I don’t know about where you live, but our weather in February was all over the place. Some days it was freezing, and we wanted soup. Some days it was nearly 80 degrees, and we wanted ice cream. My menu plans were still mostly in the winter weather mindset, but every now and then we changed things up.
Saturday, February 2: Aldi $9.05
We needed mini peppers for making nachos as part of our Superbowl feast, and Jesse offered to go to the store for me. He grabbed a few extras too.
- Cheddar and sour cream chips $0.69
- Sour cream and onion chips $0.69
- Frosted sugar cookies $2.89
- Mini peppers x2 $2.39 each
Monday, February 4: Aldi $171.41
First big shopping trip of the month. Sarah sat in the front part of the cart instead of in her baby seat and I felt like I had so much more room! But also, my baby is getting big.
- Chicken breast x 2 packs $8.28 and $8.00 (this was $1.49/lb., and I would have bought more if I had room in the fridge and freezer!)
- Salmon (2 lbs.) $7.69
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x3 $1.99 each
- Cheese tortellini $3.99
- Ground sausage (1 lb.) x2 $1.89 each
- Sour cream (16 oz.) x2 $0.89 each
- Old fashioned oats x4 $2.39 each
- Orange juice x2 $1.99 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x8 $1.69 each
- Shredded Parmesan cheese $1.99
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x3 $1.99 each
- Canned pumpkin x2 $0.79 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes x2 $0.65 each
- Hemp seeds $4.99
- Chocolate chips x3 $1.69 each
- Mini marshmallows $0.89
- Cocoa rice cereal $1.45
- Peanut butter puffs cereal $2.39
- Snack bars x3 $1.39 for 2, $1.75 for 1
- Tortilla chips $0.89
- Large baking potatoes (5 lbs.) $1.99
- Onions (3 lbs.) x2 $1.29 each
- Celery $0.69
- Green peppers (3 pack) x3 $1.99 each
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x5 $1.39 each
- Gluten free spaghetti $1.89
- Garlic $0.95
- Gala apples (3 lbs.) $3.29
- Zucchini (20 oz.) $1.49
- Cucumber $0.45
- Butternut squash (3.52 lbs., 2.05 lbs., 3.42 lbs., and 3.25 lbs.) $2.43, $1.41, $2.36, and $2.24
- Butter (1 lb.) x2 $2.36 each
- Italian salad $1.99
- Gluten free bread $3.99
- Flax seed $1.79
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x3 $0.89 each
- Bananas (5.31 lbs.) $1.75
- Wheat bread x2 $1.29 each
- Chocolate coconut almonds $3.99
- Dark chocolate candy bars x3 $1.49 each
- Tomatoes $2.19
- Pistachios x2 $4.49 each
Monday, February 4: H-E-B $55.35 and $14.58 WIC
Finishing the beginning of the month shopping. Produce, WIC items, and random things Aldi didn’t have.
- Spinach $1.34 (WIC)
- Craisins $5.88
- Frozen green beans x2 $1.28 each (WIC)
- Frozen broccoli $0.88 (WIC)
- Bagged shredded lettuce $1.57 (WIC)
- Mandarin oranges (3 lbs.) $3.77 (WIC)
- Toms of Maine kids toothpaste $2.97
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $2.18
- Gluten free rotini x3 $1.77 each
- Whole chicken $6.25
- Seattle’s Best coffee $4.48
- Clasp envelopes $3.47 (for mailing Christmas thank you notes, kid drawings, and Valentines all at once)
- 5 dozen eggs $6.06
- Canned pears $1.48
- Popcorn (4 lbs.) $2.66
- Whole milk $1.98 (WIC)
- Skim milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Yeast $4.58
- Cinnamon $3.98
- Canned black olives x4 $1.38 each
- Cusa instant tea $7.99, used free printable coupon
- Sales tax $0.53
- Got back $0.10 for any receipt and $0.25 for milk from the ibotta app
Saturday, February 9: Drug Emporium $42.45
I’ve been meaning to go stock up on some gluten free stuff and I finally went after work. I got different prices on the same items, and I’m not sure if it’s because they manually enter the prices into the cash register or if the stickers were off on some of them. But either way, I’m good on my gluten free baking goodies for a little while…
- Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour x2 $6.95 and $6.85
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust x4 $3.25 for 2 and $3.15 for 2
- Pamela’s Gluten Free Baking Mix $15.85
Monday, February 11: Walmart $39.16 and $9.64 WIC
We went to pick up a few groceries, a few WIC items, and a few homeschool items that were separate from this, including toner for the printer. And I bought us all lunch.
- Lunchables x4 $3.42 each (not pictured)
- Green onions $0.98 (WIC)
- Tomatoes (1.35 lbs.) $2.00 (WIC)
- YoCrunch yogurt (4 pack) $1.72
- Plain yogurt (32 oz.) $1.76 (WIC)
- Bagged salad mix $2.68 (WIC)
- Bagged shredded lettuce $1.57 (WIC)
- Goldfish crackers $1.84
- Orange juice $2.14
- Sub sandwich (not pictured) $3.89
- Gluten free bagels $4.98 (these were on the clearance rack, but they still seemed pricy to me)
- All laundry detergent $9.97
- Bananas (4.69 lbs.) $1.59 ($0.65 WIC)
Menu plan for the first half of the month, using groceries listed above
I also made two batches of Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken for Jesse’s lunches, plus Ham and Bean Soup and Chicken Pot Pie Stew for the freezer. I’ve been trying to do 1-2 meals for the freezer each time I shop, so that I can use them for really busy days.
Monday, February 4
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Instant Pot Lentil Dinner
Tuesday, February 5
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Chicken Salad Bar
Wednesday, February 6
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches, Veggies, Fruit
Dinner: Gluten Free Alfredo and Ravioli
Thursday, February 7
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Tangy Pasta Salad from here
Dinner: Instant Pot Mexi Beans and Mexi Rice (recipe testing!)
Friday, February 8
Breakfast: Oatmeal Pancakes and Cinnamon Apples
Lunch: Mexi Beans and Rice
Dinner: Unstuffed Squash with Sausage and Pears
Saturday, February 9
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, February 10
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Sausage Spinach Skillet
Monday, February 11
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Tuesday, February 12
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Taco Salads (I’m making double the meat mixture on Monday so these should be easy)
Wednesday, February 13
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Instant Pot Unstuffed Pepper Casserole (recipe testing!)
Thursday, February 14
Breakfast: Heart Pancakes (requested by children)
Lunch: Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup, Homemade Bread
Dinner: Fish, Garlic Butter Rice, Veggies
Friday, February 15
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Ham and Bean Soup, Bread
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie Stew, Biscuits
Saturday, February 16
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, February 17
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
Monday, February 18: Aldi $158.76
The first half of the big grocery shopping for the second part of the month.
- Orange juice $1.99
- Black Angus bottom roast $15.88
- Tissues x2 $0.99 each
- Chicken breast $9.66
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Frozen green beans $1.59
- Old fashioned oats x3 $2.39 each
- Sour cream $0.89
- Frozen peas $0.85
- Turkey lunch meat $3.19
- Low sodium bacon $2.79
- Gluten free bread $3.99
- Ham lunch meat $3.19
- Zucchini (20 oz.) x3 packs $1.19 each
- Snack bars x4 $1.39 each
- Corn starch $0.89
- Mini bear snack cookies (12 packs) $3.99
- Sliced mushrooms (8 oz.) x3 $1.49 each
- Whole mushrooms (8 oz.) $1.39
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x3 $1.69 each
- Shredded Parmesan cheese $1.99
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x2 $2.49 each
- Extra virgin olive oil $2.99
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.59
- Canned diced tomatoes x2 $0.35 each
- Canned tomato sauce x2 $0.25 each
- Fuji apples (3 lbs.) $3.29
- Canned tomato paste $0.39
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Gluten free wraps $3.99
- Barbecue sauce $2.38
- Sugar $1.29
- Soy sauce $1.29
- Grape jelly $1.29
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x3 $0.89 each
- Yellow onions (3 lbs.) $1.49
- Vanilla extract $3.65
- Bananas (5.20 lbs.) $1.72
- Pineapple $0.99
- Sweet potatoes (3 lbs.) $1.99
- Trail mix x2 $4.89 each
- Multicolored peppers (3 pack) $3.19
- Cucumber $0.45
- Pistachios x2 $4.49 each
- Chocolate bars x4 $1.49 each
- Chocolate covered almonds $3.99
- Bagged Italian salad $1.99
- Sales tax $0.16
Monday, February 18: H-E-B $78.11 and $26.98 WIC
Finishing the big shopping for the second half of the month.
- Wheat bread (16 oz.) x2 $1.58 each (2 WIC)
- Sharp cheddar cheese (16 oz.) x2 $3.42 each (2 WIC)
- Larabar 5 pack $4.39
- Crunchy peanut butter (16 oz.) $2.00 (WIC)
- Strawberry preserves $2.86
- Green pepper $0.58
- Butternut squash x3 (7.08 lbs. total) $8.35
- Flour tortillas $2.18
- Shredded lettuce $1.57
- Mrs. Meyer’s all-purpose cleaner $3.98
- Gluten free everything bagel pretzels $3.97
- Lucky Charms cereal $3.50
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal $3.50 (these 2 cereals had Pokemon cards inside so I let the boys each pick one)
- Honey Bunches of Oats cereal $2.74 (WIC)
- Kashi bars x2 $2.98 each
- Multi-grain Cheerios cereal $3.18 (WIC)
- Eggs (1 dozen) x2 $1.35 each (2 WIC)
- Cotton balls $1.88
- Gluten free graham crackers $4.69
- Gluten free rotini x2 $1.77 each
- Dry lentils (16 oz.) x2 $0.92 each (1 WIC)
- Frozen corn (40 oz.) $2.48
- Mayo with olive oil $2.58
- Canned black olives x4 $1.38 each
- Corn tortillas (16 oz.) $0.98 (WIC)
- Coconut oil 2 pack $9.98
- Whole chicken $5.68
- Whole milk $1.98 (WIC)
- Skim milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Sales tax $0.48
Wednesday, February 20: Walmart $13.22
This was a family trip to look at a few things, and we grabbed a few food items while we were there, including some free-after-rebate ibotta items.
- Ben and Jerry’s ice cream $3.88
- Forto coffee shot $1.98 (got back $1.98 from iBotta)
- Yoplait YQ yogurt $1.34 (got back $1.34 from iBotta)
- Pork ribs $6.02
Friday, February 22: H-E-B $1.39 and $19.79 in Rewards Points
We needed toilet paper and bananas. Essentials, you know…I used my quarterly rewards points to pay for most of this purchase.
- Angel Soft 24 double rolls x2 $10.02 each with store coupon
- Bananas (3.28 lbs.) $1.12
- Sales tax $0.02
Monday, February 25: H-E-B $43.33 and $19.54 WIC
Fill in shopping trip for produce and a few random other things, plus finishing up the WIC shopping for the month.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal $3.50
- Lucky Charms cereal $3.50 (bought both of these so the girls could have Pokemon cards because children need things to be fair and the boys got them last time)
- Multigrain Cheerios cereal $3.18 (WIC)
- Rice Chex cereal $3.98 (WIC)
- Whole wheat bread (16 oz.) $1.58 (WIC)
- Bagged Romaine lettuce $1.98
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) $1.48
- Baby carrots (2 lbs.) $1.84
- Zucchini (16 oz.) $0.98
- Spinach $1.34
- Bagged shredded lettuce $1.57
- Sweet kale salad mix $3.63
- Roma tomatoes (1.06 lbs.) $0.93
- Gummy worms $1.50
- Baby food pouches x4 $0.68 each, 1 free with B3G1 store coupon
- Flour tortillas $2.18
- Eye of round steak x3 packs $3.24, $2.31, and $2.47
- Old fashioned oats $3.28 (these are about $1 cheaper at Aldi, but I misjudged how much we would need so I bought another one)
- Eggs (12 count) x2 $1.35 each
- Apple juice x3 $1.19 each (3 WIC)
- Dawn dish soap $2.64
- Chocolate chip chewy granola bars $1.38, free with rewards coupon
- Skim milk $2.67 (WIC)
- Grape juice $2.39 (WIC)
- Whole milk $2.17 (WIC)
- Sales tax $0.22
- I got $0.20 back for milk and $0.10 back for my receipt from ibotta
- I got $1.00 back for buying 2 General Mills cereals from SavingStar
Wednesday, February 27: H-E-B $3.72 and $2.48 WIC
We went to the store to spend some money from the kids’ church “grandma” Cheryl, and I picked up yogurt that I didn’t get on Monday. Does anyone else notice they missed something on their list, but you’re already on the other end of the store so you just skip it? I do that sometimes. But I knew we’d be back at some point and we didn’t need it immediately, so I just got it this trip.
- Yogurt 32 oz. $2.48 (WIC)
- Yoplait M&Ms yogurt 4 pack $1.72
- Chobani singles x4 $1.00 each, 2 free with B2G2 digital coupon
Thursday, February 28: Walmart $5.11
We needed printer paper for homeschool, and H-E-B was out of it the day before.
- Printer paper $3.72
- Bananas (2.85 lbs.) $1.08
- Sales tax $0.31
Menu plan for the second half of the month, using groceries listed above
I also made two more batches of Butternut Soup with Chicken for Jesse’s lunches, and two batches of Instant Pot Veggie Loaded Chicken Soup for the freezer.
Monday, February 18
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Tuesday, February 19
Breakfast: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: PB&J Tortillas/Salad
Dinner: Cobb Salads
Wednesday, February 20
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Egg Salad Sandwiches
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, Veggies, Cheese
Thursday, February 21
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Roasted Squash, Chicken, and Veggies
Friday, February 22
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Chicken Fried Rice
Dinner: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Corn (we had one more smaller turkey in the freezer from Thanksgiving sales)
Saturday, February 23
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftover Turkey Dinner
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, February 24
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chicken, and Veggies
Monday, February 25
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables/Salad
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday, February 26
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Tangy Pasta Salad from here
Dinner: Beef Zoodle Bowls
Wednesday, February 27
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos (meat mixture doubled to use for tomorrow’s dinner)
Thursday, February 28
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Taco Salads
Friday, March 1
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: Instant Pot Lentil Dinner
Dinner: Pancakes, Cinnamon Apples
Saturday, March 2
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, March 3
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Crockpot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Ranch Carrots
Total Spent: $621.06
Total WIC: $73.22
Total Rewards Points: $19.79
Even though I’m actively trying to make 1-2 extra dinners per week, we’re still coming in with a lower grocery budget, because I’m combining those ingredients in a smart way and doubling meals I’m already making. Pretty cool, right? And I’m building a stash of easy dump-and-cook meals for those busy nights.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or sign up through these links, I get a bit of a commission at no additional charge to you.
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