January was one of those weird months where it seemed to both drag on and on and also fly by at the same time. Did that affect the grocery budget? Let’s see…
Monday, December 31, 2018: Aldi $121.25
Shopping for the beginning of January, which technically happened last year, but all the food was for this year so it counts here.
- Eggs (1 dozen) $1.02
- Orange juice $1.99
- Flavored orange juice $2.49
- Kleenex x3 $0.99 each
- Turkey and ham lunch meat $3.19 each
- Butter (1 lb.) x2 $2.36 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x5 $1.69 each
- Ground sausage (1 lb.) x2 $1.89 each
- Old fashioned oats x4 $2.39 each
- Baby food pouches x4 $0.79 each (we take one of these to church on Sunday mornings because it’s easier to feed Sarah than a jar food with a spoon, and church falls over lunch time)
- Cocoa Rice cereal $1.45
- Cinnamon Crunch squares cereal $1.39
- Green peppers (3 pack) x3 $1.59 each
- Onions (3 lbs.) x2 $1.59 each
- Wheat bread (24 oz.) x2 $1.29 each
- Multicolored peppers (3 pack) $2.99
- Celery $0.69
- Chocolate chips x2 $1.69 each
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x2 $0.99 each
- Sweet potatoes (3 lbs.) x2 $2.69 each
- Garlic (3 pack) $0.99
- Butternut squash (2.95 and 2.73 lbs.) $2.33 and $2.16
- Peanut Butter Puffs cereal $2.39
- Syrup $5.99
- Frozen tater tots and frozen hash browns $1.65 each
- Canned pumpkin x2 $0.79 each
- Canned diced tomatoes x6 $0.35 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.65
- Crunchy taco shells $0.89
- Canned green chiles x2 $0.65 each
- Canned tomato paste $0.39
- Thyme $1.69
- Red pepper flakes $1.19
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x2 $1.29 each (I wanted more but this was all they had)
- Frozen peas (16 oz.) $0.85
- Frozen green beans (12 oz.) $0.79
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x4 $1.99 each
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x2 $2.49 each
- Sunflower seeds $1.59
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Sales tax $0.25
Monday, December 31, 2018: H-E-B $74.67 and $2.48 WIC
Continuing the big shopping for the beginning of the month.
- Dry pinto beans (2 lbs.) $1.52
- Gluten free all purpose flour x2 $7.89 each
- Tulips $6.98 (technically for our homeschool for science, but I got to enjoy them on the table for a few days before we dissected them)
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $1.88
- Dry kidney beans (1 lb.) $1.19
- Zucchini (16 oz. bag) x2 $0.98 each
- Sweet kale salad mix $3.63
- Bagged baby spinach $2.68 (I accidentally grabbed baby spinach instead of regular and it was twice as much – oops!)
- Skim milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x6 $1.48 each
- Craisins $5.88
- Gluten free rotini $1.77
- Canned black olives x2 $1.38 each
- Hyland’s kids night cold and cough medicine $6.74
- Almond butter $6.56
- Blue Bell Peppermint Bark ice cream (half gallon) $5.88 (I have to grab this seasonal flavor while I can, because it’s delicious!)
- Sales tax $0.58
Tuesday, January 1: Walmart $8.37
We bought several Christmas books on clearance and looked around at other clearance stuff, but we bought 2 food items that came out of the grocery budget.
- Oranges (x5) $4.40
- Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour $3.97
Friday, January 4: H-E-B $20.13
I honestly don’t remember this shopping trip, but it was at 4:30 in the afternoon so I assume it was mostly just to slip away for a little while? Sometimes I do that and I go to the store for a snack or something. I’m guessing Jesse was out of bananas (he eats some almost every day) and the other things were just a bonus.
- Wine $9.98
- Ribeye steak $7.79
- Bananas (4.54 lbs.) $1.54
- Sales tax $0.82
Monday, January 7, 2019: H-E-B $57.96 and $11.48 WIC
Fill in grocery trip for the first part of the month. Mostly produce, meat, and dairy.
- Gala apples (5 lbs.) $4.98 (WIC)
- Strawberries (1 lb.) $2.68 (WIC)
- Orange tomatoes $2.98 (these and the strawberries are for a special snack for homeschool when we talk about seeds in science, along with sunflower seeds we already have)
- Seattle’s Best coffee x3 $4.48 each, minus $1 off coupon on each from the shelf (2 are for my husband to take to school, 1 for me)
- Bananas (3.94 lbs.) $1.34 (WIC)
- Spinach $1.34
- Zucchini (16 oz. bag) x2 $0.98 each
- Spinach cherry almond salad mix $3.78
- Complete Cookie 6 pack $8.99
- Russet potatoes x 5 lbs. $1.68
- Pomegranate juice $4.98
- Orange juice x2 $4.88 each
- Round steak $3.84 and $4.17
- Milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Whole chicken $6.06
- Minus a $3/$15 produce e-coupon
Wednesday, January 9: H-E-B $117.39 WIC
Our last formula through WIC before Sarah ages out of that part of the program. I so appreciate it!
- Similac formula x7 $16.77 each (WIC)
Friday, January 11: H-E-B $11.90
Sometimes when we’re bored we go to the grocery store. I don’t know what that says about us as people…
- Snickers yogurt (4 pack) $1.72
- Oreo yogurt (4 pack) $1.72 (the kids asked Jesse for these and he said sure)
- Bananas (2.79 lbs. and 2.27 lbs.) $0.95 and $0.77
- Sweet potato fries $2.88
- Mozzarella sticks $2.28
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.58 (because I had enough for my full meal plan and then had a few get moldy on me sooner than they should have)
Saturday, January 12: Aldi $13.33
Jesse asked me to pick up chocolate. And I went when I was hungry after work.
- Kale salad kit $1.99
- Granola bars $1.39 (for the kids, since these have wheat in them)
- Chocolate bars x4 $1.49 each
- Chocolate covered almonds $3.99
Sunday, January 13: Aldi $3.58
Because we had tacos for dinner and I wanted lettuce and tomatoes to go in them. I went to cut the tomatoes later and discovered that they were moldy on top in a part mostly hidden by the packaging. Boo! Also, Aldi is 2 doors down from work and it’s really easy for me to stop by there afterwards. I don’t know if that’s good or bad…
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.69
- Bagged lettuce $1.89
Menu plan for the first half of January, using groceries listed above
Monday, December 31
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Spaghetti Squash with Sausage Tomato Sauce
Tuesday, January 1
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables/Salads
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with Bacon, Veggies, Cheese
Wednesday, January 2
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Crockpot Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Dinner: Tamale Pie
Thursday, January 3
Breakfast: Ham and Cheese Egg Bake
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Bacon Sweet Potato Bowls
Friday, January 4
Breakfast: Egg Bake
Lunch: Instant Pot Lentil Dinner
Dinner: Homemade Pizzas
Saturday, January 5
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Cheese Quesadillas, Apples
Dinner: Gluten Free Turkey Lentil Tater Tot Casserole
Sunday, January 6
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Tater Tot Casserole
Monday, January 7
Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Tuesday, January 8
Breakfast: Sweet Potato Oat Muffins (recipe testing!)
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables/Salads
Dinner: Potato Corn Chowder and Biscuits
Wednesday, January 9
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Leftover Chowder and Biscuits
Dinner: Beef Zoodle Bowls
Thursday, January 10
Breakfast: Sausage Pepper Egg Muffins (similar to these but different toppings)
Lunch: Tangy Pasta Salad from here
Dinner: Chicken Butternut Quinoa Stew
Friday, January 11
Breakfast: Egg Muffins
Lunch: Crockpot Paleo Family Chili (recipe testing!)
Dinner: Homemade Pizzas
Saturday, January 12
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Soup – kind TBD
Sunday, January 13
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Monday, January 14: Aldi $101.98
Grocery shopping for the second half of the month (ish). I didn’t plan for the last week or so, with the goal of doing a mini pantry challenge at that point.
- Grape jelly $1.29 (requested by the 4 year old)
- Multicolored peppers (3 pack) $3.19
- Green pepper (3 pack) $1.79
- Orange juice x2 $1.99 each
- Eggs (1 dozen) x3 $1.07 each
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x3 $1.59 each
- Frozen broccoli florets $1.19
- Turkey and ham lunch meat $3.19 each
- Wheat bread $1.29
- Bananas (3.28 lbs.) $1.12
- Old fashioned oats x2 $2.39 each
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x4 $1.99 each
- Whole chicken $4.35
- Chicken breast (5.22 lbs.) $7.78
- Honey nut oats cereal $1.39
- Cocoa rice cereal $1.45
- Frozen hash browns $1.65
- Frozen stir fry veggies (12 oz.) x2 $1.59 each
- Frozen peas (16 oz.) $0.85
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) x3 $0.95 each
- Sour cream (16 oz.) $0.89
- Butter (1 lb.) x2 $2.36 each
- Frozen tater tots $1.65
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x8 $1.69 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.65
- Cotton swabs $1.89
- Habanero cheese sticks (12 pack) $3.29
- Canned diced tomatoes x4 $0.35 each
- Russet potatoes (5 lbs.) $1.99
- Sweet potatoes (3 lbs.) x2 $2.89 each
- Yellow onions (3 lbs.) $1.59
- Sales tax $0.16
Monday, January 14: H-E-B $46.93 and $25.84 WIC
Finishing the big shopping trip. Also, we didn’t make it to this store until 5:00pm. Do not recommend. It was packed.
- Parsnips (16 oz.) $2.48
- Carrots (2 lbs.) $0.98
- Spinach $1.34
- Cilantro $0.38
- Green onions $0.43
- Fennel $3.98
- Cutie mandarins (3 lbs.) $3.97
- Large navel oranges (5.05 lbs.) $4.90
- Honey Bunches of Oats cereal (18 oz.) $2.74 (WIC)
- Rice Chex cereal (18 oz.) $3.98 (WIC)
- Silk yogurt x2 $1.42 each (I got $0.75 back on each one through the ibotta app)
- Eggs (1 dozen) $1.25 (WIC)
- Milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Gluten free rotini pasta x2 $1.77 each
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (8 oz.) $2.50
- Dry brown rice (2 lbs.) x2 $1.25 each
- Flour tortillas (20 count) $2.18
- Yogurt (32 oz.) $2.48 (WIC)
- 12 baby food jars $11.44 (WIC)
- Canned sliced black olives x2 $1.38 each
- Lemon $0.34
- Dried chives $3.94
- Peanut butter (18 oz.) $1.47 (WIC)
- Larabar (5 count) x2 $4.39 each minus $2/2 store coupon
- Mustard $0.79
- Turmeric from the bulk spice bins (0.05 lbs.) $0.30
Saturday, January 20: Walmart $17.84
This was part of a really random shopping trip that included brake lights for our van, pencils for homeschool, shoes for Sarah, and such. Those weren’t included in the total here, but we picked up a few groceries since we were there.
- Most Stuffed Oreos x2 $2.98 each (Jesse saw these online and wanted to get some)
- Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour x2 $3.97 each (H-E-B has been out of this lately, and it’s my favorite GF flour mix besides Pamela’s)
- Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Jelly Beans $1.87 (Jesse got these for the kids to try)
- Bananas (5.46 lbs.) $2.07
Monday, January 21: H-E-B $28.67 and $35.52 WIC
This was supposed to be a quick and easy fill-in trip for a few things. We went at 11:20am, which is not ideal, since it’s basically lunch time, but I had to work in the afternoon, so we made it happen. And then I forgot my house keys at home. So Jesse had to come home from school early to let us in, and it was late for lunch. But we survived…
- Baby cereal oats (8 oz. and 16 oz.) $2.24 and $4.14 (WIC)
- Apple juice x2 $1.19 each (WIC)
- Milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Spinach $1.34
- Corn tortillas $1.78 (WIC)
- Flour tortillas $2.48
- Lunchables x4 $3.57 each (not pictured, but purchased to feed children when I forgot keys)
- Plum baby food pouches x2 $1.18 each (I got back $0.95 from ibotta for these, so it was almost a BOGO)
- String cheese (12 pack) $2.49
- Lentils (16 oz.) x2 $0.92 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (16 oz.) $3.42 (WIC)
- Cheese tortellini $3.88 (Last time we were shopping, Jonah was trying to describe something and we couldn’t figure out what it was. It was ravioli. He picked these this time now that we figured it out.)
- Baby food jars x20 $19.08 (WIC)
Menu plan for second part of the month, using groceries listed above
Several of these dinner recipes are from the Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle, which you can learn more about here.
Monday, January 14
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Crockpot Italian Chicken and Veggies, Rice (Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle recipe)
Tuesday, January 15
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables/a meal-in-a-box recipe for me that no one else liked but I love so I remake it every now and then for myself
Dinner: Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Ground Turkey Chili (Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle recipe)
Wednesday, January 16
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Instant Pot Orange Chicken Stir Fry (Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle recipe)
Thursday, January 17
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Out to Eat
Friday, January 18
Breakfast: Starbucks/snack bars (we were down in Round Rock for Hannah’s eye surgery)
Lunch: Out
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
Saturday, January 19
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Thai Chicken Quesadillas with Peanut Butter Sauce
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, January 20
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Crockpot Fennel Lentil Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Greens (Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle recipe)
Monday, January 21
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Tuesday, January 22
Breakfast: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Ranch Turkey Loaded Sweet Potato Fries (Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle recipe)
Wednesday, January 23
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Dinner: Gluten Free Alfredo
Thursday, January 24
Breakfast: Egg Bake (like this one, but with bacon and veggies)
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Gluten Free Turkey and Lentil Tater Tot Casserole
Friday, January 25
Breakfast: Egg Bake
Lunch: Tater Tot Casserole
Dinner: Homemade Pizzas
Saturday, January 26
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: Crockpot Mexican Chowder
Sunday, January 27
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Friday, January 25: Aldi $32.18
You guys. I went in for bananas. And possibly other fruit. But then we went down the limited time aisle, and found good deals on snacks, and a box of cereal the kids wanted. Worse things have happened?
- Lucky Charms winter cereal $2.25
- Pistachio trail mix x2 $6.99
- Sweet and salty trail mix $6.89
- Bugles $1.39
- Grapes (1.9 lbs.) $2.26
- Bananas (2.37 and 2.25 lbs.) $1.04 and $0.99
- Pineapple $1.39
- Pink Lady apples (3 lbs.) $1.99
Monday, January 28: Walmart $92.95 and $2.68 WIC
The last planned shopping of the month. We picked up a few things for the meal plan that is actually pantry meals (mostly). I’m also planning a few extra meals for the freezer, and we bought some baking supplies that will be mostly used next month. And finally, some extras for our Super Bowl Feast (similar to our Christmas appetizer dinner, we pick several yummy things to make while we watch the Super Bowl).
- Nut Thins crackers $2.68
- Pokemon fruit snacks $3.94 (I always say no to these. Jesse said yes. The kids were thrilled.)
- Gluten free rotini and spaghetti $1.78 each (I also got $1 back on each box through iBotta)
- Unbleached all purpose flour (5 lbs.) $2.56 (I use this for the regular pizza crust on pizza nights)
- Applesauce $1.98 (specifically requested by the girls for snacks)
- Strawberry preserves $2.86 (Jesse adds this to his oatmeal in the mornings)
- Sugar (4 lbs.) $1.37
- Cumin $0.98 (I swear I bought this already, but Sarah has been playing with some of my spices and I can’t find where she hid it)
- Canned tomato sauce x2 $0.27 each
- Canned black olives x2 $1.38 each
- Store brand Ritz crackers $1.48
- Crunchy taco shells $0.94
- Celery $0.88 (for homeschool experiments for science this week)
- Butternut squash (2.78 lbs.) $3.28
- Frozen green beans (12 oz.) $0.84
- Bagged shredded lettuce $1.57
- Green peppers x3 $0.58 each
- Potatoes (6 lbs.) $2.47
- Roma tomatoes (0.48 lbs.) $0.37
- Powdered sugar (2 lbs.) $0.98
- Brown sugar (2 lbs.) $0.98
- Larabars (5 pack) $4.98 (I eat these for breakfast on mornings when I work early, and I got $0.25 back from iBotta for these as well)
- Canned crushed tomatoes $0.82
- Yellow onions (3 lbs.) $1.94
- Zucchini (3.63 lbs.) $3.56 (mostly for a freezer meal and for chocolate zucchini bread recipe testing)
- Eggs (1 dozen) $1.35
- Wheat bread (16 oz.) $2.68 (WIC)
- Bananas (3.07 lbs.) $1.04
- Summer sausage $3.93 (for sausage/cheese/crackers tray for Super Bowl)
- Chicken breast (5 lbs.) $9.27 (for freezer meals – this is extra)
- Chicken drumsticks $5.05 (for Super Bowl)
- Whole chicken $6.20
- Paper plates (100 count) $4.53 (not the price on the shelf, or I would have gotten different ones, but I use these for pizza nights and occasionally for lunches for easy clean up)
- Toilet paper (24 double rolls) $11.52 (I usually buy this on Amazon but it’s pretty much the same price per roll/foot at Walmart so if I’m there I’ll pick it up)
Tuesday, January 29: Aldi – $11.94
It was A DAY with the kids so Jesse sent me to the store for chocolate.
- Chocolate covered coconut almonds $3.99
- Dark chocolate almond candy bars x4 $1.49 each
- Milk chocolate toffee bar $1.99
Thursday, January 31: Walgreens $8.23, got $4RR
I had to pick up a prescription, so I checked out the coupon deals for the week since we were going to be there anyways.
- Suave mens’ body wash x2 B1G1 half off = paid $3.00/2
- Crest toothpaste x2 $2.99 each, minus $1 digital coupon = paid $5.98, got $4RR back for buying 2
- Sales tax $0.25
Thursday, January 31: Target $9.24
We had a little bit of extra time between Walgreens and when Pizza Hut opened for the kids to get their Book It pizzas, so we went to Target for some deals as well.
- M&Ms candy bar x2 $1.79 each – used 25% off Cartwheel and $1/2 printable = paid $1.68/2
- Hershey’s Gold family size bags x2 $4.99 each – used 30% off Cartwheel and two $2/1 printables = paid $1.49 per bag
- Skim milk $1.88
- Bananas x8 $0.29 each (not the best price but we were out and we go through a lot so I bought them)
- Sales tax $0.38
Menu plan for last few days of the month, using groceries listed above
Monday, January 28
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Tuesday, January 29
Breakfast: Trail Mix Muffins (using the Basic Oat Muffins from here and adding trail mix toppings)
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with Veggies and Cheese
Wednesday, January 30
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs (requested by the girls – we used this meatball recipe and this sauce recipe over pasta)
Thursday, January 31
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Book It pizzas for kids, leftovers for adults
Dinner: Toscana Soup
Friday, February 1
Breakfast: Oatmeal Pancakes, Cinnamon Apples
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Biscuits
Saturday, February 2
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizzas
Sunday, February 3
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Superbowl Feast: chicken drumsticks, air fryer French fries, sausage/cheese/crackers tray, chips, cupcakes, root beer floats
Total Spent: $661.15
Total WIC: $195.39
So even though January seemed long at points, we actually did pretty well on our grocery budget. That’s a good start to the new year!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I receive a bit of a commission at no additional charge to you.
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