The grocery game challenge Aug 12-18, 2013 #2- Grocery shopping for seniors
Seniors And Weekly Grocery Shopping Services
I can remember my grandmother, a spunky little lady with a British attitude that could swipe you off your feet. She was strong, independent and wealthy and wouldn’t have anyone take her places. She wanted to do it all on her own because like many older seniors they don’t want to feel like they have to depend on others to get things done in their life as they age unless they are forced to for health reasons.
My grandmother would come over to my parents house for Sunday dinner and all she would talk about was food and recipes because she loved to cook. She also loved to grocery shop because back in her time everything was created homemade and there was no room for convenience foods yet she was a smart shopper.
Food shopping list
I asked my mother the phone other day about my grandmother while I called so I could learn more about her to share with all of you. My mother told me that my grandmother knew what she was going to eat ahead of time for the week so meal planning was essential to her saving money and saving time by knowing what to cook. She would sit down every weekend with a piece of paper and pencil and go through her pantry and refrigerator to see what she had on hand and what she needed to buy for her recipes. She was a very detailed woman and didn’t miss a beat.
Over the years as my grandmother aged that independence she once fought so hard to keep came to a stand still. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and slowly we were doing more for her than ever before. Grocery delivery for seniors may have existed back then but with my parents living in the same village it was just as easy for them to help her with her grocery list and pick up the groceries for her. Eventually we had to sell her amazingly gorgeous mansion (I call it), but it was a huge home on a well-kept property so she could be taken care of.
Some seniors can still live in their home but struggle to get out because they no longer drive or taking the transit is just too much for them. Even if a senior can make it to the supermarket they may find that loading and unloading groceries is too much to bear and trying to bring them home is a struggle. For many, the convenience to have family or friends to help out or paying a small fee for a grocery delivery service is well worth it to them.
Grocery delivery for seniors
These days grocery shopping businesses are opening up all over the place and for a small fee you can have your grocery shopping picked up, paid for and delivered for a small fee in Canada. It’s not a service just for seniors either anyone can use it if you are willing to pay the fee. Many elderly care services in local communities will include shopping services and trips to the supermarket together.
Grocery Angels Canada out of Hamilton, Ontario a store to door personalized grocery service will do your grocery shopping for you. They charge certain fees depending on how much your grocery bill costs. For example: If your receipt total is up to $115 the cost for grocery shopping is $10 and delivery another $10 which seems reasonable enough to me. Spending over $350 in groceries will only cost you a mere $35 in shopping and delivery fees.
Seniors and technology
There is so much information for senior shopping online these days as services geared to older adults and the elderly are sky-rocketing. When someone decides to use a grocery delivery service they need to weight the pros and cons according to the way they feel about the entire scenario. Using such a service will save time, save money on gas and for some a taxi, transit money, owning a vehicle and the ability to have someone find the best deals for them at the best price.
These days we see more seniors using technology then ever before even though I struggle to get my mum and dad on the computer for many seniors the internet is a window to the world as it is for everyone else. I’m in awe when I see seniors using a tablet, Iphone and a computer better than I can but that’s something they want to do.
Even though not everyone wants in on the world of technology being hooked up may be a great way to feel you are still very much part of society and the world around us, especially if the senior doesn’t get out much. Having the internet available to seniors allows them to make shopping online and easy process rather than a stressful outing they might not want to endure.
My grandmother is not with us any longer but she taught us that she wouldn’t take no for an answer and that if a woman says she can still do it, let her because it means she can.
Do you help your parents or other older adults or seniors to grocery shop? Have you used any type of grocery shopping service before? What was your experience like?
August grocery game recap
If you missed grocery game posts for this month just click on the links below and post your shops in the comment section. We are currently on week 2 for August so week 1 is posted below if you still have to post your shop.
Grocery saving tips
Free Money Saving Downloads are lists that were created to get us on track to work towards reaching our budgeting goals. Get organized with a freezer inventory, meal plan, shopping list, price comparison list and much more all for FREE. I want to see you save money in your budget.
Click, Save and Print. It’s that easy
- Let Your Coupons Expire And Save Money
- Welfare Food Challenge $26 Per Week In The Grocery Budget
- What A No-Shop Week Really Means
- Should You Buy It Now Or Buy It Later?
- Stock Up On Items When You Can
- The Cost Of Organic Food
- What Foods You Should Not Eat and Organic Gardening
- Knowing Your Prices Is The Key To Saving Money In The Grocery Budget
- Product Price Adjustments Don’t Miss The Savings
- Scanning Code of Practice In Canada (SCOP)
- How To Start Saving Money On Groceries In Canada?
- How Much Should My Grocery Budget Be?
- Top Ten Ways To Cut Your Grocery Budget
- Meal Planning For The Budget
- The Grocery Game Challenge and Our Grocery Budget
- Grocery Budget Saving Tips
- Food Shopping On A Budget
- How To Grocery Shop
- Grocery Store Self-Scanners
- Food and Vegetable Preparation
- Best Time To Grocery Shop
- Organic Food Costs
- Why Shopping Hungry Is Not A Smart Idea
- Are We Eating Too Much Food?
- Discount Days and Rewards Programs
- Getting Back On Track With Food Budgeting
- Why You Should Ignore Your Grocery Flyers
- The Low-GI Diet and Your Budget
- How To Track Grocery Expenses
- Comparing Prices With a Price Comparison List
- Why Too Much Salt Is Not Good For Us
- Shopping More Than Once Per Week
- Food Samples When Shopping
- Food Waste In Canada
Food food and more food
Food Basics
- 4 x Nescafe Instant Coffee Sale $3.97 (15.88 to stockpile)
- Allen’s Vinegar Sale $1.99
- 2 x Sunflower Seeds $1.99
- 1x Iceberg Lettuce $0.88
- 2 x Mozzarella Cheese Silani Sale $3.99
- 2 x Lactancia Cream cheese Sale $1.77 ea
- Tomatoes $2.19
- Yellow zucchini Reduced $1.99
- Mushrooms Reduced $0.99
- Bok Choy Reduced $0.99
- Limes Reduced $0.99
- Grapefruit Sale $2.97
- Navel Oranges Sale $2.97
- Cantaloupe Reduced $0.49
- Red Onions $2.96
- 6 x Brats Sausage Reg price $21.50 – $6.45 stickers = Reduced Price $15.05
Total out-of-pocket $51.55 with $15.88 to stockpile
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 2 x large dozen of eggs rain check $1.99 each
- 1x Neilson Milk 4 litres $3.97
- 4 x Danone Yogurt 750 ml tubs 1 with $1.00 coupon on it Sale 2/$4.00- $5.00 coupon = $2.00 for 4 🙂
Total of out pocket $9.95
Yearly grocery budget for two: $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 July: $235.00- $53.08 (over-spend in July) = $181.92 to spend in July.
- Total Coupons Used this Week : $5.00
- Total Discounts this Week: $7.45
- Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Stockpile Budget: $20.00 Used $15.88 (Nescafe coffee)
- Total Spent This Week: $61.50
- Total Spent So Far for August $106.47
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $0
- Total Over/Under spend for the month of (August): $ 0
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $75.45
- Total Coupons Used This Month:$2.75+$5.00
- Total to Carry Over Next Month: $ n/a
- Total Spent To Date This Year: $206.95 (Jan)+ $160.77 (Feb) + (March)$169.62 + (April)$397.74+(May) $155.68 + (June) $216.01+ (July) $235.83=$1542.60 (does not include stockpile budget)
- Rendezvous Account: $65.38 This is money saved if there is any leftover at the end of a month of grocery shopping for a date night for the wife and I.
Weekly Overview: We spent more than we anticipated to this week but the coffee was on sale for a good price and we were almost out of our stockpile. The sausages are always hard for us to pass up as we eat them often so when we see them 30% off we grab them. This month shouldn’t be too bad as we are well stocked now.
Canadian coupons found in August
We didn’t find any coupons this week.
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 affected by expiry dates or have long expiry dates but not so much food any more. It’s just one way to help cut your budget to save money.
- 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.
- What is an FPC? An fpc is a free product coupon which means you can get a free product as described on the coupon.
- 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 ‘need to buy this or that. You may also substitute items in order to stick to your budget to make it work. Nobody is perfect, heck we struggle with this part of our budget like many people do and this is why the grocery game challenge was created.
If you have just joined The Grocery Game Challenge get ready to dive deep into your grocery budget and learn just where you are spending, how much you are spending and what you are saving. You’ve made a wise decision.
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Week 31
7-Eleven
roasted almonds $1.29
Total Out of Pocket $1.29
Walgreens
Coke 20 oz $1.79
v-8 splash 16 oz $1.59
Total Out of Pocket $3.58
Publix
Ice Cream Samdwiches $3.99
Gallon of Milk $3.89
3 x Totinos Pizza $4.77
Total Out of Pocket $12.89
Walmart
Paper Towel $5.97
Toilet Tissue $6.97
Saltine Crackers rounds $1.88
saltine crackers $1.68
Canned corn $0.78
Canned corned beef $4.88
coke 20 oz $0.98
Dole Juice $2.68
Hawaiian Punch $1.98
Total Out of Pocket $28.76
Walmart
Corned Dogs $5.88
Nutella $3.38
Almonds $2.78
Chicken Nuggets $4.97
20 ct cheeze-it Crackers $6.50
6 x Totinos $8.16
Turkey Slices $4.98
Bread $2.78
5 lb Tator Tots $4.48
Total Out of Pocket $43.91
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4000
Total Grocery Budget for august: $231.20
Total Coupons Used this Week: $0.00
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total Spent This Week: $90.43
Total Spent for august: $90.43
Total Underspend this shop: -$32.63
Total Overspend for the month of august: $140.77
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $140.77
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0.00
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $140.77
Total Spent To Date This Year: $ $2,818.83
Weekly Overview: Clearly, the food I buy is expensive, right? How much lower can I get than Walmart? Coupon clipping? Help!
Hi Dr. Sheba
Well, here’s the thing. Sometimes we have to eat cheaper cuts of meat instead of the best cuts which cost a fortune. Some people in debt can’t even afford to buy meat let alone seafood. You want to be debt free in 7 years so you have to ask yourself what you can do to get there on time. What meals can you make that are healthy and don’t cost a fortune or maybe some meatless meals, no more eating out or limit it to once a month… you also purchase lots of pre-made food which will bust your budget. You can get away with saving if you spent a Sunday cooking and prepping food for the freezer that was easy to cook when you got home or used a crockpot to cook while you were at work. I hope that gives you a few tips but I have been watching your shops closely.
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 ½ year old boy. Our budget is $90/week or $360 for this month and includes laundry, health/beauty, etc.
Target
Glad kitchen catchers 6 x $1.99 – 6 x $2.00
Coupons $12.00
OOP $1.55
RCSS
Mini wheats (PM FC) 2 x $2.99 – 2 x $1.00 CO 51 – 2 x $1.00 coupons
Sour cream (PM Sobey’s) $2.00 – $2.00 coupon
NN Caesar dressing $1.14 – 50% pink sticker – $.57
Coupons $4.00
CD $.61
CO 51 $2.00
OOP $1.94
Walmart
Secret deodorant $2.00 – $2.00 coupon
Coupon $2.00
OOP $.26
RCSS
Mott’s fruitsations apple sauce (PM WM) 5 x $2.00 – $1.00 coupon – $.50 coupon
Diet Coke bottles (PM Sobey’s) 3 x $1.97
M&M’s 2 x $1.09 – FPC x 2
NN ice cream cones $1.47
Breyers ice cream $5.79 – FPC
MM pink lemonade (PM WM) $.57
Almond milk $3.99 – $2.00 coupon
Almond milk (PM FB) 2 x $2.99 – 2 x $1.00 coupons
Philadelphia cream cheese (PM Target) $2.99
Deli meat $5.00
Vitality bread 8 x $3.08 – 8 x 50% pink stickers – $12.32
Red grapes (PM FB) $2.06
Broccoli (PM FC) $.99
Romaine (PM FC) $.69
Oranges (PM WM) $3.07
Green peppers (PM NF) $.79
Baby carrots (PM FB) $.88
Bandaids 2 x $2.97 – 2 x $1.00 coupons
Vaseline lotion (PM NF) 2 x $4.97 – 2 x $2.00 coupons
Coupons $19.47
CD $7.23
Tax free day $2.85
OOP $46.61
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $4,680 ($90/week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $450 (5 shopping weeks this month) – $66.85=$383.45 (I went over last month)
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $37.47
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $53.97
• Total Coupons Used this Year: $1282.97
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $2.00
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $7.00
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this year: $108.00
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this week: $7.84
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this month:$25.57
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this year: $375.64
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $0
• Total SCOP this year: $3.41
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
•Total Spent This Week: $50.36
•Total Spent So Far for August: $280.74
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: N/A
•Total Over/Under spent for the month of August: N/A
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $102.72
•Total to Carry over Next Month: I do not carry over to the next month.
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $2719.72
•Weekly overview: Much better this week
Hey Jen,
Wow, you are rockin the budget this month. I don’t know why but every time I read your posts I feel so good inside. I’m so proud of you and Ken for all your hard work. It’s nice to know you continue to work together to reach your goals and you didn’t give up. Never give up. You get ballot 12.CBB P.s I’m jealous about those kitchen catchers… I have the coupons just didn’t get there.
Our weekly budget is $100 making this month $400.
Costco
$11.55 4pk 100ct tums
Sobeys
$2.27 Tropicana oj
.88×2 1kg sugar
$1×2 china lily soya sauce
$3.50×2 iced tea mix ( each one had $10 in pizza coupons on it)
$1.49 ritz
$2×3 chewy bars
$8.49-mir wub3 chewy bars 18ct chips box
$29.95 total oop
$8.49 mail in rebate
Save on foods
With atonne of planning I had a great stacking trip!!
But their receipts they total coupons at the bottom not with the items so I can’t do an exact break down of every coupon per item.
$3.99-fpc spaghetti sauce
$5.99×2 aveeno shampoo/conditioner
$3.50 banana peppers
$3.50×2 bicks pickles
$5.99 bounty
$5.99 charmin
$2.99 colgate mouthwash
$2.99×4 degree deo
$4.99×4 head & shoulders shampoo/conditioner
$3.99×3 iogo yogurt
$9.99×6 melitta kcups
$10.49 puffs
.99 organic corn chips
$3.20×2 8pk pop (orange cream soda/root beer float)
$28.87 total oop
$138.24 total coupons
weekly total oop $70.11
weekly total coupons $146.73
monthly total oop $149.11
monthly total coupons $166.60
Filling up my shelves in the basement 🙂
Oh look, it’s Juanita again… (I’m joking because you have 3 GGC posts in a row lol)
Wow you did stock up on some great deals using the mail in rebate, good for you. The organic corn chips sound good for $0.99 as well which you rarely see at that price. You are still under budget I”m impressed you rock the grocery cart this month!! You get ballot 11
Here are my shops for the week, both were at Foodland.
Aug. 9
2 cans pasta sauce@1.25– 2.50
2 cans tomato sauce@1.29– 2.58
1 bag cole slaw- 1.49
3 Gatorade@1.66– 4.98
Bananas-1.17
1 unsweetened apple sauce- 1.98
2 cans tomato paste @3/2.00- 1.34
Green beans-2.08
2 loaves W/W bread @2.50- 5.00
2 Dawn dish soap @2.79-5.58, 1.00 WUB2 coupon
3 cases pop, cream soda, root beer and ginger ale @2.97- 8.91, 2.00 coupon for ginger ale
1 package brown sugar -2.99
1 bread crumbs -3.29
1 Liberte yogurt -3.69
1 Parmesan cheese grated -3.82
1 MG Cheerios -4.49
1 Oatmeal Crisp -4.49
2 4l milk @4.79- 9.58
1 jug water -5.49
1. BAg Whiskas cat food – 7.99, 2.00 coupon
1 package lean ground beef -14.86
Tax-3.57
Total -$101.36
Aug 13
2 frozen juice @.88- 1.76
1 box pasta -1.00
4 Gatorade @1.66- 6.64
1 bottle BBQ sauce -1.99
2 yogurt @2.49- 4.98
1 Triscuit -2.79
2 cases pop, cream soda and ginger ale @2.97- 5.94
1 cranberry cocktail -2.98
1 W/W bread -3.49
1 raisin bread -3.49
1 MG Cheerios -4.49
2 4lmilk @4.79- 9.58
1 jug water -5.49
Tax -1.64
Total -$56.26, no coupons
Total grocery budget – $600.00, month, $7800.00 yr
Total coupons this week -$5.00
Total spent this week -$157.62
Total spent for month -$148.49+$157.62=$206.11
Total over/under for week -$7.62
Total over/under for month- N/A
Left for month -$393.89
Total coupons this month -4.00+5.00=9.00
Total carryover -$504.57
Total YTD – J$818.08+F$598.07+M$770.12+A$938.07+M$650.13+J$876.78+J$206.11=$4142.11
So not so good this week as I went over by seven dollars. I still have room to make it for the month so we keep trying. The pop was a good price and the second time I went in and got some I left my coupons at home to save for when it’s not such a good price. They didn’t have any more of the boxes with the coupon inside so I had to go with out getting any more. They have some now so I’ll be getting from the bottom of the stack next time. The ground beef was a good price and that package was broken up to 8 smaller packs. Foodland now has Liberte yogurt in stock and they had the lemon Greek yogurt! The younger boy was very happy to see that! I hear it’s good, but I’m going to have to be faster if I want to try it!!! The Cheerios are an even better price this week so I will grab a couple extra. Hubby is on a kick to eat it and comes into the kitchen half a dozen times a day for a handful or three so it doesn’t last long. Stuart likes his Whiskas so he is a happy fat cat now. I noticed today there was a Peelie on some of the bags now, have to have a closer look there. I’ll get back to you on that for our feline friends out there. Oh and I was in Canadian Tire today getting Arm and Hammer with coupons. I was told that it had to be separate transactions to buy my 3 containers with coupons. When I asked since when?becauseI have bought multiples before with coupons I was told it’s always been that way. I think I might have to have a talk with the new owner one of these days soon to see what’s up there because that was a pain is the butt today. I might have said the heck with it but getting the laundry detergent for $1.97 with coupons was too good a deal to walk away from.
Hey Christine,
You went over a bit but not by that much, heck I though you did awesome.The lemon Greek Yogurt is so good…Sounds like your husband is like the little kiddos who like their CHeerios. They ddi that with us before at Canadian Tire, silly really and a huge waste of time. Let me know what you find out about that. Keep up the great shopping Christine! You get ballot 8
Hey Mr. CBB,
Mom 20
Superstore
Noodles (x5) 3.00
Vinegar 2.47
Paprika 2.10
Garlic powder 0.32
Broccoli 1.17
Green onion 0.32
Romaine lettuce 0.97
Field Greens 3.49
Spinach 3.49
Tomato 0.76
Bananas 2.59
Total Coupons
Total Out of Pocket 20.68
No Frills
Chicken breast 13.75
Cauliflower 1.46
Cucumber 0.76
Carrots (5lbs) 3.28
Mushroom 1.28
Total Coupons
Total Out of Pocket 20.53
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $250
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $0
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
Total Spent This Week: $61.21
Total Spent So Far for August: $31.21
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $63.79 under
Total Over/Under spend for the month of August: $63.79 under
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $188.79
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0
Total to Carry Over Next Month: n/a
Total Spent to Date This Year: $1,408.69
Weekly Overview: Knowing that we are leaving in 6 weeks (and counting) I’m buying only the bare minimum and trying to finish off whatever is left in our pantry and freezer; less stuff to move, right? 🙂 We actually take my grandma shopping once a week with us so that helps her gets the groceries, but we find that she’s not eating as properly as she did before due to her age. It’s also a treat that she looks forward to every week, so we always end up taking her out as well; hence, the pretty big eating out budgets. We tried takeout last week which reduced the price a bit, but I’m still trying to sell them on planning. Unfortunately, our trips end up being 7-12 people, so its more of a task and its easier to just eat out. But I’m working on it. 🙂
You are leaving again Vicky!! Are you moving? What did I miss? That’s smart that youa re just using up what you have in the house as it makes no sense to stock up if you will be gone. That’s nice that you do that for your grandmother. You do what you need to do Vicky. I know you will work on it.. Keep smiling and don’t give up! You get ballot 7
I thought I would just check in and say hi today. I played along all of June (thank you for the coupons Mr CBB – got them in the mail a little while ago). I had hoped to continue to play along but am finding between holidays, company staying with us, and the change of schedule with our 7 year old being off school for the summer, I am haven’t found the time to a) do much meal plannning and b) sit down and record my purchases to post on here. I am doing ok with the budget, not fabulous, but also not terrible. I will be back playing along in September once school starts again and I have my days mostly free again.
Looking forward to your posts in September Sarah! Enjoy the rest of your summer before school starts back up. 🙂
My grandparents on my moms side raised their food. Including chickens,rabbits,goats,&cows. They bought very little. My grandfather was 91 years old & died from a heart attack while tillering his garden. My dads family were the same. Except my grandmother out lived Grandpa. She gardened , hunted,& fished till she was 75. My Aunt came & took her to live in a senior apartment complex. She had her own apartment & walked to a small mall nextel to her. She got hair done . Bought other things she needed. Then she grocery shopped . She would call grandson who had a business close-by . He or an employe would pick her up & take her home. She lived independent till she died at 93. I come from a long line of independent & hard working people . They didn’t have a lot but did’t want for much. I hope I can be as Strong & wise as they were .
Donna! Yippee! Glad to see you managed to get back online. We’ve missed you! 😀
I am sure you will be as strong & wise as your relatives. You work at it ever day so how could it not be so? LOL 😀
I know this has more to do with cooking, but I always admired my grandparents so much for their ability to be thrifty and also cook things from scratch. Man I miss homemade Hungarian food. My grandpa did all the grocery shopping until he passed, but probably shouldn’t have been driving those last few years. When he died my grandma went to a nice senior living place where I think other people did shopping for her. You’re right in that I think with technology it’s easier now to have it delivered, but there is also the thing of staying up with technology. My grandparents barely knew what a computer was. 🙂 I hope that never happens to me.
I wish I could get my parents near a computer mate. It would make things SO MUCH easier for us lol. I like chicken paprikash? I probably just spelled that wrong. The little dumplings are so good.
I would guess that my senior-aged parents spend very little on groceries throughout the year. They mainly eat the same things…and it’s mostly inexpensive.
AUGUST – Week #2 of 4 – August 13-19, 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
•Combined Grocery Budget for 2013: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00
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OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Extra Foods – Maple Ridge
2 Dole Chopped Romaine $9.96
•Total OOP: $9.96
• Grocery Budget OOP: $9.96
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
Extra Foods – Maple Ridge
2 No Name Caesar Lite Dressing $6.36
1 x 8-pack mini cucumbers $2.28
1 bag nugget potatoes $2.98
1 lb radishes $1.47
1 x 283g Spinach $2.98
•Total OOP: $16.07
• Grocery Budget OOP: $16.07
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
Thrifty’s Foods – Maple Ridge
2 China Lily Soya Sauce Refill bottles (@$2.99 ea) = $5.98
•Total OOP: $5.98
• Grocery Budget OOP: $5.98
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
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OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK: NO SHOP WEEK
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2013 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
J$40.04+F$44.48+M$98.35+A$50.00+M$3.00+J$0.00+Jy$55.55= $291.42
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
J$60.46+F$0.00+M$11.79+A$12.48+M$1.50+J$54.54+Jy$ 42.16= $182.87
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
J265+F248+M151+A26+M0+J59+Jy7= 756 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
J57+F10+M30+A83+M0+J161+Jy20 = 361 Air Miles
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2013 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total Grocery OOP Spent So Far This Year:
J$217.50+F$198.39+M$72.90+A$215.04+M$70.12+J$49.97+Jy$114.23 +Au($12.00+9.96+$16.07+$5.98= $44.01)= $982.16
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far:
J$190.00+F$190.00+M$108.79+A$142.50+M$142.50+J$50.00+
Jy$114.36+Au$50.90 = $989.05
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: $6.89 AVAILABLE
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2013 Y-T-D STOCKPILE SPENDING:
•Total Stockpile OOP Spent So Far This Year:
J$0.00+Feb$0.00+M$81.21+A$77.55+M$17.45+J$82.86+Jy$79.24 = $338.31
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget:
J$0.00+Feb$0.00+M$81.21+A$47.50+M$47.50+J$82.86+Jy$35.64+
Au$43.60 = $338.31
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Stockpile Budget: $0.00 AVAILABLE
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2013 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
•Total 2013 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
J$0.00+Feb$0.00+M$0.00+A$0.00+M$0.00+J$0.00+Jy$17.50+Au $17.50 = $35.00 AVAILABLE
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2014 Y-T-D BORSCHT STOCKPILE RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
J$0.00+Feb$0.00+M$0.00+A$0.00+M$0.00+J$120.00+Jy$32.50+$30.50= $183.00 AVAILABLE
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• TOTAL FUNDS SPENT IN 2013: $1,298.51
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REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
August is sure going be a tight month with only $6.89 to cover 2 weeks of groceries including the re-stocking of our fresh fruit and veggies! I’ll need AT LEAST one “no shop” week into the mix to make it work but I think I may have to dip into my hiding spot cash a bit. Can I stay on budget? What do you think??
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CLOSING GROCERY POSITIONS FOR AUGUST:
CANADIAN $’s
Groceries: $6.89
Stockpile: $0.00
2014 BORSCHT: $183.00
Safeway Gift card: $20.00
Cash Hiding Spot: $28.65
Re-Stocking Funds: $35.00
US $’s
Our Reserve: $101.23
US Cash Hiding Spot: $150.00
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The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Thrifty Foods:
2 China Lily Soya Sauce Refill bottles @$2.99 ea (Good until Nov 13th)
Safeway:
– 2 x Butcher’s Cut St. Louis style pork spareribs @ $7.99 per package (Good until Aug 30th)
– 2 x Butcher’s Cut Thick Sliced Bacon @ 50% Off (Good until Sept 13th)
– 2 x Coast to Coast Sausage Buns (8 per pack) @ $2.50 per package (Good until Sept 13th)
– 3 dozen Lucerne Large Eggs @ $1.33 per dozen (Good until Sept 21st)
– 3 x 170 g pkgs fresh raspberries for $5.00 (Good until Oct 1st)
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I had a moment when I thought I might weaken and hit the shops this weekend but I am ever so proud to report… I stayed home! I can’t go near the shops to just look…it’s either in or out for me. LOL Feeling poorly this weekend helped my budget! LOL 😀
We went today… I’ll see the damage tomorrow lol… good to hear you stayed away. I hope you are feeling a bit better Mary.
Hi Mary,
Well you had a decent go at shopping this week like us. I think you will end up dipping into your fund but if you don’t even better. I need to stay out the shops next week but I know I will need milk. I may just head to Shoppers Drug Mart and that’s it. No grocery stores. What is the China Lily Soy like? We get kikoman. You get ballot 6 Mary…. good luck with the month. CBB
Mr CBB, funny… we aren’t big fans of the Kikoman. The China Lily is a more mellow flavor. I find yours is vinegar-ey by comparison. Different palate I guess.
I think I can get through week 3 by using my cash $6.89+$20 Gift Card+$28.65 hiding spot cash plus a very small overage. I got a BOGO sale on 4 hams though and used a rain check coupon for some ribs so that ate up more than half of my available funds. 🙁 I couldn’t resist though as that ham will go a very long way in making some big pots of soup and stew. 🙂
Tonight we are using the last ham I had left in the fridge from before our vacation. I am making slow cooker Swedish Split Pea Soup with ham. It only needed 8 oz. of the ham though, so we have lots of sliced ham for sandwiches, omelettes, and “breakfast for dinner” type meals. One little ham sure stretches over a lot of meals! Love it, love it, love it!
We still have 2 shops to go before the weekend before I can post my week #3 GGC and it looks like I may finish the month with a $5-10 overage but that’s not so bad when you consider I shifted $17.50 into my Re-Stocking fund and $30.50 into the borscht fund. Sure I could transfer the funds back to grocery, but I am not going to. 🙂 It’s easier for me to get rid of the small overage in September.
But, I feel so broke right now in the Canadian grocery funds budget! I may back off the transfers to re-stocking and the borscht fund in September so that I can funnel some money back in my Canadian hiding spot cash. I just FEEL better knowing it’s there. 🙂
Week 4 is going to be a no shop week for us. That’s okay…the freezer and pantry are full. Four soups are coming in the next week to have some great meals with small price tags. Hubby is so excited about the meal plan over the next 2 weeks because he loves a nice homemade soup with a piece of bread PLUS his birthday is coming soon and I have a favorite dish of his planned for his birthday night. We aren’t going out for his birthday this year…home cooked is the name of the game budget wise. 🙂
How do you make that soup Mary? I’d love to do that as we have a small ham in the freezer. If you go over $5-$10 that’s nothing you could easily recoup that the next month. I have to be careful when it starts getting into $20 or more than it gets tough as you can tell from my shops the past couple of months. I can understand how you feel knowing the money is there, you are just like me. I love soup too… can’t wait to get crackin at some new recipes. Well, here’s to hoping we don’t crash the budget too much.. lord only knows our August budget overall is shot lol.. wait and see what damage I did.
Here is the recipe for the soup Mr CBB. I am heading off to get it started now. Hubby has some Franze Onion Bagels he can toast to go with it:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/yellow_pea_soup.html
Morning Mr CBB here is my shop
75ml Colgate toothpaste $2 (isn’t that freaking expensive??)
1 can soda $0.49 felt thirsty in the shop, they are almost as expensive as beer!
5lb flour $4.18
2x125ml yogurts $0.96 you buy yogurts by the unit, you can’t buy a 12 pack.
3.41lb banana $0.59
2 avocados $1.13
125gr butter $1.39
1lb lentils $1.03
bunch spinach $0.25
lettuce $0.25
bunch cilantro $0.3
3.38lb tomato $1.19
1 cucumber $0.25
1.86lb potato $0.78
strawberry jam $2.19
I bought knives, cutlery, pots and pans but didn’t put them here.
total $18.37
Total Grocery Budget for the Month:$100
Total Coupons Used this Week : none
Total Spent This Week:$ 18.37
Total Spent So Far for (august): $41.37
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $7 under.
Total Over/Under spend for the month of (august): $9 under
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $58.63
Total Spent To Date This Year: $1,355.63 for two until July.
$41.37 for 1 from August 1st.
Overview I had a few guest who brought more food and there were leftovers so I don’t need much for this week either.
YUP it is freakin expensive cause we get ours practically free with coupons lol… we have so much toothpaste it’s ridiculous. I don’t suppose there are coupons in Guatamala though. Your veg are so cheap Pauline, I have to tell you that. Guests with food is good too 🙂 How do you use your lentils? Great shop.. looks like your month might be awesome!!!
lentils I make stew mostly with a bit of chorizo or sausage and vegetables like carrots or celery. sometimes a salad with olive oil although for salad I prefer chick peas.
that sounds so good.. I’m going to try a stew.
I am on my way to joining up with the Grocery Game Challenge! For the rest of August I am going to track the grocery spending – making sure we follow a menu plan and we actually eat what I buy! By September I hope to have a realistic budget established for our family of four (2 adults 2 children) and let my challenge begin!
My dad (who is 75) still does all the grocery shopping for my mum and him. He always comes home with one or two “treats” 🙂
Well it’ll be great to see you join in! The weekly GGC post has forced me to really look at what I am doing grocery-wise. I am feeding 2 adults but I am gluten free so some items for me are really expensive. It has helped us stay on track…especially when I have really lean months like this one – it’s all about shopping the freezer and pantry and creating something. 😀 Looking forward to you joining in on the posting!
That’s great news! I can’t wait to see your first grocery shop post!! If you need any help at all just ask, I”m always here to help or a fan is more than happy to give you some tips. Cheers Mr.CBB
I still have my Dad and Uncle living in Stratford that I check up on regularly. My Uncle never married so it’s Dad and I looking out for him. Dad has a key to his place and such and will drive him where ever usually. If it’s out of town I step in as neither one will drive outside of town. There is a sister to both but she lives in Brantford and her girls to look after her. Dad is the oldest of the three and the healthiest so far. I can get the two old boys here for Christmas dinner and that’s about it….that is only because I go get them, bring them here and then drive them home after. If that is the only way I can get them here so be it, last year I had to use my daughter’s car as getting in the big truck is not easy for my Uncle, mobility issues there…. Dad has neighbours that keep an eye on him and take him treats on occasion. My Uncle is in an apartment building with a number of older residents so the landlord knows how to get hold of Dad if need be.
Here in town we have the Mobility bus to run folks around and it makes a special run to the two grocery stores in town every Wed for the seniors to get their shopping done. As well there are two taxi company’s in town that are well used by the seniors. The grocery store across from us delivers as well, not sure about the Independent but I’m sure they would. The older lady two doors down has her stuff delivered all the time and she just loves it. It’s worth every penny to her!!! The drug stores deliver too.
We have talked about maybe at some point moving back to Stratford and if we did it’s a given that I’d be looking to do a lot more for Dad and my Uncle to help them out. I might even be able to get them to the house for more meals so I know they are eating well!!!!! I do worry about both of them and do as much as they let me at this point.
That’s great that the mobility bus will come round to shuttle people around and to the grocery store. I wonder if bigger cities also offer this service. Thanks for sharing Christine! Mr.CBB