I only had 2 shopping days this month, each about 2 weeks apart.
On July 2, I did the shopping for the 4th of July, sticking to the local stores Walmart and Grocery Outlet. I stopped at Grocery Outlet first and bought hot dog buns ($2.99), 3.31 pounds of Fuji apples (49 cents/lb), 2.25 lbs sweet cherries (2.49/lb), cherry tomatoes ($2.50), 2 bags of raw vegetable medley), 2 bags frozen sweet potato fries ($3.99 each), chicken jalapeño franks ($3.99), and a cheese, meat, breadstick, and olive charcuterie tray ($5.99). I made my own raw veggie tray, using the bagged vegetable medley (raw cauliflower, broccoli, and baby carrots) plus the cherry tomatoes, and some dip and raw bell pepper I had at home. At Walmart (right across the street) I bought uncured all-beef hot dogs ($4.99), bananas (58 cents/lb), a kale salad kit ($3.98), a case of flavored sparkling water ($4.98), bag of marshmallows ($1.17) and a bar each of unsweetened ($2.42), milk ($1.12), and 70% dark chocolate ($1.12) for making s'mores. I spent a total of $56.25 for all of the above. We ended up with so much leftover food that I was using it in meals for several days after the 4th and didn't need to go shopping again for 2 more weeks.
In addition to those 2 food stops, I also ducked into Value Village (right next door to Walmart). I've been looking for a waffle maker that makes heart-shaped waffles for a while. I lifted the lids on all of the waffle makers and lo and behold, one of them made mini hearts! It was Senior Tuesday, which means I received a discount of 30%. Originally priced at $7.99, I paid $5.59. This will be a fun addition to Valentine's Day brunch. I love specialty-shaped waffle irons, but I'm unwilling to pay the "new" price for this type of item.
On July 17 I did the second grocery shopping of the month. This day I went to WinCo, Walmart, and Grocery Outlet. At WinCo I bought 3 cans of tuna (88 cents ea), a jar of mayo ($3.28), 2 16-oz jars of peanuts ($2.28 ea), 5-lb bag of organic flour for bread ($6.96), salt (67 cents), 2 cartons soy milk ($3.38 ea), 1 pound natural peanut butter ($2.18/lb), 2/3 lb sunflower seeds ($2.08/lb), bananas (58 cents/lb), 24-ct string cheese ($5.48), 2 lb block sharp cheddar ($6.78), 2 lbs butter ($3.68 ea), frozen fish sticks ($5.98), a gallon of milk ($3.49). I stopped at Grocery Outlet next and bought 2 boxes of graham crackers (99 cents ea), and 2 packages bacon ($1.99 ea). Directly across the street is Walmart, where I bought marshmallows ($1.17), uncured beef hot dogs ($4.98), 2 packs turkey snack sticks ($3.72 ea), 3-lbs vegetable shortening ($6.18), and a 5-dozen case of eggs ($16.38). I spent $100.48 in total at all 3 stores.
We're planning another cookout, so I've been picking up a few things that will keep several weeks (beef hot dogs, graham crackers, marshmallows). Otherwise, we wouldn't be going through so many marshmallows!!!
For the month I spent $156.73 on food. Of course, this wasn't a meat delivery month, plus we'vee been supplementing with our garden and pantry/freezer stockpiles. I'll need to replenish some of stockpiled foods next month. So, I expect to spend more.
I'm curious, how do some of my prices compare to yours? In most cases I buy the store-brand on products.
I would say the prices are about the same. Some are higher and some are lower. Actually, I haven't bought several of the things on your list recently, so I'm not sure. Here are a few things we bought for a lower price than is on you list. We have found a store that has milk for $2.59/gal. At most of the others, it is $3.99/gal. That same store regularly has bananas for $.49/lb. That's at least $0.10 lower than other stores around. The price of eggs varies a lot from week to week, but last week we paid $1.63/dozen at Aldi's. Wish we lived closer because I have marshmallows I could give you. My sister bought some that she didn't want, so I took them, and they've just been sitting in our pantry since Easter. Maybe around the holidays, I use them in fudge.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteThat's a fantastic price on milk! And your egg price is very good, too. Fudge during the holidays sounds like a great use for your free-to-you marshmallows.
I live in SW Virginia. Bananas 53 cents a pound, salt 79 cents, natural peanut butter 3.99 ( sometimes on sale for 2/$6!), tuna about the same as you. That's all I know off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteJo
Hi Jo,
DeleteI haven't priced natural peanut butter that is commercially packaged. I know it would be higher than what I pay ($2.something a lb). I buy the natural peanut butter that is ground from peanuts at the time of purchase (from the bulk section). It sounds like your other prices are close to mine.
We don’t have grocery outlet, or anything like it, so I can’t come close to those prices. Your wm and winco prices are almost always the same.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Hi Diane,
DeleteYes, Grocery Outlet can have some stellar deals. There are some foods that I only buy there now (such as the graham crackers). I wish you also had GO in your area.