Grocery Spending and Menu Plan-The One I Didn't Want To Post
Yeah. This week I'm way over budget. So much so that I really felt like skipping out on today's post. But, I'm trying to be real here, and in real life, sometimes you go over budget.
Let's begin to asses the damage, shall we?
At Aldi, I spent $67.43. I then proceeded to spend $44.13 at Weis. That's $111.56, which is of course $11.56 over budget. That's not that bad, right?
It wouldn't be, except that earlier in the week, I had to send my husband to Weis to pick up some things I forgot, and that set us back $23.43 (worry not, he stuck to my list admirably, except that he did buy me a six-pack of marshmallow pumpkins. Hmmmm....maybe I don't have to count those in my grocery budget.)
And then a little later in the week we were out picking up a pair of jeans for my husband, and I stopped into the grocery store next door for a few things ( for example, I was going to make hamburger buns for that night's dinner but ran out of time, so I spent $3.19 on buns). Anyways, that added another $12.10 to my spending.
All told, I spent $147.09 on groceries this week, so I'm officially $47.09 over budget. Dear me.
However, I have $400 for the month, so if I spend less for the next three weeks, I could still come out ok. I just need to average $84 a week, which I think I can do if I work at it.
Here's what I bought minus the stuff from the random trips earlier in the week.
Breakfast this week will be a mixture of muffins, oatmeal, cold cereal, toast, sweet potatoes (Lisey likes to eat them for breakfast), yogurt, and bananas.
For lunch we'll eat yogurt smoothies, bread, leftovers, and fruit.
Dinners will be as follows:
Saturday (this is our new pizza night because my husband's work week currently runs Tuesday-Saturday)
- Deep Dish Pizza
- green salad
Sunday
- grilled cheese sandwiches
- chicken noodle soup
- carrot sticks and cucumber slices
Monday
- Chicken Fajitas with grilled vegetables
- fruit salad
Tuesday
- Penne in Cream Sauce with Sausage
- buttermilk drop biscuits
- green salad
Wednesday
- Chicken Wraps
- fruit salad, and whatever vegetables need using by then
Thursday
- Quick Crispy Chicken Breasts (a new recipe from Cook's)
- green salad
- Challah
Friday
- Shrimp and Fish Creole
- Corn Muffins
- the vegetable side for this will depend on what produce is on sale next week
I still can't figure out how you usually feed your family on $100/wk! And I have been trying really hard to cut, cut, cut that food budget! I always think you guys must eat like birds, lol! So this makes me feel better!
Marshmallow pumpkins hmmm? Ok, you are forgiven, ha ha.
Yes, I agree with Elizabeth- you really are amazing at the amount you spend - I have to tell you that my brother spends $100 a week and he's single! He doesn't even think it's a lot! He thought I was "weird" that I only spend $80 for my husband and I. I think he buys a nice piece of meat every night, whereas we often eat meatless or just use a bit of meat.
Also, whenever we go away we spend less on groceries, naturally, but then more a week or two later replenishing things. That's partly what's going on here so it will probably even out over the month.
Pumpkin marshmallows are a must!
I love the little toes in the corner on the picture!
I love the stuffed animals in the pic! Yes, I too am impressed by your ability to figure out what to feed them for a week and shop from that. My husband and I generally go shopping every other day for a couple days worth of food (although usually, I do one meal and we eat it for 2-3 days, especially in soup season).
Sweet potatoes for breakfast? Unusual, but probably really healthy!
I, for one, am glad that you decided to post about going over budget. As you said, it keeps it real. I remember a few weeks back when you departed on vacation and a few people were questioning and commenting on the plastic bags in your photo. Their comments annoyed me because I think it's a very generous thing that you and other bloggers do -- letting people into your life, sharing your successes and notsomuch-successes. And let's keep some perspective, a few plastic bags and a few extra purchases once in a while is hardly something to wag a finger at, right? Here's to keeping it real .... and here's to marshmallow pumpkins!
Have you thought of perhaps adding $100 to your holiday budget to be able to come home and refill your fridge and cupboards without the added stress of having to stick to your normal grocery budget? Then just see that extra $100 as part of your holiday expenses and still continue with a $400-a month grocery budget. I guess it's like giving yourself a little present to come home to and to ease yourself into the already difficult situation of adjusting to life after a holiday!
I'm with Freckles. I'm thrilled that you posted that you went over budget this week. It helps me forgive myself for the occasional splurge. There are some weeks that are just like that. Don't beat yourself up about it.
I just read somewhere that $50 a week was average per person. I try to stay at $80 total weekly with 2 adults. And I buy no processed or snack foods, but food just seems to be getting more and more expensive.
You are such a good meal planner and shopper!
@Jinger
And I, too, wanted to add that plastic bags and store bought bread etc are no cause for alarm...especially on vacation. People who get too caught up in conscious living, sometimes forget to live. Vacations are just that ...vacations for everyone in the family and I am so gald you were able to have a real vacation.
How much were the tiny toes? Because they're so cute, I might just go over budget for them!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
@Katy Wolk-Stanley
I think that tiny toes are going to be in the "do without" category. I've seen no evidence that Kristen is going to part with them.
One of the benefits of sharing a bank account with my ex-husband is if I need to go over budget, I just write a check out of *his* account instead of my primary one. So far he's never said anything about it...I consider it an A**hole tax!
I just found your site today while looking for homemade hamburger buns. Then of course I began linking to all of your posts. (Still looking for your baking blog address?!) Anyways, I came across this post and wanted to make a quick comment...
Our family is currently working with a financial adviser (one that happens to be closely related to the family, and is not charging us for her services) sooo.... we've really had to buckle down in all of our spending to get our other debt/bills on track. The first week we began she gave me $60.00 for groceries for the week. By the way, I have a family of 5. Believe it or not, I managed to do it, including dog food and some toiletries for right under that amount. I do buy everything I can get at Aldi, and then will make a quick Wal-mart run but normally for only 5 or less items. Anyways, this past week, she upped our grocery money to $75.00 which I was thrilled about. And would you believe that after I made out a grocery list (7 days, all 3 meals and snacks here at home!) I only spent $55.00. I was floored, and a little bummed that she had given me more and yet I spent twenty dollars less. I'm happy to say, we have yet to eat a hotdog/macaroni meal!!! Anyways, you are right when you say that if you plan it out, a cheap grocery budget is not impossible. It does take time and creativity, which I am sure you have just reading a few of your posts assures me of that, the creativity, lol... no one has extra time of course!) Thanks for letting me share, and good luck!!
-Heather