SPent Approx $60 for groceries - here is what I got

**imagine** · 09-09-2011, 11:34 AM

I spent $61.15 pre tax for this weeks groceries

Here is what I got

Walmart $25.89
Cooking oil big bottle
3 pounds of cheese
Package of hot dogs for school thing
loaf 100% whole wheat bread
bottle ranch dressing
can of chickpeas
tomato paste
tomato sauce
Fajita seasoning

Aldi's $34.26
gallon of milk
3 pounds chicken breast
flour tortilla
pound of butter unsalted
10 lb potatoes
two pounds lunch meat ( ham and salami)
bag of chocolate chips
2 boxes of mac and cheese
pound of Broccoli
2 dozen eggs
4 2 liters of soda

Sub shop $1
two day old french bread loaves

Here are the planned meals ( many lunches are leftovers or sandwiches)

French bread pizza and garlic bread
mac and cheese
chicken breast breaded in a seasoned flour mixture
tuna noddle casserole
Beef and broccoli in the crockpot
Fajitas
pancakes
breakfast burritos

**imagine** · 09-09-2011, 01:34 PM

So where Hubby works he can see the accounts.

He comes home for Lunch and says "So were you afraid to spend money on groceries this week?"
I say, "no"
he says, "you only spent around $60"
I say, "that is all we needed this week"

Then he heads to the fridge to look and see what we bought and what he could have for lunch. He also looks at the menu on the fridge.

I'm not to sure he approved.

I just can't win.

**lwlynch** · 09-09-2011, 01:45 PM

i have been keeping a menu on the fridge too, and i list on one side, what is left in fridge they can eat up. i haven't been scoring big points around here either..lol.
by the way i like your menu

**imagine** · 09-09-2011, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by lwlynch

i have been keeping a menu on the fridge too, and i list on one side, what is left in fridge they can eat up. i haven't been scoring big points around here either..lol.
by the way i like your menu

Thanks

I have a wet erase menu board that I made up several years ago. The family had asked for one so they would know what was coming up and what to eat. But lately with bigger appetites of the children I have had to use tape and label some things "For recipe" so they don't accidentally eat it. We have also take to listing the days of the weekend on the soda bottles so they don't all end up being drank on say Friday and everyone craving a soda on Sunday. Now their is a 2 liter for everyday in the weekend.

Is your list on one side of your menu a list of leftovers and ingredients leftover from the recipes that have become available to eat?

I'm thinking I might have to be vigilant about having ready to eat things like carrots sticks ready to go as well as a baked good or two for a treat. I have hummus dip to make for the veggies. Hubby was sad he didn't get much last week as it was a big hit.

**peanut** · 09-09-2011, 01:59 PM

I'm jealous. No WAY could I get those groceries for that low a price! The cheese alone would by $18-20 here.

**lwlynch** · 09-09-2011, 09:41 PM

i also baggie all the cookies and snacks. chips and pretzels in the sandwich bag size. We all are drinking water with a soda as a treat.
the column i make is usually leftovers that they can have. i went and spent the money and bought 1 cup styrofoam cups with lids, so that i measure out serving sizes of leftovers. labeling them
I also use them for jello, fruits. I also make a cake cut a piece put in the cup and pour the jello (1 cup water to jello mix) on top. they chill up and then they squirt whip cream on top.
crazy too that i am .. i use these cups and i pre scoop the gallon of icecream..
it just seems that when i do all this, there is less waste, and less mess.

**lwlynch** · 09-09-2011, 09:44 PM

one of my greatest ideas was..when i made pulled pork bq or sloppy joes. I would put a cup cake paper in the cupcake tin and fill with sloppy joes or bq. then i would slip into freezer, when frozen lift out and put in freezer bag and label. then the kids pull one out and lay on a plate..nuke 1:minute and 1/2 and then put on a bun.
this has really cut down on the stopping and getting a 99 cent items.. quick simple and less waste

**imagine** · 09-10-2011, 07:44 AM

Thanks for all the ideas Lwlynch

**mom of 3 NC** · 09-10-2011, 11:17 PM

Thanks for sharing how you made that 60 dollars stretch. I am inspired to go through my pantry and start building a meal plan for the month. I hope I can spend less than 100 $ for anything my family needs to get through the month.. I'm off to check out the rest of the village for ideas and frugal help...

**oheoh's momma** · 09-10-2011, 11:36 PM

I thought you done well. The menu was nutritous and feeling everybody has to stretch a buck now days. I would have been happy with that menu for us. By the way Salami is like $ 6-7 a lb here so that is huge treat like steak. hugs

**imagine** · 09-11-2011, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by peanut

I'm jealous. No WAY could I get those groceries for that low a price! The cheese alone would by $18-20 here.

Cheese is running here a little over $4 a pound so I spent $13 on cheese it was mainly Colby and monterrey jack

**imagine** · 09-11-2011, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by mom of 3 NC

Thanks for sharing how you made that 60 dollars stretch. I am inspired to go through my pantry and start building a meal plan for the month. I hope I can spend less than 100 $ for anything my family needs to get through the month.. I'm off to check out the rest of the village for ideas and frugal help...

It looks like this one of your first post at FV. Welcome
Have looking around the village for frugal ideas

Good Luck on the $100 shopping trip for your family. Please share with us how it goes

**LuvMyHubby** · 09-11-2011, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by imagine

So where Hubby works he can see the accounts.

He comes home for Lunch and says "So were you afraid to spend money on groceries this week?"
I say, "no"
he says, "you only spent around $60"
I say, "that is all we needed this week"

Then he heads to the fridge to look and see what we bought and what he could have for lunch. He also looks at the menu on the fridge.

I'm not to sure he approved.

I just can't win.

It all looked pretty darn good to me...........can I come to your house for dinners?

I got a dissaproval on how I did the floors many years ago (something grumbled about edges) ever since my dh has been the CEO of floor care maintenance in our house.

**TheRootedNomad** · 09-11-2011, 09:58 AM

I think you did awesome. If I wasn't afraid we'd be living on pretzels and hotdogs every meal for a month I'd let DH be in charge of the grocery shopping here for a bit so he could get a feel for how expensive it is when you get REALLY picky about what you will eat.