Grocery Shopping\Menu Plan | It's another birthday!
On Saturdays, I share my menu plan for the upcoming week along with a photo of my groceries and a tally of my spending. My goal is to spend $100/week for our food, toiletries, and cleaning products. I'm currently in the midst of trying to buy more local, sustainably-produced food while sticking to my budget. Can it be done? I don't know, but I'm going to try, and I'll share what I learn as I go along.
The Shopping
It's been a while since I did a big grocery shop, so I knew I'd spend quite a bit this time around.
I spent $85.18 at Weis and $88.46 at Aldi for a total of $173.64.
Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs the morning we went shopping.
Fortunately, Mr. FG came with us, and he was nice enough to be the one to run out in the rain and pull the car around for us.
I think he should always come with us when it rains. 😉
Anyway, when we got home from shopping in the rain, I really didn't feel like arranging my groceries for a photo. So, you get this instead.
I will show you these groceries, though...Sonia's birthday junk food purchases:
The Food Plan
Since Mr. FG works second shift, we eat our dinner meal at noon during the week, and at night on the weekends. And our lunch meal happens at night during the week and at noon on the weekends.
We do eat breakfast in the morning, though, all week long!
Breakfast options are homemade yogurt, granola, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fruit, and cereal.
Lunches will be comprised of sandwiches made with whole wheat bread, homemade yogurt, yogurt smoothies, cottage cheese, fruit, raw veggies, nuts, cheese, and leftovers as necessary.
Here's the dinner meal plan:
Saturday (we're celebrating Sonia's birthday, so she chose all the things we're eating!)
- Shrimp and Ravioli in Pink Sauce
- Turtle rolls
- Jello
- Cheese Puffs
- Chocolate Cake in the shape of a turtle
- Orange Sherbet
Sunday
- We're having an extended family celebration for 6 birthdays. We seem to have a thing for February/March babies.
Monday
- Shrimp Taco Salad
- grapefruit halves
Tuesday
- Chicken/Bacon/Spinach Wraps (bumped from last week)
- Veggie Straws (like veggie chips but in the shape of french fries. And no, I didn't make them!)
- fruit salad
Wednesday
- Parmesan-Crusted Chicken (I'll try to remember to take pictures so I can share the recipe)
- Spinach Salad
- French Bread
Thursday
- Panini Sandwiches (I'll make an extra loaf of French Bread on Wednesday to use for sandwiches)
Friday
- Pizza. I need to take a poll before deciding what kind!
Please tell me you aren't one of those people who pulls their car up in front of the grocery store when it's raining......that is one of my biggest pet peeves. What makes some people think they are so important that they don't have to walk out and load their car like the rest of the world. Always irritates me at our grocery store when people pull up to the front to let people in/out of the car and load their groceries.....makes it hard for the rest of us (the ones who won't melt by walking in the rain) to see around your cars to look for traffic and to safely cross the parking lot....in the rain, with kids in tow.
Oh my goodness!
Wow. I can see why you didn't leave your name.
Wow, what?? Someone who speaks the truth, what a shocker!!! Pouring down rain, nasty day.....leave the 4 kids at home with the husband!!
Well, it wasn't raining when we left, and we all had gone together because we went for a long-awaited breakfast out. 🙂
Maybe your grocery stores are different than mine, which has a large area off to the side designated for parcel pickup, and when you pull up there, you're not in the way of any pedestrians.
But certainly, if there's not a setup like that, vehicles should not block the path of pedestrians.
Kristen, you are one of the most gracious and self-controlled people I have ever "known" (because I don't know you in real life, just over the internet). Certainly people have better things to do than troll the internet and leave nasty comments. It's fine to have an opinion, but there are better ways to say it than making yourself out to be a not-so-nice person. Kudos to you - I think you have to deal with this way more than you should have to.
The grocery stores in my area also have places to pull up for pickups. It seems to me your complaints would be more worthwhile directed at the store - there are so many reasons a person would use a parcel pickup area - illness, recovering from childbirth, disability that doesn't show.
Also, overall, I've found in my own life that developing patience for people who get in your way in some fashion is calming and rewarding. But it takes a conscious effort.
I have no reason to develop a patience for people who do stupid things 🙂
Also, the areas that you all are speaking of in front of the grocery stores are meant for delivery vehicles and such to use, not for the general public who are too lazy or "special" to walk to and from their cars.
As far as the reasons you mentioned Katy, if someone had a medical reason that restricts their walking, they would be entitled to a handicap placard to use.
Actually, it's what Weis stores call an open pickup porch, "where Weis consumers can temporarily park and load groceries into their automobiles." The loading areas are in the back of the store.
Just FYI, your comments are really not in compliance with my commenting policy: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/commenting-policy/ so if you continue to leave comments of this sort, I'm so sorry, but I'll have to delete them.
Lol, about your commenting policy. I guess that would be speaking the truth about people who are too lazy, or think they are too good to get rained on like everyone else and walk to their car at the supermarket. No need to worry about future comments from me, I will be removing your blog from the list of blogs that I read daily. I thought I would get some good ideas on being frugal from you, but instead I find you to have a very passive-agressive, holier-than-thou, condescending attitude.
And, in all honesty....who actually chooses to go food shopping with their husband and 4 kids in tow........you have no clue how the rest of the "normal" world lives. Good riddance frugal girl!!!
i think its a good idea for you to leave, kristen takes time out of her day to create and foster a pleasant community for all to learn and grow from one another and tactfully express opinions.. the problem seems to be with you my friend. build a bridge and get over it sunshine
There ARE pick up areas at some grocery stores specifically for customers. You apparently just haven't seen any or lived in an area where stores have them.
And I have needed and have used a handicap parking placard (fortunately my condition has improved so I let mine expire). Even while using a handicap space, there were times when it would have been nice to have someone pick me up at the door. But you probably wouldn't have sympathy for someone in that situation either.
In my area deliveries are usually made at the back of the store, and many do have dedicated pick up areas in the front for customers. I wouldn't think twice about people using them. It definitely might be different in other areas, especially more densely populated ones.
You must have very different store layouts than the ones I'm used to. The overwhelming proportion of grocery stores where I've lived (US coastal cities, mostly) have designated pull-up areas. I assume you're not objecting to people pulling-up in areas designated for that?
Parking lots are tough, no matter what. Even well-intentioned and reasonably careful people end up doing things that inconvenience others.
Why on earth would you suppose that Kristen is being rude? Has there *ever* been an indication that she would do anything inappropriate?
Time to turn off your hostility.
Katy
Have you ever tried tomato, basil mozzarella pizza? I first made it after a farmer recommended it for use with the fresh tomatoes and basil I bought at the farmer's market. It is sooo delicious! I try to snag the bowls of fresh mozzarella at the store when they mark them down and use them right away. Just mince some garlic and brush it onto your crust with some olive oil, arrange sliced romas, fresh basil (or can use dried if you sprinkle enough) and mozzarella and cook. My kids love it!!
That does sound good. I love basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella.
Pizza Margherita........basic, but so amazing!!
Cooks Illustrated cookbook has a recipe for it! I haven't tried it, or their other pizza recipes, but really look forward to trying them all. 🙂
man that sounds good!
Happy Birthday Princess Sophia!
Sorry I meant Princess Sonia!
Those panini sandwiches look incredible... I'll definitely have to try that recipe 🙂
First let me say, those panini sandwiches look TASTY GOOD 🙂 🙂 🙂 I'm doing my big shopping trip of the week today!!!! Wish me luck. My dad and I agreed, that we'll make what I buy today last. We'll see how it goes 🙂 Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
Happy Birthday!!
Interesting you have your cleaning products in the same budget as your food. I seperated mine out, after realizing one week I spent more on pet food, cleaning products and paper products than I did on people food.
Now I have 7-9 people to feed each week and I do it on $75-$100 a week (used to be $250 a month until the ones who left home now moved back close enough to drop by at meal time, and I added in 2 daycare kiddos part time).
I did lower my paper products budget by using clean up rags instead of the 3-4 rolls of paper towls we used each week, *husband is having trouble with that though
Also due to his allergies, I am now doing a good part of the cleaning with just bleach, vinegar, lemons and salt. Saves on the bills, no fumes or less fumes. I also make my own laundry and dish washer soaps, so that helps on the budget as well.
Happy birthday Sonia! Hope you have a great day! We are celebrating my birthday tonight too! ( my bday is Monday)
I'm a new follower. I'm loving your blog! It's helping me live a bit more frugally. I also love how much baking you do. I used to bake all the time and I've fallen out of the habit, so thanks for inspiring me to get back into it!
Kristen, you set a good example. You don't seem to get defensive very easily. Thank you for that. I'm just getting into blogging, and haven't gotten to the weird-comment phase yet. I'm sure, once I'm discovered by certain folks, I'll be getting me, too. Your way of reacting is classy and refined, and well thought out. I think that one huge reason I love your blog, and so many people do, is at you are real and genuine, and genuinely a good person.
What is in your panino? I was just perusing recipes, and I'm trying to get some new ideas going. It looks gorgeous.
Aww, thank you. 🙂
The panini in the photo has cheese, grilled onions, and grilled peppers in it. Super yummy.
I could have swore I saw bacon in there. Almost 2 weeks meat-free and I'm now hallucinating...
Nope, it's all vegetarian. Another sandwich in that post had roast beef in it, though.
I meant to type "them," not "me.". Oh, spellcheck! 🙂
now I"m hungry! I think I"d eat just about anything if it's squished into a panini - something about those grill marks! and gosh grilled onions are delish! which reminds me I need to freeze some leftover roast/onion/peperoncinis I did in the crockpot for sandwiches..guess I have a chore to do after work in the morning! 🙂
my grocery store gets really bad when it rains - it's not made for a bunch of cars up front to load/unload though I dont' recall any of us getting mad when some do it - usually it's people with kiddos or older customers or it's a very very heavy rain and people take turns. My irritation is mostly that i's pouring down rain and I don't have anyone to go get mine for me LOL! 😉
I am gonna get back to my learning to bake - I tried biscuits but haven't attempted bread yet - seems something comes up every time(usualy a messy counter so no room to do what I need to do LOL!) and now thanks to the turtle rolls I remember where I saw them! hee hee I posted a link on facebook for some of my 'martha stewart mommy friends' telling them their muffins were seriously lacking and if they cared about their kiddos they'd make these LOL they were impressed! 😉
Susanna
Yes. Grilled onions are the bomb.
LMAO at the Ssips!!! We had those when we were kids and I always pronounced the extra S in the word too -- I saw that you said Zoe did that on her bday post. Brings back cute memories. I'm a newer reader and first time commentor and have to say I absolutely love your blog. I've learned so many things from it the short time I've been reading it and love to read about the constructive things you do as a family - I have a new little baby boy and am not working for the first time in my life so have been looking for ways to cut costs. Your blog has inspired me to do the following: 1- conquer my apprehension of shopping at Aldi (now I do 95% of my shop there and LOVE it!!), 2-plan my menu weekly and stick to my list and a food budget, 3-bake more bread - which I already love to to, but have started up again, 4 - make homemade yogurt (which flopped the first time, but I don't give up easily!!), 5 - start looking/shopping at Goodwill, and to be honest, the list could go on and on. I appreciate everything you post here and will be a loyal reader for as long as you keep going. I love your attitude of graciousness, humility, contentment and peace. It's something I strive for in my everyday life, along with the discipline to live a more healthy, 'middle-of-the road' lifestyle and teach my son to be content and thankful for his blessings. Keep on, Frugal Girl!! 🙂
Hey Ellen - I conquered my apprehension too - and it has paid dividends!
@ Jo - I know! It's been so much easier to stick to my grocery budget doing my shop there. And I've really been impressed with how many things taste even BETTER than the national brands - string cheese, salad dressing, croutons, list goes on and on. Our Aldi even has great meat - some of it comes from local North Carolina producers, which I think is great. I actually prefer their ground beef over our Costco ground beef. And the produce is mainly from Florida but what I like about it is that the manager told me that Aldi tries to buy field-grown produce (rather than hot house or other ways). The produce is smaller, tastier and looks like
'real' produce, rather than the perfect-looking engineered types. All in all, it been a great find.
Pizza - we've been going basic of late - toms and cheese. I've started doing 2/3rd's white flour and 1/3 wholemeal flour for the dough. It's a token gesture, but every little helps! Really hungry now - recovering from some weird throat thing and have been on soup and well-soaked Weetabix. Could easily imagine eating a cheese and bacon panini! Oops sorry! Forgot! I meant cheese, onion and peppers.
Looks like a great menu plan. So long as the "big shops" are balanced out by the smaller shops - you're still ahead of the game =)
I love bringing the husband along grocery shopping too - for some reason it makes it feel like less of a chore!
Yes! It was fun because it was so unusual...it almost makes me feel like we're on vacation when he comes along, because that's usually the only time we go all together.
Kristen, you are very very far from being passive-aggressive or holier-than-thou! The very reason I read your blog, even though I have entirely different life circumstances than you, is the wonderful atmosphere you have created.
Thank you!
Wow, I don't usually read the comments on posts like this (i.e., the regular features like menu planning or food waste), but I saw your tweet about trolls, so I had to come check it out. I've been a frequent reader for a while and I just want to say that I think The Frugal Girl is an awesome blog, I love your ideas, and I think you do a great job of facilitating a constructive and supportive exchange about frugality and sensible living. Keep up the good work! I especially look forward to reading about more "crazy" exploits like staying dry in a downpour. 😉
H- wow....I am stunned. Absolutely appalling attitude. Kristen, I hope you don't take any of this to heart. It's not worth the time and energy from such a negative person.
Julie
ps - I take my whole family shopping all the time. I like it. 🙂
One of the stores in the city has a number system. Each cart has a number on it and the clerk puts your cart number on the receipt. Then leave your groceries in, and go get your car (unless you want to take them out with you). You pull up under the covered area and show your receipt with your cart number and they load it for you. I used it once when it was pouring and it was nice.
That pannini sounds sooo yummy 🙂 Would love to hear about other pannini recipes you guys use often. We get a pannini grill for Christmas and it. is. awesome!
Also, my husband took me out of for a birthday lunch on Saturday. I ordered the "shrimp flatbread" which was really like a mini pizza, but a little different. It had shrimp, mozzarella cheese, and fresh chopped tomatoes and onions instead of sauce. It had some kind of herbs as well and let me tell you... it was SO GOOD. It made me think of you, since you often make pizza and buy shrimp! Might be worth a try sometime 🙂
i love panini's my mom got me a panini press-griddle combo 2 christmas's ago i absolutely adore it! whenever i have a few odds and ends cold cuts/cheeses/b-fast items or grilled veggies i break out the panini press.. however i usually use store bought breads since i havent gotten around and tried your french bread recipe yet. 🙂 on my to-do list 😉