Grocery Shopping - Back to the Basics

After last week's grocery budget disaster, I went back to the basics and revived my price book to get on track with this week's grocery spending. Not only is a price book a useful tool in determining stockpile prices and sales cycles, but using the recorded prices can give you an idea of how much your proposed shopping list is going to cost before stepping foot in the store. On paper if things aren't quite fitting within the budget, you can easily adjust your menu plan for the week. For me, I find it much easier to plan out my trips on paper first than try and make huge revisions in store!

Whole Foods

2 gallons 365 whole organic milk
3 Synergy kombucha
2 loaves organic whole wheat bread
1 365 brand organic long-grain brown rice
1 Annie's organic cheddar bunny crackers
1/2lb organic green lentils (bulk)
2 cans 365 brand Wild Alaskan salmon
1 can 365 brand organic coconut milk
1 can 365 brand organic tomato paste
1 bunch organic Dino kale
1lb organic rolled oats (bulk)
1/2lb organic raisins (bulk)
1 Eden Foods organic shoyu sauce
1lb organic broccoli bunch
5lb bag organic russet potatoes

Total oop: $64.24

Earth Fare

2 cans Muir Glen organic chunky tomato sauce 28oz
1 Zico coconut water
1lb grass fed ground beef (local)
2lb organic bananas
1 container whole organic mushrooms 8oz

Total oop: $20.52

Lowes Foods (apple juice B2G3F - $6.08), Target (diapers - $17.33) and ALDI (toilet paper, paper towels and dish detergent - $5.84)

Total spent: $114.01

Whole Foods Shopping

Ever have a week where the grocery budget seems to spiral out of control? I'm having one of those weeks! And that's without having gone to Harris Teeter's WEEK long triple coupon event. I bought some new items this week I normally don't purchase (grass fed beef and raw milk cheddar cheese). And a few splurges (popcorn for Dave and the kids and a kombucha for me). And two trips to the grocery store for milk this week. All together equals one blown budget!

As Dave always tells me, there's no use fretting over it. Just regroup and give it another go next week. Here's hoping for a less expensive outing next week!

Whole Foods:

1 box 365 brand organic microwave popcorn

1 Synergy Grape Kombucha (just had to try it!)

1 Pure Coconut Water

1 Nancy's 8oz cultured sour cream

16oz-365 brand unsalted hormone free butter

1 Annie's organic BBQ sauce

1-365 brand organic ketchup 24oz

5lb bag whole wheat flour

2 loaves whole wheat organic bread

1-365 brand organic mixed berry fruit spread

1-365 brand organic creamy peanut butter

1 Ezekiel's organic sprouted buns 6ct

1 Applegate Farms uncured bacon

2.5lb bag frozen chicken breasts

1 frozen organic peas

1 frozen organic corn

1lb organic rolled oats (bulk)

1 can organic coconut milk

3 cans organic tomato sauce

1 canned pumpkin

3 cans organic diced tomatoes

1 can organic tomato paste

1 container raw wild flower honey (local)

1/2lb dried organic black-eyed peas (bulk)

3lb bag sweet onions

1lb organic green bell peppers

3lb bag organic gala apples

2lb bag organic carrots

1 bunch organic Dino kale

18ct large brown eggs (local)

Total spent: $96.60

Earth Fare $25.80 (1lb grass fed, local beef, 4 bags frozen fruit, 1 brick raw milk cheddar cheese), Kroger $35.05 (organic milk and diapers), ALDI $10.12 (apple juice and white vinegar for cleaning), Harris Teeter $18.50 (more milk!)

Total spent: $186.07

Whole Foods Shopping

I'm starting to get in the rhythm of making the most of a limited budget while shopping at Whole Foods. Not so much sticker shock anymore! I'll share my tips in a future post, but you'll find it's probably things you're already doing.

Whole Foods

2 loaves organic whole wheat bread

1 bag organic russet potatoes

2lb bag organic sucanat

1 Lakewood organic pure lemon juice

1-32oz 365 brand organic miso soup (was initially looking for miso paste, but settled for boxed instead - maybe homemade miso soup next time!)

1 can 365 brand organic tomato sauce

2 cans 365 brand organic diced tomatoes

2 cans 365 brand organic dark red kidney beans

1 bag frozen organic blueberries

1 bag frozen organic green peas

1 bag frozen shrimp 41ct

1lb fresh pork andouille sausage

1lb Applegate Farms Uncured bacon

1lb organic bananas

3lb organic broccoli bunch

1 bunch organic dino kale

2lb organic rolled oats (bulk bin)

1/2lb organic raisins (bulk bin)

1 bunch organic green onions

Total spent: $72.16

Other shopping - Earth Fare $24.19 (organic milk & eggs), ALDI $8.51 (apple juice)

Total spent: $104.86

Check back for my menu plan post to see how some the items from Whole Foods are doing double duty this week!

Super Saving Saturday is hosted by Money Saving Mom