This past week had an unexpected complication, so I did not take the time to better plan my shopping trips.
Friday, my in-laws came to our house so I could get out for a little while. My shopping plans did not have me very close to an Aldi's, so I decided to pick up some of the items I thought we needed at Dillon's and Target.
Well, I spent $21.36 at Dillon's and $19.27 at Target. In addition, my mom and I stopped at Sam's on Saturday to pick up a case of beef. While we were there, I did not want to waste the trip, so I picked up a few more items that cost a total of $37.02. Finally, we were out of milk, so I stopped by Dillon's again on Sunday and spent $8.53. With all of this shopping, I went over our budget total for the month by $13.36.
Dillon's sucked me in with their latest sales promotion. I had some good coupons for Town House crackers (so I could get them for 50 cents), but to get the better deal, I had to buy 6 items. I was also able to get some granola bars for 50 cents a box. I bought 14 items at Dillon's, but most of the items we did not necessarily need right away. I could have waited until after the first of the month. The same was true at Target.
I do not feel as guilty about my Sam's purchases because it saved me having to make a special trip later. (I am planning to pay my mom for the meat from the July budget).
So, I have learned that I need to make more of an effort to stop at Aldi's in addition to being more committed to only buying what we need for the week.
Fortunately, we have enough items to make it through this next week, so I should not need to spend much at the store this first week of July.
Now my goal will be to stay under budget for July to cover the extra for June.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Monday, June 23, 2014
Let's Eat!
What We Plan to Eat This Week
June 22 to June 28
Breakfast
- Muffin/quick bread, yogurt
- Toast w/peanut butter, banana
- Bagel, scrambled eggs, fruit
- Smoothie, cinnamon toast
- Oatmeal, fruit
- Muffin/quick bread, yogurt
- Pancakes, fruit
Lunch
- Pizza
- Corn dogs, grapes, pretzels
- Quesadilla, salsa
- Chicken nuggets, fruit
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pretzels, fruit
- Cheese and crackers
- Mini calzones, fruit
Supper
- Eat out
- Cheesy chicken casserole, peas, bread sticks
- King's chicken, chips, salsa
- Italian crescent bake, green beans
- BBQ chicken, corn
- Pizza bake, vegetable, bread sticks
- Grilled chicken, vegetable, bread
Still on Track
Sunday I was without kids again, so I made a couple of grocery stops after church. I went to Target, Aldi's, and Dillon's, and once again, I made it a point to buy the majority of my groceries at Aldi's.
We really like the Honey Oat Bagels at Target, so I went ahead and picked some more up since Aldi's does not sell this flavor of bagel. I also picked up some Smucker's Natural peanut butter, since the natural peanut butter at Aldi's still contains sugar. All together, I spent a little over $9 at Target.
At Dillon's, I just bought milk. Thankfully, it was on sale for $2.99 per gallon, so I just spent over $6 on milk that should last us through the week.
Finally, at Aldi's, I purchased many of my typical items. My total was only $34.91 for 15 items, and that was with buying a bag of chicken at $5.99.
With only 7 days left in the month, I have spent $322.88 on groceries. I don't see any problem with staying with the $400 budget this month.
Next month will require some planning because I am nearly out of beef. My mom and I usually split a case from Sam's, so the meat will last me for quite a few months, but the initial outlay is a little painful. I guess that means I should really limit my spending for the rest of this week so I can use that extra money for meat next month.
We really like the Honey Oat Bagels at Target, so I went ahead and picked some more up since Aldi's does not sell this flavor of bagel. I also picked up some Smucker's Natural peanut butter, since the natural peanut butter at Aldi's still contains sugar. All together, I spent a little over $9 at Target.
At Dillon's, I just bought milk. Thankfully, it was on sale for $2.99 per gallon, so I just spent over $6 on milk that should last us through the week.
Finally, at Aldi's, I purchased many of my typical items. My total was only $34.91 for 15 items, and that was with buying a bag of chicken at $5.99.
With only 7 days left in the month, I have spent $322.88 on groceries. I don't see any problem with staying with the $400 budget this month.
Next month will require some planning because I am nearly out of beef. My mom and I usually split a case from Sam's, so the meat will last me for quite a few months, but the initial outlay is a little painful. I guess that means I should really limit my spending for the rest of this week so I can use that extra money for meat next month.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Hits and Misses
I have to say that Aldi's animal crackers are delicious. They taste good, and they do not contain artificial flavors (someone needs to explain to me why a vanilla cookie would have artificial flavor to begin with). I also like the cheese.
Today, we tried some of the honey graham crackers. Unfortunately, they do not taste as good as the animal crackers. My kids don't mind, so we will finish the box, but I don't think I will buy them again.
Today, we tried some of the honey graham crackers. Unfortunately, they do not taste as good as the animal crackers. My kids don't mind, so we will finish the box, but I don't think I will buy them again.
Weekly Menu
Weekly Menu
June 15 - June 21
Breakfast
- Muffin
- Yogurt
- Bagel
- Scrambled eggs
- Peanut Butter toast
- Smoothie
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes
- Fruit
Lunch
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Corn dogs
- Chicken nuggets
- Macaroni and cheese
- Quesadilla
- Cheese and Crackers
- Hot dogs
Supper
- Pizza
- Sloppy Joes
- Chicken Tacos
- Chicken pockets
- Lasagna shells
- Chicken and Rice
- Grilled Chicken
Most Recent Trip
My in-laws had my kids for the day last Thursday, so I used that day as an opportunity to do some shopping on my own.
I made a brief stop at Wal-Mart where I picked up some Clif Bars for my husband. Since they do not sell these at Aldi's, I needed to pick them up somewhere else. I paid $6.19 for the bars (including tax).
I also stopped at Aldi's and Dillon's that day. Aldi's had strawberries for 99 cents again, so I took advantage of that price as well as a pineapple for $1.29. I needed to pick up some flour as well; much to my delight, the price was only $1.28 for 5lbs. I will definitely buy my flour from Aldi's in the future. The total for Aldi's came to $22.45.
I picked up milk, yogurt, raspberries, and bananas at Dillon's (along with some Chinese food for lunch). The total came to $16.84 for that stop.
Finally, on Saturday, I needed to stop at Target to pick up a few non-grocery items. While I was there, I went ahead and picked up some food items I needed for the weekend. My total at Target was $20.05.
So far in this journey, I have enjoyed not having $100 grocery bills. To this date, I have spent a little over $204 in groceries, which is just over half our regular budget.
Now I just need to remain focused on my plan and not be tempted to buy unnecessary items at any store.
I made a brief stop at Wal-Mart where I picked up some Clif Bars for my husband. Since they do not sell these at Aldi's, I needed to pick them up somewhere else. I paid $6.19 for the bars (including tax).
I also stopped at Aldi's and Dillon's that day. Aldi's had strawberries for 99 cents again, so I took advantage of that price as well as a pineapple for $1.29. I needed to pick up some flour as well; much to my delight, the price was only $1.28 for 5lbs. I will definitely buy my flour from Aldi's in the future. The total for Aldi's came to $22.45.
I picked up milk, yogurt, raspberries, and bananas at Dillon's (along with some Chinese food for lunch). The total came to $16.84 for that stop.
Finally, on Saturday, I needed to stop at Target to pick up a few non-grocery items. While I was there, I went ahead and picked up some food items I needed for the weekend. My total at Target was $20.05.
So far in this journey, I have enjoyed not having $100 grocery bills. To this date, I have spent a little over $204 in groceries, which is just over half our regular budget.
Now I just need to remain focused on my plan and not be tempted to buy unnecessary items at any store.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Weekly Menu
Weekly Menu
June 8 - June 14
Breakfast
- Toast w/peanut butter
- Smoothie x 2
- Muffin x 2
- Scrambled Eggs
- Pancakes
Lunch
- Corn dogs
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Chicken nuggets
- Macaroni and cheese
- Grilled cheese
- Mini calzones
- Left overs
Dinner
- Leftovers
- Spaghetti
- King's chicken
- Pizza
- Chicken Parmesan
- Taco Bread
- Grilled Chicken
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