$75 Challenge Week 4

Yeah, well ... I am not sure I am going to make the challenge goal. I think I did well though. One good thing about keeping track of my groceries is realizing how much this horde of locusts eats! I still think feeding 10 people (ages 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 + two adults) with the 2 year having the special dietary needs on what I have this past month is great. We have tried new dishes and had plenty of fresh fruit and veggies to munch not to mention yummy homemade bread. I know I could have cut costs even more. I didn't want to though. I was comfortable where I was. I didn't start with a stocked pantry like I usually have as I have been cutting costs back all year. I have used the items but not been able to replace them.

I ran out of some staples and also bought some juice pouches for field trips as everything taken needs to be thrown away. I splurge on some chips too. So now let's see the damage done this week (shopping done 3 different days) ...

What was bought:
-- Day 1 --
Super Wal-Mart
Soy Milk (2 half gallons) - $5.52
Caprisun (10 pk) - $1.88
Cashews - $4.48
Flour (5 lb) - $1.88
Sugar (5 lb) - $2.14
Bananas (1.87 lb) - $1.08
Grapes (2.25 lb) - $3.11
Peaches (1.28 lb) - $1.28
American Sliced Cheese, 2% - $2.98
Baby Carrots (1 lb) - $1.78
Cinnamon - $.50
Green Onions - $1.00
Eggs (dzn) - $1.00
Bread - $1.13
Potato Chips - $2.65
Cheddar Puffs - $1.50
TOTAL: $34.38

-- Day 2 --
County Market
Kidney Beans, dry - $1.59
Bean Sprouts, canned (2) - $1.98
Golden Delicious Apples (2.74 lb) - $2.41
Gala Apples (2.41 lb) - $2.12
Anjou Pears (1.22 lb) - $1.45
Baby Carrots (2 lb) - $1.99
Frozen Vegetables (15 bags of assorted) - $11.85
TOTAL: $23.62

Aldi
Mozzarella, shredded (16 oz) - $2.89
Parmesan Cheese - $1.99
Canola Oil -$2.49
Eggs (3 dzn) - $2.67
Orange Juice Concentrate (2) - $1.98
Apple Juice Concentrate - $.82
Other Juice Concentrate - $1.24
Bananas - $.74
Broccoli - $.99
Cantaloupe (2) - $1.78
French Dressing - $.99
Ranch Dressing - $.99
Iceberg Lettuce - $.99
Bell Peppers, 2 colored - $1.99
Tortillas (2) - $1.98
Graham Crackers - $1.29
Tortilla Chips (2) - $1.98
Wheat Crackers - $1.19
Snack Crackers (2) - $3.58
Pretzels (2) - $2.58
Brown Sugar (2 lb) - $1.24
Baking Powder - $.99
Pancake Syrup - $1.39
Celery - $.99
Taco Mix - $.33
TOTAL: $38.68

-- Day 3 --
Super Wal-Mart
Strawberries (2) - $4.50
Pineapple - $1.98
Cantaloupe - $1.25
Golden Delicious (2.14 lb) - $2.14
Gala Apples (2.47 lb) - $2.47
Thousand Island Dressing - $1.18
Iceberg Lettuce - $1.28
Bananas (5.73 lb) - $3.21
Tomatoes (1.82 lb) - $3.21
Olives, sliced (2) - $2.32
TOTAL: $23.39

WEEKLY TOTAL: $120.07

The monthly total is brought up to $348.82 or $87.20 weekly average. Eegads! Okay, I bought more fruit than usual since my kids are eating more of it. A healthy snack for sure so I am not complaining! It helps the sweet tooth but is better for you. We had company Thursday night (hence the day 3 trip) for dinner. I made taco salad with tortilla bowls and served fruit as a side. It was a huge hit with little leftovers. County Market was having a sale on frozen veggies ($.79 a bag) so I stocked a little. I bought peas, broccoli as well as bell peppers and onion mixes to use in omelettes and dishes when my garden quits producing. Even if I am over the $75 for this week, I came in under what I usually spend. I didn't plan as well, but chalk that up to lack of sleep due to being sick with allergies and a cold.

I did cook up beans for the taco salad last night that helped the 1.5 lbs of taco meat stretch for 12 people. I usually make tortillas, but mine are thicker than store-bought. I needed thinner ones to make the bowls which made dinner fun. The kids loved it. I have made more bread much to my kids delight. The kids love the fresh fruit in the basket on the counter to grab and munch on so I keep a variety in there depending on what is on sale (lots of fruit on sale this time of year). A variety ensures the kiddos aren't bored and eat more of it. I also found baby carrots might cost more, but my kids love them and eat them up. I also find it keeps me snacking healthier too. I still use regular carrots for cooking.