December was a busy month, and I was really starting to feel the rut of meal planning the same breakfasts and a bunch of the same dinners repeated. But since it was so busy, we just stuck with it, knowing that we would get some meals out toward the end of the month, and we would have more variety with new recipes coming in January.
Here’s what we bought and what we planned for meals.
Monday, December 3: Aldi $130.18
Beginning of the month groceries. Not quite as big of a shopping trip as we normally do right away, because I stocked up on a few things the last week in November.
- Rice Chex cereal $1.79
- Almond bark x2 $2.69 each
- Holiday sprinkles $2.99
- Chocolate chips x2 $1.69 each
- Chips $0.99
- Wheat bread $1.49
- Cocoa rice cereal $1.45
- Frosted flakes cereal $1.39
- Old fashioned oats x3 $2.39 each
- Sliced mushrooms (8 oz.) x4 $1.49 each
- Celery $0.89
- Tortilla chips $0.89
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.89
- Mini chocolate bear graham cracker cookies (12 packs) $3.99
- Bananas (1.89 lbs.) $0.66
- Butternut squash (2.15 lbs. and 2.25 lbs.) $1.05 and $1.10
- Canned diced tomatoes x3 $0.45 each
- Canned tomato paste x2 $0.39 each
- Canned tomato sauce x2 $0.25 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.79
- Turkey lunch meat (16 oz.) $3.19
- Dawn dish soap $2.72
- Crunchy peanut butter $1.15
- Soy sauce $1.29
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x4 $1.69 each
- Powdered sugar $0.95
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.59
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) $2.49
- Pink lady apples (3 lbs.) $3.29
- Canned diced green chiles x2 $0.65 each
- Vanilla extract $3.55
- Salsa $1.19
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x2 $0.99 each
- Trail mix $4.89
- Pistachios $4.49
- Ginger root $0.99
- Crackers $1.39
- Candy bars x3 $1.49 each
- Eggs x3 $1.07 each
- Frozen blueberries $2.29
- Frozen strawberries $2.09
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) $0.95
- Butter (1 lb.) $2.36
- Ground sausage (1 lb.) x2 $1.89 each
- Sour cream (16 oz.) $0.89
- Chicken breast $11.87
- Orange juice x2 $1.99 each
- Sales tax $0.22
Monday, December 3: H-E-B $36.93 and $92.97 WIC
Finishing up the beginning of the month shopping and picking up formula.
- Popcorn (4 lbs.) $2.66
- Gluten free rotini x2 $1.77 each
- Gluten free crackers $2.89
- Gluten free everything bagel pretzel thins $3.97
- Frozen broccoli $1.48 (WIC)
- Dry brown rice (2 lbs.) $1.25
- Christmas M&Ms $2.84
- Coconut milk lite $1.66 and regular $1.99 (I thought I grabbed 2 regular but apparently not)
- Shredded lettuce $1.57 (WIC)
- Canned black olives x2 $2.76
- Dry lentils (16 oz.) $0.92 (WIC)
- H-E-B plastic silverware $1.97 (free with coupon)
- Craisins $5.88
- Green peppers x3 $1.38 (WIC)
- Bananas (3.49 lbs.) $1.26 (WIC)
- Skim milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Similac formula x5 $16.77 each (WIC)
- Sesame oil $7.49
Wednesday, December 5: H-E-B $31.57
I forgot to grab diapers on Monday, and we were almost out.
- Printer paper $5.47
- Diapers $31.98
- Baby wipes $3.48
- Sales tax $2.41
- Minus $5.34 in coupons (the baby wipes were supposed to be free with the diapers purchase, but for some reason it took off extra)
- Minus $6.43 in rewards points
Thursday, December 6: Aldi $13.32
I stopped on the way to work for some candy bars, since someone (ahem husband) ate mine. And I bought a salad since I didn’t have a chance to eat dinner beforehand.
- Candy bars x7 $1.49 each
- Salad $2.89
Monday, December 10: H-E-B $86.06
This is an example of how things jump into the cart when my husband comes with to shop 🙂
- NY strip steaks $19.99
- Whole chicken $5.58
- Dish soap $3.44
- Orange juice x2 $2.78 each
- String cheese $2.49
- Gluten free bread $3.78
- Wheat bread $1.49
- Strawberry jam $2.92
- Egg nog $1.28 (the kids have never had it, but Jesse and I don’t like it, so we bought a small one for them to try)
- Corn tortillas (30 ct.) $1.48
- Spinach $1.34
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $1.48
- Shiner beer x2 $1.67 each
- Candy cane cookies $3.45
- Chocolate hazelnut ice cream pint $3.98
- Mexican hot chocolate ice cream $4.68
- King size candy bars x2 $1.14 each
- Oreos $2.98
- Bananas (3.25 lbs., 2.57 lbs., and 3.14 lbs.) $1.14, $0.90, and $1.10
- Baylor ornaments and wrapping paper (not pictured) $5.00 each
- Sales tax $1.38
Menu plan for the first half of December, using groceries listed above
Monday, December 3
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Tuesday, December 4
Breakfast: Muffins from here (kind TBD)
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Wednesday, December 5
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Thursday, December 6
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Crockpot Quinoa Minestrone and Biscuits
Friday, December 7
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: Leftover Minestrone and Biscuits
Dinner: Pizza
Saturday, December 8
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Tangy Pasta Salad from here
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with Veggies and Cheese
Sunday, December 9
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Crockpot Mexican Chicken Chowder
Monday, December 10
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Leftover Mexican Chowder
Dinner: Oatmeal Pancakes
Tuesday, December 11
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Out to Eat
Dinner: Veggie Spaghetti
Wednesday, December 12
Breakfast: Muffins from here (kind TBD)
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Unstuffed Squash with Sausage and Pears
Thursday, December 13
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Tandoori Chicken and Rice
Friday, December 14
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: Pizza
Saturday, December 15
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: Crockpot Carrot Curry Soup from here and Grilled Cheese
Sunday, December 16
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday, December 11: Natural Grocers $29.87
We were in Temple for an appointment and stopped by this natural and organic grocery store to check it out.
- Mary’s Gone Crackers $3.99
- Kind granola bars (5 pack) $3.59
- Candy bars (various) x4 $2.79, $2.79, $0.99, $1.99
- Baby teether num nums $4.69
- Jalapeno hummus $2.75
- Freshly ground almond butter (0.90 lbs.) $6.29
Friday, December 14: H-E-B $21.18
We were hanging out around town and Jesse decided he wanted to make lunch. So we bought lunch supplies.
- Gluten free rotini $1.77
- Gourmet grape tomatoes medley $3.98
- Sliced mushrooms (8 oz.) $1.48
- M&Ms peanut XL bag $1.50
- Stoplight bell peppers (3 pack) $2.98
- Boneless skinless chicken breast $9.47
Tuesday, December 18: Aldi $154.12
Our big shopping trip for the second half of the month.
- Old fashioned oats x3 $2.39 each
- Chicken breast $9.45
- Chicken drumsticks $5.06
- Frozen corn x2 $0.95 each
- Frozen peas $0.95
- Cream cheese (8 oz.) x2 $0.69 each
- Sour cream (16 oz.) $0.89
- Shredded Parmesan cheese $1.99
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x6 $1.69 each
- Ham lunch meat (16 oz.) $3.19
- Turkey lunch meat (16 oz.) $3.19
- Ground turkey (16 oz.) x2 $1.99 each
- Sliced colby and sliced provolone cheese $1.79 each
- Ground sausage (16 oz.) x2 $1.79 each
- Butter (1 lb.) $1.99
- Chocolate chips x2 $1.69 each
- Sugar (4 lbs.) $1.09
- Blueberry puffs snacks $1.39
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.69
- Aldi ritz crackers x2 $1.39 each
- String cheese (12 pack) $2.69
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Orange juice $1.99
- White almond bark x3 $2.69 each
- Italian seasoning and paprika $1.19 each
- Yellow onions (3 lbs.) $1.59
- Spaghetti squash (3.7 and 3.55 lbs.) $2.92 and $2.80
- Canned diced green chiles x2 $0.65 each
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x2 $2.49 each
- Tortilla chips $0.89
- Mini marshmallows $0.89
- Gluten free tortillas (6 pack) $3.99
- Barbecue sauce $2.38
- Carrots (2 lbs.) $0.99
- Gala apples (3 lbs.) $2.69
- Green peppers (3 pack) x2 $1.49 each
- Gluten free bread $3.99
- Chips x2 $0.89 each
- Jalapenos (1.23 lbs.) $0.85
- Pineapple x2 $0.99 each
- Blue Bell ice cream (half gallon) $5.85
- Aldi Cheetos $0.89
- Red grapes ($2.17 lbs.) $3.45
- Green beans $1.19
- Baby carrots (1 lb.) x2 $0.99 each
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) $1.49
- Candy bar x3 $1.49 each
- Strawberry puffs snacks $1.39
- Wheat bread x2 $1.29 each
- Pistachios x2 $4.49 each
Tuesday, December 18: H-E-B $64.04 and $86.23 WIC
Finishing the second big shopping trip of the month.
- Honey Bunches of Oats cereal (18 oz.) $2.74 (WIC)
- Quaker Life cereal (18 oz.) $2.98 (WIC)
- Oatmeal Squares cereal (14.5oz.) $2.98
- Gluten free crackers $2.89
- Bagged shredded lettuce $1.57
- Spinach $1.34
- Wheat bread (16 oz.) x2 $1.58 each (WIC)
- Gerber rice cereal (8 oz.) $2.24 (WIC)
- Gerber oats cereal (16 oz.) $4.14 (WIC)
- Larabar (5 pack) $4.39
- Kashi bars (6 pack) $2.98
- Gluten free everything bagel pretzel thins $3.97
- Sweet potato fries $2.88
- Similac formula x2 $33.54 (WIC)
- Plain yogurt (32 oz.) $2.48 (WIC)
- Canned black olives x3 $1.38 each
- Flour tortillas (20 ct) $1.88
- Dry brown rice (2 lbs.) x2 $1.25 each
- Dry lentils (16 oz.) $0.92
- Mandarin oranges (5 lbs.) $5.97
- Gluten free rotini x2 $1.77 each
- Apple juice (64 oz.) x2 $1.19 each (WIC)
- Baby food jars x32 $30.48 (WIC)
- Eggs x3 $1.37 each (1 WIC)
- Milky Way king size bar $1.14
- Complete Cookie singles x4 $1.64 each
- Complete Cookie 6 pack $8.99
- Basamati rice $3.38
Sunday, December 23: Dunkin Donuts FREE
Once packs of bacon are opened at work, they’re supposed to be used within a certain amount of time, and then they can’t be sold any more. There was extra, since we were slower over the weekend than anticipated, so I got to bring home the literal bacon.
Monday, December 31, 2018: Aldi $17.89
I grabbed a few things for my husband before work. They stayed cold in my car the whole time because winter.
- Orange juice $1.99
- Pistachio trail mix x2 $6.99
- Sunflower seeds $0.59
- Bananas (3.79 lbs.) $1.33
Menu plan for second half of the month, using groceries listed above
Tuesday, December 18
Breakfast: Muffins from here (kind TBD)
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Leftover Soup from fridge/freezer
Wednesday, December 19
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Thursday, December 20
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, Fruit, Veggies
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
Friday, December 21
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Pizza
Saturday, December 22
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Cheese Quesadillas, Apples
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Sunday, December 23
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Monday, December 24
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Toscana Soup
Tuesday, December 25
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Appetizer Dinner – Jalapeno Poppers, Chicken Drumsticks, Sweet Potato Fries, Pinwheels, Cheese Sticks
Wednesday, December 26
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches, Fruit, Chips
Dinner: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Ranch Baby Carrots, Green Beans cooked this way, Corn
Thursday, December 27
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup, Homemade Bread
Dinner: Order Pizza/Date Night
Friday, December 28
Breakfast: Boys to IHOP, Girls to Magnolia Table (part of my Christmas gift to my mom)
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Spaghetti Squash with Sausage Tomato Sauce
Saturday, December 29
Breakfast: Baked Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: White Chicken Lasagna Soup
Sunday, December 30
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Leftover Lasagna Soup
Total spent: $585.16
Total WIC: $179.20
December had quite a few “special” meals, with our traditional Christmas appetizer dinner, a big turkey dinner while my family was in town, and several meals out (those come out of a separate budget category). Overall, we did pretty well budget-wise.
You’ll also notice that on my meal plans I had a few TBD meals. Sometimes those happen because I’m just not feeling inspired while meal planning. Sometimes I’m not sure what my work schedule will be. But I know that I can leave them blank, because we have food in the house and we won’t starve! So if you need that permission as well, it’s okay to leave a couple meals up in the air, as long as you have most of them figured out…
How did your December grocery budget turn out?
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