Brett and I have been trying to spend only $300 a month on groceries since January, supplementing what we buy with items from our pantry and freezer. We do a Big Shop early in the month, and then buy a few dairy and or produce items later in the month.
We’ve been mostly successful, but it takes more and more effort each month as the price of groceries continues to rise. And of course, as those costs rise, so do the taxes we pay in Tennessee, with up to 9.75% added for everything we purchase in our county, food included.
Here’s a look at our Big Shop for April:
COSTCO was our first stop as it’s the store furthest away from home. We start our shopping with a visit to the ATM, where we withdraw $300. Total amount spent this month at Costco: $153.08. Some things we buy every month, other just now and again or because we want to try them. The honey (for Brett), the dip (which really does elevate tuna salad to a new level), the chicken nuggets, and the lemon donut holes were “extras” this month. Brett favorite daily snack is peanuts (around a 1/2 cup) so we always buy three cans. Strawberries were just $2.59 for a two pound-container so we bought two of those – our granddaughter loves them after school and Brett and I will enjoy some strawberry shortcake. We also picked up eggs, more fruit, avocados, cucumbers, bagels (orange-cranberry – delicious!), some medication, and Cheetos and Nutella bars for afterschool snacks for our granddaughter. One thing we decided not to buy was coffee! It’s just gotten too expensive and we made a switch to green tea this month (which we already had on hand). Brett gets a cup of coffee every day down in the lobby but otherwise it hasn’t been missed.
Our next stop was ALDI. Total amount spent: $57.83. I always check out their produce as they have good prices for things we need now and then and we got green onions, cilantro, peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and some small potatoes this trip. We always buy two packages of naan bread here every month for pizzas but decided to add a loaf of their wheat bread and a loaf of sliced sourdough as well as they cost less than Trader Joe’s. We eat graham crackers a lot (I like to make that yogurt and graham cracker “cheesecake”) and three boxes is the right amount to get through the month. The chicken is for masala, the crackers to go with the dip not used in tuna sandwiches, the can of beans is for a salad, the whipped cream for strawberry shortcakes, and the bottle of Diet Coke is a once-a-month treat for me.
Our last stop was TRADER JOE’S as it’s on our way home from Costco and Aldi. Total spent: $107.56. What we buy at TJ’s depends somewhat on what is necessary but also on how much money we have left out of our $300. Honey mangoes were the treat for me this trip – I love them! Other produce we picked up was carrots, bananas, and a red onion. Another treat for us was the sour cream donuts. We also bought two packages of grated cheese (for pizzas), barbecue sauce, macaroni and cheese, two types of cream cheese for our bagels, two packages of butter, and a container of yogurt. The artificial crab (surimi) was for California roll salad, and the tofu for a CoodDo stir fry. We bought more snacks for our granddaughter (pretzels and popcorn), and she likes their mochi cake (Hawaiian butter mochi) too so we picked up a box of that to make as well as some of their Meyer lemon bread mixes to make during the month. Dog treats are always a must buy as is toilet paper, and we’re going to give their dishwasher detergent a try this month. (The package of toilet paper is missing from the photo.)
We shopped again yesterday as we had run out of so much, like all the bread, most of the cheese, and a lot of the produce. Brett went to Costco and bought avocados, strawberries, blueberries, whole wheat bread, Cheerios (2 boxes), and two boxes of green tea bags. The tea bags were $15.99/box in the store today but $13.99 if had purchased them online. Hmmmm – usually items are cheaper in the store but we’re living in crazy times.
Total spent for the month of April: $384.91 – sales tax accounted for $37.53 of that total. We would been well under budget if not for the “extras” we picked up and if I had planned better. We’ve decided to increase our food budget to $400 a month and see how we do with that amount going forward.
Still, and with all things considered, we’re eating well this month!
