The Grocery Game Challenge May 20-26,2013 #3: Eating Too Much Food
When I started The Grocery Game Challenge last year we were stocking up on lots of food and soon realized that we were buying too much food. If you stare at the food in your house and know that it’s been there for ages, you’re likely buying too much.
If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that I quit smoking as well last year and since then we’ve learned lots about our eating habits. Different people require different foods depending on their personal circumstances.
We can easily see grocery budgets go up in expenses but with time we can also see that if we stop eating too much food we can further reduce those costs. Purchasing groceries on a budget means you will plan what you are purchasing and learn how to effectively use the foods you buy to create meals to fit your lifestyle.
Just recently with the wife going on a low GI diet we both noticed that it wasn’t so much what we were eating as we generally eat very healthy. The problem was more so in the fact we were eating too much food. In a conversation with our friend who is also a doctor he explained that many people tend to more than their bodies need.
He also went on to say that people who go on low-fat or fat-free diets may eat too many carbohydrates that the body struggles to process. He’s been helping my wife by answering questions she may have as well as offering suggestions such as not using EVOO to cook but if we do to add a knob of butter.
He suggested using coconut oil which we already do and find the Grace Coconut oil to be the best brand so far. We picked that up at the Bulk Barn using the Spend $10 save $3.00 coupon which makes it a great deal.
He has suggested to eat portioned amounts of butter, bacon and sausage as the body processes proteins but limit the carbohydrate intake as we simply don’t need to eat that much food. Portion sizes are critical to eating the right amounts of food and if you don’t believe me you would be shocked to see what a portion size really is. You know those lean cuisine meals? Although I’d never buy TV dinners or prepared meals the nutrition label tells is like it is.
We started to find that when we would eat too much food we would feel bloated and just not an overall sense of happiness even though I would work out every day. It’s easy to get caught up in good food when it’s all around us but we have since learned we can eat it, just not too much of it.
Some other effects of eating too much food for me was acid reflux especially if I ate too much spicy food. I find that I am not taking my medication much now since we have changed how much we eat and what we eat.
If you remember our friend Bonnie who got fit on a budget and has lost a significant amount of weight by including walking every day as well as portioning her food while making healthy food choices. Her results speak volumes for anyone who wants to lose some weight or simply stick to a healthy eating regime for life.
What are Good Foods To Eat?
Good Question and for us it’s anything that is not processed. I found a great photo the other day on Pinterest. I found it on Tracey Bregmans Pinterest (yes the lovely Tracey from The Young and The Restless) who is also a vegetarian. It ranks te top 20 fruits and vegetables by nutrition which I thought was lovely. We certainly enjoy many of these foods in our cooking.
Eating Too Much Food
When you read the calorie count, fat count and other nutritional information and then look at what you get for all that you likely sink in your chair. You already feel like you will be starving and that you won’t even feel like you’ve eaten anything at all. The reality is that we should be consuming enough food in accordance to what our nutritionist and doctor recommends for our body type, activity level, health and Body Mass Index (BMI).
We have started to weigh and measure our food so we get a better understanding of portions and how much we should be having. I found out some of my meals contained enough food for 3 people to eat. I’m a healthy eater but I’m also very active. I can stand to eat more calories with the amount of daily heavy lifting I do and exercise but that doesn’t mean I have to eat enough to feed 3 people.
If you are not sure where to begin, talk to your doctor which I highly recommend. The more carbs we eat the more work we have to do. We also see a spike in our insulin levels as well when we eat too many carbohydrates. Eating has been a challenge since we quit smoking but we vow to get back on track to healthy eating because eating too much food is simply not good enough for us.
What food challenges do you face in your diet?
Grocery Game Weeks for May
If you missed grocery game posts for this month just click on the links below and post your shops in the comment section.
- Grocery Game Challenge #1 May 6-12 Getting Back On Track With Food Budgeting
- Grocery Game Challenge #2 May 13-19,2013 Discount Days And Rewards Programs
Grocery Saving Tips
Free Money Saving Downloads just for YOU!!! Get organized with a freezer inventory, meal plan, shopping list, price comparison list and much more!!! Click, Save and Print.. It’s that easy~
- 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
Food Basics
- Head of Lettuce Reduced $0.69
- Irresistible Bio Quinoa $2.67 (first time buying or trying it)
- Red Seedless Grapes Sale $0.88lb $1.96
- Astro Yogurt x 2 Sale $1.88 Organic Plain and Vanilla
- 1 Whole wheat Pita Sale $1.00
- Premium Bananas $0.57lb $ 1.29
- Radishes $1.50
- 2x Seedless Cucumber Sale $0.88 each
- 4x Glad White Garbage Bags reduced $0.99 each
Total Out Of Pocket $18.85
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 Budget For May: $72.26
- Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
- Total Discounts this Week: $0
- Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Stockpile Budget: $20.00 Used: $0
- Total Spent This Week:$18.85
- Total Spent So Far for (May): ($162.74)+($42.23)=$204.97
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $ N/A
- Total Over/Under spend for the month of (May): $N/A
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $11.18
- Total Coupons Used This Month :$6.00+$0+$0
- Total to Carry Over Next Month : ($ 162.74 has been carried over to May from April 2013)
- Total Spent To Date This Year: $206.95 (Jan)+ $160.77 (Feb) + (March)$169.62 + (April)$397.74=$935.08
- Rendezvous Account: $65.38 (this will be used for a date night or a summer holiday)
Weekly Overview:Well it seems we only needed vegetables and fruits this week so it helped keep the budget down. We are really working on eating what we have in the house to help the overspend from last month.
Canadian Coupons Found This Week
We didn’t find any manufacturer coupons this week although we only went to one store. I’ll keep my eyes peeled though.
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?
- Follow Me on Social Media: Twitter, Facebook , Pinterest , StumbleUpon, Reddit and Google+
- Plus! Don’t forget to Subscribe to the blog so you get my daily email!!
- If you need to get in touch with me the best way is on Facebook!
We budget $100 making this month $500.
Stocked up on a few things and got a few awesome deals!
Did go over budget due to an invite out for dinner and bringing a few items.
Save on foods
$7.99 pop
$2.99×2-$2Cx2&$1.50C greenworks cleaners
$3.99×2-.75Cx3&$1C iogo yogurt
$5.99 -.75×3&$1C iogo yogurt 16pk
$2.50×2 special k fruit crisps
$2.50×2-$1Cx2 special k granola bars
$2×2-$1Cx2&.50Cx4 special k cracker chips
$1.99 nature valley bars
.50×8-$1Cx2 campbells mushroom soup
$23.85 total oop
$25.25 total coupons
London drugs
$9.99×2-$2Cx6&$3cx2 melitta kcups
$2.99-$2C&$1C dial bodywash
$3.99×4-$3Cx4 clear shampoo & conditioner
$6.89 total oop
$32.99 total coupons
Walmart
$2.50×2 4pk gum
$1.60 strawberry milk
$6.85 total oop
Safeway
$1×6-$1Cx6 toothpaste donation
$2.50-$1C resers pasta salad
$5.29 feta cheese
$7.20 total oop
$7 total coupons
Superstore
$1.97-$2C bbq sauce
$2.48 nibs hubby ate the other ones
$2.10×2-.75Cx2 coffee creamer
$1.88 salad croutons
$1.96 3pk romaine hearts
$2.96 3lb lemons
$12.09 total oop
$3.50 total coupons
Sobeys
$15.99 black forest cakeant
$1x strawberry crossiants
$3.29×5-fpcx5 dish scrunges donation
$4.99-.75C cheese
$3.29×4-bogo sale&$2Cx3 bbq sauce
$2-.75C international creamer
$1.99-$1C coffee mate creamer
$5.31 4L milk
.99×12-.50Cx2 wieners clearance 6 were for a freind but no money in my hand so out of my oop
.99 heinz beans
.99×2-bogo sale demi baguettes
.26 jalapenos
.74 tomato
.99 cucumber
.88 chocolate bar
$1.69-.50C instant noodles
$47.16 total oop
$26.45 total coupons
$104.04 total oop
$95.19 total coupons
$419.72 total monthly oop
$362.05 total monthly coupons
We did buy a lot of snacks but when I work I really need a snack before I get to have a break and lunch, sometimes five or six hours so at least I got them on sale.
Hey Juanita!
So you came in under budget this month, congrats!!! I might have to have a cograts post each month for all of us who make it under. I can’t believe how many coupons you use and I can’t wait to see your end of year total!! We might have to do a blog post on that….. Keep up the good work.. here’s to June being just as successful for you. You get ballot 28
Hi from Guatemala Mr CBB!
Here is my shop, grab a cuppa, it’s big, and this one is going to hurt… we went to a sort of costco like we did in December and went a little crazy. The place is called PriceSmart, I think you have a chain called the same in Canada but not sure it is a membership one.
Here you go
Still in France, I had $44.14 left for May, and spent
1 baguette $1.52
6 beers, 1 baguette $5.52
total $7.04
Total underspent France $37.10. I am adding $37.10 for BF too to our regular $200/month,
Budget for June $274.20
15lb rice $9.73
24 rolls TP $13.06
6 bottles (cheapest) wine $27.16
2lb garlic $4.26
1.5lb fresh goat cheese $9.99
1lb hard goat cheese $11.99
1L 12 year old rum $11.99
1.5L (mid range) white wine $15.86
4lb bacon $15.45
2lb mozzarella $7.59
2lb cheddar $7.59
2lb Monterrey Jack $7.33
1L balsamic vinegar $5.33
30lb flour $22.38
1 big jar or artichoke hearts $15.33
6 pringles $9.98
1kg honey nut cheerios $7.99
8 sponges $6.13
4 pack lasagna pasta $4.39
750ml head&shoulder shampoo $10.66
2*750gr Nutella $10.93
2lb coffee $12.66
48 beers $19.17
25lb brown sugar $10.66
total $288.56
Weekly overview: so now you see all the not so healthy food we’ll have over the next 4-5 months. We have blown over the budget of June by May 27th and still need to shop for real food, there is a little meat in the freezer but no veggies or fruit, will do that tomorrow on the way back.
All the cheese, bacon etc. will be frozen, last shop like this was back in December so I hope that cost will spread at least until August. Since it will be eaten from May 28th I prefer to call it a June shop.
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $142.82 to spend in France in May, $274.20 in June.
Total Coupons Used this Week : none
Total Spent This Week:$ 7.04 + $288.56
Total Spent So Far for (May): $105.72, $288.56 June
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $14.36 over already for June.
Total Over/Under spend for the month of (May): $37.10 under for May $14.36 over for June
Total Left to Spend for the Month: -$14.36
Total Spent To Date This Year: $802.92 for two + $105.72 for me in May. To put things straight again, I am doubling my May spending, $1,014.36 for two spent since January.
Hey!
I think both you and Mary want me to drink lots of tea lol. That’s awesome you came under budget for France considering all that you did,well done. WOW toilet paper is so expensive I won’t tell you how much I pay but it can get just as pricey here for something we wipe our arses with and flush down the toilet. I’ve seen 30 rolls for $18.99.. no thanks! I use coupons and get 8 double rolls for less than $2 .. but all out of coupons now but well stocked up for a long time. Mmmm all that goat cheese you are so lucky that it is a great price. So you essentially loaded up on big stuff! Those artichoke hearts we had from Costco and they are delicious on fresh bread with mozzarella… the shampoo is price but the Nutella is about the same price. Your beer is so cheap wow. How come so much brown sugar? Is that used more than white sugar? Since you don’t really budget then your overspend is compensated by you just knowing how much money you have to spend every month, I presume? You can call this your June shop “take 1” if you like lol.. Well done, you did pick up some fantastic deals….. now you have to cook for us 😉 Cheers Pauline! Keep up the good work. I can’t wait to see your end of year total!
No, I want to stay in the red and keep the $200 per month to see how long it takes to climb back.
TP is more expensive than usual because BF’s sensible little cheeks complained I was buying the cheapest brand. So we got the one with the puppy on it and paid extra for the puppy prints I guess :).
Brown sugar same thing, BF saw a documentary and decided no more white sugar. I don’t use it but the man has coffee, sweet lemonade and sweet everything so that is mostly for him, and there was no smaller bag, I guess we are set with rice and sugar for over 6 months.
Now I want to know about the documentary… you started it… lol.. sensitive cheeks haha
He doesn’t remember the name of the sugar documentary, it was sthg about processed and refined foods like the stuff from youtube people share on FB…still impacted him a lot!
Walmart
Dempster’s hotdog and hamburger buns – sale 2x$2.22 – $1c (WUB2)
GV granola bars – $1.57
Potato salad – sale $1.87 – $1c
Schneiders Country Naturals burgers – sale $8.97
Schneider’s Grill-Ems – sale 4x$2.97 – 2x$10c (plus I will get $2 back from CO51)
•Total Coupons Used: $22.00
•Total Out Of Pocket: $7.02
Walmart
Zuccini – $.63
Mini potatoes – $2.77
Red pepper – $1.47
Chicken breast – reduced to $3.50
Pediasure – $9.97 – $3c
Skewers – $2.00
•Total Coupons Used: $3.00
•Total Out Of Pocket: $17.60
Food Basics
Blackdiamond cheese – sale $3.88
Tositos chips – sale 2x$1.88
Red grapes – sale $1.92
Yoplait Minigo yogurt – sale 3x$2.00
Chocolate bars – sale 3x$.69 (used for chocolate bar bingo when camping)
Canada Dry bottles – sale 4x$1.88
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $26.89
Food Basics
Sour Candies – $2.50 (treat for my daughter)
Cocktail tomatoes – $2.97
Schneiders Country Naturals Turkey – $5.29
Schneiders Bacon – $5.49 – $10c
Alcan foil – sale $.99
Frozen chicken – sale $3.33
Sunshine bread – sale $1.00
Primo pasta – sale $.88
Romaine hearts – sale $1.50
Ragu spaghetti sauce – sale $.99
Green onions – $.67
Asparagus – $2.42
Green beans – $.95
Pineapple – $2.50
Fruite drink – sale 8x$.88
Ground beef – sale 2lbs for $3.76
Red onion – $1.11
Selection cream cheese – $2.99
•Total Coupons Used: $10.00
•Total Out Of Pocket: $37.75
•Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $3975 ($75 per week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $325
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $35.00
•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: $89.26
•Total Spent So Far for May: $223.89
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: over $14.26
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of May: N/A
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $101.11
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $19.99 + $35.00 = $54.99
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I don’t carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1310.03
•Weekly Overview: So I was a bit over this week even with my coupons but I was able to stock up a bit on sausages and am in good shape overall for the month. The hamburgers I got on sale but still seemed quite pricey considering the box only has 6 burgers in it. Do not think I would have bought them if I didn’t have a coupon. Have not tried them yet though so we will see if they are worth the cost or not. Did not try to attempt No Frills this weekend with the dollar sale as I can’t stand the crowds and they always seem to be out of the sale items I want the most when there is a good sale. Perhaps I will try during the week. As for the topic of carbohydrates, that is something I have to work on. I just love my potatoes, pasta and rolls. Thanks for the info in your post Mr. CBB.
Hi Joanne!!
It seems everyone was a bit over this week lol.. so you are not the only one. We didn’t go to No Frills either as there was nothing in the flyer we needed. I don’t find much on the dollar sales to be honest with you except for veg but I’d rather PM it than fight the crowds. We’ve cut back and now use sweet potatoes as well which are great sliced, seasoned and roasted like chips in the oven. Keep up the good work… you still have a huge amount to spend until the end, I think you will nail the budget this month! Well done. Mr.CBB you get ballot 23
Here’s my shops for the week. I went over but I usually try to have the main shop on Friday as that is the first day of the ads. Unfortunately I needed milk, bread and water so that shop had to be Thursday. I’m going to try to have things balance or as close as I can get it this week. Means I have under $100.00 for the last week…..it will be close….. Everything was at Foodland
May 17
2 mac and cheese packages @ .69- 1.38
6 Gatorade @.97- 5.82
bananas- 1.46
1lb margarine- 1.79
1 500ml sour cream- 1.79
1 unsweetened applesauce- 1.98
1 ketchup- 2.77
2 boxes cookies @2.79- 5.58
1 box cereal- 2.97
1 jug cranberry cocktail- 2,98
2 raisin bread @2.99- 5.98
1 w/w bread- 3.59, 1.00 coupon
1 bagels- 3.89, 1.50 coupon
1 IOGO yogurt- 4.29, .75 coupon
1 lb butter- 4.69
2 4l milk@ 4.79- 9.58
3 blocks cheese@ 4.97- 14.91
1 jug water- 5.49
1 box cereal- 5.49
1 case cream soda- 5.78
1 pack smokes- 9.69
tax- 2.77
Total- $101.42, 4.25 coupons
May 18
4 cans soup@ .88- 3.52
2 Gatorade @ .97- 1.94
1 cole slaw- 1.99
1 pack buns- 2.99, .50 coupon
1 parm cheese, grated- 3.62
Tax- .25
Total- $13.81, .50 coupon
May 23
2 mac and cheese packages@ .69- 1.38 -4.79
1 ice tea- .97
2 Gatorade@ .97- 1.94
bananas- 1.84
1 jar pickles- 1.79
1 pack peanuts- 2.29
1 raisin bread- 2.99
1 cranberry cocktail- 2.99
1 Special K granola bars- 3.00, .50 coupon
2 w/w bread@ 3.29- 6.58
1 stir fry veggies- 3.49
1 IOGO yogurt- 3.99, .75 coupon
1 lb butter- 4.69
1 4l milk- 4.79
1 72 count Tetley(sample and coupon inside) -4.99
1 jug water- 5.49
1 pack smokes- 9.69
Tax- 1.90
Total- $63.55, 1.25 coupons
Total budget for year- $7800.00
Total budget for the month-$600.00
Total coupons this week- $6.00
Total spent this week- $178.78, Over for week- $28.78
Total for month- $185.11+154.46+178.78= $518.35
Left for the month- $81.65
Total coupons for the month- 10.40+7.00+6.00= $23.40
Total carry over to next month-$254.22
Total YTD- J$818.08+F$598.07+M$770.12+A$938.07+M$518.35= $3642.61
So I’m over for the week but I still have $81.65 left for the month and the last week. Having to go in on Thursday was a pain in the wallet. Hopefully I can keep things nice and low for the next few days. Hubby is on a banana kick. I bought those bananas at FB the other week at .57 a lb and they sat there until I finally tossed them in the freezer, right after that he just had to have bananas….at .79 lb!!! So not impressed there. The Gatorade is a regular purchase in the summer and was on sale so there was a slow stockup…. this week it’s Powerade on sale so that’s what I will be getting. Chocolate milk is on too and that works out cheaper than white…$1.00 for a litre against 4.79 for 4l… The younger boy bought the rhubarb we’ve been eating which is why it doesn’t show here…. his money…it helps… It’s looking not too bad for this week so we shall see….. I will be watching things very closely….
Hi Christine!
You are over this week but like you said you still have some monet to work with up until the end of the month. I’m sure you can nail this money easy if you plan it out. I’m cheering you on from my end. I had to put bananas in the freezer as well but that’s ok they get used up in banana bread or smoothies. Gaterade can get pricey so if you do use it when it’s on sale is the best time to get it, you bet. If you were near me I’d give you rhubarb.. I have so much of it. I saw the plants on sale today at zehrs for $9.99 for a little tiny one. Ours must be worth a fortune. Keep at it. You get ballot 22
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 : $3.00
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: $85.68
Total Pet Over/Under spend this shop: $8.34
Total Spent This Week: $94.02
Total Spent So Far for May: $339.45
Total Over/Under spend for the month of May: Will probably always be over…..
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $0
Total Coupons Used This Month : $7.00
Total to Carry Over Next Month : $0
Total Spent To Date This Year: $1532.97
Weekly Overview: Yes, I’m over budget again but the food that is slowly being added to the cupboards, freezer and fridge will enable more home cooked meals. It’s a work in progress but I know that I’m slowly getting there. This shopping trip, I was able to use a couple of coupons that I received from you (Mr. CBB) which I do very much appreciated. So far this month, I’ve included the dollars that I’ve used to eat out in my food budget, starting next month (June), I’m going to separate this category so that I can get a better picture of these categories to really see how much I’m spending for the groceries that I’m buying. I’ve already separated the pet budget, this will be my next step in my progress.
Food Basics
Baking Soda – 3 @.89 = $2.67
Broccoli – 2 @ .97 = 1.94
Cookies – 1.99
Cheerios – 2.97
Pork Chops – 7.84
Toothpaste – 2.49 (1.00 Coupon)
Whole Wheat Bread – 4 @ 1.00 = 4.00
Coupon – 1.00
Tax – .32
OOP – 23.22
No Frills
Hot Stuff – 4 @ 1.00 = 4.00
Minute Maid Frozen Punch – 4 @ 2/1.00 = 2.00
Michelina’s – 6 @ 1.00 = 6.00
Soft Cat Food (12 pack) – 7.38
Tuna – 4 @ 1.00 = 4.00
Habitant French Pea Soup – 2 @ 1.00 = 2.00
Kelloggs Pop Tart – 2.00
Eggs – 2.68
Minute Maid 10 pack Punch – 2.77
Chicken Broth – 2 @ 1.00 = 2.00
Plain Soda Crackers – 1.00
Reduced Fat Soup – 1.19
Cream of Mushroom Soup – 7 @ .66 = 4.62
Peak Freaks Fruit Crème Cookies – 1.97
Skim Milk – 2 @ 3.97 = 7.94
Bagels – 3 @ 1.00 = 3.00
Chicken Legs – 1.49 + 1.79 = 3.28
Bologna – 3.29
Pork Chops – 8.15
Bananas – @ .57/lb = 1.44
Q-tips – 1.00
Coupon – 2.00
Tax – 1.09
OOP – 70.80
Hi Dee,
I’m glad you were able to make use of some of the coupons. I think in June when you separate your categories it will give you a better picture. We took our pet budget out as well so we could save separate for our dog which works out better. We did that to see how much we were spending on him all year long. Keep working at it. What homemade meals have you tried lately? You get ballot 21
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 ½ year old boy. Our budget is $90/week or $360 for this month and includes baby items, laundry, health/beauty, etc.
Ample (New Asian grocery store in Brampton)
ML Farms Chicken wieners 2 x $.88
OOP $1.80 (paid cash- rounding)
RCSS
Schneider’s Grillems sausage (PM WM) 2 x $2.97 – 2 x $2.00 CO51
Knorr sidekicks (PM NF) 3 x $.67 – $1.00 wub3 coupon
NN beef and chicken broths (PM NF) 2 x $1.00
NN vinegar $1.97
PAM grilling spray $3.97 – $1.00 coupon
ML Natural Selections single serve deli meat (PM NF) 4 x $1.00
Old Mill bagels (PM NF) 2 x $1.00
Mushrooms (PM NF) $1.00
Coupons $2.00
CO51 $4.00
CD $2.31
OOP $14.58
RCSS
Almond milk drinking boxes (3 pack) 3 x $3.00 – 3 x $1.00 coupons
1% milk $3.97
Whole wheat flour $4.77
Almond Fresh milk 3 x $3.99 – 3 x $.75 coupons
Philadelphia cream cheese (PM Metro) $2.99
Mott’s fruit rockets (PM GT) 4 x $1.99 – 4 x $.50 coupons
Mini Wheats family size 6 x $3.97 – 2 x $3.00 coupons
OEP taco kit (PM FB) $2.99 – FPC
Oxi clean powder (PM WM) $8.97 – $1.00 coupon
PAM baking spray $3.97 – $1.00 coupon
Redpath sugar $1.55
Silk chocolate almond milk drinking boxes (18 pack) sale $17.98
Special K cracker chips 3 x $1.98 – 3 x $1.00 coupons
Sweet Baby Ray’s bbq sauce 12 x $1.97 – 12 x $2.00 (gave 6 to my parents)
Unico kidney beans $.97 – $.50 CO51
BD almond milk 2/$4.00 – 2 x $.50 coupons
Pillers simply free deli meat (PM FC) 3 x $2.99 – 2 x $.75 – 1 x $.50
Bananas $1.56
Broccoli (PM FB) $.97
Apples $2.24
Oranges $3.20
Jalapeno pepper $.09
Romaine lettuce $.98
Garlic $.58
Tomatoes $.59
Crest Pro Health 3 x $1.87 – $4.50 wub3
Duracell C batteries $5.88 – $1.00 coupon
Heinz baby food large jars 10 x $.98 – 50% pink stickers – $4.90 (long expiry, will donate at Christmastime to Ken’s works drive)
Teddy’s choice baby bottle liners 2 x $5.49 – 50% pink stickers – $5.50 (will donate as well)
Coupons $54.24
CD $16.97
CO51 $1.50 (including $1.00 for having a bill over $60)
Gift cards used $85.00
OOP $25.65
Food Basics
2lbs carrots $.88
10lbs russet potatoes $1.88
Soy sauce $1.49
Green lentils $.79
OOP $5.04
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $4,680 ($90/week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $360
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $56.24
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $5.50
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $25.00
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this year: $87.50
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this week: $19.28
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this month:$54.25
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this year: $238.90
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $1.94
• Total SCOP this year: $3.41
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $85.00
•Total Spent This Week: $47.17
•Total Spent So Far for May: $338.16
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: N/A
•Total Over/Under spent for the month of May: Under $25.61 but only because I used gift cards
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $25.61
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $221.81
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I do not carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1616.12
•Weekly overview: I need to stop shopping! Lol. I am under budget this week but only because I used gift cards I had saved. I do have a lot to show for my money including some items for the food bank at Christmas and some almond milk drinking boxes for when we are on the go this summer. I bought green lentils this time to try (that’s what you said worked better right?) and they were on sale at FB. Good deal on sausages with CO51 this week. I’m not sure what else to say but I better get my butt in gear next month! lol
What will you be using your whole wheat flour for? I see you bought green lentils.. will you try the sloppy lentil joes again with the right lentils lol.. sorry about that again my fault. Yes you need to stop shopping and if I have to send over my grocery shopping expert to take your coupons and phone away I will!! lol.. I think you did well with your shops but you need to eat what you have. Don’t try to keep spending all your budget each month when you clearly don’t have to. Take a breather and catch up saving some money for other things or in a pot for another month of shopping. It’s your money, your choice but like you said, you need to stop shopping. You get ballot 20
I want to try making whole wheat tortillas next time so that’s what the flour is for. I want to make tacos with lentils so that’s why i bought the green ones. I might be more discerning in June as my MIL will be on vacation in Europe for two weeks. So without her card I will probably spend less lol.
haha gonna miss those discounts better stay home
MAY – Week #3
Week of May 20 to May 26, 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
———————————————————————————————–
OUR SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Extra Foods – Maple Ridge
2 D’Italiano WW bread $5
2 pkgs Mini Cucumbers $5
1 Pkg 3 Peppers $2.46
1-2 Lb Pkg Baby carrots $1.96
1-3Lb bag yellow onions $1.48
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $0.00
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 0 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned = 0 Points
•Total OOP: $15.90
• Grocery Budget OOP: $15.90
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
———————————————————————————————–
HOW MUCH WE HAVE SAVED IN 2013:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
(Jan $40.04) + (Feb $44.48) + (March $98.35) +
(April $50.00)+ (May $3.00)= $235.87
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
(Jan – $60.46) + (Feb – $0.00)+ (March $11.79) +
(April $12.48)+(May $1.50)= $86.23
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
(Jan 265) + (Feb 248)+(March 151) +
(April 26)+(May 0 )= 690 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
(Jan 57) + (Feb 10) + (March 30) +
(April 83) + (May 0)= 180 Air Miles
———————————————————————————————–
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 $215.04)+ (May $30 to US +$14.64+ $9.58+15.90=$70.12)=
$773.95
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far:
(Jan $190.00)+(Feb$190.00)+ (March $108.79) +
(April $142.50)+(May $142.50)= $773.79
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: $0.16 OVER
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
•Total Stockpile OOP Spent So Far This Year:
(March $81.21) + (April $77.55) + (May $17.45 to US) = $176.21
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget:
(March $81.21) + (April $47.50) + (May $17.45 to US)= $176.21
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Stockpile Budget: $0.00 FLAT
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• GRAND TOTAL SPENT IN 2013 $950.16
———————————————————————————————–
IN CLOSING:
I finished OVER on my Canadian shopping for May by $0.16, and my US shopping week was pushed back a week because of a bridge collapse on the I-5 … we didn’t want to fight the traffic on a long weekend that would be increased with detours, especially with me not feeling A1 after some dental work. We have already transferred next week’s grocery and stockpile funds over to the US RESERVE, therefore we won’t be doing any further shopping in Canada this month. I will carry this small overage into June and reduce our spending accordingly. Here is where we are going into next week:
MAY Grocery Budget (CDN):
$142.50 Opening
($72.54) April overage
($24.22) groceries – week 1
($0.00) groceries – week 2 – NO SHOP WEEK
($15.90) groceries – week 3
($30.00) To US Reserve – week 4 – NO SHOP WEEK
$0.16 OVER
MAY Stockpile Budget (CDN):
$47.50 Opening
($30.05) April overage
($0.00) May stockpile – week 1 – NO SHOP WEEK
($0.00) May stockpile – week 2 – NO SHOP WEEK
($0.00) May stockpile – week 3 – NO SHOP WEEK
($17.45) To US Reserve – week 4 – For MAY 26 SHOPPING
$0.00 FLAT
MAY Safeway Gift card (CDN):
$20.00 AVAILABLE
MAY Cash Hiding Spot (CDN):
$5.00 Opening
$25.00 Cash Top Up re lunch with MIL
$30.00 AVAILABLE
MAY Re-Stocking Funds (CDN):
$0.00 AVAILABLE
MAY Grocery Reserve (US):
$118.39 Opening
+ 30.00 Grocery Transfer re week 4
+ 17.45 Stockpile Transfer re week 4
$165.89 US AVAILABLE
MAY Cash Hiding Spot (US):
$65.00 US AVAILABLE
After going thru the fridge checking expiry dates on our cheese, and evaluating the sensitivity of my teeth post-dental work, we decided to change around some of our meals. Here’s what we’ll be eating for the rest of the week:
Sat (25th) – Vacation:
Brunch – Leftover Macaroni & Cheese
Dinner – Steamed Potato with sour cream, broccoli with a pad of butter, a scrambled egg medley with sauteed red onion, red pepper, mushrooms, carrot & celery tossed in with it and grated shredded cheddar cheese melted on top
Sun (26th) – Vacation:
Brunch – meeting a friend at Denny’s in Langley
Dinner – making a double batch of Peasant Cabbage and Tomato soup with homemade Gluten Free cornbread. This will give us leftovers for 3 more meals for two. Yay!
Mon (27th):
Breakfast (Hubby):
Breakfast (Me):
Lunch (Hubby):
Lunch (Me):
Dinner: Hamburgers served with sliced onion, tomato, marble cheese slices plus mayo/mustard/relish/ketchup. Hubby has his in a standard hamburger bun, but my bun is a gluten free bun. We’ll have dill pickles, a little green salad and a bit of coleslaw to round out the meal.
Woops… didn’t mean to hit post! The meals for the 27th should be:
Mon (27th):
Breakfast (Hubby): Toasted bagels with Cheese Whiz
Breakfast (Me): Hard boiled egg on 1 slice GF toast
Lunch (Hubby): 2 Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Lunch (Me): 1 cup of cottage cheese with a diced pear cup
Dinner: Hamburgers served with sliced onion, tomato, marble cheese slices plus mayo/mustard/relish/ketchup. Hubby has his in a standard hamburger bun, but my bun is a gluten free bun. We’ll have dill pickles, a little green salad and a bit of coleslaw to round out the meal.
Hi Mary!
Those cucumbers were a bit pricey but they are on sale her for $1 this week so that’s likely why I think so. I still have yet to try them, maybe one day. I love cucumbers. You used $1.50 in coupons in May!! Hooray for Mary! You did well for May considering and I’m glad you did not go to the US as planned. I made a lovely turkey barley vegetable tomato chunk soup tonight I think you might like. It’s raining here quite a bit so it will be perfect tonight for dinner. Overall, a successful month for you. You did much better than us this month but considering the rough month we both had last month we did well I think. I will have 2 no shop weeks in June to try and catch up.. try! You get ballot #19
I would love that soup Mr CBB but I can’t have barley as it has gluten. 🙁 Beef n barley used to be one of my favorite soups but that bit the dust.
I thought about doing a soup this evening since it is absolutely POURING rain here, but I don’t feel well enough today to get loose in the kitchen. I will throw on a Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder tomorrow in the crockpot. Tonight it’s maple baked beans on toast around here for hubby & we’ll see if I can face it or not. I may just have a cup of tea and some diced pears. 🙂
i don’t fancy maple baked beans just plain baked beans on toast mmm
Week 20
Walmart
Glass Cleaner $1.97
Dishwashing Liquid $1.97
Coffee Creamer $2.89
Milk 1/2 gal $2.47
Coffee Filters $1.28
Kids Tootpaste $1.97
Total Out of Pocket $18.13
Golden Krust
4 Patties $7.00
4 Sodas $7.16
Total Out of Pocket $15.01
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4000
Total Grocery Budget for May: $299.60
Total Coupons Used this Week: $0.00
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total Spent This Week: $33.14
Total Spent for May: $311.80
Total Overspend this shop: -$27.04
Total Overspend for the month of May: -$12.20
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $0.00
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0.00
Total to Carry Over Next Month: -$12.20
Total Spent To Date This Year: $ $1,765.10
Weekly Overview: So, my no shop week didn’t work out too well. I had to get a few item because I could stretch them out any longer. I also ate out over the weekend. I totally just said screw it and went to Golden Krust because I was on the road and it was convenient. Next time, I’ll eat before I leave home.
Hi Dr.Sheba!
That’s a smart thing to do and I talk about that in today’s grocery game, shopping while hungry and the same applies when you are on the road. Sometimes it doesn’t work out but look at what you spent this week only $15.01. If you really were shopping like normal you would have spent lots more so pat yourself on the back. You will do better next time. I can see the improvements, I hope you can too!!
Well, I can tell I am eating too much when my pants are getting tighter. Which they were after this weekend. 🙂 I find it harder to control portion sizes when I am vegging out in front of the tv or working through my lunches and eating mindlessly. Things I know that are bad for me, but I still do it. 🙂
This i my week’s shops:
Mom 10.00
Shoppers
Chips 4.2
Total Coupons 0
Total Out of Pocket 4.20
No Frills
Croutons 1.88
Pop 4.07
Foam plates 2.82
Total Coupons 0
Total Out of Pocket 8.77
Superstore
Pickles 2.47
Yogurt 2.97
Olives 1.49
Bacon Bits 2.58
Chinese Cabbage 1.80
Baby Spinach 2.75
Limes (x3) 1.11
Spinach 1.28
Chicken 8.89
Caesar dressing 2.46
Total Coupons 0.5
Total Out of Pocket 27.30
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $200
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0.50
Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $1
Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $3
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
Total Spent This Week: $50.27
Total Spent So Far for May: $158.64
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $0.27 over
Total Over/Under spend for the month of May: $8.64 over
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $41.36
Total Coupons Used This Month: $1.50
Total to Carry Over Next Month: n/a
Total Spent to Date This Year: $823.57
Weekly Overview: We did end up doing a potluck so you can see some items that aren’t usually on my list like pop and paper plates and dressing. It’s a start, but I still shudder when I see my eating out budget for the month. 🙂 I did receive your advice on the last post, and have decided that most of our entertaining involves eating out as well, so we could probably use some of our entertainment budget towards eating out as well. Overall, I think if we strive to save 70% of our income, then we should be okay for the moment.
Have a good week!
Oh Vicky,
You have all the answers and you just need to fix the concerns now. I was going to say you don’t normally buy pop or dressing lol. Your eating out budget is alot. I can see if you are both making loads of cash, little to no debt etc but spending that kind of cash eating out is too much in my opinion but it’s your money haha. If you go to the Asian stores I find the vegetables are cheaper sometimes. Do you have any shops where you live? You get ballog #18 P.S you didn’t go over by too much considering the pot luck…. so good stuff!!
I always crush it in the evening…and my “crush it” I mean “crush any plans of eating well.” That’s why I avoid the kitchen after 7 pm. I’ll find myself absentmindedly with my head in the refrigerator….
I always crush it in the evening…and my “crush it” I mean “crush any plans of eating well.” That’s why I avoid the kitchen after 7 pm. I’ll find myself absentmindedly with my head in the refrigerator….
Nice to see arugula so high on the list since it grows like weeds down here. I really should get a couple of pots for some this summer, but it often grows faster than I can eat it! A good problem to have, I know. =)
I’ve been reading Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food this week, and it’s quite interesting. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a new read!
I”d say, I’d love to have that problem although we can find asparagus and fiddleheads growing like weeds as well as lovely mushrooms, blackberries. Thanks for the book… I do enjoy reading so I’ll take a look into that. Cheers mate
I think you bring up a great point in that it’s not always what you eat but how much. I know I struggle with this as I eat healthy, but sometimes too much as well. For instance avocados. I KNOW they are good for me but I swear I could eat a whole one every day. And that’s a lot of calories…which don’t get burned off as easily as you get older. And it affects the bottom line of the grocery budget as well. I’m so glad to see asparagus is #1. I LOVE roasted asparagus!
That’s just it.. many people eat more than they should and that packs money onto the budget. It’s a great way to drop the budget but it’s also a great way to buy less but maybe more quality products as well. I love avocado, so does Pauline. I can find asparagus in the wild over here in June and its amazing. We saw a pot of asparagus at the garden centre for $10 tonight, rubbish! I’ll just go pick it and grow it lol..
I enjoyed this one!!The information on portion control is interesting…. i do have to chuckle when we go to the sister-in-law’s place for a family gathering…. I love both my sisters-in-law but a common conversation is about diets and who lost how much on this one and so on. I don’t dare say a word as they both consider me to be the skinny one that never has to worry about her weight…..I’m just not that big an eater…… What is normal for me is likely a lot closer to what one should eat for portion size than most people realize. I do try to feed the family healthy food as much as I can. We’re eating less meat lately and I look over different recipes and get the boys looking at them too. The older boy will eat what is put in front of him and just doesn’t care so long as it is ‘food’. The younger lad enjoys looking at recipes and figure out how something will taste from looking at what’s in it. Quite a good skill to have…
The thing is meat isn’t all that bad it’s the carb loading that people need to cut back on. Like yourself there are others who don’t find eating big on the priority list and yes your portions are likely what we should all be eating. I’ve stopped with the bread except for pita and wraps if I make them and cutting back on the pasta etc. My mate said if we are going to eat rice just eat the white as there is not much difference from the white to the brown just eat less of it. Most people have a full plate of rice which is far too much he says. Portion control is tough but it will help many people, including us. We even have smaller plates now, put the larger ones away.
Mr CBB, I use what used to be dinner plates as serving platters now. One dinner plate is a serving platter when you are eating from salad plates. 🙂 I figure there’s no need to toss perfectly good stuff when all I have to do is re-purpose it.
And, the carb loading thing… big difference between bread/grains/pasta and your fruits and vegetables. I do small portions of fruit once a day and loads of non-starchy low GI vegetables but really restrict the grain category. I’d rather have 1/4 of green cabbage steamed with cracked black pepper instead of one lonely little piece of bread! All carbs are not created equal. 🙂
That’s true. I’m with you as I would rather load up on some veg rather than bread. I like bread but I’m not a big bread eater. I even bring hot meals to work rather than sandwiches.
Our not eating as much meat has more to do with trying to keep to the budget as anything else. I get the white rice too as that is what will get eaten here. I’ve cooked the wild rice once in a while, the boys will eat it no problem, hubby can be the fussy one… Left over rice goes into fried rice for another meal… as I’m sure you have seen with my What’s for Dinner comments. Using smaller plates helps keep portions small too. When the kids were little I used the small sandwich plates for them. It worked great….
I’ve read Michael Pollan as well, actually have In defense of Food and his other one too. Very good reads….
I found the thread you were referring to 🙂
Until I realised what a serving was, I always wondered if something was wrong with me. I’m more of a grazer, and would rather eat lots of smaller meals. People, if they see me eat, would comment on how little I eat. I’m relieved to find out, I eat normal, but most other people are overeating.
About a couple of years ago, at my yearly check up, my doctor said I should gain a little weight. I am 5’1″ and was about 108 lbs then. I felt great. (the doctor was smaller than me) So…I ate lots of apple pie..yummm. But then my clothes were too tight, I felt bloated. I went up to 119 lbs. I hated it.
Now I will listen to my body, and do what I think is right. Going into my 50’s my metabolism has slowed down even further, so getting my weight under control now is very important to me.
PS…I love your blog MR.CBB
Hi Kathryn,
I’m happy you found the thread. I was meaning to link to it but I blinkin forgot, sorry. I am like you and would rather eat small meals throughout the day. We focus lots on eating healthy but there are times when we want to make a homemade pizza. Portion size really is what hurts many people because we really don’t know how much food we should be eating in comparison to what we are actually eating. As we age, like you mention our metabolism gets slower so again, another great reason to not only watch what we eat, but how much. I’m glad you enjoy the blog Kathryn. I try to bring real life scenarios to the blog so others can share their knowledge and experience. I enjoy having fans share their stories and making this blog a friendly place where we don’t judge each other rather help and guide each other towards our goals. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Mr.CBB 🙂
Good for you Mr CBB!
It really is shocking when you realize a serving of grains is 1/2 cup or 1/3 cup if it is brown rice. When they changed the Canada Food Guide recommended protein size from 3 oz to 2 oz., it basically meant 2 canned sardines were all I needed to meet the requirement. I could put that on 1/2 slice of bread & make a closed sandwich with the other 1/2 slice of bread. Most folks would be surprised to learn what they think of as 1/2 a sandwich is a full meal. But, when you decrease your “quantity”… the budget can handle an awful lot of “quality” without cracking under the strain. 🙂
Are you considering addressing food combining as well to keep you systems “moving” at optimal digestive levels? If so, you may want to have a look at this:
http://www.autoimmuneandyou.com/2013/05/20/autoimmune-disease-food-combining/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AutoimmunePaleoAndYou+%28Autoimmune+and+YOU…..%29
This is a really exciting journey that you and the Mrs have begun!
I will not be posting my grocery shop until next Monday because I will be doing some US grocery shopping on Sunday.
I can tell you though that even with the April overage, and transfers of funds to our US reserve… I managed to get through my Canadian grocery shopping with only a $0.16 overage to carry into June but I still have my $30 hiding spot cash and the $20 Safeway gift card!!! Yay me! 🙂
Next week will be a NO SHOP WEEK after we return from the US, so basically as long as I stay on budget in the US…the month of May will be a huge success for us! 😀
Well said Mary and that’s my point. For those that struggle with buying quality foods they could decrease the amount purchased. I’m not sure I’ll be talking about anything that requires a degree or professional knowledge but I may look into it and quote something so I’ll have a look for sure. You are lucky to have the extra cash. This month has been tough but we will make it through…. I hope! Even if we go over $20 and carry over it’s better than nothing at all. I can’t wait to see what you score in the USA….
I have kept the hiding spot cash and gift cards for an emergency Mr CBB. We haven’t had an emergency in 2013… a few “wants” here and there but not an outright emergency. Not that $50 would carry you very far but I could make a lot of vegetable & beans soups with that if I needed to. 🙂
IT’s a smart idea.. we should do the problem is remembering where we stash it all. Might need a map!! 🙂
You make an excellent point, Mr. CBB, we do eat too much and don’t even realize it. Portion sizes have gotten so big and we’ve adjusted accordingly. I’ve seen people wolf down 2-3 Lean Cuisine type meals in one sitting. It takes a moment to adjust to a “real” portion size but it’s worth it! Eating healthy is a priority for me too and I love the list of the best foods to eat you shared. I enjoy most of them, thankfully, except for tomatoes. 🙂