If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I put off grocery shopping until mid-afternoon this week, and so all six of us headed out to shop together after Mr. FG came home.
Since this wasn’t at all close to our normal routine, and since we got home a lot later than usual, my kids ran out to play instead of staying in to put stuffed animals in with the groceries. So, I have a boring picture:
Earlier in the week I stopped at some local markets and an organic store, and I bought this stuff:
I spent $55.64 at Aldi and $49.40 at Aldi. So, my total would be $105.04 were it not for the local food that I bought.
That small pile of groceries cost $26 (!), so my total for the week is $131.04.
Hmm. Maybe this local food thing is going to require an increase in my grocery budget. Then again, local food should get a little cheaper as the growing season progresses around here, so maybe I can still swing this on $100 a week.
Here’s what we’re eating this week:
Saturday
- Today is a very busy day, so the kids are having BBQ beef sandwiches from the freezer, and Mr. FG and I are having some purchased sushi. Yum.
Sunday (we’re having company, so we’re not having breakfast for dinner this week!)
- Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers
- chips and dip
- a salad that our guests are bringing
- maybe a fruit salad
Monday
- Seafood Quesadillas
- Fruit salad
- carrot sticks
Tuesday
- Grilled, marinated chicken
- Whole Wheat Rolls
- green salad
Wednesday
- Tacos
- Tortilla chips and salsa
Thursday
- Chicken Tortellini Salad
- french bread
Friday
- Asian-glazed Tilapia
- Honey-Glazed Rolls
- green beans
I’m off to start my busy day…this morning we’re participating in our community yard sale, then at 11:00 we’re going to a birthday party for one of my nephews, and at 5:00 I have a photo session at a local park.
Oh, speaking of yard sales, I forgot to tell you yesterday that Garage Sales Tracker is giving away an iPhone. I wrote about it yesterday on my review blog, and neglected to share the link.
Have a lovely weekend!
nora
Wednesday 18th of July 2012
I have a family of 5 kids. I am always trying to stay on a budget. Like you, our grocery budget includes toiletries and cleaning materials. We have an Aldi, as well as lots of other options. We have a Farmer's Market. I shop several of these places. I also homeschool up to the 7th grade. And live in an old house that needs lots of work, and have a very busy husband. So I have little time (or desire) to do lots of shopping. The problem is I can never stay on budget. Sometimes a good sale means I buy a lot (we have an extra freezer) and over time simply lose track of where the budget is. Sometimes, I have time to renovate and spend $ on bins and paint, etc. Any ideas on how to stay more precisely on track with budget? Nora
Molly
Monday 17th of May 2010
Judy, the tomatoes and tomato paste in particular are a great bargain at Aldi, as are the cream of soups (if you don't make your own). Other food items we always buy there: salsa, cereal, canisters of oatmeal, and the "fiber one" bars. If you eat any of those, the drive could well be worth it.
Faith
Monday 17th of May 2010
Do you have a recipe for cream of soups? I am so tired of buying them. They come in such little cans.
Judy
Sunday 16th of May 2010
Made my first trip to Aldi's yesterday (it's a ways off). Since I don't have kids in the house there wasn't a lot that we could use. (We don't buy snack foods.....) but I did stock up on canned veggies. They looked like a bargain. I bought a few of each variety so that I could figure out which ones we like and which we'd rather pay more for.
But overall, it looks like it'd be worth it to make the drive once or twice a year.
EngineerMom
Saturday 15th of May 2010
I second the CSA call. Buying a quarter of a cow (or half or whatever) can also bring the price per pound of local meat down as well. My parents are planning to give us their chest freezer, and half a cow is probably the first thing that's going in there!
The other thing with buying local is if you can buy completely in season, you can get enough to freeze or otherwise preserve for when it's out of season - like apples into applesauce or frozen apple slices, or tomatoes into sauce or dried tomotoes.
Heather
Saturday 15th of May 2010
You should try a search on www.localharvest.org for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program near you. Most of them offer incredible discounts for a weekly delivery/pick-up of locally grown produce, sometimes you can find an organic one. I joined an organic CSA near my home and my family of six shares a whole share with my parents, grandfather, sister and nephew so the total price equates to about $20 a week and it includes more produce than we would normally buy as well as locally baked bread. Catch is that you have to pay upfront, but some of them have a monthly payment. If you can stick to a budget that incorporates that upfront payment it will save you money in the long run.
Kristen
Sunday 16th of May 2010
Unfortunately, the CSA's in my area are all filled up. I'm on a waiting list, though. :)