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Tuesday, August 1, 2017

July 2017 Grocery Spending Journal

July 1. Safeway. I have a coupon for hot dog buns at 50 cents a package, plus blueberries and cherries are on sale. (Safeway is just around the corner, and I needed to get out of the house, anyway.) I bought 2 packages of buns, 2 18-oz containers of blueberries for $2.99 each, and a little over a lb of Rainer cherries for $2.99/lb. Total spent $10.15.

July 4. Senior Discount Day at Fred Meyer. I bought 1 gallon of whole milk (for yogurt) at $1.79, 2 gallons of 2% milk at $1.61 each, large can of coffee and large can of decaf for $5.39 each, 8 packages of 6-ct fun size Baby Ruth, on clearance for 49 cents each (Halloween candy and some treats for us), 3 10-ct packages of flour tortillas, 89 cents each, 7 loaves of wheat bread, 80 cents each (freezing most for later in the month), 1 lb of butter for $2.24 (limit one with coupon), 2 packages of hotdogs, 80 cents each, 1 package of Hebrew Nationals, $2.50, 1 box of saltine crackers, 90 cents, 4 15-oz jars of peanut butter for 89 cents each, 2 half-gallons of almond milk, $1.85 each, 24-oz ketchup, 90 cents, 2 lbs of cherries, $2.99/lb, 4 reg. bananas and 14 baby bananas for 39 cents/lb, 2 lbs of broccoli crowns, 99 cents/lb, 3/4 lb of sunflower seeds, $1.79/lb, 1 box of artificial sweetener at 99 cents, 4 family packs of bone-in chicken breasts at 87 cents/lb.  I also got a 5 oz. package of gummi bears as a freebie. Total spent -- $72.97.

July 6. I had a long appointment earlier in the day, and afterward checked out the produce stand in their parking lot. The prices felt too high, so I didn't buy anything. However, I knew that cherries were on sale at Albertson's for $1.88/ lb, and Albertson's would be on my way home. I stopped in and bought a bag of cherries. $4.15

July 9. On the way home from church I once again stopped at Albertson's for cherries. This will be my last batch as they're just not as good as the first few batches, from early in the season. $4.55

This is where I found myself too busy to document what I spent on what. However, in looking at my credit card statement, I can give you an idea of what I spent on groceries for the remainder of the month.

On July 11 I went to QFC (a regular grocery store chain in our area. They have kinda high prices, but I do well checking the markdowns there. I spent $24.22 and bought blueberries, coffee, carrots, bananas, and broccoli, trying to only buy the sale produce items and stay as close to $20 as I could.

On July 19 I went back to QFC and found a lot of markdowns. I bought several boxes of breakfast cereal, Kashi granola-type bars, watermelon, peaches, plums, stir-fry mix, carrots, a bag of baby carrots/broccoli/cauliflower, cabbage, bananas, a box of 6 donuts, milk and maybe something else that I can't remember. I spent $49.20.

On July 30, a quick stop at Albertson's on the way home from church and we bought more bananas (they're cheap and highly portable), eggs, milk, potatoes, cheddar cheese, green onions, lettuce, and more carrots (carrots are a bargain staple for us). I spent $24.26.

Forgive me if I don't update my complete list below, with the last 3 store trips. What I know, though, is that I spent $189.48. Not too bad, considering I didn't shop as I usually do. Today is August 1, and Senior Shopping day at Fred Meyer. I decided to skip it this month. I just got a huge project turned in an hour ago, then took care of bills, and now it's hot today, and I'm tired and just don't want to go out. I'll stay cooler overall if I stay in.

My super-duper busy period is coming to a close. Yay! I've got about a week's worth of hard work to get through, and then . . . I'm taking a vacation. Yep! "I'm leavin' on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again" (well, yes, I do, I have a plane ticket with a return date, so I do in fact know when I'll be back). I am sooooo looking forward to this vacation. After I return I think I'll have more time to post regularly again. And until then, I'll be here as often as I think I have anything relevant to say. I hope all is well with you, and that you're enjoying your summer.


What I Bought:

Produce
36 oz. blueberries
1 lb Rainer cherries
2 lbs red cherries
4 regular bananas
14 baby bananas
2 lbs broccoli crowns

Meat

Dairy
2 gallons 2% milk
1 gallon whole milk
1 lb butter
1 gallon almond milk
22 lbs of chicken breasts

Pantry

2 packages hot dog buns
1 can coffee
1 can decaf
48 fun size candy bars
30 flour tortilla
2 packages cheap hot dogs
1 package Hebrew Nationals
7 loaves bread
box of saltine crackers
4 jars of peanut butter
bottle ketchup
3/4 lb sunflower seeds
small package gummi bears (freebie)

13 comments:

  1. Hi, good to 'see' you! :) I've missed your posts.

    You did really well with your grocery budget, despite being so busy. Despite a rocky start to my July grocery spending, I did end up right on budget. So, I'm pleased.

    Good luck with accomplishing the last of your hard work. I hope you have a lovely vacation! You deserve it! Looking forward to your posts when you come back.

    Take care.
    Angie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angie,
      I think, for me, if I'm busy, we just "get by" on what we have at home, and actually spend less. I'm glad that your budget for July worked out by month's end. Have a great day, Angie!

      Delete
  2. I'm excited that you're going on a vacation. You work so hard all year long, you deserve a little time away from it all. Have fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi live and learn,
      Thanks. I am so looking forward to this vacation. I hope your summer has been filled with interesting travels/excursions.
      Have a wonderful day, live and learn!

      Delete
  3. It's good to see your post! Enjoy that vacation--you certainly deserve one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cat! I absolutely will enjoy this vacation. Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  4. Great budgeting ... and have a wonderful vacation! We all need to unplug from our daily lives periodically. Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kris,
      I sure hope that summer has been wonderful for you and your family. I can hardly believe that it is August already. Time flies. Thanks for the well-wishes on the trip (and life). I'll really enjoy this trip, for certain. Have a lovely day, Kris!

      Delete
  5. I am so happy that you are scheduling a vacation and your heavy work load is coming to an end soon. With that said, I have so missed you! You are part of my morning routine and a motivator for my day. You are such an inspiration!!
    Thanks so much! Now, enjoy and I will sure be looking forward to any posts you can share Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda,
      Thank you! I've missed being here, and am looking forward to being back. Is your summer going well? I hope that you have lots of lovely moments to enjoy with loved ones. Have a great day, Linda!

      Delete
  6. I'm also glad to "see" you today! Hope things are well!

    You had a good month of little spending and I had a bad month of big spending. About $450 - $475 for the month. I had a mini vacation yesterday with my daughters and we had a really nice but very full day. We all enjoyed it immensely. We even went out for lunch which we often don't do. Very refreshing.

    I also missed the morning routine of having your posts help me start my day so hoping you are ready after that vacation to dive right back in!

    Alice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alice,
      I guess having all the kids home really pushes the grocery budget out of whack. But honestly, your spending doesn't sound all that high. It's about half of what I know many people spend for a family of five adults, and pets. That's wonderful that you and your daughters had a nice mini-vacation day together. I'm so glad for you. Have a wonderful day Alice!

      Delete
  7. It's good to see you back and posting, Lili. I hope you have a wonderful vacation and come back all relaxed and rested up. :)

    ReplyDelete

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