Ah, August. I had good intentions to lower the grocery bill, and then I totally didn’t. But we did eat out less often and have more snacks at home, so that’s still progress in the overall budget.
Here’s what we spent on groceries and household items, and our meal plans for the month. We mostly stuck to these, although occasionally we had more leftovers than expected, or we ended up eating out. #RealLife.
Also, remember that we are feeding 6 people (plus formula and baby food from WIC for Sarah), and we spend a lot of time at home. What works for us may not work for you. But hopefully it gives you some ideas of how to feed a family on a budget!
Thursday, August 2 – Aldi $100.79
Beginning of the month shopping trip. Most of the food for the first part of the month.
- Orange juice x2 $1.99 each
- Chocolate chips (24 oz.) $2.79
- Eggs (1 dozen) x4 $1.04 each
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Bacon (1 lb.) $3.79
- Chicken breast (3.37 lbs.) $6.69
- Bread $1.49
- Frozen berry mix $2.99
- Frozen peas (16 oz.) x2 $0.95 each
- Frozen green beans (12 oz.) x2 $0.79 each
- Frozen tater tots $1.65
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) $0.95
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x6 $1.69 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.79
- Cumin $1.19
- Butter (1 lb.) x2 $2.33 each
- Canned tomato sauce (8 oz.) x2 $0.25 each
- Canned diced tomatoes x2 $0.45 each
- Bottle iced coffee x4 $1.19 each
- Canned tomato paste $0.39
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x3 $1.49 each
- Sliced hame $3.19
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $2.48
- Coconut oil $4.49
- Spinach $1.49
- Gluten free spaghetti $1.89
- Gluten free rotini $2.99
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.49
- Potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Green peppers (3 pack) x 2 $0.99 each
- Bagged Italian salad mix x2 $1.99 each
- Carrots (2 lbs.) $0.99
- Bagged Southwest salad kit x2 $2.49 each
- Bananas (7.78 lbs.) $3.26
- Sales tax $0.39
Friday, August 3 – H-E-B $25.29 and $125.25 WIC
This was a trip to pick up WIC items and things that Aldi didn’t have the day before, plus a few treats that got thrown into the cart.
- Little Debbie peanut butter bars $1.98
- Ben & Jerry’s ice cream $3.68
- Whole chicken $5.70
- Brown rice (2 lbs.) $1.20
- Seattle’s Best coffee $4.48
- Corn meal $1.24
- Hello Panda cookies x2 $1.88 each
- Baby wipes (3 pack) $3.00 with store coupon
- Colby cheese (16 oz.) $3.42 (WIC)
- Dannon yogurt (32 oz.) $2.48 (WIC – I found plain this time!)
- Similac formula x7 $16.77 each (WIC)
- Sales tax $0.25
Monday, August 6 – H-E-B $40.06 and $12.93 WIC
Fill in trip for produce and treats.
- Tomatoes (4 pack) x2 $0.98 each (WIC)
- Mini peppers (1 lb.) x2 $2.78 each
- Bagged Romaine $1.98 (WIC)
- Spinach $1.38 (WIC)
- Sweet kale salad $3.53
- Yogurt x4 $0.35 each
- Kind bar minis (10 pack) x2 $5.98 each (I didn’t realize these were mini bars – I thought they were full sized)
- Blue Bell ice cream (half gallon) $5.88
- Mini marshmallows $1.08
- Bread (16 oz.) x2 $1.58 each (WIC)
- Eggs (1 dozen) x3 $1.25 each (1 WIC)
- Bananas (5.33 lbs.) $1.81 (partially WIC)
- Chips x2 $1.49 each
- Ground sausage (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Milk (gallon) $2.48 (WIC)
Menu for first part of August, using the groceries listed above
Wednesday, August 1
Breakfast: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins (one and a half batches)
Lunch: Leftover Chicken and Rice Soup, Coconut Flour Biscuits
Dinner: Veggie Spaghetti
Thursday, August 2
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Egg Salad Tortillas for kids, Leftovers for adults
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Friday, August 3
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Cobb Salads
Dinner: Homemade Pizzas – Gluten free veggie and flour crust BBQ chicken
Saturday, August 4
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Chicken Fajita Salads (this mix over greens)
Dinner: Instant Pot Lentil Dinner
Sunday, August 5
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/leftovers
Dinner: Salmon, Garlic Butter Rice, Veggies
Monday, August 6
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Tamale Pie
Tuesday, August 7
Breakfast: Gluten Free Double Chocolate Muffins from here
Lunch: Gluten Free Tater Tot Casserole x2 (recipe currently testing)
Dinner: Mini Pepper Nachos with chicken and black beans
Wednesday, August 8
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Leftover Tater Tot Casserole
Dinner: Toscana Soup
Thursday, August 9
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Southwest Salads (similar to this but without the dressing)
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with Veggies and Cheese
Friday, August 10
Breakfast: Yogurt and Honey Nut Granola
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac & Cheese
Dinner: Homemade Pizzas
Saturday, August 11
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: BLTs, chips, fruit
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Sunday, August 12
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Sausage Spinach Skillet
Saturday – August 11 – Farmer’s Market $20 + $20 produce match from the market
We checked out the Farmer’s Market for the first time. There was not a ton of produce yet, but lots of yummy smelling treats! The market was also doing matching up to $20 for produce for low-income people so we did that too.
- Onions x 1 basket $3.00
- Yellow squash x 2 baskets $3.00 and $4.00
- Peaches x 2 baskets $5.00 each
- Local raw honey (32 oz.) $20 (hoping to work on my allergies with some local honey daily, although it may be too late in the year for this year)
Monday, August 13 – Aldi $181.11
The kids have recently hit I feel like the next level of eating. I’ve had to increase serving sizes of meals and they’re always wanting snacks. Maybe it’s growth spurts. Maybe it’s just summer. Whatever it is, the grocery bill is showing it.
- Yogurt (32 oz.) x2 $1.69 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x9 $1.69 each
- Ham lunch meat $3.19
- Sugar (4 lbs.) $1.09
- Salt $0.39
- Butter (1 lb.) x3 $2.33 each
- Whole chicken $5.36
- Mozzarella cheese (8 oz.) $1.69
- Chicken breast (4.04 lbs.) $6.83
- Orange juice x2 $1.99 each
- Sour cream (16 oz.) x2 $0.99 each
- Tortilla chipes $0.89
- Cinnamon Crunch cereal $1.39
- Honey Crunch cereal $1.29
- Cocoa Rice cereal $1.45
- Pistachios x3 $4.49 each
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x4 $1.29 each
- Blue Bell ice cream (half gallon) $5.85
- Potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Canned diced tomatoes x3 $0.45 each
- Canned tomato paste $0.39
- Canned crushed tomatoes x3 $0.79 each
- Canned tomato sauce $0.25
- Hello Panda cookies x2 $0.99 each
- Chocolate bars x4 $1.49 each
- Pecans $5.59
- Flax seed $2.69
- Gluten free rotini x2 $2.99 each
- Almonds $2.89
- Brown sugar $1.29
- Carrots (2 lbs.) $0.99
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x3 $2.49 each
- Chocolate chips (24 oz.) $2.79
- Bagged Italian salad $1.99
- Kale salad kit $2.49
- Cream cheese (8 oz.) x2 $0.79 each
- Bagged spinach $1.19 (I’ve decided to start getting this at HEB from here on out, because it’s pretty torn and beat up and goes bad super fast)
- Trail mix $4.89
- Gluten free crackers $1.99
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.49
- Green peppers (3 pack) x3 $1.29 each
- Garlic (3 pack) $0.99
- Corn tortillas (30 ct.) $0.89
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $1.29
- Wheat crackers x2 $1.19 each
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.49
- Oranges (3 lbs.) $3.49
- Fuji apples (3 lbs.) $2.79
- Bananas (5.31 lbs.) $1.97
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) $0.95
- Frozen strawberries (16 oz.) $2.09
- Gluten free bread $3.99
- Eggs (1 dozen) x5 $1.06 each
- Wheat bread x2 $1.49 each
- Avocados x2 $0.49 each
- Blueberries $1.49
Tuesday, August 14 – H-E-B $62.54 and $11.32 WIC
To get more snacks and things that Aldi didn’t have the day before.
- Kashi bars x3 $2.98 each
- Peanuts $4.98
- French dressing $1.42 (for my kid who doesn’t like ranch)
- Canned coconut milk x3 $1.98 each
- Canned green chiles x2 $0.75 each
- Ranch dressing $2.64
- Butternut squash (3.34 lbs.) $3.94
- Apple juice x2 $1.19 each (WIC)
- Canned black olives x3 $1.38 each
- Complete Cookie (6 pack) $8.49
- Honey Bunches of Oats Vanilla cereal (18 oz.) $3.28 (WIC)
- Sweet potatoes (0.79 lbs.) $0.77
- Brown rice (2 lbs.) $1.20
- Gum 3 pack $2.24
- Lemon $0.44
- Trail mix bars (18 pack) $5.28 (these have wheat flakes in them, so they’re just for the kids)
- Tom’s kids toothpaste $2.97
- Multigrain Cheerios cereal (18 oz.) $3.18 (WIC)
- Complete Cookie singles x2 $1.64 each
- Ground beef 73/27 (1 lb.) $2.97 – free with register coupon from last time
- Gluten free flour $3.97
- Milk (gallon) $2.48 (WIC)
- Ground coriander from the bulk spices (0.03 lbs.) $0.15 (and then I discovered I had coriander already…oops!)
- Sales tax $0.25
Thursday, August 16 – Target $12.98
Celebratory trip for treats because I got a job!
- Godiva Masterpieces dark chocolate candy $2.99
- Udi’s gluten free frozen pizza $9.99
Thursday, August 16 – Aldi $11.07
I was nearby and grabbed a couple things I didn’t realize I was almost out of when I did the big shopping.
- Syrup $6.29
- Old-fashioned oats x2 $2.39 each
Friday, August 17 – Target $20.36
Grabbed a couple household things while we were browsing for fun. Some of the kids also bought toys with their piggy bank money, but those aren’t included in my total.
- Painters tape $4.99 (we use this for the kids to hang pictures on the walls in their rooms)
- Vitamin C drops x2 $1.99 each
- Toilet paper 24 double rolls $11.39
Saturday, August 18 – Farmer’s Market $5.00 ($0.00 out of pocket)
It was grad student day, so Jesse got a free $5.00 voucher to use on anything. And then there were only like 2 booths with actual produce along with the 20-something ready-to-eat food booths. So we got peaches.
- Peaches $5.00
Monday, August 20 – H-E-B $29.40
Fill in grocery trip for mostly produce.
- Watermelon $3.87
- Cantaloupe $1.98
- Bananas (4 lbs.) $1.36
- Cucumber $0.39
- Red pepper $1.24
- Zucchini (16 oz.) $0.98
- Bagged Romaine lettuce $1.98
- Bagged lettuce shreds $1.57
- Cilantro $0.38
- Eggs (5 dozen) $5.67
- Bread (24 oz.) $1.49
- Complete Cookie (6 pack) $8.49 (for Jesse to keep in his office at school for snacks)
Monday, August 20 – Amazon $25.99
Diapers. I had a $10 gift card and there was a $2 coupon, so the total was lower than normal for a 246 pack of size 2 Huggies.
Menu for second part of August, using groceries listed above
Several recipes are from the new 100 Days of Real Food on a Budget cookbook, which I reviewed here.
Monday, August 13
Breakfast: Cereal/Yogurt and Granola that we had
Lunch: Cheesy Quinoa
Dinner: Gluten Free Tater Tot Casserole (recipe testing)
Tuesday, August 14
Breakfast: Peach Muffins and Lemon Blueberry Muffins from here
Lunch: Leftover Tater Tot Casserole
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Wednesday, August 15
Breakfast: Leftover Muffins
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Taco Salads
Thursday, August 16
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit
Dinner: Cheesy Eggplant Bake from 100 Days cookbook and gluten free pasta (but replacing eggplant with yellow squash, because we still had some from the farmer’s market and I couldn’t find eggplant at the store)
Friday, August 17
Breakfast: Yogurt and Honey Nut Granola
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Weeknight Tandoori Chicken
Saturday, August 18
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Baked Sweet Potato Taquitos from 100 Days cookbook
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, August 19
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/leftovers
Dinner: Unstuffed Squash with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Pears
Monday, August 20
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Slow Cooker Carrot Curry Soup from 100 Days cookbook and Grilled Cheese
Dinner: Tacos
Tuesday, August 21
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Asian Salad (dressing from 100 Days cookbook)
Dinner: Crockpot Mexican Chicken Chowder from here
Wednesday, August 22
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Leftover Mexican Chicken Chowder
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Thursday, August 23
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Bean and Mexi rice bowls
Dinner: Oatmeal Pancakes
Friday, August 24
Breakfast: Yogurt and Peanut Butter Cup Granola
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Dinner with my husband’s grad school department
Saturday, August 25
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Bean and Mexi rice bowls
Dinner: Veggie Spaghetti
Sunday, August 26
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Wednesday, August 22 – H-E-B $9.91 and $7.15 WIC
Guys, I almost ran out of coffee. So I picked up a few things to make soups for the freezer for easy lunches, and some baby food.
- Celery $0.88
- Spinach $2.28
- Coffee $4.48
- Lentils (16 oz.) x2 $0.92 each
- Canned diced tomatoes x3 $0.45 each
- Baby cereal (16 oz.) $4.14 WIC
- Baby cereal (8 oz.) $2.09 WIC
- Cereology cereal $2.98 (free with Buy Coffee, Get Free Cereal coupon on shelf)
Saturday, August 25 – H-E-B $28.71 in rewards points used ($0 out of pocket)
We decided we didn’t want to make lunch, so we used rewards points from H-E-B to buy lunch and random things.
- Bomb pops popsicles (12 ct.) $2.47
- Big Red soda (2 liter) $1.00
- Unicorn cereal $2.87
- Deli salami $1.88
- Deli ham $3.11
- Deli turkey $4.28
- Deli cheddar $1.68
- Chips x2 $1.98 each
- Bakery rolls (8 ct) 1.88
- Ben & Jerry’s ice cream $3.68
- M&Ms white chocolate $0.76
- Snickers king size $1.14
Monday, August 27 – Aldi $91.17
I feel like there’s not much difference between shopping for 1 week or 2 weeks sometimes. This is one of those times. 1 week’s worth of groceries, and I still spent about $100. But then I look back and see that we spent $181 on a previous 2-week shopping trip so maybe I’m just crazy. This is why I track these things – I obviously don’t remember!
- Green peppers (3 pack) x3 $1.29 each
- Butter (1 lb.) x2 $2.36 each
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) $0.95
- Kale salad kit $2.49
- Bagged Italian salad mix $1.99
- Candy bars x2 $1.49 each
- Trail mix $4.89
- Kleenex x2 $0.99
- Whole chicken $5.45
- Chicken breast (4.37 lbs.) $7.40
- Orange juice $1.99
- Old-fashioned oats x2 $2.39
- Bananas (4.47 lbs.) $1.65
- Zucchini $1.19
- Pistachios x2 $4.49 each
- Bread (24 oz.) $1.49
- Gluten free bread $3.99
- Eggs (1 dozen) x2 $1.06 each
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.49
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x2 $1.69 each
- Shredded Parmesan cheese $1.99
- Canned diced tomatoes x2 $0.45 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.79
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Yogurt (32 oz.) $1.69
- Extra virgin olive oil $2.99
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Watermelon $3.49
- Carrots (2 lbs.) $0.99
- Cinnamon $1.19
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.39
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x2 $1.49 each
- Sales tax $0.16
Tuesday, August 28 – H-E-B $13.36 and $33.28 WIC
To get the things Aldi didn’t have the day before plus baby food jars.
- Corn starch $0.89
- Milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Brown rice (2 lbs.) $1.25
- Frozen tater tots $2.58
- Frozen green beans (16 oz.) $1.28
- Craisins $5.48
- Unbleached all-purpose flour (5 lbs.) $1.88
- 32 baby food jars $30.80 (WIC)
Menu plan for the end of August/beginning of September
Monday, August 27
Breakfast: Eggs and toast
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Easy Tamale Pie
Tuesday, August 28
Breakfast: Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Muffins from here
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Baked potatoes with veggies and cheese
Wednesday, August 29
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Chicken Salad Bar
Dinner: Gluten Free Tater Tot Lentil Turkey Casserole (to photograph for a future blog post)
Thursday, August 30
Breakfast: Eggs and toast
Lunch: Leftover tater tot casserole
Dinner: White Chicken Lasagna Soup
Friday, August 31
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Leftover lasagna soup
Dinner: Homemade pizzas
Saturday, September 1
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Cheesy Chicken Quinoa
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Sunday, September 2
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Crockpot Italian Chicken and Veggies (recipe testing)
So how did we do?
Total out of pocket: $644.03
Total WIC: $189.93
HEB Rewards: $28.71
Farmers’ Market Matching: $20.00
Farmers’ Market Grad Student Voucher: $5.00
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