconsider and get another membership. :)
DeleteThat is handy that your gas money for the month can be used to compensate for going over budget for food. You are well organized!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I find myself driving a lot less these days and although I budget $50 per month for gas, a tank of gas will last me for 2 months. I had considered bringing down the budgeted amount to $25 per month, but, I like the thought of having that $50 extra in the budget, every other month, to accommodate overspending in another area! Of course, this happy state of affairs might not last long with the way gas prices are going up, but, I'll adjust the budget when needed. :)
DeleteYou got a good deal on that chicken and you were smart to take advantage of it. I knew you'd find somewhere to get a few more grocery dollars. :) Using the gas money is perfect. That way you start March off even.
ReplyDeleteThe way you prepared your chicken sounds very good.
Thank you, Debra. There was a time when I'd skip the BOGO offer on chicken because I knew that a week or two later, they would have the chicken on sale for $0.99/lb., which was when I'd buy. But, in the past couple of months, that has changed and they no longer offer the $0.99/lb. deal. So the BOGO is the next best thing. The ethnic store still offers the $0.99 sale on chicken (usually drumsticks), and I might take advantage of that, next time.
DeleteHa, ha, yes, there's a reason why I keep the gas money at $50 each month! It give me a built-in padding at least 4 or 5 times a year to spend elsewhere as needed! Sometimes, it goes for a take out meal, sometimes, for a splurge at the Sri Lankan store, and, sometimes, to help out with the grocery budget!
My daughter would have preferred a chicken curry, but, this was easier and she has said that as long as she can't cook for herself (due to her foot injury), she will eat whatever I make and put in front of her. :D I do, still try to make the dishes she likes, so, there's chicken curry in the plan for this week.
That was a good deal on the chicken and definitely a chance to stock up. The raspberries were amazing with the coupon. You get some great deals.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. I was happy with the deals I got. :)
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