My Two Cents

Saturday, February 8, 2025

February Grocery Shopping - Part 2

I put in an order and picked up more groceries on Friday, February. 7. Only six days after the previous grocery pick up, but, we were out of half & half for my daughter's coffee and there were a couple of very good sales to take advantage of.

Here's the receipt with my comments in blue. I bought:

Total Savings: $64.15 (= $57.20 from sales discounts and coupons + $6.95 pick up fee which was waived)

Order Summary

Original Item Total$130.64

Item Coupons/Sales-$57.20

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Sales Tax$0.00

Order Total$73.44

Item Details

30 Items

CA Redem Val$0.10

1 x $0.10 each

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea$0.72

1.05 lbs x $0.68 each (approx.)

Heinz Tomato Ketchup, 38 oz$3.49

1 x $3.49 $6.79 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.30

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Hillshire Farm® Polska Kielbasa Smoked Sausage, 14 oz$8.97

3 x $2.99 $5.79 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.80

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Kroger® Grade AA Large Cage Free White Eggs, 12 ct$7.99

1 x $7.99 each

Kroger® Half & Half, 1 pt$2.69

1 x $2.69 each

Kroger® Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 oz (For Dancer)$10.00

10 x $1.00 $1.29 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.29

Mission® Soft Taco Flour Tortillas, 10 ct / 17.5 oz$1.79

1 x $1.79 $3.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.70

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Mott's® 100% Original Apple Juice, 64 fl oz$1.99

1 x $1.99 $4.79 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.80

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Private Selection® Pure Vanilla Extract, 2 fl oz$3.99

1 x $3.99 $6.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Quaker® Original Life® Cereal, 13 oz$2.98

2 x $1.49 $4.69 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.20

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.79

1 x $2.79 $2.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20

Red Baron Meat Trio Brick Oven Frozen Pizza, 18.22 oz$2.99

1 x $2.99 $6.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.50

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Red Baron Pepperoni Classic Crust Frozen Pizza, 20.60 oz$2.99

1 x $2.99 $6.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.50

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Simple Truth® Walnut Halves & Pieces, 12 oz$5.98

2 x $2.99 $8.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$5.00

Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 oz$13.98

2 x $6.99 $11.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

I paid a total of $73.44.

However, the tuna is for Dancer (he still has some of the cans I bought earlier, but, this was a good sale at $1 per can, so, I stocked up)

My grocery total, minus the $10 for Dancer's tuna, came to $63.44.

My February grocery budget is $184.55 (after deducting what I overspent in January).

Spent to date: $60.21 (2/1/25) + $63.44 (2/7/25) = $123.65

Balance left: $60.90

In other words, I have spent 66% of my February budget in only the first week!

Of course, part of it is because I stocked up on certain items that were on sale, some of which, such as the smoked sausages, will last well beyond February.

I am not too concerned at this point. If I go over February's budget, I can "borrow" from the March budget. However, I will strive to keep to the budget I have set for ourselves, and not go over. I am still testing the theory that I can feed two people for $200 a month and still allow for some treats and splurges.

Obviously, this is not a grocery shopping order based on meals for the coming week. There are no vegetables or fruit, other than the bananas. That's because I still have vegetables and fruit in the fridge, plus the fresh oranges and lemons from the garden. I will do a separate meal planning post.

As always, I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online and pick up/have them brought to the car
- The availability of the items I want (especially the eggs; M said he went to two stores and they were out of eggs, he eventually bought some from a farmer's market)
- Being able to afford groceries
- Being able to go over budget, if needed
- Being able to take advantage of sales and stock up

Have you gone grocery shopping in February, yet? Are you finding some good sales?

Friday

Friday Sunset

It rained in the early morning hours of Friday and the rest of the morning was rather overcast. But, we had some sunshine in the afternoon. Clouds were moving in later and the sunset was more or less hidden by them.

M texted in the early afternoon, stating that two of his Friday clients had cancelled today's visits (probably due to the rain) so he was headed over to tend to my garden, earlier than usual. I served him some of the muffins I had made and we chatted a bit. Today marks the 19th anniversary of my mother's death and M was the last person to see her alive. He had been tending to the garden, that day, too, and mother had come to the back door to ask how things were going and he had given her a thumbs up. Then, she had gone back inside the house and sat in her chair. M's aunt Katy, who was a neighbor, came over to check on my mother a short time later, and found her unresponsive, slumped over in her chair. It was M who called the paramedics and then, called me at work.

I ordered more groceries, today, and picked up the items in the early evening. I spent more than I should have, but, there were some good sales and I wanted to stock up. I will do a grocery post, later.

I picked up two frozen pizzas ($2.99 each) and daughter and I shared one for a late lunch/early dinner. The other will be frozen for another day.

I mended another wool sweater I had knitted - one of the sleeves had a cuff that was tearing. I unpicked the cuff part way and reknitted it. Luckily, I had leftover wool from that sweater, so you can't see the mending. I have another sweater with a sleeve that is starting to tear along the inner edge, near the wrist, so that's another one I will have to mend. But, I don't have any matching wool, so, I'll have to do some visible mending and make it look intentional!

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being my mother's daughter
- M's help with the garden
- Being able to order groceries online and have them brought to the car
- Pleasant store workers
- A safe drive to the grocery store and back

Today's joyful activities included remembering my mother.

How was your Friday? What are your plans for the weekend?

Friday, February 7, 2025

Rain on Thursday, Too

Banana-Blueberry-Walnut Muffins

Rainy days inspire me to bake. There were two bananas that were getting over-ripe and I decided to make banana nut muffins with blueberries (homegrown frozen blueberries). Daughter and I shared some, warm from the oven and there are more for breakfasts or snacks over the next few days.

Thursday morning was overcast and cloudy. The forecast said there will be more rain and it arrived in the afternoon. Still mostly a drizzle, but, much later in the night, we had a fairly good shower of rain, accompanied by a flood alert!

A good friend of mine had mentioned a book she had borrowed from her church library and it sounded like something I would like to read. So, last week, I put in a request for the book and on Thursday, I received an email that the book had come in and was being held for me at the local branch library. I drove to the library on Thursday afternoon and picked up my book. The library parking lot was full and it didn't help that two luxury cars had parked straddling the lines so that they each took up two spaces. I had to go around the block three times before a spot opened up! There was no parking on the side roads, either; otherwise, I would have parked there and walked to the library. Apparently, some group was offering free tax filing help in the library's community room and that's probably why the parking lot was full. Anyway, I picked up my book, looked at the new books display and the cart with the books they are selling (all books, including hardcover books, were priced at $0.25 each), and decided not to get any more books.

On the way home from the library, I picked up two hamburgers and a large order of fries to share with my daughter and a regular Oreo shake for her. I had coupons for them that were going to expire on the 10th of February. The hamburgers were 2 for $5 with the coupon, the large fries were $0.99, and the regular shake was $1.49, plus tax, of course. The cost of the meal was $21+ without the coupons; it was $8.19 including tax with the coupons. Daughter saved half of her hamburger to have for dinner (along with some leftover fried rice). I was too full for dinner and ate two banana muffins and grapes for dinner. Fresh oranges for snacks.

I did a load of laundry, mended a cardigan I had knitted several years ago (sewed on two buttons that had come off and darned a hole - visible mending since I no longer had any matching yarn, but, I don't mind that); spoke with Aunt C, friend R, and friend K (late neighbor T's daughter), exchanged emails with a friend, and watched the news and a documentary on one of the Public Broadcasting Services channels.

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- Public libraries and access to them
- Documentaries on PBS
- Keeping in touch with friends and family
- Spending time relaxing with my daughter

Thursday's joyful activity was going to the library.

Plans for Friday include tending to the garden with M.

How was your Thursday? What are your plans for Friday?

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Another Rainy Day

Rain Drops on Nasturtium Leaves

Wednesday was another rainy day! We had an atmospheric river known as the Pineapple Express (because it originates near Hawaii) bring about 0.24 inches of rain to my area of Los Angeles. It was a slow rain, more of a drizzle than a heavy downpour, but, it was good and much appreciated. There is more rain in the forecast for next week, as well. Any rain is a blessing!

M delayed his visit until early afternoon, by which time the rain had ceased although it was misty. He didn't need to water the plants; instead, he spent his time weeding and planting the rest of the succulents he had brought me earlier.

Today, I dusted the living room and tidied the dining area. I made fried rice for brunch and went off the meal plan for dinner, warming up a piece of cooked salmon I had in the freezer and cooking some rice and vegetables (carrots, broccoli, green beans) to go with it.

Aunt C called in the late afternoon and we had a nice chat.

Later in the afternoon, I took a nap.

Today, I am grateful for:

- The rain we received
- M's help with the garden
- A working heater
- Electricity and gas to run the appliances
- Afternoon naps

Today's joyful activity was picking oranges from the tree in the garden and picking lemons to make lemonade.

How was your day? What are your plans for tomorrow?

Thriving in January

Peach Blossom

My word of the year is "Thrive" and that's what I have been trying to do, although January was a difficult month for me, especially with the gale force winds and the wildfires. We weren't in immediate danger, but, at least one friend lost their home and, at my daughter's insistence, we prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice if needed. Fortunately, we didn't have to evacuate and the fires have all been contained now. However, it was an anxious time. In addition, there were other happenings, which were beyond my control, but, which still impacted me and which caused some consternation. Through it all, I was determined to be positive and to thrive. Did you know that the past tense of thrive can be either throve or thrived?

Since I didn't do a review of my monthly balanced life goals at the end of December or do any monthly goals for January, I thought I'd review January with thriving as my goal.

Spiritual:

Throughout January, especially during the first week or two, I continued to feel buoyed by the almsgiving which was held at the end of December. I kept my spiritual side thriving with daily prayers, meditation, and doing my best to live my life according to the teachings of my religion.

Daughter:

I have loved having my daughter home all of January. It is a joy and our relationship is thriving.

Health & Well Being:

While there is much room for improvement in this area of my life, my follow-up lab test results have been good. As a result, I feel quite positive about this area of my life.

Family, Friends, & Community:

I have kept in touch with family by phone, video chats, texts, etc., speaking with my sister, cousins, and aunts. I've spoken on the phone and exchanged texts and emails with some friends and other friends have visited, bringing me gifts of food. I did receive the sad news that my former neighbor and friend T had passed away on New Year's Day. I also visited my neighbor S and her daughters in January and participated in the blogging community. I'm pleased with the amount of interaction with my family, friends, and community, in January. I think this area of my life is thriving.

Finances:

For the most part, I have done well managing my finances, in January. I did go over the grocery budget, by a little over $15. Nevertheless, this is another area in which I feel I've thrived.

Time Management:

As usual, another area with room for improvement! I am afraid that I did not thrive in this area of my life! I've procrastinated on many fronts and I need to really get a grip on myself and manage my time better.

Leisure/Hobbies/Crafting:

I have enjoyed lots of leisure time this month. I finished crocheting a blanket and I've read a few e-books I borrowed from the library. I did want to do more crafting in January, but, somehow, I didn't. So, there's room for improvement in this area of my life.

House:

I am deeply grateful that my house was undamaged during the winds and the fires. I am very thankful that I still have my house. I was ready to ;eave everything behind and evacuate it if needed and the fact that I didn't need to means a lot to me. It might not be the biggest house or the most beautifully decorated and maintained residence, but, it is my home. I am determined to make my home a place where my daughter and I can thrive.

Garden:

The garden in January is thriving in its own way. Most of the fruit trees are dormant, right now, but, I'm picking lemons and oranges almost daily and enjoying fresh lemonade and fresh oranges. We've had one day of rain which was very welcome and there's another shower of rain in the forecast, so, the garden is thriving.

All in all, the month of January was challenging and I admit to struggling a bit. However, I tried to thrive in small ways.

How was your January?

Sunday, February 2, 2025

February Meal Planning

Curried Chicken Fried Rice
(Leftover curried chicken, leftover rice, grated
carrots, shredded cabbage, roasted peanuts)

January meal planning was a bit hit or miss, but, it is a new month and I am determined to do better this month.

As most of you know, I meal plan based on what I have on hand and that week's sales. I rarely make a meal plan and then, buy things specifically for that meal plan. That usually happens maybe twice each year - for Thanksgiving and for the almsgiving. The rest of the year, I meal plan based on what's available. I've heard it being called reverse meal planning, but, it's what I've done all along.

Chicken is usually the cheapest meat, so that's what I usually buy. Sometimes, I will buy pork if it is on a good sale, especially when daughter is home, as she has been told by her doctor to eat more red meat. I don't buy a lot of beef as it is very expensive.

However, ground beef was on "sale" for $4.99/lb., which is the cheapest I've seen in a long time, and so I bought a pound of it, last week. This week, beef chuck roast was on sale for $5.98/lb. and I purchased a 2 lb. chuck roast. The last time I had bought beef was on July 3, 2024, when I bought a 3 lb. chuck roast at $6.99/lb.

So, this week, I will be cooking both ground beef and the chuck roast and freezing some of it.

February Week 1 Meal Plan (2/1 - 2/7):

Brunches: Milkrice with sambols (Saturday and Sunday); eggs, sausages, toast; peanut butter sandwiches with bananas, French toast; oatmeal; pancakes with sausages

Dinners: Leftover fried rice (Saturday); beef curry with rice and vegetables; ground beef with potatoes and vegetables; beef stir fry with vegetables over rice; leftovers.

Snacks/Desserts: Fresh fruit; smoothies; bread pudding and/or banana muffins; cereal and milk; peanut butter toast; yogurt; cheetos

That's the plan; we shall see how it works out.

How about you? Do you have a meal plan for the first week of February?

February Grocery Shopping - Part 1

I ordered and picked up some groceries on Saturday, February 1. The price of eggs have come down by $1.00 and I knew I had to get another dozen before the price went back up, again.

Here's a look at my receipt:

Order Summary

Original Item Total$105.52

Item Coupons/Sales-$40.46

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Other Fees+$0.10

Sales Tax+$0.47

Order Total$65.63

Item Details

24 Items

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks XXTRA Flamin' Hot Flavored 8.5 Oz, 8.5 oz$5.00

2 x $2.50 $5.89 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.39

Cheetos® Crunchy Cheese Chips, 8.5 oz$5.00

2 x $2.50 $5.89 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.39

Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride in Regular Flavor, 4 oz$1.98

2 x $0.99 $2.79 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.30

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Colgate Triple Action Toothpaste with Mint Flavor, 4 oz$2.97

3 x $0.99 $2.79 each (approx.)

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.30

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea$0.39

0.57 lbs x $0.68 each (approx.)

Fresh Strawberries, 1 lb$5.98

2 x $2.99 $4.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Green White Seedless Grapes, 1 lb$4.41

1.97 lbs x $2.23 $3.49 each (approx.)

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.97

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Kroger® Choice Beef In-Store Cut Chuck Roast, 1 lb$15.63

2.61 lbs x $5.98 $8.99 each (approx.)

Item Coupon/Sale: -$7.83

Kroger® Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 oz$1.49

1 x $1.49 $2.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Kroger® Grade AA Large Cage Free White Eggs, 12 ct$7.99

1 x $7.99 each

Kroger® Half & Half, 1 pt$2.69

1 x $2.69 each

Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$2.49

1 x $2.49 each

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.79

1 x $2.79 $2.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20

StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water Can, 5 oz$5.00

4 x $1.25 $1.59 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.34

Van Camp's® Pork and Beans in Tomato Sauce, 15 oz$1.25

1 x $1.25 $1.79 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.54

Other Fees

$0.10

Bag Fee$0.10

1 x $0.10 each

The bill came to a total of $65.63.

Of which, $5,42 is for the tooth paste (5 x $0.99 = $4.95 + $0.47 tax = $5.42) and is not part of the grocery budget.

I will keep the cans of tuna as groceries, this time around.

So, total paid for groceries including snacks = $60.21

My February grocery budget is $200. Of which I had already spent $15.45 in January, leaving me with $184.55 available to spend in February.

Balance left in the February budget = $184.55 - $60.21 = $124.34

All I can say is, it's a good thing that February is a shorter month!