This week I obviously was not paying attention while taking my picture... not only did I leave a couple of large items off the table altogether but I also managed to not get everything on the table in the shot. That's what I get for rushing I guess. Everything you see below plus a lot more cost $73.73.
Aldi: (Not Pictured Above)
Bread - 2 loaves
2% Milk - 3 gallons
Skim Milk - 1 gallon
Red Grapes - 2 pounds
Corn Tortillas
Saltines
Brown Sugar
Bananas - 3 pounds
Hy-Vee:
Bakery Italian Bread
Dannon Yogurt - 10 cups
Deli Ham - 1 pound
Sara Lee Cheesecake
Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree
Red Baron Pizzas - 2 not pictured
Alexia Bagged Snacks
Pringles - 4 cans
Campbell's Tomato Soup - 4 cans
Tones Mini Spice Packages - 3
Hy-Vee Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream - 1 gallon
Bananas
Potatoes - 10 pound bag
Ball Park Premium Franks - 4 packages
Price Chopper:
Nature Valley Chewy Granola Bars - 1 box
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars - 1 box
Chex Mix Bars - 1 box
Westpac Frozen Veggies - 4 bags
Ground Round - 4.35 pounds
Wholly Guacamole - 1 box
The Deals: Aldi had a great deal on grapes - .88 a pound! Hy-Vee has a coupon online right now for a free pound of bananas, which is why I bought a second small bunch there (versus just sticking with the bananas from Aldi). Speaking of Hy-Vee, I also snagged a 10 pound bag of potatoes for $1.77 (64% off), Pringles for .75 each (50% off), Ball Park Franks for $1.47 each (66% off), Red Baron Pizzas for $2.39 each (58% off) and the Sara Lee Cheesecake was $1.49 (71% off).
Price Chopper had a few good deals too. I snagged bags of frozen veggies for .68 each (56% off), Ground Round for $1.69 a pound (45% off) and the various granola bars were $1.50 a box (49%-56% off). I also picked up some Wholly Guacamole, which is something I never buy. Usually it's terribly overpriced and we could make it ourselves for far less, however it was on a great sale and I had a good coupon bringing the price down to $2.49 (57% off) which is about the cost of making it ourselves when we find avocado on sale.
There is one comment from last week's post that I want to address. Someone posted (anonymously at that) that I wasn't taking into account all of the gas I spend driving to all of these stores or the time I spend doing all of that shopping.
There are two primary areas in town I shop. Area #1 (where I shop most often) has an Aldi, Price Chopper and Hy-Vee all within a mile of each other, on the very same road. Obviously with a set up like this my gas consumption is minimal! Area #2 I only shop if I have to be on that "side of town" like I did last week as I had a doctor's appointment there. Those stores are a bit more spread out but are all on the same road and if I start at one end (close to my doctor's office) and then work my way back home I hit Aldi, Hy-Vee, Hen House and Price Chopper.
As for my time, because I have very specific lists it only takes me about an hour to shop 3-4 different stores. I know many people who take that long shopping just one store! I spend about another hour a week cutting and sorting my coupons and making my shopping list. Considering I save 50-60% each week (which can mean saving $50-80 a week) I'd say my time is well spent.
Total before Sales, Coupons and Tax: $144.43
Total after Sales and Coupons: $69.67 - 52% off
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5 comments:
Helen,
I don't ever comment on your blog, but I read it every week especially the Saturday Savings post. I am so happy you wrote something today about the comment from last week regarding the amount of gas money and time spent. There is no way you spend hours and hours running all over the place to buy groceries just to save some money especially with three little boys in tow. I figured you had it all mapped out and planned ahead for where you needed to be and which locations worked best for that week. Kudos to you for letting us know how you save money, raise your family and do it on a budget!! You are an amazing mom and your boys are so lucky to call you mommy!!
You have motivated my to really look a my food budget and start finding ways save and plan my meals ahead. It is not as bad as it seems and I really think I can do it! Thanks!!
Susan
People sometimes don't understand how little time shopping takes if you are well organized! I also shop 2-3 stores a week and they are within a mile of my house, s it is no big deal. For the amount of savings, I agree that shopping multiple stores is WELL worth it.
And no way are you (or am I, for that matter!) spending the $60 so dollars you save in gas, either. Good job!
I used to think that if you drove to more than one store, you're spendingmore on the gas money then you do on savings. You obviously blow that theory out of the water!! Good work, Helen, on showing the world what economy and self control are all about!! It's too easy to order in a pizza ... you are a wonderful woman for cooking for your family each night and saving money on the groceries you buy! Your husband is a lucky man!!
We have 2 big grocery stores within a quarter of a mile of each other and another one about 10 mins the other way. It's totally do-able.
I have to comment that I LOVE that Wholly Guacamole. We usually pop it in the freezer when we buy it and defrost separate packages when needed.
Sarah, thanks for the freezing guac tip! I hadn't thought of that!
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