How the Food Network helps us save money : The Grocery Game Challenge #1 Mar 2- 8, 2015
INSPIRE YOUR DINNER MENU
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Food Network junkie because I’m a guy who loves to cook and eat good food.
How many times can you recall that you know a product, how to prepare it or where to buy it because you watched it all go down on the Food Network?
I have that happen to me often and although it’s not the only way to learn about food today I’m going to talk about how the Food Network inspires our menu and grocery budget.
Over the years when I lived in the UK I travelled to many countries around the world. I was never the guy who stayed at resorts because I wanted to hang out with the locals and experience some of the culture. When it came time to eat I would find food vendors and small restaurants down alleys or off of the main streets.
Hanging out and chatting to the people who eat and prepare local cuisine is a great way to learn about exotic and cultural foods that you might not find at home. If you do it may be in a 5-star restaurant or a shop you never thought to look in.
So, I’ve had my fair share of good eats over the years but I’m no chef and I haven’t even put a dent in the amount of dishes that are served up around the world. I probably never will.
On my travels I used to collect cookbooks because that was what we used to source and research recipes before the internet became the recipe hub of the world.
These days my cookbook collection is still being used but I’ll be honest when I say I have to wipe the dust from many of them. Television programs like the Food Network, online blogs and social media corners of the web have my attention when it comes to food education.
I’m a huge fan of Pinterest and enjoy reading recipes but nothing beats watching the Food Network for me and actually seeing the Food Network chefs at work in the kitchen. The amount of information my wife and I have learned over the years is beyond what we ever expected.
I’m not the only one that would rather watch the Food Network over hockey but besides my family and working-out food is a passion of mine. I believe that eating well attributes to not only a healthy lifestyle but a happier me>>us.
When I met my wife we both watched the Food Network with Nigella Lawson being my all-time favourite TV chef. Although she’s a beautiful woman it’s her cooking knowledge (have you seen her cookbook collection?),passion for what she does and respect for the food she eats that intrigues me.
Just recently I’ve watched Ree Drummond from The Pioneer Woman because she is practical and cooks simple easy meals for her large family that don’t cost a fortune. If you watch her program most ingredients she uses are everyday pantry staples.
My wife on the other hand keeps it no secret that she is a fan of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey. I remember when we were walking downtown London UK and stopped by Gordon’s restaurant at the time named Claridges and she got all giddy.
She wanted to go in to eat but after reading the cost of the wine list it was clear that it wasn’t for us. You have to have $$$ and a way to get on the reservation list which meant it likely wasn’t going to happen for us.
Although saying that some patrons who came out said we must go in for lunch as it was divine and that Gordon was inside. Yes they had to squeeze that in so my wife had to bounce up and down with excitement. It took me 30 mins to convince her that Gordon wasn’t going to use the front door to exit the restaurant and to put her camera away. haha!
Claridges closed in June 2013 after Gordon shut it down.
Now that we live in the GTA there are many Food Network chefs kicking around and a plethora of functions one can attend which feature the Food Network chefs that Canada has come to love.
Food Network chef Susur Lee who has 4 local restaurants in Toronto and Mark McEwen who owns North 44 are among two popular chefs in our area. We have yet to meet any Food Network chefs or visit any of their restaurants but it’s on our bucket list.
Just recently Food Network Canada has run Gordon Ramsey’s new(er) shows here but I’m sure they are already old in the UK.
Gordon invites us into his home to meet his family which is great and he shares how easy it is for his kids to help him cook quick meals. His kids are quite smart when it comes to food knowledge which they should be with a celebrity chef as their dad.
His other program is what intrigues me “Gordon’s Ultimate Cookery Course” as he educates his audience. That’s what I crave as a home cook. He found a loop-hole and is filling it…kitchen knowledge for the viewers.
It’s these types of programs that inspire me to try new foods that I may never have heard of but might have seen. Best of all is he shows us how to prepare products using simple cooking terms that we can understand.
Saving with Jamie is another great show where he actually breaks down the costs of the meal with his team for your grocery budget. He understands how costly food can be but he wants to show us how we can still eat “loverly” food and not break the bank. Yes he says loverly not lovely.
Jamie markets himself well even on Instagram and with his Jamie magazine but his large following only goes to show just how people crave eating well for less.
Product knowledge and sourcing ingredients
In the CBB house our food menu is based around weekly flyer sales but also from inspirations and the knowledge we gain by watching the Food Network. By applying techniques and using ingredients that the Food Network chefs teach us we are able to spend less and eat good food.
Buying herbs and spices for your pantry will add much-needed flavour to food but there is a large price difference between Supermarket spice prices and independent Asian stores.
Adding in flavour with good quality ingredients is a chef essential, but you don’t have to spend a fortune buying your items. Aside from visiting local farmers markets in your area you can get more bang for your buck by sourcing quality ingredients outside of the supermarket.
As an example, we were looking for Star Anise and only half of the Supermarkets stocked it at a price of roughly $4.50 for a small jar stuffed with approximately 8-10 Stars.
Knowing that the independent Indian or Chinese stores in the UK have it for less I sourced our local stores. Sure enough, I found Star Anise in a large bag for $1.99 at approximately 10 times the amount too.
We also always buy Basmati Rice from India in a bag and not the Long Grain Rice from the U.S. purely because it’s better. Finding excellent ingredients makes your food taste better and you’ll have to use less of a good quality product than if you used a cheap alternative saving you money over time.
Sesame oil is another example, we use Japanese Kadoya Sesame Oil as opposed to those cheaper Chinese alternatives. Sure it’s a little more money but it definitely offers a far superior taste and lasts longer. We used to buy it from Walmart as it was the only place I could find it at a cost of $4.39 but have since found it cheaper.
Try going to the areas of town where certain ethnic populations tend to shop and you will notice that there is a distinct price change for the better when the item is more popular.
Many of these ingredients come to our attention by watching television shows on the Food Network, travelling, cookbooks or in simple conversation with others who love to cook.
Food Network Chefs
My Top 15 Food Network TV shows that I watch which help inspire me to cook new meals, use unknown products and save money.
- Chopped Canada
- Save with Jamie
- Cut Throat Kitchen
- Diners, Drive In’s and Dives
- The Pioneer Woman
- Gordan Ramsey’s Ultimate Cookery Course
- Guys Grocery Games
- Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics
- Chef Michael’s Kitchen
- Jamie’s meals in minutes
- Spice Goddess
- French Food at Home
- Farmhouse Rules
- Rachel Ray’s Week In A Day
- Pitchin In
Are you inspired by any Food Network chefs and how does the Food Network help you to save money while introducing new recipes for your family?
March 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!
Congratulations goes out to #14 Kathryn for winning the February GGC!! Send me an email to claim your prize.
- How to keep an organized Pantry : The Grocery Game Challenge #1 Feb 2-8
- How to create a healthy grocery list: The Grocery Game Challenge #2 Feb 9-15
- How to grocery shop for free: The Grocery Game Challenge #3 Feb 16-22, 2015
- How to grocery shop to create cheap recipes: The Grocery Game Challenge #4 Feb 23-Mar 1.2015
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 are new here and haven’t had a chance to read past posts grab yourself a beverage, sit down, relax and enjoy some educational reading material on ways to save money in your grocery budget.
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.
2015 Grocery shop results
If you are a foodie like I am you will enjoy going through my Free Recipe Index where recipes from CBB Home Chef Nicola Don and myself are shared every Sunday on the blog. Check it out!
Yearly grocery budget for two 2015: $2820
(The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $240 per year or $25 per month.
Zehrs
Total-out-pocket $0
No Frills
Total-out-pocket $0
Points Overview (add any other sections you need to show us your savings)
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00
- Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $235.00
- Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
- Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
- Total Rewards Points used to date: $20.00
- PC Points Plus Earned to date: 23960
- Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
- Snap Groupon to date: $1.50
- Zweet to date: $1.00
- Cart Smart to date: $0
- Checkout51 to date: $0
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK (add any other sections you need to show expenses and savings)
- Total to spend this month $204.49 (includes overage from February)
- Stockpile budget 2015 ($25.00): (Jan/Feb) $50.00 +$
- Stockpile budget used this month: $0
- Total coupons used this week: $0
- Total coupons used to date: $3.00
- Total in-store discounts this week: $0
- Total in-store discounts to date: $65.65
- Total spent this week: $0
- Total spent so far this month: $0
- Total over/Under spend this shop: $0
- Total over/Under spend for the month: $n/a
- Total left to spend for the month: $0
- Total Spent To Date 2015: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $166.49+ Feb $261.51+ Mar $
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts): We are away for most of the week so we are not grocery shopping this week. We have overage from February to the tune of $30.51 which will eat up this weeks shop anyways. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a no-shop week.
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.
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 but you will still get a ballot when you post your shops even if they are late but I encourage you to stay on schedule. It’s a proven fact the minute we stop doing something that is scheduled that we end up forgetting to do it all together. Don’t let that be you! You can post your shops all month-long.
- Does your Grocery Budget include health and beauty and laundry products?:
YesNo, our Grocery Budget includes such items as shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, fabric softener, dish soap etc. As of 2014-2015 we no longer include such items in our grocery budget so we can see actual food numbers at the end of the year so we can plan accordingly for our budget. 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.
- Canadian Coupons: 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.
- What is GGC?– The Grocery Game Challenge of course!
- How Do I Know what stores accept coupons?: 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 2015 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. If you are brave and want to learn everything I know about grocery shopping in Canada check out my Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide! It’s FREE!
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 2015!
Join in and become money savers and take control of your grocery budget.
-Mr.CBB
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Yearly grocery budget for two 2015: $3120 ($260/month)
March 2-8
Walmart
1 can coconut milk $2.14
1 bag Lays Wavy chips (party size) $2.98
1 container Great Value raisins $2.84
1 Danjou pear $0.79
0.51 lbs zucchini (pm’d Bashas 1 lb/$.0.98; WM price 1 lb/$1.48) $0.50
1.62 lbs broccoli (pm’d Bashas 1 lb/$0.98; WM price 1 lb/$1.38) $1.59
1 red pepper (pm’d Food City 4/$1; WM price $1.78 each) $0.25
1 green pepper (pm’d Sprouts 2/$1; WM price $1.78 each) $0.50
1 yellow pepper (pm’d Sprouts $0.88 each; WM price $1.78 each) $0.88
1.61 lbs yellow onions (pm’d Food City 1 lb/$0.49; WM price 1 lb/$0.88) $0.79
3 Red Delicious apples (1.80 lbs.) (pm’d Food City 3 lbs/$0.99; WM price 1 lb/$0.97) $0.59
1.18 lbs broccoli crowns (pm’d Sprouts 1 lb/$0.49; WM price 1 lb/$1.38) $0.58
1 red onion (0.78 lbs.) (pm’d Food City 4 lbs/$0.99; WM price 1 lb/$0.88) $0.19
3.96 lbs yellow onions (pm’d Food City 3 lbs/$0.99; WM price 1 lb/$0.88) $1.31
1.08 lbs zucchini (pm’d Food City 1 lb/$0.49; WM price 1 lb/$1.48) $0.53
1.77 lbs red grapes (pm’d Fry’s 1 lb/$0.88; WM price 1 lb/$2.98) $1.56
1 large bag assorted chocolate bars $9.98
Total Out-Of-Pocket: $28.00
Trader Joe’s
2 cans light coconut milk ($0.99/each)
1 can coconut cream $1.49
Total Out-Of-Pocket: $3.47
Sam’s Club
3 lb. hot rotisserie cooked chicken $5.45
1 dozen fresh sandwich croissants $6.48
Total Out-Of-Pocket: $11.93
Points Overview
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $260
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs: $260
Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
PC Points Plus Earned to date: None
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Snap Groupon to date: $ 0
Zweet to date: $0
Cart Smart to date: $0
Checkout51 to date: $0
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $0
Total in-store discounts this week: $0
Total in-store discounts to date: $0
Total saved by price matching this week: $14.90
Total saved by price matching this year: $27.40
Total spent this week: $43.40
Total spent so far this month: $43.40
Total over/under spend this shop: $21.60 under
Total over/under spend for the month: $21.60 under
Total left to spend for the month: $216.60
Total Spent To Date 2015: $625.74
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts):
I bought zucchini and yellow onions twice this week at Walmart because the grocery flyers come out on Wed. here & they were on for a good price & we eat a lot of both each week.
I can’t believe I came in UNDER our weekly budget of $65! Well, I guess it’s not that much of a surprise since I went over budget finishing off February last week because I ran out of a bunch of things. This week should have been better but I’m still pleased I was under.
Hi Leona,
You did awesome this shop. All the price matching really helped to get the overall cost down for the week. Some of the regular prices were scary so good for you. Do you always price match or do you actually go to the other stores once in a while? You get ballot 20.
This year down here in the U.S. I’ve made a habit of price matching at Walmart all the time so I don’t have to run around to all the stores. Saves a lot of time & gas money that way. (of course!). I just found I was always forgetting to price match other years when we were here. I plan to make it a habit when we get back home to Canada as well.
Week 1 – March 1-7
• Grocery budget to work with in March: $400 (Breaks down to $80 weekly, I classify March as a 5 week month)
• Total coupons used this week: $2
• Total coupons used to date: $9.50
• Total RCSS gas coupons used this week: $0.96
• Total RCSS gas coupons used to date: $4.46
• Total value PC Plus points redeemed this week: $50
• Total value PC Plus points redeemed to date: $90
• Total gift cards/certificates/gifts used this week: $0
• Total gift cards/certificates/gifts used to date: $38.76
• Total student discounts this week: $8.18
• Total student discounts to date: $49.94
• Total tax savings RCSS this week: 0
• Total tax savings RCSS to date: $1.95
• Total spent this week: $59.05
• Total spent so far this month: $59.05
• Total left to spend for the month: $340.95 ($20.95 of it added to carryover)
• Weekly carry over: $20.95
• Total in carry over jar: $183.90
• Total Spent To Date 2015: $556.40
Target: Toothpaste 1.97 x 4 – 1.97 (25% off), tax .77: $6.70
Target: Dried kidney beans 2.39 – .60 (25% off), feta 6.99 – 1.75 (25% off), tomato paste .67 x 4 – .67 (25% off), chef Boyardee 1.24 x 3 – .93 (25% off), nesquik syrup 4.69 – 1.18 (25% off), Pad Thai seasoning packets 2.79 x 4 – 2.79 (25% off): $23.70 rounded down 1 cent
Dollar Tree: onion powder 1.00, chili powder 1.00, cayenne pepper 1.00: 3.00
Shoppers Drug Mart: Chips 1.88, tax .24: $2.10 rounded down 2 cents
RCSS: Honey garlic sausages 7.64 (PM), Butcher’s Choice seafood bundle box 25 x 2, less gas coupon .96, less student discount 5.96, less 50,000 PC Plus of 50.00: 70 cents rounded down 2 cents
RCSS: Sunlight laundry soap 3.99 – 1.00 coupon (PM), Eggs 1.99 x 2 – 1.00 coupon (PM), milk 3.97, veggie straws 1.77 x 3 (PM), 10 lb potato 1.67 (PM), bananas 1.48, grapes 3.59 (PM), iceberg lettuce .99 x 2 (PM), less student discount 2.22, tax 1.09: 22.85 rounded up 1 cent
Lots of purchases this week, but lots of great deals. PM a lot on my usual Tuesday trip to RCSS. And, it was a week worth redeeming PC Plus points. The seafood bundles included 5 lb of fish including basa, salmon, pollock and sole. We are doing our best to use the points on meat, which includes fish. So, the deal was worth having. Target finally reduced the food enough to make it worth purchasing a few items. It was pretty cleared out when I got there, but we did find a few things that suited us just fine and were worth it. It had to be something we use, and the value had to be less than a sale price I would normally get. In hindsight, I wish I had cleared the Pad Thai sauce since it was our favourite kind and we use two packages at a time (I always make a double batch). However, I was trying to keep the costs down. It is one of the few things I don’t make my own seasoning for since I need far too many ingredients to do it justice. Oh well. I’m glad I got 4. Aside from that, I am happy to have carryover again. Putting as much aside as possible right now.
Hi Angela,
I just noticed you are tracking your “tax savings” brilliant idea~ I love to see how much that will amount to at the end of the year. We always cringe when we see tax on anything especially it if gets pretty high on the bill. How do you hydrate your kidney beans? Do you use the crockpot or pressure cooker?
The seafood bundles sound awesome. Our Target had lots of great deals this week especially on toys. I’d love to learn more about other seasonings you make or feature them on the blog if you can take photos and send me a recipe. Flavours are so important but buying already prepared sauces can get costly. Well done this whop!! You get ballot 9. Mr.CBB
We had thought about tracking the savings in the past from the no tax days, and since I was breaking it down more with the student discount this year, I’m going to see how it turns out. The no tax day is a bit of a better savings than the student discount, so any taxable items I will try to get in and buy it separate from the rest of the groceries. 13% as opposed to 10%
I will keep in mind the next time I mix up some seasonings and snap a photo or two and send it to you. I’m working on perfecting the recipe for taco seasoning at this point and I’m sure I will be mixing up a batch soon.
Most of the time with the beans, I soak them and then boil them. I’ve thought about trying it in the crock, I haven’t done it yet. I wanted to be around when I did to time how long it takes until they are done. For now, it takes me 1 to 2 hours of simmering on the stove.
I have decided to up our weekly budget to $125 a week making this month $500.
Shoppers
1.59 1L coffee cream -clearance
1.88×4 crackers
1 candy rings
3.99-3.10SDMC loreal kids shampoo
5.91-1.70SDMC 4L milk
2.99-2.99SDMC loreal kids shampoo
1.99×2-1Cwub2 dzn eggs
2.99×2 no name butter
24.30 total oop
8.79 total coupons
Superstore
1.94×3 60pk gum -clearance
2.97×3-g1fwub2C smartpop popcorn
29.47-1C pampers diapers large box
42.44 total oop
3.97 total coupons
Co-op
1.29 French bread
.69×6 cheese bagels
5.45 total oop
Save on foods
.69×6 cake mix
.99×6 cake icing
.82×6 2L pop
17.15 total oop
H&W Produce
1.88 3pk romaine hearts
5.99 20lb russet potatos
7.85 total oop
Sobeys
1×3 strawberry croissants
the following is my 10% discount Tuesday shop
8.88×6-.75Cx6 907g BD cheese brick – raincheck
4.99×2-.75Cx2 400g BD mozza cheese brick
4.50×2 cream cheese
1.99 perogies
1.32×8-$2wub2 2L pop
70.77 total oop
8.42 total 10% discount
8 total coupons
171.11 total weekly/monthly oop
29.18 total weekly/monthly coupons/discounts
1202.54 total yearly oop
311.45 total yearly coupons/discounts
hoping to get this month back on track!
Hi Juanita,
How come I never find gum that cheap… darn it. I wish. Do you track your work discount only all year to see how much it saves you? What kind of cream cheese did you buy for $4.50? The icing and cake mix were great deals. I bet you can’t wait until you are done buying diapers. We don’t put diapers in our food budget so you know what, you’re doing awesome!! 🙂 Keep at it… you get ballot 8. Mr.CBB
Hey Mr.CBB
The 10% discount Tuesday savings I get I add into my total coupons used cause I am to lazy to do another separate total (lol I am so honest!!)
The cream cheese I bought was the larger one 400 grams and was a better deal than buying two small ones.
I really did want to get more cake mix since they don’t expire till 2017 but I was just too exhausted to go back out shopping.
Yes hubby and I look forward to the days when diaper buying is over and potty training begins! We will probably try and start training her later this year as soon as she starts showing interest. Since the bathroom isn’t on our main floor we will have a training potty available cause when your starting out there usually isn’t time to try and run for the bathroom. One of my girlfriend did cloth diapers and was training her baby at six months old and it was going well!! I thought that was pretty awesome and wow what an insane amount of commitment and knowing everything about your baby.
We bring him in the bathroom with us so we teach him now. Our bathroom is on the main level which helps. We already have the potty ready to rock and roll any time he wants to start. He’s already drinking his own milk from the bottle so that’s a start at 6 months. Now you have me wondering.. maybe I will get the potty up and see if we can introduce it to him. Hmmm.
Yearly grocery budget for four adults and 2 cats
(The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $240 per year or $25 per month.
No Frills
3 unsweetened Apple sauce @1.67, 450 point1 bag sugar -1.97
1 NN black pepper -2.99
1 NN cinnamon -1.49
2 cases(18) pop @4.97
2 Dawn dish soap @2.47, 800 points
2 Downie @6.97, PM to Walmart, 2000 points
2 4 l milk @3.97
2 GG stir fry veggies @2.97
1 frozen peas -2.97
1 Folgers coffee-6.88, PM to Walmart, stock pile
2 Tetley tea bags(216 count) @9.47
2 tomato sauce @97
4 tomato paste @.55
2 cranberry cocktail @2.47
1 Royale TP -3.77
1 block NN cheese -3.77
1 lb butter -3.87, 600 points
1 bagels -1.97, 50% sticker, -.99
1 pack b/s chicken breast -8.06
1 Janes chicken nuggets -6.77
10lbs potatoes -3.47
Bananas -1.06, 100 points
1 body lotion -4.99
Tax -4.89
Total OOP -133.66, .99 discounts, 6.88 stock pile
Foodland
1 can pineapple -1.19
1 W/W bread -2.79
1 cider mix -2.79
1 Cheerios -2.99
2 eggs, 18 count@2.99
1 yogurt -3.99
1 Ziploc freezer bags -4.29
1 pack lean ground beef -4.62
1 4l milk -4.88
1 jug water -5.49
Tax -1.63
Total OOP -$40.64
Foodland
4 frozen meat pies @.99
Bananas -.97
2 W/W bread @2.50
1 bag carrots -2.69
4 lbs butter @3.33, 3lbs stock pile
1 raisin bread -3.49
1 yogurt -3.99
1 pack Canadian garlic -3.99
1 pack mushrooms -4.49,50%sticker -2.25
1 Parmesan cheese grated -4.80
2 4l milk @4.88
1 jug water -5.49
1 Tide -5.99
Tax -.78
Total OOP -$66.47, 2.25 discount, 9.99 stock pile
Points Overview (add any other sections you need to show us your savings)
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $650.00
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $650.00
Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
PC Points Plus Earned to date: 3950
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Snap Groupon to date: $3.00
Zweet to date: $14.75
Cart Smart to date: $0
Checkout51 to date: $9.50
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK (add any other sections you need to show expenses and savings)
Total to spend this month $23.82
Stockpile budget 2015 ($25.00): Jan$22.20+Feb$24.50+Mar$16.87
Stockpile budget used this month: $16.87
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $8.79
Total in-store discounts this week: $3.24
Total in-store discounts to date: $32.97
Total spent this week: $223.82
Total spent so far this month: $223.87
Total over/Under spend this shop: $0
Total over/Under spend for the month: $n/a
Total left to spend for the month: $426.18
Total Spent To Date 2015: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $640.13+Feb$572.63 +Mar $223.82=$1436.58
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts): I made it into town for a run to No Frills and I now have the PC points card working with my offers. It’s a small start there but it is a start. The Downie was a nice deal getting that price thanks to price matching and I got points on both. The Folgers was nice too. Foodland has butter on sale and I was getting down, I’m good now!! It was an expensive week but I still have well over $400.00 to get to the end of the month. Plus I have been under the first two months. It hurt to pay full price for the ground beef but I am stretching it pretty good. Split into 2 packs for the freezer, to be made into spaghetti sauce, 2 meals of spaghetti and a container of leftover sauce back in the freezer for another meal from each small pack of ground beef. I’m in very good shape for frozen chicken now and there is still a pork tenderloin and some stew beef in there. I can do this!!!
Hi Christine,
Doesn’t the price of those Ziploc bags hurt. We were lucky because back in 2010 there were great coupons and awesome deals at Zellers that we scored a load of them which we’ve been using over the years. Do you reuse them? We do. We wash them out and use them again. They are too expensive not to. That’s great that you have the PC card working… you’ll be racking the points up in no time. I know what you mean about the beef but if it’s something you need then you need it, right? Well done this week Christine!! Keep it up. You get ballot 7. Mr.CBB
I usually use the Ziplocs for things like raw meat so I’m not re-using those.I use the little sandwich bags and place them in a big freezer bag to keep track of the meat, so the big bags are re-used more so than the little sandwich ones. The big bags stay in the freezer right up top so I can find an empty one as needed. I watch for sales to save on them but I can’t get too far ahead as I don’t have room to store a lot of them. The plastic Ziploc containers get used a lot for the freezer and get a good scrubbing after each use. I’m hoping to be able to get on the laptop every Friday to upload my PC offers every week whether I’m going into town or not…just in case…
Oh, no we don’t reuse the meat bags either… good point. We have some of the freezer containers too but don’t use them as much. I hope so too.. it’s SO worth it. Points will add quickly!
when my daughter was young and money was limited, I would wash out the milk bags for putting either fruit/vegetables or meat into the freezer. I should start that again so they are ready this summer.
I heard lots of people do that. Some people even use cereal bags.
Feb 27- Mar 12, 2015
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $0.00
Total Points = 600
Total Out Of Pocket: $42.44
Human
2 – 750 g NN Frozen Corn – 3/$6.99 = $4.66
1 – 750 g NN Frozen Peas – 3/$6.99 = $2.33
Quaker Instant Oatmeal = $2.48
NN Chicken Broth – 2/$3.00 = $1.50
2 Goldseal Tuna – $1.68 (PM Food Basics @ $0.99) = $1.98
4 L Skim Milk = $3.97
2 Tubs “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” – $2.97 (PM Food Basics @ $0.99) = $1.98
Wiener Wrap = $1.97
4 package Peppers – $3.97 (PM Frescho @ $2.00) = $2.00
3 Garlic Bulbs = $0.47
Bananas – 2.740 kg @ $1.265/kg (600 PC Points) = $3.45
Bananas – 1.165 kg @ $1.265/kg (30% Pink Sticker) = $.043
3 Loaves WW Bread – $2.77 (PM Giant Tiger @ $1.88) = $5.64
Cats
18 kg NN Cat Litter = $8.48
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $0.00
Total Points = 600 (Joanne’s PC Points)
Total Out Of Pocket: $3.00
Human
2 – 796 mL Applesauce – 2/$3.00 (600 PC Points) – $3.00
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $0.00
Total Points = 1200
Total Out Of Pocket: $35.19
Human
2.5 kg WW flour = $3.48
2 cans NN Tuna – (400 PC Points) = $2.34
900 mL Campbells Vegetable broth – $2.57 (PM ValuMart @ 3/$5.00) = $1.67
Case of Kraft Dinner – $14.99 (PM Frescho @ $5.97) = $5.97
890 mL Hellman’s Mayo – $4.49 (PM Giant Tiger @ $2.88) = $2.88
Eggs – $2.68 (PM Zehrs @ 2/$5.00) = $2.50
4 L Skim Milk = $3.97
750 g NN Corn – (400 PC Points) = $1.78
Bananas – 1.675 kg @ $1.26/kg (400 PC Points) = $2.11
Schneiders Red Hot HD – $4.99 (PM Zehrs @ $3.99) = $3.99
Cats
1.5 kg Cat Food = $3.98
Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Human Year ($2080.00, for the pay period – $80.00)
Total Grocery Budget for the Cat Year ($390, for the pay period – $15.00)
Total Coupons Used this 2 Week Period: $0.00
Total Coupons Used To Date: $9.00
Total Discounts/SCOP this 2 Week Period: $0.00
Total Checkout 51 rebates this 2 Week Period: $0.00
Total Checkout 51 rebates to Date: $9.50
Total Snap rebates this 2 Week Period: $0.00
Total Snap rebates to Date: $1.00
Total Price Match for this 2 Week Period: $24.67
Total Price Match to Date: $117.36
Total PC Points Received this 2 Week Period: 1800
Total PC Rewards Points Used this 2 Week Period: N/A
Total PC Rewards To Date: 15000
Total Over/Under spend this Human shop: $1.34 under
Total Over/Under spend for the Human month: $N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Human Month: $1.33
Total Spent To Date – Human: Jan $69.59+$34.74+35.42+47.21+47.89+24.54 ; Feb $32.86+39.96+32.86 ; Mar $ ; Apr $ ; May $ ; Jun $ ; Jul $ ; Aug $ ; Sept $ ; Oct $ ; Nov $ ; Dec $ = $398.67
Total Over/Under spend this Cat shop: $0.83 Under
Total Over/Under spend for the Cat month: $N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Cat Month: $0.68
Total Spent To Date – Cat: Jan $3.22+11.28+32.17+0+0.98 ; Feb $12.50+$0.00+9.58+4.59 ; Mar $ ; Apr $ ; May $ ; Jun $ ; Jul $ ; Aug $ ; Sept $ ; Oct $ ; Nov $ ; Dec $ = $74.32
Overview: 1st week – I’m under budget…YEAH!!!! I’m so close to making up the overage that I can almost taste it. During the next couple of weeks, I’m going to busy at work and probably will have suppers provided by work so anything my daughter makes will become my lunches for the next day.
Overview: 2nd Week – I finally have caught up on the overage back in January, I’m so glad that part is over. This week I think I scored some sweet deals, especially the Kraft Dinner case price match 🙂 Start next week, I can go back to my regular budget value and maybe add a few more items to this house or even expand the meal plan to include lunches/breakfasts for the weekend. I’m taking small steps to this new lifestyle and I’m sure that I’ll have hiccups along the way but that’s the only way that I’ll learn how to make things better for the future. It’s only onward and upward to success….and my success is at the light at the end of this long (very long) tunnel. The overage won’t be carried forward for 2 reasons…1) It’s way too small to worry about carrying forward, if I did carry forward overages, 2) any overages will be used towards debt instead.
Hi Dee,
You scored some great deals this week, way to go. Do you enjoy bananas or do you bake with them? I notice you bought lots. Great news that you caught up from January’s overage. It sucks trying to catch up. I think we spent the good part of a few months last year playing that game. We were happy when that was over and done with. You are right that the more you learn the better it will be for your future. It’s always a learning experience that we may trip over but that’s the only way we learn. I love your optimistic ways… don’t ever give up. Use if for what you feel will benefit you more!! Happy Times You get ballot 4. Mr.CBB
With regards to bananas, we do both…eat and bake. All the bananas that were 30% off were put in the freezer for baking and everything else is for eating.
The future will help not only me but my daughter to learn things that I didn’t know until I moved out. It also enables me to say that I can’t afford it because she knows what the budget value is and what my shopping list consists of.
No shop weeks are something I have always strived for. I have never accomplished one yet. I am not sure I will. Having health and beauty products mixed in with our grocery, I am always finding we need at least something each week. That will be a goal for me this year. Have at least one no shop week!
Angela, I run such a tight budget that I have to have at least one “no shop” week to make it work. I find if I don’t go to the store, we don’t spend – funny huh? Some months are just crazy though and I need 2 no shop weeks. Those months I find rater rough but I can always find something in the pantry to make. It make be a weird concoction but it’s all good. 🙂
Mary, that’s awesome to be able to do that many no shops. I find it’s tough with milk particularly to go no shop with a growing boy in the house. Some weeks we go through more, some less. And, I know that freezing milk is great, but he won’t drink it after frozen, doesn’t like the consistency. I do cook with it after frozen though. Our grocery budget also includes toiletries, etc. So, I do find it super hard to find a week without soap, or laundry detergent, etc. I will get there, for sure, I know it. Keep up those no shops Mary and MR. CBB, they can be inspiring to others, like me!
MARCH – Week #1 of 5- March 2-8, 2015
2015 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00 for 2 adults
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REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
Before we start our MARCH off though, I am going to make my “reserve” transfers for the month:
Grocery:
$190.00 for the month
( $12.50) trf to borscht reserve-normally $12.50
($ 17.50) trf to re-stocking – normally $17.50
($ 10.00) trf to holiday reserve–normally $10.00
($15.00) trf to summer reserve–normally $10.00
($50.00) trf to US Reserve
$85.00 Sub-Total
($10.53) Unused Cdn Reserve – JAN & FEB (offsetting points redeemed)
$74.47 Sub-Total Available for MARCH
($9.98) Transfer to Unused Cdn Reserve – MAR (offsetting points redeemed)
$64.49 Total Available CASH for MARCH
Here is my Canadian Grocery List for this week:
GGC #1 (March 2-8): 2 x 16 oz Sliced Mushrooms, 4 L Skim Milk – Points Redeemed, 4 L Whole Milk – Points Redeemed, 1 sour cream, 1 green cabbage, 1 apple cider vinegar, need bacon for a dish I am making but I can do a freezer dive for that
I had not planned to purchase extra lean ground beef BUT when it’s $3.88/lb, it’s time to take advantage of the price. We re-package it and put three x 2lb packages (for a future Cheeseburger Soup, Chili and Enchilada Casserole) into the deep freeze and will enjoy the remaining 1lb. as Sloppy Joes later this week.
I was getting down on my toilet paper stockpile too, so we stocked up on that as well while it was on sale. I simply will not pay full price for it!!! This is going to make juggling for the rest of the month rather fun…NOT! lol 🙂
I was just telling hubby that the bulk of our shopping this month will have to be south of the border. Thank goodness we have a very healthy reserve set up for that shop! It needs to be a deal though or it isn’t coming home with us!
Save On Foods has their 100th anniversary sale this week, and next, so hubby used some of his “mad-money” to get himself some lunch treats…he got 2 x 7 oz. honey garlic ham steaks for $2 each to make some mighty tasty ham & vegetable salad wraps AND he also picked up 5 big family size bags of Western Family ripple potato chips for 89 cents each. A small side of chips makes a sandwich at lunch time feel a lot more special…I need to do strict portion control for him here though. As with lots of folks, hubby is totally addicted to salt and if one is good, two are better. 🙁
All together though, hubby spent less than $10 of his $40 spending money for this pay period. These are little treats he gave to himself so I am not including it in my grocery budgeting. Left to me…no chips or honey mustard ham! Owning up to my splurge this week – I bought myself a nice big diet root beer while I was in Vancouver yesterday using my little “mad cash” coin stash. I am not nearly as flush as hubby with my stash…I’ve had the same $10 in my coin purse for months! 🙂 I only mention it so you know how it came to be that we got our little treats.
===============================================================================================
OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Thrifty Foods– Maple Ridge –
2 x Purex Toilet Paper – 15 Double Rolls @ $5.99 ea = $11.98
2 x Family Pack Extra Lean Gr Beef @ $3.88/lb = $13.53+13.34 = $26.87
2 x Grocery Bag Return = ($0.06)
5% PST $0.60
7% GST $0.84
•Total OOP: $40.23
• Grocery Budget OOP: $40.23
• More Points Redeemed: $0.00
** Earned 1 Air Mile on this shop ** << at least I got one1
** Earned 5 Cent Discount per Litre on Gas at Shell ** << with prices rising again, this is good!
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Save On Foods– Maple Ridge –
1 x 4L Whole Milk $4.99 – $4.99 = $0.00 re 3,100 Points Redemption
1 x 4L Skim Milk $4.99 – $4.99 = $0.00 re 3,100 Points Redemption
1 x sour cream $3.69
•Total OOP: $3.69
• Grocery Budget OOP: $3.69
• More Points Redeemed: $9.98
** Earned 4 MORE Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————————————————————–
RCSS– Pitt Meadows –
1 x green cabbage $3.26
1 x Apple Cider Vinegar $1.47
•Total OOP: $4.73
• Grocery Budget OOP: $4.73
** Earned 900 PC.Plus Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————————————————————-
Save On Foods– Maple Ridge –
2 x 16 oz. Sliced Mushrooms @ $3.99 ea = $7.98
•Total OOP: $7.98
• Grocery Budget OOP: $7.98
• More Points Redeemed: $0.00
** Earned 0 MORE Points on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
===============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
OUR NEXT USA SHOP WILL BE March 14th!
===============================================================================================
2015 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
Jan $3.58+ Feb $0.00= $3.58
•Total Coupons/Rain Checks Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $0.00 = 0.00
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 +Feb $0.00= $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
Jan 22 + Feb 45= 67 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 = 0 Air Miles
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year:
Jan 1200 + Feb 900= 2100 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year:
Jan 30 + Feb 40= 70 Points
===============================================================================================
2015 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $199.31+ Feb ($180.69) + Mar ($12.50 trf to borscht+$17.50 to Re-Stocking+$10.00 Xmas Reserve+$15.00 to Summer+$50.00 trf to US Reserve+$20.51 trf to Unused Funds Reserve+$40.23+$3.69+$4.93+$7.98= $182.34 )= $562.34
•Total Year-To-Date Grocery Budget:
Jan $190.00+Feb $190.00 + Mar $190.00= $570.00
•Total Over/Under on Year-To-Date Grocery Budget: $7.66 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2015 UNUSED CANADIAN GROCERY RESERVE :
2014 Fwd $0.00+Jan $0.00+Feb $3.83+ Mar ($10.53+$9.98 = $16.68)= $20.51
===============================================================================================
2015 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
2014 Fwd $325.00+Jan $22.50+Feb $22.50 + Mar $17.50= $387.50
===============================================================================================
2015 Y-T-D BORSCHT RESERVE:
2014 Fwd $412.50+Jan $12.50 + Feb $12.50 + Mar $12.50= $450.00
===============================================================================================
2015 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
2014 Fwd $110.00+Jan $10.00 +Feb $10.00+ Mar $10.00= $140.00
===============================================================================================
2015 Y-T-D SUMMER RESERVE:
2014 Fwd $90.00+Jan $10.00 + Feb $10.00 + Mar $15.00= $125.00
===============================================================================================
• SUMMARY OF FUNDS Y-T-D:
$ 570.00 Grocery Budget JAN-MARCH
$ 20.51 Redeemed Points to Purchase
Groceries
($ 0.02) Hiding Spot Cash – SPENT
($ 13.45) 2014 Costco Rebate Chq – SPENT
($165.00) Trf to Misc Reserves (Re-Stocking,
Borscht, Xmas, Summer)
($170.00) Trf to US Grocery Reserve
($ 20.51) Set in a reserve to offset
Redeemed Points
($ 213.87) Actual CASH SPENT
$ 7.66 CASH STILL AVAILABLE
• VALUE POINTS REDEEMED Y-T-D:
$ 4.98 Skim Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – JAN
$ 4.69 Skim Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – FEB
$ 4.69 Skim Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – FEB
$ 4.99 Whole Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – MAR
$ 4.99 Skim Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – MAR
$ 20.51 Total Redemptions
So far $570.00 has been budgeted Y-T-D for 2015 and we have recorded these funds as “spent” and in fact they have been “saved”:
$387.50 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$450.00 Borscht Fund
$140.00 Holiday Season Fund
$125.00 Summer Season Fund
OUR TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES ARE $1,102.50 … that is a $937.50 carry-forward from 2013 & 2014 and $165.00 in NEW 2015 savings.
This also means that with $190.00 to start MARCH less $55.00 transferred to the various savings reserves less $10.53 transferred for Points Redemptions during JAN/FEB = $75.51 + an additional $50.00 saved in our US grocery reserve, we opened the month of MARCH with $74.47 available to spend on the Canadian side of the border, less an overage of $0.00 carried forward from February, PLUS we have already spent $66.81 on our groceries (cash & points) so far this month and have $7.66 REMAINING AVAILABLE for the month in our CANADIAN budgeted grocery funds.
We have groceries that have been purchased using points redemption(s), rather than the budgeted cash in the amount of $20.51. Available as an offset, we currently have $20.51 in our UNUSED CASH RESERVE. As at this moment, we need an additional $0.00 in the UNUSED CASH RESERVE. If our budget is truly sufficient, when we reach December 31st, the unused funds should still be equal to, if not greater than, the value of the points we have redeemed. It’ll be interesting to see if they actually are…stay tuned! 🙂
Note: Another reserve of $283.07 IS AVAILABLE for our next US shop currently scheduled for March 14th!
Of the outstanding US Shopping Reserve $283.07:
$113.07 is carried forward from 2014
$170.00 is new 2015 Y-T-D savings
Less $0.00 that we’ve actually spent in 2015
= $283.07 US Reserve Available
===============================================================================================
The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Safeway
Broccoli Florets @ $1.99/lb – Good until Apr 7/15
4 Lean Ground Pork @3.49/lb-Good ‘til Apr 26/15
===============================================================================================
Hi Mary,
When I read that about your Air Miles all I heard was my wife, “It was worth it, at least we got 1” haha. That was a great deal on the beef and like you said you might as well stock up while you can at the price. We re-package too when we buy large cuts of meat that way they are portioned for our meals and less hassle. Larry did good with his allowance money I tend to spend mine in one or two goes but I buy a case of beer and it’s gone which leaves me with one coffee for the month. A case lasts me a few months though. Great shopping this week. Looking forward to that South of the border shop!! You get ballot 3. Mr.CBB
I don’t get the time to watch the Food Network like I use to, but I do agree that you can really get some great ideas for some awesome scrumptious meals. Its so amazing at the meals that they create. I really love to see the shows that take a simple recipe of an everyday dish and give it a twist that takes the dish to another level. Always gives you room to show off your skills to your friends and family.
Oh absolutely every program we watch we learn something new about cooking and that knowledge is with us forever. The importance of the FN is to learn new dishes so it stops people from eating out because they get bored of food they cook.
Thank you !!
I’m very excited. I sent you an email,thru this site. Let me know if you don’t get it.
Name Your Store: i.e. Woolworths (Australia)
Total Coupons Used: $0
Total Out Of Pocket: $80.25
Week 6- -22 Feb-01 March, 2015
700g stuff chicken breasts- $10.99-(reduced)=$8.79
beef schnitzel- $11.01 (reduced)=$8.81
1 kg cheddar cheese-$7.69
2L strawberry milk $3.99 (reduced)=$3.19
3L milk-$3.00
450g pork sausage-$7.99 (reduced)=$3.83
1kg margarine-$1.60
420g x 2 baked beans=$1.38
95g x 4 flavoured tuna =$3.16
425g beetroot=$0.85
200g tzatiki dip $3.95 (reduced)=$2.53
600ml cream $2.30
xlarge cooked roast chicken $11.50 (in-store special)=$9.00
1 kg carrots $1.88 (reduced)-$1.13
lettuce- $0.98
500g strawberries- $3.48
400g x2 can tomatoes= $1.18
400g kidney beans= $0.75
250g dijon mustard $3.55 (reduced)=$0.42
700g x2 bread=$1.70
4kg potatoes= $5.98
1kg middle bacon =$8.50
Name Your Store: i.e. IGA (Australia)
Total Coupons Used: $0
Total Out Of Pocket: $21.27
730g raisin bran-$4.49
.542 kg green/yellow peppers $2.16 (reduced)= $1.59
avocado pk—(reduced)=$2.99
454ml maple flav golden syrup-$3.49 (reduced)=$1.99
250g salted peanuts $2.49 (reduced)=$1.99
375 g- semolina=$2.31
500ml peach drink-(in store special) –$0.99
400g kabana $8.88 (reduced)- $3.96
Name Your Store: i.e. Aland’s Fruit & Veges (Australia)
Total Coupons Used: $0
Total Out Of Pocket: $12.56
pineapple- $1.99
kiwi (pkg of 8) – $2.69
2 kg sweet potatoes- $4.99
passionfruit- $0.39
small mango x 3- $2.97 (buy 3 for $2.50)= $2.50
Do the above for each receipt you have then copy the template below and paste it to the bottom of your shop so we can see your results.
Points Overview (add any other sections you need to show us your savings)
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $216.67 (averages $50 week)
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $167.92+216.67=284.59
Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
PC Points Plus Earned to date:0
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Snap Groupon to date: $0
Zweet to date: $0
Cart Smart to date: $0
Checkout51 to date: $0
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK (add any other sections you need to show expenses and savings)
Stockpile budget 2015 ($0.00): $0
Stockpile budget used to date: $0
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $0
Total in-store discounts this week: $24.12
Total in-store discounts to date: $24.12
Total spent this week: $0
Total spent so far this month: $114.08
Total over/Under spend this shop: $
Total over/Under spend for the month: $102.59(under)
Total left to spend for the month: $300.69+50=350.69=+50-114.08=$286.61
Total Spent To Date 2015: (does not include stockpile budget) $132.65+114.08=$246.73
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts):
Pleased with the prices on most, but know, we could do better.This week was mostly restocking our fridge/freezer, so we have something to eat this week.
Where we are staying for the next 7 weeks, our eggs, squash, eggplants, cherry tomatoes are free ..so that helps.
Hi Kathryn,
Way to get some amazing deals this week wow. How do you source out the reduced items in Australia? As you might know since you are from Canada RCSS,No Frills etc. use pink stickers to signify a deal. Is there anything special that catches your attention or do you just have to read very carefully. What do you do with the beetroots? Great shopping. This is one of the biggest shops you’ve posted and so far I’m impressed. You get ballot 2 Mr.CBB
They also use stickers here, and sometimes they group it on a shelf. For the produce, many times, they will put them on a separate table. For the dairy section, they also put them in baskets, or on a designated shelf. I wish their stickers were pink:)
Beetroot is the Australian term, that Canadians would just call beets. We use them as a vegetable in our salads. Here, they put them on hamburgers, sandwiches, side vegetable etc.
I’m another one that doesn’t watch the food shows here. I pretty much don’t watch TV at all here. Might want to be glad about that as back when I did every time there was a good show I enjoyed it would be cancelled…. 🙁 . I do get to see the odd show when we visit my SIL and she and her hubby enjoy watching them so I can get a peek then.
I have a good size collection of cook books here and I can sit down and read one of those like someone else reads a novel!! I also get cook books from the library and if I find something that looks really good I just photo copy the pages. I have some on pinterest and some saved on the laptop I plan to save on a thumb drive so I can plug into hubby’s big desk top and print them off. I trade recipes with my SIL as well.
Our tastes here run to very basic foods so I work with that and sneak the odd new recipe in every so often. It either works or it doesn’t…. Mind you I do quite well with any leftovers here stretching those as far as I can!!!
I don’t watch The Food Network as much as I used to due to many factors. The cookbooks that I purchase are collections of tried and true recipes, not typically from cookbooks that are in book stores or even from “famous chefs” as they use ingredients that I typically don’t have in the house nor would I purchase those ingredients. I do look thru my cookbook collection to get ideas for different recipes or family mentions about an old favourite recipe that my mom used to make and that gets my thinking cap on about what to make.
I strive to save money from my grocery bill but it doesn’t make sense to purchase food/spices that will never (or rarely) get used. You have to know your taste in food and how adventurous you are to determine the kind of food purchased. My adventurous side is very narrow and therefore I cook with basic ingredients. I would love to see a “Food Network” chef to come into my kitchen and see what they could make with the ingredients I have or would normally use.
I find that getting out of a rut with the same old recipes can be a way to save money, especially when you find new low-cost options or ways to use staples you already have. Sometimes the up front cost of new recipes can seem daunting but if you invest in those ingredients and find many ways to use them, it can also keep you from eating at restaurants or getting take out as often.