$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.

$75 Challenge Week 3

So far so good, I think. Let me add the totals first. Wednesday is shopping day, but little is on my grocery list. That doesn't mean much though. My garden is in overdrive, and I have pick up from the farmer's co-op I am participating in this summer/fall. I had signed up for it back in April.

Grocery purchases (not including tax):
Carrots (2 lb) - $1.29
Broccoli - $2.97
Romaine Lettuce - $1.99
Gala Apples (2.22 lbs) - $2.22
Golden Delicious Apples (1.84 lbs) - $2.30

Bananas (8+ lbs) - $4.82

Red Seedless Grapes (6.47 lbs) - $6.47

Seedless Watermelon - $4.00

Muskmelon - $2.50

Sweet Potatoes - $1.75

Ketchup - $1.15

Peanut Butter (40 oz) - $3.67

Powdered Sugar (2 lb) - $1.24

Wheat Crackers - $1.98

Wheat Thins - $1.29

Pretzels (2) - $2.58

Orange Juice Concentrate (3) - $2.97

Apple Juice Concentrate - $ .82

Assorted Juice Concentrate (2) - $2.48

Eggs (4 dozen) - $3.52

Cheddar Cheese, shredded - $2.89

Colby Cheese (8 oz) - $1.49

Sour Cream - $1.06

Soy Milk (4 half gallon) - $11.04

Ice Cream (2 half pints) - $2.00

Weekly Total is $70.49 plus 1% tax: $71.19

The Monthly Total so far is $228.75 or $76.37 averaged over 3 weeks. I bought more than was on my list like the sweet potatoes and melons from a farmer's stand. I also splurged on 2 half pints of ice cream for hubby and I to enjoy after the kids were in bed.

$75 Challenge Update -- Week 2

Monday I went shopping for some needs for a few of the kids. While at the store, I grabbed 6 ears of corn and a seedless watermelon. A seeded watermelon will go to waste here while a seedless lasts maybe two days. Funny kids! oh yeah, I bought some fresh dill to make some dill pickles with yet more cucumbers from our garden. I had to get more eggs because I guess I underestimated my family. They finished off the 5 dozen in a week. The kids' had a pool party, and I made some more Munchie Mix. They also finished off our huge batch in a week as well - the oinkers!

The Week's Grocery Bill
Fresh Dill - $2.92
Watermelon - $2.88
Corn Ears (6) - $1.25
Cantaloupe - $1.49
Green Peppers(2)- $1.49
Spinach - $1.99
Mushrooms - $1.29
Baking Potatoes (10 lb) - $5.98
Orange Juice Concentrate(2) -$1.98
Apple Juice Concentrate - $.82
Assorted Juice Concentrates (3) - $3.72
Frozen Peas - $.95
Eggs (2 dozen) - $1.96
Mozzarella Cheese - $2.89
Parmesan Cheese - $1.99
Canola Oil - $2.49
Flour (2) - $3.28
Pretzels (2) - $2.58
Saltines - $.89
Lemon-Lime Soda (2 lt) - $.69
TOTAL: $43.91

Total cost of ingredients for second batch of Munchie Mix : $21.74. Overall monthly total is now $158.26. That divides out to $79.13 each week. It's getting closer to my challenge limit. That second batch of Munchie Mix put me over ... Darnit! At least I am better than my usual grocery bill even with it on (twice) ... I've cut my grocery spending in half!

$75 Challenge Update

I went shopping last (again!). One child needed a birthday for a friend. Another needed something for school. I ran out of yet something else. While there I bought some more food. My exchange student, Jana, volunteered to make dinner for me. She is not much of a cook, but very helpful and kind. She received a recipe from her mother so wanted to make it for us. I had to buy the ingredients we didn't have (or not enough of). What sane mother would pass up the chance to put her feet up and not cook?!

What I purchased for a total of $5.87:
10 lbs russet potatoes -$2.77
Can of Sauerkraut - $.64
Can of Kidney Beans - $.82
2 lbs Carrots - $1.58

I forgot the canned beets (it had been a very long day by the time I got to the store) so that will up the weekly total as well.

Monthly Grocery Bill Total: $ 92.51

$75 Challenge

I was looking up one thing and just kept clicking links until I ended up here. As I was reading through the blog, I found the $75 Challenge. I was game. I enjoy things like that, the things that bore my hubby to tears to discuss or make my children roll their eyes. I am just waiting until they end up just like me.

A challenge ... hmmm. I like a good challenge especially one involving saving money. Hubby likes saving money too even more when I manage to do it although he claims that I spend money to save money. So back to the challenge and setting my rules for myself...

We are a family of 10 (two adults and 8 children ranging in age from almost two to 17 years old). There are some dietary concerns as the youngest is allergic to dairy, eggs and red dye. The 17 year old (our exchange student) is allergic to chocolate as well as a vegetarian. Food costs alone run about $150 a week not including the raw milk we get from a dairy and our SHARE Foods units we buy once a month. Those two things will run $90-$110 a month. I also participate in a farm co-op where I get fresh produce bi-weekly. I already paid for that back in April. With that as my guideline and basis, I have decided on taking the challenge name at face value. My goal is $75 a week spent on groceries. Of course, I am always free to spend less as I am sure hubby would like to remind me.


WEEK ONE
I started off the week with good intentions. I made a menu for the family, and one where they would not ask if I was cutting back on the budget. (I started on Tuesday as that was the beginning of the month for the challenge.) Weekday lunches are just leftovers or sandwiches as it is just Eric and I at home now school is in session. Available Snacks are ones that I always keep on hand. They include pretzels, animal crackers, fruit, microwave popcorn and leftovers from breakfast/previous snacks (if any).

Tuesday (1st)
Breaskfast: Berry Crumb Bars, Hot Chocolate
Snack: Available Snacks
Dinner: Ziploc Chicken, Fried Potatoes, Baked Beans, Watermelon, Broccoli (had company for dinner)

Wednesday (2nd)
Breakfast: French Toast, Scrambled Eggs with Ham, Bananas, Juice
Snack: Trail Mix
Dinner: Leftovers

Thursday (3rd)
Breakfast: Cinnamon-Raisin Bread, Fruit, Milk/Hot Cocoa
Snack: Cheese Nachos
Dinner: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Peaches

Friday (4th)
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos, Fruit, Juice/Milk
Snack: Rice Krispie Treats
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Fresh Fruit

Saturday (5th)
Breakfast: Pancakes, Sausage, Juice/Milk
Snacks: Available Snacks
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Homemade Pizza, Ceasar Salad, Breadsticks

Sunday (6th)
Breakfast: Cold Cereal/Granola
Snacks: Available Snacks
Dinner: Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, Fresh Fruit and Veggie Tray

So there is the menu for the week. I made my grocery list and did the shopping. How did I fare?

What I bought:
5 dozen eggs - $5.78
Half gallon soy milk (2) - $5.52
Baked Beans (2) - $ 2.44
Tomato Soup (4) - $ 2.40
Mandarin Oranges (15 oz)- $ .72
Roasted Peanuts (16 oz) - $2.68
Canola Oil (3 qt) - $2.84
Raisins (25 oz) - $2.58
Cashews (16 oz) - $4.48
Cheddar Cheese Soup (2) - $2.88
Orange Juice Concentrate (2) - $2.36
Cinnamon - $ .50
Vegetable Broth (5) - $5.00
Pineapple Chunks (20 oz)- $1.08
Cheddar Cheese (2 lb) - $5.98
Broccoli Cuts (1 lb) - $1.87
Apple Juice Concentrate (2) - $2.26
Apple-Cherry Juice Concentrate (2) -$2.54
Wheat Gluten - $1.84
Bananas (5 lbs) - $2.93
Generic Cheerios - $1.84
Generic Honey-Nut Cheerios - $1.98
Generic Rice Krispies - $2.34
Regular M&Ms (19 oz) - $3.98
Peanut M&Ms (19 oz) - $3.98
Tortilla Chips (2) - $4.00
Romaine Lettuce (2 heads) - $3.00
Miniature Marshmallows - $ .92
Total (with tax added): $81.51

I had to make a run to a second store for forgotten tomato paste. I bought 4 12-oz cans for a total of $4.40. That brings the total grocery bill to $85.91.

I have a garden and freezer full of meat (bought a side of beef a couple of months ago). My pantry shelves are kind of sparce of canned goods although I have plenty of spices and herbs as well as the basics like flour, pasta, rice and beans. That is why you will not see certain items plus with what I get at the co-op and SHARE in conjunction with my garden.

The tomato paste was to make pizza sauce (with tomatoes from my garden) for Saturday with extra pints canned for a later). The trail mix recipe makes enough to store half for next week. The eggs and cheese will last into next week. Those items were the higher cost items on my list so I don't expect my grocery to be as high next week. So yes, I spent more than $75 this week, but I am hoping it will average out.

Tomorrow I will post some of the recipes for my menu items ...