2016 Groceries Week 50 - $126.85

This week was a little different.

No shopping Monday, but Tuesday I ran to the store and bought frozen pizza for the babysitter Tuesday.  I dropped it off to her at 5:30pm before I raced to meet DH for dinner.  I spent $29.95 on 4 conventional and 1 GF/DF pizzas.  No photo due to the rush.  2 conventional pizzas tossed in freezer.

Next I stopped at QFC Wednesday for creamer since we were completely out.  I bought 4 because of the buy 4/save $4 deal, also got a gallon of organic milk, found organic sour cream for $1.49 each, and found a couple clearance cans of pineapple ($0.69 each) and tomatoes ($0.49 each).  I spent $17.89.

I ordered an Amazon Prime Now delivery for Saturday morning and somehow missed a picture again.  DH had Bible study and then was helping someone move so I'd have had to leave the kids at home in order to run to the store.  This is an indulgence for me.  I like going to the store so I can find great deals on clearance items and shop the sales.  In this case I needed a few specific items that wasn't shopping for on sale so I went ahead and paid a little more.  Here's what I ordered:

• gallon of organic milk, $6.49 and about $0.50 more than what I normally pay
• Udi's gluten free, whole grain hamburger buns, $4.85 and far less than the $6.00+ the grocery store usually charges.  I typically look for these on clearance and pay $3.99, but I only have hot dog buns in the freezer.  In a pinch I'd have just asked DD2 to have her pulled pork sandwich in a hot dog bun, but I didn't mind buying the hamburger buns at this price.
• organic whole wheat hamburger buns for the rest of the family, $3.55 and more than I would have paid at the grocery store, but comparable to other good quality buns
• GF rolled oats, $6.99 Bob's Red Mill and about what I'd pay elsewhere.  We're trying certified GF rolled oats for DD2 to see if the certified GF makes a difference in this typically GF food and are almost out of our prior package.
• Organic russet potatoes for about $1.00/lb.  I got about 7 pounds and it's about what I pay at Fred Meyer, but other stores have much higher prices on organic potatoes
• Finally, I ordered a $2.00 organic pomegranate, but they delivered a red onion.  Not a big deal, but lame all the same.  

My whole Prime Now order cost $31.38.

Late in the day Saturday I stopped at Fred Meyer for hair gunk DH asked for and to peruse the sales.  I'm so busy I barely have time to look at the ads much and regularly end up at QFC because it's the closest store.  However, the best deals still tend to be at Fred Meyer.  Anyway - I was delighted to find daiya cheese for $3.50/package and some clearance mini-pizza kits for $2.69 each.  I also found dairy-free hot cocoa powder for $3.50 on clearance which was a real find!  I also got a mom treat of fresh mozzarella that was on clearance since I had roma tomatoes at home and basil leaves were on sale.  Caprese salad is SO my favorite.  I picked up bananas, oranges, & organic apples as well as a Fred Meyer staple, plain organic yogurt for $2.79 that my kids eat with granola and/or jam.  I spent $47.63 because I had a coupon for $10/$40 purchase and my rebate from the last quarter taken off.  I wish I'd brought all my coupons because  would have saved more, but overall still good shopping.  *PHOTO COMING*

Week 50 Total: $126.85
YTD 2016 Total: $7,837.30  (this looks like such a huge number to me!!!)
Weekly Average: $156.75

Katie

2016 Groceries Week 49 - $138.22

Monday I stopped into QFC for dairy-free cream cheese.  I was delighted to find about 25 pounds of Organic Honeycrisp apples on clearance.  They cost $10.00 in total and I was sure they would make delicious applesauce & teacher gifts for our homeschool co-op.  I also got a gallon of organic milk, 2 half gallons of juice for $0.99 on clearance, soy yogurt on clearance, organic cottage cheese on clearance, and a couple of bell peppers also on clearance.  Seriously, bargain central for $29.80.

I went to the Dollar Store Tuesday with the kiddos because DD4 really wanted to buy silly putty.  I spent $3.00 on a couple grocery items.

I had found Annie's organic fruit roll-ups at a Grocery Outlet out of town recently & all my kids liked it!  So I went to a local Grocery Outlet when I was out on errands Tuesday to see if I could find more.  No luck on the fruit-roll-ups, but I scored majorly with the rice krispie treats.  Boxes of 16 were just $2.49 making each snack just about $0.15, well below my price point of $0.25 each.  I also bought GF granola bars for $1.99/box for the kiddo that can't have rice krispie treats due to her gluten allergy.  I also found Glutino cereal bars for $1.49and GF Annie's bunny crackers for $0.99 each.  There was also a big box of Annie's organic fruit snacks that were Halloween, some tomatoes, and a bag of onions.  I spent $36.76.

Friday, I went to QFC for olives & zucchini.  I found clearance organic ground turkey for $3.50 each, 16 oz brick cheese for $2.49 each.  I also grabbed a hand of bananas & a pound of bacon on clearance for $3.29.  I also picked up Daiya dairy-free shredded cheese for DD2 for a whopping $5.49 since we were completely out.  Incidentally, I placed an Amazon now order later that evening to get quick birthday gifts for a party on Saturday.  I wasn't at the required $20.00 so I thought I'd look at grocery items to see what was reasonably priced.  To my surprise I found the same shredded Daiya cheese for just $3.92 for the same sized package!  So I bought 3.  I spent $11.76 on Amazon and $50.91 at QFC.

Saturday morning I got parsley at Haggen on my way to a friend's house & a gallon of organic milk on Sunday when I was out with a kiddo (none left at home).  I spent $1.00 on the parsely & $4.99 on the milk.

Week 49 Total: $138.22

YTD 2016: $7,710.45

Weekly Average: $157.36

Katie

2016 Groceries Week 48 - $162.52

A reasonable week for Thanksgiving!

First stop was Costco on Monday night.  I picked up two bags of organic tortilla chips & two bags of veggie straws, two dozen organic eggs, organic hummus, & bananas.  I spent $31.73.

I went to QFC Wednesday morning in hopes of a thawed turkey (since I hadn't pulled mind from the freezer).  No luck, but it thawed just fine in the sink of cold water.  I bought chips for $1.88 each for a Thanksgiving treat.  I bought an apple pie my mother-in-law likes, the special rolls my sister-in-law likes, fresh green beans, celery, and an organic butternut squash for our dinner.  I also bought a pumpkin pie and cool whip because well, Thanksgiving.  I found soy yogurt on clearance, guacamole on clearance, several organic cottage cheese on clearance for $1.49 each, and some wild rice for a healthier stuffing I ended up not making. I bought onions & zucchini, organic half and half, whipped cream, organic milk, and a 20 pound turkey, too.  I spent $81.41.

And I went to Fred Meyer Friday afternoon to buy bread and ended up buying a bunch of stuff on clearance including apples, applesauce squeezies, crackers, organic beans, tomato sauce, evaporated milk, coconut milk, and organic chicken broth.  I bought the bread, grapes, bananas, 7# clementine oranges, green onions, and a head of lettuce, too.  I spent $25.77.

DH also went to the store for a couple things on Thanksgiving.  He spent $23.61 on potatoes, 2 gallons of organic milk, 3 bottles of sparkling cider and two bottles of salad dressing.

Week 48 Total: $162.52
YTD 2016 Total: $7,572.23
Weekly Average: $157.75

GF/DF Menu Plan

I miss making a menu plan!  Life is just easier with it.

Dinners:
Monday - pizza
Tuesday - Saucy chicken
Wednesday - Sausage stew
Thursday - Turkey and all the fixings
Friday - Turkey Soup or dinner out
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday - popcorn & smoothies

Lunches:
Monday - Finger food lunch
Tuesday - Quesadilla
Wednesday - chicken curry
Thursday - hors d'oevres before dinner
Friday - leftovers
Saturday - Turkey soup or sausage soup
Sunday - pot roast

2016 Groceries Week 47 - $145.14

I went to Fred Meyer for milk and found udi's on clearance.  I bought 2 packages of hot dog buns and cinnamon rolls.  Grapes were on sale, as were organic pears and broccoli.  I also got some lunchmeat on clearance.  I spent $35.69.

Wednesday morning I ran into QFC for corndogs & fries since I was spending the day with a friend and providing lunch for the dozen kids between us!  I setn $8.97 on those things.

Friday DD2 and I shopped at QFC for birthday food.  We bought lemonade, chips, strawberries, licorice, jack cheese, and pretzels for the party.  I bought cucumbers, bananas, mlk, apples & potatoes for regular use.  I also found silk yogurt and pita bread on clearance and had a coupon for Brookside treats.  I also bought a turkey for thanksgiving.  I spent $51.49.

I was back at QFC Saturday to pick up birthday cupcakes and I found some clearance potatoes, almond milk yogurt, and bell peppers.  I also bought puffs for DS since we're on our last container.  I also bought apple juice, a veggie tray, and those cupcakes (not pictured).  I spent $20.43.

Finally, we stopped at Grocery Outlet for an emergency potty stop Sunday.  I found 6-packs of organic fruit roll-up for $0.99 so I bought a case of 12.  I also found organic chicken thighs for $2.49/lb!  I bought 3 packages.  I spent $28.56 altogether.

Week 47 Total: $145.14
Year to Date 2016: $7,409.71
Weekly Average: $157.65

A good week! I'm kicking myself though.  I should have bought every package of the organic chicken thighs for that price.  Oh well.   My freezer is so frosted over I just didn't want to deal with finding space for it.

Katie

2016 Groceries Week 46 - $100.74

This week I felt like I shopped much less than usual.

Monday I went to Costco for a few things.  I spent $45.95 on organic tortilla chips, organic coconut milk, pecans, dye-free cheddar, & spaghetti sauce.

We had a birthday this week so I went to the Dollar Store for balloons & picked up a couple things, too.  I spent a big $3.00 on lemon juice & olives.

Tuesday I went to QFC for creamer & found some organic potatoes on clearance for $0.99, some baguette rounds for $0.99, cream cheese that was $0.74 after a store coupon, & progresso soup for $0.74 each after a store coupon.  I spent $18.51 on food.

Finally I went to QFC again on Friday.  I needed milk & found some great clearance deals on lettuce, prepared veggies, organic mushrooms, organic sour cream, organic green tea & a bit of deli chicken salad.  I also bought hot dog buns, creamer, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, 2 onions, & a few bananas.  I spent $33.28 on food items.

This week I spent $100.74 in total.
Year-to-date 2016: $7,264.57
Weekly Average: $157.93

2016 Groceries Week 45 - $228.61

This week was a little big.  I need to stay away from the stores. There was a lot of clearance including Halloween candy, pico de gallo, applegate peach jerk sausages, organic cottage cheese, Earth's Best crackers for baby, puree pouches for baby, silk yogurt cups, almond milk yogurt cups, baby puffs, baby yogurt, lunchmeat, apples, & jars of baby food.  I went to buy a pizza (not pictured), creamer, & fruit (I ended up with bananas & organic pears).  I also picked up daiya cheese & dye free Darigold cheddar since they were reduced price while I was walking by.  I spent $67.34.

I went to Costco Tuesday and picked up parmesan & eggs, but couldn't find the corndogs I wanted.  I also bought some cheese, granola bars, & organic fruit snacks.  I spent $52.75.

My friend is part of a gleaning ministry & she called me Tuesday & said to come pick stuff up.  Lots of  gluten free tortillas, gluten free cupcakes, organic lettuce, two asian chicken salads, 2 cans of formula, & very ripe organic bananas.  Free.

I was at the store again on Wednesday - this time Fred Meyer.  I was there for milk & potatoes but found way more, of course.  I picked up corndogs, almond coconut milk since DD2 was running low, nitrate free bacon, organic half & half, organic yogurt, alexa fries, & a little bit fruit with bananas, mangoes, & apples.  I also found brick daiya and on clearance baby food & lunchmeat.  I spent $55.70.

I actually skipped a day at the store Thursday, but was at QFC Friday for a date with a kiddo & just dashed around the clearance areas.  I found a bean-based cereal on clearance because it was Halloween themed.  3 of the 4 kids liked it.  I was cracking up at the name: Bats & Boos (Booze).  I also found some nitrate free bacon & Hebrew National hot dogs on clearance.  I spent $25.11.

And finally, I was at Fred Meyer on Saturday to catch the tail end of their sale. I bought organic potatoes, organic milk, organic salad dressing (on clearance), bananas, bread, pepperoni, and two pizzas.  I found some clearance apples & romaine heads in the produce clearance. I spent $27.71.

Oh my goodness!  I was at the store 5 days out of 7!  

Week 45 Total: $228.61

YTD 2016 Total: $7,163.83

Weekly Average: $159.20

Katie

2016 Groceries Week 44 - $134.16

I went to Fred Meyer late Wednesday night for milk & finally had coupons with me so I found some good deals.  Cereal was $1.50, limit 6, and I had a $1.00/2 MC. Nabisco crackers were on sale for $1.88 and I had a $1.00/2 MC, so $1.33 each. I had $1.50 off frozen chicken & bags were on sale for $5.99, Chicken nuggets on sale + coupon  = $4.49,  GF/DF pizza on sale for $5.99 and a $1.00 off coupon, Earth Balance 'butter' was $5.19 and I had a $1.00 off coupon, I also bought corn tortillas, a loaf of honey sweetened bread, bananas & organic pears.  I spent $43.43 on food.

I tried to bake on Thursday for my kids and realized I was out of eggs.  So off to the store Friday.  I bought 2 dozen eggs for $2.50 each, I found some clearance deals including a loaf of udi's cinnamon raisin bread, 5 organic baby food pouches for $0.49 to $0.79 each and a 2 pack of conventional baby food, a $1.00 bag of 3 onions, a $1.00 bag of 3 lemons, a baguette and some parsley for a recipe I made that night.  I also found 21 bags of clearance apples.  They were mostly between 28 and 32 oz but there were 2 bags well over 2 pounds so I'm estimating 40 pounds of apples.  I spent $36.31.

And I went to Fred Meyer again on Saturday because I wanted to get more of the good price on cereal as well as take advantage of the GF/DF pizza that was on sale for $5.99 instead of the usual $7.99.  I bought 6 boxes of cereal, 3 pizzas, milk, and found clearance deals on more baby food, canned corn, cooking spray, bananas, a broken baguette, and 3 packages of 6 Special Dark bars.  I spent $54.42.

Overall, not a huge week, but a good one for stocking the pantry & freezer.

Week 44 Total: $134.16

YTD 2016 Total: $6,935.22

2016 Weekly Average: $157.62

Katie