Friday, December 7, 2007

Alright Then, Here We Go!

So, here we are, the first week of the challenge. I’m realizing that I will not only be working with the $50 a week but I’ll be drawing from what already exists in my cupboards. I figure that will even itself out as the weeks progress.

To give you a little background, we don’t usually eat processed foods. We do sometimes. I’m not opposed to a night of hotdogs or a box of Mac & Cheese, but we usually eat lots of chicken, fresh vegetables, bread, and home baked stuff. I’m not brand loyal to very many things and I considered myself pretty frugal to begin with.

I’m sure I’ll be eating those words sprinkled ever so lightly over my Top Ramen.

I’ve switched from shopping at one big Super Store to three different stores; a bakery outlet for bread, a grocery outlet that sells discount foods, and Winco for whatever I can’t find at the other two places.

This is what I managed to get this week….

1 gallon milk $ 2.48
Frozen apple juice $ 0.98
Dozen large eggs $ 1.33
Laundry detergent $ 1.94
Make-up $11.46
Fresh Broccoli $ 0.99
Fresh Cucumber $ 0.50
1lb grated cheddar $ 2.29
Instant mashed potatoes $ 0.99
4 cans of tuna $ 2.76
2 cans baked beans $ 1.00
2 bags tater tots $ 1.98
Bacon $ 1.49
2 packs hot dogs $ 1.78
Dishwasher detergent $ 1.99
Giant can of sliced peaches $ 3.99
2 cans of chicken $ 3.98
10 lbs of flour $ 1.96
Ketchup $ 1.45
Frozen meatballs $ 1.98
2lbs ground turkey $ 2.64
Whole fryer chicken $ 3.60
3 lbs of bananas $ 1.25
1 lb whole bean coffee $ 4.60
Margarine $ 0.55
3 loaves of bread $ 2.67
Tax $ 1.18

Total $63.81



Yep, went over a bit.

I also realized that meat is expensive. I found myself rooting around the shelves for the meat that they need to get rid of fast because it’s been on the shelf for a while. They usually mark them down by a dollar or two and if you freeze it or use it immediately, there shouldn’t be any problem with it. That’s how I got the ground turkey so cheap.

The make-up pushed me over budget but someone once told me, “If the barn needs painting, well paint it.” And this barn needs painting. I also got a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

Oh, and I got way more processed food than I normally get. We'll see if I can adjust that back out in the following weeks.

So here goes! Let’s see what I can come up with this week.

6 comments:

Scott said...

I bet it could be fun for kids to calculate how much food is and try to plan super cheap menus for you. Like a contest to see who could come up with the cheapest dinner. They'll be involved, plus you'll see what they like. And they'll learn the value of a dollar...or fifty.

Kacie said...

I think you're off to a great start!

Don't be discouraged--you've purchased some items that won't need replaced for awhile. For example, the makeup, detergent and coffee ought to last awhile.

Do you plan your weekly menus? Be sure to post them, if you do!

Also, if you have CVS/Rite Aid/Walgreens in your area, you can get all of your toiletries, detergents, etc for pennies on the dollar if you gradually build a stockpile.

Anonymous said...

Where are you shopping for this. because I haven't seen prices like this for a long time. I am going to follow this blog and I want to see how you do it. I recently shopped at Costco and Safeway and spent 200$ and it barely got me through 4 days. By the end of the week my frige looked like I hadn't shopped in a month. I gotta figure something out. we are a family of 5 and I honestly think I can spend 8004 month on food. It's gotta change.
Susan

Anonymous said...

I can beat ya on the coffee at Costco; I can't beat anything else. Where in the world did you get 10lbs flour for less than $2? Best of luck in your new experiment, thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Will 1 gallon of milk last all week? My family of 4 drinks 2-3 gallons per week...

Anonymous said...

Been reading you grocery challenge and it can be done with meat or fish daily. First off you need to start with a well stocked kitchen and not be afraid to use leftover different. Meat with a bone is a waste unless your willing to use the bones and left over meat on it. Get out your crockpot and put your left over chicken bones(any bones) and all in it add several cups of water to cover cook to all meat falls off the bones. Pour through a strainer but save all the juice and meat. Now you have a great stock to use in soups or gravies add a little or all the meat which really is free. ?You will be surprized to see how much meat wasleft on. Add veg. and noodlesor rice and flavor to taste.i raised 8 children this way and am raise 3 grandbabies today. I also save all leftover veg. in frezzer to add to soups. If needed add a can of whole tomatoes canned to add more flavor and vit. c.