I put in an order for groceries on Saturday and it was delivered today (Sunday). This time there were a few mishaps because I was not diligent about specifying no substitutions on sales items. It didn't use to be a problem when the store would substitute for an out of stock item with a similar item and charge the lower amount, whichever that might be. But, now, the store charges the price of the substituted item, which is often higher than the sale priced item I had ordered. I forgot to specify no substitutions on this order and so, substitutions were made. I did receive text messages when items were substituted and I texted back to indicate if I did or didn't want the substitution. I approved of the substitution for the salmon (the salmon fillet on sale for $9.99/lb. was not available and I said yes to the center cut salmon at $10.99/lb.). However, the shopper forgot to return the substituted cans of condensed milk (I wanted the brand that was on sale for $2.49/can) and they were included in the shopping. As a result, I went over my budgeted amount, but, that's a lesson learned and I'll be more diligent to specify no substitutions, next time.
Here's the receipt:
Order Summary
Item Details
15 Items
Total = $58.21
My March grocery budget: $250 + $73.64 carried over from February = $323.64
Total spent to date: $69.63 + $57.54 + $56.93 + $85.03 + $58.21 = $327.34
Balance left = -$3.70
Oops! I went over the budget! I will be deducting that $3.70 from my April grocery budget of $250.
Later in the evening, on Sunday, I did some cooking and baking. I cooked the salmon, a beef roast, devilled beef, and kept aside the rest of the beef to marinate for a beef curry. I also baked some banana muffins to have as snacks over the week.
March Week 4 Meal Plan Options:
Brunches: Bagels with butter or cream cheese, scrambled eggs and toast, tuna salad sandwiches French toast or pancakes, milkrice with seeni sambol or curry or jaggery (onWednesday, April 1), garden salads; roast beef sandwiches
Dinners: Sauteed salmon with rice, green beans, peach chutney; Devilled beef with rice, green beans, cucumber salad; beef curry with rice, green beans, peach chutney; Roast beef with mashed potatoes and carrots, green peas or salad; leftovers
Snacks/Desserts: Pumpkin Spice Banana muffins (made from a mix a friend gave me as a gift), fresh fruit, Sri Lankan sweets, crackers, cereal,etc.
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| Pumpkin Spice Banana Muffins |
March has been a heavier month for me as I have had so many good offers on items we use a lot, so have taken advantage of these and bought multiples. My weekly average for the year so far is £97 ($128) but I do buy nearly all organic and that makes a big difference on some foods and of course our ever increasing prices in UK may be a lot higher than yours for some foods. As ever I think we are all striving to keep the prices down as much as we can, in anyway we can. I do make a menu plan, sometimes it even goes to plan!!
ReplyDeleteHi Vivien, yes, buying mostly organic food items does cost more, but it's better for you, isn't it? Our food prices are going up, too, but, I try to buy things only when they are on sale and that helps to keep the costs down. I'm glad to hear that your meals go according to plan, sometimes! LOL.
DeleteThose muffins look yummy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. They were pretty tasty. :)
DeleteThose muffins look delicious! The substitutions are one of the reasons I don't have my shopping delivered, as it just wouldn't work with Lily's diet restrictions. Anyway, I always shop with a list and it doesn't really take me too long. I'm happy to say that I'm on plan this week, even though I'm off work :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules; the muffins are quite delicious. Yes, if someone has dietary restrictions, then, substitutions can be quite a problem. In my case, the substitutions turned out to be a bit of a problem only where prices and my budget were concerned. And I will know, in the future, to specify no substitutions.
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