If you’re catching up on this series, feel free to read:
- grocery shopping blues
- game plan
- grocery shopping blues: planning
- grocery shopping blues: week 1
- grocery shopping blues: week 2
I may or may not be one of the worst friends in the world. Here I was, about three weeks ago, promising you all a grocery list I used. It’s not that I forgot – it’s because I am totally incompetent and cannot for the life of me figure out how to upload a file to Live Writer. Alas, I figured out I could use Google Docs, even though it doesn’t have a “columns” feature, which is what the original list is formatted with. Bear with me – Grocery Shopping List
This week I went to three different stores with my detailed list and almost couponless bag. I have found it is really hard to use coupons on things such a produce or canned goods (ie: beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth) that we mostly buy. I’m working on it, but it’s hard!
The goods this week:
Up First: Target
I normally do not go to Target, but I had a gift card that had $5 on it and wanted to use it. Low and behold, I couldn’t find my gift card once I got to the check out line. Go figure. I actually wanted to buy more cans of beans at Target, but did you know some of their canned beans have high fructose corn syrup in them? That’s just weird – and I am not a HFCS kind of girl.
16 items = $26.61
Up Next: Aldi
I’m not sure why I only bought 3 items at Aldi – but that’s what happened. I’m okay with it
3 items = $4.12
Of course, the bulk of my shopping came from Trader Joe’s. I just can’t say no to this store!
16 items = $42.14
At first I got mad and thought the price was pretty steep until I realized I bought almonds and maple syrup – those purchases add up quickly!
Overall, I spent $72.87. I didn’t meet my goal again! The Husband and I have already talked about how our budget will need to be increased because it’s just not working.
I actually got stressed out and didn’t want to go grocery shopping this past weekend. This is totally uncharacteristic of me, and I realized it’s because of this strict budget I’m giving myself. I am so prone to freaking out being stressed that I really don’t want to give myself one more reason to be stressed out. So, when March comes around, the grocery budget will be increased.
I even gave myself a little foodie fun by spending some of my personal money at a health food store yesterday – I can’t remember the last time I bought a Larabar, and that is sad. I also got an Oskri bar, some nutritional yeast, and some sesame seaweed chips. It felt so good to buy things that make me happy.
And look! I even saved $3.83.
Question: What was the most “fun” food item you bought at the store this week?
{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
I bought COCONUT OIL:) I had never tried the stuff before, and I loved it! Next up is coconut butter!
I loooove baking with coconut oil! It’s so delicious!
I bought a Cherry Pie Larabar for the first time this week…I loved the tartness from the cherries! I will definitely buy that flavor again. Plus I finally got to try the lemon and mango Chobani flavors…still looking for the Black Cherry. Those items alone made my week happy!
Believe me, when I opened up that Larabar after work today, I was one happy lady!!!
Have you guys tried PranaBars? I bought an apricot-pumpkin version that was amazing! Pricey, but it’s a tasty treat full of texture.
I’ve never heard of them, but they sound fantastic!!
I bought two boxes of the limited edition Nature’s Path LOVE CRUNCH granola. It’s sooo yummy!
Saving some money may not be worth all this stress! I say go “waste” some money on your favorite foodie goodies!
i LOVE oskri bars…and lately i’ve found them at marshalls multiple times for like 3.99 for a whole BOX! good deals on food at marshalls…
Hmmm…I boughtt…actually I haven’t bought anything for a while, cos Jess (Healthy Exposures’ Jess) sent me a bigass package, so that was my fancy food item craving sorted
You know, I am SO happy you’re upping your budget! I honestly don’t know how you managed before because it seems so tiny to me. Hopefully the new budget will allow you to get some treats without having to use your own money.
PS. HFCS in beans? What the heck??
I just bought Amazing Meal…the Vanilla Chai flavor…I love it. I mix it in with my oats and it is so good!!! It is expensive…usually $39.99 a bottle but it was on sale at Sprouts for $31…still pricey but I will TAKE IT!
I almost bought that this week too! Then I looked at the price and thought heeeck no!
Yeah…I only buy one jar a month. I ration it out and make it last. Why is all the good stuff so much money! AAAAHHHH!!
Don’t be so hard on yourself over food! No need to stress yourself out or it will combat all that healthy eating you are doing
I buy a lot of random tasty good food. My latest was the Kids Clif bar in Honey Graham flavor. Yum.
That’s what I was thinking.
I stress out about everything!
Oh man am I having this problem right now or what! I’m trying so hard to budget on food…but everytime I go over! Probably because I can’t help but purchase ” a good brand” of chocolate =]
No shame in buying good chocolate!!
We have the same Coach purse! lol, okay so that was totally unrelated to this post but I just had to give a shout out for good taste.
I love Coach!
First, I love your purse! I’m a total coach-a-holic
Second, you eat gluten free which means you literally can’t eat cheap! Gluten Free foods cost a pretty penny, so I think you are doing great with your budget and don’t think it would be out of the question to increase it!
I can’t stop myself in Trader Joe’s! I went on Friday and was only intending on picking up a few things, $42 and a full cart later I left. But I got the last of the peanut flour and some other items I have been waiting to try
SOOO glad you got the last of the peanut flour. That’s serious stuff!
The most fun food thing I bought was Wholly Guacamole from Costco. $7 for three containers of it. Now that is a good deal!
You’re not the only one that walks out of the grocery store a little disappointed! It’s crazy how 2-3 things can represent 40% of your total cost. My fun purchase of the week actually was the PB Chocolate Chip Larabars I bought even though 5 ended up costing me something ridiculous like $7! I can’t get enough.
Yum! It was a treat for me to buy the larabars – next week I think I have to buy some dates so I can make my own treats!!
Please post the recipe!!!
I will!
Hmmm… didn’t know that Target’s black beans had HFCS in it?? That’s a shame- because they’re the cheapest I’ve found anywhere! Maybe that’s why…
I know – check those labels!!
target really does have some great deals, I agree. I usually have to go to 3 places. But youre right, its worth it. You save a ton! You’ve got me interested in Aldi now.
Aldi rocks – for real.
I bought some LARABARS too!
Best of luck next month! 
I bought a Larabar! I’ve never had one so I’m anxious to dig in!
P.S- I think you’re doing great with your budget. Prices on everything have gone up, so that’s probably what’s to blame
What kind did you get? I want to live vicariously through you!!!
I bought Medierranean hummus and plantain chips from Trader Joe’s and ate them together. Yum!
I’m so glad you posted this! I feel the same way about grocery shopping = stress due to a budget. I thought I was the only one that stressed out about something like this. But yeah, groceries are a necessity, so adjusting the budget is a must
I agree – especially since you can’t put a price on health! There is a definite difference between conscious spending and overspending just “because”!
Plain old hummus, but I guess it’s fun enough for me
Ah thank you for the grocery check list. Definitely going to use that! I am trying to hold off on grocery shopping this week to use up all of the things that I have. But I just heard that Puffins now has a peanut butter and chocolate flavor so I’m gonna be needed that on my next trip!
Oh my gosh – Puffins are great. I can only eat the Honey Rice one (all the others are corn based) but I love it!
Are you including your purse when you say “the goods” because I am. Honestly I think upping your budget is a realistic move. I just spent $70 on this weeks groceries and was ecstatic.
P.S. HFCS in beans? NO thank you!
I know – now that I’m thinking about it, I could spend close to $100 on myself in college. Crazy!!!
The outlet is the way to go!
Fun food item:
Ingredients for Captain Crunch treats for my Reading Count’s party.
HFCS in beans??? That’s crazy.
We made the same choice a few months ago — we weren’t hitting our grocery budget, but a margin of $10-$20 per month, and neither of us needed anything else to stress about. If a little increase is what’s necessary, and you can do it with a little adjusting elsewhere, DO it!
I bought the new Key lime greek yogurt (Yoplait’s brand)–all the new chobs were already taken and I needed something NEWW!!
But the question is – is it good? I’m afraid of Yoplait’s Greek Yogurt – I didn’t like the ingredients.
Hmmm probably the box of PB2 that got delivered today. I’d say that was my most fun purchase
Yummm. Oh, or the White Chocolate Wonderful I bought.
I Looooove the grocery store. I try to budget too… it doesnt’ always work
I went to Trader Joe’s and I bought butternut squash and tofu! I’m excited to cook with both.
Both of those are my list for next week!!!
You are such a dedicated grocery shopper! Going to the store is my least favorite part of the week….I dread it. So, last week I sent the husband in my place, and he spent over double our normal budget – haha. Lesson learned, silly boy.
I truly do love grocery shopping though! So I was so upset that I was stressed out about it. I know for a fact that if the Husband went shopping for us he would spend way more money. I don’t think guys understand how much food costs!
after your peanut butter co post – i literally RAN out the door to try to the dark chocolate dreams peanut butter. best purchase of the week BY FAR!
I’m so glad you liked it!!
Mmm I love treating myself to Larabars every once in a while. My “fun” item this week was a fresh loaf of Olive Bread. So so good!
Why on earth would Target put HFCS in their beans? That is weird.
BALSAMIC GLAZE, which is now, officially, my new obsession.
Since you buy stuff that lasts…staple items…and then maybe if they have a sale one week on garbanzo beans or something and you stock the pantry…might I suggest you consider a monthly budget instead?
Anyways you are doing great…being concious is the first step! I wonder how many “impulse” items you put back since beginning your mission!
PS- Ever thought of making your own turkey for the hub? They sell the breasts and other things and maybe he’d dig it just the same. How many sandwiches does those $5 turkey packets make…food for thought.
I have never thought of doing that before – you’re a smart lady!!
Why the heck does Target have HFCS in their beans?! So weird! I’ve also seen it added into many other canned foods: tomatoes, tomato sauce, fruits… totally not necessary!
My most fun food item was a huge box of Crunchmaster crackers from Costco–they are so so good! And they’re GF, have you tried them?
Um, I am obsessed with Crunchmaster crackers Stef!!!
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t buy anything “fun” at the grocery store…ugh! I was cranky while shopping so it was an in and out trip! I didn’t want to peruse the shelves for new things this week. I don’t know what was wrong with me!
If it is stressing you out this much, it isn’t good. If you like buying food, cut money somewhere else if you need to. And I swear this is the last time I will say this, but you could save a ton of money by making your own beans from dried. Most places sell them in the bulk section. Buy a cup of dried beans for like 50 cents, and that will be at least 4 cups cooked. And it is super easy – soak overnight, drain water, and then simmer until they are soft, while watching tv.
And, you can make your own veggie broth with produce scraps too, that stuff is kind of expensive. http://makingfoodandotherstuff.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/im-scrappy/
And I’m done lecturing now.
I know I know I knoooooow – I always forget about buying dried beans. BUT! I am buying dried beans this weekend. Veggie scraps? What are those?
I never have any leftover.
How is the produce at Aldi? There is one so close to my house that I could walk there! I just have never ventured there. I guess it’s silly to think that inexpensive product = not good quality. I’m obsessed with TJ! I spend wayyyy too much money on unreasonable things when I go there!
Aldi’s produce is really good, I won’t lie to you. If I didn’t buy some organic produce, I’d probably get it all from there.
I just bought chia seeds and am excited to try them!
I am very impressed with your attempt to grocery shop on a budget. I splurge way too much and could use some budgeting to keep me in check!
Chia seeds are amazing! I’ve been without them for a while, but won some last week in a giveaway. I’m so excited to get them in the mail!
I think you are doing REALLY well! You’re eating gluten-free and vegan at that price?! Amazing!
The most exciting (food-related!) purchase for me this week was a FOOD PROCESSOR!! Woohoo! I made my own Dark Chocolate Dreams in it yesterday, and I think I want to marry it
Oh my gosh – I have a little chopper, but I need a huge processor. That sounds amazing!
I wish they had coupons for more things than junk food, too
Usually I can scout out a couple good ones for milk and stuff, but I guess “Buy one get one free in the produce dept” is too much to ask for!
My “fun” purchase at the store this week was probably the red bananas or frozen blueberries. Wild, I know.
you are saving TONS!! i LOVE it.. and i love getting fun foods at health food stores!! the last item i got.. well i got a big HAUL yesterday so all of those!
I am also a girl on a budget! I love grocery shopping, and I loved reading about your shopping trips!
Good idea to buy some fun foods just for you! You deserve it for working so hard to stick to your budget.
The last fun food I bought myself was a package of goji berries. I love them, but they’re too expensive to buy all the time!
The Target by me surprisingly has a ton of crazy good finds! Yummy flavored nut butters, tons of trail mixes, and even cool wine! The coolest thing I found this week barley. Haha…this might not be cool to a normal person, but I had never had it and it trumped my normal brown rice for sure!
Yea $75 for all of that GOOD food is reasonable…and worth it in my opinion.
I don’t think I bought anything fun this week…I’m trying to use up all my stuff before going home today!!
Seriously though, $75 a week for two people is amazing. I know it’s over your budget, but I spend about that much on myself alone!
I bought PB2, carbanada pasta and alternative bagels which I am very excited about!! $75 is not much for two people if you are eating in for all 3 meals! I spend over $100 on myself a week? I need to set budgets!
Thanks for the support! We do eat in all 3 meals – we rarely go out!
way to work the budget, chicky!
xo.
Amaranth for me! It’s been such a yummy puffed breakfast cereal.
I’m also working on keeping my budget under control. I think as the months go by it’s getting easier. I did just start keeping track in December so there’s more time for improvements.
Awesome! Let me know how you do!
I bought my very FIRST Larabar this week! It was the Peanut Butter cookie flavor. I’ve officially gone to the dark side and my bank account is not happy with me
I agree – THey’re too good to pass up though. I am already salivating just thinking about my afternoon snack in 2 hours!!!
I just bought a Synergy komboucha flavor I never tried…Trilogy…it’s awesome. I love komboucha. I’d drink it every day if it wasn’t so freakin expensive!
I’ve never tried that flavor! What does it taste like?
Tastes pretty much like regular kombouca except maybe less vinegar-y. I have a guava one I’m about to crack open!
I can never stick to a food shopping budget, however hard I try – it’s fresh vegetables that cost me such a fortune – but I’m not going without them!
It’s nothing to do with any of the other not-completely-necessary-but-I-want-them items. At all
And this may not be “fun”, and it isn’t at all healthy but… I bought a Reese’s pb cup for the first time today and it was a.mazing
I had lots of fun shopping the bulk bins at the health food store the other day. Love those things!
I can’t believe that about the beans! I swear they sneak HFCs into everything!!
Technically, I didn’t buy it, but a friend of mine picked me up some coconut flour when she went to Whole Foods the other day! I’m so excited to try it out!
Not sure if it’s an option for you, but have you tried doing some of your shopping at Costco? I buy for a family of 2 (my husband and me) and often buy the following @ Costco for big savings over the grocery:
- avocados (unless they are on sale @ the grocery)
- almonds (raw almonds for less than $10 for 2-3 lbs)
- brussel sprouts (not sure if these are organic)
- spinach (organic even)
- apples (organic)
- broccoli (again, not sure on the organic or not)
anyway, just a thought to help you out! the larger quantities also mean i don’t buy those items week after week, but we use enough of each of them that they also don’t go bad. i also use the almonds to make my own nut butter- delish and cheaper than the store version!
I do shop at Costco sometimes. Do you find that your produce goes bad even if you don’t buy every week or does it stay pretty fresh? I use up produce pretty quickly, so I think it would be okay.
I find it stays very fresh (in the fruit/veggie drawer in our fridge)- the only thing I’ve had trouble with occasionally is spinach, but if you use it for smoothies, you shouldn’t have a problem. Glad to see you were able to get some things @ Costco with your mom’s card! Let me know how it goes for you!
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