I feel like I’m finally getting into the groove of shopping and planning here. By “here” I mean in this actual town, and with the current schedule and types of food that we’re eating, although that’s constantly changing, and the kids’ appetites keep increasing. I can definitely see a summer project being figuring out more ways to save on groceries as we need larger amounts of things!
Friday, March 1: Target $6.16
We were out and about, and grabbed a couple things. Jesse needed coffee for at the office, and I had been looking for the mini drink marshmallows but hadn’t found them at other stores.
- Seattle’s Best coffee $4.79
- Mini drink marshmallows $1.37
Monday, March 4: Aldi $128.34
This was the big shopping for the first part of the month. And I managed to not have too many extras jump in the cart.
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.99
- Gluten free spaghetti $1.89
- Applesauce $1.89
- Old fashioned oatmeal x3 $2.45 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes (28 oz.) x2 $0.65 each
- Canned diced tomatoes (14.5 oz.) x4 $0.35 each
- Chocolate chips x3 $1.69 each
- Chopped pecans (12 oz.) $5.59
- Shredded Parmesan cheese $1.99
- Butter (1 lb.) x3 $2.36 each
- Tortilla chips $0.89
- Salt $0.39
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x8 $1.69 each
- Wheat bread (24 oz.) x2 $1.29 each
- Multicolored peppers (3 pack) $2.69
- Zucchini (20 oz.) $1.49
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) $1.39
- Grapes (0.78 lbs.) $1.16
- Bananas (2.10 lbs. and 2.97 lbs.) $0.80 and $1.13
- Puffs x2 $1.39 each
- Canned diced green chiles x4 $0.65 each
- Onions (3 lbs.) x2 $1.49 each
- Celery $0.99
- Sweet potatoes (3 lbs.) x2 $1.99 each
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x2 $2.49 each
- Carrots (2 lbs.) $0.89
- Garlic (3 pack) $0.95
- Oranges (4 lbs.) $1.99
- Frozen stir fry veggies (12 oz.) x2 $1.29 each
- Chocolate covered almonds $3.99
- Alphabet pasta $0.25 (the kids asked for this and it was super cheap so we got it)
- Frozen peas (16 oz.) $0.85
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x5 $1.99 each
- Dark chocolate candy bar x4 $1.49 each
- Brown sugar (2 lbs.) $1.29
- Sugar (4 lbs.) $1.34
- Whole chicken $7.24 (seriously the biggest chicken I’ve ever seen)
- Chicken breast $10.26
Monday, March 4: H-E-B $86.99 and $12.70 WIC
Finishing the shopping for the first part of the month. This part always feels way more random because it’s mostly stuff that Aldi doesn’t have, so it’s a weird mixture of things.
- Eggs (5 dozen) $6.06
- Lunchables x4 $3.57 each
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $2.18
- Skim milk $2.67 (WIC)
- Green peppers (20 oz.) x3 $1.57 each (3 WIC – some had 3 and some had 4 peppers)
- Fresh pico de gallo $4.48 (a splurge treat for me)
- Pantene shampoo and conditioner $3.47 and $4.97
- Arm & Hammer deoderant (2 pack) $3.48
- Cuties (3 lbs.) $3.97 (WIC)
- Gluten free rotini x2 $1.77 each
- Unbleached all purpose flour (5 lbs.) $1.98
- Seattle’s Best coffee (12 oz.) x2 $4.48 each
- Gluten free pretzel thins $3.97
- Dry brown rice (2 lbs.) x2 $1.25 each
- Mini chocolate chips $2.52
- Dry pinto beans (2 lbs.) $1.48
- Ranch dressing $1.86
- Dry kidney beans (1 lb.) $1.35 (WIC)
- New York strip steak x2 $4.94 and $3.82 (I bought these as a treat for Jesse)
- 6 pack toddler socks $5.00 (for Sarah’s big feet)
- HEB Cola $0.87
- Canned black olives x4 $1.38 each
- Sales tax $1.11
- I also got back $0.10 from ibotta and 191 points from Fetch Rewards for the Lunchables and Kraft ranch dressing
Monday, March 11: H-E-B $45.46 and $16.74 WIC
Fill in trip for the first part of the month. And I bought chocolate for myself, because I was basically out. Can’t run out of my emergency chocolate!
- Bagged Frosted Flakes cereal $3.24
- Bagged Co-Co Krunch cereal $3.74
- Wheat bread (16 oz.) x2 $1.58 each (2 WIC)
- Gerber baby snack bars $2.78
- Ice cream $5.85
- Baby squeeze pouches x4 $0.68 each (we use these for part of Sarah’s lunch during church on Sundays, while the rest of the kids eat on the way home)
- Skim milk $2.38 (WIC)
- Whole mile $1.88 (WIC)
- Corn tortillas (30 ct.) $1.78
- Roma tomatoes (1.57 lbs.) $1.38 (WIC)
- Sweet and crunchy salad mix $3.63
- Bagged Romaine $1.98 (WIC)
- Bananas (5.40 lbs.) $1.84 (WIC)
- Butternut squash (3.09 lbs.) $3.65 (WIC)
- Shredded lettuce $1.57 ($0.47 WIC)
- Zucchini (16 oz.) $0.98
- Granola bars $2.98
- Hershey’s bagged chocolate $3.48
- Turkey lunch meat (16 oz.) $3.48
- Godiva bar $2.68
- Strawberry preserves $2.86
- Gerber banana cookies $2.24 (Sarah’s current favorite!)
- Strawberries (2 lbs.) $1.92 (after 50% off coupon)
Menu plan for the first part of the month, using groceries listed above
I’m also making Instant Pot Veggie Loaded Chicken Soup (from the freezer) and Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken for Jesse’s lunches, and two batches of Chicken Enchilada Chili for the freezer.
Monday, March 4
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Lunchables/Salad
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Tuesday, March 5
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Easy Tamale Pie (recipe x 1.5 plus a few extras)
Wednesday, March 6
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
Lunch: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit
Dinner: White Chicken Lasagna Soup
Thursday, March 7
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chicken, Veggies
Friday, March 8
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Pancakes, Fruit
Dinner: Chicken Fried Rice
Saturday, March 9
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, March 10
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Monday, March 11
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables/Salad
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Tuesday, March 12
Breakfast: Sweet Potato Oat Muffins (recipe testing!)
Lunch: PB&J Banana Tortillas
Dinner: Taco Salads
Wednesday, March 13
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Egg Salad Sandwiches
Dinner: Eat Your Veggies Spaghetti
Thursday, March 14
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Peanut Butter Veggie Stir Fry
Friday, March 15
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: Instant Pot Unstuffed Pepper Casserole
Saturday, March 16
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, March 17
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Soup from the Freezer
Monday, March 18: Aldi $142.35
Big shopping trip for the first part of the month, part 1. I found half off stickers on chicken breast, but I knew I wouldn’t have time to deal with many before they went bad, so I only bought one. Because it wouldn’t be savings if I ended up throwing it away. Still, it was a good deal on what I needed for the week!
- Blueberries $2.69
- Bananas (3.73 lbs.) $1.23
- Goldfish crackers $3.98 (I did not realize these were this expensive or I wouldn’t have gotten them)
- Old fashioned oats x4 $2.45 each
- Orange juice $1.99
- Oregano $0.95
- Ground turkey x3 $1.99 each
- String cheese x2 $2.79 each
- Sour cream $0.89
- Ground sausage $1.89
- Lunch meat ham $3.19
- Trail mix x2 $4.89 each
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.19
- Crunchy taco shells $0.89
- Gluten free crackers $1.99
- Candy bar x5 $1.49 each
- Cabbage $0.99
- Sliced provolone cheese $1.79
- Extra virgin olive oil $2.99
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) $2.19
- Pistachios x2 $4.49 each
- Frozen stir fry veggies x2 $1.59 each
- Chocolate covered almonds $3.99
- Chocolate chips x2 $1.69 each
- Frozen corn x3 $0.95 each
- Mini bear cookies (12 packs) $3.99
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x4 $1.69 each
- Sugar (4 lbs.) $1.34
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x2 $1.49 each
- Canned diced tomatoes x4 $0.35 each
- Brown sugar $1.29
- Zucchini (20 oz.) $1.49
- Paper towels (6 rolls) $4.49
- Tortilla chips $0.89
- Salsa $1.19
- Canned pumpkin $0.79
- Russet potatoes (10 lbs.) $2.89
- Walnuts $4.79
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x2 $0.89 each
- Whole chicken x2 $6.37 and $3.93
- Chicken breast (5.5 lbs., half off) $5.81
- Sales tax $0.37
Monday, March 18: H-E-B $59.57 and $17.48 WIC
Finishing the big shopping for the second part of the month and getting WIC stuff.
- Skim milk $2.38 (WIC)
- Eggs x2 $1.35 each (2 WIC)
- Bell peppers (20 oz.) x2 $1.57 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (16 oz.) x2 $3.42 each (2 WIC)
- Flour tortillas $2.18
- Wheat bread $1.58 (WIC)
- Sweet and crunchy salad kit $3.63
- Chobani yogurt (4 pack) $3.27 minus $1 digital coupon
- Honeycrisp apples 50% off bag (1.62 lbs.) $1.00
- Honeycrisp apples (2.14 lbs.) $2.68
- Sprout crinklez baby chips $2.98
- Gluten free pretzel thins $3.97
- Gluten free rotini x3 $1.77 each
- Dry brown rice (2 lbs.) x2 $1.25 each
- Dry lentils (1 lb.) $0.92
- Plain lowfat yogurt (32 oz.) $1.98 (WIC)
- Canned black olives x5 $1.38 each
- Udi’s gluten free bread (24 oz.) $7.94 (Aldi was out of the gluten free bread, which is much cheaper, even though it’s a smaller loaf)
- Raw natural honey (32 oz.) $9.95
- Hot dogs $0.98
- Nutella $3.22 (I got $1.50 back from Checkout51)
- Peanut butter (16 oz.) $2.00 (WIC)
Friday, March 22: Amazon $40.11 and $18.14 in rewards points
A few household items that were easier to buy online.
- Huggies Snug & Dry Giant Pack (180 ct.) $32.44 (open box deal)
- Schick Quattro razor refills (8 count) $13.40
- AAA batteries (36 count) $8.99
- Sales tax $3.42
Saturday, March 23: H-E-B $5.42
Just a few things for taco night, plus donuts for kids.
- Shredded lettuce $1.57
- Roma tomatoes (1.5 lbs.) $1.13
- Donuts x4 $0.68 each
Monday, March 25: H-E-B $33.50 and $21.32 WIC
Picking up the last few things for the month, plus some WIC stuff we hadn’t grabbed yet. Several really good coupons printed out with my receipt, including $3/$30 purchase, $3/$3 in cheese, $2/$2 in milk, $3/$3 in ground beef, $2/$2 in soft drinks, and $3/$3 in coffee, plus another free Rx bar, so I’ll be using those next time!
- Wheat bread (16 oz.) x2 $1.58 each (1 WIC)
- Granola bars (18 pack) $2.98
- Life cereal (18 oz.) $2.98 (WIC)
- Multigrain Cheerios cereal (18 oz.) x2 $3.18 each (2 WIC)
- Honey Bunches of Oats cereal (18 oz.) $3.28 (WIC)
- Bananas (5.38 lbs.) $1.83
- Sweet and crunchy salad mix $3.63
- Whole milk $1.88 (WIC)
- Bagged Romaine $1.98
- Rx bar $2.00 (free with receipt coupon that printed last time)
- Plain yogurt (32 oz.) $2.48 (WIC)
- Honeycrisp apples (2.99 lbs.) $7.39
- Coffeemate natural bliss almondmilk $2.98 (lately I’ve been wanting a little something extra in my coffee, and the ingredients list on this is pretty short and basic)
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $2.18
- Wilton frosting decorating bags $6.69
- Wilton 4-piece frosting tip set $3.50 (shelf coupon free with purchase of frosting bags)
- Apple juice x4 $1.19 each (4 WIC)
- Sales tax $0.26
Menu plan for second half of the month, using groceries listed above
I also planned a double batch of Butternut Soup with Chicken (and added rice) for Jesse’s lunch, plus some Instant Pot Veggie Loaded Chicken Soup for the freezer.
Monday, March 18
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Snacky Lunch
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with Veggies and Cheese
Tuesday, March 19
Breakfast: Banana Nut Muffins (recipe testing for More Oat Flour Muffins!)
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Peanut Butter Veggie Stir Fry
Wednesday, March 20
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Cold Cubano Sandwiches
Dinner: Homemade Pizza – BBQ Chicken and Chicken Fajita (I made a half batch of chicken fajita mix and put that on a pizza with cheddar cheese – so good!)
Thursday, March 21
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Instant Pot Orange Chicken, Instant Pot Rice
Friday, March 22
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Instant Pot Cabbage Veggie Soup, Biscuits
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas (from the freezer)
Saturday, March 23
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Tamale Pie (I make a 1.5 batch of this and bake it in a 9×13 pan, although I have a feeling pretty soon I’ll just have to double it!)
Sunday, March 24
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Ground Turkey Lentil Tacos
Monday, March 25
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Taco Salads
Tuesday, March 26
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Homemade Lunchables
Dinner: Oatmeal Pancakes, Cinnamon Apples
Wednesday, March 27
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Crockpot Mexican Chicken Chowder
Thursday, March 28 – Matthew’s birthday, which means he picked the food
Breakfast: Mint Snowtop Cookie Muffins (from here)
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese and Hot Dogs
Dinner: Book It Pizzas, Pikachu cake (Jesse and I had Panera salads)
Friday, March 29
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Mexi Rice bowls (rice was in the freezer from last time)
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Saturday, March 30
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Sunday, March 31
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Toscana Soup
Total spent: $547.90
Total rewards points: $18.14
Total WIC: $68.24
Overall, our grocery budget is in a pretty good place. Over the next few months I want to put our monthly spending so far this year in a spreadsheet and see how we’re doing (numbers nerd!). But I feel like less than $100/person per month is pretty good. Still, I’m always looking for ways we can save a little bit more.
How’s your grocery budget doing this year?
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