I put in an order of groceries on Saturday and picked up the items in the afternoon. This was more of a stock up grocery shopping order, partly because I like to stock up on various things on a quarterly basis (although I don't buy the same things each quarter).
Flour was on sale for $2.99 for 5 lbs., which was $0.20 cheaper than the regular price - not much of a sale, but, as I mentioned to one of my friends, 20 cents saved is 20 cents gained! I bought two packages of flour.
I also thought that it would be prudent to stock up on another bag of rice as I had recently opened a bag I had in the pantry. Rice is a staple in my house and we go through quite a bit of it. I usually buy regular, long grain white rice, and the package doesn't state a country of origin, but, I thought I will stock up on it before any price increases go into effect.
In addition, I wanted to get some sugar and vinegar in preparation for making jam and chutney when the peaches ripen this summer (I will get the other items needed for chutney making, such as chili powder, mustard, ginger and garlic) over the next few months.
I also took advantage of a sale on soda and, since canned tuna was still priced at $1 per can, I stocked up on that, too.
I bought:
Item Details
25 Items
My total came to $55.07
My April budget is $100 + $8.54 carried over from March = $108.54
Yes, I went back to $100 per month because my daughter left home on Thursday. So, it's back to feeding one person for $100 per month. I did debate keeping the budget at $200 in April to have some extra money to stock up, but, decided not to. I might live to regret that decision, especially since I've already spent over half of the monthly budget during this first week!
The question is, can I feed myself on the balance $53.47 left in the grocery budget for the rest of April and still eat some fairly well balanced meals? What do you think?
The house must seem very quiet since your daughter left. I think you and Dancer can stay in budget and eat well this month.
ReplyDeleteYes, the house is rather quiet since she left. Thank you for the vote of confidence! I do realize that I'd have a lot more money in the grocery budget if I don't buy sodas and other snacks, but, I do buy them and I am being quite honest about it and including them in the spending.
DeleteI'm sure you will find good items in the freezer to supplement your remaining balance for groceries. Dancer will probably say, "just keep the tuna coming!"
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I do have a few things in the freezer and pantry that I am planning to use to supplement my remaining balance, this month. My meal planning for the rest of the month will reflect that, I think. Dancer is confident that his tuna will be there for him! LOL.
DeleteI imagine it's quite quiet in the house with your daughter gone. She has been with you a long time! You're really good at budgeting and you always have a lovely variety of meals, I'm sure you'll do really well!
ReplyDeleteYes, the house is rather quiet without my daughter, although she is generally very considerate and puts on her earphones when she is listening to her music or watching her shows and I try to do the same. She was with me for 5 months, this time!
DeleteThank you! I am going to do my best to stay within budget and I will post some of my more frugal recipes in the days and weeks to come to show how I will do that. :)
I imagine your house feels very quiet, now that your daughter has gone home, and you might find yourself still cooking for two.
ReplyDeleteI also go through quite a lot of rice, but I'm not sure how our prices compare, so I'll have to check. I'm off track with my meal planning now, but it's okay, as I'm off work for two weeks :)
The house is a bit quiet without my daughter, but, I am making up for it by playing my music out loud (we both wear headphones to listen to music and our shows when we are home together) and singing along (often off-key, according to my daughter)! :D
DeleteOh, I do hope you have a wonderful two weeks off work! I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.
That's a good price on the soda. Was it the name brand soda or the store brand? Soda has gotten so expensive and the only way I buy it is when there is a good stocking up price. I have one soda a day and do enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI have faith you will manage just fine with your limited budget this month. Why? Because when you are cooking just for yourself you are more free to ad-lib your meals and you are really really good at that. lol
You are wise to stock up when you can. Several things have been out of stock at our Aldi's.
The organic eggs I like were finally back on the shelves yesterday - and for less money as they are now $5.49 down from $6.59 when I last bought them on 3/12.
They are still out of their store brand coffee which I believe is imported from South America. We substituted with another line they carry (no info on country of origin) we like this coffee but it's more expensive.
I know you like to hear about pricing so their store brand coffee last I bought it (3/4) was $9.89 for a 24.2oz can so roughly $6.54 a pound.
This coffee had gone up a lot over the last few months but still a bargain when you look at coffee prices in general. My husband drinks it and he says it's fine so it's what we normally get.
The coffee we substituted was $5.19 for a 12 oz bag so $6.92 lb. I find that price fine too. How much is the coffee your daughter drinks? I know you stock up on that when it's on sale.
I mainly drink tea but I like to make a coffee with decaf instant coffee every afternoon - I also get at Aldi's. I prefer the Nescafe instant decaf but when not on sale it is between $10 & $11 a jar. Aldi's decaf is only $4.45 (up from $3.99) so I get that. Honestly by the time I add my heaping spoon of cocoa powder, a little sugar and cream (homemade mochas!) it's hard to distinguish the coffees. hahaha
Anyway, that's the news on coffee pricing here in New England. lol
Thank you, Debra. What a lovely, informative comment!
DeleteI love it!
Sometimes, I feel that I am the only one who buys and drinks soda these days! I know it's not good for me (too much sugar - but, I don't like diet versions - I've tried them as recently as a couple of months ago - and I've read that the body's reaction to artificial sweeteners is similar to its reaction to sugar). But, I often feel nauseated as a side effect of some of my prescription medications, and when that happens, I find that drinking a little soda helps. Maybe it's psychological, a placebo effect, if you will, but, it works. I do enjoy drinking soda, otherwise, too, but, I try to limit it. I generally buy lemon-lime flavored soda - this time it was 7-Up and I also bought some Coca-Cola Classic for a change (my daughter likes it). I buy the bottles because I can reclose them so that the soda doesn't get flat before I can finish it (dislike flat soda just as much as I dislike diet sodas).
I enjoyed reading about your coffee prices. I no longer drink coffee, just my tea. But, daughter wants her coffee. The last time I bought my daughter's coffee on sale (in February), it was $6.99/12 oz. bag, with a digital coupon. The next time it went on sale, more recently, it was priced at $7.49/12 oz. and I didn't buy! It is currently "on sale" for $9.99! Reg. price is $11.99. I have enough of a stock of coffee on hand for her for a couple of months when she next comes home, but, at the rate things are going, I might buy more when it is next on sale with a digital coupon. :)