Are you a helpful grocery shopper?-The Grocery Game Challenge Jan 27- Feb 2, 2014 #5
HELP IS ONLY A QUESTION AWAY
If you are a grocery shopper and have a question, ask. It’s as simple as that.
I’ve always said that there are no stupid questions no matter what situation you are in, even if it’s at the grocery store.
It’s always better to ask then to guess especially around you that might know the answer.
I believe that learning how to be a smart grocery shopper not only begins with the budget but it begins with you.
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been grocery shopping and another grocery shopper has asked if one of us was an employee because they are desperate for help.
In a silly way it’s more the shoppers grocery store than it is the grocery stores store… if that makes sense. We help each other out when we can.
I don’t know about you but the last place I want to be without help is the grocery store because I just don’t want to hang out there any longer than I have to.
I’d like to think that every grocery store has its ups and downs and busy times so although they are willing to help waiting or trying to find someone can get challenging.
With most people having a cell phone with internet access by their side it’s easy for them to get access to all the information they need about various products if they are not sure about them but not everyone owns a cell phone.
The helpful grocery shopper
You’ve heard it before… “Sir/Madam could you please reach that bottle of sauce from the top shelf for me?” and of course you don’t mind being a helpful grocery shopper, do you? I certainly don’t.
I have had people come right up to me and ask me if I know where a certain product is and to be honest, most times I do.
Having been so involved with The Grocery Game Challenge, being an avid grocery shopper, coupon user and deal hunter you get to know where all the products are.
Show them the product
I am never shy to point someone in the right direction and many times I’ve simply walked them right to the product to show them.
I know that when I ask an employee where a product is and they just say aisle 2 or point and say somewhere down that aisle on the bottom shelf it’s a bit unsatisfactory to me.
I want to know exactly where the product is but I know when I’m not getting paid by the store I’m under no obligation to do that for a total stranger, but I do.
I’m a helpful kind of person and I believe what goes around comes around so taking a minute out of my day to make someone else’s a bit easier is a no-brainer for me.
Although not every grocery shopper will have the time to take an extra minute out of their shop especially if there are kids in tow so having someone at least give a general direction is better than nothing. If you fail, you ask again.
Waiting at the cash register
I’ve even went as far as to leave the check-out to go get a product for the cashier because the stock person they called on the P.A system was either busy with someone else or not responding.
In your mind you can see the product on the shelf and you’re getting your engine ready to roll because you know you can have the product on the belt with-in in a minute.
In reality it really only would have taken me a minute or two to run to the other side of the store or down a close aisle to grab a replacement product for the grocery shopper in line ahead of me.People helping people, that’s a good thing.
Not only did it make the grocery shopper happy but I don’t have to wait in line any longer than I need to. In essence I’m doing two things at once, helping them and speeding things up for me.
In-store product review
There have been times when I’m minding my own business when I hear someone talking to themselves about a product. Come on you know you’ve done it before, lol.
I don’t mind speaking up as a grocery shopper and offering my two cents if I know about the product and in one form or another it’s almost as if you are giving the customer an in-store review on the product that you’ve tried before to help them make a smart shopping decision.
I’m brutally honest when another grocery shopper asks for my opinion or if I say something about a product. If I didn’t like I will tell them why. I won’t simply bash the product because they may have different tastes than me but I tell them what I think of it. It’s ultimately up to them to make their own decision.
Walking down the produce section there have been times I see fruits and vegetables that I have never seen before nor tried and have no idea how to prepare them.
I’m not shy to ask another grocery shopper who might have that product in their shopping cart about the product. Most times people are thrilled to talk about their cultures food if it something that is common to their cuisine and how to prepare it and other times I get the shrug off.
I don’t miss my opportunity to learn something new if I want to learn or if I want to teach. How many times as a grocery shopper waiting in line have you spoken up about the Scanning Code of Practice?
You know if you don’t say something the customer will end up paying for something that they could potentially get free and you just can’t wait to say it… you might even fight with yourself inside to mind your own business but you can’t help it and just blurt it out. Hey, did you know about SCOP?
Product knowledge
I remember a time I was listening to a lady grocery shopper talk to herself about rapini. She was reading the sign above the bunches of rapini and said “how do you even cook this?”.
Well of course I’m conveniently standing right behind her and I speak up without a care in the world and explained the product to her. It’s a product that my wife has used for years but it’s also an alternative to always eating broccoli or spinach all the time.
Once I was done with her she had 2 bunches in her shopping cart. In fact, just yesterday on the food network I watched “You Gotta Eat Here” and John Catucci was at a pizza shop.
The pizza shop made authentic Italian homemade pizza with pasta sauce, fresh mozzarella, and rapini on top with fresh grated Parmigiano and put it in the wood stove for 90 seconds.
It looked so good I’m contemplating making my homemade pizza very soon and including the rapini on top. When you have food knowledge it’s nice to share that with other people especially if you are as passionate about cooking like I am.
I hope when the time comes that I need help at the grocery store and there is no employees in sight and going to customer service for help just to ask a question that someone will be willing to help me out.
Do you help other customers out at the grocery store?
Has another grocery shopper gone above and beyond for you at the grocery store who was a total stranger?
January grocery game challenge posts
If you missed any grocery game posts for the month I will post the line-up for the month each week here in this section for you.
This is your last Grocery Game shop for January if you follow my weeks of the year. Next week I will post the January grocery game WINNER right here so check back to see if it’s your ballot number that gets drawn.
- The grocery game challenge Dec 30-Jan 5, 2014 #1: Join the challenge now
- The grocery game challenge Jan 6-12, 2014 #2: Does a product name entice you to buy?
- The grocery game challenge Jan 13-19, 2014 #3: Supermarket abuse that costs money
- The grocery game challenge Jan 20-26, 2014 #4: Are you supermarket loyal?
Grocery saving tips
Click, Save and Print. It’s that easy!
Free Money Saving Downloads are awesome lists that were created to get us on track to work towards reaching our budgeting goals and now we are sharing them with you.
I hope you take the time to get back on track and start the saving process in your grocery budget today.
Get organized with a FREE freezer inventory, meal plan, shopping list, price comparison list and much more all for FREE. CLICK HERE to download all the free lists and even our family budget spreadsheet for FREE.
NEW!! You can now download the Canadian Budget Binder Budget Spreadsheet in Excel…… Grab it while you can… It’s FREE! We use it to budget.. check it out!
Ultimate grocery shopping guide
Everything you want to know about grocery shopping in Canada is below with new information added monthly. If you missed a Grocery Game Challenge post some of the most popular posts are listed below.
If you know a topic that should be discussed, speak up. I want to know. Happy reading.
- Let Your Coupons Expire And Save Money
- Welfare Food Challenge $26 Per Week In The Grocery Budget
- What A No-Shop Week Really Means
- Should You Buy It Now Or Buy It Later?
- Stock Up On Items When You Can
- The Cost Of Organic Food
- What Foods You Should Not Eat and Organic Gardening
- Knowing Your Prices Is The Key To Saving Money In The Grocery Budget
- Product Price Adjustments Don’t Miss The Savings
- Scanning Code of Practice In Canada (SCOP)
- How To Start Saving Money On Groceries In Canada?
- How Much Should My Grocery Budget Be?
- Top Ten Ways To Cut Your Grocery Budget
- Meal Planning For The Budget
- The Grocery Game Challenge and Our Grocery Budget
- Grocery Budget Saving Tips
- Food Shopping On A Budget
- How To Grocery Shop
- Grocery Store Self-Scanners
- Food and Vegetable Preparation
- Best Time To Grocery Shop
- Organic Food Costs
- Why Shopping Hungry Is Not A Smart Idea
- Are We Eating Too Much Food?
- Discount Days and Rewards Programs
- Getting Back On Track With Food Budgeting
- Why You Should Ignore Your Grocery Flyers
- The Low-GI Diet and Your Budget
- How To Track Grocery Expenses
- Comparing Prices With a Price Comparison List
- Why Too Much Salt Is Not Good For Us
- Shopping More Than Once Per Week
- Food Samples When Shopping
- Food Waste In Canada
- Go on vacation and save on groceries
- Grocery Store Activities For Kids
- Buying When There Is A Limit
- How do you like your bread?
- Holiday Baking On A Budget
- International Grocery Store Shopping
- Back To Basics More For Less
- How often do you shop for groceries?
- How not to miss in-store or unadvertised sales
- Who does the grocery shopping in your house?
Food food and more food
Note: This was a no-shop week for us so we spent $0 in our grocery budget.
Yearly grocery budget for two: $2820
(The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $240 per year or $20 per month.)
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00 or $78.33 week with potentially one no-shop week per month or $58.75 for 4 weeks per month. (During the months with 5 weeks we just make it work)
- Total Budget for January $235.00
- Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
- Total Coupons Used to date: $15.31
- Total Discounts this Week: $0
- Total Discounts Used to date: $0.50
- Total Gift Cards Used to date: $33.18
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used to date: $0
- Stockpile Budget ($20.00): $15.80 (ham) ($4.20 Chicken Breast)
- Stockpile Budget Used to Date: $20.00
- Total Spent This Week: $0
- Total Spent So Far January: $83.97+95.43+63.26=$242.66-$235.00=7.66 over budget
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $7.66 over budget
- Total Over/Under spend for the month: $7.66 over budget
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $0
- Total to Carry Over Next Month: $7.66 overspend
- Total Spent To Date This Year: Jan $242.66 (does not include stockpile budget)
- Weekly Overview: No shopping as it was a no shop week.
Canadian Coupons Found
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the rules first and if you have any questions email me or comment on this post with your question and someone will answer you as soon as possible.
- Do I have to be Canadian to post my Grocery Shop?
No, you don’t have to be Canadian to post your shops only to win a monthly prize. We have fans who post their grocery shop who live all over the world.
- When does the Grocery Game close each month?
The Grocery Game Challenge closes at midnight of the last Sunday of the last post for the month. You can post your shops all month-long.
- Does your Grocery Budget include health and beauty and laundry products?
Yes our Grocery Budget includes such items as shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, fabric softener, dish soap etc. We don’t mind stockpiling items that won’t be affected by expiry dates or have long expiry dates but not so much food any more. It’s just one way to help cut your budget to save money.
Here are your latest Coupon Match-ups of the week and your weekly Checkout 51 offers from 25 Newspaper Inserts around Canada compliments of Save Big Live Better that you can use to help you save money in the Grocery Game Challenge.
- What is an FPC?
An FPC is a free product coupon which means you can get a free product as described on the coupon.
You can find all your store coupon policies here. If you are not sure it’s always best to call the store and ask.
I can tell you about grocery shopping and what we do in terms of shopping to save money and how it works for us. There are no wrong or right answers, just smart choices.
Over time you will gradually learn where you should and shouldn’t go in the grocery store or at least how to say no, I’m on a budget I need to buy this or that.
You may also substitute items in order to stick to your grocery budget to make it work. Nobody is perfect, heck we struggle with this part of our budget like many people do.
This is why the grocery game challenge was created to not only show you that we are like everyone else but to bring us all together to work as a team to get our budgets on track.
If you have just joined The Grocery Game Challenge 2014 get ready to dive deep into your grocery budget and learn just where you are spending, how much you are spending and what you are saving.
Feel free to read all the above posts that I linked to above which I feel are relevant to learning about the grocery budget and grocery shopping in general.
You’ve made a wise decision to take control of your grocery budget now show me your shops and let’s get saving!
Welcome to The Grocery Game Challenge Canada 2014!
-Mr.CBB
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Our weekly budget is $100 making this month $500.
Sobeys
$4×2 siwin frozen pork stir fry
$9.99-.75C cheese brick
$1 garden salad
$4.99 cereal ctc
$2 mini strudels
$25.25 total oop
.75 total coupons
Superstore
$1.38×2 butter chicken spice mix
$1.98 1kg garlic
$2.04×2-.50Cx2 coffee creamer
$7.90 total oop
$1 total coupons
Walmart
$2.97 texas cheese toast
$3 trail mix
$2 chips
$4.47 vicks
$2 baby bum cream-clearance
$1.77×4-.50Cx4 top dogs
$4.88 4L milk
$2 international creamer
$1.82×4 2L pop
$38.54 total oop
$2 total coupons
$71.69 weekly total oop
$3.75 weekly total coupons
$427.01 monthly total oop
$61.11 monthly total coupons
Horray under budget! I was very worried about us being over.
Hi Juanita,
I didn’t think you would go over budget the way your shops have been so long so it’s no surprise. It really depends on deals and how much you need. Good for you.. so happy. You get ballot 18. Mr.CBB
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: 300 including adding to stockpile
Total Coupons Used this Week : 3.85
Total Discounts this Week: 8.32
Total Checkout 51 cheques this Week: 0
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: 0
Total Rewards Points Used: 0
Total SCOP: 0
Total Spent This Week: 91.49
Total Spent So Far for January: 295.38
Total Left to Spend for the Month: 4.62
Total Coupons Used This Month : 27.67
Total added to emergency/carry over jar : 0 – took out $31.49 since we take out $60 per week
Total Spent To Date This Year: 295.39
Weekly Overview:
ValuMart: Ketchup, sugar, ground pork, raspberries and potatoes: 14.65
Personal Service Coffee: K-cups, tea and flavour syrup: $24.84
RCSS: Doritos, Ruffles, Caesar dressing, Ranch dressing, Crisco, Fruit fresh, Dentyne 4 pk gum, Cool Whip, Sub buns, 3 pkg stewing beef, 1 sirloin steak pkg, pears, mushrooms, green pepper, red pepper, 3 container grape tomatoes: $52.00
I’m finally getting to this post. It was an expensive week, but we wanted some of the fabulous meat on sale and were looking to stock up on some things along with our fresh produce. The trip to our favourite coffee place was the tip, but it is luxury stuff we only get at the end of the month if we can afford it. They syrup is a nice treat in our coffee, also, the opportunity to mix the k-cups up to get a variety without having to buy several boxes is wonderful and I think it saves us some in the long run. Hoping for a better and on track February.
Hi Angela,
The post is a bit late but it’s ok I will still give you a ballot for it. Typically I like to have all the posts in for the last Sunday of the month but I realize that not everyone’s weeks coincide with mine.:) Meat always drives the budget up so we always watch for sales. I left you a note on the other GGC post asking if you could follow the same breakdown for shops like I do and the rest of the players so we can see where your money is going, the prices of products etc so we can elaborate more on your post and help. Thanks .. You get ballot 7 🙂 Mr.CBB
Yes! I definetly help people out when shopping…many times ive given coupons as i wasn’t going to use them!! I always love to chat with people! 🙂
Here is my shop for this week
Shoppers Drug Mart
Pull ups 10.99
Total=11.54
Target
3pk gum 1.19
granola cereal 1.34
mini wheats 1.20
mini wheats 1.49
****All of this stuff was on clearance!! I definetly couldn’t pass up such cheap cereal**
Total=5.56
Shoppers Drug Mart
Candy 2.49
Dayquil cold and flu 22.99
sucrets 3.99
milk 3.97
Total=37.27
Zehrs
Ketchup 2.99
Olive Oil 4.49
Shake and bake 2.49
milk 2×3.97=7.94
pizza sauce 1.99
cookies 2×2.50=5.00
Chips 1.50
marble cheese 4.99
old cheddar 4.99
mozzarella 4.99
sandwich buns 3.49
ditaliano bread 2×3.59=7.18-3.60=3.58
hot dogs 2×2.49=4.98
Total=60.01
Walmart
Paper towes 2.97
romaine lettuce 1.27
deli cheese 5.97
bananas 1.64
orange pepper 1.47
red pepper 1.47
salsa 3.00
brown sugar 2.17
fruitopia 2.97
apples 2.97
onions 1.47
fruitopia 1.17
fruitopia 1.17
flour 3.92
yeast 1.68
ham 0.97
turker 0.97
chicken 0.97
black tea 2.87
cranberry punch 0.92
fruit punch 0.92
cream of mushroom 1.67
cream of broccoli 1.67
turkey 0.97
ham 0.97
juice boxes 2.57
caesar salad dressing 1.42
orange juice 3.97
kolbassa 4.97
salt 1.00
chicken breasts 16.99
chicken breasts 10.68
sandwich bags 2.17
sour cream 1.68
fries 1.98
fries 1.98
tomatoes 1.81
dog food 1.47
mac and cheese 1.77
mac and cheese 1.77
kleenex 1.98
heavy cream 3.48
aluminum fol 1.97
taco kit 3.00-2.00=1.00
Granola bars 3.27-1.00=2.27
Cheese Slices 3.00×2=6.00-1.50=4.50
cheese spread 4.03-1.00=3.03
Butter 2.88
mayo 2.99
bacon 3.99
yogurt 4.00
frozen veggies 2.00
cream cheese 3.00
chicken broth 2.00-1.00=1.00
dog food 14.98
cat litter 5.98
Total =175.81-8.53(gift card)=167.28
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $9,100 ($175/week) I shop for two adults, a five year, two year old, 2 dogs, 1 cat. Our budget includes food, toiletries, pet food, diapers and vitamins 🙂
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $700
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $6.50
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $8.50
• Total Coupons Used this Year: $8.50
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: 0
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: 0
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this year: 0
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $0
• Total SCOP this year: $0
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $8.53
•Total Spent This Week: $281.66
•Total Spent So Far for January: $359.94
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $204.78
•Total to Carry over Next Month: N/A
Now i did lose a shop this month as i cannot find the receipts and see that i didnt post a week :S so i cannot remember….but i am almost positive i was under 200 for that shop…so i think i made it this month under budget….as you can see this week was a huge shop…..seemed like i was almost of everything!!
Hey Joanne,
Maybe keeping a written ledger of the amounts you spend is in order.. just in case? We have the odd month like that where we are almost out of everything. That’s good though because it means you are waiting until you use up plenty in your house before you rush out to buy more. Oh oh, looks like someone was ill. Meds can eat up the budget and fast. What do you normally make with the yeast you buy? Great shop… lots of stuff but you needed a stock up. Keep at it. You get ballot 5. Mr.CBB
I shop for 2 adults and a 3 year old boy. Our budget is $85/week or $340 for this month and includes laundry, health/beauty, etc.
RCSS
Tostitos (PM FC) $2.00
Tostito cheese dip (PM FC) $2.00 – $1.00 coupon
Barilla pasta (PM FC) 3 x $1.00 – 3 x $1.00 coupons
Royale TP (PM SDM) $3.99 – $1.00 coupon – $1.00 SnapSaves
BD cheese bars (PM FB) 3 x $4.44 – 3 x $.75 coupons – $1.00 SnapSaves
BD cheese bars (PM Sobey’s) 3 x $1.99 – 3 x $.75 coupons
Johnsonville sausage (PM GT) $3.00 – $1.00 coupon – $1.00 SnapSaves
Tresemme shampoo $5.99 – 50% pink sticker (-$3.00) =$2.99
Tresemme conditioner $5.99 (no pink sticker) – $5.99 coupon (unilever insert – buy shampoo get conditioner free)
Dove deodorant 3 x $2.98 – 3 x $2.00 coupon – 3 x $1.00 Checkout 51
Dove bar soap (4ct) (PM WM) 4 x $3.47 – 2 x $3.00 – 2 x $1.00 Checkout 51
Softsoap refill (PM Loblaws) 10 x $1.00 – 5 x $2.00 coupons (earned 2000 pcplus points)
Campbell’s soup $1.66
Panini rolls $2.69
Oranges $3.10 (earned 600 pcplus points)
Bananas $1.27 (earned 200 pcplus points)
Coupons $28.49
Checkout 51/SnapSaves $8.00
OOP $36.95
Walmart
Royale Tiger Towel 2 x $4.86 – 2 x $3.00 coupons – 2 x $1.00 SnapSaves
NYC makeup 3 x $2.97
Diet Coke $1.97
Coke $1.97
Coupons $6.00
SnapSaves $2.00
OOP $15.01
RCSS
Kraft PB (PM SDM) $2.99 – $1.00 coupon
Premium plus crackers (PM SDM) $1.77 – $1.00 Checkout 51
MiO (PM SDM) 4 x $2.99 – 1 x $1.00 coupon
Softsoap (PM Loblaws) 2 x $1.00 – $2.00 coupon
Coupons $4.00
Checkout 51 $1.00
OOP $15.53
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $4,420 ($85/week) + Meat order $172.85/month for 9 months $1555.65=$5975.65 for the year including the meat order.
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $38.49
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $38.498
• Total Coupons Used this Year: $104.46
• Total rebates this week (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart): $11.00
• Total rebates this month (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart): $11.00
• Total rebates this year (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart): $28.00
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $0
• Total SCOP this year: $0
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
• Total Gift Cards Used this year: $24.59
• Total Reward Points Used this week: 0
• Total Reward Points Used this year: 0
• Total tax free day this week: $0
• Total tax free day this month: $0
• Total tax free day this year: $4.94
•Total Spent This Week: $67.49
•Total Spent So Far for February: $67.49
•Total Over/Under spent for the month: N/A
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $272.51
•Total to Carry over Next Month: N/A
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $421.07
•Weekly overview: I feel like I didn’t buy that much food this week lol. I still felt sick while grocery shopping so food just didn’t appeal to me. I’m sure we can eat from our stockpile for the week. I was really thrilled with some of the deals I got this week: free deodorant, pasta and liquid hand soap, cheap bar soap, crackers, sausage and paper towels. I probably have enough liquid hand soap to last me a two or more years and I now have over 52 bars of soap in my stockpile so that’s more than a years’ worth. I like having a stockpile like that, that way if I ever have to give up couponing for a while because I’m ill, too busy, etc. I don’t have to worry. So far I’m well on track for this month! lol
Hey Jen,
Is that the new way to save, shop sick lol. I’ve been sick as well and to be honest, I completely understand where you are coming from with that. Are there any black diamond coupons out again? I noticed an empty coupon pad at Food Basics so I’m assuming the whole lot had gone as fast as it was put up. Where did you get the Kraft peanut butter coupon? Is snapsaves an app I can get on my ipod? I want to look into this. I might need a push Jen I’m slacking. lol… Keep up the good work and I hope you get better fast. Awesome shopping as usual. Be proud. You get ballot 3. Mr.CBB
Here we go!!! I made it into No Frills for a shop this week for a quick prowl around. but the rest was at Foodland.
Foodland, Jan 24
2 tomato paste @.89- 1.78
3 cans pasta sauce @1.25- 3.75
3 cans tomato sauce @1.88-5.64
1 bread crumbs- 1.99
1 cider mix- 3.99
1 jug water- 5.49
2 eye of round roasts- 8.68+ 9.21, stockpile
Tax- .52
Total- $41.05, part was stockpile
No Frills, Jan 24
1 yogurt- 5.97, 50% discount- 2.99
1 box Bear Paws- 2.44
3 bags frozen veggies @2.97- 8.91
4 Hot Stuffs @1.00- 4.00
2 4l milk @3.97- 7.94
1 cranberry cocktail- 2.97
1 large Royale TP- 7.97
2 boxes 144 count Tetley tea bags @4.97- 9.94
1 bagels- 1.97
1 pork loin- 5.21
2 packs X-lean ground beef- 9.48+9.92
bananas- .96
cole slaw- 1.27, 50% discount- .64
3lbs carrots- 1.49
2 Sensodyne toothpaste @3.97- 7.94
2 Dove body wash @4.72- 9.44, $2.00 coupon
1 Vasaline body lotion- 4.97, $2.50 coupon
Tax- 3.94
Total- $98.60, $4.50 coupons, $3.63 discounts
Foodland, Jan 30
2 cans soup @ .79- 1.58
bananas- .30
1 onions- 1.99
2 boxes cereal @1.99- 3.98, reduced
1 sweet and sour bbq sauce- 2.79
1 doz eggs- 2.99
1 apple juice- 3.29, 1.00 coupon
1 cider mix- 3.99
Tax- .52
Total- $20.43, 1.00 coupon
Total budget for the month- $650.00
Total coupons this week- $5.50
Total discounts this week- $3.63
Total spent this week- $151.99
Total stockpile this week- $8.09, roast
Total spent this month- $653.06+ $8.09 stockpile
Total over/under for week- over $21.99
Total over/under for month- over $3.06
Left for month- $0.00
Total coupons/discounts for month- $44.83
Total carry over- $3.06
Total YTD- $653.06, $25.00 stockpile
So I finished the month over by a whole $3.06, on a 5 week month!!! So much better than last year!!! Last Jan. I was over by some $200.00!!!!
The roasts were a good deal as was the extra lean ground beef. The ground beef was broken up into a number of smaller meal size packs for the freezer. The stockpile amount helped a lot. The coupons for NF were what I think as the cashier just rang it in as one big coupon for $4.50. The pork loin was a super good price!! $1.00 lb!!! It was dollar days at NF… I won’t argue with those prices!! I am pleased that this month went as well as it did. The first three weeks were low so that helped with the last two weeks when there was some stocking up done. I have had to wrap my head around 4 and 5 week months as that was part of what messed with me last year. This time I was more aware. All in all a good start to the new year….
Hi Christine!
I’m glad you were able to scoot over and post your shop as I know you said you’ve been swamped. Oh Oh, you went to No Frills for a prowl around.. now I can’t wait to see what you scooped up… back to reading. You got some great deals on your meat and your reduced items. I always try to find pink sticker yogurt if I can because it still gives me about 2 weeks of time to eat it up and there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s nice to see you made use of some coupons this week. We don’t use them too much these days but if we can we certainly won’t pass up the opportunity to save a few dollars. When you break up your meat do you just put them in ziploc freezer bags? Yes the pork was an amazing price at $1.00 per pound, great score there. That’s what happened to us with the 5 week shops and we are trying to be more aware of them this year too. It’s not easy but we will do our best, that’s all we can do right? Keep up the great work. You get ballot #31. Mr.CBB
Hey Christine… you did better than me… I was $24.56 over what with my stocking up. LOL
* Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340.00 per month or $85.00 for 4 weeks per month. ( for six people)
* Total Budget For January $340.00
* Total Coupons Used this Week : 0
* Total Discounts this Week: $0
* Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
* Total Rewards Points Used: $0
* Total Spent This Week: $28.50
* Total Spent So Far for January: $87.10+ $98.69+ $99.95 + $28.15$313.89
* Total Over/Under spend this shop: $56.85 under
* Total Over/Under spend for the month: over $2.10+13.69+14.95- 56.85=$26.11 under
* Total Left to Spend for the Month: $26.11
* Total Coupons Used This Month: $1.00
* Total to Carry Over Next Month:$26.11
* Total Spent To Date This Year: $313.89
* Weekly Overview: My fridge is looking pretty empty this morning, however I want to use up everything that is in there before purchasing new items. I have another adult mouth to feed beginning Feb 1, so this challenge is now being stretched even more.
items I purchased are on my blog
Hi Lynaka
It looks like your budget is going to be getting bigger. If you could do me a favour and post your full grocery shop here that would be great so I can offer you a ballot in the contest each week as per the rules to the grocery game. If you look at my shop, Mary’s shop, Christine or Jens shop etc it would be great if you could do that so we can see your shop posted here in the Grocery Game Challenge like all the other players.:) Keep up the good work. Mr.CBB You get ballot 30 this week.
Sure will do. Sorry
Are you able to increase your grocery budget Lynaka to take in the extra adult? I personally don’t have the flexibility as we are on one income. It would mean lots more meatless meals at our house if we had another moth to feed! Good luck making it stretch like an elastic!!! 🙂
There is a fellow who shops the same day I do. I don’t know him at all but he is in a wheelchair. I often tell him to follow me up and down the aisles so I can get the items he needs. People in scooters too can’t get off the scooters to retrieve the items and need help. Like Christine I have helped people out with coupons before. A few weeks ago Superstore had cheese coupons at the entrance. I tore off what I thought I needed but actually got one too many. People ( my age) in front of me at the checkout were purchasing a lot of cheese I asked them if they got the coupon. They didn’t even look. I gave them my extra and the husband was thrilled ( probably buying the cheese for his Superbowl party!). the wife commented that she really should look at the coupon board, because this was a good deal on cheese already on sale.
It’s amazing what we can all do to help others if we are mindful of our surroundings. I know many people have lots on their minds when they are shopping but if we only take a few minutes to look around and smile maybe life might be a bit more brighter. Thanks for sharing this story Lynaka. Mr.CBB
Yes, I don’t mind helping other customers out at the grocery store, where in fact I love doing that. Usually pregnant woman and old people are the one who asks help in groceries.
I’ve actually never considered whether I am a helpful grocery shopper. I get things off the top shelf when asked, so I think that’s helpful, but rarely go beyond that.
Oh!!!! I’ll be looking for that coupon!!!!!!! Where was it????
I will help anybody in the grocery store that looks like they need it!! I usually have at least one of my boys with me to help carry and if someone needs something from the top shelf we are there to get it for them. I remember walking down the baking aisle while the store manager was trying to help some one with almonds… apparently she needed ‘natural’ almonds and didn’t know what they were, neither did he. I stopped to explain to both that they were just the ones that still had the brown skin on and hadn’t been blanched to remove it… Both were happy to learn that.
The boys had a laugh last week as Foodland had bread on sale as you saw from last weeks post and there was a coupon for that bread. Lots of the coupons around the bread display. I was getting some for myself and a lady was getting a loaf for herself. I handed her the coupon ($1.00 WUB2) and she was quite happy with it and got two loaves herself. The boys were watching and the older boy looked at me with a grin..”Spreading a little sunshine Mom??” That boy knows his mother!!!!
The coupon was found at Metro on a display 🙂 I can send you a couple if you don’t find it just let me know.
JANUARY – Week #4 of 4- January 27-February 2, 2014
2014 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $142.50 x 12 = $1,710.00 for 2 adults
•Total Stockpile Budgeted For Year: $47.50 x 12 = $570.00 for 2 adults
•Combined Grocery Budget for 2013: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00
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REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
This week I decided to bust out a gift card that my Dad gave us for Christmas. I had thought about saving it for later on in the year but with all the terrific Air Miles bonus offers this week, we decided to take advantage of some deals. I was also concerned that the gift card may cease to be valid when Sobey’s takes over in March. I would hate to lose that much money!!! This is not part of the money I budget since it was “a gift” so I am not recording it in the monthly balancing of the budgeted funds BUT I did add it into the funds we have spent year-to-date on groceries.
I didn’t realize the kitchen garbage bag box was empty, so it meant a hasty stop on his lunch hour for Larry. Woopsies!!
Taking advantage of the Dollar Daze Deals at Thrifty Foods has pushed us slightly into the red for January BUT the deals were too good to pass up and I will carry the overage into February and sort it out then. I use so many tomatoes in my cooking so they won’t be around long. I actually caught the fellow bringing out a case of the diced tomatoes to put on the shelf and I scooped the whole case! I checked and there wasn’t a limit on them so… yay me!!! We make tuna salad sandwiches for hubby AT LEAST once a week… so this stockpile won’t last long either. 😀 I had hoped to get a couple of the $1 WW loaves of bread for lunches but they were out, again. Hubby has checked every day at lunch since the sale started. If I do catch the bread before the sale is over, I’ll include them in next week’s post. Maybe I should stop in and get a rain check! Dah, I wasn’t thinking yesterday obviously!!!
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OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Safeway – Maple Ridge –
2 x Breton Gluten Free Original Crackers with Flax $6.28
4 x Classico Tomato Alfredo Sauce $16.96
2 Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts – ($13.98-$3.98 Loyalty Savings) = $10.00 << treat for hubby's lunches
3 pkgs Nestle Smarties ($8.37-$1.50 Loyalty Savings)= $6.87 + 15 bonus Air Miles << going to throw into some baking
1 Aero Peppermint multi-pack $4.29 << my treat!!!
2 14 oz – Aylmer Tomatoes ($4.58-$2.29 Loyalty Savings) = $2.29
2 Miracle Whip ($9.58-$2.58 Loyalty Savings) = $7.00
5 x 1 L Kraft Peanut Butter ($31.65-$6.70 Loyalty Savings) = $24.95 +40 bonus Air Miles
2 Purex Bathroom Tissue Double Rolls ($17.98-$8.00 Loyalty Savings) = $9.98 + 30 bonus Air Miles
3 Sunlight HL Laundry Detergent ($23.10-$11.10 Loyalty Savings) = $11.97
1 Lucerne Whipping Cream $2.59
2 Lucerne Yogurt ($5.00-$2.50 Loyalty Savings) = $2.50
2 Becel Margarine ($12.98-$5.00 Loyalty Savings) = $7.98
3 Kraft Tex Mex Grated Cheese ($23.97-$6.00 Loyalty Savings) = $17.97 + 40 bonus Air Miles
4 Dove Bar Soap ($17.04-$8.52 Loyalty Savings) = $8.52 + 20 bonus Air Miles << unscented for men
3 Degree Men’s A/P ($16.47-$7.50 Loyalty Savings) = $8.97 + 15 bonus Air Miles
1 Chicken Breasts $12.00
1 Lean Ground Beef ($4.85-$1.65 Loyalty Savings) = $3.20
2 Green Onions $1.58
2 bunches celery $2.98
4 Russet Baker Potatoes $3.23
2 bunches radishes $1.58
4 Avocados ($7.96-$1.96 Loyalty Savings) = $6.00
4 Hot House Tomatoes ($4.32-$1.44 Loyalty Savings) = $2.88
1 Head Lettuce ($1.69-$0.40 Loyalty Savings) = $1.29
2 Marzetti’s Dip ($7.98-$2.00 Loyalty Savings) = $5.98
1 3-pack peppers $4.99
2 Potato Salad ($10.98-$1.00 Loyalty Savings)= $9.98 + 30 bonus Air Miles
GST $3.53
PST $2.76
•Total OOP: $211.10
• Safeway Gift Card OOP: $211.10
• Grocery Budget OOP: $0.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
We did really well on Air Miles with this shop!
Nestle Chocolate 15
Dove Deodorant 15
Dove Bar Soap 20
Purex Bathroom Tissue 30
DC Salads 30
Kraft 80
Grocery Base Offer 50
Spend $100 earn 100 AM COUPON 100
AMEX 1 AM for ea $10 spent 21
AMEX Bonus offer 25
Earned 386 TOTAL Air Miles on the shop
** Earned 386 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $74.12 Loyalty Savings on this shop ** << Nice savings!
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Extra Foods – Maple Ridge –
1 x No Name Large Kitchen Garbage Bags $4.98
GST $0.25
PST $0.35
•Total OOP: $5.58
• Grocery Budget OOP: $5.58
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 0 PC PLUS Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
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Thrifty Foods – Maple Ridge –
10 x Ocean Tuna in Water $10.00
10 x 28 oz Unico Diced Tomatoes = $10.00
4 x 28 oz Unico Whole Tomatoes = $4.00
•Total OOP: $24.00
• Grocery Budget OOP: $24.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 25 Thrifty’s Points on this shop ** << Now have enough to redeem $15 when/if we need it
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
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OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
NO US SHOPS UNTIL FEBRUARY 10th & I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!
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2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year: Jan ($7.77+$74.12= $81.89)
•Total Coupons Used This Year: Jan ($2.58)
•Total More Points Earned This Year: Jan (0) Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year: (70 + 386= 456) Air Miles << We have over 600 from all sources so far in 2014!
•Total Thrifty’s Points Earned This Year: (25) Points
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year: (0) Points
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•Total Grocery OOP Spent So Far This Year:
Jan ($12.50 to borscht reserve+$20.00 to holiday baking reserve+0.11 from 2013 overage+$9.00+$6.54+$10.00+$10.77+$32.85+$12.44 +$30.79+$2.48+$5.58+$24.00= $167.06)
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far: Jan $142.50
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: ($24.56) AVAILABLE << Woops!
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2014 Y-T-D STOCKPILE SPENDING:
•Total Stockpile OOP Spent So Far This Year:
Jan ($17.50 to restocking reserve+$30.00 to US Reserve = $47.50)
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget: Jan $47.50
•Total Over/Under YTD Stockpile Budget: $0.00 AVAILABLE
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2014 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Re-Stocking Budget:
2013 Fwd $125.00+Jan $17.50= $142.50 AVAILABLE
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2014 Y-T-D BORSCHT RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
2013 Fwd $275.00+Jan $12.50= $287.50 AVAILABLE
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2014 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
2013 Fwd $0.00+Jan $10.00= $20.00 AVAILABLE
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• TOTAL FUNDS SPENT IN 2014:
$167.06 Grocery
$47.50 Stockpile
$211.10 on Gift card Xmas present
TOTAL Y-T-D SPENDING: $425.66
$190 is budgeted for JAN ‘2014 but with the unused 2013 unused reserves, we have these funds already accounted for but not yet spent:
$142.50 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$287.50 Borscht Fund
$20.00 Holiday Season Fund
Total Reserves $450.00
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CLOSING GROCERY POSITIONS FOR JANUARY:
CANADIAN $’s
Groceries: ($24.56)
Stockpile: $0.00
Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
Christmas Gift
– Safeway card $250.00 – $211.10 = $38.90 remaining
2014 HOLIDAYS: $10.00
2014 BORSCHT: $287.50
Re-Stocking Funds: $142.50
US $’s
Our Reserve: $150.54
US Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
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The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Safeway:
3 dozen Lucerne Large Eggs @ $1.33 (Good until Feb 7th)
4 Butcher’s Cut Side Bacon @ $8.99 (Good until Feb 20th)
4 Butcher’s Cut Boneless Honey Dinner Ham 1 Kg @ $8.49
(Good to Feb 26th)
4 Butcher’s Cut Side Bacon @ $8.99 (Good until March 19th) – SECOND RAIN CHECK!!!!
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Hi Mary,
I agree with the gift card in terms of using it because you never know what could happen. I can’t get over the amount of Air Miles Larry and yourself managed to gather up. I’ve never seen such a great deal like buying 5 Peanut Butter to get 40 Air Miles. I’m happy when I get 1 Air Mile lol. I know I sound like a newbie to Air Miles and in a way I am because it’s really only Metro here that gives Air Miles and they are the priciest grocery store.
In terms of the stocking up I probably would have done the same if the deals were too good. I know I’d have to make up the next month like you mentioned but if it’s something I know we will use and it’s at rock bottom prices I might as well grab them when I can. Good for you… plus your treats mmm 🙂 Keep at it… you’re off to a great start for 2014! You get ballot 28. Mr.CBB
Scary stuff Mr CBB… today is Customer Appreciation Day at Safeway and “20 X” Air Miles on your base air miles!!! This may be a good time to pick up some of my rain check items! LOL I want to get the 1,000 Air Miles for the year covered so that I can get back to saving my SPG points instead. I’ll be happy if I can get another 100 points today. My hubby calls me his little points pig… oink, oink! Ha ha ha!
lol.. points pig.. that’s new BUT if it’s saving you $$$ grab em while you can. 🙂