Week of 1/8/12 - Shopping

I ended last week with still $11 for the budget (spent $5 mid-week for coffee creamer), added to this weeks total gives me $96 for this weeks shopping.  There were a lot of sales this week at Safeway which helped a ton. I saved 41% of my bill.

Safeway:

1 bag Dry Black Beans      $1.99

1 bag Dry Split Peas          $1.99

2 Quaker Oat Containers   $5.49  (BOGOF)

1 box Nut Thin Crackers   $3.49 (my favorite GF cracker!)

1 Large Container Coffee  $7.99

4 bags of Frozen Veggies  $6.38 (buy 2 get 2 free)

1 brick of cheese                $4.49

1 container cream cheese   $2.00

Orange Juice                      $2.50

2 boxes stick butter            $5.00

Lunch Meat                       $1.99 

31 lbs Pork Spareribs         $15.76 (BOGOF)

Green Cabbage                  $1.68

Baby Carrots                      $1.50

2 packs of berries               $3.99 (BOGOF)

Total: $66.24

Trader Joes:

Earth Balance Spread     $3.99

TJ's High Fiber Cereal   $2.29

Raw Broccoli Slaw        $1.49

Organic Baby Spinach   $1.99

2 Red Bell Peppers         $2.29

1.5 lbs Zucchini              $2.29

Pearl Tomatoes               $2.49

Soy Sauce                       $2.99

Applesauce                     $1.69

Half & Half                     $1.79

11 Bananas                     $2.09

2 Dz Eggs                      $3.58

Milk                               $3.29

Total : $32.26

My grand total is $98.50, putting me $2.50 over for the week.  That gets taken from next weeks total!  

Side note, the pork ribs were an unplanned buy. We couldn't pass up that price though.  When I got the packages home, I cut the ribs up into smaller portions. Two large-ish portions for two rib night meals, and then 7 smaller portions that will be cooked and cut up for other meals (like pork fried rice).  So I have 9 pork meals I can plan.  I probably wouldn't plan more than two pork nights a week, so we are looking at at least 4-5 weeks of pork meals.  That combined with my chicken deal last week means my freezer is full of meat to last me the next two months!  

Week of 1/1/12 - Shopping Trip

This week I have 3 lists: diapers/soap.com, Safeway, and Trader Joes.  I frequent all of these, but that may change as I refine my shopping needs within my budget.  I have never been much of a coupon person, but maybe that will have to change.

The biggest issue I see right now is that my diapers/soap.com purchase is front loaded at the beginning of the month. For now, I've decided to divide that total over my weekly goal of $100. I spent $100.02 on the site this month, leaving me about $85 a week for food and any extras that pop up that can't wait until the next month. While this seems incredibly low, I shouldn't have to buy anymore diapers, wipes, toilet paper or paper towels for the month. *fingers crossed*  I have the advantage, also, of having a healthy pantry do to overbuying of previous months. This gives me a little safety as I consider this first month a transition and re-learning how to be frugal.

Safeway Receipt:
4 cans diced tomatoes    $4.00
3 cans tomato sauce       $2.07
Spaghetti Noodles          $1.09
Toilet Paper                   $1.39 (waited until the first to order so needed a couple rolls until delivery!)
Half & Half                    $2.49
Garlic Bread                   $2.79 (should probably make my own!)
Italian Sausage               $3.49 (cooked and split into three helpings for spaghetti sauce)
Chicken Thighs              $4.75
4 Bananas                       $1.75
1 Green Bell Pepper       $1.25
4 Zucchini                      $2.59
4 Avocados                    $5.00
Total                             $32.77


Trader Joes:
Organic Sugar               $3.49
Cream Cheese               $1.79
Mushroom Bag             $2.29
Organic Baby Carrots    $1.49
7 Bananas                      $1.33 (yes I bought more bananas)
Rice Cakes                    $1.49
Celery                            $1.69
Popcorn Kernels            $1.99
Olive Oil Spray             $2.99
Organic Applesauce      $2.29
Milk                               $3.29
Onions                           $1.79
Multigrain Bread            $2.59
Organic Apples              $2.49
2 Dozen Eggs                $3.58
Total                            $36.27


Grand Total: $69.04
That leaves me nearly $16 for the rest of the week. I don't think anything else is needed, but my decaf coffee is definitely low.