Friday, January 13, 2012

Under Budget for the Month!

I was seriously thinking I was going to go over budget with the trips I did today, but I am happy to announce that I made it under budget!  I will go over when I pick up milk for the month and the items for dishwasher detergent, but that means I will only be over budget by about $20.  This makes me one happy momma!  So I was able to feed my family, make my own laundry soap, and dishwasher detergent for just over $300 this month.  The best part is I am cooking better meals and I am no longer bound to shopping ads and matching coupons.  I saved A LOT of time by not hunting coupons and ads, plus all the ink I saved. 

I have packed my freezer with fresh herbs and veggies so I will have some for next month.  Also this means less waste.  I am very proud that nothing was thrown out during the last two weeks.  I hope this continues.  When I got home I prepared all my veggies and herbs I bought, divided them up for what I will need this week, and then prepared the rest for freezing. 

Lets look at how I did for the next two weeks:

Look at all the food!
Hen House
1 - 32 oz Best Choice Beef Broth
$1.68

2 - 2 lb C&H Light Brown Sugar $1.58 each
1 - $1/2 C&H 2lb or larger products 1/9 SS Insert
$2.16 or $1.08 each

1 - Best Choice 4 lb Sugar
$2.06

1 - Best Choice Italian Blend Shredded Cheese
$1.79

1 - Kraft String Cheese
$2.50

2 - Best Choice 32 oz Shredded Cheese (1 Mozzarella and 1 Cheddar)
$7.18 or $3.59 each

1 - 5lb Russet Potatoes
$2

1 - Chives
$2.99

1 - Celery
$1.29

1 - Broccoli
$1.50

Total Spent:  $25.08

Hy-Vee
2 - Frozen Spinach
$2.90 or $1.45 each

1 - Frozen Mixed Veggies
$1.29

1 - Old Orchard Orange Juice Concentrate (There is B1G1 coupon HERE, but my store doesn't accept them)
$1.88

1 - Barilla Jumbo Shells
$1.99

4 - Old Orchard Apple Juice $1.77 each
4 - $0.50/1 Old Orchard 64 oz Juice
$5.08 or $1.27 each

1 - Ronzoni Garden Delight
99 cents

3 - 3lb Bags of Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
$14.97 or $4.99 each

1 - 8 oz block White Cheddar Cheese
$3.87

1 - Hy-Vee Ricotta Cheese
$2.49

4 - 2 Liters Diet Pepsi
$7.16 or $1.79 each

1 - Bunch of Cilantro
89 cents

2 - Dole Bagged Salads
$1.98 or 99 cents each

1 - Package Whole White Mushrooms
$1.67

Total Spent:  $49.16


Price Chopper
1 - Best Choice Crescent Rolls
$2.19

1 - Dozen Best Choice Eggs
$1.59

1.78 Beef Bottom Round Roast
$6.75

1.83 Beef Stew Meat this was  a Manager's Special
$7.30

2.97 lbs Ground Round Manager's Special
$8.29

1 - Best Choice Chili Powder
$1.25

1 - Best Choice Medium Grain Rice
$1.69

1 - Quaker Barley
$1.99

1 - Stride Spearmint Gum
99 cents

2.29 lbs Bananas
$1.58

1 - 3lb bag of Yellow Onions
$1.49

2 - La Moderna Pasta Shells 7 oz package
78 cents or 39 cents each!  This is regular price and found in the ethnic section and they have all kinds from vermicelli to alphabets to macaroni.  I will be buying these from now on.  What a great deal!

Total Spent:  $35.89

I definitely picked up lots of goodies for the next couple of weeks and only spent $110.14!  I still have to go to Aldi to pick up 4 gallons of milk, should be $7.72 unless the price increased, 1 2lb bag of clementines $1.48,  and 2 3lb bags of apples $2.94.  If I am correct on my milk prices then the total spending per week will be just over $60 per week! 

As for the month to date right now (without Aldi) I have spent $299.79 or $74.95 per week!  That means I have made my budget of $75/week so far.  Even though I know it is short lived I am still happy and really not disappointed at all.  It is comforting to know I do not have to buy laundry soap or cleaners anymore and we all know how expensive those items are! 

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and keep an eye out for my homemade dishwasher detergent recipe along with a review of how it performs.  You can stay up to date by following My Road to Savings on facebook or twitter.

7 comments:

  1. That is a lot of food! Nice job! Thanks for linking up at www.savingmyselfsilly.com

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  2. Thank you :) Two weeks worth of food and lots of great meals to come. I am so excited for some of the meals I am making and can't wait to try them!

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  3. Great savings! Thanks for linking up at Allison's Durham Deals! I hope you'll stop by again.

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  4. Nice job!! Though I'm curious what does your menu plan look like? How did you plan what to buy? I usually buy my food based on coupons/sales/cravings and then plan my menu based on what I have. Though I'm finding I need to switch it the other way and plan first.

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  5. Thank you :) My menu plan for the next two weeks can be found in my post HERE

    I really like the planning method and sticking to a budget rather than relying on coupons and sales. Coupons can be a wonderful thing, but they are not for me. I found myself buying things because they were cheap and not really enjoying cooking anymore. The most important thing is to find what works for your family. This is a new journey for me and so far I am enjoying it much more. The best part I found my LOVE for cooking again!

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  6. Great savings this week. Thanks for linking up at Pounds4Pennies this week. I am trying to do the menu plan. I find couponing is great for stocking up on basic necessity items. Then buying what you want or need to make certain dishes.

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    1. That's great that coupons are working for you! I was having a hard time with all the processed, boxed, and canned foods that I was getting. After looking back on my items purchased last year I was rather disappointed. My goal is to buy more "whole" foods and cut as many processed and prepared food out of my home as possible. I also want to make all my cleaning supplies to cut the toxins out of our home. It is important that each person find which works best for them. I do occasionally use coupons. I just no longer shop according to ads and coupons. I feel better about the meals I prepare and the products I use. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more of your savings and tips :)

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