Would you shop at a 24 hour grocery store? : The Grocery Game Challenge #1 Sept 1-7, 2014
PAYING FOR CONVENIENCE
We all love convenience but for many people the need for a 24 hour grocery store is vital.
Who uses a 24 hour grocery store anyways?
The customers who roam the aisles of the grocery store late at night when most people are sleeping are those that aren’t tucked up in bed.
I know it sounds simple enough but for one reason or another sleeping is not on the agenda.
You may find shift workers, students, party goers and even those with disabilities or someone who might be afraid of /dislikes crowded places who visit the 24 hour grocery store for late night shopping.
There are also the customers who run out of an item and it’s needed in the middle of the night or someone falls ill and a medicine is needed.
Your child may come down with an illness and you need some medicine and the only shop open besides the local convenience store is the 24 hour grocery store.
Granted that not every 24 hour grocery store has a pharmacy section open for those that do it is a huge benefit to those seeking relief in the middle of the night.
If you are so lucky you may find during a holiday that a 24 hour grocery store is the one that stays open over the grocery store that typically has regular hours (i.e. closes at 10pm).
This is great for the people who forgot to buy something on their grocery list or are in need. You may find less staff and the wait time longer but don’t complain, at least they are open.
Many people won’t blink twice during a holiday to spend $7 on a 4L bag of milk at the local convenience store because they are the only shop that might be open in their area.
The same goes with the 24 hour grocery store though. The biggest pitfall of shopping at a 24 hour grocery store is pricing.
You will pay more money without a doubt for everyday food items if you opt to shop at a 24 hour grocery store or if you have no other options because the nearest grocery store to you is too far away.
The nearest 24 hour grocery store to us is Metro and I won’t lie and say we haven’t went because we do go late at night. It really depends on what hours I work and sometimes I work during the early hours of the morning, so if we need something I go.
Trust me when I say I cringe when I have to pay higher prices because as a grocery guru I know my prices but there are times where you have to bite the bullet and move on.
Often you won’t find a cashier waiting at the cash register all night either. Most 24 hour grocery stores have the self-scanner and someone around to man them while late night shoppers are in the store.
You may find a night supervisor and stock people getting the store ready for the next rush of customers in the morning.
24 hour grocery store pros and cons
The perk is that the store is very quiet and you don’t have to rush or get pushed around by other crazy shoppers who are in a rush to get in and get out. A friend of ours with limited mobility prefers shopping late at night for these reasons.
Admit it, you’ve been that crazy shopper once or twice and have even gotten irritated at the cash because someone is too slow or something breaks down.
The downfall of the 24 hour grocery store is that you might struggle to find customer service if the staff member is off stocking shelves or doing paper work. You may even find some sections of the store closed off as well.
You might not have a manager around to solve an issue so you will have to call back or go back in the morning. The store might be out of stock on a sale product and you will have to wait until the shelf is stocked the next morning. The prices will always be higher unless you go for flyer sales.
Do you think a 24 hour grocery store is necessary? Sure as long as the store is making money and can call for having that extra staff person watching over the customers that come in late at night.
I’ve seen over the years other grocery stores go from a 24 hour grocery store back to regular hours simply because it made no sense to pay an extra staff member.
With Metro though it’s already a higher end grocery store in terms of pricing so you will pay the extra money either way so they obviously see the benefit in staying open.
Have you used a 24 hour grocery store in your area? Did you notice the prices are much higher in these stores? What would be the reason you shop in a 24 hour grocery store?
September grocery game challenge posts
If you missed any grocery game posts for the month I will post the line-up for the month each week here in this section for you. Join in the Grocery Game Challenge fun and post your grocery shop in the comment section of each blog post… here are the GGC rules!
Each month I hold a draw and one WINNER is chosen. I will post the name of the person who has the winning grocery shop of the month right here so make sure to check back every week.
The AUGUST WINNER for the Grocery Game Challenge goes to…… # 4 Dee!
Special Note
GGC Posters: Please note that in the event my wife goes into the hospital I may not be able to get my GGC posts up. That doesn’t mean I want you to stop posting because when we stop doing something we get out of routine and it’s hard to get back into it.
If I do go MIA continue to post your shops under the current GGC that I have posted and once I return to the posts I will moderate them all and give out ballots.
The important part of this lesson is that we continue the journey to sticking to our grocery budget. If you have any questions you can send me an email or comment on this post. Mr.CBB
Grocery saving tips
Click, Save and Print. It’s that easy!
Free Money Saving Downloads are awesome lists that were created to get us on track to work towards reaching our budgeting goals and now we are sharing them with you.
I hope you take the time to get back on track and start the savings process in your grocery budget today.
Get organized with a FREE freezer inventory, meal plan, shopping list, price comparison list and much more all for FREE. CLICK HERE to download all the free lists and even our family budget spreadsheet for FREE.
NEW!! You can now download the FREE Canadian Budget Binder Budget Spreadsheet in Excel…Grab it while you can… It’s FREE! We use it to budget and in large part a reason we could pay our mortgage off in 5 years, check it out!
Ultimate grocery shopping guide
Everything you want to know about grocery shopping in Canada is below with new information added monthly.
If you missed a Grocery Game Challenge post some of the most popular posts are listed below or you can now find the posts listed on their own page called The Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide.
If you know a topic that should be discussed send me an email.
Food food and more food
If you are a foodie like I am you will enjoy going through my Free Recipe Index where recipes from CBB foodie Nicola and myself are shared every Sunday on the blog. Check it out! Try a recipe and leave a review for other fans!
Zehrs
- Alymer Ketchup Sale $1.88
- Sesame oil Sale $3.48
- Bananas $1.71
- Jicama $1.87- $0.50 coupon
- Romaine Lettuce $1.69
- Bakery rolls $2.50-pink sticker $1.25- $0.50 coupon
- Whole Wheat tortilla wraps Sale $1.99
Total out-of-pocket $12.87
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 2 x Neilson Milk $3.97 (bonus 800 Optimum points)- $1.00 (Snap Groupon)
- 1 x Neilson Cottage Cheese 2%- Sale $1.99
- 3x Granulated Sugar Sale $1.99
- 2 x Cheerios Sale $2.99
- 1 x Shreddies Sale $2.49
- 4 x Habitant pea soup Sale $1.49
- 4 x Cream of mushroom soup Sale $0.59
Total out-of-pocket $30.70
Earned 9100 Shoppers Optimum Points worth just over $11.00 🙂 with a spend of $30.00 on food using personalized Shoppers Drug Mart email coupon.
Grocery shop results
Yearly grocery budget for two: $2820
(The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $240 per year or $20 per month.)
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00 or $78.33 week with potentially 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 August $235.00-$11.50=$223.50/4= $55.87 per week
- Total Coupons Used this Week : $ 1.00
- Total Coupons Used to date: $57.69
- Total Discounts this Week: $1.25
- Total Discounts Used to date: $46.86
- Total Gift Cards Used to date: $33.18
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used to date: $20.00
- Stockpile Budget ($20.00): $
- Stockpile Budget Used to Date: $20.00+$19.08+$17.94+ $2.06+$20.00+$15.10 + $20.00 (June)+ $22.44 (July) + (August) $8.00
- Snap Groupon to date: $19.25
- Zweet to date: $4.00
- Cart Smart to date: $0
- Checkout51 to date: $10.75
- Total Spent This Week: $43.57
- Total Spent So Far September:$43.57
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $n/a
- Total Over/Under spend for the month: $n/a
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $179.93
- Total to Carry Over Next Month: $ n/a
- Total Spent To Date This Year: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $242.66+ Feb $191.74+ March $255.82+April $235.07+May $223.62+June $275.37+ July $203.36+ August $228.26+ Sept $
- Weekly Overview: We didn’t buy too much with baby on the way and my wife and I just not getting into the kitchen as much as we would like to. We are keeping it simple with salads, soups, cereal and sandwiches for the next little while. Normally we make our own soups but with renovating the bathroom and her being pregnant there is no time. Convenience wins this month! We did buy some Jicama which we’ve never tried before but wanted to try in a salad.
Coupon Sleuth
Did you find any coupons? If so share the details in the comment section of this post where you found it and what the coupon is for with expiry.
We didn’t find any coupons this week that were new to us… did you?
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 fans who post their grocery shop who live all over 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 products?: 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 and your weekly Checkout 51 offers 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 grocery budget to make it work. Nobody is perfect, heck we struggle with this part of our budget like many people do.
This is why the grocery game challenge was created to not only show you that we are like everyone else but to bring us all together to work as a team to get our budgets on track. If you have just joined The Grocery Game Challenge 2014 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.
Feel free to read all the above posts that I linked to above which I feel are relevant to learning about the grocery budget and grocery shopping in general. You’ve made a wise decision to take control of your grocery budget now show me your shops and let’s get saving!
Welcome to The Grocery Game Challenge Canada 2014!
-Mr.CBB
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Photo Credit: 24 hours Freedigitalphotos.net/StuartMiles
I have a tried a number of kinds of Triscuits. I use lard for many things such as greasing cake pans or some different kinds of baking (instead of butter/margarine).
I have used lard in biscuits as well as greasing. My mum used lard in the UK quite a bit as well.
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $4.50
Total Out Of Pocket: $75.13
2 Cake Mixes = $3.00
20 cans of Cat Food – PM Zehrs (10/$5.00) = $10.00
Sugar = $1.97
Peanut Butter = $3.97
2 Lard – PM No Frills ($1.97 each) – $3.94 (Coupon $1.50 WUB2) = $2.44
Beef Broth – PM Zehrs = $1.88
Toilet Paper – PM Valumart – $4.99 (Coupon $1.00) = $3.99
Paper Towels – $5.00 (500 PC Points) (Coupon $1.00) = $4.00
Pam – PM Zehrs – $3.99
Cheerios – PM Food Basics – $3.88
Dunkarros – $1.98 (Coupon $1.00) = $0.98
2 Boxes of Triscuits = $3.96 (800 PC Points)
2 Cans of Pie Filling – PM No Frills – $2.97 = $5.94
2 – 2 lbs Butter – $2.59 = $5.18
4L Skim Milk = $3.97
2 Pkgs Frozen Vegetables – $2.78 = $5.56
4 lb bag of Apples = $3.98 (350 PC Points)
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $60.00/week ($50.00 Human & $10.00 Pet)
Total Coupons Used this Week : $4.50
Total Coupons Used This Month: $7.25
Total Discounts/SCOP this Week: $2.60
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $0.00
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $0.00
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total PC Points Received this week: 2050
Total Rewards Points Used: $0.00
Stockpile Budget: $0.00
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $15.13 over (Human)
Total Spent This Week: $75.13
Total Spent So Far for September: $161.24
Total Over/Under spend for the month of September: $51.24 Over
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $78.76
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $N/A
Total Spent To Date This Year: $2,143.92
Weekly Overview: I did quite a bit of price matching this week. This will add to my already starting stock pile (unofficial). I realize that I’m over budget but some of these items won’t be replenished for quite some time so I can justify the extra spend now but not so much spending in the future (my story that I’m sticking too LOL!!!).
Hi Dee,
Great deal with the Triscuit and the PC Plus points as well as the Cheerios. Did you try any of the new flavour Triscuit? It’s great to see the price matching happening because it’s such a simple way to save more as long as the store you shop at allows it. In our area we don’t have a store close to our house that PM’s yet… I wish. We go over budget sometimes as well to replenish those one offs. The key now is to spend less the next month if you can to stay on course. What do you use your lard for? Keep up the great work. You get ballot 11. Mr.CBB
Yes, I am aware now you had a little boy. I agree that BD cheese was expensive but for some reason, I had it written down for $3.99 instead. Well 2 are sitting in the freezer so won’t need to buy for a while. I do have a hard time walking away from a good deal. All I can do is try to improve for next time. I’m already looking at next year’s budget to see where I can improve or reduce the cost.
Thanks Mary! I track my spending and know around what we spend monthly. I just haven’t tried (yet) to really nail down this category. But it is one of the big 3 expenses, so I need to put some effort into it. I feel overall I do well, but usually I don’t include household items in with food – I separate it tracking wise.
In my initial post, I mentioned that we buy a quarter of a cow so you basically need to add $40 a month to my spending to get the big picture. We bought a Quarter of a cow in April and use about $40 worth of beef from it monthly (1 package of either steak, roast, or ground beef used weekly).
Yea, USA, and yes checkout 51 is available, I recently surpassed the $5.00 mark! On my list for tomorrow I have about $1.00 more in items for checkout 51 rebates.
I would say that Meijer is a store with reasonable prices on similar products offered at other grocery stores. Currently in 5 US states, but I think they are going into a 6th very soon. I would say their prices are a little higher than a Walmart, but not much. And then if you work in sales and coupons (like the 5% off) you can get a better deal on alot of stuff. Plus Walmart is like 15-16 miles away from me and these guys are like 2. And they originated about 16 miles from my town.
They do the 5% deals fairly often, sometimes in the form of a digital coupon, or others time such as this weekend with their store credit card. Their store rewards are a pain though. You only earn it if you spend X amount in the specific category in 4 weeks. So I don’t earn those too often, but I did on dairy last month (hence the stockpile).
I shop for 2 adults and a 3 ½ year old boy. Our budget is $85/week or $340 for this month and includes laundry, health/beauty, etc.
Walmart
Butter $3.87
OOP $0.00 (used gift card)
RCSS
Big Foot candy $.94 – 50% pink sticker (-$.47)
Planters cashews (PM CDN Tire) $3.99 – $1.00 SnapSaves
Bick’s pickles (PM FC) 2 x $2.49 – 2 x $.50 coupons
PC lrg bottles of water $3.79 (my work is no longer providing a water cooler :-()
Campbell’s soups (PM Target) 8 x $.44
Habitant pea soup (PM GT) 3 x $1.00
Nutrigrain bars (PM WM) 2 x $1.88 – $1.00 Checkout 51
Mini Wheats cereal (PM WM) 2 x $2.94 – 2 x $1.50 coupons
Ritz crackers (PM CDN Tire) 3 x $1.49
BD cheese blocks (PM Target) 2 x $4.44 – 2 x $.75 coupons
So Nice milk 3 x $2.00
Baby carrots (PM WM) $2.00 – $.25 Zweet
Bananas (PM Fortinos) $.78
Apples $3.46 – $.25 Zweet (earned 400 PCplus points)
Cucumber (PM FC) $.47 – $.25 Zweet
Apples (PM WM) $1.35 (earned 400 PCplus points)
Grapes (PM NF) $.35
Natural Selections deli meat (PM Target) 3 x $3.99 – $5.00 coupon (websaver)
Coupons $10.50
OOP $59.20
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4,420 ($85/week) + Meat order $172.85/month for 9 months $1555.65=$5975.65 for the year including the meat order.
• Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340 (plus $11.96 leftover from last month if needed)
• Total Coupons Used this Week: $10.50
• Total Coupons Used This Month: $10.50
• Total Coupons Used this Year: $855.17
• Total rebates this week (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart, zweet): $1.75
• Total rebates this month (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart, zweet): $1.75
• Total rebates this year (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart, zweet): $137.00
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $0
• Total SCOP this year: $6.50
• Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $3.87
• Total Gift Cards Used this year: $295.91
• Total Reward Points Used this week: 0
• Total Reward Points Used this year: 140,000 or $140.00
• Total tax free day this week: $0
• Total tax free day this month: $0
• Total tax free day this year: $69.33
• Colleague Discount (this year): $19.92
• Total Spent This Week: $59.20
• Total Spent So Far for this month: $59.20
• Total Over/Under spent for the month: N/A
• Total Left to Spend for the Month: $280.80
• Total to Carry over Next Month (if needed): $11.96
• Total Spent To Date This Year: $2821.72
Weekly overview: I did it again! Let’s hope getting back to work was the ticket! (If a tax free day comes up I might be in trouble! Lol)
Hi Jen,
I was just going to say it was a good shop for you and then I read your comment. I’m pretty sure getting back to work will be the ticket because you won’t be spending as much time just browsing around hence the extra expenses. Keep at it. Where did you get the Bicks coupon? You get ballot 10. Mr.CBB
Welcome Kipp! Posting in the GGC has helped our family stay “honest” and on track budget-wise for the last couple of years and that’s no small feat in these days of rapidly rising prices. I’ve learned a lot from the other posters on how to stretch my grocery budget to the max, plan for upcoming additional food expenses such as Christmas and to shop the sales. I am a big lover of rain checks as a means to get great prices in the weeks that I have a little extra to spend. Learning that I can bypass one sale and wait for the next has drastically reduced the amount of food waste we have as a family. I do stockpile some foods that I use every week (such as broth and canned tomatoes). We have a single bag of garbage picked up each week so that’s a big motivator to make sure we use and recycle everything possible. 😀 Looking forward to following your savings for your family!
Mr CBB, the pimento loaf is actually a mock chicken loaf with pimento in it. So it’s more like a cold meat. Hubby doesn’t like it so it’s my little treat to dole out to myself on occasion. 🙂
OH.. my wife just explained that to me lol. She actually likes the mock chicken loaf as her mother used to buy it growing up. I’ve never tried it before.
SEPTEMBER – Week #2 of 5- Sept 8-14, 2014
2014 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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REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
I had planned for this to be a no-shop week but when you get a $2 off coupon for a 4L jug of milk…you buy milk! Well, at least I do! LOL 🙂
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OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Safeway – Maple Ridge –
1 x 4L Skim Milk ($4.69-$2.00 Off Coupon) = $2.69
• Grocery Budget OOP: $0.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $2.69
•Total OOP: $2.69
** Earned 0 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Checks **
** USED $2.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
NO USA SHOPS UNTIL SEPT 28th
============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
Jan $81.89 + Feb $48.32 +Mar $0.00 +April $22.88 +May $44.18 + June $39.58 + July $4.10 + Aug $0.00+ Sept $0.00= $230.03
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
Jan $2.58 + Feb $7.18 +Mar $0.00 + April $9.20 +May $20.19 + June $1.00 + July $15.50 + Aug $12.98 + Sept $2.00 = $70.63
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $0.00 +Mar $0.00 + April $0.00 +May $5.31 + June $0.00 + July $0.00 + Aug $0.00 + Sept $0.00 = $5.31
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 11 + April 0 + May 5 + June 0 + July 52 + Aug 0 + Sept 32= 100 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
Jan 456 + Feb 584 +Mar 0 + April 4 + May 125 + June 3 + July 210 + Aug 88 + Sept 152= 1,624 Air Miles
•Total Thrifty’s Points Earned This Year: NOTE: On Sept 12th – 14 Thirty’s = 1 Air Miles Roll-over
Jan 25 + Feb 15 +Mar 0 + April 0 + May 39 + June 11 + July 145 +Aug 0 + Sept 24= 259 Points
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 650 + April 0 + May 5,400 +June 2400 + July 3,300 + Aug 0 + Sept 1,450= 13,200 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 0 + April 0 + May 30 + June 0 + July 100 + Aug 0 + Sept 0 = 130 Points
============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $167.06 + Feb $155.74+ Mar $105.76 + April $145.56 +
May $228.38 +June $186.11+ July $110.63+ Aug $130.76 + Sept ($12.50 trf to borscht+$20.00 to Summer + $2.50 to US Reserve+$17.50 trf to re-stocking +$4.69+$1.49+$8.00+$32.35+$23.73+$7.99+$12.77+$14.39 = $157.91)= $1,387.91
•Total Year-To-Date Grocery Budget:
Jan $142.50+ Feb $142.50+ Mar $142.50 + April $142.50 + May $232.50 +June $142.50 + July $142.50 + Aug $142.50 + Sept $142.50 = $1,372.50
•Total Over/Under on Year-To-Date Grocery Budget: ($15.41) OVER
============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D STOCKPILE SPENDING:
•Total Stockpile OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $47.50 + Feb $47.50 + Mar $47.50 + April $47.50 + May $47.50 + June ($47.50) + July ($47.50) + Aug $47.50+ Sept($17.50 trf to re-stocking + $30 trf to US Reserve = $47.50) = $517.50
•Total Year-To-Date Stockpile Budget:
Jan $47.50 + Feb $47.50 + Mar $47.50 + April $47.50 + May $47.50 + June $47.50 + July $47.50 + Aug $47.50 + Sept $47.50 = $517.50
•Total Over/Under Year-To-Date Stockpile Budget: $0.00 AVAILABLE
============================================================================================
2014 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Re-Stocking Budget:
2013 Fwd $125.00+Jan $17.50+Feb $17.50+Mar $17.50 + April $17.50 +May $17.50 + June $0.00 + July $17.50 + Aug $17.50 + Sept $17.50 = $265.00 AVAILABLE
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2014 Y-T-D BORSCHT RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
2013 Fwd $275.00+Jan $12.50+Feb $12.50+Mar $12.50 + April $12.50 +May $12.50 + June $0.00 + July $12.50 + Aug $12.50 + Sept $12.50= $375.00 AVAILABLE
============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Holiday Season Reserve:
2013 Fwd $0.00+Jan $20.00+Feb $20.00+Mar $20.00 + April $20.00 +May $20.00 + June $0.00 + July $10.00 + Aug $0.00= $110.00 AVAILABLE
============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D SUMMER RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Summer Season Reserve:
2013 Fwd $0.00+Jan $0.00+Feb $0.00+Mar $0.00 + April $0.00 +May $0.00 + June $0.00 + July $0.00 + Aug $20.00 + Sept $20.00= $40.00 AVAILABLE
============================================================================================
• TOTAL SPENT Year-To-Date:
$1,387.91 Grocery Budget
$102.63 Hiding Spot Cash
$20.00 Thrifty’s Points Redemption
$20.00 PC.Plus Points Redemption
$20.00 Safeway Cash Card
$517.50 Stockpile Budget
$80.00 Cash Repayment from neighbor
$24.27 2013 Costco Rebate Cheque
$0.00 2014 Costco Rebate Cheque – $13.45
$250.00 Safeway Gift Card =
$2,422.31
$1,710.00 may have been budgeted for JAN to SEPTEMBER ‘2014 but we have these funds already accounted for and not yet spent:
$265.00 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$375.00 Borscht Fund
$110.00 Holiday Season Fund
$ 40.00 Summer Season Fund
TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES $790.00 … that is a $400.00 carry-forward from 2013 and $390.00 in NEW 2014 savings.
So, if you look at the $2,422.31 calculation that we have spent in 2014 and subtract the $390.00 we have actually saved in our “reserves” and the $229.96 ($135.96+94.00) we have recorded as spent but is actually set aside for future USA grocery shopping… we have actually spent $1,802.35!! That is $92.35 over the $1,710.00 we budgeted for January through September.
BUT if you also take out the cash that was either a gift, some non-budgeted earning method or a loan repayment: ($96.91 Hiding Spot Cash from bottles etc + FREE $20 Safeway Gift Card + $80.00 Cash Repayment from a neighbor + $24.27 from a 2013 Costco Rebate Cheque + $0.00 used out of a 2014 Costco Rebate Cheque for $13.45 + a Christmas present of a $250.00 Safeway Gift Card) = $471.18 then we actually only used $1,331.17 of the budgeted $1,710.00 have a Budgeted Grocery Balance SURPLUS of $378.83 still sitting in our bank account.
IF you don’t pay any attention to how we paid for the groceries, then the seemingly $92.35 overage combined with the value of an additional 5 weeks x $47.50 = $237.50 vacation we will be taking later on in 2014 and still leave us an additional $145.15 to add to our Canadian & cross border shopping budget.
============================================================================================
REMAINING GROCERY FUNDS FOR SEPTEMBER:
CANADIAN $’s
Groceries: ($15.41)
Stockpile: $0.00
Cash Hiding Spot: $4.12-$2.69=$1.43
Safeway Cash Card $0.00
Safeway Savings Reward $0.00
US $’s
Our Reserve: $135.96
US Cash Hiding Spot: $94.00
============================================================================================
The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Thrifty Foods:
8 Organic Walla Walla Onions @ $1.49/lb (Good until Oct 12th)
2 Family Size Extra Lean Ground Beef @ $3.49/lb (Good until Oct 12th)
Safeway:
9 Barilla Spaghetti @ 3 for $4.98 (Good until October 10th)
4 lbs Purewel Blueberries @ $7.98 (Good until October 12th)
============================================================================================
Hi Mary,
It’s funny how fast the month is going. I was just telling Mr.CBB that before we know it September will be gone before we know it. |I agree about the milk coupon. I wouldn’t be able to pass on picking up milk for that kind of price! Have a great week mate. You get ballot 9. Mr.CBB
This will be my first post for the month, look like it will be another 5 week month. I was at Foodland twice this week. Being a 5 week month means I went over for the week but there is still plenty of room for the rest of e month so far….
August 29
3 Whiskas moist cat food @.99 -2.97
2 cans pineapple @1.19 -2.38
3 Gator Ade @1.66 -4.98
Bananas -1.10
2 pasta @1.88 -3.76
1 yogurt -1.99
1 jar relish -1.99
1 bag rice -1.99
2W/W bread @2/5.00 -5.00, 1.00WUB2 coupon
1 ketchup -2.77
1 Cheerios -2.97
2 soya sauce @2.99 -5.98
3cases pop @3.99 -11.97, 3X1.00 coupons
1 ham slices -4.14, 50% sticker, 2.07 off
1 Parmesan cheese grated -4.24
2 4l milk @4.70 -9.58
2 blocks cheese @4.97 -9.94
10 lbs potatoes -4.99
Green grapes -5.33
1 jug water -5.49
Tax -2.59
Total -$90.08, 4.00 coupons, 2.07 discount
Sept 2
3 Whiskas moist cat food @.99 -2.97
2 tomato sauce @1.50 -3.00
4 Powerade @1.66 -6.64
Bananas -.95
1 pasta sauce -1.79
1 pasta -1.88
1 unsweetened apple sauce -1.98
2 W/W bread 2/5.00 -5.00, 1.00WUB2 coupon
2 bagels @2.50 -5.00
1 bagel -3.49, 50% sticker -1.75 saved
1 raisin bread -3.49
1 yogurt -3.99
2 4l milk @4.79 -9.58
1 jug water -5.49
Tax -1.25
Total $53.71, 1.00 coupon, 1.75 discount
Total budget for month $650.00, $130.00 wk (5 weeks)
Total coupon/discounts this week -8.82.
Total spent this week -$143.79
Total spent for month -$143.79
Total over/under for week -$13.79 over
Total over/under for month -N/A
Left for month -$506.21
Total coupons/discounts for month -$8.82
Total carryover to next month -$26.00
Total YTD -J$653.06+F$594.21+M$633.19+A$672.42+M$647.70+J$660.14+ J$694.95+A$629.08+S$143.79=$7078.44
Stockpile -$25.00, none used
So being this is a 5 week month I am over for the week. Had it been 4 week month I would be OK..such is life. The pop was a nice price especially after the coupons I got from previous cases. Trying to get the sales as much as possible with coupons and discounts when I can find them helps. Molly loves that Whiskas cat food whether we are talking the dry or the moist stuff!!! Little girl is getting. Nice and solid from her chow!! We had a kitten a couple of years ago for less than 2 months as she was never healthy and the poor little kitty never gained any weight no matter how much she ate so it is so nice to have a nice healthy hungry little fur ball running around the place!! We will have to see how the sales go for the rest of the. Onto and see how close we can get to staying under for the month…
Hi Christine,
That’s fine if you have a 5 week month. Thanks for letting us all know so we can follow your shops. I like when fans give all the info as it makes it much easier to follow. 🙂 You sure do make good use of those pop coupons which is great that they offer them for people who buy lots of pop. My mother in law buys the Whiskas for their cat who is a fussy eater. Any luck finding the Powerade for a good deal this summer? You get ballot 8. Mr.CBB
Just last night, I bought a bottle of champagne at a 24-hour store. As expected, it was a bit expensive. The downside of buying there was I had limited options. I think 6 varieties were available. 🙁
First of all, I want to say “congratulations on becoming a dad”. I’m sure that you will be a great dad to your little boy/girl.
Now on to this week’s shopping. Last week’s “no shopping” was actually just postponed a week 🙂
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $2.75
Total Out Of Pocket: $60.44
Dish Detergent = $1.98
Baking Soda = $0.98
2 cans of Mushrooms – $1.19 = $2.38 (400 PC Points)
Peanut Butter = $3.97
Spaghetti Noodles = $1.59 (200 PC Points)
10 cans of Cream of Mushroom soup – 5/$4.00 = $8.00
Beef Broth = $1.99
Cheerios = $4.47
Premium Plus Crackers = $0.00 (SCOP)
Chocolate Peanut Butter – $3.98 ($1 Coupon) (1500 PC Points) = $2.98
4L Skim Milk = $3.97
Black Diamond Cheese – $6.79 ($0.75 Coupon) = $6.04
Breyers Ice Cream – $3.97 ($1.00 Coupon) – $2.97
2 Frozen Vegetables – $2.78 (400 PC Points) = $5.56
Michelina’s – $0.98 = $7.84
Bananas – 1.185 kg @ $1.26/kg = $1.49
In house bakery bread = $1.97
Hamburger Buns = $2.00 (200 PC Points)
Name Your Store: Food Basics
Total Coupons Used: $0.00
Total Out Of Pocket: $16.03
10 lb Potatoes = $1.88
5 lb Carrots = $1.88
5 lb Onions = $1.88
Sugar = $1.97
Stewing Beef = $8.42
Name Your Store: Freschco
Total Coupons Used: $0.00
Total Out Of Pocket: $9.64
2 Apple Juice – $0.98 = $1.96
Double pack of Hot Dogs = $6.00
Tomatoes – 0.710 kg @ $1.04/kg = $.74
2 Cucumbers – $0.47 = $0.94
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $60.00/week ($50.00 Human & $10.00 Pet)
Total Coupons Used this Week : $2.75
Total Coupons Used This Month: $2.75
Total Discounts/SCOP this Week: $1.99
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $0.50
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $0.50
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total PC Points Received this week: 2700
Total Rewards Points Used: $0.00
Stockpile Budget: $0.00
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $13.89 under (Human) – No shop for pets
Total Spent This Week: $86.11
Total Spent So Far for September: $86.11
Total Over/Under spend for the month of September: $N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $113.89
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $N/A
Total Spent To Date This Year: $2068.79
Weekly Overview: I actually took last week money and this week’s together but I tried to stay with the budget that I set for each store and only failed at Superstore. I had a budget of $48.50 and blew that out of the water with $60.44. Some things were not planned and others I thought I saw in that particular flyer but wasn’t the case when looked back after. Even with the little screw-ups, I’m still under the value I had set aside for this shop.
Thanks Dee! I’m sure by now you know we had a boy and he is an amazing little guy!! Do you struggle to say no when you find a good deal at the grocery store that wasn’t on your grocery list? How can you walk away from it? We are now just telling ourselves no we can do without although it’s easier said than done. Was the BD cheese the 500 g bars? If so that’s bloody expensive. I wait until it goes on offer for $4.77 or so and use a coupon and stock up. I find with cheese they charge so much money in Canada. You get ballot 7. Mr.CBB
I used to buy in a 24 hour grocery store because there was an instance that my daughter had a fever and when I check her medicine it was already empty. The price is a bit higher compared to regular price, but I really don’t mind. But now, I make sure that I have enough medicine so that I don’t need to buy in the 24 hour grocery store. 🙂
I can’t win… but being I have $12 in rewards and a $10 gift card to carry into this month, I am going to shoot for $160 or $40 a week. I also have a good cheese stock pile from a sale last month so that helps. Week 1 is way on schedule!
Name Your Store: Meijer
Total Coupons Used: $0.50
Total Out Of Pocket: $5.49
5% off everything (digital coupon)
1 Canned Diced Tomatoes $0.94 (less .05)
1 RC Cola $1.10 (less .05)
1/2 Gallon Milk $2.29 (less .11)
2 Meijer 64oz Cranberry Strawberry Juice $4.58 (less .23)
Meijer Creamer $2.69 LESS $0.50 digital coupon = $2.19 (less .13)
1 Can Cream Corn $0.89 (less .04)
1 Can Black Beans $0.89 (less .05)
1 Dozen Eggs $0.99 (less .05)
210 pack Sandwich Bags $1.99 (less .10)
40 pack 1 Gallon Size Bags $2.49 (less .13)
Reward Redeemed: -$12.00
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $40.00/week ($160 for the month)
Total Coupons Used this Week : $1.44
Total Coupons Used This Month: $1.44
Total Discounts this Week: $3.96
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $0.75 (black beans and eggs)
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $0.75
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00 (but $10 available)
Total Rewards Points Used: $12.00
Stockpile Budget: $0.00
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $N/A
Total Spent This Week: $5.49
Total Spent So Far for September: $5.49
Total Over/Under spend for the month of September: $N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $154.51 (or should this be $155.26 after account for checkout51???)
Hi Kipp,
Oh my the GGC team of fans will be thrilled to have someone new join them posting as I am, so welcome!! We stock up on cheese when we can as well. Cheese will last for ages in the refrigerator so we might as well buy it when it’s cheap. Even better if you have a coupon. So Checkout51 is also available in the USA or are you in Canada? That’s a great digital coupon that you have. Is Meijer a high end grocery store or is it a store that would have reasonable prices on similar products offered at other grocery stores? Thanks for posting. I hope to see you back again with your grocery shop for next week!! Mr.CBB You said you can’t win so I’m guessing you are in the USA.
Hi Kipp,
Oh my the GGC team of fans will be thrilled to have someone new join them posting as I am, so welcome!! We stock up on cheese when we can as well. Cheese will last for ages in the refrigerator so we might as well buy it when it’s cheap. Even better if you have a coupon. So Checkout51 is also available in the USA or are you in Canada? That’s a great digital coupon that you have. Is Meijer a high end grocery store or is it a store that would have reasonable prices on similar products offered at other grocery stores? Thanks for posting. I hope to see you back again with your grocery shop for next week!! Mr.CBB You said you can’t win so I’m guessing you are in the USA.
SEPTEMBER – Week #1 of 5- Sept 1-7, 2014
2014 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
===============================================================================================
REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
Before we start our SEPTEMBER off though, I am going to make my “reserve” transfers for the month:
Grocery:
$142.50 for the month
($12.50) trf to borscht reserve-normally $12.50
($ 0.00) trf to holiday – normally $20.00
($ 20.00) trf to Summer Reserve – instead of Holiday
($2.50) trf to US Reserve
($17.50) trf to re-stocking – normally $17.50
Grocery Balance $90.00 for SEPTEMBER
Stockpile:
$47.50 for the month
($17.50) trf to re-stocking – normally $17.50
($30.00) trf to US Reserve – normally $30.00
Stockpile Balance $0.00 for SEPTEMBER
===============================================================================================
REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
Hubby and I are returning from our vacation and we shopped on the US side of the border on our way home. We still needed to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables so this week, we have shopping on both sides of the border.
I spotted some good sales so I took advantage of some pork tenderloin and chicken thigh sales with the assistance of both Thrifty Foods and PC.Plus Points points redeemed. I wasn’t saving my points for anything in particular… so might as well use them and keep the cash in our pockets.
I am turning into quite the assertive grocery shopper… look at the FREE sour cream I scored and the extra 2 lbs of onions! I complain when things are not right & it generally pays off. 🙂
This was a BIG week as we were totally out of fresh fruits and vegetables and even though I am over $15.41 CDN for the month… it’s no big deal. I still have $135.96 US in reserve and $94.00 US in the hiding spot so we can get whatever else we need in the US when we go down for a little day trip we have planned towards the end of the month.
===============================================================================================
OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Save On Foods – Maple Ridge
1 x 4L Skim Milk $4.69
•Total OOP: $4.69
• Grocery Budget OOP: $4.69
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 5 MORE Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 Price Matches **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Thrifty Foods – Maple Ridge #1
6 x Tomatoes on the Vine @ $0.88/lb = $1.49
•Total OOP: $1.49
• Grocery Budget OOP: $1.49
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 1 Thrifty’s Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Thrifty Foods – Maple Ridge #2
1 Pork Tenderloin $5.44
1 Pork Tenderloin $5.37
1 bunch organic bananas $2.27
1 White Veggie Fed Organic Eggs $2.99
1 White Veggie Fed Organic Eggs $2.99
Less bag Return ($0.06)
Less 2600 Points Redeemed = ($20.00) << took the cash rather than transfer most of our points to Air Miles
•Total OOP: $2.98
• Grocery Budget OOP: $0.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $2.98
** Earned 23 Thrifty’s Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Save On Foods – Maple Ridge #1
2 Gluten Free Pork Sausages @ $4.00 ea = $8.00
•Total OOP: $8.00
• Grocery Budget OOP: $8.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 14 MORE Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Extra Foods – Maple Ridge
1 Club Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $14.58
1 Club Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $13.57
1 Club Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $13.51
1 Seedless Watermelon $2.97 + 750 points
4 lbs sweet peppers $7.72 + 700 points
Less PC.Plus Points Redemption ($20.00) << Redeemed since I had them
•Total OOP: $32.35
• Grocery Budget OOP: $32.35
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 1,450 PC.Plus Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 Price Matches **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
—————————————————————–
Superstore – Pitt Meadows #1
1 pkg Chopped Romaine Lettuce $4.98
1 pkg Iceberg Salad $4.98
1 pkg Coleslaw $4.98
1 pkg Baby Spinach $2.98
1 pkg GF Cheese Bread $4.19
•Total OOP: $23.73
• Grocery Budget OOP: $4.98
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 0 PC.Plus Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 Price Matches **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
—————————————————————–
Superstore – Pitt Meadows #2
1 x 6 lb bag of gala apples $5.88
2 bunches green onion @ 0.57 ea = $1.14
1 x 3 lb bag turnips $0.97 << obviously an error but I will take it!
•Total OOP: $7.99
• Grocery Budget OOP: $7.99
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 0 PC.Plus Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 Price Matches **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
—————————————————————–
Save On Foods – Maple Ridge #2
2 x 10 lb bags Russet Potatoes $5.99
4 x 3 lb bags yellow onions $3.99 Total << it was supposed to be a 10 lb bag… 2 extra pounds for FREE
1 x 5lb carrots $2.79
•Total OOP: $12.77
• Grocery Budget OOP: $12.77
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 13 MORE Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Safeway – Maple Ridge –
1 Green Cabbage $2.77
2 bunches radishes $1.58
1 bag green beans $1.87
1 bag broccoli crowns $2.31
1 English cucumber $1.79
1 Acorn Squash $4.07
1 large Sour Cream << FREE after I complained about Lucerne yogurt having mold when I opened it & this sour cream was
$5.00 more than the "on sale" yogurt I complained about
PLUS I bought non- grocery items and was able to earn a ton of air miles using coupons I had!
• Safeway Gift Card OOP: $14.39
• Non-Grocery OOP: $0.00
• Grocery Budget OOP: $0.00
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 152 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
===============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Walmart – Burlington
2 pkgs Pimento Loaf ($2.98 ea) = $5.96
3 bags rice creal ($4.88 ea) = $14.64
2 family size Ruffles potato chips ($2.98 ea) = $5.96
1 x 2 lb pkg sliced honey ham luncheon meat $8.98
1 x 2 lb pkg Smoked Turkey Breast Lunch meat = $8.98
2 x GV Ketchup ($1.66 ea) = $3.32
• US Grocery OOP: $47.84
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
Jan $81.89 + Feb $48.32 +Mar $0.00 +April $22.88 +May $44.18 + June $39.58 + July $4.10 + Aug $0.00+ Sept $0.00= $230.03
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
Jan $2.58 + Feb $7.18 +Mar $0.00 + April $9.20 +May $20.19 + June $1.00 + July $15.50 + Aug $12.98 + Sept $0.00 = $68.63
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $0.00 +Mar $0.00 + April $0.00 +May $5.31 + June $0.00 + July $0.00 + Aug $0.00 + Sept $0.00 = $5.31
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 11 + April 0 + May 5 + June 0 + July 52 + Aug 0 + Sept 32= 100 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
Jan 456 + Feb 584 +Mar 0 + April 4 + May 125 + June 3 + July 210 + Aug 88 + Sept 152= 1,624 Air Miles
•Total Thrifty’s Points Earned This Year: NOTE: On Sept 12th –
14 Thirty’s = 1 Air Miles Roll-over
Jan 25 + Feb 15 +Mar 0 + April 0 + May 39 + June 11 + July 145 +Aug 0 + Sept 24= 259 Points
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 650 + April 0 + May 5,400 +June 2400 + July 3,300 + Aug 0 + Sept 1,450= 13,200 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 0 + April 0 + May 30 + June 0 + July 100 + Aug 0 + Sept 0 = 130 Points
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $167.06 + Feb $155.74+ Mar $105.76 + April $145.56 +
May $228.38 +June $186.11+ July $110.63+ Aug $130.76 + Sept ($12.50 trf to borscht+$20.00 to Summer + $2.50 to US Reserve+$17.50 trf to re-stocking +$4.69+$1.49+$8.00+$32.35+$23.73+$7.99+$12.77+$14.39 = $157.91)= $1,387.91
•Total Year-To-Date Grocery Budget:
Jan $142.50+ Feb $142.50+ Mar $142.50 + April $142.50 + May $232.50 +June $142.50 + July $142.50 + Aug $142.50 + Sept $142.50 = $1,372.50
•Total Over/Under on Year-To-Date Grocery Budget: ($15.41) OVER
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D STOCKPILE SPENDING:
•Total Stockpile OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $47.50 + Feb $47.50 + Mar $47.50 + April $47.50 + May $47.50 + June ($47.50) + July ($47.50) + Aug $47.50+ Sept($17.50 trf to re-stocking + $30 trf to US Reserve = $47.50) = $517.50
•Total Year-To-Date Stockpile Budget:
Jan $47.50 + Feb $47.50 + Mar $47.50 + April $47.50 + May $47.50 + June $47.50 + July $47.50 + Aug $47.50 + Sept $47.50 = $517.50
•Total Over/Under Year-To-Date Stockpile Budget: $0.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2014 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Re-Stocking Budget:
2013 Fwd $125.00+Jan $17.50+Feb $17.50+Mar $17.50 + April $17.50 +May $17.50 + June $0.00 + July $17.50 + Aug $17.50 + Sept $17.50 = $265.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D BORSCHT RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
2013 Fwd $275.00+Jan $12.50+Feb $12.50+Mar $12.50 + April $12.50 +May $12.50 + June $0.00 + July $12.50 + Aug $12.50 + Sept $12.50= $375.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Holiday Season Reserve:
2013 Fwd $0.00+Jan $20.00+Feb $20.00+Mar $20.00 + April $20.00 +May $20.00 + June $0.00 + July $10.00 + Aug $0.00= $110.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D SUMMER RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Summer Season Reserve:
2013 Fwd $0.00+Jan $0.00+Feb $0.00+Mar $0.00 + April $0.00 +May $0.00 + June $0.00 + July $0.00 + Aug $20.00 + Sept $20.00= $40.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
• TOTAL SPENT Year-To-Date:
$1,387.91 Grocery Budget
$99.94 Hiding Spot Cash
$20.00 Thrifty’s Points Redemption
$20.00 PC.Plus Points Redemption
$20.00 Safeway Cash Card
$517.50 Stockpile Budget
$80.00 Cash Repayment from neighbor
$24.27 2013 Costco Rebate Cheque
$0.00 2014 Costco Rebate Cheque – $13.45
$250.00 Safeway Gift Card =
$2,419.62
$1,710.00 may have been budgeted for JAN to SEPTEMBER ‘2014 but we have these funds already accounted for and not yet spent:
$265.00 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$375.00 Borscht Fund
$110.00 Holiday Season Fund
$ 40.00 Summer Season Fund
TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES $790.00 … that is a $400.00 carry-forward from 2013 and $390.00 in NEW 2014 savings.
So, if you look at the $2,419.62 calculation that we have spent in 2014 and subtract the $390.00 we have actually saved in our “reserves” and the $229.96 ($135.96+94.00) we have recorded as spent but is actually set aside for future USA grocery shopping… we have actually spent $1,799.66!! That is $89.66 over the $1,710.00 we budgeted for January through September.
BUT if you also take out the cash that was either a gift, some non-budgeted earning method or a loan repayment: ($96.91 Hiding Spot Cash from bottles etc + FREE $20 Safeway Gift Card + $80.00 Cash Repayment from a neighbor + $24.27 from a 2013 Costco Rebate Cheque + $0.00 used out of a 2014 Costco Rebate Cheque for $13.45 + a Christmas present of a $250.00 Safeway Gift Card) = $471.18 then we actually only used $1,328.48 of the budgeted $1,710.00 have a Budgeted Grocery Balance SURPLUS of $381.52 still sitting in our bank account.
IF you don’t pay any attention to how we paid for the groceries, then the seemingly $89.66 overage combined with the value of an additional 5 weeks x $47.50 = $237.50 vacation we will be taking later on in 2014 and still leave us an additional $147.84 to add to our Canadian & cross border shopping budget.
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REMAINING GROCERY FUNDS FOR SEPTEMBER:
CANADIAN $’s
Groceries: ($15.41)
Stockpile: $0.00
Cash Hiding Spot: $7.10-$2.98=$4.12
Safeway Cash Card $0.00
Safeway Savings Reward $0.00
US $’s
Our Reserve: $183.80 – $47.84 = $135.96
US Cash Hiding Spot: $94.00
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The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Thrifty Foods:
8 Organic Walla Walla Onions @ $1.49/lb (Good until Oct 12th)
2 Family Size Extra Lean Ground Beef @ $3.49/lb (Good until Oct 12th)
Safeway:
9 Barilla Spaghetti @ 3 for $4.98 (Good until October 10th)
4 lbs Purewel Blueberries @ $7.98 (Good until October 12th)
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Hi Mary,
Good for you complaining when you aren’t getting a service you pay for or expect as a customer. I hope that organizations look at these complaints as a way to improve. The lunchmeat you picked up was a great price. I was looking at prices of meat at Walmart the other day and couldn’t get over how much it costs just to make a meat sandwich these days. That pimento bread sounds delicious. How do you serve the bread? Sandwich, bread and butter, toast? Great week for you and glad to have you back. We used to save our PC points but these days we don’t hesitate to use them up. Shoppers points on the other hand we save up because on certain days of a month they have a bonus optimum redemption event where you can score even more from using them up where PC hasn’t quite got that in place yet. I suspect to see something similar in the future since they own SDM now. You get ballot 3. Mr.CBB
I was spoiled by being 1 minute away from a 24 hour store. It was awesome. On Fridays I would get up early and do my shop then before it was busy and all the new sales stock was cleared out by “crazy couponers” (I’m joking, I was there using coupons myself). When I moved I lost that perk. The grocery stores have normal hours here and it really messed with my routine. Now I have to go to the grocery store with the masses (something I dislike).
I’m pretty spoiled by the 24 hour bodegas in NYC. Although they’re DEFINITELY not always the best deal. Things like milk and eggs are way cheaper if I buy them at Trader Joe’s. However, my local bodega does sell fresh pastellitos and since they’re only $1 each, i can get away with a less than $3 dinner when I’m looking for something fast and delicious. I’m going to miss that when I move someday.
As much as possible, I do not buy at 24-hour store because its pricing is higher than the typical grocery. Hence, I stock groceries at home but when it’s really vital and I have no choice, I would resort to getting it from any 24-hour store.
It’s hard to stay away when you run out of something and all the shops are closed and your wife says…’I need” ha… off I go. The good thing is with planning we might be able to avoid the high prices by making sure the kitchen is stocked up.
Maybe the 24 hour grocery stores are different in Canada, but that is basically all we have around here it seems. Places like Walmart and Meijer (regional) are open 24 hours and often provide better prices than smaller grocery chains. That said of course warehouse shopping is cheaper, but you need a membership for those and after visiting one I don’t see where I will save much money after figuring in travel costs. Anyways my grocery trips are usually Saturdays so I won’t have anything for that until then :). Now, I cannot play the game to win being American, but my expenses may seem artificially low… because we get a quarter of a cow so we are usually using up some of that each week.
The Foodland store across the street is a 24 hour store and has been for a little while now. With this past weekend being a holiday weekend they did close for a bit. The hours were that Sunday night they closed at midnight, Monday’s hours were 8am to 6pm and opened Tuesday morning at 7am then back to the regular 24 hours open.I would assume the the Your Independent Grocer store out the east end works with the same hours and they do have a pharmacy there that isn’t at Foodland. Mind you I don’t know if the pharmacy is even staffed 24 hours. I do know the local hospital emergency ward will make sure you have medications at night if you need them then.
I can see where it would be handy for someone that works nights or that doesn’t like the crowds to have the store open 24 hours. I’m not sure if either of the discount stores are 24/7 in Stratford. I think the latest I’ve gone to the grocery store is maybe 7pm – 8pm…. I’ve just never had the need.
Congratulations Dee!!!!
Any of the 24 hour Grocery Sores in Ontario, are the more expensive stores in General!! Sobey’s & Metro!! Unless they have something I really want then I would go, but unlike the USA the one open that I use to frequent was WalMart!! So it was awesome and I could price compare, coupon and not feel stupid because I had all my flyers mixed up and Coupons, so others behind all got pissed off because I was taking up their precious time in the store period!! Nite shopping was more fun and appreciated by me and my family!! No one to irritate you either with fussing and tired kids!!
This week’s shopping trip is very small and quiet as I deemed this week to be a “no shop” week for humans. Unfortunately, the cats said otherwise, the little piggies LOL!!!
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $0.00
Total Out Of Pocket: $33.88
20 – Friskies Cat Food – 10/$5.00 = $10.00
7.5 Kg Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food = $19.98
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $60.00/week ($50.00 Human & $10.00 Pet)
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0.00
Total Discounts this Week: $0.00
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $0.00
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $0.00
Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Week: $0.00
Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Month: $0.00
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total PC Points Received this week: 0
Total Rewards Points Used: $0.00
Stockpile Budget: $0.00
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $6.12 under (Pet); No shopping for Human this week
Total Spent This Week: $33.88
Total Spent So Far for August: $348.31
Total Over/Under spend for the month of September: $N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $206.12
Total Coupons Used This Month: $N/A
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $N/A
Total Spent To Date This Year: $1982.68
Weekly Overview: This week I’m going to make a “No Shop” week. This will enable us to use the food that is around the house. I’m sure that next week will make up for this no shop week but I’ll see what the specials are.
Hi Dee…
Here we are at September already, wow! Good for you sticking to a no-shop week. It’s been terribly hard for us to do that even though the plan was laid out that once a week per month would be a no-shop week. It will be interesting when baby comes to see how much shopping we can actually fit in. You get ballot 2. Mr.CBB
I also have used the 24 hour stores for convenience. Mainly due to not feeling like making breakfast or lunch so stopped at the grocery store on my way to work. Mind you, I felt weird being there as there was virtually nobody around but I was in and out very quickly and on my way to work.
Hey Dee,
Congrats on winning for August… did you see that? Email me your address so I can send some coupons out to you. Mr.CBB