The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 3- Dec 9, 2012 Festive Preparation
It’s a few weeks before Christmas now and the festive preparation has begun starting with our Holiday Snowballs and tonight Peanut Butter Balls. This is the first post for the December Grocery Game Challenge and I welcome all new fans that are joining in from wherever you are in the world! As I mentioned in my November Budget Update yesterday next year we will be making changes to our Christmas Budget. Just when we thought we had it sorted out we were thrown another curve ball yesterday. This is where we feel the pressures of the holiday season but should be ready. One of our family members came up with the idea to have a “gag gift” for everyone to open on Christmas Eve. She says the amount to spend is $10 which is fine but we did not budget for this expense. Although it is only $20 total for the both of us it’s more money we need to factor in for next year, just in case. The Christmas season is so unpredictable that we will really take a look at our Christmas Budget to make it as realistic as we can. Any left over money can go towards boxing day sales or into our savings. It’s better to be safe than having to put it on credit if you don’t have to.
Today I am putting up the Christmas Decorations and I can’t wait to tell you all about it… shhh.. that means a Christmas Blog Post is coming up soon!
So, since we went WAY over budget in November it didn’t leave us much to spend for December. We have a total of $190 per month to spend and in November we spent a whopping $295.77 mainly due to stockpiling products that were on sale. I’ll touch more on this topic in the new year and what we will do about our stockpiling budget. I know it sounds like alot of budgeting and it is but it’s worth it. In December we are now left with $84.23 to spend. Here’s to hoping we can pull this off!!!
Do you find you spend more money in your grocery budget in November and December?
If you missed a couple of great posts that I put on Facebook yesterday about saving money on groceries, check them out below. My friends Kim from Eyes on the Dollar who plays the grocery game challenge and Catherine at Plunged in Debt (who doesn’t but I think we should all motivate here so head to her blog and corner her, lol) posted ways to save on groceries and mentioned our Grocery Game Challenge. While you are there enter the $100 Give-away!
OK, down to the nitty-gritty!!!
Total to Spend $84.23 for the entire month, oh my!
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 2x Egg Nog Sale $1.99
- 4x Neilson Cream Sale $1.99
Total Out of Pocket $11.94
Food Basics
- 8x Barilla Pasta Sale $1.00- .50 coupons
- 3x white mushrooms Sale $1.00
- 1x bag of carrots 3lbs Sale $1.50
- 1x 5lb Russet Potatoes Sale $1.50
Total Out of Pocket $10.00
Wal-mart
- 2x Christie Crackers (Christmas) Sale $1.67- $2.00 coupon wub2
- 6x White Granulated Sugar Bags Sale $1.76
- 1 bag of Onions- Sale $1.47
- 5 limes $1.66 or $0.33 each
- Lettuce Sale $1.00
- 2x Dempsters Farmhouse Bread $FREE with coupon
Total Out Of Pocket– $16.42
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results for Mr. and Mrs. CBB
- Total Grocery Budget for the
Week:$84.23 (For the month of Dec) - Total Coupons Used this Week:$8.54
- Total Scanning Code of Practice: $0
- Total Spent This Week:$38.36
- Total Spent So Far for December: $38.36
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $N/A this month
- Total Over/Under spend for the month of December: $N/A this month
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $45.87
- Total Coupons Used This Month : $8.54
Overall: I think we may be pushing our limit this month but with all the food in this house there is no reason we can’t do this. The hard part is if a bloody good deal comes up that we have coupons for.
Canadian Coupons we Found while out and about yesterday Dec 3,2012 at Food Basics, Metro and from the Ingredients Magazine that comes in the mail! Click HERE to sign up for your free magazine subscription. It’s an EXCELLENT magazine for recipes and coupons!
Photo Credit: Ingredients Magazine
Our November Grocery Game Challenge Winner is………….. #43 ADELINE!!! Congratulations….
FAQ’s- Grocery Game Challenge RULES…..
- 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 a few posters from around 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?
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 effected 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.
There are many places you can find Canadian Coupons whether it be in store or via the mail.
Canadian Coupon Match-Ups- Match your coupons with flyer sales!
Here are your latest Coupon Match-ups of the week from around Canada compliments of Save Big Live Better.
Are you NEW to Canadian Budget Binder?
Would You Like To Guest Post for Canadian Budget Binder?
LIKE or Follow Mr.CBB on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
Related articles
- Budgeting With Mr.CBB Got Us Back On Track! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- What Products To Stockpile For Maternity Leave (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- How to Shrink Your Budget without (Too Much) Sacrifice (cashnetusa.com)
My grocery budget for the week is $80.77 for 2 adults and 1 child and includes all food, household items, personal hygiene items etc.
Walmart
Pediasure – 2x$9.97 – 2x$3c
•Total Coupons Used: $6.00
•Total Out Of Pocket: $13.94
Food Basics
Chicken – $3.99
Primo Soup – sale 2x$2
Habitat Soup – sale 2x$2
Red grapes – sale $1.93
Minigo yogurt – sale $2.00
Mushrooms – sale $1.00
Baby carrots – sale $1.00
Latancia Butter – sale $3.00
•Total Coupons Used: 0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $16.92
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $350
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $6.00
•Total Spent This Week:$30.86
•Total Spent So Far for December: $30.86
•Total Under spend this shop: $49.91
•Total Under spend for the month of December: $49.91
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $319.17
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $6.00
Small shop this week. Didn’t need much. Found out that our normal Christmas dinner with the family isn’t going to happen this year so I am very disappointed. Going to make Christmas dinner at home and then get together with the family on Boxing Day so I will be spending a bit more this month in order to make dinner and to bring food for Boxing Day plus a bit of baking. Hope I can stay on budget!
Hi Joanna!
Another good reason to have some emergency money kicking about or a stash of the staples in the house. You never know when you have to feed a gang of people. That primo soup, what kind did you get? They are super duper easy peasy to make from scratch…. I have some awesome soup recipes on the blog and you can freeze them as well. Canned soup although convenient can take a chunk out of the budget. Great deal on the butter good for you!! Well one more week in the GGC for 2012 until we start up in 2013~ I will you Happy Holidays my dear!!!! Mr.CBB You get ballot #20
Dec 3 – 9 2012
No Frills
• 4x Dr Oetker Pizza $12 – $6 coupons = $6
3x Becel Margarine =$6
1x Bunch Organic Bananas = $1.69
1x 3lb Carrots = $1.47
1x 3lb Oranges = $2.97
2x Plastic Bag = $0.10
•Total Coupons Used: $6
•Total Out Of Pocket: $18.24
Giant Tiger
• 1x 4L Milk = $4.49
1x Marcangelo Smoked Ham $5.97 – $1 coupon = $4.97
1x Marcangelo Chicken Roast with Bacon $6.97 – $1 coupon = $5.97
1x Veg Oil =$ 3.97
1x Olive Oil = $5.97
2x Cans Flaked Ham = $2
•Total Coupons Used: $2
•Total Out Of Pocket: $27.37
WalMart
• 1x Santa Chocolate= $0.50
1x Pack Organic Apples = $4.97
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $5.47
Independent
• 1x Apple Juice = $1.99
• 1x Pack of Mushroom $2 at 50% off = $1.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.88 Gas coupon
•Total Out Of Pocket: $2.11
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $240 for 2 adults & 1 child + $48.48 carry over from Oct.
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $8.88
•Total SCOP: $0
•Total Spent This Week:$53.19
•Total Spent So Far for Dec: $53.19
•Total Under spend this shop: $6.81
•Total Under spend for the month of Dec: $186.81
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $186.81
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $8.88
Above figures are based on using the $240 first. Once that’s spent for the month and if we go over, then we’ll use the carry over $$.
Hi Adeline!
Oh you have your carry over still… won’t that be great if you don’t even need to use it!! Do you think you could do that? You still have quite a bit to go for the month of Dec.. I’m watching you like a hawk now 🙂 Keep at it Adeline! You get ballot #15~ Mr.CBB
I’m running behind lately but I’m hoping to get this done tonight. We went to Walmart the other day and some was groceries and some was Christmas shopping. Other than that it was all at Foodland.
Walmart
1 pickles-1.97
1 3pkg soap-.97
1 icing sugar-2.00
1 microwave popcorn-1.00
2 crackers@ 1.67-3.34
2 cans tomato sauce@ 1.00-2.00
2 Dove conditioner@4.77-9.54 (minus a multi discount-1.54, and 2-1.00 coupons)
2 Garnier lotion@ 6.47-12.94($1.00 coupon plus a FPC-6.47)
1 Iams catfood-10.98($3.00 coupon)
1Purex-5.93($1.00 coupon)
Total-$50.67, with $15.01 in coupons and discounts
Foodland, Dec4
3 1l chocolate milk@.97-2.91
1 pasta-2.49
2 cases gingerale@2.97-5.94
1 pack coffee filters-2.99
1 raisin bread-3.79
1 cider mix-3.99
1 syrup-3.99
1 pack havarti cheese-3.99
1 4l bag milk-4.79
1 cheesecake-5.49
1 jug water-5.49
Total$47.54, no coupons
Dec 6
3 1l chocolate milk@.97-2.91
2 pasta@2.49-4.98(2-.75 coupons)
1 vinegar-2.68
1 case ice tea-2.97(1 FPC)
1 pkg paper napkins-2.99
1 raisin bread-3.79
1 VH sauce-3.79
1 havarti cheese-3.99
1 cider mix-3.99
1 block old cheese-4.99
1 taco kit-5.29 ($4.00 coupon)
1 cheesecake-5.49
1 jug water-5.49
1 pkg lean gr. beef-6.23
1 pack smokes-9.69
Total$62.22, $9.22 in coupons
This gives me a total for the week of $160.43, over by $10.43. There was $24.23 in coupons this week which is good for me. There were a number of treats for somebody…. he loves his cheesecake and they are on price cut right now. The chocolate milk was a good price so I kept us supplied there. It looks like I’ll be over this week as well (damn!!!) but there are a couple of nice sales on tomorrow only. Bananas are .49 lb, KD is 2/$1.00 and chicken nuggets are on for $5.99. I’ll be stocking up there. One or two nuggets, some KD and the bananas, if we don’t eat the bananas quick enough I peel them and toss in the freezer for banana loaf down the road. The good news is they will be redeeming the turkey bucks starting next week and I managed to get 17 of them so that will be $17.00 off my Christmas turkey!!! I already have the cranberries for sauce and pretty much everything else for the big day. I’ll be working away at the Christmas baking in the next few days so that will be around for the day as my Dad, Uncle, daughter and grandson will be here even if I have to use my daughter’s car to get the two older boys!!! I send baking home with them, and my daughter is bringing the birthday cake while I get the ice cream for it. I plan to work some stock up funds into the budget better in Jan. or at least try to do so.
Hey Christine,
That’s not too bad with your coupons this week especially at the end of the year. This time of year we all spend more on treats but hey a price cut is better than nothing. That’s great they will start redeeming turkey bucks more savings for you!!What will you bake? Take piccies if you can. Keep in touch over the holidays if you can.. I’ll be around all Christmas!! Keep at it you are doing great mate. Mr.CBB you get ballot #12
Just wanted to mention I posted on my blog http://www.thefarmgirlfiles.blogspot.com what I made out of the groceries I spent last week. I broke down the pricing for each supper. I cannot post breakfast and lunch because I would never be able to track all seven persons meal consumption at different times, but supper we all eat together. It is an interesting experiment and we are all roast beefed out now! Tomorrow ham!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I’ll go check it out later on when I get in as I’m heading out for a bit! Mr.CBB
Our budget for the first week of the month is $150 since I spent hours planning a 10% tuesday shop this month and it was worth all that planning and then some!
Walmart
.92×2 great value baking soda
$3.52 fryers cocoa
$2 kitkat mint-yummy
$2.87-$4C zip iogo tubes
$2.17-.75 corn starch
.88×2 gravy mix
$1.68-$1.68C herb mix
$9.41 total oop
$6.43 total coupons
Superstore
$1.87 4pk gum
$1.30×8-$4C 2L pop – for xmas
$1.97×4-$4C astro yogurt
$1.38 sweet chilli sauce
$2.97-$1C whipped cream
$1.18 broccoli
$2.95 5lb carrots
$20.14 total oop
$9 total coupons
Sobeys
$2.50×2 chips
.89 spicy instant noodles
.88 choco bar
$2×5 chewy bars
$3.99 4L ice cream
$2.89-fpc 2L ginger ale
$1.99 perogies
$1.69 vinegar
$2.50 alfredo sauce-clearance
$2.29×2-bogo C pepsi
$2.50×4 eggos
$4.99 fruit loops-w/ $5 gas card
$2.50×2 frozen vegs
$3.32 2L egg nog
$9.99-$2C 1.5kg ham
$22.99 3kg frozen chicken breasts
$15.63 8kg turkey
$7.99 nabob coffee tin -gift for my mom but used my food budget for it
$3.99×4-$16C iogo mandarian orange
$2.50×2 dzn eggs
$3.15 italian soda – xmas treat for my girl
$24.99-$12(marked down by manager) 32pk kcups 🙂 sweet deal!
$4.99-fpc 3cheese jalapeno smokies
$4.99-fpc shaved turkey
$8.49-fpc pepperettes
$3.99-fpc hot rods
$10.09-$6C 3 pks prime chicken -clearance
$1×3-$3C pantene hairspray-donation
$4.27×2-bogo C tropicana
$2.99×3-$3C bacon-clearance
$3.79×4-$3C cheese
$1.99×4-$2.50C international creamer
$77.82 total oop
$20.21 10% discount
$78.73 total coupons/mark downs
$65 redeemed club sobeys points
$107.37 total oop
$179.37 total coupons/discounts
Happy to get so much and our freezer is full and almost ready for xmas
Hey Juanita!!!
Looks like you have been using up your FPC’s as well so are we. You got ALOT of stuff this week holy canoli and donations as well, awesome! I love that.. look at your coupon total wow $78.73 and sobeys points… and the discount.. no doubt you planned this well you must be proud. Saving money sometimes is a hobby for some when watching television all night is a pleasure for others.. is it worth the time.. oh ya! Good for you keep at it and 2013 will be an even better year for you! You get ballot #10!~ Have a good week. Mr.CBB
Little late on entering my shop as i was working all weekend but i finally have a day off so thought i would enter it. 🙂 My budget for the month is 540 which i think is possible as i was under by 100 dollars last month. With working so much i have much less time to shop…lol…so more money in my pocket.
Zehrs
Coke 2.99
Milk 3.77-1.00c=2.77
Lemonade 2.89
Coffee 6.99
Ice tea 2×0.99=1.98
Striploin steaks=3.27, 3.50, 3.29, 3.32 ( I really didnt need any more meat in my freezer but these steaks were an awesome sale…..our zehrs just opened this weekend so i could resist)
Total Coupons used=1.00
Save GST/HST=0.77
Total=31.05
Walmart
Dog food 16kg 21.68-3.50c=18.18
Bread 2.00-0.75c=1.25
Total Coupons used=4.25
Total=22.25
Walmart
Formula 13.97
Margarine 1.87
Apples 1.18
Fries 1.98
Buns 2.50
Yogurt 2.00
Bananas 1.28
Sandwich meat 3.47
Water 1.77
Baby cheesies 5.97-1.00c=4.97
Salami 3.97
Coffee Cream 2.00-0.50c=1.50
Black Diamond cheese slices 2.97-0.75=2.22
Yogurt tubes 2.97-0.50=2.47
Sandwich meat 3.97-1.00c=2.97
Sandwich meat 3.97-1.00c=2.97
Total coupons=4.75
Total=53.06
Walmart
Onions 1.00
Lettuce 1.27
Clementines 4.97
Laundry soap 3.00-1.00c=2.00
Lysol 3.00
Scrubbing bubbles 3.00-1.50c=1.50
Fabric Softener 2.00
Pizza 5.00
Bagels 1.98
hot sauce 2.14
Santa hat 2.96 (lol…..babys first xmas 🙂
caesar dressing 1.42
Pancake syrup 1.87
mayo 3.97
frozen juice 0.64×4=2.56
Kraft Dinner 1.00
Frozen pancakes 1.50
Chips 1.77
Toilet bowl cleaner 3.00
Fruit loops 2.97
Brisk ice tea 0.88
Red Rain energy drinks 3.97 (for a four pack thats a great deal)
Coupons used=2.50
Total=55.68
*****Got a walmart gift card from my landlord for 50$ 🙂 SOOOOO actual total was only 5.68 🙂
Total Grocery Budget for the Week: 135.00
Total Coupons Used this Week: $12.50
Total Scanning Code of Practice: $0
Total Spent This Week: $112.04
Total Spent So Far for December: $112.04
Total Over/Under spend this shop: under by 22.96 🙂
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $427.96
Total Coupons Used This Month : $12.50
That gift card was a great surprise otherwise i would have been over budget..but considering i didnt buy anything last week thats not too bad….i work all weekend so will probably not buy too much this week either…just have to wait and see….:) Hoping to have another no shop week as hubby is off for a week of work this month 🙂
Joanne!
So what does that tell you.. that tells you that the more you go into shops the more you will spend if you have the time. You can kill this budget that you were able to drop I know you can, don’t give up. You have a huge amount left to spend for December and I think you might make it under again. I’m so proud of you, and I can tell you are so happy!! I hope 2013 will be awesome for you!!! Mr.CBB you get ballot #9
Mr. CBB, I just spent a half hour posting and hit a button and erased it all. So I’m just going to do the totals. I was down to bare cupboards, so this month I have little faith in my ability to stay under budget, but we’ll see.
Safeway
Total spent 146.80
Total Card savings 40.44
Just 4 U savings 22.80
Coupon savings 11.80
Total Savings 75.04
City Market (Bulk of this was dog food)
Total spent 50.48
Card savings 8.58, which was also total savings
Family Dollar
Charmin Basic 30 pk 10.00-1.00
Pizza crust mix 3 x 1.00
Pizza sauce 1.25
Tax .80
Total spent 14.05
Total coupon savings 1.00
Walgreens-New experiment with register rewards program
Colgate Toothpaste 3.00
Tax .21
Total spent 3.21. Received 2.50 register reward toward next transaction
Garnier Fructis Shampoo 2x 3.99-1.49 store sale-2.50 register reward
Tax .35
Total spent 2.85
Total store sale savings 2.00
Register rewards 2.50
Total savings 4.50
-With all the hassle, I think I came out $1 ahead of buying all this at Wal mart. Not sure if it was worth it.
Total Spent for the week 217.39
Total weekly savings 89.12
Monthly Budget for Family of 3 and two hungry dogs $350
Remaining for the Month 132.61
Actually not as bad as I thought. Dog food is tough to add when you also need things like toilet paper and health and beauty products. I spent alot on fruit as well, which you would have seen if I hadn’t wiped it out, but I think that’s important. Hubby wants filet mignon for Christmas dinner, so that could blow it unless I can find a good deal. I’m on the lookout! Good night.
Hi Kim,
Oh you poor thing! I’ve done that before and that’s why I do everything in WORD now even blog posts because I can’t risk losing it all. I hit SAVE more times than you can believe.. but worth it! This month for us is low with the grocery budget but for some it can be the worst budget of the year. We took out the dog food because our $190 budget just couldn’t handle the $30 bags of food per month. We didn’t really feel it until we ran out of our free dog food we got for a study.. things we learn. IF we really wanted to then we could but that meant no loading up on great deals. Things will change for 2013! You did great this week look at you! When you decide on your grocery budget for 2013 keep in mind how much you have spent each month and for special holidays so you can budget in the extras like fillet mignon and not worry about the budget. It makes sense to do that or like some have a Christmas budget where you save a bit every month for the extras! Cheers Kim.. p.s awesome going with the 30k in debt you killed!!! Mr.CBB
Here is my shop for the week of Dec 3-9:
Safeway
1 pkg grated Kraft Parmesan Cheese $5.29
4 loaves Oven Joy 100% Whole Wheat bread $5.16
1 pkg Hamburger buns $3.39
1 Apple Pie $3 (freezing for Christmas)
1 Mincemeat Pie $3 (freezing for Christmas)
1 Pumpkin Pie $3 (freezing for Christmas)
1 Raisin Pie $3 (freezing for Christmas)
6 bran muffins $3.49
1 bunch of bananas $2.00
1 container of Signature Potato Soup with bacon soup $3.99
1 container of Signature Pacific Clam Chowder soup $3.99
1 container of Signature Chicken with Wild Rice soup $3.99
1 container of Signature Butternut Squash soup $3.99
Total Spent $47.29
Our Grocery Budget for 2 Adults:
$190 per month…$190/4 = $47.50 per week
with at least 4 no shop weeks per year!
This week we spent $47.29 so we are UNDER on the week by $0.21!
Hi Mary,
I love how your budget is the same as ours as you really do motivate me when shopping… I hear you talking to me! lol…I’ve never had the mincemeat pie yet what is that like? You just made it this week wow $0.21 would you take a look at that. Good for you!!! Will you do much shopping the last 2 weeks of the year? You get ballot #8 Cheers Mary! Mr.CBB
Hi Mr. CBB, I was going to challenge myself to reducing our grocery bill to $400 a month. For a family of four (2 adults, an 8 year old and a one year old), do you think it’s realistic? Do you also include food for pets and things like laundry soap or cleaning supplies or even diapers?
Hi Carrie,
Have you read the post “How Much Should My Grocery Budget Be“? If it were me I could definitely make $400 work for me but it also depends on where you live, and what you eat, any dietary needs? We recently removed Pet from our budget as it was too much. It costs about $30 a bag for food each month and we were using free food we had and just ran out. We thought we would be ok to put it in the budget and I mean if we tried real hard or if we “had” to then we could but we decided to take it out. Many people keep it in and just have a bigger grocery budget although we have a separate category in our budget for pet/needs. Yes all our cleaning, laundry supplies are mixed in. We don’t have kids but that would also be included if we did mind you the budget would have to be increased to accomodate the “baby” expenses. Many of our players have already reduced their budget this year just by posting their shop and seeing what they spend. They also enjoy the challenge and being held accountable. One player for instance dropped her budget by $50 which doesn’t seem alot but that’s $600 a year or a mortgage or car payment. Put that towards your mortgage and you will be paying it off faster than expected! Everything counts…. I hope to see you post your shops and remember it’s your budget, your finances, make the most of them! Cheers Mr.cBB
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 year old toddler. Our budget is $100/week and also includes health/beauty, laundry items, baby items, etc.
I had $62.16 left from last week to carry over for Christmas items.
RCSS
Ritz crackers (PM) 6 x $1.50 – $.75 coupon
GG yellow beans (PM) 4 x $1.00
Tuna (PM) 4 x $1.00
Hunts pasta sauce (PM) 4 x $.97
Hunts tomato paste 4 x $.79 – 4 x $1.00 coupons wub sauce and paste
Lucky Charms (PM) $3.77
Miracle whip 1.5L (PM) $5.00
Wonderbread $1.98
Bananas $1.42
Salad $1.29
Mushrooms (PM) $1.00
Oranges $3.48
Garlic $.49
Strawberries $3.97
Skin fx diaper paste 2 x $7.94 – 50% pink sticker $7.94
Coupons $5.25
CD $5.47
Tax free $1.29
OOP $43.66
RCSS
Hunts tomato paste $.79
Hunt’s pasta sauce (PM) $.97 – $1.00 coupon wub sauce and paste
Minigo (PM) 3 x $1.88 – 3 x $.50 coupons
Jars of baby food 12 x 4/$3.00 – 50% pink sticker $4.56 **bought for a food bank donation for Ken’s work**
Coupons $2.50
CD $1.23
OOP $8.11
Fresh Co
Distilled water $.97
Bacon $2.97
Chicken wieners (PM) $.99
Chicken breast deli meat packs (PM) $1.99 – 2 x $.75
Coupons $1.50
OOP $7.41
Longo’s
Lactancia milk 5 x $3.99 – 5 x $1.00 coupons
Coupons $5.00
OOP $14.95
$43.66 + $8.11 + $7.41 + $14.95=$74.13
$100 – $74.13=$25.87 left over
$25.87 + $62.16=$88.03 left over from last few weeks to carry over for Christmas 🙂 Not bad for stocking up on milk and getting baby food and pasta sauce/tomato paste for a food bank donation 🙂
Hey Jen!
Can you believe the end of the year is so near! I can’t wait to see what we can pull off for next years grocery budget. You did great this week especially with stocking up on what you did. Glad to hear you put together some food for the food bank as they are always in need all year long. I wish we had a LONGOS here… we are out of milk and I would have stocked up…. Ah well.. cheers Jen.. keep at it.. will you make a new improved grocery budget for 2013? You get ballot #7
shop this week- budget $40.00
Freshco
kitten chow 6.79 FPC
2x catelli pasta 1.97ea FPC
1x catelli lasagna 2.29 FPC
2x popchips 2.79ea FPC
sargento shredded cheese 4.99 FPC
friskies tin .64 FPC
clamato juice 3.47 FPC
2x barilla pasta .97- 2x.75c
2x oasis juice 1.97- 2x.75c
bolthouse juice 2.99- 1.00c
2x blackdiamond cheese slices 2.97- 2x.75c
Quality Street tin 10.99- 10.00 nestle cheque
subtotal 10.28 + 3.51 tax
Total 13.79
saved in coupons $43.20
using up Dec 31 exp. fpc and other coupons. Haven t been keeping a real close eye on the budget this last month or so but I know I m way under. Using alot of “stocked” items, and still have a few more FPC s to use up…..
Hi Lynda!
Welcome to the Grocery Game!!!
You can use this template like we all do as it’s easier for all of us to follow your shops each week and for me to comment on them… I’ll post it below…
Name Your Store ie: Zehrs
List what you purchased and coupons used below it with bullet points.
•Total Coupons Used: $
•Total Out Of Pocket: $
Do the above for each receipt you have.
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $1
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $
•Total Spent This Week:$
•Total Spent So Far for (insert month): $
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of September: $
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $
•Weekly Overview: Share your overall thoughts on your shop and what improvements you will need to make.
We have lots of FPC’s as well we need to use up and that’s what we were organizing today. It seems we tend to wait until the bitter end to use them, don’t know why but they all help out. Looks like your FPC’s helped lower your budget this week!! Looking forward to your next shops! You get ballot #6 Cheers Mr.CBB
Yes everything is accounted for. Every penny. I’ll be lost in February when the pennies go!! Haha. Oh the woes of farming. You really don’t want to hear them. But yes our days and evenings are really full.
Crap thanks for the reminder I have loads of them to get rid of. I wonder when the cut off date is.. is it Feb?
Farmgirl is fine, if its okay with everyone else. That is what I am.
Yea the kale is holding out pretty good. I am slowly getting it blanched and in the freezer. Fact is after milking 48 cows in the morning I am frozen to the bone and hate to go out in the cold again to cut stuff out the garden. I’m not starving yet. If I were I would be out there for sure.
A little scary knowing I only have $118. left for the month, however I don’t shop AT ALL( if possible) the last two weeks in December. I am not crazy. I hate crowds and get anxieties that keep me here on the farm. I do my grocery shopping in the city which is 54 km away. There is a Foodland in the village which is 8km away. I will be getting whatever I might need ( have forgotten) there which will cost me as they are much more expensive. I do have raw milk here but prefer to use it for cooking and not drinking.( allergies and asthma issues in the household) The baking is just that. Some family will be coming here over the two weeks but nothing major.I’m use to cook for a large group. It is nice to have some things in the freezer. I just found some of the sales too good and wonderful to stock the pantry. Looking forward to a pantry budget in January.
Hi Farmgirl,
Wow sounds like you have a busy day. I would love to learn what life is like living on a farm and the work involved. Maybe one day you can share that for me and my fans on the blog… I think plenty of my fans would love to follow your journey. I’m excited to see what you do with your grocery budget but I’m betting that you are going to make it work for you. You seem very savvy with your money and you know when to spend it and when not to. Do you use a monthly budget and track all of your expenses as well? We don’t fancy the crowds either at Christmas.. Mrs.CBB is just like you. It’s a good thing we don’t have many gifts to buy. Chat soon. Mr.CBB
I have two shopping trips listed for this week.
One because the way the calendar fell, and because I work by the month, not the week.
Family of seven, 2 parents, 25 yr, 21yr, 16yr,5yr,3yr, 2 dogs and 2 cats
Grocery Budget of $300.00 for the month
This weeks shopping:
Total Budget: $300.00
Total spent this trip: $118.13
Total coupons, discounts; $9.23
Amount left to spend: $181.87
The symbol (P) means for the pantry restock
FC was price match Freschco
I got it right this month and bought a huge supply of food at the Dollar events ( welfare/pension/disable check week).
Still have kale, cabbage and parsley in the garden.
–>
Dec 1/12
No Frills
Carn Hot Chocolate 3.97
Aylmer Accents (P) 2 at $1.00 each 2.00
Dole Pineapple juice (P) 2 for $3.00 3.00
Jelly Beans .99
NN Soda Crackers 1.00
Pc chips 1.75
Unico Tomato (P) FC 2 at $.88 each 1.76
Gmills Bread 2/ $3.00 3.00
WW flat bread 2 at $1.99 each 3.98
4lbs apples 4.97
celery 1.00
Baby carrots 2 at $1. each 2.00
pineapple 1.00
10lbs potato 1.98
Grape tomato 1.50
tax .36
Bulk Barn
Vega crumbs .39
Chocolate chips 1.269 at $7.70/kg 9.70
Pretzel twist .080kg at $4.97/kg .40
Seasoned crumbs .440kg at $5.15/kg 2.27
Lasagna .275kg at $6.50/kg 1.79
Discount coupon Over $10.00 -3.00
Superstore Roast beef 1.98 lb 10.92
Foodland Chicken soup 1.25
Chicken breast Boneless skinless 4pcs 5.90
Stew beef Reg 6.97 less 30% 4.88
Chicken legs 8.27 less 50% 4.13
Farmboy Ground beef 6lbs 12.45
Ground beef 61/2+ lbs 12.80
banana .47/lb 1.91
Fresh Co
Cheese ( 500gram) 2 at $4.44 each 8.88
Yogurt 2.99
clementines 5lbs 3.77
Parlour ice creme 2.44
Total 118.13
December 5/12
Total Budget :$300.00
Starting Amount left for the month: $181.87
Total Amount Spent this week: $ 66.82
Coupons: $3.98
Total Amount Left to Spend for December:$115.05
Telford Eggs Eggs 30 eggs 5.10
Superstore
Black Diamond Cheese 2 (500Gg) @ 4.44 ea 8.88
Chicken breast 3.44 lb (6 pcs) 6.73
No Frills
Parsely flakes 1.00
Oatmeal Crisp 3.49
Quaker Square cereal 2.49
Tetley Tea 2.99
yogurt 3.89- free coupon free
Whole wheat bread 2/3.00 3.00
Ground beef 1.98 lb 5.02
banana .67/lb 1.92
Baby carrots 1.00
Dole Spring Mix Salad 2.00-50% 1.00
Sobeys
Milk 2@ 3.99 each 7.98
Giant Tiger
Chipits 6.00
almonds 1.00
coconut 1.00
Bulk store
Unsweetned chocolate .78
cocoa 2.89
Hot chocolate 3.00
pecans 1.55
Total $66.82
For my full grocery trip experiences and what I make with these items to feed a large family see
Hi!! How shall I address you? Farmgirl? I can’t believe you still have stuff growing in your garden I am so jealous of that. What are vega crumbs? We use the $3.00 coupon as well at Bulk Barn and stock up, that’s a great coupon. I assume you do some baking with all the baking items you bought. What do you bake for the holidays? You have just over $100 for the rest of the month I can’t wait to see where you spend it and if you can stick to that budget…. To be continued……. Oh, I see your link at the bottom.. I guess I can go read! We have a few new players this week so this is perfect. I think we can all learn from each others shops as well as areas we can cut back on. Cheers and you get ballot #5 Mr.CBB Enjoy your week!
Good morning Mr. CBB; Here is my grocery bill. (Also the first shop of the month.)
FOODLAND
*Sale* chocolate milk (treated the family) 4 x .97 reg. 2.29 ea.
*Sale* canned soup (for an awesome stew recipe) 4 x 1.50 reg 2.19 ea.
*Sale* Maple leaf regular weiners 2 x 2.00 reg 3.79 ea.
*Sale* Lunchmate for teen (rarely buy, so also a treat)
**Sale** Krema Greek Yogurt (8 x 100g) 6.49 reg 5.49 for 500g container
Wasn’t expecting to buy meat but found bulk pkg of medium ground beef w/30% off sticker
1.594 kg for $6.08
4 chicken breasts (breaded and seasoned) also w/30% off sticker
1.554 kg for $7.89
Chicken dinner special
1 roasted chicken, 1 loaf of crusty bread, 1 caesar salad mix, w/ 12 chocolate chip cookies
13.99 (Cashier gave me 1.00 off because deli counter employee said I could use coupon on this purchase but was supposed to be off a different compliments item)
**Yogurt sale was like getting 200g free**
Total purchase: $53.63
Total savings: $11.96
NO FRILLS
**Sale** Minute maid frozen juice concentrate 8 x .50 cents reg. 1.19 ea. (approx.)
Usual brand cat food rose by a penny per can PC cat food 4x 2/1.00
**Sale** Old Mill bagels 2 x 1.00 ea
**Sale** Romaine hearts 1.00 more than one caesar this month 🙂
PC wraps (7 inch) 2.89 sale comp. to Foodlands sale of 2.99
Bean sprouts 1 pound bag .99 cents
Snow peas 200gr pkg1.50 *(not as cheap as bulk but fresher*
Total purchase: $26.03
Hidden savings was the juice and 10 cents off wraps
Total Spent: $79.66
Over budget: $15.66
Thanks for your blog. I didn’t read the rules till I got home after shopping. But I’m going to try harder next week.
Hi Kimberly!!!
Welcome Mate! Hey that was a good price on Chocolate Milk! We love those % off stickers and Pink stickers as well, it’s the first place we hit when we walk in a store.. the discount racks! How much is your monthly budget and how many does it feed? You went over your budget this week but you are not over for the month so lots of time to catch up and even it out. Yes you can use this if you like each week so you can keep it organized at the end of each post… Cheers Kim!! Looking forward to your posts and Welcome to The Grocery Game Challenge!! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask me!!! Cheers Mr.CBB You get Ballot # 4 in our monthly contest!
*Below is a Template You Can Copy/Paste Each Week to Type Up Your Shop.
Name Your Store ie: Zehrs
List what you purchased and coupons used below it with bullet points.
•Total Coupons Used: $
•Total Out Of Pocket: $
Do the above for each receipt you have.
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $1
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $
•Total Spent This Week:$
•Total Spent So Far for September: $
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of September: $
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $
•Weekly Overview: Share your overall thoughts on your shop and what improvements you will need to make.
Wow! I sure hope you can edit your comments. So sorry about my post in triplicate. Iam not much better at technology than I am at budgeting, I’m afraid.
I’ve only received one of your comments so you’re all good. I moderate the comments and some people think they keep submitting. I’m hoping when I get my new site up and running it will be an easier process to comment. Cheers Donna! Mr.CBB
Hi Mr. CBB,
I just found Dave Ramsey in September, after standing at work one day saying “I make a decent wage but where does my money go?” and not understanding why there was always more month at the end of my money. I tracked every dime in Sept-October and found that our biggest expense after mortgage is grocery costs. In October I spent $1067.53 for groceries for 5 adults (incl. 2 teenage boys who eat like every meal is their last supper!). In November I spent 967.00 (incl. Thanksgiving dinner and a birthday party) and that incl. using $158.00 of coupons and sales savings of 456.00. I was stocking up and bought far more food but only purchased items on sale, that we would actually use (no diapers in this house) and preferably with a coupon. I am far from my goal but have set a budget of $200.00/week (800/month) for December. I would like to join your game and see just how much I can trim my grocery budget over 2013. To that end, here are my expenses, thus far for December:
Shoppers Drug Mart
8 x Kraft peanut butter @3.99 (saved 32.00) = 31.92
2 x Simply foods cereal @ 2.49 (saved 2.98) = 4.98
2 x Peak Freen cookies @1.88 (saved 4.22) – (B1G1 FREE coupon) = 1.88
2 x Jane’s chicken burgers @ 5.99 (saved 8.00) = 11.98
Savings from sales = 47.20
Coupons used = 7.00
Total OOP = 50.76
No Frills
2 x cottage cheese @ 2.00 (saved 1.94) – 1.00 coupon = 2.00
2 x Ziploc sandwich bags @1.00 (saved 2.98) = 2.00
1 x lean ground beef (saved 1.43) = 4.77
Savings from sales = 6.35
Coupons used = 2.00
Total OOP = 7.60
Giant Tiger
1 x Reynold’s parchement paper @1.97 (saved .82) – 0.50 coupon = 1.47
2 x Sugar Twin brown sugar @ 2.99 – 3.00 coupon (sorry GT used Splenda coupon – Ooops!) = 2.98
4 x Maple Leaf canned chicken @ 1.00 (saved 4.68) = 4.00
1 x 5 lb clementines = 3.97
1 x frozen chicken balls (saved 1.00) = 3.97
4 x slivered almonds @ 1.00 (saved 4.00) = 4.00
2 x primo pasta @ 0.73 (saved 1.48) = 1.46
Savings from sales = 11.98
Coupons used = 3.50
Total OOP = 23.11
Metro
1 x Arm & Hammer fabric softener @2.99 (saved 3.00) = 2.99
3 x A & H laundry detergent @2.99 (saved 10.50) – 1.00 coupon = 5.97
1 x parsley = 1.99
1 x bag avocado = 1.99
1 x pork rib roast @ 2.99/lb (saved 10.37) = 8.62
Savings from sales = 23.87
Coupons used = 3.00
Total OOP = 22.72
FreshCo
3 x Sunlight Laundry detergent @ 3.97 (saved 9.00) – 1.00 coupon = 8.91
1 x Healthy Choice steamers @ 3.27 (saved 1.00) =3.27
1 x Source yogurt @3.17 – FREE WUB HC steamer (3.17) = 0.00
7 x Signal cat food @0.39 = 2.73
2 x Ziploc freezer bags @2.49 (saved 1.56) = 4.98
2 x Airwick freshmatic kit @6.99 (saved 10.00) – 5.00 off WUB 10.00 of product = 3.98 [ giving 1 as Xmas gift so deducting 6.98 from total grocery OOP]
2 x Airwick refill @4.99 (saved .96) = 9.98
1 x Bbq sauce @1.99 (saved 0.50) = 1.99
1 x salad dressing @1.69 = 1.69
1 x Bick’s Pickled beets @ 2.92 = 2.92
1 x Bick’s Sliced pickles @2.99 (saved 0.88) – 1.50 coupon = 1.49
2 x Betty Crocker cake mix @0.97 (saved 2.04) = 1.94
1 x BC frosting @1.44 (saved 0.85) = 1.44
1 x Philadelphia cream cheese @ 5.49 = 5.49
1 x Tetley tea bags @6.97 (saved 2.50) = 6.97
2 x Splenda @8.97 (saved 4.00) – 3.00 coupon = 14.94
1 x cheese slices @ 2.97 (saved 1.72) – 0.75 coupon = 2.22
1 x 1 kg Pierogies = 1.69
2 x Maple Leaf bacon @2.97 (saved 4.56) = 5.94
1 x Basa Filets = 3.99
1 x 900g cornmeal = 1.29
1 x red onion = 0.62
1 x 3 lb oranges = 3.49
1 x 5lb mini potatoes = 0.99
1 x bunch bananas = 1.27
1 x green pepper = 0.95
1 x bulb garlic = 0.16
2 x blackberries @ 1.00 = 2.00
1 x saltine crackers @2.27 (saved 0.65) = 2.27
3 x Villaggio bread @ 1.99 (saved 3.00) – 0.75 coupon = 3.72
1 x Villaggio buns @ 2.99 – 0.75 coupon = 2.24
Savings from sales = 43.22
Coupons used = 22.75
Total OOP = 110.72 – 6.98 = 103.75
Food Basics
Dec 3
1 x 4L milk @ 4.23 = 4.23
1 x ground beef = 4.90
1 x dried black beans = 1.97
1 x dried navy beans = 2.49
1 x can evap. Milk = 1.39
5 x Frank’s Hot sauce @ 3.69 (saved 3.50) – 1.00 coupon = 13.45
1 x 3 lb apples = 3.00
1 x Bbq sauce = 1.99
1 x bounce dryer sheets = 4.49
6 x Glad plastic wrap @1.00 (saved 5.94) = 6.00
6 x Aluminium foil @ 1.00 (saved 5.94) = 6.00
1 x Selection frozen corn = 2.29
1 x selection eggs = 1.69
1 x Pam @4.49 – 2.00 WUB PAM + eggs = 2.49
1 x Sunshine bread @1.50 (saved 0.67) = 1.50
1 x ?something can’t remember = 3.69
Savings from sales = 16.06
Coupons used = 7.00
Taxes = 2.36
Total OOP = 64.23
Dec 5
2 x Purina cat chow @ 6.97 – 0.50 coupon = 12.94
2 x 4 L skim milk @ 4.47 = 8.94
1 x McCain Sweet Potato fries @3.29 – 1.00 coupon = 2.29
2 x Cavendish fries @1.00 (saved 0.50) = 2.00
1 x Astro Grk yogurt @ 3.49 (saved 1.00) – 1.00 coupon = 2.49
2 x frozen chicken breasts @ 2.00/lb = 11.27
2 x 2L pop @ 4/5.00 (saved 4.16) = 5.00
1 x Pam spray @ 4.49 – 2.00 WUB PAM + eggs = 2.49
1 x eggs @ 2.85 = 2.85
2 x Selection chicken wieners @1.00 (saved 1.38) = 2.00
2 x stew beef cubes (40% off = 6.49) = 9.72
1 x Selection coconut = 0.89
1 x ED Smith Sugar free syrup = 2.29
2 x Bag spinach @ 1.00 = 2.00
1 x frzn peas & carrots – 1.99
1 x French’s mustard @ 2.99 – 0.75 coupon = 2.24
2 x French’s mustard @ 2.49 (saved 1.00) – .75 coupon = 3.48
1 x Selection pancake syrup @ 1.79 (saved 0.10) = 1.79
3 x Irresistibles raisins @ 3/5.00 (saved 3.07) = 5.00
2 x carrots @ 2/3.00 = 3.00
1 x 5 lb grapefruit = 3.00
1 x seedless grapes @ 1.00/lb = 2.34
2 x lemon = 1.00
2 x tomatoes = 1.53
5 x 3.79 colgate toothbrush – 1.00 coupon = 17.95 (stocking stuffer)
2 x Ivory body wash @ 3.99 (saved 0.60) – 2.50 WUB 2 = 5.48 (stocking stuffer)
2 x Ivory body wash @ 3.99 (saved 0.60) – 2.50 WUB 2 = 5.48
4 x Irresistibles choc.bars @ 0.99 = 3.96 (stocking stuffer)
2 x Pantene hair products 3.99 (saved 2.00) – 1.00 coupon = 5.98
4 x Old spice deodorant @ 2.99 (saved 1.20) – 3.00 WUB2 = 8.96
2 x Old spice deodorant @2.99 (saved 0.60) – 3.00 WUB2 = 2.98 (stocking stuffer)
Sales savings = 22.70
Coupons used = 34.74
Total OOP = 147.37 – 30.37 (Xmas) = 117.00
Walmart
2 x Rice Krispies cereal @ 1.97 (saved 4.02) = 3.94
1 x Rice thins crackers 1.67 – 0.75 coupon = 0.92
1 x vanilla extract @ 2.27 = 2.27
1 x mini eggs candy @ 0.98 = 0.98
1 x clover leaf tuna @2.50 – 1.00 coupon = 1.50
2 x tuna snack kit @ 1.50 (saved 1.00) – 1.50 WUB 2 coupon = 1.50
1 x corn starch 2.17 – 0.75 coupon = 1.42
Sales savings = 5.02
Coupons used = 4.00
Total OOP = 12.53 Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results for Mr. and Mrs. CBB
Total Grocery Budget for the Week: $200.00 (For the month of Dec)
Total Coupons Used this Week: $83.99
Total savings from sales purchases: $176.40
Total Scanning Code of Practice: $0
Total Spent This Week: $337.48
Total Spent So Far for December: $337.48
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $N/A this month
Total Over/Under spend for the month of December: $N/A this month
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $462.52
Total Coupons Used This Month : $83.99
Hi Donna!
Welcome to The Grocery Game Challenge! So you tracked your every expense in September and October, congratulations to you. Not many people take the plunge and want to learn where all their hard earned money is going. They just hope they have enough to go around each month. Wow, that’s one big grocery bill every month!! I’m glad you came on board because I’m almost positive you should be able to drop that expense to the $800 goal you have set for yourself. What are you plans to stick to your new budget for December? I always find it helps when I plan and then it just gets easier every month. I like how you track your savings from sales that’s awesome that you can do that. How do you do that? Do you write all the reg prices down as you shop? Looking forward to your shops as I”m sure the rest of the players are!!! You get ballot #3!!! Happy Shopping Donna! Mr.CBB
Hey Mr.CBB, you are an inspiration as always. I am sure you 7 the Mrs. will resist the urge to over spend (even if your budget is mall) here is my first shop for the month.
Walmart
3-dove mousse @ $4.77 – FPC
6 – Cans of Tuna @ $6.94 – FPC
1- m&M peanuts @ $.68 – FPC
Total oop was -$3.00 (dove had coupons for $1 off, that cashier insisted on taking off total, even though I told her she can’t do that) So yes, I was paid cash for this shop.
No Frills
10- Crispers chips (holidays) @1.00 – $.50 coupons
1- lunchable with fruit @ 3.99 – $1.00 coupon
total oop $8.30
Freshco
2 pkgs sausages – $3.99 – $1.00 coupons
3 pkgs barilla pasta $.97 – $.50 & $.75 coupons
Liberte yogurt $3.99 – FPC
cheesestrings $2.97 – $.75 coupon
2 club house gravies $.77
1 club house seasoning $.99 – Fpc
Villaggio bread $1.99 – $.75 coupon
Total OOP – $12.40
Total Grocery Budget for the Week: $85.00
Total Coupons Used this Week:$43.16
Total Scanning Code of Practice: $0
Total Spent This Week:$17.70
Total Spent So Far for December: $17.70
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $-67.30
Total Over/Under spend for the month of December: $N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $322.30
Total Coupons Used This Month : $43.16
Stacey!!
Where have you been my dear? Glad to hear from you. You got a better deal than I did on the Barilla I didn’t know Freshco had it on sale.. good for you. I haven’t found the VIllagio Coupons yet, not sure I will but still keeping optimistic. You used a good amount of coupons this week and hardly spent anything. Is this the only grocery shop you do all week? What do you do with the excess money do you carry it over to the next week? Looking forward to read your shops Stacey! Cheers Mr.CBB You get Ballot #2 in our monthly contest.
I did use a fair amount of coupons this week. I didnt really need much. So I was lucky. I did however forget to add something. I order a veggie box every month, which is $15. My fridge is jammed with fruits & veggies.
Yes, I do carry the amount over. There are only 3 of us in the house now, but my 17 year old son eats dor the equivalent of 3 grown men. So my budget has only been able to come down $15/week.
Let’s see what next week looks like. Lol. When it’s my weekend with the kids.
Cheers mate!
Hey Stacey,
At least you were able to get the budget down $15 a week, good for you. Amazing what us blokes can eat when we are growing boys. lol.
I think that we spend about the same amount on groceries. However, we are not the ones doing the holiday hosting. We do spend a lot more on travel than normal, however, because we drive 1600 miles.
It seems if it’s not in one area it’s in another in the budget. We travel as well and do baking but we don’t have to buy any food. I did load up on booze this month just in case my mates pop around like they normally do but it will last me all year. I don’t drink much.. but I do like my beer.
I save my PC Points all year and then use them to buy our holiday meal groceries.
We love PC points and save ours as well. You can’t go wrong with PC in our eyes! Mr.CBB
Depending on what you have in the house you might be able to do it but the killer might be the fresh stuff like milk and such. That was pretty much what I had to pick up today…….. I’m doing the numbers for Christmas gifts for us. Hubby wanted to do an Amazon order today so those amounts are on there. I still have to do a Chapters order and see what I can find for our grandson then on to bagging and wrapping.When you do budget for Christmas for next year I don’t know if you might want to work in the possibility of things for a small person, if you are hoping to cover all possibilities. If that doesn’t need to be there it’s extra money for, as you said, the surprises that can pop up. Just a thought…….
You’re Welcome Christine, it’s always a pleasure to chat with you. We learned so much this year just by documenting our figures so 2013 will be a big change for us and we can’t wait. We really want to save some money and get renovations done around here. Mr.CBB
Once school is done I may have to try this. I’ve been a little lazy about my couponing, I think it’s time to start trying harder. We want to eat healthier and January always has such good deals on healthy choices. Good luck with the rest of your month.
Yes, please do join in. I don’t care about the people who want to say people who use coupons eat unhealthy. Frankly I don’t waste my time any more as clearly they just don’t get that a dollar saved is better than a kick in the ass. There are coupons for every day staples that most of the people against coupons use and if they want to pay full price or just sale price.. it’s their money… full stop! I look forward to you posting your shops… as do all the rest of us! It’s a great way to spread the word about your page as well. Mr.CBB
I use coupons and still try to eat healthier – so it can be done.
I know Adeline.. that’s all that matters. In my opinion if people don’t want to use them.. well it’s their choice, not my money being spent. Cheers my dear! Mr.CBB
I think we do a pretty good job of sticking to our grocery budget; it’s the eating out portion that we go overboard on during November and December due to the traveling. It probably helps that we don’t host any of the gatherings though. 🙂
We hardly if ever eat out but sometimes over the holidays one might not have that choice unless they are skint and can’t do it either way. We don’t host either but we do tend to spend more as there are great deals and lots of coupons to use up. example toilet paper double rolls $8.49 on sale $2.88 and we had lots of $1.00 coupons… Would you say coupons are useless then? Probably not, but some people who say they are… really are closing their eyes to money in their pockets.. As for time, well these were at the shop so no effor required! Cheers mate. Mr.CBB
This depresses me… why can’t we have more coupons in the UK? 🙁 …. Mind you, I would probably become a little obsessed!!!
When Mum and Dad were here visiting they were literally shocked at our stockpile and the prices of food and how many coupons we have.
Dude, Canada is nothing compared to the US for coupons! Here in NS I really have to search for coupons and we get no coupon match-ups or anything like that. Some stores won’t even allow you to use coupons if the item is on sale.
NS being Nova Scotia I presume?? Yes I know couponing in the USA is so different here in Canada. That’s what pisses me off about that extreme couponing show. People have this mindset that we run out and get 300 chocolate bars and crap in our trolly when it’s FAR from the truth. That show is for entertainment purposes only and those people that do what they do well not everyone does that. We can’t here in Canada and if it were us it would be tonnes of toilet paper, shampoo, soap, deoderant etc.. these items cost a fortune and if we can save a buck, you’re damn right we will! Sucks that some shops won’t let you use coupons and sales… haven’t run into that problem yet. Cheers Catherine…
Is that ME?!! Yipee Kay Aye! Went back to bed this morning and then got up to read this and saw my name! It’s a great December! Toot toot! It can be done with some healthier alternatives and organics in the budget, I refuse to back down hehe 😉
Yes Adeline that’s you!! Congratulations.. send me your address!! Here’s to an awesome 2013! Mr.CBB
I am looking forward to those cookie posts. Probably too much…Lol! 🙂 We do tend to spend more on groceries in November and December, but we generally have extra left over that the end of each month, so it all balances out. Since we’ve made our switch to shopping every 10-11 days as opposed to once a week we find that we’re having an extra $50-100 per month left over easily. That has allowed us to stock up a bit more as well as get some extra stuff for the Holidays we did not plan on.
In Jan we are going to change our approach to the grocery game challenge. We will carry over any over or underspends to the following month so it does balance out. I’m not one to guess or think I want to know exactly what the numbers are. I look at it like a business. If the account only guessed how long would the business survive? MR.CBB
Good luck on your goal this month! I think the hardest part will be resisting the sales/coupons that you come across. 🙂
I wrapped up November already, and was over a bit for the month. This week’s shop just includes the past few days:
Mom 40.00
Walmart
Soup (x2) 1.32
Bananas 1.98
Cauliflower (x2) 5.94
Total Coupons
Total Out of pocket 9.24
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $200.00
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0.00
Total SCOP : $0.00
Total Spent This Week: $49.24
Total Spent So Far for December: $49.24
Total Over/Under spend this shop: -$0.76
Total Over/Under spend for the month of December: -$0.76
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $150.76
I spend a lot of money on soup. 🙂 I actually make my own broth, but I always buy cream of whatever soups when the recipes call for it, but maybe its better to just use my own broth and add cream to it, hey? Wonder if that is cheaper; less chemicals anyways.
We are attending a couple pot-lucks this month, so it should be interesting to see how that affects the grocery budget!
Have a good week Mr. CBB!
Hey Vicky…
First in for the month!!! I think that’s just it with sales and coupons this time of year it can be tempting and that’s why we want to designate a category for stockpiling but not for every week grocery use. If it doesn’t get used it goes to savings. You did well this week but the potlucks can be super easy as there are tonnes of recipes you could bring. I might even have something on the blog…. Cheers Vicky… let the partying begin!!! Mr.CBB You get ballot #1
Haha. I’m so ironic aren’t I? I think it’s fantastic, promote it on my own blog yet haven’t do it yet. I know I suck. I will start soon I PROMISE.
They will come haunt you… I promise… we won’t give up on you!!! lol.. It will make a difference.. all of us noticed so we can’t be wrong, right ha! Cheers mate. MR.CBB and thanks for mentioning The GGC yesterday!