Okay before I decide if I'm going out shopping tonight for a bit more groceries I am at $805.59 for groceries for the month. That does not include cleaning supplies, toiletries, paper products, or alcohol. So far we spent $167.14 on alcohol (1/6 keg, $22 beer, and $7 wine) for the month. I spent $86.82 on cleaning supplies at costco like paper towels, tp, dishwasher pods, laundry, ziplocs, etc. That means I am all in for $1059.55 for the month on "grocery" stuff. But the actual grocery is going to be $805.59 plus I'm not sure what I am spending tonight. I also spent $112.72 on eating out.
On March 2nd, I wrote i want to spend $800 for a family of four with $100 for alcohol and $50 for cleaning supplies. I went over budget on both those two categories, but I suspect it's because i won't buy as much beer or cleaning supplies for 2-3 more months.
I am at $805, so $5 over with a full freezer unlike end of February where i had no stockpile in pantry or freezer/fridge! So I'm super happy. I am debating buying tonight frozen turkey breasts with bone and salmon. That is what I was looking for at the store. I am also going later this week to buy vitamins from costco for me and the kids since it's on sale till thursday.
So my grocery update
3/25 Walmart $9.43 (happened to be in the area buying shoes)
Feta $2.54
Ricotta $3.42
Yogurt $3.47
= $9.43
3/25 Grocery $5.97
Rice Rolls $0.99
Italian spices $2.99
Onions $1.99 (6 lbs)
=$5.97
3/25 Grocery $10.94 on spices, lost receipt
3/27 Market $14.98
Salami $8.99 BOGO
Gouda $5.99
= $14.98
3/28 Safeway $3.49 Apricot preserve
3/28 FM $24.71
Ham $7.85 (.87/lb)
Ham $8.45 (.87/lb)
Beans $2.99
Carrots $3.49 (5 lb bag)
Celery 1.93 (.99/lb)
=$24.71
On 3/25 I stopped at walmart because I bought shoes on sale at road runner sports. They were having a special 2x year sale and I bought 4 pairs of brooks adrenaline sneakers. I only wear those specific line from that specific brand. I have my exact size and I've worn them for 15 years? I used to order them online when they went on sale and in 2019 they changed it. So at that time I bought about 6 pairs and they've finally worn out. I know because I bought only 2019 multiple pairs and stashed them in my closet. Any one who is a runner knows you just know exactly how your shoes wear. These shoes in particular run $129.95 and if they go on discount and they happened to have my exact size then I would buy them. I couldn't even wait to get to the car before I swapped out these new balance shoes i bought that were supposed to be comfortable but weren't.
So I got 2 pairs for $110 with 10% off so it was $220 for 4 shoes including taxes. I thought a very good deal. Should last me 18-24 months. Tomorrow I'll wrap up the month of spending. I think from now on in April I'll just track my grocery spend and spending in general but not in detail.
I've learned i can definitely live on $800/month groceries. I need to budget a teeny bit better. I am hinking of spending another $30 tonight on salmon and turkey breasts. I also am planning on eating out dinner thursday or friday for $30 burgers.
March 30th, 2021 at 10:27 pm 1617143276
March 31st, 2021 at 04:54 am 1617166479
But at the same time we've been eating out a lot less like around $100/month which is unheard off. Before we were spending around $1000 a month eating out and $2000/month on groceries. Probably groceries were more all organic. Also I included all alcohol and since now I track it more. Before we also bought more beer weekly and not the keg. The keg I would say is saving us money though it's a lot at one time.
But now that we are on a pretty strict budget I think that it makes more sense to be reasonable and track what I am spending on everything especially groceries and eating out. I don't know if I need to restrict our spending so severely but the awareness makes it easier.
September 14th, 2021 at 07:58 am 1631606291