A short, late menu, plus grocery spending
Since Christmas was on a Thursday last week(which is my grocery shopping day) and we were so busy running around, I didn't actually plan a menu or go grocery shopping until today. So, here's a late grocery spending report and my short menu. I'll post my normal one on Saturday.
I spent $35.34 at Aldi's today, and $37.11at Weis, for a total of $73.45($7 under budget).
I could have gotten by on less, but I decided to splurge and buy some crab to make Cream of Crab soup on New Year's Eve. It was on sale, but still, it was $10 a pound, and that's a lot more than I'm accustomed to spending on a pound of meat! Another expense was a huge pack of toilet paper that was on sale. I bought that at Weis, but it just occurred to me that I should check into toilet paper at Aldi's. Experienced Aldi's shoppers, how is their toilet paper? Should I bother giving it a try? Leave a comment and tell me what to do!
Here's what I'm serving to my family this week.
Monday
- Chicken, Cheese, and Bacon Quesadillas
- Green Salad
Tuesday
- Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
- Homemade buns
- Grapefruit halves(from Aldi's, of course!)
Wednesday
- Cream of Crab soup
- French bread
- Green Salad
- Sparkling Juice
Thursday
- Hibachi Chicken and Shrimp
- Brown Rice
- Apple Slices
Friday
- Deep Dish Pizza(recipe is coming soon)
Hi Kristen, I think I read your entire blog over the past couple days! I'm trying to do what you've already done (good menu planning and realistic food budgeting.) I am wondering, you only post your dinners. Do you include breakfast/lunch in your food budget? Do you eat the same thing (or rotate the same things) for those meals?
I am a reforming waster and on the go eater. Just trying to figure out what is a realistic budget to make for me and my family!
Oh, and you've inspired me to go to Aldi's! We went when I was younger and some of their food is too gross to consider eating (but then again, is there canned asparagus or beets that ARE edible?) So, I found that there is one close to home and will be adding it to my shopping trips!
I'm looking forward to that recipe! 😉
LOL Angie! I'm glad you're all caught up.
I definitely do include breakfast and lunch in my food budget...my grocery budget includes pretty much everything, actually(cleaning, laundry, toiletries, and food).
We usually eat cereal for breakfast. My husband takes leftovers to work for lunch, and the kids and I eat leftovers if we need to, and if not, we eat bread, fruit and yogurt.
I'm so glad you're going to Aldi's...I hope you like it as much as I do!
FG, I took a bunch of pictures last time I made the deep dish pizza, so I just have to type up the text and upload the pictures.
I too have been inspired to try Aldi's. Thanks for the push. I am planning on trying it this week. I am the mother of twin boys and I stay at home which means budget cuts are VERY necessary for the new year. Aldi's is one of my "ways to save" as is dropping one cell phone and cutting cable. Wish me luck and thanks for the inspiration!
Becky...thanks for stopping by! And woohoo that you're going to try Aldi's. lol
I stay home too(although I work very part-time from home), so I know what you mean about needing to be on a budget.
We don't have cable either...welcome to the club! 😉
That sounds like good week.If you want more recipes or if you want to take a look at the collection of tips I have for grilling you can visit http://www.cookingandgrillinoutdoors.com
To give you some perspective on spending the money on the crab meat - it is much more expensive than that to go out for a cheap meal, let alone a decent meal especially on New Year's Eve.
Years ago, the hubby and I went out for Valentine's Day and it was $100 for a mediocre meal. Since then, we make ourselves a wonderful meal at home, complete with wine and a nice dessert. Last year was a bit pricey as we did homemade crab cakes and a small filet mignon for our main course. Of course, that's the only time in a year we buy that kind of a grocery item. We actually had to look up how to cook the filet mignon!
So, enjoy the splurge. Crab soup will go a long ways, is delicious, and a special treat to end the year with.
I doubt this will offend you, but if it does, I apologize. I am only offering a different perspective for you and your readers.
Oh goodness, no! I'm not offended! lol I often think the same thing. In fact, I was just saying to my husband last night that we couldn't all eat at McDonalds for that amount of money. And I'd much rather have crab soup, french bread, green salad, and sparkling juice than a cheeseburger.
On Valentine's Day, we often get a takeout seafood meal from a local seafood market...much cheaper than a restaurant meal, and we get to eat in the peace and quiet of our own home.
I eagerly await the Deep Dish pizza recipe. I like to make my pizza in cast iron skillets. Not exactly conventional but my family likes it. Part of my "rent" of living home is to cook so many meals a month so I look forward to new ways of shaking things up.
I'm definitely trying those buns once my KitchenAid I've been saving for comes in. 🙂
Remember...you asked about the toilet paper, so here's my two cents.
At Aldi's I'll buy the four-pack that costs about $2.49 (unless it's gone up). It's the two-ply roll that's comparable to Scotts. I'd never buy the less expensive rolls, the ones that are about $1.29 for four or six, because there's hardly any paper on them.
Even better than that, I like to catch the Walgreens Big Roll sale of three rolls for a dollar. Also comparable to Scotts, but a wee bit thinner. They usually have a three or six-roll limit, but you can plan a trip with the kiddies or stop at different stores in your routine travels.
Thanks for the response 🙂
I did my first meal plan and grocery trip - at $120 I'm nowhere near your nice budget -- but I think here in DC we have a higher cost of living. PLUS, I was looking at an expired flier when I made my meal plan (sheesh!) so I will do better next week when the food I plan is actually on sale!
Thanks for the tips!
Battra, Kitchen-Aid mixers rock. You will so totally love it. 😉
Cheryl, thank you! I'll give that a try.
Angie, I've done the expired flyer thing before too. That is SO frustrating!
I have not tried ALdi TP. But shop at ALdi every two weeks. I usually buy TP by the case from Sam's Club.