Groceries and Menu - Jan. 6-12
I started a menu on January 1, but I don't think I want my menus to run from Wednesday to Tuesday, so I'm going to re-set by repeating the menu items we haven't had yet, along with the new ones to complete a Monday through Sunday menu. Sorry for the confusion - I'll stick with that pattern from now on, OK?
But first, a few grocery purchases since last time. My last posting showed a lot of produce and little else - this week's post steps over to 'the snacky side', hee hee.
King Sooper - Two bags of store-brand restaurant style tortilla chips. I had a coupon for .40 off one bag, so the total for both bags was $1.61. No photo...sorry...but I think you get the idea. :) They had 'cutie' oranges out as free samples - I got one and Daughter got one.
WalMart - There are some interesting things on markdown from time to time - this time I got seasoned sun-dried tomatoes in oil for .50 per jar. There were a lot - I picked up two jars. I've never really used them, but I see lots of recipes that call for them. I'll enjoy trying them out. I also got chips for Husband's lunch, ketchup, and the peanut butter cups (in the candy cane). They were on markdown and cost less than a single serving, plus we can easily share them. Also tampons - these little 8-packs are .88 each, so I get them if there aren't any sales or better deals. (there were not) Total at Walmart - $4.40.
Total spent this month (so far): $19.94
Keep in mind, I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer I am working from. If you follow this series for a while, you'll see a day when I buy a crazy amount of meat or poultry - far more than we could eat that week - or an abnormal amount of cereal or oats or something. That will be some good sale and me re-stocking. :) To see what else we bought and ate this month, check this link:
Groceries and Menu - First Week of January
MENU
Breakfasts:
eggs or omelets with toast, pineapple
peanut butter toast, frozen fruit smoothies
cottage cheese on toast (with black pepper - yum!), oranges
oatmeal with applesauce, milk
muffins (if I make some), applesauce
Lunches:
leftovers from suppers when available
big green salads with vegetables, cheese, croutons & dressing
peanut butter, celery, apples and wheat-thins
Suppers:
beef tacos, Mexican rice, frijoles w/cheese, guacamole, oranges
minestrone, focaccia, cheese and apples
oven chicken strips, potato wedges, broccoli, pineapple sorbet
barbecue beef on buns, coleslaw, pineapple
ham fried rice with vegetables, mandarin oranges
chicken parmesan w/pasta and sauce, mixed vegetables w/herbs, peach cobbler
planned dinner out
Snacks:
muffins (if I make some)
warm cinnamon applesauce
popcorn
frozen fruit smoothies
carrots and celery
That is our plan. I am working during supper time one night, and I'm teaching a class right after supper another night (The class is Dinner on the Table for Pennies on the Dollar - yay!), so those night will likely be the minestrone and the barbecue beef, though the fried rice could work for one of those nights as well. I usually spend some time on Monday doing whatever I can to prep for the next few days, so I'll likely make the minestrone that day, and I can make the focaccia, the taco meat, and prep vegetables for Monday through Wednesday, at least.
I hope you have a great week with good sales and tasty menus!
-Laura at TenThingsFarm
 |
| Last week, one of our suppers was homemade chili with toppings - broken tortilla chips, a little homemade salsa, sour cream, shredded cheddar and a green onion. We rounded out the meal with sliced oranges - yum! |
But first, a few grocery purchases since last time. My last posting showed a lot of produce and little else - this week's post steps over to 'the snacky side', hee hee.
King Sooper - Two bags of store-brand restaurant style tortilla chips. I had a coupon for .40 off one bag, so the total for both bags was $1.61. No photo...sorry...but I think you get the idea. :) They had 'cutie' oranges out as free samples - I got one and Daughter got one.
WalMart - There are some interesting things on markdown from time to time - this time I got seasoned sun-dried tomatoes in oil for .50 per jar. There were a lot - I picked up two jars. I've never really used them, but I see lots of recipes that call for them. I'll enjoy trying them out. I also got chips for Husband's lunch, ketchup, and the peanut butter cups (in the candy cane). They were on markdown and cost less than a single serving, plus we can easily share them. Also tampons - these little 8-packs are .88 each, so I get them if there aren't any sales or better deals. (there were not) Total at Walmart - $4.40.
 |
| Total at WalMart - $4.40 |
Total spent this month (so far): $19.94
Keep in mind, I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer I am working from. If you follow this series for a while, you'll see a day when I buy a crazy amount of meat or poultry - far more than we could eat that week - or an abnormal amount of cereal or oats or something. That will be some good sale and me re-stocking. :) To see what else we bought and ate this month, check this link:
Groceries and Menu - First Week of January
MENU
Breakfasts:
eggs or omelets with toast, pineapple
peanut butter toast, frozen fruit smoothies
cottage cheese on toast (with black pepper - yum!), oranges
oatmeal with applesauce, milk
muffins (if I make some), applesauce
Lunches:
leftovers from suppers when available
big green salads with vegetables, cheese, croutons & dressing
peanut butter, celery, apples and wheat-thins
Suppers:
beef tacos, Mexican rice, frijoles w/cheese, guacamole, oranges
minestrone, focaccia, cheese and apples
oven chicken strips, potato wedges, broccoli, pineapple sorbet
barbecue beef on buns, coleslaw, pineapple
ham fried rice with vegetables, mandarin oranges
chicken parmesan w/pasta and sauce, mixed vegetables w/herbs, peach cobbler
planned dinner out
Snacks:
muffins (if I make some)
warm cinnamon applesauce
popcorn
frozen fruit smoothies
carrots and celery
That is our plan. I am working during supper time one night, and I'm teaching a class right after supper another night (The class is Dinner on the Table for Pennies on the Dollar - yay!), so those night will likely be the minestrone and the barbecue beef, though the fried rice could work for one of those nights as well. I usually spend some time on Monday doing whatever I can to prep for the next few days, so I'll likely make the minestrone that day, and I can make the focaccia, the taco meat, and prep vegetables for Monday through Wednesday, at least.
I hope you have a great week with good sales and tasty menus!
-Laura at TenThingsFarm
Comments
I completely fell off the budgeting/couponing wagon around the holidays and have yet to get back on. We just finished up the last of Christmas yesterday (yes, Jan 5!) with my sister's family and I'm drained. I stuck to my budget for gift giving but I've been shopping wherever and whenever it's convenient for groceries with no regard for the budget. Maybe a little later this week I'll attempt to look at the finances like I usually do at the beginning of the new year.
So kudos to you for sticking with it and being such an inspiration!
Price matching is awesome.
Jennifer, based on Brandy already having 87 comments on this week's frugal accomplishments, I think lots of us fell off the wagon and are climbing back on. I need to add a December madness/foolishness category to my budget, maybe $3 a week in an envelope, just so I don't pull money from other places but can deal with the craziness of the month without guilt when I buy an extra stocking stuffer, a quick fast food meal, etc.