During the insanity of the holiday season, I really let my grocery budget get completely out of hand. I was buying things for special meals that I don't normally buy. I wasn't paying much attention to prices because I needed what I needed when I needed it. So after work last night I went to the store with a few coupons in hand. I hadn't clipped or printed many lately because I just hadn't had the time. Really paying attention to the prices I was paying this time around was a HUGE eye opener. I kind of freaked a little bit at the prices. They have really gone up when I wasn't looking. And being out of several things that I normally have stocked up and that weren't on sale this time around didn't help! So,this is what I got:
2 Bags Tyson Chicken
1 Glad Trash Bags
2 8 O'Clock Coffees (got a rain check since they were out of my favorite flavor, but got these to get me through)
6 Powerades
2 Ramen Noodles
1 Bag Salad Mix
1 Angel Soft 9 Pack Double Roll
1 Publix Dog Treats
4 Crystal Lights
1 30 lb. Pedigree Dog Food (Not Pictured)
Spent: $63.57
Saved: $38.64 or 38%
I've got to do better --- because I just spend over 25% of the month's grocery budget and I really didn't buy much in the way of actual FOOD. Yikes.
I am trying to make sure that I only make one "special" meal a month that needs extra ingredients because of the cost of everything.
ReplyDeleteGas went back up too!
I had the same experience. December's food budget was totally insane. Then I decided to get smart, clean out the pantry and make a very limited list. I ended up spending $78.00 for very few items...(even less than yours!) However, I think you did great when you add in the 30 lb bag of dogfood and the kitchen bags!
ReplyDeleteI hate that food prices are going up! It's killing our food budget.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if this is helpful, but I finally gave up Crystal Light & Gatorade, and only use the G2 (lighter version of Gatorade) on days when I have a huge workout. I consider them "splurges", & only buy them if the grocery budget is under for the month. Anyway, something to consider. :-)
ReplyDeleteI tend to ONLY buy Crystal Light when it is on BOGO sale -- the Princess has gotten to where she prefers it to soft drinks so I stock up a bit when it is on BOGO --- The Powerades are for post basketball practice for the Princess -- they are $1.50 in the gym vending machine for a 20 oz, so I pick up the 32 oz when it goes on sale at $1 or better and she tosses it in her bag on the way out the door in the mornings.
ReplyDeleteI am BIG on Crystal Lights. I really only drink water 95% of the time (the rest is juice when I want to afford it), so Crystal Light really helps me vary it while still drinking water. I'm not a fan of sodas. But Crystal Lights are SO expensive... I've never seen them at BOGO. If I did, I'd most likely stock up with a vengeance.
ReplyDeleteOur Publix puts crystal light on bogo on a semi regular basis so I stock up when I can. I prefer us both to drink Crystal Light over soft drinks although I still buy them some, just not as much. I'm heading back to the store this morning to get the right coffee flavor and to pick up a few more to get us through to the next sale.
ReplyDelete