Thirty Dollars a Week

Shopping Trip 10/31-11/06/10

2010-11-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

I stayed out of the stores because the deals were not great and I have enough food in the house.

7 bananas $ 1.02

Shopping Trips 10/17-10/30/10

2010-10-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get the almondmilk and organic milk for the best price I can since each kid drinks a gallon themslelves a week. I seem to be getting better deals on the almond so I may just switch the whole family to almond milk.

8 Silk Almond milk $2.69 ea ($2/2 coupons) $13.52 (3.38 per gallon)
Gallon nonfat Milk $2.38 (making my own yogurt)
Gallon 2% $2.89 (making yogurt for kids)
4 bananas .76
2 dozen eggs

Total spent $21.53

4 Silk Almond Milk $2.69 ea (2/2 coupons) $
1 Cottage cheese
4 Canteloupe
RomaTomatoes
Organic Pears
Organic Apples

$17.56

Henrys's
2 16 oz cottage cheese
apples
pears
black beans
tortillas
pinto beans
steel cut oats
tomatoes
potatoes
oranges
cabbage
3 dozen eggs
cucumbers
Chicken tenders (4 lb)

$47.70

Gallon Organic Milk 5.99
2 String cheese 4.98 (used 1/2) 3.98 ($5 Rebate free) -$1
2 Foldgers coffee $5.00 (1/1) 3.00

$7.99

1 Maxwell house 5.99 (1/1) 4.99
3 String cheese 7.47 (1/1) 4.47 ($5 rebate free) .49 MM
4 Organic yogurt 2.00
1 1/2 Gallon milk 1.49

$7.99

Total $102.77

Shopping Trips 10/10-10/16/10

2010-10-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

I made one trip to the store to get milk and bananas for the kids and decided to get the artichoke hearts since they were on sale to add to a pizza, salad or pasta these next weeks. That is it, one store 3 items. We are still eating from the freezer/pantry and I think it should take us a few months to make our way through everything.

2 Jars Artichoke Hearts $2.00
1 Gallon Organic Milk $5.49
6 bananas $1.26

Total spent: $ 8.75

Shopping Trips 10/03-10/09/10

2010-10-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

5 Larabars $5.00 (pricey but they are strictly fruit and nuts, so healthy)
4 Voskos Greek yogurt $4.00 ( used 1/1) $2.00
8 Barilla Piccolini (used 1/2) .38 ea 3.04
8 Barilla Whole Wheat (used 1/2) .38 ea 3.04
1.5 lbs Bananas 1.09
3 Cream Cheese $3.00
2 Almond Milk 5.98 (used .55/1) $4.88
5 Motts Apple Juice .75 ea $3.75
5 Motts Apple Sauce .75 ea $3.75

Total Spent $29.55

September End of Month Check in....

2010-10-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

Week 1: $ 65.97
Week 2: $ 61.29
Week 3: $ 89.25
Week 4: $ 6.48
Week 5: $92.02

Total for the month: $315.01

Total left for the year $ 275.57-315.01 = Negative! I am over budget for the year by 40.56

I think it is safe to say $30 per week is not enough for my family to eat a healthy diet or keep my husband happy with his steak so I FAILED! Oh well, I really let myself go this month I have not spent that much in a month in a long long time. I will continue to post so I can see where I end up for the year.

I do have a ton of food in my freezer/fridge and pantry. I think it is time for a TRUE Pantry challenge. Lets see how little I can spend this month. Challenge me, what do you think I can do?

Shopping Trips 9/26-10/02/10

2010-10-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

16 oz Frozen Mixed Veggies .97
16 oz Frozen Peas .97
1 Dozen eggs 1.00
4 Canteloupes $2.74
4 1/2 Gallon milk $6.00
2 Almond Breeze $5.00
6 lbs organic Apples $5.00
2 dozen Eggs $2.58
4.63 lbs Pinto Beans (.69 lb) $ 3.19
3 lg Ribeye Steaks (natural) $15.63 Splurge to try natural beef
4.02 lbs zucchini (.50 lb) $2.01
4.57 lb Bananas (.33 lb) $1.52
16 oz Cottage Cheese $2.00
10 Green peppers $2.00
4.61lb Grapes $3.55
2 Romaine Lettuce (.50 ea) $1.00
2 Artichokes $2.00
5.49 lbs Gala Apples (.50 lb) $2.75
5.40 lbs Pears (.50 lb) $2.70
4.70 lbs Vine Tomatoes (.50 lb) $2.35

Total $66.74

5lb White Whole Wheat
1 lb Bacon
4 WW Pasta Barilla
2 Barilla Picolini
3 Loaves Of Wheat Bread
1 box mini doughnuts (kids treat)
2 lb Cottage Cheese
2 1 lb Sour Cream
2 30 packs Corn tortillas

$25.28

Total spent: $92.02

Shopping Trip 9/19-9/25

2010-09-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Total for the week $6.48

I only grabbed a 30 of corn pack of tortillas, dozen eggs, sour cream and a package of brats (they were clearance out for $1 after coupons) for the week. We had enough milk, cheese, meat, veggies and fruit to keep us eating balanced.

Shopping trips 9/12-9/18/10

2010-09-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

Costco:

10 lbs Oats 6.89
6 lb Jug Natural Honey 11.99
2 35 pack water 6.98
5 lbs Quinua 9.89
48 oz Coffee 8.99
Jug of Cinnamon 2.85

Total: 48.00

3 1/2 Gal Organic Milk 2.25 ea
1 Almond Milk 2.50

Total: 9.25

20 Peaches .48 lb
32 Plums .48 lb
8 Necterines .48 lb
7 Bananas 1.29
7 Apple Sauce (24 oz) 7.00 ($1 ea)
7 lg Apples .50 lb
20 small apples .59 lb
8 Sweet Potatoes .59 lb
5 Cucumbers .50 lb
4 Strawberries 3.92
1.5 lb grapes .69 lb
5 limes 1.00
5 Onions .35 lb
2 lg Eggplant .69 ea
2 dozen hormone free eggs 3.00
8 Kiwi's
Total: $32.00

Wowza.....$89.25

You may wonder why so much fruit right...well we eat a lot of fruit and I froze some for smoothies for the winter when we will not be able to get ripe fresh in season fruit for .50 a lb. I also took advantage of the fact that I was with my mom and she has a Costco membership. If you remember from my goals I wanted to feed my family whole foods as much as possible, well I am trying to cut out sugar in our baking so I am using honey as a natural sweetener, a lot of oats and organic grains. I know this will increase my budget but with baby steps we will be able to make it work. I love that my kids love whole grains and eat a ton of fruit!

Shopping Trips 9/05-9/11/10

2010-09-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Henry's $36

Dried Cranberries
Raisins
Golden Raisins
Rolled Oats
Pinto Beans
Watermelon
Whole Wheat Flour
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
10 Bean Mix

Ralphs $20

2 bags grapes $ 3.00
3 Almond Milk $ 2.90 (after coupons)
16 necterines $3.50
15 peaches$3.50
2 String Cheese $1.20 after rebate
5 lb bag carrots $5.99

Albertsons : $5.29
15 Packs Cheese Free
5 Corn $1.00
Whole Wheat Flour 4.29

Total Spent $ 61.29

Shopping Trips 8/29-9/04/10

2010-09-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

As you can see we are switching to organic milk for my daughter so now I have to buy organic and
almond milk for my kids. I have pulled aside the money from our "fun" account to suppliment this milk change.

11 lbs Ribeyes (9 steaks) 45.00
7.75 lbs lunch meat (clearance) 4.90 *
Gallon Organic milk 1.50 ( rang up wrong so I got 4.50 back)

Total 51.40 -2 catalina
Total spent $49.60

2 Almond milk 6.00 (used 1/1 coupons) 4.00
5 Kraft cheese 10.00 (used 5/5& received catalina) Free
1 Sourdough loaf .99
1 Hamburger buns .99

Total spent $5.98

1 Dozen eggs 1.59
1 dozen cage free eggs 2.59 (deciding if we will switch)
4 Bananas .76
2 Precious string cheese 7.18 ($5 rebate) 2.18
Marked down bananas 1.58
Grapes 1.69

Total spent $8.70

* They were on clearance .49 for a 12 oz package!

Total Spent 65.97

I think I give up on my experiment ;), ugh I will keep trying maybe I can at least make it close.

August End of month Check-in

2010-09-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

I really can't remember what all I bought this month but I am pretty sure I stocked up in a few areas. Not a great month but we obviously needed the food. I know I purchased a lot of fruit and natural meat so for that I am happy.

Week 1&2 : 99.22
Week 3 : 19.37
Week 4 : 46.18

Total spent: $164.77

Budget left for the year: 440.34- 164.77 = 275.57 hmm, not thinking I will hit this challenge!
$68 left for each month is so not gonna cut it.

Shopping Trip 8/22-8/28/2010

2010-08-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

I couldn't hold back on the Henry's fruit deals this week so I bought as much as I thought we could eat before they went bad. Apples ans pears hold up in the fridge for a while so I think we should be mostly set on fruit for at least 20 days. We eat a lot of fruit. The kids love all fruit and believe me an entire bag of grapes cold be gone in one sitting with them if I let them ;). We have a good amount of cheese too so hopefully that lasts us a while (another thing we love!). The freezer is still stocked up so hopefully we will just need milk and bananas next week. But you know me I always buy something else ;).

5 lbs Sirloin Steak 14.92
3.5 lbs Ground Beef 5.15
4 Nabisco 100 cal packs 1.65 ea (used .75/2 doubled)
2 Pillsbury Biscuits 1.98 (used .30/2 & e coupons) .50
Sargento cheese 1.99 (e coupons) .90
String cheese 2.99

Spend 20.47 (used 9.50 in calatinas) received 2.00 catalina

15 Peaches (.48 lb) 3.36
15 Pears (.48 lb) 3.36
4 lbs Grapes (.98 lb) 3.92
15 Apples (.77 lb) 4.39
3 Canteloupe (.48 ea) 1.44
1.5 lbs White Cheddar (1.99 lb) 2.99
1 lb Flax Seed meal 2.12
1.5 lb Steel Cut oats (.69 lb) 1.03
3 lbs bananas (.69 lb) 2.07

Total Spent 25.71

Total Spent $ 46.18

Shopping Trips 8/15/10-8/21/10

2010-08-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

Didn't get much this week. A few more snacks and fruits at good prices. The gnochi was a splurge, but it has been a long time since we had that! I am still in search of my camera cord that is why there have been no pictures.

2 Tostitos Chips 2.99 ea( 1/1 doubled) 1.98
1 All Detergent 3.99 (1/1 doubled) 1.99
6 Nut Clusters 1.49 ea (1/1) 2.94
1 NV Bar 1.49 (.55/1 doubled) .49

total: 7.40 (used 2.50 cat) = 4.90 and received 3.50 cat

**this deal could have been a momey maker, but honestly 2 kids in tow and a migrain free works for me!

2 Golden Grahams 2.98 (1/1) .98
1 Trix 1.49 (.55/1 doubled) .49
3 Nut Clusters 4.47 (1/1) 2.47
1 Fiber One 1.49 (.50/1 doubled & e coupon) .01 MM
1 NV Granola Bars 1.49 (.55/1 doubled) .49

used 3.50 catalina Paid .97 OOP received 3.50 Cat

1 Watermelon 2.47
1 Cantelope
1 Melon
1 lb Strawberries .99
5 Necterines
2 Gorgonzola Gnocci (trader Joes) 6.58

$13.50

2 Gallons of milk 4.99

I used my $5 Catalina from the cheese deal so FREE!

Total for the week: $19.37 (I still have $9.50 in Catalinas for next week)

Groupon Deal Today Only $25 for $50 GAP Gift Card!

2010-08-19T12:55:00.001-07:00

If you have not signed up for Groupon yet do it TODAY! The Groupon for all cities is Spend $25 for a $50 GAP GIFT CARD. You hardly ever get Gap deals like this. Just click the link under here and sign up and get this deal! (The link is my referal link ; ) Groupon is a site that will send you one email every day wit...h a deal that is relevant to your area. Usually it is a 50% off deal for a restaruant, store, photo, spa deal. Have fun!

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu6093582

Shopping trips 8/01/10-8/14/10

2010-08-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

As you can see I got a lot these 2 weeks and I plan to hit up the deals the next 2 weeks to maximize my savings. Between a ton of cheese, milk, fruit and chicken we are set for a while. I am still going to stock up on the nut clusters and granola bars so we are set for the next 4-5 months on those items!

7 1/2 gallon almond milk 7.00 (used 1/1 doubled)
10 Packages cheese (8 shredded 2 chunk) 11.60 (used 1/2 doubled plus received $5 cat)
2 Pep Farm Cookies Free after doublers
11 lbs bone in chicken breast $ 10.89
7 + lbs Boneless skinless chicken breast $14.12
Yellow watermelon 1.26
6 Skippy Peanut butter (used 1/2 q's) Free after ECB survey
4 Monsters Free after ECB survey
Rolled Oats .86
5 lbs grapes 4.00
Sour cream 2.19
2 lbs Carne asada 11.19
Pan dulce 4.00
Tortillas 1.50
9 Activia Free after doublers
1 Creamer 3.00
3 All Detergent 6.00
4 Gallons milk 10.50
10 creamers 4.90
4 Nature Valley Nut Clusters 5.96 (-5.00 in q's and e q's)
5 BC Fruit Snacks 4.95 (used .50/2 & e q's) $1.45
5 Nature Valley/Fiber One Granola Bars 7.45 (-6.75 in q's and e q's) .70
2 Cereal 2.98 (1/1) .98
5 Fiber One Nature Valley Granola Bars .20 ea after coupons
1 Simple Moments Free
2 Yoplait Gogurts .75 ea after coupons
6 Yoplait cups .15 ea after coupons
2 BC Brownie Supreme .19 ea after coupons

Total spent $99.22 plus I have $13.50 in OYNO left

A Few Deal Ideas

2010-08-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

4 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 3.96
use 2 .50/2 coupons & load .50/2 e coupons (-2.50)
Spend 1.46 receive $2 OYNO

3 Nature Valley Granola Bars 4.45 (use .50/1 & .75/2 + .50/1 and .75/2 e coupons) .70
2 Fiber one Granola bars 2.98 (use .50/1 and .50/1 e coupon) .48
1 Trix 1.49 (.55/1 doubled) .49
1 Cocoa Puffs 1.49 (.55/1 doubled) .49
1 Golden Grahams 1.49 (1/1) .49

Spend 2.67 recieve 3.50 OYNO catalina

Mix and match with what ever coupons you have! Get nut clusters or regular granola bars, gummies!

New Catalina Deals

2010-08-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new catalina deals that are working at Ralphs and the fruit snacks and granola bars should be working at Pavilions too. Thye may also be running at Albertsons but I can not be certain unless someone tries them.

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks (rollups, stickers, shapes, gushers, by the foot, etc)

between 8/9-9/5

Buy 3 get 1.50 OYNO
Buy 4 get 2.00 OYNO
Buy 5 get 3.00 OYNO

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza

Between 08/09/10 and 09/05/10

buy 2 get $1 OYNO
buy 3 get $2 OYNO
buy 4 or more get $3 OYNO

Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs

between 8/9/10 - 9/5/10

buy 3 get $1 OYNO
buy 4 get $2 OYNO
buy 5 or more get $3 OYNO

Nature Valley Granola Bars or Fiber One Chewy Bars 6.7 oz. or larger
Between 8/9 and 9/5

Buy 3 get $1.50 OYNO
Buy 4 get $2.50 OYNO
Buy 5 get $3.50 OYNO

Albertsons Doublers Back

2010-07-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

There is a coupon booklet at the checkout stand that contains 2 doubler coupons on the back. I have yet to get to the store and grab some myself but I have heard they state "one per person per transaction" and I heard a rumor a $10 purchse is required. If this is so well the deals are hardly worth the time and money.

Prego is .99 ea and there is a $1/2 coupon available so doubled they would be free.

AS I search through the store I will post any other frees I see. Feel free to let us know what you have found as a great deal!

End of Month Check in July

2010-07-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my monthy total for July. I stayed under the original budget for the month for about the first time, however it was not good enough. We will all have to see what happens the rest of the year.

Week 1 & 2: $45.70
Week 3 & 4: $51.79
Week 5: $30.22

Total Spent $127.71

$568.05 - $127.71= $440.34 Left for the next 5 months! It will be very close! I am up for the challenge though!

I also spent $80 on dog food this month.

Shopping Trips 7/25-7/31/10

2010-07-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Here is what I spent this week:

2 Marked down loaves of garlic bread $1.98
Kraft shredded cheese 9.95 (received $5 catalina) 4.95
3 All detergent 9.99 (used 1/1) 7.99
4 Kraft mac-n-cheese 2.76
6 Blueberries 4.52
Bananas 2.04
2 Dozen hormon/antibiotic free eggs $2.98
Veggies from farmers market $3.00 (Hubby got these)

Total Spent $ 30.22

Shopping Trips 7/11-7/24/10

2010-07-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

I made one trip out last week to hit up the 72 hour sale at Henry's and another trip for milk this week. There was no other sale that I saw that looked worth the time or energy to go to.

4 Necterines $.90
6 Bananas $1.01
Icees (for kids) .99
13 lbs Chicken Thighs .69 lb $ 9.02
8 lbs Roma Tomatoes .33 lb $ 2.77
2.65 lbs Mild Cheddar 1.99 lb $ 5.34
3 Mangoes 1.00
1 Head lettuce .77

Total: $20.81

4 Gallons milk $10.29
2 Almond Milk 6.58 (used 1/1) 4.58
2 Kraft mac-n-cheese 1.18
1 Yoplait Delights 1.79 (used .50/1 doubled & 1/1 e coupon) .21 MM
1 YoPlus 1.79 (used .50/1 doubled) .79
9 lbs 7 Bone Beef Roasts $14.44

Total Spent $30.98

Total Spent $51.79

CVS Deal 7/11-7/17/10

2010-07-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

3 Day Sale

Paper Mate 1.2 10ct pens $.99
receive $.99 ECB (limit 1)

FREE
Caliber 5" Soft Handled Scissors $.99
receive $.99 ECB (limit 1)
FREE
Covergirl Lip
BOGO Free psa $4.99
$1/1 Covergirl, any P&G 6/6
2/$2.99

Regular Sale:

Welch's Grape Juice 64oz 2/$6
receive $1 ECB wyb 2 (limit 1)

$2/1 Welch's 100% FB Promo coupon (sign up through FB)
$1/1 Welch's print here
Final Price: $1 ea

Neutrogena Sun Care psa $9.99
recieve $10 ECB wyb 2 (limit 1)
$1/1 Neutrogena Sun Care SS 6/13
$2/1 Neutrogena Sun Care pamphlet in CVS
Final Price 2.99 ea

John Frieda shampoo/cond/styler 2/$10
receive $5 ECB wyb 2 (limit 1)
$3/1 Root Awakenings SS 6/6
$2/1 JF, any SS 6/6
Final Price $1 MM or .50 ea depending on coupons

Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor $9.97
receive $5 ECB (limit 1)

$4/1 Gillette Fusion SS 6/6
Final Price $.97

Suave select products spend $10
receive $3 ECB ( limit 1)
$1/1 Suave Body Lotion 18oz +RP 7/11
$.25/1 Suave Body Wash RP 7/11
$.75/1Suave Deodorant product RP 7/11
$.50/1 Suave Hairspray or styling products RP 7/11
$.50/2Suave kids shampoo or conditioner products RP 7/11
$1/2 Suave Professionals shampoo or conditioner products RP 7/11
Final Price: Varies

Chex Mix $1

$.55/1 Chex Mix print here

Shopping Trips 6/28-7/10/10

2010-07-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

I had to switch my son to rice or almond milk so you will see that new purchase in my weekly shopping trips. I make the rice milk at home but I mix it with the almond milk so he gets the fat and calcium he needs.

Costco:
Parm Cheese 9.54
Pam 5.60
2 18 ct eggs 2.64

Total: $17.78

4 Good eats chips 4.00 (used 1.50/2) 1.00
Monteray Jack Cheese 2.10
2 Pineapples 1.76
6 Ears Corn 1.00
4 Gallons Milk $10.00
4 Almond Milk 12.00 (used 1/1) 8.00
1 Mark down donuts .79
Marked down bananas .79
2 Marked down bread $2.58

Total Spent 27.92

Total for both weeks: 45.70

End of month check in: June

2010-07-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

I really can't remember what I bought but this is what I spent!

Week 1: $ 39.94
Week 2 & 3: $68.73
Week 4: $ 47.96

BUSTED: $ 156.63

Budget left for the year $ 568.05

Ralphs Deals 06/30-7/06/10

2010-06-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

Strawberries .88 ea

Cheetos 1.68 (used 1/1) .68 ea

Beefback ribs .99 lb

8 Hour Sale Thurs 7/1 1-9PM

Whole tri tip 1.99 lb (limit 2)
Personal Seedless Watermelon 1.47 ea (limit 2)
Capri Sun .99 ea ( limit 2)