How To Stretch Your Food Budget
Estimated reading time: 17 minutes
Adding inexpensive meals to your meal planning is a great way to stretch your food budget.
You don’t have to wait until you’re struggling to buy groceries to build a box of inexpensive meals.
Today, I will share some of our favourite meals in our recipe box.
Remember that the prices reflected in this blog post are from 2016.
Cook Inexpensive Meals In Bulk
I often get emails from fans who want to know how to create inexpensive meals on a very tight food budget.
Another concern is stretching recipes so they last for a few meals, which gives you a better bang.
One of the biggest budget busters in the food department begins when you eat outside the home.
When you decide to eat out, whether inexpensive meals or not, you more than likely can always make it at home for less.
Think fresh food; you know what you put into your food when making it yourself.
You can’t put a price on that, my friends.
To limit the temptations of the outside world, you must prepare meals beforehand.
I eat out occasionally but don’t make it a daily or weekly occurrence.
The answer is to arm yourself with a meal plan and a grocery list that suits your tastes and food budget.
Not everyone knows product prices at the grocery store industry level, which is the number one factor in meal costing and what meals to make with the ingredients purchased.
It’s difficult for some consumers to set aside traditional recipes to look for something new, so they stick with what they know.
Life in the kitchen doesn’t need to be boring, and adding new ingredients can be fun.
I will address how we create inexpensive meals on our $ 235-a-month food budget for two adults and one toddler.
Creating recipes that can stretch meals beyond one meal would be best.
What Is Comfort Food?
People often think of “Comfort Food” when they want to stretch a meal so they don’t have to cook the next day.
Comfort food typically hits the spot and includes minced beef, eggs, vegetables, and beans.
Create A Recipe Index of Inexpensive Meals
One of the biggest challenges my wife and I have is creating healthy, inexpensive meals that both of us can eat, especially since she’s eating a low-carb, keto diet.
Most often, I think about meals I can create for the three of us, which include all the food groups or what is allowable for my wife.
Over the years, we’ve created plenty of budget-friendly recipes that our family would eat over a few days.
Being busy parents with a toddler, we must be on top of the meals or end up not sticking to our meal plan.
I am the first to admit that there are weeks when our meal plan is pretty dull or repetitive because, like many others, we go with what is familiar.
If I have time off from work, I create new meals to add to our recipe box so we don’t stay in boring food mode.
Over the years, we’ve created a recipe index for inexpensive meals we can make any night of the week without spending hours in the kitchen.
Sometimes we boil up a dozen eggs and make egg salad as a side dish to a meatless meal.
Eggs are inexpensive and a great way to get protein into your diet, which keeps you full longer.
CBB fan Lisa C told us that the best part about making inexpensive meals in bulk is that “You only have to clean up once,” which is ideal for many families.
You will have a general clean-up the rest of the week but nothing like batch-cooking night.
Inexpensive Meals Turned Into Soup
Soup will always go a long way; you can bulk it with various proteins, vegetables, and legumes.
Some of our favourite homemade soups;
- Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
- Cauliflower Cheese Soup with Italian Meatballs
- Fire-roasted red pepper with tomato and fennel
- Cheesy Ricotta Ball Soup
- Rustic Country Ham and Vegetable Soup
- Tomato Minestrone Soup
- Easy Chicken Bone Broth (Keto)
- Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Soup (Keto)
- Easy Egg Drop Soup In Chicken Bone Broth (Keto)
- West African Peanut Soup (Keto)
- Lazy Man Cabbage Roll Soup (Keto)
Whether you make soup in the crock pot, instant pot, or stovetop, it’s easy to make a large portion.
I know the struggle, but the leftovers are perfect for lunch or dinner throughout the week, especially in winter.
Inexpensive Meals That Include Meat
When I go to work, I always take hot meals with me, which means I must batch cook at least once a week since I work seven days a week.
Eating comfort food at work makes me feel like I’m eating dinner with my family.
Being away from home for such long hours can make dinner time lonely.
Typically, I don’t want to eat what I’m batch cooking for dinner that night for work, so I prepare an easy meal that includes ground beef or other mince in the freezer.
We can make ground beef recipes quickly, provided we remember to defrost the beef.
I’m horrible at remembering, and my wife is no better.
Related: How to save money buying meat
Ground Beef Recipes
What can I make with ground beef?
Whether you like ground beef, lamb, pork, turkey, or chicken, they can all be a favourite family recipe.
Ground beef has been pricey the past year, but that’s changing as prices have slowly declined.
I also notice that grocery store butchers are packaging beef and pork mince.
Using the mixed pack of pork and beef is an excellent option for making meatballs and costs less.
Vegetables and Legumes Bulk Up Inexpensive Meals
Stretch your meals using vegetables and legumes
Any time we make meatballs, whether for pasta sauce or in the crock-pot with a tangy sauce, we use pork mince and ground beef.
The best part about using ground beef or other minced meats in bulk cooking is the option to add vegetables and other legumes to stretch the meal.
Common vegetables such as corn, onions, celery, carrots, and peas are five produce items that help to bulk out a shepherd’s pie.
Adding legumes, black beans, kidney beans, white beans, or chickpeas is cheaper to buy dry and in bulk.
You can rehydrate the beans in the crock pot overnight, which is the easiest method we’ve found.
Another trick we do is batch-cook pasta sauce which can later be used for chili, stew, and even as a pizza sauce for our homemade pizza.
If you’ve got a load of peppers from your garden or found a great price at the grocery store, stock up and make a quick meal such as stuffed peppers.
When shopping at Costco, you can buy stuffed peppers pre-made for far more than you would pay to make them yourself.
If convenience is what you are after, you may struggle to find pre-made meals that last you more than a day before the texture and taste go off.
I’m not a fan of pre-made, but I have had some good homemade foods from specialty shops and the grocery store.
Use The FlashFood App For Inexpensive Meals
Also, if you want to save money on fresh vegetables, I urge you to sign up for the FlashFoodApp (See link below).
Well, Loblaws stores across Canada will list almost everything in their store near expiry on the app.
You’ll find exclusive deals at 50% off or more, which you can purchase online and then go and pick up.
I’ve seen boxes of fresh produce posted for only $5. Trust me, we use the FlashFood app and save money almost weekly on our food budget.
Flashfood app Canada – Save 50% off food products close to expiry from participating Loblaws Stores such as RCSS, Zehrs, Dominion, and Loblaws.
Inexpensive Meals To Fit Your Food Budget
One of our favourite meals is shepherd’s pie, traditionally made with lamb; otherwise, it’s cottage pie with beef.
Lamb mince is pricey in Canada unless we find it reduced, which isn’t too often, so we opt for ground beef.
We can typically pick up a pack of ground beef for $9 or less if we buy a family pack.
Related: How to save money buying meat at the grocery store
I always run the numbers when deciding what size package to buy because buying in bulk has advantages.
The grocery store knows that ground beef is a staple in most families so you might find it on sale at least once each month.
That is when you want to stock up so you are ready to create bulk recipes that can be frozen or eaten for a few days.
Stop buying packets of spice mixes to make your one-pot meals, and I promise you’ll save some money.
It’s easy to make homemade taco seasoning and sloppy Joe mix with the ingredients in your spice cabinet.
When we make shepherd’s pie, we add spices that will bring out the flavour in the ground beef.
Our pantry always includes spices such as garlic, onion powder, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and rosemary.
We use flour, water, ketchup, or tomato paste as a thickener for an additional tangy flavour.
It turns out delicious every time!
Compare Prices And Read Food Labels
Over the years, we’ve compared sale prices and read food labels.
You’ll be surprised that the family-size package is cheaper than the smaller pack on sale.
I priced a 1kg shepherd’s pie for $13.99 from the frozen food section at the grocery store.
You can make a shepherd’s pie at home for half that price if you bulk it with vegetables.
Making a pan of shepherd’s pie will last for all of my lunch meals for the week.
I will switch up the recipe and make meatless sloppy lentil joes in bulk next month.
If you’re a sausage fan, you can also create inexpensive meals like a delicious casserole such as Nicola’s Anytime Sausage Egg Pie or my Toad in the hole.
Anytime Sausage And Egg Pie
Cauliflower Rice With Broccoli and Sausage
Drop Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Baked Loaded Cauliflower Pizza
Easy British Sausage Rolls
Creamy Potato and Leek Soup
Potato and Leek soup is a simple and cheap comfort meal full of nutrition.
Sausage Potato Tomato, Cabbage Stew
Lentil Soup With Italian Sausage
Inexpensive Meals That Are Meatless
Growing up in the United Kingdom, seeing Traditional British Cucumber Sandwiches for lunch was common.
Many people laugh about eating such a boring sandwich, but they are delicious, light, and straightforward.
My mum is very frugal and cuts food costs by keeping recipes simple.
Going meatless is a great way to stick to a food budget, but not everyone likes meatless meals.
I’ve often mentioned meatless, and friends say there is no way their spouse or kids would eat a meal without meat.
Fair enough, but if you want to stretch meals without the cost of meat, go meatless.
Meatless Lentil Sloppy Joe
You will love this meatless lentil sloppy joe option we created to see if we’d miss the beef.
Guess what? The sloppy joe lentil did not disappoint and hit all of the flavours we expected that it would.
If you don’t mind them, this is a great way to reduce expenses and try new recipes.
Inexpensive meals such as my Lentil Sloppy Joe recipe is a hit with many of my readers.
Lentils are inexpensive, and you can use them in various dishes.
Other inexpensive meals that are meatless will stretch your food budget.
Easy Cheesy Rice Pie
Keto Cauliflower Stuffed Peppers
Stuff peppers with flavourful cauliflower rice and keep it vegetarian, or add bacon or beef mince.
Italian Pasta Frittata
Although my Italian Pasta, Frittata, has sausage, you can eliminate it and add vegetables for a meatless meal.
Inexpensive Meals From Our CBB Fans
I have some awesome fans at Canadian Budget Binder, and when I ask them for feedback, they deliver.
You heard it here first from the What’s For Dinner Gang!!
Soup For All Occasions
- Mary C- We only cook 2-3 dinners a week and eat leftovers the remainder of the week. Soup is a great budget stretcher, as are eggs, beans, and lentils.
- Chandra– I stretch when making a roast, turkey, or chicken; they go into stews, casseroles, and soups. I made homemade slow cooker Swiss Chalet-style chicken noodle soup that tastes just like the restaurant. Lastly, eat leftover homemade ground-up portobello/black bean/broccoli burgers.
Batch Cooking Saves Time and Money
- Nicola D–Making big batches always help to save time and stretch the dollars when needed. For example, I made a considerable taco tortilla lasagna yesterday, and we will have the rest tonight with fries and a salad!
- Della F- One way I stretch my meals is to take the leftovers for lunch the next day.
- Pam W- Soups and stews are a great way to stretch meals. Unfortunately, I’m the only one here who enjoys them.
- I buy pork roast and whole chicken, which I can stretch to make two or three meals.
- Christine M- I cook a whole chicken for dinner, and then the leftovers are used too – bones & meat for soup – I use the meat for sandwiches, or tacos, wraps, etc. – I do the same for roast beef and ham. Also, with leftovers, I make a dinner plate of food and freeze it, so when I’m in a hurry, I take the dinner out of the freezer – pop it in the microwave, and have a healthy meal in no time.
- Donna M- I do not throw out any poultry carcass; I freeze it for soups later.
Stretch Meals and Using Leftovers
- Mary D– I make leftovers which are great for lunches. I cook roasts; you can use the leftover meat for tacos, fajitas, or sandwiches. Making a pot of spaghetti sauce goes a long way, and easy enough to turn it into a pot of chili throughout the week if you freeze a container of it. If you buy bone-in chicken, you can use the bones to make your chicken stock for soups.
- Colleen K– I still use a tip my mother used when there were six mouths to feed and insufficient potatoes left from the night before. She would cube up a couple of slices of bread and fry them with the potatoes in bacon grease.
- Heather O– We stretch meals or create cheaper meals by price-matching produce and stocking up on sales. Also, by making simple meals like veggies and potatoes or veggies and rice, pasta without “meat,” or in our case, the vegetarian version of the meat.
Going Meatless
- Beth Anne- I’m the leftover queen and plan for leftovers and use them to make new dishes later in the week. I also stretch meals by including more vegetarian meals in my menu plan. I try to use less meat and more grains, legumes, and vegetables in meals that are not meatless. Also, I make stock every week, and if I’ve made many dishes, I either freeze some or later. That way, I don’t get too bored with it.
- Christine W– I try to stretch any meat we have. If it’s a small roast, I try to get 2-3 meals for the 4 of us out of that roast! I work to use any leftovers for lunch, dinner, or part of the next meal. Meat is expensive, so I don’t serve much of it; we have more potatoes and veggies than meat!
- Judy C– To stretch meals, I try not to throw anything out and make leftovers into something new, hubby takes bits for work lunches, and we’ll have soup more often. It goes better if I write out a menu for the week.
- Pat C– To stretch the meals when I am home, I cook a big dinner like a roast chicken or roast beef, ham, etc. Then I de-bone and divide it into portions for future meals. Then boil the bones to make a homemade bone broth. The leftover veggies go into the soup. I also make extra foods that freeze well, like rice and beans, then portion them.
Take Control Of Your Meal Plan
Finally, I want to add that if you decide to make a large batch of food, leave yourself enough time, so you’re not rushing.
If you enjoy the process of cooking, you are likely to repeat it, which means more savings for your grocery budget.
Discussion: What other ways can you stretch inexpensive meals to last longer?
Please leave me your comments below, and I’ll be sure to reply.
-Mr.CBB
Our weekly budget is $125 making this month $625
Shoppers
.79 candy gummy
$3.01 6pk pop
$3.95 total oop
Co-op
.57 mushrooms
$3.49×3 blueberries
.67 bananas
$2.19×8-$2Cx7(was 8 but she miss counted :/ ) dove mens soup – clearance
$4.34×2 4L homo milk – rain cheque
$22.85 total oop
$14 total coupons
H&W Produce
$2.11 jalapenos
$1.67 acorn
$3.14 butternut
$1.88 3lb onions
$8.80 total oop
Superstore
$2.50×2 chocolate chips
$2.97 4kg sugar
$2.98×4-$1Cx4 philly cream cheese 2400P
$2.09×2 1L coffee creamer
$1.28 bananas 200P
$1.98 alfredo sauce 500P
$2×6-$2Cx6 jergens lotion – donation
$23.65 total oop
$10 total coupons
Sobeys
$1.69 asparagus
$1.29 romaine lettuce
$3.99×4-$2Cx4 tums 50AM
$2.29 1lb strawberries
$1.05 candy cane tea
$3 jalapeno cheddar popcorn
$4.19-$2.1GMO tortilla shells
$2.01 2L pop
$2 red velvet cookies – clearance
$3.99-$1C fresh mozza
$2.99×9-$3Cx9 dove men soap
$3.54×2 4L chocolate milk
$38.80 total oop
$33 total coupons
$98.05 total weekly oop
$57 total weekly coupons
Hi Juanita,
Where did you get the Philadelphia Cream Cheese coupons? Great deal with the Cream Cheese and points. Who is the blueberry fan in your house? I don’t see your comment section on the post did you forget it? I have had cashiers mess up coupons in the past and I blame myself for not paying attention so now before I leave the grocery store I always read the bill first. It can be challenging with our son if he is tired but we still do it. I hate having to go back if I don’t have to. I see you had $3 Dove for men coupons too..where did you find those? I never see these coupons in Ontario, you’re lucky. Well done. You get ballot 12. Mr.CBB
hey Mr.CBB
I totally forgot to leave a comment when I posted!
The philly coupons were from websaver last year, expiry of five or six months, and I did some trading to collect them 🙂
Little miss is the big blueberry eater in our house…..she would and could eat a container in one sitting if you let her.
I have enjoyed being able to buy more fresh fruit and veg this year since we have our stockpile of items downstairs we don’t need to buy items like shampoo, cond, laundry soap, dishwasher tabs and a few other things. But with saying that if I can get it for .50c or just the tax I will buy stockpiled items so I can do some donations.
I get pretty frustrated and rushed sometimes at the till and maybe need to force myself and the cashier to slow down.
The dove mens coupons are from an insert maybe last year……it had a strip of dove men asstd coupons and $1 Palmolive dish soap in it. Great price especially since I will use almost all of them for donations!
Week 5 – Feb 28 – March 5
• Grocery budget to work with in February: $250
• Total coupons used this week: $0
• Total coupons used to date: $0
• Total RCSS gas coupons used this week: $0
• Total RCSS gas coupons used to date: $6.32
• Total Giant Tiger Enviro bag credit this week: $0.03
• Total Giant Tiger Enviro bag credit to date: $0.09
• Total value PC Plus points redeemed this week: $0
• Total value PC Plus points redeemed to date: $40
• Total gift cards/certificates/gifts used this week: $0
• Total gift cards/certificates/gifts used to date: $25
• Total Neilsen Homescan Visa rebate cards used this week: $0
• Total Neilsen Homescan Visa rebate cards used to date: $15
• Total student discounts this week: $0
• Total student discounts to date: $13.81
• Total tax savings RCSS this week: $0
• Total tax savings RCSS to date: $0
• Total spent this week: $31.55
• Total spent so far this month: $114.95
• Total left to spend for the month: $0
• Carry over: $0
• Total in carry over jar: $0
• Total overspent to make up in future months: $82.25
• Total Spent To Date 2015: $532.25
YIG: Mac n Cheese 2 x .44, NN Frozen Fries 2 x 1.00, Mini Sizzler sausages 3/4.98: Total 7.85 rounded down 1 cent
Giant Tiger: Frozen chicken balls 6.00, Coke Zero 2 L .98, Jumbo sugar donuts .50 clearance, baby carrots 1.00, Cajun chicken cold meat 3.00, less eviro bag credit .03, plus tax .13: Total paid 11.60 rounded up 2 cents (LOL enviro bag credit didn’t help a lot this trip)
Walmart: Coke zero pk 3.47, corn pops 3.88, hunts pudding 1.00, powerade 2 x 1.00, bananas 1.03, tax .71: Total paid 12.10 rounded up 1 cent.
So a great month, and a perfect way to compensate for January’s expensive month. We managed to only spend 114.95 for the whole month and that left us making up ground of 135.05. We still hope to have the remainder made up by the end of March. It will be close, but possible, not much more to go.
A lot of the food was for a hockey weekend away so that we could eat more in the hotel rather than eat out. We did two meals with the hockey team and spent about $80 for those two, and a quick takeout of $10 because we had to throw in an additional on the road game that we didn’t anticipate. It worked out really well. There was a continental breakfast, but so many people were sick and coughing all over the food we were really glad we had brought a lot of our own stuff. Our son ended up quite ill regardless, so I am glad he didn’t have that extra exposure. Thankfully it was an illness and not food related, so we saved ourselves and emergency trip and he got to finish out his weekend. The pop was for easy portable drinks aside from water and powerade for our son. In three days he played 5 hockey games (missed one for the fever). I don’t encourage the powerade often, but with that amount of exertion I allowed it. I figure at 10-years-old water is enough. In the end, I am glad I did based on the fever that he ended up with. Glad dehydration wasn’t part of it. Regardless, it was a fine weekend and a great deal of fun and bonding. We also used the opportunity to replace some items that we would pay more for or not fit as well from our town while in Ottawa. Our son had hit a major growth spurt and went from a size 4 shoe to 5.5, so we needed shoes desperately. Also, he needed a new hockey helmet, but it was properly fitted.
Leftover foods came home with us and that got us through until grocery day. So happy we prepared for an away trip. We usually do, and I won’t stop! Great month!!!
Hi Angela,
What are frozen chicken balls? The same thing you get at Chinese take-out? That’s an awesome catch-up after an overspend month wow. I wish I was that good. Sounds like the hockey was good but the illnesses not so much. I’m glad to hear that you didn’t end in emerg. Our son isn’t even 2 yet and in a toddler size 8 shoe already. He’s going to have BIG feet I think lol. He also went through a growth spurt from a 6-8 with-in months. I should write a blog post on how to prepare food for a road trip and maybe quote some of what you’ve done. I think more people need to do this rather than eating out just because they think road trip = fast food or convenience eating. It doesn’t have to be that way. Well done… You get ballot 6 MR.CBB
The frozen chicken balls are just like the Chinese takeout ones except they didn’t come with the sauce, so we used the sweet and sour sauce we had in the fridge. It’s a cheaper version of the takeout, convenient, and without the hassle of trying to make them. I do want to try to do this at some point, but that will be an experiment for the future.
Our son also grew quickly with his feet in the early years, he was in a size1 by JK, however, it did level off and become more slowly growing from grade 1-4. In the last year we started jumping sizes again. I figure he’s due to sprout up again lol.
I couldn’t imagine doing a road trip without the food prep ahead of time. The hotel stays are expensive enough, I couldn’t imagine adding constant eating out to it too. Our family went to Pennsylvania two summers ago and got a hotel room with a kitchen in it. We left home with a full Rubbermaid container of food (all allowed to cross he border – we checked first) and then just bought the fresh produce and meat there. Good thing too, we found groceries ridiculously expensive there like pasta, bottled water for the amusement parks we were going to, cereal, rice, condiments, all of the dry goods we brought with us), eating out the whole time would have been ridiculous. This hotel also had a continental breakfast, but served cantaloupe so what we got there was extremely limited and we asked staff to directly bring things out to us like milk and yogurt containers so that the cross contamination wasn’t an issue. They were lovely. But, in reality, the food we brought with us was the most helpful. Besides, growing up, my family brought snacks with us, food even depending how long we were gone, or stopped at the grocery store. My parents are a big part of my influence for taking food while travelling, it’s just what we did!
I don’t even know how kids size shoes work yet so I should probably research that. Yes, we always prep when we go on a road trip so we aren’t spending any more than we need to. It’s so easy to say sod it and eat out.
Yearly grocery budget for 4 adults and 2 cats -$7800.00
(The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $300/year or $25/month.
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: $30
Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
PC Points Plus Earned to date: 26200
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP)to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Zweet to cash out : $3.50($25.75)
Checkout51 to cash out : $9.25($25,50)
Grocery Shop This Week
Foodland #1
1 jug water -5.49
1 jar pickles -1.99
2 4l milk @4.88
Bananas -1.25
1 outside round roast -8.57
1 bread crumbs -2.49, AM discount, 50% 1.25
1 Sunmaid raisin bread -4.99, AM discount 50% 2.50
1 W/W bread -3.79, AM discount 50% 1.90
Total OOP -$32.68, AM discounts $5.65
Foodland #2
1 jug water -5.49
6 pack Royale paper towels -4.99
1 sunflower oil -4.59
1 pancake syrup -4.29
2 packs white rice @2.49
1 can pineapple tidbits -1.19
2 4l milk @4.88
Bananas -1.34
1 outside round roast -11.12
1 Apple/onion sausage -4.51, 1.35 discount
1 grated Parmesan cheese -4.49
1 W/W bread -2.79
1 Thompson raisins -5.99
Tax -.65
Total OOP -$64.83, 1.35 discount
Total to spend this month $650.00
Stockpile budget 2016 ($25.00):$25.00
Stockpile budget used this month: $23.75
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $6.00
Total in-store discounts this week:$7.00
Total in-store discounts to date: $53.92
Total spent this week: $97.51
Total spent so far this month: $628.96
Total over/Under spend this shop:under
Total over/Under spend for the month:- under $21.04
Total left to spend for the month: -$21.04
Total Spent To Date 2016: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $579.69+ Feb $628.96+ March $
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts)
Made it under again. This puts me just over $90.00 under for the year. This might come in handy later in the year so I will hang onto it as long as I can. The outside round roasts were a nice price considering how pricey beef has been, $3.99 lb. the Air Miles discounts were nice to have too. I get an email with those every week from Foodland and Air Miles just like with the PC Plus offers and Shoppers deals and I load every one just in case!!
Hi Christine,
The Apple Onion Sausage sound good. Have you tried it yet? I’m jealous of those Air Miles deals you are getting. I need to check it out further and get me in the on the action. That’s great you are under for the year considering the many mouths you feed and you are in a small town with one high-priced grocery store. It is possible to eat on a budget even when dealing with higher priced items. I write a bit about this in tomorrow’s blog post about Gourmet Food Shops. Well done Christine!! You get ballot #50. The last for February. 🙂 Mr.CBB
Yes we had the apple onion sausage and it was very nice. You could smell the onion when I opened the package, even frozen. The onion taste was mild eating it but you got a bit of the apple sweetness at the end, almost as an after taste. I will be looking for that kind again as we all enjoyed it!!
Check Sobeys for Air Miles deals. It works much the same as the deals you can get from PC Plus and Shoppers when you scan the points cards but you are scanning the AM card. You’ve mentioned that your in-laws have a Foodland near them too so they might know about this, hope so. I need to find a way to use up my regular miles with AM then I will switch the balance to all dream cash to help with shopping for groceries and such…
Lots of recipe this time. But, what got my attention is drop biscuits and sausage gravy. That sauce looks creamy and must be delicious.
I know, I look forward to trying that one out. Yum
Personally, I think the cheapest, meals are meat, potato and a vegetable.
The expensive part…is eating more than you really need to 🙂
Exactly and I wrote about that a couple of years ago. We are eating too much and that is costing our wallet. Thanks for the comment Kathryn.
Yearly grocery budget for 4 adults 6000
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $ 500
Grocery Shop This Week
Safeway
• old cheddar – 5.99
• Mozzarella- 5.99
• Pinapple- 3.99
• potato- 2.99
• Compliments Organic Bread – 3 X $3.29
• 2 L Milk- 3.49
• 2 Frozen Pizzas Delisiosa 2 X 3.33
• Organic tortilla chips- 3.50
• Pickles- 3.50
• Organic pasta sauce -2 X 3.00
• Discounted Chocolate truffles- 2.50
• Red Hot barbeque sauce – 4.99 – Free with refund
• Omega 3 eggs- 3.50
• Astro Lemon yogurt- 2.33
• Butter – 3 X 3.99
• Ice Cream- 4.99
• Organic mushrooms-2.85
• Whole ham- 12.99
• Chicken thighs- 9.70
• Hummus- 4.00
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK (add any other sections you need to show expenses and savings)
• Total coupons used this week: N/A
• Total coupons used to date: $14.75
• Total in-store discounts this week: 19.85
• Total in-store discounts to date: $220.91
• Total spent this week: $ 109.45
• Total spent so far this month: 109.45
• Total under spend for the year: 145.15!
• Total left to spend for the month: $ 390.55
• Total Spent To Date 2016: (does not include pet foods, paper or personal) Jan $854.85
• Total Airmiles this week = 237
• PC Points this week-
• Weekly Overview : Great air miles this week! I had a 150 air miles coupon if I spent $125. Plus 30 air miles if I bought 3 butters. Plus extra air miles on the bread, ice cream, tortilla chips and pickles.
My meal planning consists of me making a list of meals based on what I have in the freezer and pantry. Then as I make the meals I cross them off the list.
So we had : Vegetarian Tomato sauce with pasta with Garlic bread and salad, Cream of broccoli soup and pizza buns, Cod chowder and garlic bread, Macaroni and cheese and spinach salad, Pizza topped with frozen peppers and fresh spinach and salad and fruit salad, bacon/ eggs and hash browns with fruit salad
So For next week I have a choice of- Pizza, chowder, oven roasted ham, curried chicken and rice, spaghetti, Lentil soup, ham and potatoes, ham quiche, ham fried rice.
Hi Rose!!
That’s a smart way to create your menu plan because you are starting with ingredients that you already have on end so you don’t end up buying multiples. Did you use the Air Miles coupon then? If you can’t find organic are you ok to eat non-organic foods? Considering this is the last shop of the month you have plenty of extra cash for next month if you carry over. Well done. I wish we could shop this well. I love the idea of lentil soup because it just sounds like comfort food. How big was your ham? You get ballot #49. Mr.CBB
Ok I am a bit confused, isn’t this shop for March?
Yes, I used the air miles coupon to get the mega air miles deal.
Yes, I am OK buying non-organic, but I am always extra happy if it is organic.
Hi Rose,
This is the last shop for the Feb grocery game challenge as it’s 5 weeks. You don’t have to follow the weeks that we set out in the 2016 Grocery Game Challenge Calendar which you can view and print over at The Grocery Game Challenge Rules page. Next week will be the first week of March Grocery Game. You do not have to follow my weeks as long as you track your own. So, if this is considered your first shop for March then so be it. Just keep posting your weeks. If you want to follow along the same weeks as The GGC then you can print the calendar and go from there. 🙂 If you have any other questions or you are still not sure… just ask. 🙂
Our grocery budget has been through the roof since we started eating Paleo/Whole 30, especially since it emphasizes organic foods and grass fed beef. We feel better health-wise, but it does take a toll on our budget.
May I ask how much you spend each month on groceries?
Growing up my mother always made shepherd’s pie …cooked hamburg and couple cans of condensed vegetable soup…mix together…plop in a baking dish…top with mashed potatoes…pop into oven until bubbly around the edges.
If I make it, and don’t have the soup, I improvise with canned tomatoes, spices, leftover vegs…
month of Feb 1-29 2016
Name Your Store: i.e. Superstore (Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $2.16+2.02 +1.99= $6.17 (superbucks)
Total Out Of Pocket: $5.00+11.17+8.95=$25.12
Gift card- $3.29+$8.03+ 6.64=17.96
PC points redeemed—$30
plastic bag rebate- $0.0
camebert cheese $6.59 (reduced)= $3.29
cooked chicken- $9.99 (reduced)=$4.99
3lb parkay margarine 3 @ $3.33=$9.99
reduced produce 3 @ $1.49= $4.47
bananas= $1.75
spicy kelbassa sausage $5.99 (reduced)= $2.99
3- $10 super store gift cards= 30,000 PC pts
coffee cream flavoring- $3.99
mushrooms $3.29 (reduced) (200 PC pts)= $1.64
produce reduced 2 @ $1.49 =$2.98
PC mini naan breads 5 @$1.69 (reduced) (2000 PC pts) =$4.20
400g cheese 4 @$4.48 (reduced) =$8.95
Name Your Store: i.e. Dave’s Fruit & veg Market(Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Out Of Pocket: $4.00
2 lbs carrots- $0.97
2 lbs onions- $0.89
1.41 lbs vine tomatoes= $1.82
Name Your Store: i.e. U.F.O discount outlet(Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Out Of Pocket: $13.99
1 kg Skippy peanut butter 2 @ $2.00= $4.00
apricot jam 2 @ 2/$3.00= $3.00
750 ml olive oil =$5.00
nachos- $1.99
Name Your Store: i.e. Gateway Meat Market (Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Out Of Pocket: $15.52
gift card- $
1 lb strawberrries 3 @$1.47= $4.41
spinach- $1.99
broccoli- $0.97
1.46 kg sweet potatoes= $3.12
cheddar cocktail sausages $1.96
Brothers Honey garlic pepperoni- $3.07
Name Your Store: i.e. Stirlings Fruit and Veg Market (Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $4.00
Total Out Of Pocket: $11.89
apple pie- $3.99
10 lbs – apples- $5.95
parsnips- $1.95
$4.00 bag of apples (free with $10 purchase) –$0.00
Name Your Store: i.e. Giant Tiger (Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $0
Total Out Of Pocket: $8.40
cantaloupe $2.47 (reduced) = $0.99
rainbow pepper 4 pack = $2.47
4 pk tomato=$2.99
227g mushrooms= $1.97
Name Your Store: i.e. Sobeys (Canada)
Total Coupons Used: $0
Total Out Of Pocket: $
Gift card-(Purchased with cash) $11.38+$14.37+$1.38+$15.37=$42.50
redeemed Airmiles- $10+
2-4L milk @$5.69=$11.38
2- marmalade 2/$5.00 (10 bonus airmiles) = $5.00
4L milk- $5.69
1.89 L ice cream=$3.69
2-4L milk @$5.69=$11.38
2-4L milk @$5.69=$11.38
sour cream- $1.99
10 lb potatoes- $2.00
Overall for the month of February 2016
$ 5.00+ 8.40+11.89+8.03=33.32+$13.99 +4.00+$15.52_$8.95= $75.78 out of pocket (does not includes the $200 gift card I paid cash for, as I will deduct as I use it)
$ coupons+3.00 +2.35+1.90+1.66+1.63+0.55 +2.06+4.00+2.16 + $2.02+ $1.99 =$25.48 (coupon and star bucks)
$ 3.29+8.03+6.64=17.96 – gift cards
$ 10.00 – airmiles/ pc points redeemed to pay for the groceries
$ 30.00 (I use my PC points and Air miles to buy them- gift cards )
$ 11.38+ $14.37+1.38+$15.37= $42.50 (Sobeys gift card that I purchased from cash)
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)..includes toiletries, cleaning supplies,
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $
Total Gift Cards used to date: =$
Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $3.50 (january)
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: $15.31 (Jan)+25.48 (Feb)=$40.79
Total in-store discounts this week: $0.00
Total in-store discounts to date: 0.00
Total spent this week: $0
Total spent so far this month: $118.78
Total over/Under spend this shop: $
Total over/Under spend for the month $under spent $97.89 (Feb)
Total left to spend for the month : $96.35
Total Spent To Date 2016: (does not include stockpile budget) $218.21 (jan) +$118.78 (Feb)=$336.99
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts): Tried a couple new fruit/veg markets while in Halifax area, and the place was standing room only…literally.Got some amazing deals..especially the strawberries.Got another great price cheese blocks. Expect next month, our spending to be even lower.
Hi kathryn,
You sure scored some nice deals this month especially the strawberries. We haven’t seen anything like that price over in Ontario yet. The peanut butter was a great price as well because even that can go over the top with price at $7.99 for 1kg. When you go grocery shopping do you go straight for the reduced section or do you just start scanning for pink or black 50% off stickers? we go right for the gold if we can help it. Oh my I just noticed your free bag of apples. That’s like throwing food in the garbage if you don’t take advantage of that offer… I wish. Well done Kathryn, your shops always amaze me but like all of us we know that it’s not easy trying to eat well on a tight budget. You get ballot #48. Mr.CBB
Yes, always head for the reduced produce and meat sections first…then back track and start over again, as many times they will have Manager’s Specials or discount stickers peppered along the way.
I have found that my daughter and I have an informal barter system…she has too much of one thing, and we trade food items, which benefits both of us.
We don’t eat a new meal every night. I had a leftover meat patty and mashed potatoes, and with all the talk of Shepherd’s Pie this week….that transformed into another meal.
Breakfast is usually the same rotation…eggs of some sort, or a hot porridge….with fresh fruit, toast and tea.
Lunch…if we even eat it…is usually a naan pizza, salad, or coffee and pie 🙂
Supper is usually meat of some sort, potato cooked a variety of ways, a fresh veg, and possibly a salad.
Snack…whatever we crave.
Baking our own bread, in the bread machine is a huge saving
GCC 21/02/16
Total Yearly Food Budget for one adult (combined Grocery and Stockpile Budgets): $1200.00
Yearly Grocery Budget: $720.00
Monthly Grocery Budget 2016: $60.00 ($15.00/wk/4wk month or $12.00/week/5wk month)
Total Carried Over From Last Month: $4.32
Total Spent This Month Previous To This Shop: $45.95
Total spent this week: $6.46 ($5.54 under)
Total spent so far this month: $52.41
Total left to spend for the month: $4.32 + ($12 – $10.29) + (12 – 11.27) + ($12 -11.53) + ($12 – $12.86) + ( $12 – $6.46) = $11.91 to carry over to next month
Total Grocery Budget Spent To Date 2016: (Jan $75.68) (Feb $52.41)
Yearly Stockpile Budget: $480.00
Monthly Stockpile Budget 2016: $40.00
Total carried over from last month: – $1.10
Total Spent this week: $6.06
Total spent so far this month: $9.04 + 23.79 + 6.06 = $39.99
Total left to spend for the month: -$1.10 – $39.99 + $40 = -$1.11 to carry over to next month
Total Stockpile Budget used to date: (Jan $21.10) (Feb $39.99)
This week’s shop
Food Basics
$1.80 Minute Maid frozen orange juice (2) (0.99 – 10% from rain cheque = $0.90 each)
$1.97 oranges (3lb)
$0.38 zucchini (0.99/lb)
$0.51 tomato ($0.99/lb)
$4.66 OOP
Loblaws
$1.80 potatoes (10lb) ($2.00 – 10% student discount)
Comments
I didn’t need to buy much this week as I have an alarming amount of meat and cheese on hand and was given some food by my kids who are starting a new diet. Works out well because we are hosting 11 people at Easter. That’s going to put quite a dent in my food budget for the month so I’m happy to have a little bit of a cushion from the
$10.80 I underspent and carried over from January and February. I was thinking that next year I might adopt Mary’s idea of a reserve budget to cover the cost of entertaining on holidays. It probably reduces some of the stress.
I really liked your post this week, Mr. CBB. As you and others pointed out, batch cooking can really save money because there is something already prepared so it is not as tempting to grab something on the go. One problem I have with it though is that I can’t prepare large quantities of foods I really love because I will overeat them. I had this happen last week when I made crustless broccoli and bacon quiche. It was really enough for 4-6 servings but got eaten in two meals. The things I’ve had the most success with are things like bean/lentil dishes, soups,or individually portioned cooked meats which are good but not good enough to eat a lot of.
With regard to low cost foods, soups and stews are awesome and filling enough to prevent overeating. Pea and lentil soups are dirt cheap, full of nutrition, and extremely filling. It’s hard to imagine a cheaper source of protein than orange lentils, split peas, or tofu. Even eggs and dairy seem pricey in comparison. When I first started thinking of low cost foods to cook I started looking for ethnic recipes because I thought they’d be both nutritious and good. Its hard to beat hummus and Indian lentil soups for example and they’re so easy to make in usually 1 pot. Tofu is also incredibly cheap. There is 2/3 the protein in a block of tofu that costs a dollar as there is in a dozen eggs that are usually two to three dollars. The texture can be gross if you buy the extra firm variety but the regular and firm are usually okay. I like it best fried in a pan coated with cooking spray then put in a bun and topped with PC peanut sauce and veg. It’s also great in a stir fry or asian style soup.
Out of curiosity, how is everyone planning to keep costs down over Easter?
Happy shopping everyone 🙂
Hi Mimsie,
We love Indian inspired dishes in our house and make our own hummus as well as use lentils to make lentil sloppy joes and so on. We haven’t experimented much with lentils but we were told what we should and shouldn’t use from a friend of ours who uses a pressure cooker to hurry up the cooking process. Eggs and dairy can be very pricey depending on what you want to buy. Organic Free Range eggs here cost $7.99 a dozen which is pricey but worth it because they are nice eggs. I’m not a tofu lover myself but my wife doesn’t mind it. What brand do you normally purchase? Good luck shopping in March!! You get ballot 47. Mr.CBB
I usually get the Mandarin brand of tofu which sells for $1.00/lb at Walmart
Mimsie,
My March costs are going to be contained by changing my St. Patrick’s Day feast to Colcannon Soup and Welsh Tea Bread instead of the usual Corned Beef Brisket with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and onions. For Easter, I am making a turkey a la king…still turkey but a really small amount compared to doing a whole bird. 🙂
Awesome ideas Mary. Thanks 🙂
I have lucked out a time or two getting ground pork reduced that I mix into the ground beef here. My local store has never sold the two mixed together. I’ve found ground chicken and turkey here too that is reduced. I grab it fast when I find those deals! With the size of the batch of spaghetti sauce I make, there usually isn’t that much leftover so I freeze it to use later with some frozen from another night. Usually gets used in a pasta bake like penne or tortellini.
My shepherds pie is a cleanup of the leftovers from a roast! I’ve never tried making it from ground beef….
All in all some very good ideas to stretch the grocery budget!!
I found Freshco or No Frills that will sell ground port/ground beef mix, usually a 60/40 split.
That’s great for one person or a couple who want to make a meal but not buy a pound each of pork and beef.
Good information Mr. CBB. Thanks for including my soup recipe and my comment. I’m honoured. I’d like to mention, as well, that a meatless version of Shepherd’s Pie (I call it Peasant Pie when vegetarian) can be made with lentils cooked in mushroom stock or with cooked chick peas that have been chopped in the food processor. Coarsely chopped chick peas give a texture similar to cooked ground meat. If you season your pie well, many folks won’t even notice that the meat is “missing.”
What a brilliant idea Beth. We love lentils, black beans and chick peas and often eat them in our house. I may give this a try once the wife is back on eating beans.
Yearly Grocery Budget For 2016: $8,400 (5 people)
Points Overview:
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $700
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs: $700
Total Gift Cards used to date: $93.18
Total Rewards Points used to date: $30.00
PC Points Plus Earned to date: 13,000 + extra on M/C
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date: $1.00
Grocery Shop This Week: February 26 – March 03, 2016
Superstore
PC Cinnamon Raisin Bread 2 x $4.29 – (50%) = $4.28
PC Thins Hamburger Buns $3.69 – (50%) = $1.84
Folger’s Classic Roast 2 x $8.49 = $16.98
Smuckers Strawberry Jam 2 x $3.99 = $7.98 – $6.00 = $1.98
(Coupon 2 x $3.00 if you buy Folgers & Smuckers Products = $6.00)
Iogo Nano 3 x $2.99 – $3.00 coupon = $5.97
Fresh Spinach Mix $5.99 – (50%) = $2.99
10 lbs. Russet Potatoes $2.00
Fresh Broccoli $1.99
Snow Peas 2 x $1.50 = $3.00 –(50%) off 1- 0.75 = $2.25
Maple Leaf Bacon $3.44 – $2.50 = $0.94
Frozen bag Popcorn Chicken $10.00
Wonder Bread 4 x $2.25 – (50%) = $4.48
Danone Creamy $1.49
Kraft Cheese 2 x $4.48 = $8.96
Total Out-of-Pocket: $ 66.14
Costco
Fruit by the Foot $9.79
Veggie Straws Chips $6.49
Milk 4L 2 x $6.35 = $12.70
Frozen Strawberries $13.99
Babybel Cheese $11.59
Nutella $13.99 (2 jars)
Ancient Tortillas $4.49
3 lbs. Bananas $1.99
Spinach $3.69
Fresh Blueberries $4.99
Applesauce $9.99
Chris Brothers Pepperoni $9.59
2L Chocolate Milk $3.56
Maple Syrup $12.99
Total Out-of-Pocket: $121.96
Shoppers Drug Mart
Butter 2 x $3.49 = $6.98
Total Out-of-Pocket: $ $6.98
Wal-Mart
Celery Sticks $2.47
Cucumber $0.97
4 lbs. Oranges $3.97
Swiss Chalet Gravy $1.65
Butternut Squash $2.02
Grape Tomatoes $2.47
Total Out-of-Pocket $13.55
Sobeys
Can Corn $1.00
Total Out-of-Pocket $1.00
Total to spend this month: $700
Total coupons used this week: $ 11.50
Total coupons used to date: $36.78
Total in-store discounts this week: $17.42
Total in-store discounts to date: $179.04
Total spent this week: $ 209.63
Total spent so far this month: $816.19
Total over/Under spend this shop: OVER $69.63
Total over/Under spend for the month: OVER $116.19
Total left to spend for the month: $0
Total Spent To Date 2016: Jan $706.52 + Feb $816.19
Weekly Overview:
I am going to try and make up for the overage next month by spending approx.. $30.00 less per shop. If I don’t catch up next month I am thinking that when the garden starts producing and some of the prices go down in the spring/summer I should be able to make up the difference.
Hi Lori-Lynn,
Where did you get the $3 Nano coupon? Our son LOVES Nano which we learned when we were at Costco and they were giving them out as samples. Our son went mad for them but they can get pricey compared to a container of yogurt. It looks like quite a few of us have overage this month and it’s likely due to there being 5 shopping weeks to compete with. What are some ways that you will target the $116 overage? You get ballot 46. Mr.CBB 🙂
Good morning 🙂
Great post!!
I think it will help a lot of people looking to stretch their meals and budgets.
I find it interesting that many stores sell a beef and pork blend and wonder if it is processed by an outside company. My store would fail the santitation audit with the possibility of getting shut down for mixing the two meats together in the grinders because they would now be contaminated. We have a small machine to grind pork and a large machine to grind beef. Also many people that shop our store either dont eat pork or beef due to dietary reasons or religious beliefs.
You could always ask the store but I believe you are correct it’s mixed outside the company. How do you find the prices of beef these days since you work in the meat department? I really like sharing feedback from the fans in my posts because it’s real people sharing real stories and tips. This is what the people want. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
FEBRUARY – Week #5 of 5- Feb 29-March 6, 2016
2016 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00 for 2 adults
=============================================================================================
REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
This is a LOW SHOP WEEK for the last week of the month. I needed milk so we bought a jug of Island Farms at Thrifty Foods with the $5.00 Facebook coupon I had. I love getting the milk for FREE!
It’ll be nice to get back in the shops next week though…produce department here I come! I have enough crunch material for this week but I’ll be looking to stick up next week. 🙂
=============================================================================================
OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Thrifty Foods – Maple Ridge –
1 4L Island Farms Skim Milk @ $4.99 ea = $4.99 – $5 COUPON = $0.00
Total Regular Grocery OOP: $0.00
Total Re-Stocking Grocery OOP: $0.00
** Earned 0 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $4.99 in Rain Check/ Coupons **
** SAVED $0.00 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
=============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
OUR NEXT USA SHOP WILL BE LATER IN 2016.
=============================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
Jan $36.76 + Feb $160.96 = $192.72
•Total Coupons/Rain Checks Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $20.46= $20.46
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $0.00 = $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
Jan 10 + Feb 182 = 192 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
Jan 6 + Feb 43 = 49 Air Miles
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year:
Jan 1800 + Feb 5000 = 6800 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 = 0 Points
=============================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $196.78 + Feb ($83.22 trf to reserves+$3.38+$6.99+$5.19+$14.08+$15.68+$24.94+$8.17+$3.29+ $5.98+$1.99+14.83 +$6.00= $193.74) = $390.52
•Total Year-To-Date Grocery Budget:
Jan $190.00+ Feb $190.00 = $380.00
•Total Over/Under on Year-To-Date Grocery Budget: ($10.52) OVER
=============================================================================================
2016 POINTS REDEEMED RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $0.00+Jan $4.69+ Feb $5.19= $9.88
=============================================================================================
2016 US GROCERY RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $0.00+Jan $45.00+Feb $45.00= $90.00
=============================================================================================
2016 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $217.50+Jan -$49.65 + Feb ($15.00-4.97-$39.48-111.24 = -$140.69) = $27.16
=============================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $81.51+Jan $15.00 + Feb $11.61 = $108.12
=============================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D SUMMER RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $100.00+ $537.50 Trf from Borscht Fund+Jan $15.00 + Feb $11.61= $664.11
=============================================================================================
• SUMMARY OF FUNDS Y-T-D:
$ 380.00 Grocery Budget JAN-FEB
$ 9.88 Redeemed Points to Purchase
Groceries
($ 83.22) ADDITION TO: Misc Reserves
(Re-Stocking, Xmas & Summer)
$ 220.34 REDUCTION TO: Misc Reserves
(Re-Stocking, Xmas & Summer)
($ 90.00) Trf to US Grocery Reserve
($ 9.88) Set in reserve to offset
Redeemed Points
($ 437.64) Actual CASH SPENT
($ 10.52) OVER Y-T-D SPENDING
• VALUE POINTS REDEEMED Y-T-D:
$ 4.69 Skim Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – JAN
$ 5.19 Whole Milk- 3,100 MORE Pts – FEB
$ 9.88 Total $ Value of Points Redeemed
THE VALUE will be added month to month to our Holiday Reserve for next Christmas.
So far $380.00 has been budgeted Y-T-D for 2016 and we have recorded $183.10 of these funds as “spent” and in fact they have been “saved”:
$ 27.16 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$108.12 Holiday Season Fund
$664.11 Summer Season Fund
$ 90.00 US Shopping Reserve
$ 9.88 Points Redeemed Reserve
OUR CURRENT TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES ARE $899.27. This means the $936.51 that we carried forward from 2015 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $183.10 that we have added in 2016, LESS $220.34 that we have drawn out for use in 2016.
=============================================================================================
The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Safeway:
2 Pork Loin Roasts @ $3.88/lb – Good until April 28/16
4 Ground Beef @ $3.88/lb – Good until April 28/16
2 Whole Fryer Chickens @ $1.99/lb – Good until May 4/16
12 Motts Clamato Juice 945-960 ml @ $1.00 ea – Good until May 6/16
12 Motts Clamato Juice 945-960 ml @ $1.00 ea – Good until May 8/16
2 dozen Compliments Large eggs @ $1.50 ea – Good until May 16/16
2 dozen Compliments Large eggs @ $1.50 ea – Good until May 16/16
Thrifty Foods:
6 Island Bakery WW Bread @ $1.00 per loaf – Good until April 22/16
6 Island Bakery WW Bread @ $1.00 per loaf – Good until April 25/16
1 x 2-pack BC Fresh Whole Fryer Chickens @ $2.49/lb – Good until April 27/16
1 x 2-pack BC Fresh Whole Fryer Chickens @ $2.49/lb – Good until April 27/16
2 x 3-packs Romaine Hearts @ $2.50 ea – Good until May 16/16
2 x 3-packs Romaine Hearts @ $2.50 ea – Good until May 16/16
=============================================================================================
This week’s BREAKFAST menu plan:
HUBBY: Earl Grey Tea with Lemon Juice + toast with peanut butter, Banana Raisin Giant Muffins, English Muffins with cinnamon spread or Cheez Whiz, Bagels with cream cheese or Rice Krispies cereal with skim milk
MYSELF: Tetley Tea with Skim Milk & Equal + yogurt, mandarins or hard boiled eggs
=============================================================================================
This week’s LUNCH menu plan:
MON: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Coleslaw & Red Delicious Apple for hubby / apple-walnut-celery salad with poppyseed dressing for me
TUES: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Cottage Cheese & thermos of chocolate milk for hubby / tuna salad on cucumber slices for me
WED: Egg Salad Sandwiches, Creamy Tomato Soup & Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread for hubby / hard boiled eggs with tomato-onion salad for me
THURS: Peanut Butter Sandwiches with last of the Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread plus a thermos of chocolate milk for hubby / Sardine Sandwich for me
FRI: Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Leftover Peasant Cabbage and Tomato Soup for hubby / just the soup for me
SAT: Whitespot for lunch using $10 discount coupon + gift card to cover
SUN: Tomato-Cucumber-Onion-Cheese Sandwiches with homemade macaroni & cheese salad with diced celery, onion and carrot for hubby / just the salad with shrimp added for me + cucumber spears
=============================================================================================
This week’s DINNER menu plan:
MON: Ricky’s 3 Course Dinner @ $12 each for late Valentine’s Day celebration – last day for using 2 x $5 discount coupons (we had Caesar Salads, Turkey dinners and hubby had hot Apple Crumble & brought home Hot Fudge Mt. Baker (he always brings home mine as it’s not gluten free)
TUES: Greek Salad on a bed of spinach & Iceberg lettuce with a Greek vinaigrette
WED: Caesar Salad and last of the Pumpkin Cornbread
THURS: Peasant Cabbage and Tomato Soup with Quick Peppery Cheese Bread
FRI: Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with steamed asparagus & tomato-onion salad with an Italian vinaigrette
SAT: Apple Bacon & Tomato Soup with Quick Peppery Cheese Bread
SUN: Slow Cooker Beef Stew & Sweet Potato Biscuits with a small wedge salad
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Hi Mary,
I know what you mean about starting a new month and getting back into the game. I feel the same way as it’s renewal time where we get the opportunity to make it right. Does the store on Facebook offer the free $5 coupon to anyone who is on the page or do you have to do something to unlock it and print it? I’m interested in your Friday meal of lentil shepherd’s pie which I never thought of making before. I bet it will be delicious. What recipe do you use? Here’s to March!!! You get ballot 45. Mr.CBB
Here’s the link for the Lentil Shepherd’s Pie:
http://news.nationalpost.com/life/food-drink/a-shepherds-pie-has-to-have-lamb-baaaa-humbug-recipe-for-vegetarian-lentil-shepherds-pie
Mr CBB, I follow the Thrifty Foods page on FB and they announced that the 1st 750 followers to register for a coupon would receive a link to print off their coupon. It was a really nice treat considering I needed milk and was over budget already! 🙂
Feb 26 – Mar 3, 2016
Name Your Store: Zehrs
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Points =
Total Out Of Pocket: $5.49
Human
375 g Hot Dogs = $1.99
3 lb Carrots = $3.50
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $4.00
Total Points = 800
Total Out Of Pocket: $38.34 (including stockpile)
Human
4 – 900 g NN Pasta -1 @ 1.87 or 2 @ 3.50 (800 PC Points) = $7.00
4 – 500 mL Ragu Sauce – 4/$5.00 = $5.00
1.89 L PC Blue Menu Blueberry drink = $2.88
5 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup – 5/$4.00 = $4.00
2 – 4 L Skim Milk = $8.54
2 – 2 L Chapman’s Ice Cream – 4.99 (PM No Frills @ $2.88) = $5.76 (minus $4.00 coupon)
Thomas Cinnamon Raisin Bread – $4.99 (PM No Frills @ $1.88) = $1.88
2 Wonder WW Bread – $2.99 (PM No Frills @ $1.88) = $3.76
Bananas = $3.83
Cats
No Shop
Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the 2 Adults ($1890.00, for the pay period – $70.00)
Total Grocery Budget for the 3 Cats ($364, for the pay period – $14.00)
Total Grocery Budget for Stockpile ($520)
Total Grocery Budget for the Personal Hygiene ($182)
Total Grocery Budget for Wholesale Meat ($500.00)
Total Grocery Budget for Canning Produce ($400.00)
Total Human (Adults) this Week Period: $31.83
Over/Under this week: Under
Left for the Month: $(49.34)
Total Human (Adults) to Date: $342.38
Total Cats this Week Period: $N/A
Over/Under this week: Over
Left for the Month: $22.94
Total Cats to Date: $61.06
Total Stockpile this Week Period: $12.00
Total Stockpile to Date: $54.01
Total Personal Hygiene this Week Period: $
Total Personal Hygiene to Date: $91.36
Total Wholesale Meat this Week Period: $
Total Wholesale Meat to Date: $96.97
Total Canning Produce this Week Period: $0
Total Canning Produce to Date: $0.00
Total Coupons Used this Week Period: $4.00
Total Coupons Used To Date: $4.00
Total Discounts/SCOP this Week Period: $
Total Discounts/SCOP to Date: $4.09
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week Period: $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates to Date: $10.00
Total Snap rebates this Week Period: $0.00
Total Snap rebates to Date: $1.00
Total Price Match for this Week Period: $12.43
Total Price Match to Date: $61.93
Total PC Points Received this Week Period: 800
Total PC Rewards Points Used this Week Period: 0
Total PC Rewards To Date: 27090
Overview: Well to attempt to make up for the overage, this week is my last shop for my “February”. I received my Chapman’s Ice Cream coupon in the mail so I scored a nice deal on the ice cream this week. To make up for the shopping over the past couple of weeks, I have enough food to make it last, except for minor things like milk and bananas.
Hi DEE,
We’re over for the month so we’ll have to make up for it next month. We haven’t received our coupon yet but hopefully soon. Great dwal on the raisin bread. Our son loves raisin bread after his grandmother made him french toast with it. Overall you had what I consider a low peaceful grocery shop this week. We’ll be alongside you next month working our way back into the grocery game as we clear up our overage. You get ballot 44. Mr.CBB
I have one more week under my “February” because of when I get paid. I don’t buy cinnamon raisin bread unless it’s under $2.00. I need to try and make it from scratch. Next week will be a no shop for the humans but will have to get the cats a few items.