This morning my husband dropped the baby and I off at Target, as it was time for the weekly grocery shopping. Both of my big boys are going through a growth spurt, and even my three-year-old is eating everything we put on his plate. After not wanting to eat veggies or fruits ever, I have finally gotten Sky to eat blueberries, grapes and carrots, and I am so excited to be able to offer him an alternative to apples and bananas, which were the only fruits he used to eat.
Anyway, the current growth spurt between my two big boys meant that both the fridge, the fruitbowl, the ice cream, popsicles and the snack supply had been cleaned out completely. Of course it does not help that I am constantly hungry between nursing.
My husband offered to take the boys back home, and just leave me with the baby, which was a compromise I was happy to accept.
At Target I spent 8 dollars on glue and washable markers, before I headed to CVS down the street. At CVS I spent $.3.62 on some great clearance finds, and of course my little man decided to fill up his diaper. The restroom at CVS is small and rarely clean, so I decided to go next door to Publix, where I was headed anyway.
Fortunately Publix has a great family restroom, and I was able to wheel in the entire grocery cart. I got the baby changed, and since he filled up his diaper, he had to be fed as well.
Before my husband dropped us off, he asked me to hurry up, but at this point I knew there was no way I could hurry, as the baby either got something to eat, or he would be a very unhappy little man.
Going through the store with a baby certainly is not something that can be done fast, especially not since it was still early and the bus from the condos and retirement home had just dropped off a bunch of senior citizens. Emmett Shay was bright awake, and he surely attracted lots of nice elderly women.
I got us half-way through my grocery list, before Emmett Shay became very unhappy about sitting in his car seat and not getting fed. At this point, I took him out, and let him rest on my arm, which is one of his favorite things to do. Fortunately I have learned the task of holding an infant and doing other things, so I managed to continue through the store although at a slower speed. The baby was content, and I was able to finish my shopping.
As I entered the produce section, I called my husband to let him know that we were done, and he said he would be on the way. I could hardly fill anymore groceries in the cart, and I knew it would be an expensive shopping day. However, I knew I had to stock up on snacks and lots of fruits, since a filled fruit bowl means less tendency to go for the sweet stuff.
At the cash register, a sweet lady behind me helped me get the groceries up, and fortunately Publix always has great service, so there was a girl there to help me pack as well. I felt a knot in my stomach, as my total rose above 150 (normal shopping is 50 - 80), and I kept telling myself that the coupons would bring it down.
I handed over my coupons, and sure enough the amount started dwindling down, but it was still more than usual. I ended up spending 110 dollars, and I ended up saving 110 dollars as well. With 220 dollars worth of groceries, I am not surprised that the cart was overflowing. I usually spend 250 - 300 dollars a month on groceries, so hopefully I will not have to spend as much next week.
After I paid, my husband called to tell me that the guy from the electricity company had just showed up to go over our energy use. I therefore ended up waiting over half an hour before my husband showed up, and while the ice cream had turned into soft ice, I was very happy that I had chosen not to buy the popsicles, because of all the dye since they would have melted completely.
I found a seat, and I then took Emmett Shai out of his seat as he kept waking up searching for food. I held him on my arm, and he fell back asleep, while he was admired by one woman after another.
Some of the best deals today was:
- 3 x Kelloggs poptarts on BOGO sale at 2 for $2.39 -$1 coupon = $1.39 (70 cents each)
- 2 x Kelloggs frosties on BOGO sale at 2 for $3.99 - $1 coupon = $2.99 ($1.50 each)
I spent a total of $10.10 on these Kelloggs products, and I am going to take advantage of the buy 10 Kelloggs products get $10 back mail-in-offer, which was in Sunday's newspaper.
- BIC Bella Soleil razors on sale at $3.99 each. I had 3 x $3 off coupons left over from Bzz agent, and got 3 packs at $1 each.
- V8 Splash was on BOGO sale at 2 for $3.29. I had $2 in coupons, and ended up getting 6 bottles for $7.87 ($1.31 each)
- Free Tofuyan pita bread with coupon
- Free Pillsbury Simple refrigerated cookie dough with coupon
The splurges this week were blueberries $2.50, hummus $3.99, Stouffer's French bread pizzas, the V8 Splash, bagels and ice cream.
My total spending including Publix, CVS and Target for this week has been $121.62 (With $10 coming back from the mail-in-rebate), and my total savings this week has been $183.95.
How much do you usually spend on groceries each month?
Are you going to take advantage of the Kellogg's mail-in-offer?
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Comments: 52
We spend about 300.00 dollars a week on groceries plus eating out about 3 times a week. Maybe food is just more expensive here (Michigan), I'll tell myself that at any rate! :)~
You shame me with your budgeting ability!
I used to babysit for a family, who only shopped at a specialty store, and whenever I was sent to the store with a list and 100 dollars I was shocked to see how little I actually got for the money.
I've decided to kick my kids out, that should save me at least 75%. :)~
Good job though! We don't have a Publix around here.
My kids get the pop tarts as dessert and not as breakfast. I did this deal last summer as well, and we just finished the last box of pop tarts a month ago. As for the frosties, I have come to the conclusion that my son uses more sugar on his regular cornflakes than there is in the frosties.
The horror that courses through my soul at the very thought is quite daunting. ::shiver::
We have WD and Walmart here as well, and while they are cheaper on some items, I make out much better overall at Publix.
The majority of our grocery budget is actually spent in the produce section, since my oldest son loves all fruits and veggies and I am a vegetarian....it is not often I find a produce coupon.
I keep meaning to start keeping track of how much we spend a month, but I never do. I throw most of the receipts in a shoe box, but there they sit. With only two mouths to feed on a regular basis, I know it isn't too bad.
I really liked those Pillsbury cookies and I hope that your family does too!
We have and Aldi's here and they don't take coupons, but I save a lot going there. I also don't use processed foods unless I'm going through a real sick spell.
I do remember though having growing kids. Good for you on the savings front and shopping with a newborn.
At least Giant Eagle doubles coupons every day, and that helps.
Last week I spent about $140, but I saved 51% so I can't complain too much. It's more than I usually spend in one trip, but I stocked up on extras for the freezer and pantry (easy meals) for when the baby comes.
My boys really go through our fruit supply very very fast these days, but I have found out that if I buy a water melon each week, let it sit for a few days while we eat the other fruits, and then open it mid week or so, it works perfectly until the next time I go shopping.
Tuesday Elliott and I went to a grocery store in Minot to buy produce. Their produce is usually much better there. We only needed a few produce items, though, since our garden is coming in really nicely right now. We spent $20 and some change, and that included lettuce, watermelon, grapes, cookies and chips. I don't even know when the last time was that we bought cookies (other than teddy grahams and graham crackers) at the store, so they were definitely a treat. They were on sale 3 for $5, though for Keebler. The normal price at that store is $4.19, so the savings were substantial. Even at the commissary they are usually 2 for $5 or more. I think our total savings was like $10 or so. That's not great, but considering it was mostly produce, I don't think it was too bad.
I'm going to try to keep our groceries under $100 when I go shopping again. Other than produce and milk, that will be everything for 2-3 weeks. Since our garden is decent size this year, it's really saving us a bunch! We have soooo many tomatoes. I'm taking some to Elliott's best friend's family next week, and my husband will most likely be taking some to his work and leaving them there next week as well.
I can't say that I don't do toaster pastries, though. I like the Nature Valley ones. Unfortunately, you never see that kind of deal on them.
When I used to have housemates, we almost always did homemade bread. Even now, I buy bread from a local restaurant that makes their own. However, I do need to buy another bread machine and go back to making my own; I just don't have the energy to make it by hand on a regular basis.