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| Receipt (9/30/25) |
I've grocery shopped four times, so far, this month. The first shopping trip was to the Armenian grocery store to take advantage of their one day only sale of pork chops for $1.99/lb. Although I shopped on September 30, I'm counting it as part of my October grocery spending.
I bought:
Strawberries, 2 lbs. @ $1.50 = $3.00
Tangerines, 1.55 lb. @ $0.78/lb. = $1.22
Lettuce @ 2/$0.99 = $0.50
8 pork chops @ $1.99/lb. = $7.13
Total = $11.85
The next shopping trip was an order and pick up from the regular supermarket on October 1. I was planning to take advantage of daughter's coffee being on sale as part of a "buy 5 or more, get $1 off each item" deal. I actually ordered 6 packages of coffee, 2 each from three different varieties, but, the store claimed that they couldn't find two of the coffee packages I ordered (and they didn't offer substitutes), so, I didn't receive the discount. I was not very happy about that, but, that was my fault for not shopping in person.
I bought:
I spent a total of $37.65 for groceries and the bag fee.
In addition to groceries, I also bought two pairs of reusable latex gloves, store brand, for $2.79 a pair; which came to $5.58 + $0.54 sales tax.
I did another order and pick up on October 5; I bought:
I spent $47.54 which includes $1.86 sales taxes (on the sodas) as well as deposit fees and a bag fee.
And finally, on October 14, I did another grocery order and pick up! I bought:
I had also ordered a 1/2 gallon of half and half for daughter's coffee and the store texted that they were unable to fulfill that particular order and did not offer a substitute. I tried to call the store's "click and pick up" department, but, couldn't get through to a person. So, when I went to pick up the items, I mentioned it to the store clerk who brought out the groceries to me and asked if I could get a quart of half and half since they were out of the half gallon and he went back to the store and brought me two of the quart sized containers (which added up to half gallon, of course). I tried to pay for them, separately, but, he waived aside the payment. So, I received the half and half free of charge, which more than made up for not getting the multi-buy discount on the coffee, earlier in the month! As I mentioned to one of my friends, you win some and you lose some and it all evens out in the end!
I spent $24.73 on groceries, on this shopping trip. In addition, I bought some antacid tablets and some cat food for Dancer, which I don't include as part of my grocery budget.
In addition to groceries, I've purchased some snacks and treats, including two baguettes ($3.99 each) from a French bakery, while out and about with daughter, but, I am going to consider those as "eating out/getting food to go" treats and not part of the grocery budget. Which might be cheating, because I do count snacks as part of my grocery spending if I buy them at the grocery store. But, my budget, my rules! LOL.
My October grocery budget (for food only) = $250
Spent to date: $11.85 + $37.65 + $47.54 + $24.73 = $121.77
Balance left = $128.23
I think I am at a good point with my grocery spending for this month, with half the month over and just under half my grocery budget spent.
What do you think?
You've done well. I think I need to be more careful with my spending this month. I've just paid a vets bill for Mog, and that's before her annual vaccinations in November.
ReplyDeleteA meal plan is needed, here, for the week ahead. I'm currently procrastinaing, but I know it makes a huge difference during the working week, so it must be done :)
Thank you, Jules. I was a little worried that I was shopping too often, but, it seems to have worked out.
DeleteThose vet bills are a concern, aren't they? I hope Mog is doing well, though.
I hope you are able to come up with a meal plan for the week ahead. Maybe Lily can help with ideas. :)
Wow you've done really well. I'm finding it quite difficult. I really need to shop around more and go different places.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I'm sorry you are finding it difficult; grocery prices are going up steadily in all parts of the country, aren't they? I've been watching some videos online of what people are paying for groceries and it's quite shocking. Even when things are on sale, they cost more than they did a year ago. I wait for things to go on sale, but, things like fresh produce, bread, and milk are things one needs every day, not just when they go on sale.
DeleteYou did very well 👏 👌 👍 ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. It's a bit of a challenge to get the best deals for my money, but, I enjoy the challenge. :)
DeleteI'm amazed at the price of your pork chops! I paid over $6 for 3 boneless ones last time I shopped for them. Your bananas are much cheaper, too. I guess they don't have to travel as far! I like your idea, "my budget, my rules!" It really is up to us, what we decide to buy.
ReplyDeleteThe pork chops I bought had the bone in and they were at that price for just that one day at the ethnic store; otherwise, they are about $2.99/lb. I just checked the price of boneless pork chops at the regular supermarket and they range from $4.99/lb. to $6.99/lb., depending on the cut (center cut vs loin cut) and the size of the pack (regular packs, with about 4 chops, priced $5.99/lb., value pack for the same cut, with about 6 chops per pack, priced $4.99/lb.) and a different cut at $6.99/lb. I generally wait until the pork chops go on sale at the ethnic store to buy them.
DeleteThe bananas are about the same price at both the ethnic store and the supermarket.
Thank you, Bushlady. :)
Hello Bless and thank you for your kind visit and message on my blog. I really appreciate it. I must say your food prices are much better than mine in America at the moment...Have a great evening!
ReplyDeleteHello e. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and commenting. I truly didn't expect you to do so as I'm sure you've lots of things to attend to right now.
DeleteI live in southern California, in a high cost of living area. But, I try to grocery shop when things are on sale, taking advantage of loss leaders, digital coupons, and multi-buy offers, etc. whenever possible. My grocery budget is only for food for my daughter and me. I don't include pet food, household products such as paper towels, toilet paper, and laundry detergent, and toiletries such as shampoo and soap in my grocery budget. It's a bit of a challenge to stick to the budget and sometimes, I go over, but, I enjoy that challenge. :)
I'm always amazed at how you stay in your budget even though the prices don't seem especially good. That's a testament to your careful shopping.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. Yes, careful shopping is the key. As you know, I try to shop the sales and I stock up when possible. I do splurge from time to time, but, I try to watch my pennies for the most part. :)
DeleteYou're doing really well for 1/2 way through October.
ReplyDeleteSomething like that coffee situation can throw a wrench in your planning so I was glad to see the free 1/2 &1/2 balance that out - as you said.
It always seems like I'm ahead of my halfway spending mark come the middle of the month but you are good about staying in line.
Thank you, Debra. I am happy with where I am with my spending on groceries, so far. I have just checked this upcoming week's grocery ads for the supermarket where I order groceries for pick up and they are giving some good deals, including chicken at $0.99/lb.
DeleteMaybe you are finding that there are better deals towards the start of the month in your area? In which case it makes sense to stock up then, knowing you can adjust the spending during the rest of the month.