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.
I don’t mean that it’s August 1st, of course…just that it’s the first grocery post of August. 😉
(this picture is just my Weis/Aldi groceries and doesn’t include produce from my parents’ garden or from the farmer’s market)
I spent $42.29 at Aldi and $22.16 at Weis. I also stopped at the farmer’s market and produce stand, and I spent $12 there.
Also, I thought Joshua picked up a gallon of milk at Aldi and he thought I picked one up. I didn’t realize this until we got home without a gallon of milk, so I had to run out and pick one up from a nearby store for $3.99. So, I’m at $80.44 for the week, which is happy news, despite the milk issue.
Since it’s still awfully hot here (August is usually our hottest month, which is a dreadful thought given how hot July was!), we’re still eating lots of cool breakfasts…homemade yogurt, fruit, bagels, and some cold cereal too (Zoe does love her a bowl of frosted mini-wheats!).
Lunches are the usual…sandwiches, fruit, carrots, cucumbers, yogurt, and leftovers as necessary.
And the following is our dinner plan.
Saturday
- Thin Crust Pizza
- green salad
Sunday
- We’re having two families from church over, and we’re having a sandwich-y meal. I’m providing homemade buns, a watermelon, and dessert.
Monday
- BBQ Beef Sandwiches (bumped from last week)
- local corn
- green salad
Tuesday
- Cilantro Chicken Pasta Salad
- green beans
- homemade English Muffins
Wednesday
- Bacon Cheese Quesadillas
- Zucchini Patties
- local corn
Thursday
- Tomato/Basil/Chicken paninis (here’s how I make my panini sandwiches)
- green beans
Friday
- Pizza Subs
Jessica
Saturday 7th of August 2010
I can't wait to see how you do! I am always looking to bring my monthly spending down!
Margaret
Saturday 7th of August 2010
Please do not take this as a criticism... but I am surprised to see that you bought croutons! Seems like a simple (and quick!) thing for a frugal, bread-baking gal like yourself to make out of leftover bread. Were there on sale or free? :-)
Kristen
Saturday 7th of August 2010
lol! I was wondering if someone would notice. I paid $.20 for those after a coupon, and I bought them because it was a super busy week and I didn't think I was going to get the croutons made myself.
I do make croutons, though, and my family loves to eat them!