Grocery Bill for January 12-18, 2015

With the start of another year there is a feeling of freshness and a chance to renew old goals or be challenged to try harder in particular areas of life. But, with any goal, accountability makes a big difference. There is a reason groups like Celebrate Recovery and A.A. are helpful. That's one of my reasons for this blog. By having to report my grocery bill each week it keeps me accountable to staying on budget. In order to stay on budget, I have to make a meal plan. The result is that my family can rely on having meals every day and I am less stressed and thinking less about what to serve. It's a win-win for our whole family. Plus, I love having my meal plan and recipes online and accessible wherever I am.

Aldi

3 Pizzas                                    $ 5.97
Crinkle Cut Potatoes                $ 1.69
Tilapia Filets                            $ 5.49
Colby Jack Cheese                   $ 1.89
Mild Cheddar Cheese              $ 1.89
Beef franks                              $ 2.49
Cheese hot dogs                       $ 1.99
Celery                                      $ 1.29
Spreadable butter                     $ 2.29
Large eggs                               $ 2.09
Stuffing mix (sale- 4 boxes)   $ 1.60
Limes                                      $ 1.19
Gala apples                             $ 2.37
Carrots                                    $ 1.19
Lettuce                                    $ 1.19
Bananas                                  $ 0.70
Baby carrots                           $ 0.99
Refried beans                         $ 0.59
Diced tomatoes/green chilies  $0.59
Organic diced tomatoes         $ 1.49
2 cans of corn                         $ 0.98
2 cans mandarin oranges        $ 1.78
Beets                                       $ 0.65
Paper plates                            $ 1.99
Holiday fruit snacks (sale)     $ 2.99
Whole grain spaghetti            $ 0.89
Swiss rolls                              $ 1.15
Hot cocoa mix                        $ 1.29
Fudge brownie mix                $ 1.19
Muffin mix                             $ 1.89
Wheat crackers                       $ 1.79
Onions                                    $ 1.49
Grape jelly                             $ 1.45
BBQ sauce                             $ 1.95
12 qt. drink mix                     $ 1.69
Orange jello                           $ 0.70
Artisan lettuce                       $ 1.99
Coconut flakes                       $ 1.29
10 lb potatoes                         $ 3.49
3 cans of tuna                         $ 1.95
Milk chocolate chips              $ 1.59
Burrito tortillas (2 pkg)          $ 2.98
Hot dog buns (2 pkg)             $ 1.78
100% wheat bread (2)           $ 2.58
Tortilla chips (2)                    $ 2.38

Total                                     $83.67

Walmart

2 cans of pinto beans             $ 1.36
2 cans of black beans            $ 1.36
Green enchilada sauce (2)     $ 2.76
Boneless chicken breasts      $15.58
Avocado                               $ 1.88
Mild salsa                             $ 1.98
Sour cream                           $ 2.58

Christmas gift card            -$10.48

Total                                     $17.02

Week's Grocery Total        $100.69

After being gone for 4 weeks it was not easy to stick to $100. It would have been even harder and I would have had to have less meat if it hadn't been for in-laws restocking the fridge before our arrival, with things like milk and yogurt, and for the leftover gift card that wasn't used for fuel on our trip.


How are you sticking to your goals in 2015? Does accountability help and do you have accountability set up?

Grocery Bill- Week 2

Last week I didn't have enough money left in the budget to buy tahini and a 16 oz. container was over $7 at every store. Then I got the bright idea of buying it on Amazon and get free shipping with my Amazon Prime account. Instead of buying one container for over $7, I was able to get 4- 16 oz. containers for under $20. I didn't have to drive around to various stores and I have enough tahini to last a few months. Amazon has now been added to my list of grocery stores. 

Aldi

Four Meat Pizza                $1.99
Crinkle Cut Fries              $1.69
Whipped Topping              $0.89
Paper Plates                     $1.79
Oranges                           $2.99
90/10 Ground Sirloin        $10.42
Carrots                            $1.19
Gala Apples                     $2.99
Frozen Orange Juice         $1.29
Zucchini                           $1.99
Zucchini                           $1.99
Neufchatel*                      $0.99
Mandarin Oranges            $1.78
Brownie Mix                    $1.25
Butterscotch Chips          $1.49
Mayonnaise                     $1.95
Ketchup                          $1.29
Instant Oatmeal              $1.59
Stuffing Mix                    $1.38
Sharp Cheddar                 $1.89
Crescent Rolls                 $1.98
Monterey Jack                 $1.89
Dried Basil                      $0.99
Hamburger Buns              $0.89
Dozen Eggs                     $1.59
Pumpkin Pie                    $2.89
100% Wheat Bread           $1.29
Tax                                $0.13

Total                            $54.48

Amazon

Tahini (4- 16oz)             $19.49

Prime Shipping              FREE

Total                            $19.49

Aldi (2nd Trip)

Coca Cola (2L)                $0.99
2% Milk                           $3.29
Pumpkin                         $0.89
Organic Chkn Broth         $1.69
Broccoli Florets              $0.99
Broccoli Florets              $0.99
Whipped Topping            $0.89
California Medley           $0.99
Cranberry Sauce             $0.89
10lb Russet Potatoes      $1.99

Total                             $13.60

Walmart

Milk                               $3.59

Total                             $3.59

Office Depot

Ream of Paper                $6.72

Total                             $6.72

Yes, sometimes non-food items must be purchased with our grocery budget.  Thankfully, some of the meals I had planned for the previous week were not used, so I had less meals to purchase for this week.  I also had cooked chicken in the freezer and meals where I didn't have to provide the meat, so that also helped with my budget this week.  Plus, accountability helps me stay on track as well. 

So, this week's grand total:  $97.88

*American Neufchatel is a healthier alternative to cream cheese that I always buy at Aldi. It has 33% less fat and is softer than regular cream cheese. It is sometimes called farmer's cheese.

Grocery Bill- Week 1

I grabbed a couple hours this afternoon and went grocery shopping. Because I was able to go alone and had a detailed list with estimated costs by each item, I did fairly well. There were a couple things I decided we could live without this week and one item I couldn't find in the brand or for the cost I wanted, so I may have to research that one. Having only lived here for 9 weeks, I am still learning the stores. I am thinking I may have to plan some field trips with the kids to different stores in town and try to budget a couple dollars for a treat after we explore the store.

So, here's the breakdown of my grocery trip:

Kroger

Chicken Breasts (8+ lbs)  $16.72
Frozen Vegetables            $ 1.00
Frozen Peas                      $  1.00
Cheddar Cheese               $ 3.79
Lemon Juice                     $ 1.99
Instant Oatmeal               $ 1.50
Potatoes                           $ 4.29
Bananas                           $ 1.53

Total                                $31.82

Aldi

Pizzas (3)                         $ 5.97
Pie Crusts                        $ 1.69
Frozen Broccoli               $ 0.99
Yogurt                              $ 1.79
Gala Apples                     $ 2.37
Crescent Rolls                  $ 0.99
Milk                                  $ 3.29
Hot Dogs                          $ 1.99
BBQ Sauce                       $ 1.98
Fries                                $ 1.69
Party Cups                      $ 2.49
Cr of Chicken Soup        $ 0.98
Monterey Jack Cheese   $ 1.89
Cream Cheese                $ 1.98
Butter                             $ 2.29
Lettuce                           $ 1.19
Cheddar Cheese            $ 1.89
Muffin Mix                    $ 1.89
Onions                           $ 1.59
Celery                            $ 1.29
Honey Nut Oats             $ 1.69
Fruit Rounds                  $ 1.69
CinnCrunch Squares     $ 1.69
2 dz. eggs                       $ 3.18
Tortilla Chips                $ 1.19
Egg Noodles                  $ 1.25
Burrito Tortillas            $ 1.39
Hot Dog Buns               $ 0.89
Potato Rolls                  $ 1.99
100% Wheat Bread       $ 1.29
Tax                                $ 0.17

Total                             $56.65

Bi-Lo

Black Beans                  $ 1.00
Shealy's BBQ Sauce      $ 3.99
Plastic Forks                $ 0.89
Plastic Spoons              $ 0.89
Tax                               $ 0.12

Total                            $ 6.89

So, I spent a grand total of... $95.36!  I am thrilled that I actually have a few dollars left. However, I still need to find Tahini for the hummus, unless I can stretch what's left in my pantry.

Do you have a grocery budget? What are your favorite grocery stores? Share in the comments section below!