September just flew by! We started homeschool, my work schedule picked up, and Jesse has had plenty of school work as well.
The kids and I have figured out a routine of shopping at Aldi and H-E-B on Monday mornings (we skip Aldi every other week when we are just doing fill in trips). And then I order a few things online because it’s easier. I’ve also been buying convenience snacks because while I’d love to make everything, right now there just isn’t time. #reallife
Remember, for our groceries for the month, we are feeding six people, plus just starting to feed a baby from the table, although most of her formula and food is currently paid for by the WIC program. We also include some household items in our budget, like toilet paper and diapers and toiletries.
Here’s what we ended up with in September.
Monday, September 3 – Aldi $136.03
First big shopping trip of the month. Since it was our first day of homeschool, we went in the afternoon instead of our normal morning shopping. It was busier than normal (thank you Labor Day) but it wasn’t too bad.
- Eggs (1 dozen) x5 $1.06 each
- Pistachios x2 $4.49 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x7 $1.69 each
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x3 $1.29 each
- Blueberries $1.49
- Old-fashioned oats x2 $2.39 each
- Orange juice x2 $1.99 each
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.39
- Snack bars x3 $1.39 each
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x2 $0.89 each
- Turkey lunch meat (16 oz.) $3.19
- Chocolate chips x2 $1.69 each
- White chocolate chips and butterscotch chips x3 of each $0.49 each (these were on clearance because their “best by” date is the end of the month – I threw them in the freezer for future baking!)
- Cashews $4.79
- Salsa x2 $1.19 each
- Canned pumpkin x2 $0.79 each
- Brown sugar $1.29
- Wheat bread x2 $1.49 each
- Canned diced tomatoes x2 $0.45 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes x2 $0.79 each
- Dark chocolate bars x2 $1.99 each
- Milk chocolate bars x2 $1.49 each
- Peanut butter (40 oz.) x3 $2.49 each
- BBQ sauce $2.38
- Green peppers (3 pack) x3 $1.29 each
- Canned tomato sauce x2 $0.25 each
- Pop tarts $1.09
- Strawberry preserves $1.49
- Zucchini (20 oz.) x3 $0.86 each
- Bananas (5.53 lbs.) $2.05
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.49
- Cantaloupe $0.89
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) x2 $0.95 each
- Chicken breast (5.37 lbs.) $9.18
- Fuji apples (3 lbs.) $2.99
- Grapes (2.55 lbs.) $2.27
- Kale salad kit $2.49
- Spring mix tub $2.99
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x3 $1.99 each
Monday, September 3 – H-E-B $85.13 and $127.87 WIC
Where Aldi was not so bad, even though it was busy, H-E-B was absolute chaos. Thank goodness my husband was along, or I totally would have lost children.
- Grapes (2.51 lbs.) $4.97 (WIC)
- Whole chicken $6.43
- Ground sausage (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Spinach $1.18 (WIC)
- White Rabbit candies $3.68
- Gluten free flour $4.98
- Butternut squash (6.82 lbs.) $8.05 (partially WIC)
- Shredded coconut $1.98
- 2 king size candy bars $1.14 each (minus $0.75/2 coupon)
- Similac formula x7 $117.39 (WIC)
- Canned coconut milk $1.98
- Sesame oil $3.99
- Mirin $4.49
- Yeast $3.79
- Honey (32 oz.) $6.82 (I use local honey for no-bake stuff, but store-bought when it’s going in the oven, because that kills the benefits of local stuff anyways)
- Brown rice (32 oz.) $1.48
- Canned diced green chiles x2 $1.08 each
- Gluten free pasta x2 $1.77 each
- Shredded parmesan cheese $2.50
- Kashi bars x2 $2.98 each (all the snack bars from Aldi had wheat flakes in them, so those were for the kids, and these are for me)
- Milk $2.48 (WIC)
- Honey roasted peanuts x2 $4.98 each
- Coffee $4.48
- Flour tortillas (20 ct.) $2.48 (we’ve had issues a couple times with the Aldi ones sticking together to the point that they’re useless, so we’re going back to Mission brand for now)
- Sesame seeds $2.72
Tuesday, September 4 – Amazon $27.05
Angel Soft toilet paper. 48 rolls. Because it’s necessary. I feel like they changed the formula/makeup/sheet design because it feels different. It’s softer, which is not bad, but I don’t know if that means we are getting less sheets. Honestly, figuring out toilet paper value confuses me, so I just kind of aim for the middle in terms of quality and price.
Monday, September 10 – Walmart $33.69 and $4.66 WIC
Fill in trip for produce and a few other things.
- Eggs (5 dozen) $5.19
- Watermelon $3.87
- YoCrunch yogurt 4 pk. $1.72
- Bananas (4.13 lbs.) $1.98
- Zucchini (1.13 lbs.) $1.11
- Ginger root (0.06 lbs.) $0.17
- Tomatoes (1.23 lbs.) $1.57
- Spinach $1.54
- Chobani yogurt 4 pk. $3.27
- Sour cream $1.00
- Thin sliced round steak (0.80 lbs.) $8.11
- Tortilla chips $1.96
- Bread (16 oz.) $2.68 (WIC)
- Milk gallon $1.98 (WIC)
- 2 packs of erasers for homeschool $0.48 each
- Sales tax $0.08
Tuesday, September 11 – H-E-B $19.96
I wasn’t planning to go to the store, but we had like 20 minutes to kill, so I took the kids there to see if the Buddy Bucks machine (aka kid slots) was finally working, and grabbed two things I knew we were out of.
- Quinoa (48 oz.) $9.98
- Coconut oil (2 pack) $9.98
Thursday, September 20 – Amazon $31.11
Huggies size 2 diapers for the little one. 246 of them. Because babies go through a lot…
Menu plan for the first half of September, using the above groceries
Monday, September 3
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Cheesy Chicken Quinoa
Dinner: Instant Pot Lentil Dinner
Tuesday, September 4
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Tangy Pasta Salad from here
Dinner: Chicken Salad Bar
Wednesday, September 5
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Chicken Butternut Quinoa
Thursday, September 6
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, Fruit, Veggies
Dinner: Blueberry Waffles from here
Friday, September 7
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Tamale Pie
Saturday, September 8
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Butternut Squash Soup with Sausage
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, September 9
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Monday, September 10
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Turkey Lentil Taco Salads
Tuesday, September 11
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Out to eat for my birthday
Dinner: Crockpot Mexican Chicken Chowder from here
Wednesday, September 12
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Leftover Mexican Chowder
Dinner: Korean Beef Bowls from here
Thursday, September 13
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, Fruit, Veggies
Dinner: Black Bean Fajita Casserole
Friday, September 14
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: Leftover Fajita Casserole
Dinner: Crockpot Tomato Turkey Soup and Homemade Bread
Saturday, September 15
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
Lunch: Out with family who are visiting
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, September 16
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Sausage Spinach Skillet
Monday, September 17 – Aldi $108.68
Big grocery trip for the second half of the month, part one.
- Mushrooms (8 oz.) x4 $0.99 each
- Tomatoes (2 pack) $1.39
- Cocoa Rice cereal $1.45
- Marshmallow Stars cereal $1.39
- Red grapes (3.56 lbs.) $6.02
- Sour cream (16 oz.) $0.99
- Wheat bread (24 oz.) $1.49
- Bagged Italian salad $1.99
- Frozen green beans (16 oz.) $1.39
- Frozen peas (16 oz.) x2 $0.95 each
- Frozen corn (16 oz.) $0.95
- Butter (1 lb.) x3 $2.36 each
- Frozen tater tots $1.65
- Old-fashioned oats x2 $2.39 each
- Candy bars x2 $1.99 each
- Paper plates $2.99
- Sugar (4 lbs.) $1.09
- Onions (3 lbs.) $1.59
- Trail mix $4.89
- Vanilla extract $3.55
- Ground turkey (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Kleenex x2 $0.99 each
- Chocolate chips $1.69
- Gluten free spaghetti $1.89
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.) x5 $1.69 each
- Canned crushed tomatoes (28 oz.) x3 $0.79 each
- Crunchy peanut butter $1.15
- Canned diced tomatoes x3 $0.45 each
- Canned tomato paste $0.39
- Russet potatoes (1o lbs.) $2.99
- Corn tortillas (30 ct.) $0.89
- Green peppers (3 pack) x3 $1.29 each
- Carrots (2 lbs.) x2 $0.99 each
- Zucchini (20 oz.) $1.19
- Pistachios $4.49
- Bananas (4.73lbs.) $1.70
- Eggs (12 ct.) x4 $0.97 each
- Chicken breast (5.62 lbs.) $9.51
- Sales tax $0.41
Monday, September 17 – H-E-B $63.22 and $16.81 WIC
Big shopping trip for the second half of the month, part two.
- Large navel oranges (3.92 lbs.) $3.41
- Yellow popcorn (4 lbs.) $2.66
- Chobani coconut yogurt (4 pack) x2 $3.27 each
- Sidewalk chalk (for school) $1.97
- Multigrain Cheerios (18 oz.) x2 $3.18 each (WIC)
- String cheese (12 pack) $2.49
- Apple juice (64 oz.) x2 $1.19 each (WIC)
- Frozen stir fry veggies $1.78
- Dry brown rice (32 oz.) $1.25
- Dawn dish soap $3.44
- Eggs (12 ct.) $1.17 (WIC)
- Suave men body wash x2 $2.94 each
- Butternut squash (4.63 lbs.) $5.46
- Milk (quart) $0.98 (WIC)
- Dry lentils (16 oz.) x2 $0.92 each
- Coffee (12 oz.) $4.48 minus $1.00 coupon
- Peanut butter (16 oz.) $1.47 (WIC)
- Flour tortillas (2o count) $2.48
- Bagged spinach $1.18
- Unbleached all purpose flour (5 lbs.) $1.92
- Wheat bread (16 oz.) $1.58 (WIC)
- Canned black olives $1.38
- Gluten free rotini x2 $1.77 each
- Sharp cheddar cheese (16 oz.) $3.42 (WIC)
- Ground sausage (1 lb.) x2 $1.99 each
- Gel food coloring (4 pack) $3.19
- Watermelon $3.87
- Sales tax $0.93
what our H-E-B shopping cart usually looks like – mostly baby with groceries tucked in where we can fit them
Monday, September 24 – H-E-B $60.86 and $39.50 WIC
Fill in produce trip and baby stuff.
- Grapes (2.78 lbs.) $2.70
- Spaghetti squash (4.22 lbs.) $4.14
- Green pepper $0.68
- Bananas (5.96 lbs.) $2.03
- Tomatoes (4 pack) $1.26
- Bagged shredded lettuce $1.57
- Oui Yoplait yogurt (4 pack) $4.77
- Similac formula x2 $16.77 each
- Orange juice $1.98
- Milk (gallon) $2.48 (WIC)
- Baby oatmeal (16 oz.) $4.14 (WIC)
- Baby multigrain (8 oz.) $2.24 (WIC)
- Baby food jars x 32 $32.58 total (WIC)
- Whole chicken $6.09
- Paper towels (3 pack) $1.94
- Sales tax $0.16
Menu plan for the second half of September, using the groceries listed above
Monday, September 17
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Instant Pot Chicken with Veggies and Rice
Tuesday, September 18
Breakfast: Yogurt and Homemade Granola
Lunch: Chicken Fried Rice
Dinner: Veggie Spaghetti
Wednesday, September 19
Breakfast: Basic Chocolate Chip Muffins from here
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Salad Bar
Thursday, September 20
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, Grapes, Peppers
Dinner: Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with veggies and cheese
Friday, September 21
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
Dinner: Crockpot Lentil Stew, Gluten Free Biscuits
Saturday, September 22
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Leftover Lentil Stew and Biscuits
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Sunday, September 23
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
Lunch: Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
Dinner: Sausage Spinach Skillet
Monday, September 24
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Easy Apple Quesadillas
Dinner: Peanut Butter Veggie Stir Fry
Tuesday, September 25
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Creamy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Dinner: Gluten Free Turkey Lentil Tater Tot Casserole
Wednesday, September 26
Breakfast: Muffins
Lunch: Butternut Squash Soup with Sausage
Dinner: Tater Tot Casserole
Thursday, September 27
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, Fruit, Peppers
Dinner: Turkey Lentil Tacos
Friday, September 28
Breakfast: French Toast
Lunch: Black Bean Tortilla Pizzas
Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Saturday, September 29
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: Chicken Pepper Bake
Sunday, September 30
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Sandwiches/Leftovers
Dinner: Spaghetti Squash with Sausage Tomato Sauce
Grocery Totals for September:
Total Spent: $565.73
WIC Spent: $188.84
Much better looking this month! We’ve settled into a routine of school and work, and our food has settled into that routine as well. I’ve also been able to start to build my pantry and freezer supplies back up to a normal (for me) level, so that helps too!
How did you do on your grocery budget for September?
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