Please help - our grocery budget is out of control.

[MamaPyratekk]

**Sorry, this is long!**

Before my husband got the job that he has, we were very good with our food budget. We knew how much we had to spend on groceries and we hardly ever went over it. I was being extremely frugal with everything because we needed to be. However, now with the job he has we no longer *need* to be frugal. But I don't want things to be as overboard as I feel they are now. I don't want to have to watch every penny and nickel like we did before, but I also don't want to keep spending as if we have no limits on our money because we DO.

With that said, I feel like our grocery spending is out of control. Right now in our household it's me (7m pregnant), my husband, and my 19m old son. Not including food products we buy at Sam's Club we're spending somewhere in the range of $500/month on groceries. Go ahead, get out your tears and screams...I know it's ghastly. It's like suddenly we had some money and decided that we could spend whatever we wanted, but I don't want to live this way!!!

Okay, so it's obvious I need HELP!!
What I'm going to do is list below, first, the things I'm currently doing to work on reducing how much we spend on groceries. After that I'm going to list some obstacles that I face when I go grocery shopping (or things that I, or other family members, refuse to budge on). I'm not looking to live on rice and beans, and I don't mind spending more than I've seen some people spend on here (I was a member here for a while a couple of years ago)...but $500+sams club food is just ridiculous to me! So any help would be so greatly appreciated.

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Things I'm Currently Doing to Reduce Grocery Costs
1. I have started my first (small) garden. I have tomato plants, a jalapeno plant, okra, and watermelon. Only the Early Girl tomato actually is starting to produce, none of them are ready for eating YET.
2. We only buy meat at Sams Club in bulk. We typically get chicken breast and ground turkey, and the occasional pork loin if the price is good.
3. I've been cooking a lot more from scratch.
4. Couponing when it makes the item cheaper than the generic.
5. I try to buy the generic of anything that I can.
6. Buying more frozen vegetables. Not only are they cheaper than fresh, but are actually typically more nutritious. We get frozen veggies for any that we don't really "have to have" fresh...like peas, corn, etc etc.

"Obstacles" I'm Facing
1. My husband insists on keeping quick frozen dinners in the freezer. I've tried freezing homemade things, but then he never eats them. This wouldn't be so bad except he also tends to prefer the taste of the more expensive frozen meals. I've tried generic ones, but other than a couple...he's hated most of them.
2. My husband and I are very into fitness and eating well is *extremely* important to us. I know we could save money by eating white rice and white bread...but we just don't eat those things. I'd rather spend the extra money than eat that I consider junk. I do make desserts that include things like powdered sugar and other non-healthiness...but those are for a treat, I don't want to eat unhealthy foods every day.
3. I don't drive and even if I did, my husband has to use the car for work. So I have to go grocery shopping around 7pm and I can only get to one store. I can't go around shopping at all the different stores. Thankfully the one I shop at does have pretty low prices overall compared to some other grocers around here. The only exception is that we go to Sams Club one Saturday per month to get everything we need from there.
4. Hubby is a foodie, so having anything too bland for dinner is a no-no. I usually am able to do this thanks to herbs and spices, but just wanted to make sure that I mentioned it.
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So, keeping all of that in mind...any helpful tips? Anything would help...tips, sample grocery lists, etc etc. I've been reading over my three TWGs recently to get some ideas too, but they only help so much lol. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[forHISglory]

Hi,
It would help me to know some of your typical menus and shopping lists. Then I could give you some specific ideas.

[Momto2Boyz]

If you have the time, one area to save is the bread. If you eat white bread, you can't beat the price yourself. But if you are eating wheat or whole grain, making it yourself can be much cheaper. So if you have one night a week you can spend making a couple loaves of bread, it'll save you a few bucks.

I agree with forHISglory, post some of your "sample" menu's and maybe we can help you with substitutions. So your menu won't change, but maybe some of the ingredients will!

[Grayce]

It sounds like you are doing everything you can. The prices of everything have been going up. We used to have a grocery budget of $600 for the four of us. Now we are over every month because all the prices are rising and the great sales just haven't been there lately. We have been thankful that we have had the extra room in our budget to cover the extra expenses.
I understand that it often costs more to eat healthy foods. We do not eat white flour here so it costs extra to buy whole wheat bread, pasta and baked goods.
We are doing many of the same strategies that you are, buying frozen veges and putting in a bigger garden. One of the biggest grocery budget busters for me is meat. The only thing I could recommend is trying to shop the sales for meat. I find that I can get a better price on meat when it is on sale then the prices at Costco. I have a butcher that has great sales and I make a point of checking in there whenever I can to check the sales. Often you can check the sales flyers online as well. If you know one store is having a really good sale you could go over after 7 when you have access to the car.Good luck!

[MamaPyratekk]

Thanks you all . I knew I was forgetting to put something in my post, but I was busy chasing my little one around so it took me like an hour just to type up my post lol!

Okay, I can't seem to find any of my old meal plans around here anywhere. So instead, I searched and searched and found a receipt from my last grocery shopping trip. I went shopping last on the 10th of this month, and I'll probably be going today. So that was 13 days ago. The plus side is, that means that it's been two weeks since I went grocery shopping so that's better than normal...I must be on the right track! Also I should mention you'll see this wasn't the most healthy trip lol. Also most things on the list are generic/store brand.

So here goes my list, be prepared because I'm going to post EVERYTHING...prices and all! My total this particular trip was $180.19, with a savings of $24.51 between sales and coupons. For the ones that have two prices, the first is the regular price and the second is the sale price.

Whew here it goes!! You've been warned LOL:

*=specifically for my son **=specifically for my husband
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Flour : 2.89
Mahatma yellow rice (big bag) : 2.35/2.05
*Cheezits : 3.00/2.00
Morton sea salt : 1.99
Hershey bar (it was a Take5...dang preggo cravings!) : .65
Organic ketchup (only one without HFCS) : 2.09/1.79
S'Mores poptarts : 2.15
Oregano : 1.99
Generic "fruity pebbles" : 2.99
Organic cane sugar : 2.42
Paprika : 2.42
Cayenne pepper : 3.79
**Cinnamon raisin bagels (only ones without HFCS) : 3.19
Wheat bread : 2.69/2.14
Tomato paste : .69
2 Tomato sauce : 1.56
2 canned peaches in juice : 2.50/2.12
canned corn : .83
canned new potatoes : .71
canned white corn : 1.03/.89
generic chips : 1.00
Baking powder : 1.50
*Honey graham crackers : 2.00/1.50
Baking cocoa : 1.80
huge thing of generic oatmeal : 2.64
Dry milk : 9.99
egg noodles : 1.59/1.39
butter flavor cooking spray : 2.19/1.50
popcorn (kernels, not microwavable) : 1.69/1.39
low sodium, fat free veggie broth : 3.49
low sodium, fat free chick. broth : 3.49
2 S'mores flavor LUNA bar : 2.98
*Infant pain reliever (non-food item) : 4.69
Smart balance 50/50 butter sticks : 3.59
2 Cheapo-brand whole milk : 7.38
2 Mozarella cheese blocks (froze one) : 5.00/4.00
**6 generic yogurt cups : 3.60
Margarine (in tub) : 2.19
Orange juice : 3.19/2.89
Eggs (It was a size bigger than a dozen...) : 2.53
2 canned crescent rolls : 4.32
fat free buttermilk : 1.69
**frozen salisbury steak : 2.72
**frozen meal : 2.72
**frozen meal : 2.72
**frozen mini-bagels : 1.66
frozen blueberries (big bag): 4.48
frozen peas : 2.70
frozen corn : 2.70
frozen baby lima beans : 2.79
2 huge boxes of generic frozen waffles : 5.68/3.00
**some kind of icecream : 3.59/2.50
**frozen pizza : 3.99/2.88
**frozen pizza : 3.99/2.88
**frozen pizza : 3.99/2.88
*microwavable chicken nuggets (not a typical buy) : 3.00
Cheapo 'deli turkey' : 2.99
2 ALL BEEF packs of hotdogs : 9.38/6.00
2 cucumbers : 1.58/1.38
green onions : .69
Celery : 2.49
8oz sliced fresh mushrooms : 1.99/1.49
tomatos : 5.97/3.31
Bananas : 2.66
Red grapes : 6.82/4.54
Apples : 2.47/2.19
Sweet onions : 3.06/1.16
And I know I bought a bag of yukon gold potatoes but I can't find it on the receipt.

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Okay now that you've looked at that insane list...
Some of the things I've made in the past two weeks:

Breakfast
scratch blueberry muffins
scratch blueberry pancakes
oatmeal with unsweetened applesauce
yogurt with fruit (husband and son both eat this)
bagels with cream cheese (husband eats this)
scrambled eggs with toast and fruit
occasional cold cereal
occasional poptarts

Lunch
Sandwiches
"pigs in the blanket" (crescent rolls + hot dogs)
Leftovers from the week (happens often)
...actually that's about it, we do a lot of leftovers.

Dinner
herb/spiced chicken with veggies (we eat this often)
tacos
stir fry
"bisquick pizza"
frozen meals (husband does this)
chicken vegetable soup
tuna casserole
chicken casserole
turkey burgers with homemade baked fries (I make baked fries a few times a week typically)
ETC ETC ETC

Snacks/Beverages
hot chocolate (that was what the cocoa and dry milk were for)
son snacks on cheezits and graham crackers
I also made a ranch sauce for some veggies

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I still have a lot of stuff left as they were staples that I don't need to use every day, but won't have to buy again until they run out.

Now, for more help. Some things I plan to make this week are:
Ice cream sandwiches (I already have the ingredients, alex hated the icecream I bought last week "as it is" so I'm going to mix it up with these), chocolate chip muffins, turkey burgers, black bean burgers, tacos with 'mexican restaurant' salsa and chips, chicken and veggies/rice...and no clue what else.

My current list for today includes:
Sugar (I messed up a recipe and killed last weeks bag because of it, hardly any is left now), powdered sugar, whole wheat flour, ice cream alex likes, mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, unsweetened applesauce, yeast, canned dice stewed tomatoes, taco seasoning, green pepper, cumin, fat free sour cream, mushrooms, nutmeg, a lime, pikcled jalapenos, cilantro

I need to buy more, but those are what I've written down so far.
Wow thanks to anyone who actually reads all that lol

[Dancing Lotus]

I noticed the spices, have you tried buying the large bottles at the giant wholesale stores?

I buy paprika for 3.69 its a 16 oz bottle. Yes 16 not 1.6. Thats only 23 cents an ounce. I am guessing you probably got around 2 oz for your 2.42 making it 1.21 an once. Same thing with baking powder.

Make a batch of your own waffles and freeze them.

I get tomato sauce for .25 a can and buy them by the case at save a lot. Try looking for a store like save a lot and Aldis. If you have one of those make a point of going once a month and buy a case of things like that , that you find are cheaper then what you are paying now.

Buying organic is going to be more costly now matter what you do, but starting your own garden is a great way to cut the cost down. Good luck with your gargen.

[ellebee]

I see 2 problems: the first is your husband doesn't seem to be onboard with lowering the grocery bill - maybe you can work together and see what he is willing to give up to lower your bill; the second problems is you need to buy items when they are on sale more (loss leaders) - can you go to more than one store? I usually dont buy anything at the regular grocery stores unless its on sale and then I stock up on those items. The meat at the grocery stores on sale is cheaper than Sams I've found - of course it all depends on what stores are in your area. HTH

[suki]

I buy gourmet spices, sauces and ingredients at the bent and dent store, or on sale or close-out. I rarely pay full price for them. I also find a lot of gourmet and organic snacks at very cheap prices at salvage grocery.

I buy meats and stock up on sale... in fact I do this with all my ingredients. This also allows me to always have a variety on hand.

The garden will help.

[MamaPyratekk]

I noticed the spices, have you tried buying the large bottles at the giant wholesale stores?

I buy paprika for 3.69 its a 16 oz bottle. Yes 16 not 1.6. Thats only 23 cents an ounce. I am guessing you probably got around 2 oz for your 2.42 making it 1.21 an once. Same thing with baking powder.

Make a batch of your own waffles and freeze them.

I get tomato sauce for .25 a can and buy them by the case at save a lot. Try looking for a store like save a lot and Aldis. If you have one of those make a point of going once a month and buy a case of things like that , that you find are cheaper then what you are paying now.

Buying organic is going to be more costly now matter what you do, but starting your own garden is a great way to cut the cost down. Good luck with your gargen.

Yea, the spices are an issue I've talked to my husband about. I meant to buy them in bigger containers at Sams Club, but I needed them right then and we had just had our monthly SC trip. I probably could have waited, and that much is my fault for being so impatient. Most of my spices are home are bulk from Sams or bagged from a place that has bulk bins.

I'm not sure if we have a Sav-a-Lot or Aldis here, but I'll check and see if there is a way that we could also make that a monthly trip. I know that I have no way to shop like some do going to 2, 3, even 5 grocery stores per trip to get the best prices. But if it was a once per month or two months thing we may be able to work that out. Thanks for the suggestions!

I see 2 problems: the first is your husband doesn't seem to be onboard with lowering the grocery bill - maybe you can work together and see what he is willing to give up to lower your bill; the second problems is you need to buy items when they are on sale more (loss leaders) - can you go to more than one store? I usually dont buy anything at the regular grocery stores unless its on sale and then I stock up on those items. The meat at the grocery stores on sale is cheaper than Sams I've found - of course it all depends on what stores are in your area. HTH

I think that the biggest thing is that he doesn't actually realize how expensive things are right now with all the prices going up. He can see that gas prices are ridiculous, but since I'm the one who does the grocery shopping he just doesn't get it. The only thing is that I think if I sit down and try to explain it to him or even show him that it still isn't going to sink in because he's not the one out shopping week after week. I think I'll sit down with him sometime this week and just explain it all to him and why I need to have him on board.

And nope, I can't really go to more than one store. I'm only able to get to the one closest to where we live. The only exception is that once per month we go to Sams Club. And I can't get my meat anywhere else cheaper because the meat that gets marked down in price at the regular grocer(which I used to buy and freeze) gets done early in the morning when I have absolutely no way of getting there . Hopefully things will be different in a few months when I can get put on the car insurance (I'm waiting until I've had my license for a year since insurance is so high the first year) because then, even though I'll be shopping late, I can at least go to more than one store.

Thanks for the advice!

[suki]

Reading through your list...

Here's where I would alter and save:
- Make waffles and pancakes and freeze for quick use.
- Make bagels or buy at bread outlet.
- Buy gourmet and canned ingredients at salvage store or on sale.
- Expand the garden to grow all that I'm buying in cans and fresh... preserve the excess. (long-term project)
- Get hubby on board with reducing budget and compromise with a few budget prepared items... example, frozen meatballs are about the same cost as making them myself. Then, just make pasta and sauce for a quick meal! Also, on board with preparing your own freezer meals. Discussion question: why does he want these? comfort food? convenience? Does he realize how much they add to the budget for one person?

[knotme]

I suggest you get your yeast at Sam's club verses the grocery store. That will be a big savings for you. keep in the freezer.

[MomToTwoBoys]

If your husband is having trouble seeing why grocery prices are so expensive, perhaps it would be a good time to take him with you. Walk down the aisle with him, point something out and then say, 'See this? I bet you we can get it for tons cheaper elsewheres and it's still as good'. Exposure is the best way to help someone realize that things are reality and not just made up in someone else's head. I show my DH how much something costs at Safeway compared to what I can get for it at Superstore (even the meat - he was never a fan of Superstore meat until he had pork tenderloin at a bbq a few weeks back and loved it). If you don't have the luxury of going to another store besides the ones you go to now, I'd get a notebook and write down the costs and amount of that item and compare the price.

I'd also compare the cost of the frozen stuff (like the blueberries, the corn, etc) with what you can get fresh and then freeze them yourself. Even if it is just five or ten cents, in the end that does add up to quite a bit.

[staciah]

Have you tried growing some of your herb in your garden. You can get them pretty cheap and they grow very good and quick.

Also, You can cook from scratch alot of your already made foods. Bisquick can be made from scratch and its alot better. Muffins can be cooked from scratch. Pizza is so easy also and some much better when it's fresh.Look on the net there are alot of recipes out there.

I also noticed you buy powdered milk and also whole milk. I would buy just one, the powdered.I have been giving powdered to my son since he was 3. Kids don't need the fat content of whole milk.
The buttermilk also. That comes in a dry form and it very good and less expensive.

Your flour and sugar can by purchased in bulk at Sam's. It just might be cheaper too. Just place them in 5 gl buckets.

You also say that you DH is a foodie and you guys don't eat "bad" food. Frozen meals are some of the worst meals. They are so high in sodium and calories. I would really consider making your own frozen meals. You then would know whats in them.

[hippytreehugger4ever]

If you have the time, one area to save is the bread. If you eat white bread, you can't beat the price yourself. But if you are eating wheat or whole grain, making it yourself can be much cheaper. So if you have one night a week you can spend making a couple loaves of bread, it'll save you a few bucks.

I agree with forHISglory, post some of your "sample" menu's and maybe we can help you with substitutions. So your menu won't change, but maybe some of the ingredients will!

Or find a bread outlet. I get the $5 a loaf Earthgrains bread at my Sara Lee outlet for around .75 a loaf

[hippytreehugger4ever]

Oh, and when you peel veggies save the skins in the freezer in a gallon bag. When you get enough, boil it to make your own veggie broth. Also, look for things at Dollar Tree! I've found all finds of good organic stuff there for a buck. Organic chicken broth, green tea in a tin, pasta, boxed soy milk.......