The Grocery Game Challenge #3 April 15-21, 2013- Can Your Budget Handle The Low GI Diet?
Low GI Diet and our budget are the two topics of The Grocery Game Challenge this week. Mrs.CBB is making some changes to her diet moderated by our doctor. She wants to make the changes in order to keep her insulin levels down while eating a healthy balanced diet low in fat and refined carbohydrates and sugars.
Diabetes and heart disease run in her family and now that we are in our 30’s she wants to make sure that she is doing all she can to keep fit and healthy. If you read the blog you know we quit smoking and that itself has had great advantages for us health-wise and in the budget saving us money from not buying smokes and cheap life insurance. My point is if we have to make changes in our life for the good it can be done with determination.
This is also a great opportunity for us to see how this impacts not only our grocery budget but others as well. We will work hard to keep spending only $235.00 a month on groceries as we work through this new way of eating.
What is Low GI Carbohydrates?
Well GI stands for “Glycemic Index” which is a scale that ranks how food will increase sugar levels in your blood after consuming a specific item in your diet. If you are aiming to reduce the amount of insulin in your blood it’s important to stick to a diet that includes foods that are low to moderately low on the GI scale and stay away from those that are high or choose these options less often. This is just not about low carbohydrate foods, it’s more like a low carb low GI diet.
The Low GI Diet is not as bad as it sounds because all you have to do is swap out foods you already eat to make a better choices. Mrs. CBB would have toast for breakfast but now she has a bowl of oatmeal with a boiled egg for protein. Mrs. CBB and I have always managed our diet with exercise and healthy balanced eating meaning that having a cheat day once a week was OK .
We didn’t want to jump ship and go hell for leather on chocolates if we can eat something in moderation or make better choices in our diet. That’s why some diets fail, because we restrict too much or simply don’t make the better choices for our cravings.
A low-GI diet is essentially the intelligent person’s way of healthy eating.- Rachel Anne Hill
That means all those delicious ooey gooey recipes and desserts I create in the CBB kitchen once a week will be eaten in moderation and shared with friends and family. Learning to make better choices will come slowly and we expect to make mistakes along the way. This isn’t just going to be a “diet” it’s going to be a way of life.
I really do hate saying the word “diet” because it should never be that but for the sake of what it is, I’ll do that. Another reason I believe many people fail is because of that word and if we just looked at food and exercise differently than we could jump those hurdles.
We will start to meal plan around low GI carbohydrates and different meals that we can create for the both of us. We are already creating a GI diet list of foods that we can work around. I’ll still do what I normally do to fuel up for my daily workouts because I eat more than she does.
Lean meats such as turkey and chicken are already a part of our menu although we do like our pork, lean beef and sausages once in a while. We normally always have fruit in the house and have it sliced up with yogurt but she will start to eat more bran (oh, great) by topping her desserts with it or having it for breakfast.
Nothing says, get out-of-the-way like a big bowl of bran! Low glycemic meals such as sweet potato, broccoli, and a chicken breast seasoned with lime, extra virgin olive oil, garlic and ginger is one simple low GI meal she has created. Learning to be a pantry magician like my friend Karen also helps to cut down on food waste and create new exciting meals your family will love.
This means she will be eating lots of beans and tonnes of vegetables while limiting her intake of high GI foods to a minimum which she is fine with. Some of my fans have recently had to make changes to what goes into their shopping cart each week such as the gluten-free diet or those that have dietary restrictions and lactose and Dairy Free.
Other diets that may impact the budget is cholesterol free, fat-free, Organic (pesticide free) or vegetarian and vegan. There are probably many others that I’ve not touched on but they all impact the way we eat, what we eat and most of all cost of the grocery budget.
What Foods Are High GI Carbohydrates?
It’s important to talk to your doctor or dietician to find out what’s right for you. We were just as shocked to find out that some of the foods that we had in our house such as Rice Krispies were a big, No-no in the diet.
Those pretzels the wife used to enjoy snacking on are no longer in our grocery cart or in our pantry. If she wants something to nibble on she will have to fill her hunger with low GI snacks instead of grabbing pretzels To be fair she hasn’t bought them in ages but it’s that mindset that they are baked, low-fat so they must be good for me that gets people all the time.
Here are a few other high gi food but far from a master list:
- Baked potato (she’s sad about this but will replace with sweet potato)
- French Fries
- Bran Flakes (who knew?)
- White bread
- Soda Crackers
- Corn Flakes
You are probably wondering what she is going to eat now but like most people who are given foods to stay away from it can get overwhelming. We’ve spent the week reviewing foods she can include and types of easy meals she can make that are low on the GI scale.
For the most part we already eat these foods so it won’t be a shock to the system and it won’t be a hassle to cook different meals which takes a bit of the dietary restriction stress away from the both of us. I think when someone has to make abrupt changes to their diet it can be just as bad as quitting smoking because you crave certain foods all the time.
What Foods are Low GI Carbohydrates?
This is only a few of the foods she will eat but she pretty much has always included them in her meals except for the pumpernickel and the sweet potato. I’m sure as we learn more about other foods we will keep adding to the list and the meal planning.
- Lentils (no bun with the Sloppy lentil Joe replaced with pumpernickel or pita
- Pumpernickel (not the boat load we bought in this weeks shop)
- Barley
- Sweet Potato
- Chickpeas
- Kidney Beans
- 100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat
- Oat Bran
There are some foods she can consume in moderation as they are medium GI such as pita, rye, oatmeal, cous-cous, sweet corn, Basmati rice, whole wheat, popcorn etc. She will also make sure not to skip meals which at the best of times she’s great at doing. All the meals she will eat are going to be small portions and will complimented with a protein to better regulate the impact of the carbs in her system.
Low GI Shopping Tips- The Budget
Since we already eat plenty of the foods on the GI index it’s important to remember as always your number one tip is to stick to the plan. If you have a shopping list that you prepared don’t go off and fill your shopping cart with foods you don’t need in your body. If you bring food home that you aren’t supposed to have, you will eat it.
If you have to shop for others in your household make sure you stock your pantry with foods you can eat so you are not tempted to eat the foods you should not. You will also spend more than intended in your budget because you start to buy products that just shouldn’t be included.
For a more extensive list of tips and ideas check out Rachel Anne Hill the Low GI Guru for everything you need to know about the Low GI Diet!
Are you on a Low GI Diet? What tips can you share to help us out?
The Grocery Game Challenge
This is the Third Grocery Game Challenge for April 2013~~ Post your Shop and you might be our next Grocery Game Winner! Each week I will post the GGC Posts for the month below so you can click, post and catch up! You have all month to post your shops.
The Grocery Game Challenge for us was started to motivate us to save money and stay under the grocery budget each month. We never said we were perfect and this month will prove that. I’m sure after today’s math we will be over budget and although it saddens us we know we will have to do better next month. Any overage we will carry into the next month and try to catch back up for our yearly grocery budget total.
Grocery Game Weeks for April
April
- Week 1 ~1-7 The Grocery Game Challenge #1 April 1-7, 2013 Price Comparison Grocery List
- Week 2 ~8-14 The Grocery Game Challenge #2 April 8-14, 2013 Tracking Grocery Expenses
- Week 3 ~15-21
- Week 4 ~22-28
- Week 5 ~29 – May 5
For Inspiration read about Canadian Budget Binder fan Donna R who shares her secrets for lowering her family’s grocery budget from a whopping $1100 a month to $600 give it a read now. If you have a budget story you want to share email today!
Past Blog Posts To Help You Shop and Save!
- Let Your Coupons Expire And Save Money
- 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
Our Grocery Game Challenge Results #2 April
Shop #1
Food Basics
- 1x Real Lemon Juice Sale $2.29 Reg $2.79
- 3 x Oatmeal Sale 3/$5 Reg $2.47 each
- 2 x Excel Gum Sale $2.99 Reg $3.99
- 4 x Pumpernickel Bread Sale $1.79 Reg $2.79
- Fresh Ginger $0.60
- 4 x White Pita Sale $1.00 Reg $1.15
Total Out Of Pocket $26.81
Shop #2
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 4 x Life Brand Paper Towel Sale $1.99 Reg $5.99 (spring cleaning)
- 1 x Vichy Cleansing Gel Sale $15.69 Reg $20.99
- 1x Multibionta Vitamins Sale $11.99 Reg $15.99
- Royale Facial Tissue 6 pk Sale $3.99-$1.00 Reg $7.99
- 4 x cloverleaf Tuna Sale $1.99-$1.00 coupon Reg $2.99
- 1 x Nielson Cottage Cheese Sale $1.99 reg $2.69
– $10.00 when you spend $40
Total Out Of Pocket $39.73
Saved $40.76 plus the $10 and received 490 Shoppers Optimum Points with over 126,000 points to spend (I’m happy they finally have added password protection to our Optimum account)
Shop #3
No Frills
- 1 x Natural Yogurt Sale $1.77
- 4 x Cashmere Toilet Paper 30 Double Rolls Sale $8.97 reg $19.99
- 2 x Nescafe Instant Coffee Sale $3.77 reg $5.99
- 1 x Pumpernickel bread no sale $2.79 but later found it cheaper at basics
- Fuji Apples $2.84
- 2 x English Cucumbers Sale $0.67 ea
- Seedless Grapes Sale $1.99 lb $4.25
- 2 x 2pk Romaine Hearts Sale $1.27 each (the lettuce has looked horrible lately, can’t wait for summer crops)
- Tomatoes Sale $0.67 lb $ 1.44
Total Out Of Pocket $65.05 (ouch)- $4.00 to stockpile budget $61.05
Shop #4
Freshco
- 8 x Black Diamond Cheese Sale $3.88 no coupons but there are $0.75 coupons I haven’t seen them
Total Out Of Pocket $31.04
Shop #5
Zehrs
- 3 x Dried Green Peas Sale $0.44 each
- 6 x PC Premium Hickory Flavoured Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Sale $1.97 Reg $8.99 each
Total Out Of Pocket $12.96
Yearly Grocery Budget For 2 : $2819.38
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00 or $78.33 week with 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 Coupons Used this Week : $5.00
- Total Discounts this Week: $10.00
- Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Stockpile Budget: $20.00 Used: $4.00 this shop for a grand total of $20
- Total Spent This Week:$ 171.59
- Total Spent So Far for (April): $60.13+$69.83+$171.59 ($301.55)
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $98.33 (OVER)
- Total Over/Under spend for the month of (April): $66.55 (OVER)
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $0
- Total Coupons Used This Month :$26.00+$34.00+$(N/A)> Will update on last post of the month
- Total to Carry Over Next Month : $ n/a We don’t carry over
- Total Spent To Date This Year: $206.95 (Jan)+ $160.77 (Feb) + (March)$169.62+ (April)
- Rendezvous Account: $65.38 (this will be used for a date night or a summer holiday)
Weekly Overview:
Well we completely blew the budget out of the water this month but for a few reasons. One we stocked up on toilet paper, cheese and paper towel. We also stocked up on bread for the wife and she needed vitamins and face wash which all come out of the grocery budget.
That means that we have on more money to spend for the month. We can pretty much nix our rendezvous account of the money we put in it or spend less in May. If we do no more shops for the month of April that means in May we will have $168.45 to spend for the month. We can do this, can’t we? I’ll need some motivation to get through this one I think. We should have plenty of food now until the end of the month.
Canadian Coupons Found This Week
How was your grocery shop this week?
Grocery Game Frequently Asked Questions
Grocery Game Challenge RULES….. 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 a few players 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.
- Where can I find Canadian Coupons? Here are your latest Coupon Match-ups of the week including Checkout 51 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.
- How Do I Know what stores accept coupons? You can find all your store coupon policies here. If you are not sure it’s always best to call the store and ask.
- How Do I Grocery Shop?– 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 don’t need to buy this or that. You may also substitute items in order to stick to your budget to make it work.
Are you NEW to Canadian Budget Binder?
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Related articles
- There And Back Again: A Spenders Financial Journey (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- Mr.CBB’s Crock-Pot Beef Stew (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- Mr.CBB’s Chocolate Chewy Big Bites (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
Week #3 15 – 21 Apr 2013
Independent
2 x Chocolate & Cream Cheese Frosting $3.00
2 x Kettle Chips $5.00
1 x Chipits $3.49
1 x Envirokidz Cereal $4.99
1 x Nature Clean Dish Soap $2.99
2 x Organic Cookies @$2.99 – 50% off pink sticker = $2.98
1 x Nature Clean Toothpaste $5.49
1 x Bunch Organic Bananas $1.80
2 x Broccoli @$0.99 = $1.98
1 x Hormone Free Whole Chicken $13.54
1 x Bag of Avocadoes $3.99
1 x Bunch Organic Bananas $1.66
1 x Cabbage $1.42
1 x Bag of Organic Kiwis $2.99
1x Mushrooms @2.49 – 50% Pink Sticker = $1.24
1 x Bag Organic Potatoes $2.99
1 x Box Mandarin Oranges $4.99
Total Out of Pocket $64.52 – $0.02 Free Bag Points – $1 Checkout 52 = $63.50
Farm Beef & Chicken $11.05
Total Out of Pocket $11.05
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $240.00 or $60/week
Total Coupons Used this Week : $1 Checkout 51
Total Discounts this Week:
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $1
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $1
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
Total Rewards Points Used: $0.02
Stockpile Budget $20: Used Week #1 $0.00 + Week #2 $0.94 + Week #3 $0
Total Spent This Week: $74.55
Total Spent So Far for (April): $46.56 + $82.38 +$74.55 = $203.49
Total Over spend this shop: $14.55
Total Under spend for the month of (April): $36.51
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $36.51
Total Coupons Used This Month: Week #1 $11.45 + Week #2 $0.90 +Week#3 $1 = $13.35
Obviously going overboard when there’s 5 weeks.
Hi Adeline,
I have a few posts in a row for your shops so I’ll be reading one after another 🙂
April is 5 weeks for us as well and some 4 but you can all track your own months as you see fit. You don’t have to follow my weeks. As long as you track your shops that’s all that matters. Good to see you are plugged in to Checkout51. Looks like you may go over for the month and join my side of the grocery game haha.. we went over big time. Just keep focused and plan. That’s what we are going to do. We are making lots of changes here. Ballot 35
Walmart
Pediasure – sale 2x$8.97 – $2c
Pudding Snack Pack – $3.97 – FPC
Orville popcorn – sale $2.97 – FPC
Minigo yogurt – sale 2x$2.00
Frozen peas & Frozen corn – 2 for $5.00
•Total Coupons Used: $8.94
•Total Out Of Pocket: $24.94
Big Red Market (local butcher)
Stuffed peppers – $5.00
Chicken breast – $5.53
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $10.53
Food Basics
Betty Crocker fruit snacks – sale 3x$1.44
Dole fruit cups – sale 4x$1.44
Christie Cookies – sale 2x$3.00
Select freezer bags – sale 2x$1.00
Primo pasta – sale 2x$.88
Coleslaw salad bag – sale $1.00
Strawberries – sale $1.44
Tomatoes – $1.04
Red Pepper – $.43
Celery – $1.77
Allen juice boxes – sale $2.97
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $31.45
•Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $3975 (I decreased my budget starting this month by $25 so my new weekly budget is $75.00)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $325
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $8.94
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
•Checkout 51 rebate cheque used this week: $0
•Checkout 51 rebate cheque used this month: $0
•Total Spent This Week:$66.92
•Total Spent So Far for April: $129.95
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: under $8.08
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of April: under $95.02
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $219.35
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $.50 + $8.94 = $9.44
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I don’t carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $953.56
•Weekly Overview: So I ended up spending a bit more on my shopping this week than in the last couple but I was still under. It’s been a pretty good month for the grocery budget. I do wish I could find more food coupons though. I had a few FPC’s that were expiring so I used them this week.
There she is again…… I see a few more shops above this one too Great deal with the FPC.. how did you get those? You used a decent amount of coupons too this week. $8.94 less out of your pocket. You are rocking APril big time, I’m impressed with your shopping. Where do you look for coupons? What do you need the most for coupons? THere is a trading forum on my Facebook page now. I’m not sure if you know that. You get ballot 30
We have $100 a week making this month $400.
But with that said I really blew it this week!
Saveon foods
.99-.75C barilla pasta clearance
$1.99 maraschino cherries clearance
$1.32X4-$2C pop
$4.99-fpc spagetti sauce
$5.72 total oop
$7.74 total coupons
Safeway
$3 maragrine
.50×2 jello
$1×11-$11C toothpaste
$4.55 total oop
$11 total coupons
Canadian tire
$1-$1C ziploc bags
$2-$2C scrubbing bubbles toilet cleaner
$2-$1.50C greenworks dish soap
.75 total oop
$4.50 toal coupons
Shoppers
$1.99 papertowels
$1.99-$1.50C greenworks
$4.81 4l milk
$7.50 total oop
$1.50 total coupons
Costco
$4.50 6pk romaine hearts
Superstore
$1.71-.75C coffee creamer
$2.71 green cabbage
$1×2-$2C oral b toothbrush donation
$2.48 nn graham wafers
$3.48×4-bogoCx2 & $4C healthy choice steamers
Sobeys
$1.99 butter chicken mix packet
$2.99 rice 2kg ouch!
$1.79 nacho cheese mix
$12.75 rib eye steak (made us 6 philly cheesesteak sandwiches)
$2×4-$6C old spice deo raincheck
$1.99 comp tortilleni clearance
$2.30 salami
$2.67 bologna
$2.45 hot&spicy chicken
$3.29×5-fpcx5 vileda dish scrubber donation
$3.99×2-bogoC cherrios (came with coupons on it for dq & oj)
$3.99×14-$42C clear mens shampoo donation
$3.99×14-fpcwubclearshampoo degree deo donation
$3.99 premium plus cracker
$9.29-fpc(no gas cards left) fruit loops
$2×2 chips
$2.50×2-$2C special k cracker chips
$4.49-fpc maple leaf shaved turkey
$6.99-$1C armstrong cheese
$1.86 pork tenderloin clearance
$3.81 ground chicken breast clearance
$1.49×2 2lb carrots
$1.46 bananas
$2.98 wedding card
$4.99×3-$6C frozen pizza
$2.99 haggan daz ice cream
$3.99-$1C iogo yogurt
$3.99-$2C coffee creamer
$2×3-$4.50 treseme haircare donation
$2×4-$2C pantene shampoo donation
$116.86 total oop
$161.58 total coupons
$149.07 total weekly oop
$200.03 total weekly coupons
$412.88 total coupons used
$343.73 total spent this month
Hi Juanita,
Where are the greenworks coupons from? Were those the tearpads? I might have some I think. What are the coupons for the shampoo? Crap I’m missing all these deals because I’m blogging now. I never used to miss a deal. You are still under budget for the month but you still have this last week unless this is your last week? I’ll be posting one more week of April Grocery Game tomorrow. Lot of donations here too, good for you. You get ballot #18 What is your plan for the rest of the month?
Mr.CBB
the greenworks coupon is from the clorox.ca website and is printable 🙂 there are some $2wub2 out there as well. The clear shampoo coupons were from tear pads that I traded for from bc and ont and a few of them had $3 peelies on them too so making it even better score! I am pretty sure I just spent my budget for the month with my other shops!
I dropped off three boxes full of 60+ deodarents, 20+ shampoos, 30+ toothpaste,8+ dish srcubbers,6 soap bars and 4 toothbrushes!! I was so proud to donate these items 🙂 it’s just too bad I can’t share all this with more people. I just can’t deal with all the negativeity, jealousy and judgement that comes with it. So just a handful of people at most know what I do to try and help others. But in the end it doesn’t matter who knows and who cares I just know that it is the right thing to do and it only takes one person to make a difference in someone elses life!
Wow, that’s impressive all the donations. What do you mean the judgement? I’d like to learn more about that. Email me, I might work with you to make a post and do more research on this. I’ll go check out the clorox website now. Cheers mate
Hey Mr CBB, here is my shop this past week
8lb lean pork and beef $22.66
2 breast 1 leg fried chicken $3.73
1lb onion 2lb tomatoes $1.46
10 gallons drinking water $4
1/2lb fried pork skin $2
2 breast 1 leg fried chicken $3.73
6L 7up $2.66
1 gallon rhum raisins ice cream $5.6
total $45.84
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $200 – $1.09 over budget this year, $198.91 or $39.78 times 5 weeks.
I will divide per 5 weeks since we usually shop on Monday or Tuesday and there are 5 of them.
Total Coupons Used this Week : none
Total Spent This Week:$ 45.84
Total Spent So Far for (April): $93.43
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $6.06 over
Total Over/Under spend for the month of (April): $25.91 under
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $105.48
Total Spent To Date This Year: $494.52
Week overview:
I hear you from here, fried pork skin sounds disgusting! It is. It’s called chicharrones and is a local delicacy, so I bought some for BF’s bday yesterday. And the rest of the greasy food and ice cream and pop to mix his drinks is also for his bday, I did an extra run for ice cream and fried chicken to the nearest village but haven’t visited the supermarket in two weeks. Since we leave next week for a month we are eating off the freezer like crazy, although we may have guests this Thursday so I would have to go buy more food. If not, April would finish with $100 in my pocket to spend on French cheese haha!
Hey Pauline,
What an awesome month it has been for the both of you, wow! I think fried pork skin is a delicacy in many cultures. IF that’s what makes the BF happy then go for it, right? Did you make the coconut flan for him as well? I hope you get the mess sorted out after the storm. I was just in shock when I saw all the pictures knowing all the hard work you’ve both been putting in your little house…. I’m sure you will sort it all out though. How do you get icecream back without it melting hahah.. we always have that problem in town if we buy it. Sounds like you have lots to eat lol.. don’t ease me with French cheeses… look at my grocery shop this week.. all my Australian cheese… I love cheese..wine.. bread… sausages.. grapes.. fruits.. that’s me in a nutshell!! Oh ya, and I like nuts! haha.. Cheers mate…
Couldn’t find a can of concentrated milk (don’t know how it is called) and with just powdered milk it didn’t sound very good so no flan, we just had coconuts and a glass of coconut water.
There is a village 6 miles away that has ice cream so I make an extra stop and then quickly ride home for the ice cream not to melt. From the supermarket it is 20 miles, sure it would get home in bad shape. The house is all good now, and the boat too, we just have one dead tree to get rid of but otherwise it is life as usual. Thank you for your concern.
Glad to hear things are back up and running mate, a bit scary I imagine. I think you were maybe looking for evaporated milk in the can to make your coconut flan? I want to learn how to make my own icecream, just a bit at a time as there is only 2 of us but the wife doesn’t eat icecream any longer, so just for me now.
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 year old toddler. Our budget is $90/week or $360 for this month and includes baby items, laundry, health/beauty, etc.
RCSS
BC fruit gummies (PM FB) 2 x $1.44
PC dark chocolate almonds 2 x $3.99 – 2 x 50% pink sticker (- $4.00)
2% Milk 2 x $3.97
CD $1.48
OOP $14.21
Walmart
4L distilled water 2 x $.98
OOP $1.96
Bulk Barn
Walnut pieces $11.71 – $3.00 coupon
Coupons $3.00
GC used $5.00
OOP $3.71
Fresh Co
Dempsters Bagels (PM Walmart) 2 x $2.46 – 2 x $1.50 coupons
10lbs potatoes (PM Sobeys) $1.99
Coupons $3.00
OOP $3.91
RCSS
Goldfish 2 x $1.97 – $.50 coupon
MiO 3 x $2.99 – 2 x $1.00 coupons – 1 x FPC
Arctic Gardens stir fry frozen veggies (large bag) 4 x $5.00 (sale) – 4 x $5.00 coupons (all FREE)
Almond milk $3.99 – $.75 coupon
Campbell’s mushroom soup (PM FB) 3 x $.79
Chapman’s boxed popsicles (blowout) 2 x $.50
Margarine (PM NF) 2 x $1.00
BD cheese slices (PM FB) $1.88
Natura soy milk (blowout) $1.94 – $.50 coupon
NN ice cream cones (blowout) $.84
SD soy ice cream $6.49 – FPC (FREE)
SD dairy free yogurt $4.59
Silk soy chocolate milk (blowout) 2 x $2.04 – 2 x $.75
Special K BBQ cracker chips (PM Longos) $2.00 – $1.00 coupon
Vim cleaner (PM GT) $1.99 – $1.00 coupon
PC BM chicken breast (5 pack on sale) $10.96
PC boneless pork chops club pack (PM Fortinos) reg $14.61 after PM $5.34, reg $14.24 after PM $5.20, reg $13.68 after PM $5.00
Bananas (6) $1.42
Apples (5) $3.85
Oranges (4) $3.84
Sweet potato (2) $1.79
Tomatoes (2) (PM FC) $.69
Tresemme shampoo and conditioner 2 x $3.97 – 2 x $1.50
Reach dental floss 2 x $3.84 – 50% pink sticker ($3.84) – 2 x $2.00 coupons (FREE)
Satin Care shaving cream (PM Fortinos) 2 x $2.29 – BOGO free coupon (-$2.29)
Coupons $46.03
Checkout 51 $1.00 (for having a bill over $60)
CD $11.20
OOP $66.08
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $4,680 ($90/week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $360
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $52.03
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $1.00
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $1.00
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this year:$49.50
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this week: $12.68
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this month:$27.33
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this year: $177.85
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $5.00
•Total Spent This Week: $89.87
•Total Spent So Far for April: $249.85
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: N/A
•Total Over/Under spent for the month of April: N/A
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $110.15
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $72.02
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I do not carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1197.56
•Weekly overview: I bought 2 x 4L milk on Tuesday for Adam and found out on Thursday that he can’t drink cow’s milk anymore. I was telling my MIL about it and she said she’d buy them off of me next time she came over. So for now they will stay in my budget until I receive the money for them. It was very nice of her to offer.
You know me, how could I pass up 50% off dark chocolate almonds! I bought those on Tuesday and they’re almost gone already! Lol
I was super happy with my last RCSS shop! Free floss, free dairy free ice cream, free frozen stir fry veggies, free shaving cream, free MiO and really cheap popsicles and pork chops! The cheap pork chops felt like a “start the car!” moment lol.
I was also impressed that I got so much this week and stayed under my $90/week budget! Yay me! lol 😀
Hi Jen,
Oh no, he can’t drink milk anymore? Why? Did something happen that sparked you to get him tested for something? Did you use the JandJ coupons for the free floss? Where do you get all the free coupons from? How did you get so many $5.00 arctic garden coupons? Great job on the pork chops wow! Well done with this shop you did so good… yay!!! The bulk barn shop was pretty wicked as well. They have another promo coming up… spend $15 get a gc.. Keep up the good work Jen… amazing shop!! You get ballot #16
Finally got here to add my shops…only went to Foodland twice for the week. Call me clueless, but I just realized you have April down as 5 weeks, I was working it as 4….. I can life with it as 5…
April 13
2 cans pineapple@1.59– 3.18
1 jar pickles-1.79
3 Temptations@ 1.79- 5.37, coupon buy 2 get one free so 1.79 off
1 mustard-1.99, .50 coupon
2 w/w bread@ 2.49- 4.98
2 Dawn dish soap@ 2.79, 1.00 off when you buy 2
1 pack bagels-2.99
1 doz eggs-2.99
1 pack beef liver-3.07
1 yam-2.02
1 pack serviettes-3.29
1 pack buns-3.69, .50 coupon
1 Iogo yogurt-3.70, .75 coupon
1 cider mix -3.99
1 taco kit-3.99, box has $6.00 in coupons on it
1 box crackers-3.99
1 tomato -1.84
1 lb ground turkey -4.49
1 4l milk -4.79
1 water -5.49
1 container parm cheese -6.79
1 pack smokes -9.69
Tax -3.63
Total -$88.88, coupons 4.54
April 16
2 cans tomato soup @.88- 1.76
1 pack cole slaw -1.99
1 package bran -2.29
1 large chocolate bar -2.29
1 unsweetened apple sauce -2.49
1 w/w bread -2.49
1 box baking soda -2.69
1 bag carrots -2.79
2 cases ginger ale@ 3.33 -6.66, 2-$2.00 coupons
1 case cream soda -3.33
1 yogurt -3.49, 1.00 coupon
1 lb butter -3.89
1 cereal -4.49
2 4l milk @4.79 -9.58
1 honey -4.99
1 water -5.49
1 baking powder -5.49
1 pack smokes -9.69
1 216 count Tetley tea bags -10.99
Tax 2.86
Total -$84.74, coupons $5.00
Fresh eggs
1 doz -1.60
1 flat -4.00
Total -5.60
Total budget for year -$7800.00
Total budget for month -$600.00
Total spent this week -$179.22
Total coupons for week -$9.54
Total for month -143.31+152.55+179.22=$475.08
Over/Under for week -29.22
Left for month -$124.92
Total coupons for month -101.97+14.95+9.54=$126.32
Total carry over -$66.15
Total year to date -J$818.08+F$598.07+M$770.12+A$475.08= $2661.35
Well I went over again for the week but there is still room left for the month. I’ll work out the numbers with 5 weeks for the month next week if I remember, that might give me extra room. I already had things written out on paper when I realized the week number thing, oh well..Those eggs from Rhoda are such a sweet deal! It means I can do a little more baking and serve eggs for meal or two as well. It is not always easy feeding 4 adults! The boys are good and will eat anything you put in front of them, their father… Not so much…. The good news is not having to go to Toronto at all for appointments and not having to go back to London again until June now…. It means things are looking better there. We still have to watch things carefully but so far so good.
Hi Christine,
Each time I post now I will show the weeks of the month so it’s easier for us all to follow. Also in the title of the post you will see either #1, #2, #3 4 or 5 to signal what shop of the month it is. You went over but at least you still have money to spend for the month and you aren’t over budget which I’m proud of you for. As for the weeks in the grocery game you don’t have to follow mine you can follow your own. If you next month falls on the last week of my month it’s ok you will get a ballot # either way. Remember you are tracking your budget on your own weeks. If you just happen to shop each week like I do then you will be week for week the same as me which does make it easier if you don’t want to worry so much about what week you are in.
That’s good news about less travelling for you as it’s been non stop for a while now. I hope things get sorted out for you soon. What did you think of the IOGO yogurt? We love it . Wow those eggs were cheap, I wish I could find them at that price around here. I might have to see if we have any local farmers who sell them.
Keep at it Christine! You get ballot 15
I’m working the shops using the same line up as the flyers as back in the day hubby was paid on Thursdays so it all kind of work out that way. Nice new flyers to use and the pay goes in at the same time…. Made sense to me. I love the IOGO yogurt too but if I buy it I have to be fast eating it if I want to get any of it….. the younger boy loves it too!!!!!!
I am glad that the traveling is down some now too. The blood numbers and such are still looking good so the doctor in London is happy. But all things considered he still isn’t well enough for us to go to Toronto for the stem cell transplant with all that would entail….The numbers might be good but he picked up a virus Easter weekend that landed him in Emerge feeling nauseous, and such to the extent that he was admitted for 10 days while they tried to figure things out given his history. We’ve been to Toronto 3 times now and every time they check him over and say he’s still too ‘medically fragile’ and come back in 6-8 weeks for another look over. London is on our side saying it’s not worth the hassle at this point. Let’s not talk about the stress of Toronto traffic!!!!! His sister’s hubby drives us from their place in Guelph to Toronto and that boy has already had one stroke!!!!! None of us need the stress of Toronto!!! I know you live near there and drive it every day but I’m not up to it thank you…….
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4200
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $350-9.13 from last month
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $12.10
Total Value Card Savings this Week: $89.93
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $
•Total Spent This Week:$274.82
•Total Spent So Far for (April): $274.82
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of (April): $
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $66.05
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $12.10
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : $ +/-
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1275.67
•Weekly Overview: April has been a crazy month with work, school activities, and my husband finishing up his master’s degree and getting a new job!! I haven’t taken the time to post my shopping, but I have been keeping up with it. These numbers are from 3 shops, so I won’t post the individual items, but I will try to get back on track next time. I think it’s doable to stay within budget this month.
Hi kim,
I know life has gotten a bit busy. Congrats to your husband for getting that job, how exciting for him. It seems like you have been doing well though this month and you have a good amount left to spend. We did awful this month and have lots of catching up to do in May. Cheers!
Hey Mr. CBB,
Better late than never, hey? 🙂 My shop is a bit messy this week as I’m going to try to catch up for April, but there wasn’t any shops when I was away.
Here is this week’s shop:
Mom 20
Superstore
Olives 1.49
Cumin 0.42
Broccoli 1.27
Lemon 0.58
Carrots (5lb) 3.28
Red peppers (4) 2.98
Tomatoes (2) 0.84
Toilet paper 15.72
Spinach 3.48
Romaine hearts (3) 3.00
Vitamin C 6.29
Cold & Sinus 6.29
Total Coupons
Total Out of Pocket 45.64
Walmart
Chips 2.56
2bit brownies 6.00
Total Coupons
Total Out of Pocket 8.56
Costco
Mixed Greens 3.50
Gravy mix 3.30
Total Coupons
Total Out of Pocket 6.80
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $200
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $1
Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $1
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
Total Spent This Week: $81.00
Total Spent So Far for April: $81.00
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $31.00 over
Total Over/Under spend for the month of April: $19.00 under
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $119.00
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0
Total to Carry Over Next Month: n/a
Total Spent to Date This Year: $563.23
Weekly Overview:My fridge was literally empty when I returned, so I spent the allocation for the first two weeks. I know, the brownies for $6! I usually wouldn’t buy it, but on my first day of work, they told me about the team potluck, so with no time and prep, I just picked up something that was convenient; I heard you tsk, tsking in my head as I’m sure you can whip something up for a couple of bucks. 🙂 Boy also snuck in some drugs and vitamin C into the basket as he has been feeling under the weather. Overall, we are doing ok for the month, but we are kind of cheating as we weren’t here for a week. Hopefully, the rest of the month will go according to plan!
So happy to see so many more participants in the game!! 🙂
Have a good weekend Mr. CBB.
Hey Vicky!
I bet your fridge was empty haha.. you gotta get the BF in the kitchen cooking with you more often. We love it and it’s great for the relationship. Yea you could have made my fudgy brownies for less homemade haha… I might hold you to that now. Lots of people do that for potlucks run out and buy something. I guess if you didn’t have time to plan it makes total sense, what else would you have done. hahah you bet I went tsk tsk hahah.. I’m reading and commenting as I go so I’m laughing along the way here. I’m glad your month has gone better than ours. We really blew it this month but we will get back on track. Keep up the good work and I want to start hearing about the steamy new recipes you two are cooking up!!! You get ballot #14
Total Human Grocery Budget for the Month: $75.00 – 2 Adults
Total Pet Grocery Budget for the Month: $40.00 – 3 cats
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
Total Discounts this Week: $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: N/A
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: N/A
Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Week: N/A
Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Month: N/A
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: N/A
Total Rewards Points Used: N/A
Stockpile Budget: N/A
Total Human Over/Under spend this shop: $104.18 over
Total Pet Over/Under spend this shop: $1.95 under
Total Spent This Week: $154.18
Total Spent So Far for April: $209.22
Total Over/Under spend for the month of April: Will probably always be over…..
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $45
Total Coupons Used This Month : $0
Total to Carry Over Next Month : $0
Total Spent To Date This Year: $1032.45
Weekly Overview: I realize this shopping was way overbudget. The bread from Weston’s will last a couple of weeks as it’s in the freezer until needed, so that will cut down of the next grocery shopping. With 3 cats, the 8KG bag of cat food should last about 2-3 months which again will cut down on the future pet budget. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to prepare the bi-monthly meal plan nor a grocery list hence the outrageous grocery spend. This past weekend, there was more eating out than normal (even though I don’t put it in the GGC, I do record the values in the food budget), which resulted also in an overage. My plan is to make more homemade food so that I don’t have to buy food for my Saturday job. Overall, I slipped up bad but will pull myself up by the bootstraps and get back on course. Next payday is a clean slate…and it can only go up from here 🙂
Walmart
8kg Cat Food – 15.97 (reg 19.97)
Pasta – 1.87
4L Skim Milk – $3.97
1kg Skim Milk Powder – 9.97
Pads (48) – 4.74
Panty Lines (102) – 6.97
Muffin Mix – 2.92
Cheddar Smokie – 8.97 (Impulse purchase)
6 Michaelina’s – 6.00
1L each – Shampoo & Conditioner – 7.92 (3.96 each)
6 Chunky Soups – 12.00
Cream of Mushroom Soup – 1.00
2 Deodarant – 3.96 (1.98 each)
Tax – 4.21
OOP 90.47
Weston Bakery Outlet
Raisin Bread – 1.00
Bagels – 1.00 – Package of 6
English Muffins – 1.00 (Package of 12)
4 Dempster’s Bread – 4.00
8 Weston’s Bread – 8.00
OOP – 15.00
Superstore
3 Pasta (1.15 each) – 3.45
French Fries – 3/4.98
2 Hash Browns – 3.32
4 Cream of Mushroom Soup – 2.64
2 Quaker Oatmeal – 4.96
3-15 pack of Water – 3.00
Sugar – 1.97
Rice Krispies – 5.99
4L Skim Milk – 3.97
Bologna – 3.96
Pads (58) – 9.97
Tax – .50
OOP 48.71
Hi Dee,
It’s interesting to read about how lack of planning resulted in your eating out more and spending more in the grocery budget. It sure is motivation to keep doing what you are doing because you know it is working for you. IF you were to stop it all today clearly you can see how it could affect your finances or budget for that matter without the excellent planning that you do. I think making more homemade food is an EXCELLENT idea as you know my feelings about cooking meals at home and learning new recipes. I think the more we all get in the kitchen and take some time to learn the better at it we will become. Keep up the good work mate!! What do you plan on cooking? You get ballot #13
Hi Mr. CBB,
My plans are baking more desserts such as peanut butter or oatmeal loaves, cookies, etc. I’m hoping to increasing my selection of main courses.
We are pretty big into the low GI/low carb diet for overall health. Pretty much all refined grains are worthless calories which spike insulin levels. I’m not sure I buy into the low-fat diet. Check out the work of Dr. Weston Price and other MDs for more info.
Awesome work on the groceries and recipes!
Thanks Jacob,
She’s working with the doctor right now so I’ll leave her to it but I’ll support her along the way. I’m more about moderation myself and keeping fit but realize there is so much more to health and fitness. Cheers!
Hello! I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy so I had to learn how to manage my GI quickly. It’s a great idea for your wife to start now…there’s a lot to learn. Like you, my husband was very supportive which made it just a little easier. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll master this lifestyle with your usual grace and class!
Hi Catherine, Thanks for your kind words. What was the biggest struggle for you? How did you combat that?
Family of seven with two dogs and two cats
Total Grocery Budget for the Year: $ 4080.00
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340.00 or $85.00 week
I have $340.00 to spend in April.
•Total Coupons Used this Week :$1.00
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $- 0
•Total Spent This Week:$93.78
•Total Spent So Far for (March): $218.09
•Total Over/Under spend this shop:$8.78 over
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of (April): $121.91 under
•Total Left to Spend for the Month:$121.91
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $3.00
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : 0
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1274.77
•Weekly Overview: Good deals on the chicken breast this week. This week we had a lot of out meals out of the fridge and freezer eating up contents before they went bad throughout our 70 hour power outage. I had to go out ( drive 12 km to an opened grocery store) to get fresh meat as I had brought my contents to my mom’s house so as not to loose my whole freezer contents. Made me realize what I still had hidden in the freezer. This coming weekend we are having our family big dinner of the year here at the farm. Turkey and the works. It is easier for family to drive about when the weather is fine then during the winter holidays when it is dangerous. Looking forward to this gathering.
No Frills #1
Brown sugar 2.97
Chocolate chips 6.99
spinach 2.87
Quaker oatmeal 2.97
Chicken breast 2 trays @ 1.99/lb 10.61
Lean angus 4.99
banana 1.56
blueberries 1.67
apples 3.97
tomato .63
No Frills #2
Dog food 8.99 x 13% tax 10.15
Cat food 6.98 x 13% tax 7.89
ValueMart
coffee 4.99-100 coupon 3.99
cookies 2.00
Granola bars 16pk 3.99
Apple pie 8.49-50% 4.25
Chicken breast 3.99lb 6.88
Foodland
Baby carrots .97
celery 1.99
Bean sprouts 1.49
Ice creme 2.97
Independent
milk 3.99
Shoppers
milk 3.99
Total 93.78
Special diets make grocery receipts go up.No two ways about it. The gluten-free stuff is expensive in the beginning but has gotten better as I get sue to cooking this way. Thank-goodness for bulk stores!
I live a salt free diet. I have to cook from scratch for this because most boxed items are so high in salt. Salt eats the inside of my mouth away. An allergy of sorts. Makes eating at BBQ’s really hard in the summer. I have to make my own burgers to the host to cook up. Restaurants are out!
I think people in general are very good about peoples diets these days. There is also so much more out there for ones with special diets. However a lot of it is costly. Congratulate Mrs. CBB for me. Taking hold of your life is very important at an early age ( 30ish) rather then when one is depended on medication etc.
Farmgirl
Hi!
Sounds like you will be busy with all the family gathering around for a lovely meal. I understand about all the travelling and the weather. We are always torn about travelling in the winter time as well. The chicken was a great deal one I wouldn’t have passed up either. We will start looking more at the bulk barn to see if we can save any money for products the wife wants. It’s all a big learning experience for her but most of the foods we already eat. Wow, that must be tough with no salt but I’m guess you are used to it. I think you are right and that’s why she is doing it now. There’s no point waiting for the lightening if it plans to strike. She has always been conscious about what foods she eats but now she wants to do more. We really have cut back on salt use but can do better so that’s another goal of ours. Well done with the spending this week. Have a great time with the family and I”ll let Mrs.CBB know your congrats. You get ballot #12
“Nothing says “get out of the way” like a big bowl of bran.” Nailed it. I’m still laughing.
Ya, well I try to see the humour in situations when I can mate haha
Quite interesting info here regarding the low GI diet. I am interested in this because diabetes runs in my husband’s family, and I think my MIL would be interested to know about this diet; I had no idea! Thanks 🙂
Week of April 15 to April 21, 2013
2013 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
•Total CANADIAN Grocery Budget for the Month of April: $ 142.50
•Total CANADIAN Stockpile Budget for the Month of April: $ 47.50
•Total Grocery Budget for the Week:
$ 142.50/4 = $35.62 with FOUR “No Shop” Weeks Per Year
•Total Stockpile Budget for the Week:
$ 47.50/4 = $11.87 with FOUR “No Shop” Weeks Per Year
OPENING APRIL FUNDS AVAILABLE:
APRIL Grocery Budget (CDN): $125.63
APRIL Stockpile Budget (CDN): $36.75
APRIL Safeway Gift card (CDN): $20.00
APRIL Cash Hiding Spot (CDN): $5.00
APRIL US Grocery Reserve: $3.28 US OVER
APRIL US Cash Hiding Spot $65.00 US
OVERVIEW:
We received a payment of $88.08 from a friend that hubby covered the groceries for when they were in the US back on St. Patrick’s Day. Since it’s not part of our budget, I am adding these funds to the US Grocery Reserve. Not only will it cover my overage but it will give us some money for US groceries in May. This leaves us with $88.08-$3.28 = $84.80 in the US Grocery Reserve.
We kept our grocery shopping very minimal this week but we did pick up some bonus Air Miles. You know how I love my Air Miles! It feels really good to be on week three of the month and still be in great shape! Finally I got a good deal on a pork picnic shoulder so we are finally going to the pulled pork I have been wanting for months! Mmmm!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
SAFEWAY – Maple Ridge
2 Purex Bathroom Tissue ($23.72- $11.74 Price Reduction) = $11.98
3 Coast to Coast Winnepeg Rye bread ($6.57 – $1.57 Price Red.) = $5.00
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $13.31
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 23 Points
•Total OOP: $16.98
• Grocery Budget OOP: $5.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $11.98
SAVE ON FOODS – Maple Ridge
1 4 L Skim Milk ($4.99 – $0.20 Price Reduction) = $4.79
1 4 L Chocolate 1% milk $5.99
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $0.20
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 11 Points
•Total OOP: $10.78
• Grocery Budget OOP: $10.78
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
EXTRA FOODS – Maple Ridge
2 pkgs 100% Whole Wheat D’Italiano Rolls $5.00
3 Sweet Green Relish $3.00
1 pkg of 5 Bicolor Corn on the Cob $2.99
1 pkg of 8 mini cucumbers $1.96
2 Reecer’s Potato Salad $7.54
1 Pork Picnic Shoulder $16.58
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $0.00
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 0 Points
•Total OOP: $37.07
• Grocery Budget OOP: $24.12
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $12.95
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SPENT ON CANADIAN APRIL GROCERIES:
•Total Grocery Budget OOP:
(16.07+$39.90) = $55.97
•Total Stockpile Budget OOP:
($10.75+24.93) = $35.68
•Total CASH Spent: ($26.82+$64.83)= $91.65
•Total HIDING SPOT CASH Spent: $0.00
•Total GIFT CARDS Spent: $0.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CLOSING ON USA APRIL GROCERIES:
•Spent from US Reserve Spent: $126.23
•Spent from US HIDING SPOT CASH Spent: $0.00
• US Reserve Remaining:
($122.95-126.23+$88.08 Repaid) = $84.80 AVAILABLE
• US HIDING SPOT CASH Remaining: $65.00 AVAILABLE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HOW MUCH WE HAVE SAVED IN 2013:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
(Jan $40.04) + (Feb $44.48) + (March $98.35) +
(April $27.77+$13.31+$0.20)= $224.15
•Total Checkout51 Savings This Year:
(Jan – $0.00) + (Feb – $0.00)+(March $0.00)+
(April $0.00)= $0.00
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
(Jan – $60.46) + (Feb – $0.00)+ (March $11.79) +
(April $ 11.98)= $84.23
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
(Jan 265) + (Feb 248)+(March 151) +
(April 11)= 675 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
(Jan 57) + (Feb 10) + (March 30) +
(April 23)= 120 Air Miles
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HOW MUCH WE HAVE SPENT IN 2013:
•Total Grocery OOP Spent So Far This Year:
(Jan $217.50) + (Feb $198.39)+ (March $72.90) +
(April $55.97)= $544.76
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far:
(Jan $190.00)+(Feb$190.00)+ (March $108.79) +
(April $142.50)= $631.29
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: $86.53 UNDER
———————————————————————————–
•Total Stockpile OOP Spent So Far This Year:
(March $81.21) + (April $35.68) = $116.89
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget:
(Jan $0.00)+(Feb$0.00)+(March $81.21) +
(April $47.50)= $128.71
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Stockpile Budget: $11.82 UNDER
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CLOSING APRIL Grocery Budget (CDN): $86.53
CLOSING APRIL Stockpile Budget (CDN): $11.82
CLOSING APRIL Safeway Gift card (CDN): $20.00
CLOSING APRIL Cash Hiding Spot (CDN): $5.00
CLOSING APRIL US Grocery Reserve: $84.80 US
CLOSING APRIL US Cash Hiding Spot: $65.00 US
Hey Mary,
I’m so happy that you are in great shape with your budget on week 3 yet miserable that we are so over budget. I really hope we don’t kill it too bad this month. Next month will be lean with the groceries for us. How do you make your pulled pork? I’m guessing in one of the many crock-pots that you own. We’ve never purchased the mini cucumbers. Do you use them for salads? Keep up the great work on your budget this month. Well done mate! Mr.CBB You get ballot 11
Yes Mr CBB…I do the pulled pork in my crockpot. This is the recipe I am using this time:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/pulledporkrecipes/r/bl103c4.htm
I find the mini cucumbers are less acidic than others so I slice them lengthwise and just eat them like they are a pickle. I use Lawry’s No Salt Seasoned Salt on them to add a little zing. 🙂
Mr CBB… you need to re-stock the pantry a little so that you can make your own pumpernickel bread. It will be a lot cheaper in the long run. You can also make your flat breads and tortillas with lower GI flours.
Your wife will learn that she can eat all the things she loves and currently eats… just in smaller portions & less frequently on the medium and high GI items and filling in her plate with more of the lower GI items. Vegetables will become her best friends! I eat a good 1/4 of a steamed cabbage at a dinner along with another cup or so of other vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower. The cabbage is filling and takes up a lot of room on the plate so I don’t even notice I didn’t a potato or a grain. A small amount of protein and we good to go!
There’s really no reason for your grocery budget to burst at the seams… we do the diabetic meal plan and maintain a good stock pile on $190 per month for the 2 of us. I do use an additional $100 every couple of months just to keep my gluten free stock in good order though since I buy most of it in the US and I can’t just run to the corner store if I run out of something. The first 3 months were $100 per month to re-supply my kitchen but now it’s just a replace what I have used issue. Since you aren’t going GF at this point, $235 should give you enough wiggle room… if you reduce the quantity of the things that she will no longer be eating and use that cash towards increasing the things she will eat instead.
To be honest with you, it really is cheaper and more time efficient to both be on the same meal plan. Hubby has more servings in the bread/grain category than I do per day BUT our dietician designed meal plans are exactly the same in terms of the fruits/vegetables/proteins/fats. I was surprised! The myth that he needs more meat is just that… a myth!
My diabetes and gluten free status are evident more in our choice of snacks. Hubby will still have chips and whatnot where I tend to save my bread and have a slice of toast with peanut butter and sugar free marmalade. You’ll find your stride. 😀
That’s essentially what she is doing now. Filling up on the low and eating the med to high in moderation. We were talking about making the pumpernickel at home. I need to find a good recipe as she’s rubbish with bread. I’ve never made it before but I could wing it to see if I can create my own recipe which I’d rather do. Sometimes it’s nice to learn from someone else’
s recipe to see how it all comes together than add in the personal element after. My olive pita I’m afraid is from a recipe book but it was a great learning experience I can’t wait to share. It was lovely. Now I can create my own pita from what I’ve learned. Cheers
Mr CBB, here is a link for the 2 step process on authentic German Pumpernickel:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/445596-how-to-cook-german-pumpernickel-bread/
I also like the Russian Black Bread:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/black-bread-recipe.html
And for a total treat, this was my absolute favorite before I went wheat free:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=Av4KMR3MRMEC&pg=PT295&lpg=PT295&dq=Moosewood+Restaurant+Russian+Vegetable+Bread&source=bl&ots=pZuRjm27Ra&sig=0GfqGJ-vibxFpxLLaUeYMsaZIEo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=F_RvUfyeFKSCjALK5oDwBA&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAQ
Thanks so much Mary, this will help us out. We want to make some bread but will wait until she goes through what we just bought. It’s not that bad either, I tried it this morning.
That’s great you are making slow changes for better health! Making small changes is a lot easier than having to do it all at once when you “have to” if something happens to your health.
She eats very well now but she wants to make it even cleaner and I support that. It’s a journey that she has wanted to do for a while now.
Thanks so much Mr. CBB for the shout out! I love using up leftovers and we too have had to start learning to be more moderate with the goodies…it’s tough we eat lots of almonds, hard boiled eggs, grapes, apples and those lovely cardboard whole grain crackers…ha ha just kidding you get used to them! 🙂
Exactly… cardboard…. I hear ya, we don’t bother. I’m trying to find almonds on sale again but the price here is crazy. How much do you pay for almonds?
Well I think the last batch of smoked almonds were about 2.79 a can sometimes I have coupons but when I can I buy the big bag at Trader Joes for around 7.99
I wish I could get a big bag that cheap. 200g $3.99 it sux
Yes that is bad! I planted an almond tree out front but it will be about 4 more years before we really get almonds! We got 3 last year isn’t that a riot??? ha ha LOL!
I bet it was quite the ceremony eating those 3 almonds
We have had years where its been 3 almonds 8 grapes but now we get tons of grapes and one day there will be tons of almonds….sowing the seeds & reeping later powerful stuff! but you are right we savored each one 🙂
Week 15
Publix
2.07lb Grapes $3.50
Watermelon $1.83
Total Out of Pocket $5.33
Publix
Ketchup $1.39
2 x BBQ Sauce $1.85
3 lb Carrots $1.89
Total Out of Pocket $5.13
Penn Dutch
5lb Rice $3.89
Beef for Stew $8.92
Celery $1.29
Broccoli Crowns $2.89
2 Salmon Steaks $10.42
Total Out of Pocket $27.41
Walmart
Bread $2.78
24 slices chees $2.68
dental floss $0.97
turkey slices $2.98
corned beef $4.88
Tyson Chicken $4.97
Total Out of Pocket $19.33
Burger King
Whopper Jr Meal $4.89
2 Kids Meals $6.58
Total Out of Pocket $12.16
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $3,500
Total Grocery Budget for April: $246.49
Total Coupons Used this Week: $0.00
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total Spent This Week: $69.36
Total Spent for April: $202.58
Total Underspend this shop: $61.62 -$7.74
Total Overspend for the month of April: $43.91
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $43.91
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0.50
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $43.91
Total Spent To Date This Year: $ $1,237.66
Weekly Overview: We ate at fast food this week. Last week we didn’t eat out at all. I was almost within budget, but it still wasn’t too bad. I’m too lazy to plan. Hopefully, I will get more energy to do better meal planning.
The first thing I was going to say is you ate at Fast Food and then I read your overview lol. I think once you get the hang of the grocery shopping, meal planning and the grocery budget you can factor in a meal out once in a while. We automatically assume because someone has a doctorate or an amazing career that they have money. A friend of mine who is an eye doctor Kim at eyesonthedollar shares today how they fell into debt. It’s a great read and I don’t know if you follow Kim but she is very inspirational. She also posts her shops in the grocery game challenge. I will tell you that your shops are getting better since the first day you started posting with me. I believe you are more aware of what you are buying now. I’m sure with continued planning and support you will look back and smile. I hope you get a chance to read today’s blog post at CBB. Cheers my friend and keep at it! Mr.CBB
I think it is a good thing that the Mrs is being pro-active with her health. Much better to do this now when it’s not totally necessary than to HAVE to do it. You can both work into it at your own speed. Mary had some excellent ideas for you and her to consider. It is a life style change and you will get through it together. The grocery budget will work itself out in time…… Your health and that of the Mrs is more important than hitting an arbitrary number…. and I saw some nice deals in there so we’ll cut you both some slack….
I’ll get to my shops later in the week, but I did get to a very nice price for eggs this week. The dear lady next door’s daughter lives across the road from some one that has chickens and they sell the eggs. I got a dozen eggs yesterday from her for $1.60!!! I have asked her to get me a flat of eggs at that price so 2 1/2 doz for $4.00!!! Nice brown farm fresh eggs!!!!
Funny you mentioned the bran!! I made honey bran muffins the other night so I had to buy more bran in the groceries today!! It’s in a package, not bulk but that’s the only way the store had it… I really need a trip into Country Bulk!!
Enjoy your treats in moderation and all will work out….
It shouldn’t be too bad on the budget as we do already eat all of the food on the lists that she can eat. I’m hoping we can work it all out over time.
“Nothing says, get out-of-the-way like a big bowl of bran!” Lol! I am glad I was not drinking anything when I read that. 🙂 We’re not a low GI diet, but looking over what you were saying, we’re very close to it. There’s little on the high list that we eat on a regular basis and just try to be smart with what we eat.
Ha, we have so much bran in this house John I could build the world’s biggest bran muffin I think. We got loads of it free with $2 off coupons. The list is not comprehensive but we are learning.
Mr CBB… I actually have my Sloppy Lentils served over my sweet potato with a side salad. I find that skipping the bread with that dish isn’t a hardship for me – in fact I enjoy it more than the traditional method. I also like to switch it up on occasion & serve it over a huge bowl of green salad and have it like a Southwest salad. 😀
That might be something the Mrs. would have to get used to as she LOVES bread. I’m not talking like, she loves it. We have been aiming at eating more pita and the flat breads but will transition over to pumpernickel for her now that we have it here.
Mr CBB… you know that I know what it’s like to have to shift gears on the groceries for heath reasons. The low GI diet is a great place to start for diabetes prevention but I will suggest that like the Canadian Diabetes Association suggests, each meal or snack should also involve combining either a “fat” or a “protein” with every carbohydrate… to slow the rise and fall of the blood sugar. It softens the curve.
So yes, an egg with the oatmeal is great but if you’re having an apple for a snack let’s say, then add a few almonds or a slice of cheese to slow the conversion of the apple into sugar. I would also like to mention that the lower GI foods will lower the overall GI for the meal if the Mrs wants to have potato say once in a while. I’ll have a large portion of my broccoli and cabbage and then just have say 1/4-1/2 of a potato along with my protein and I can still have a higher GI item that I love once in a while. I also learned to love “al dente” whole grain pastas (now non-wheat based), as anything cooked beyond that point is much higher on the GI scale. So, basically Mac N Cheese should still be a little chewy, a small portion and oodles and oodles of low GI veggies with it. 🙂
Having just come through the additional costs to re-align my already diabetic friendly pantry to be gluten free, I know that getting properly set up is expensive! I suggest you adjust your grocery budget for a period of not less than 3 months while you get a handle on this new phase of your journey and get yourselves set up to succeed. If you add say $100 per month for 3 months, that ought to get in a good supply of acceptable substitutes and healthier alternatives into your home. They say it takes 90 days for any change to become a habit, so be patient and generous with yourselves.
I have pretty much pulled sugary treats at our house because when you eat low GI, a sudden sugar rush is extremely hard on the pancreas and liver. It also triggered migraines for me. Maybe ooey gooey can be put on hold for 6-12 months while the Mrs gets herself through her “sugar” and “white” withdrawals. And trust me, there are withdrawals and cravings.
She will need your loving support to get through: the wild woman cravings she’ll experience even though she’s not pregnant, the abject depression over items she chooses to no longer eat as part of her health promoting lifestyle, the rage over “why me” even though she’s not up against the wall & is choosing a pre-emptive strike and then the occasional desire to chuck in the towel and say to heck with it. Sugar is an addiction and she needs to grieve that loss in her life on both a physical and an emotional level just like any other death. She will experience disbelief, bargaining, anger, depression not necessarily in that order and possibly repeatedly until she eventually comes to a place of acceptance, comfort with her choice and the execution of it and peace as she learns to deal with her new self in a world that hasn’t made the same choice regarding their dietary journey.
Sugar hides in a lot of places that will surprise you. Even fruits need to be carefully considered & evaluated. Berries, apples and pears are better than oranges, bananas, pineapples and melons but you need to also consider the portion size. I can have a small slice or two of melon when the rest of my fruit serving is berries for example. If this is for the long run…I take no “whole foods” off the table though. It’s about the frequency with which I indulge, the quantity of the treat that I consume and what measures have I taken to lower the overall GI of the meal.
I do suggest that you be aware of Mrs CBB’s journey and her struggles, even if she doesn’t say anything. I don’t say anything and then suddenly there I am…crying my little eyes out over some perceived treat I can’t have. It may not even be something I want at the moment…it’s just not something I can eat but you can. My latest crying jag was over a wiener wrap. Do I want a wiener wrap…no, do I even like a wiener wrap…no. But, I hate that it’s made with wheat and if I ate it… I would be sick for several days.
My hubby doesn’t have the same medical issues that I do, so when he’s having something I’d dearly love to have but really would suffer for indulging in, he’s kind enough to take it to the games room and enjoy it quietly. It doesn’t upset me that he can still have those treats on occasion that I struggle with, but I do find it hard to watch someone eat them and not be able to partake. Much like an alcoholic should not hang out in a bar and hope to stay sober, I can’t hang out in a bakery or an ice cream parlor and hope to stay low GI and gluten free. 😀
I am suggesting that you leave your Rendezvous account in place. You have budgeted savings for the last year…use $300 of them now. I don’t know what better investment you could possibly make with those funds than to support the health and long life of the woman you love. The Mrs will need her special get-away or weekend to help her stay this course, when a good chunk of the world is not following her path. Reward all her hard work and trust me this is work.
Every season will bring new challenges for her to face. There will be the barbecue season items that don’t work for her, her Thanksgiving choice between a little mashed or some turkey stuffing, that favorite Christmas cookie and so on and so forth. The first year is full of firsts to face and make different choices than she’s ever made before. Good luck to you both!
Thank-you for the lovely reply Mary. I’ll make sure that she reads it. The journey she is taking is one that she wants to take on her own which I fully support. She is a strong woman and knows that anything she needs I will give to her. We’ve already been eating most of the foods that were suggested to us so she will just use alternatives where she can. I’m sure it will be a struggle on the days she wants some chocolate but if she can quit smoking I know she can do this. It’s a lifestyle change, that’s what she wants. Cheers Mary! So much wisdom you have. She will enjoy this. MR.CBB
I know I have come into the middle of the conversation but I was really struck (and struck hard I might add) when you said you only spend $235 a month for groceries for two people. With a lot of work, comparison shopping and using coupons I have managed to get ours under $600 a couple of months in a row.
You’ve probably covered this on your site so can you point me in the direction of the posts I should start with to figure this out.
Miriam Kearney
*Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.- Jennifer Yane.*
Hi,
You can read all the grocery game posts or in this new post there are plenty of links that will lead you to past posts. Spending $235 a month has worked great for us and many others who spend less than we do. It all depends on the types of food one eats, how much food one eats, etc. I would start with How much should my grocery budget be?
Location plays a part as well as certain parts of the country food is considerably more expensive than other places. I suggest posting your grocery lists etc and we can see if we can help you bring it down with some helpful suggestions.
Hello, when I was pregnant with my second child, my OB suggested I go on a diabetic diet since I hadn’t lost the weight I gained from my first pregnancy. She said it’s a really healthy way to live. To save costs…. going to the local library to take out some applicable cookbooks or checking out the Dieticians of Canada’s website – they have AMAZING recipes! Good on your spouse’s part on being proactive with her health!
Thanks so much. I’ll pass this comment on to her. It’s what she really wants to do and I support her fully.
We recently found out that my husband is a diabetic so we have completely changed our lifestyle and diet as a result of this recent diagnosis. Trying to figure out a menu (meal plan) and our grocery budget. It seems do-able but it definitely is taking more time/planning right now.
What changes have you had to make? What types of meals do you make?
We have been doing alot of research online. We are looking at the Glycemic Index a bit but really looking at portion control. A lot more lean meats (chicken and turkey and lean pork) and we want to work in more fish to our diet. Spices and herbs play a big part to pump up the flavour. I think for both of us our worst fears was food without flavour since we both love to cook. We went to the library and got some different diabetic cookbooks and signed up for some newsletters/websites for recipes. There is alot of free resources. We have found 2 cookbooks in particular that we will probably buy because we have been cooking a lot of recipes out of them. We have made everything from a turkey dinner to using the leftover turkey in fajitas and a turkey curry to a beef pot roast with carrots and turnips to spinach and ricotta cannelloni. Just to name a few of the recipes we have tried so far. We definitely haven’t given up our love affair with food and trying new ingredients, techniques and flavours.
I agree I don’t think people need to give up their love affair with food, rather make better, informed choices. We have more spices than most spice racks in our house lol. I swear Mrs.CBB could use a walk in pantry and fill it full of flavours as we both love all different types of spices. Research is important and that’s what she plans on doing. Cheers
Also forgot to mention that the dietician talked alot about the difference between longer cooking foods vs. quick cooking. For example rice- the 20 minute rice is better than the instant/minute rice because it takes longer for the body to digest it. Same idea with oatmeal etc. **Less processed foods require your body to work hard to process and digest them.
That’s true, thanks for sharing that Christine. SO much to learn about this but it will take time and all your input is appreciated. Mr.CBB
Love you got the EVOO at that price! And the cheese, do you put the rest in the freezer? I have yet to try that. Cos when I just bought 2, and put them in the fridge they went bad faster.
No they are fine in the refrigerator. We’ve never had a problem with it in the refrigerator. Yes that was a great price for the oil, and it’s good too!! Made pita crisps with a bit sprinkled on top and some Caribbean spice.
Ok thanks Mr CBB! Since I’m back from my Singapore vacation, I’ll be back to posting my shopping this month.
That’s great, we missed you!!!
If it is the vacuum sealed packages of cheese check the expiry date often its dated at least 1-2 months in advance- so as long as you do not open it, it will be good in the fridge for awhile. I stock up on cheese all the time with no issues. I do double check that the vacuum sealing seems nice and tight before buying though. The main problem I have noticed in freezing and unfreezing the big blocks of cheese is the moisture level which makes slicing difficult. I have found it works better if I want grated cheese- so I grate and freeze it (cheaper than the bags of pre-grated cheese)
All cheese will mould eventually but all you have to do is cut the mould and the cheese if fine. Many many cheeses are left to age and that is the process! Here is more info http://curd-nerd.com/cheese-mold/