The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 24-30, 2012~Boxing Day
Boxing Day Deals kept piling up in our shopping cart today but that’s OK we planned to pick up some great deals and we did. Not everyone fancies going out for boxing day but for us we were pretty sure it would save us some money. I’m guessing many of the people working on boxing day were just as anxious to pick up deals. Our cashier at Canadian Tire told us that she wants to pick up a few things after her shift if there’s anything left. There was a great deal today spend $60 and get a $15 spending card so I don’t blame her. They were pretty much throwing money back at us and we used every bit of it. We planned to be at Sears for 6 am when they opened but that didn’t happen. Laziness kicked in and we just didn’t give a toss when we got there because we thought if we find what we want great but we’re not running out at stupid-o-clock for a deal. We finally made it out by noon with a Tim Horton’s coffee in hand and made our way to the mall, Sears, Value Village and Canadian Tire. I personally don’t see the difference opening so early and why regularly scheduled hours are any different. The customers will come whether it’s 6 am or 9 am because if there’ s money to be saved they will come knocking.
Since we are away on holiday for Christmas we won’t be buying any food this week. We also will be taking home tonnes of leftover food from the relatives that will keep us going for a few days. There’s nothing wrong with leftovers in our house. We ate some pretty awesome food this week including a panettone eggie bread with maple syrup. If you want this elegant holiday recipe keep an eye on the blog so you don’t miss it.
This is the final grocery game challenge post for December 2012 and I’ll be posting the winner in first grocery game post for January. If you read the grocery game rules again you will see I made changes to the template. I added in some other figures that Mrs.CBB and I want to track for 2013. I typically ask for the posters to copy paste the template at the end of their shop so I can see the numbers. This is not only for me and other fans but for you to track your progress all year-long.
I can’t believe almost an entire year has passed since we start posting the grocery game. I’ve had some amazing fans jump aboard and post their shops with me to help them stick to their grocery budget. So many people would email me to ask me the same question “how much should my grocery budget be?” and the answer is simple.. depends on your overall budget and what’s left after paying your fixed costs. I know with 2013 just around the corner that our budget will increase for food which means we will work even harder this year to come up with frugal recipes along with sticking to the budget. I hope you hop on board with all of us. Tell your friends about the grocery game so they too can save money in the budget. This is the place where we motivate each other to stick to the second highest cost in the household, groceries.
Our Purchases
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 1x Milk $4.19
- Total Out of Pocket $4.19
Our Grocery Game Challenge Results
- Total Grocery Budget for the
Week:$84.23 (For the month of Dec) - Total Coupons Used this Week:$0
- Total Scanning Code of Practice: $0
- Total Spent This Week:$4.19
- Total Spent So Far for December: $24.28+38.36+$4.19+$4.19=$71.02
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $N/A this month
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $13.21
- Total Coupons Used This Month : $8.54+23.57=$32.11
Overall: We spent under budget this month but that’s ok as we know we spent more on groceries over the course of the year than we should have. I’ll have the final numbers in an upcoming post as well as our plan for 2013. It’s going to be a better year for us now that we know our spending habits. How about you?
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.
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- The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 17-23,2012 Hot Stuff That Tabasco! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 3- Dec 9, 2012 Festive Preparation (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
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our weekly budget is $100
kinda got suckered by a few deals and will try to save up for them next year
Shoppers
$1.97×2-bogo C peek freans
.57×2 gravy mix
$2.97 lindor box
$3.97 quality street box
.97×2 granola bars
.97 terrys chocolate
$13.35 total oop
$1.97 total coupons
Sobeys
$1.01 tomato
$1.59 lettuce
$14.48 ground beef
$1.25×3 chips
$2.49 bugles
$3×2 chips
$4.29-fpcwub2chips cheese dip
$1.99 whipped topping
$2.99×2-$1.50C butter
$1.99 frozen veg
$39.90 total oop
$5.79 total coupons
$53.25 weekly total oop
$7.76 weekly total coupons
$423.23 monthly total oop
$379.65 monthly total coupons
I still had $26.77 left of my $450 monthly budget. I was worried that I had gone over!
Hi Juanita!
We made changes to our grocery budget to reflect the avg money we spent in 2012. If we don’t use it all then we don’t if we do then we do. We will be loading up on coffee which will kill our budget but we won’t have to buy it all year and we have a coupon to go along with the deal so why not. Hang in there you will rock 2013!!! Cheers mate.. The contest is over for Dec grocery game so I won’t be handing out a ballot. The first GG of January is now UP!!!! Mr.CBB
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.
Zehrs
Canada Dry Gingerale (12’s) – sale 4x$2.69
French’s Fried Onion – 2x$1.99
Milk – $4.49
Dinner rolls – $1.99
Romaine Lettuce – $1.99
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $24.61
Walmart
Fruite drink – 2x$1.37
Delissio pizza – $3.97 (will get $2 back from checkout 51)
Mozzarella sticks – $5.00
GV frozen meal – 2 x$1.00 (for when the picky 6 year old doesn’t like dinner)
Juice boxes – $2.97
Cottonelle TP – sale 2x$6.77
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $32.34
Freschco
Fresh Parsley – $.99
Green pepper – $.68
Red pepper – $2.72
Orange pepper – $.99 (didn’t realize cashier rang it in wrong)
Jalapeno pepper – $.11
Raspberries – sale $1.99
Pears – $3.56
Apples – $3.76
Cabbage – $1.29
Cheese spread – $2.69
Kidney beans – $1.69
Dried Lentals – $2.49
Saurkraut – $1.99
Rice Whole Grain – $3.49
Crescent rolls – $1.25 (will get .50 back from Checkout 51)
Perogies – $1.69
Cosmic cakes – $1.99 (for the 6 yr old)
1lb Lean Ground beef – sale 2x$2.99
WongWing Spring rolls – $4.49
Bacon – $3.49
Source Yogurt – sale $4.97
Tositos chips – sale $1.88 (will get $1.50 back from Checkout 51)
Tositos salsa – sale $1.88 (will get $1.00 back from Checkout 51)
Dinner Rolls – $2.49
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $58.92
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $350
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
•Total Spent This Week:$115.87
•Total Spent So Far for December: $336.69
•Total Over spend this shop: $35.10
•Total Under spend for the month of December: $13.31
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $13.31
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $6.00+$34.51+$8.98=$49.49
So I surprisingly made it through another month under budget. Thought I would be over due to the Christmas baking and the food I made for our family get together. I also bought a few finger foods for New Years which I don’t normally buy. For next year, my goals are to try to make more homemade food as opposed to buying convenience foods, use more coupons, and to eat out a bit less. I am liking the new way we will be doing the Grocery Game challenge for 2013 with keeping track of the budget over the year. Hope everyone has a happy New Year!!
Hi Joanna!
I’m glad you did well this month. Yes 2013 will be easier to track month to month and I just posted the first post for 2013 now with memories of 2012. Like you we will be creating more food at home from items that are not convenience foods. We want to stick to the basics and make great meals with lots of broths, vegetables, meats and grains… should be one heck of a year!!! Happy New Year! Mr.CBB
Well hadn’t planned on spending much this week…..but we decided to throw a last-minute birthday party for our sons first birthday as I managed to get the weekend off last minute so had to purchase extra food for the party. Included th food in my grocery budget which has caused me to go over. When I write my budget this week I think I will have to make a birthday category. I managed to buy a tablet for myself on boxing day which was my Xmas and birthday gift foyer myself from hubby. He had a 100 dollar gift card from work and I had the same from My work so only came to 125 out of pocket for a really nice one. Also picked up a new tree as our this year was ready to retire. A 200 dollar tree for 55. And new decorations all under 20 dollars. Here’s my shop.
Superstore
Birthday cake 31.99
Bacon 2.97
Carrots and celery 5.03-2.52÷2.51
Carrots and celery:5.07-2.54=2.53
Cucumber 1.68
Lettuce 1.28
No coupons
Total =43.99
Shoppers drug mart
Coke 2.77
Christmas train 15.00 lol
Pepsi 2.77
Paper towels 1.99
Bag of bubble gum 2.79×2=5.58
Energy drinks 2.00×2=4.00
Cookies 1.48×3=4.47
Air wick refills 5.489×2=10.98=5.00=5.98
Chips 1.99×2=3.98
Cat food 5.49-.50c=4.99
Toilet paper 3.99×2=7.93_3.00coupons=4.98
Kleenex 0.69×2=1.38
Dr pepper 2.77×2=5.54-2.00 coupon = 3.54
Gingerly 2.77
Baby wipes 10.99-1 dollar coupon=9.99
Total=84.75
Total coupons=11.50
That was mostly birthday supplies….I did go on a 20x points day which was great and I saved 95.57 that day from sales and coupons
Wal-Mart
Pizzas 5.00×3=15.00
Baby snacks 2.49×2=4.98_1.00coupon=3.98
Homogeneous milk 5.49
Lysol 3.00
Garbage bags 6.97
Pasta sauce 1.00×2=2.00
Frozen dinners 1.77×2=3.54
Ice cream 2.97
Fries 2.00
Fabric freshener 4.97
Glade refills 3.47
Glade solids 0.50×4=2.00
Glade refills 5.00×2=10.00_5.00 coupon=5.00
Fabric softener 5.97
Fleece sheets 2.00×2=4.00
Air freshner 1.00×2=2.00
Cleaning wipes 2.00
Baby pacifiers 3.00
Crisper 1.25×2=2.50-1.00 in coupons=1.50
Chips 2.49
Nacho chips 1.88
Salsa 1.88
Cheese sauce 1.88
Pickles 3.27
Ketchup 2.13
Pepsi lime 2.99
Total=107.78
Total coupons equals 7.00
Total grocery budget for the week:135.00
Total coupons for week:18.50.
Total scop :none
Total spent for December:556.84
Total over spend this week: 109.46
Nothing left to spend
So I was only over this month by 16.84. Not too bad considering my cleaning cupboard was empty and most of the stuff I bought was for the party. At least now I will make sure to plan ahead. Sometime you can’t help things last-minute. Woo hoo and hopefully I will continue to save next year.
Hi Joanne,
That’s what we would call a projected expense in our budget. So we have a category called Birthdays for example. In that category we figure how many cards, stamps and gifts ( we give cash to the kids since they are in the UK) and any other odds and ends for us as a couple birthday dinner out, cards, gift.. we estimate this cost. Then let’s say it comes out to $1000 a year /12= $83.33 a month that we set aside in a seperate savings account. When a birthday comes up we buy what we need and keep the receipts of course. At the end of the week I transfer the money from one account to the other. You can do this monthly as well. The point is that you are saving every month for these expenses so you don’t have to wonder where the money is coming from. You will see in my post tomorrow about what we do and how much per year of our budget is a projected expense. I’m sure glad we do it. Keep up the good work you were over this month but not by much at all you must be proud. Next year you can track your grocery budget from Jan-Dec and you will know your numbers along the way. I updated the template in the grocery game rules so you can see more numbers all year long… use that template starting in January!!! HappY New Year!!! You get ballot #38.. Mr.CBB
By the way…no there is no Boxing Day in the US.
For the week of Dec 17-23 ( I forgot to post this)
*** NO SHOP WEEK***
Our Grocery Budget for 2 Adults: $190 per month…
$190/4 = $47.50 per week
with at least 4 no shop weeks per year!
We have spent this month = $47.29+ $130.47= $177.66 for the first 3 weeks of December so we are still $35.16 OVER at the end of this third week in December.
Note: I had planned to be away the last week in December and using “vacation funds” instead of buying groceries. I had lots of free meals coupons all set up & every day 2 meals were included in the room reservation but since we didn’t get away, I did actually pick up a few things. It also means that instead of finishing the year under budget, I finished a little over, darn it all! 🙁
I had some funds set aside in our vacation budget for restaurant meals while we were away so I used $55 of those funds to purchase both a fruit and vegetable platter to take to our Christmas dinner with friends. Seeing as it didn’t come to our house, I used the restaurant funds and didn’t count it in as a grocery shop. To me, it’s like dining out. I also plan to have a New Years Eve lunch with Larry’s mother & sister…that wasn’t part of the plans when we were going away either but the “vacation restaurant meals” budget will cover that too.
For the week of Dec 24-30th
Our Grocery Budget for 2 Adults: $190 per month…
$190/4 = $47.50 per week
with at least 4 no shop weeks per year!
Save On Foods – Shop #1
1 bag of fresh Cranberries (on sale) $1.49 ** Also got a rain check for more **
4 Motts Clamato (on sale) $10.00
4 Yams (on sale) $5.81
Bottle Deposit $0.80
Recycle Fee $0.24
Total OOP on SOF #1 $18.34
Safeway – Shop #1
2 cartons Lucerne Ice Cream (with coupon) $5.00
Total Coupon Savings $5.16
Total OOP on Safeway #1 $5.00
Save On Foods – Shop #2
1 pkg rice flour $2.89 – next time I will do bulk!
1 pkg (2 lbs) Sirloin Tip Steak $13.27 (for stew for 5 meals for 2 adults)
Total OOP on SOF #2 $16.16
This week we spent $18.34 + $ 5.00 + $16.16 = $39.50 and are therefore we are UNDER $8.00 on the week.
BUT, we have spent this month = $47.29 + $130.47 + $0.00 + $39.50 = $217.26 for the 4 weeks so we are $ 27.26 OVER for the month of December.
I can live with that…it is after all the holiday season! 🙂
Hi Mary,
Well it’s a good thing you have the vacation meal money to use up for these gatherings which is fine as far as I’m concerned as it was going to be spent either way. That was a great deal for cranberries, wow I would have picked up a rain check as well. What do you use your rice flour for? You didn’t do that bad at all in Dec.. but in 2013 we have a plan like you and Larry to carry over the overspends to the next month. It only makes sense when we set a yearly budget we should stick to it. So if we are over one week or one month we will carry that overage to the next to catch up. Thanks for that tip! You get ballot #35 and 36!! Happy New Year Mate!!!! Mr.CBB
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 year old toddler. Our budget is $100/week and includes baby items, laundry, health/beauty, etc.
I am carrying over $160.45 from last week to use for Christmas.
RCSS
BD cheese bar (PM) 3 x $3.97 – 3 x $.75 coupons
Catelli lasagna noodles $2.79 – FPC
Del Monte veggies 3 x $.77
IOGO drinkable yogurt 2 x $1.19 – 2 x $1.00 coupons
Mini Wheat $4.97 – FPC
NN chicken broth $1.79
NN tuna $1.07
OR smartpop popcorn (PM) 4 x $2.77 – 4 x $2.00 coupons – $2.00 Checkout 51 (makes them $.27 each!)
PC mac & cheese 2 x $.99
Goldfish crackers (PM) 3 x $1.47
Source yogurt (PM) $4.97 – $.50 coupon
VH sauce (PM) $2.27 (bought for my sister who will be paying me back)
Old Mill bagels $1.50 – 50% pink sticker $.75
Banana’s $1.35
Broccoli (PM) 2 x $.79
Onions $1.77
Tomatoes (PM) $.70
Shaving cream 6 x $2.00 – 6 x $2.00 coupons
Coupons $30.51
CD $7.06
OOP $34.13 (forgot to use what is left of my gift cards but oh well! Lol)
I noticed that I have $52 worth of PC Points I can redeem if I’d like!
Costco (my cousin went for me)
Huggies Baby Wipes (1120ct) $20.49
OOP $22.00
Fresh Co
Distilled water 2 x $.97
Dempster’s bread (PM) $1.76 – $1.00 coupon
Coupons $1.00
OOP $2.70
RCSS
Rolls $2.48
OOP $2.48
RCSS
Cream cheese (PM) 3 x $1.99 – $4.00 (Checkout 51)
Royale TP (PM) 2 x $3.99 – 2 x $2.00
Coupons $4.00
CD $1.40
OOP $9.48
RCSS
Eggs $2.89
CD $.29
OOP $2.60
$34.13 + $22.00 + $2.70 + $2.48 + $9.48 + $2.60=$73.39
•Total Grocery Budget for the Week: $100.00
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $35.51
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $- So not a gift card you bought $0
•Total Spent This Week:$73.39
•Total Spent So Far for (insert month): I budget weekly and not monthly for groceries
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $26.61
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of December: $187.06
•Weekly Overview: I guess I did really well for December with my grocery budget! Yay! (too bad I didn’t do so well in other areas lol)
I tried your template this week but I found a lot of them not applicable to me so I omitted them 🙂 I do my grocery budget weekly instead of monthly. I did this when I first started budgeting as I didn’t know any better. I guess if it’s a problem I could start budgeting monthly for 2013.
Hi Jen,
Yes that is correct so not a gift card you bought one that you received so it helps lower your total. The total spent so far (insert month) is simply to state what month we are in not when you shop. The total under or over spend put over $26.61 or under $26.61 or alternatively you can use +/- Same goes with the total for the month ..because I don’t know if you are over or under $187.06. You can budget an amount for the month which you do $400 and shop weekly that’s no big deal. What are your plans for your grocery budget for 2013? You get ballot # 34! New GG for 2013 is going up tomorrow!!! Yay!! Mr.CBB Happy New Year to you and your family Jen!!
Finally got the time to do this….All at Foodland as usual, didn’t get out of town.
Dec 24
2 cans pineapple@ .99- 1.98
2 packages frozen veggies @1.97- 3.94
1 plum sauce-2.98
1 s/s stir fry sauce-2.99
1 box taco shells-2.99
1 Havarti slices- 3.49, minus 50% or 1.75
1 raisin bread-3.79
1 cider mix- 3.99
1 ice cream-3.99
3 blocks cheese@ 4.44- 13.32
1 4l milk- 4.79
1 jug water-5.49
1 small pork roast-9.69
1 pack smokes-9.69
Total-$70.42, with 1.75 in coupons
Dec 28
1 tomato soup-.88
2 cans pasta sauce@1.33– 2.66
1 Oasis juice-2.49, 1.25 coupon
2 packs pasta@ 2.49- 4.98
1 Triscuits- 2.79
2 4l milk@ 4.79- 9.58
1 jug water- 5.49
Total- $27.62, 1.25 coupons
Total for the week- $98.04, so I was under $51.96, with $3.00 in coupons. This total puts me at over by $186.01 for the month. Ouch!!! Really need to work on this!!! I’ll try to get one of the boys to load the template you would like us to use. See where that gets me. I made stock with the remains of the turkey and got 4-3 cup containers of stock plus the bags of meat so that is nice to have in the freezers. My plan for the new year I think, is to try to stay the same amount or less while still stocking up but trying more recipes to add variety to the menus. See where it gets me but if I have to revise it later so be it. If I can hold the line or less through the year maybe I can do some stocking up for the holidays as we go along so it isn’t such a hit to the budget…..
Hi Christine,
That is a big ouch.. what do you plan to do in 2013 to make sure this doesn’t happen even if it is only at Christmas? Should you budget some extra money each month in your budget like a projected expense like we do and save it in an account so come time you need to use it the money is there? I love that you want to try new recipes as cooking homemade and with variety will open up doors and potentially save more money. If you need any help let me know!!! Happy New Year.. tomorrow is the first GG of 2013~~ Mr.CBB You get ballot #33
Last shop of 2012. I had 44.71 remaining in my $350 monthly budget, which includes food, dog food, and household items for a family of three plus two dogs.
Safeway
Bananas 1.39-.35 Just 4U
2.34 lbs Black Grapes 7.0f0 (ouch)
Celery .44
Whole pineapple 2 x 1.99
Fresh green beans 3.99-1.49
3 lbs apples 3.99-1.49 Just 4U
Mixed Greens 2.99-.49-1.25 coupon
Romaine Lettuce 2.99-.49-1.25 coupon
2 x Oscar Meyer turkey 3.34-1.36 Just 4U
Eggs 1.99-.40 Just 4 U
2 x Almond Milk 6.38-1.50 Just 4U
Diet Pepsi 20pk 5.99-.99
Safeway Marshmallows 1.89-.64-.26 Just 4U
Lays Chips 3.49-1.00
Quaker Granola Bars 3.49-.99
Pringles 2.29-.62
Triscuits crackers 3.99-2.11
Wheat Thins crackers 3.99-2.11
Ghiradelli chocolate chips 4.29-1.29-.75 Just 4U
1 chicken tender for hungry child stretched past lunch time 1.36-.22
30lb Beneful Dog Food 33.79-2.20
Tax 4.48
Total Spent 84.37
Coupons Used 2.50
Card Savings 16.64
Just 4U Savings 6.02
Total Savings 25.16
WalMart
6 pk bar soap 4.18
Dove Intensive Repair conditioner 4.48
Goodnews 18pk razors 10.97
Equate Night Cream 4.67
Oil of Olay UV Face Cream 6.47
3 Travel tubes approved for airline travel 3x .97
Vaseline 1.47
Tax 3.90
Total spent: 38.08
Total saved:0
Total Grocery Budget for the Week: $ 44.71
Total Savings this Week:$25.16
Total Spent This Week:$122.45
Total Spent So Far for December: $427.74
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $74.74 over budget 🙁
Well I crashed and burned. Pull out the bamboo shoots. I spent too much on Christmas dinner this month and had to buy dog food twice because we are leaving town. We aren’t quite out, but I didn’t want the dog sitters to have to worry about having to buy some while we’re gone. I also had to buy some toiletries that I haven’t needed for a while. The good new is that I shouldn’t have to buy any dog food next month. I am going to take this overage and subtract from next month, so I only can spend $275.26 in January. Game on.
Hey Kim,
That’s the way to do it mate. That’s what we are doing. If we set a grocery budget for the year of let’s say $2000.00 we should stick to it. It can’t be oh well we went over this month we will do better next month. The next month should minus what you overspent the month before that’s making it better by sticking to the yearly budget as well as the monthly> This is what we are doing because in 2012 we didn’t do that. We simply said we would do better next month which was wrong in our eyes. Let’s rock 2013 Kim!!!! Cheers mate!! Happy New Year! Mr.CBB
Sounds like a great way to reduce the grocery bill! Happy Boxing Day Mr. CBB!
It certainly has been an awesome year! Cheers! Mr.CBB
Mmmm leftover turkey sandwiches with gravy on top! Always a holiday favourite. I can barely manage to eat though with all of the rich things I’ve had over the past few days!
Time for me to get back to routine, that’s for sure..
I don’t stay in the loop very well, so forgive my stupid questions.
Is this “boxing day” thing only in Canada or is it in the US as well? I’ve never really heard of it until a few bloggers mentioned it recently.
It’s nice to hear that you saved some money though! I wouldn’t have gotten up at 6 AM either but maybe they do that so the people that do have to work can get in early and get a few days before they have to go to the office.
I presume it’s in the USA as it is in the UK. It’s basically the day after Christmas sales where retailers slash prices.. we picked up some great deals!!!
Hi CBB
Next year I shall be using your template. Till then deal with my own here.
Family of seven with budget of $300. a month, two dogs and two cats.
This weeks spending:
Budget amount : $300.00
Start Amount over already for this month : $ -9.65
Coupons used this trip: $16.00
Total Amount Spent this trip : $28.74
Total Amount over for the month of December:$-38.39
Foodland
Turkey 25.00- 16 turkey bucks 9.00
No Frills
milk 2 x 4.23 8.46
Dog food 8kg plus tax 11.28
Total 28.74
I would love to have done some special shopping yesterday but cannot muster the crowds of cars, people , line ups. The anxieties of it all would make me sick on the spot. However I did have to take my elderly parents grocery shopping at No Frills at 10am ( opening time) and It was dead there. Dad got all kinds of specials on sale including a lot of different nuts, and pies. He has dementia and loves to purchase enjoyable things. I spent the trip with two small children returning items out of his cart. He already has three pies in the freezer doesn’t need more!
We don’t celebrate the holidays with gifts but rather family time. My family gets together on the 29th and 30th all pot luck meals, with lots of free activities like hiking, pond skating,skiing, making snowman, and sitting around eating dad’s nuts.With huge families this is the way to go.
Farmgirl
Hi Farmgirl!
Yes that’s fine. I’ll be posting the grocery game on Monday next week as I have a $100 Cash Giveaway and post on Tuesday so I swaped the posts out. You will read all about our grocery budget changes on Monday in the GGC and on Tues our family budget updates with the contest. We didn’t get much for boxing day and really we went to Sears and value village just quieter places. I think it’s great you don’t have gifts during the holidays it not only is less stress but really stresses the value of family and love. Happy New Year to you and your family and I hope you are as excited for 2013 as I am!!!! Ya! Cheers Mr.CBB you get ballot #29!
We love us some leftovers as well! Hope you had a great holiday!
All i got in boxing day specials was the laundry stuff Canadian Tire had on for 2.99….got 2 and had coupons to bring it down to 1.99, plus some tape for wrapping, a tree bag for next year and a seagrass basket for the livingroom. Had a $5.00 coupon from the little boxes of Lindt chocolates they gave out the last time they had the scratch and win coupons….. I’ll get to the grocery lists Friday or so after we make it home from London tomorrow…… Looking forward the recipe!!!!
Did you take advantage of the spend $60 get a $15 spending card today? Recipe will be up soon!!! Cheers Christine!
No I didn’t spend that much… We’ve been really watching the money and the deals weren’t that great…. But laundry detergent we use so it was worth it there, besides the coupons expire the end of the month so it was nice to use them up!!,
I would love to play the Grocery Game. Where do I make my weekly/monthly posts?
Hi,
There is a link in the blog post you just read to the Grocery Game rules which explains it all and with the template to use each time you post. You post in the comment section of the post. Cheers and looking forward to your shops. Mr.CBB