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Don’t waste money on unnecessary kitchen tools. Discover the essential gadgets that every cook needs in their kitchen.
Finding The Best Budget Kitchen Tools
Some pretty cool kitchen tools are on the market, but they are often a waste of money because they are valuable at the moment but then fade away deep into the back of a kitchen cupboard.
You all know what I’m talking about because you likely have some of those kitchen tools you’ve forgotten all about screaming to be used. I know we do.
Under the cupboard, we have an apple corer, grilled cheese machine, and Pampered Chef cheese grater, and I’m sure I could find a few more if I left the computer now and had a look. You get the point.
One of these days I’ll be selling these kitchen tools on Kijiji because I’m sure there will be a buyer out there looking for these items to complete their kitchen gadget list.
Some of you might prefer a Stainless Steel Pineapple Easy Slicer and De-Corer
kitchen tool, but for others, it’s another expensive addition that will likely collect dust.
The original price is $28.95, but if you are certain it will add value to your kitchen tools list, you can buy it now on sale for $5.47 Canadian on Amazon.
This is an excellent deal for the frugal shopper, especially if you love pineapple!
Remember that Amazon Canada prices are timed specials, so they won’t last forever if I inspire you to purchase one.
Use Kitchen Tools Or Lose Them
We have a few of these kitchen tools that never get used, but we also use some often.
For instance, the Jamie Oliver Fruit and Vegetable Peeler, which is used in our kitchen.
It has 3 attachments to create a spiral, Julienne, and shaves for fruits and veggies.
It’s a pretty nifty kitchen tool Mrs. CBB received for Christmas.
On the other hand, buying utensils and gadget sets would be worth the money as all these kitchen tools are a necessity in any kitchen.
A good knife, pots, pans are very important…but I think the most important is the desire of wanting to stay on their grocery budget.
You can have all the appliances known to man but if you don’t have the desire, it won’t change.
Della F – Facebook
You’d get more use out of a product like this if you want to stick to kitchen basics without buying the cute extras that some may consider simply “convenience” of kitchen tools.
I’m also a big fan of bamboo, so buying bamboo kitchen tools because they last a long time and won’t scratch non-stick pots and pans.
We have two sets of bamboo kitchen tools and love them.
On the other hand, you can buy wooden kitchen tools at the Dollar Store, as they have an extensive kitchen tools section.
It depends on how much you are willing to spend and the quality you are looking for.
I don’t mind spending money on bamboo because I like using it on my anodized aluminum pot instead of stainless utensils.
Organized Kitchen Tools
Organizing a kitchen to ensure it is user-friendly also includes ensuring it has all the essential kitchen tools to create excellent meals.
Getting by with a pot and a frying pan may be doable, but it might cause someone to break down and order in or hit a fast-food restaurant.
Budgeting is essential to me, and with that comes the food budget, which has stayed relatively consistent for our family, considering the rise in grocery prices.
Canadians are struggling to buy the groceries they need, so they are forced to make meals that stretch a bit further or use fewer ingredients than they have on hand.
Some of the most apparent reasons someone is not cooking in their kitchen is because they are not equipped with the right kitchen tools.
It’s hard to get things done when you don’t have the tools to complete the job.
Sure, you can substitute kitchen tools, but not often enough.
Besides the stove and refrigerator, there are kitchen tools that any home chef must use to help motivate and stick to your grocery budget.
As one of my fans pointed out, you can have all the kitchen tools you want in your kitchen, but if you don’t push yourself to cook and use them, they are useless.
Even if you don’t budget, a great way to keep yourself home is to ensure you have the kitchen tools, menu planning, and a running grocery list.
If you have the kitchen tools, ingredients, and recipes at home, you’re more likely to cook.
Importance Of Basic Kitchen Tools For Home
Reading a recipe can be depressing when you don’t have all the ingredients or kitchen tools to execute the meal.
I know someone who has no wish to cook, has limited income, and has kitchen tools but eats out just about daily.
Not everyone likes cooking, but unless you have the cash to eat out at restaurants, consider taking a cooking course or trying new recipes at home.
The money you save from not eating out is the money you can use to buy your kitchen tools and stock your pantry.
If you still think you can’t afford to buy what you need for your kitchen, there are a few other options you can use to save money on kitchen tools.
Buying Used Kitchen Tools
If you have a second-hand store in your community, don’t hesitate to drop by and see what kitchen tools you can find.
The best day to go is on a day at a reduced price to save even more money.
Then, you can load up on more kitchen tools and baking essentials.
We’ve found countless utensils, Tupperware containers, stainless steel bowls, and even a frying pan for eggs.
Last year, we were fortunate to find Le Creuset pots and frying pans for $4.99.
Online Shopping
Search on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace and garage sale groups to find kitchen tools and appliances for a fraction of the price of buying brand-new.
You can also find many reasonable prices on kitchen tools over at Amazon.ca for Canadians, which I’ve shared with you today.
Many retail stores now offer home delivery, so you can order products from your home and wait for the doorbell to ring.
Garage Sales
It’s garage sale season in about a month or so, and you are almost guaranteed to find all sorts of kitchen tools and large and small kitchen appliances for cheap.
Lots of homeowners end up with doubles or triple the same kitchen tools and eventually want to get rid of them.
The best part about garage sales is the negotiating factor, but always remember to test anything, whether electrical, before you buy or assume the risk that it may not work.
Related: Garage Sales in Canada: Buying and Selling Tips
Dollar Store
The Dollar Store likely has kitchen tools such as a spatula, wooden utensils, stainless bowls, cheesecloth, forks, spoons, ice-cream scoop, etc.
Some of you may think that the quality of the products is cheap at the Dollar Store, and that’s understandable.
However, many items are as kitchen-worthy as their expensive cousins from online or supply stores.
We’ve picked up many kitchen tools from the Dollar Store that get the job done.
Quality Kitchen Tools
If you have the cash and want to buy name-brand or high-end kitchen tools, a supply store will have everything you need but expect to pay higher prices
We’ve had both the cheaper versions of kitchen tools and the pricier ones, and I can tell you from experience they both can have flaws.
Most often, consumers by products for the name, just like paying more for name-brand food products and clothing.
If you shop online, you can get great deals at Amazon Canada instead of paying full price at a retail store.
Some of you may want to invest in top-of-the-line kitchen tools, such as Hexclad.
I’d choose what is worth spending money on, especially those that require quality to last longer.
Essential Kitchen Tools For The Budget Home Chef
Kitchen tools and small appliances will differ for everyone based on needs, but I believe some kitchen tools are necessary in any kitchen.
I’ve created a list of kitchen tools for newlyweds or young adults in their first apartment or home and new cooks to help you get started.
These essential kitchen tools motivate cooking, eating at home, and maintaining a grocery budget.
You may not need all of these kitchen tools, but over the years, they have helped us to make our meals, many of which you can find on our blog.
Essential Kitchen Tools List For Everyday Cooking
Below is a list of essential kitchen tools; however, you may not need them all.
Not everyone prepares the same foods, so find what fits your cooking style.
Also, I’ve linked the items to Amazon; however, look at your local dollar for those that may be cheaper.
Bonus: I’ve created a Kitchen Tools printable for your budget binder so you can customize it.
Find the kitchen tools printable here.
As you purchase the items, check them off so you don’t end up with doubles.
- Quality Knife Set
- Stainless Bowls
- Bamboo Utensils
- Strainer various sizes
- Bakeware sheets, roasting pans, muffin pans, cake pans, and loaf pans
- Food Processor
- Hand mixer
- Steel Grater Box
- Cookware Set and Pots
- Microwave
- Air Fryer
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Crockpot or Instant Pot
- Brown Sugar Bear or a slice of apple works, too!
- Kitchen Scale
- Measuring cups
- Thermometer
- Funnel
- Corkscrew
- Can opener
- Whisk
- Bottle Opener
- Rolling pin
- Plastic and Wooden cutting boards
- Knife Sharpener
- Heat-resistant spatula
- Blender and Immersion Blender
- Oven Mitts
- Potato masher
- Cheese Cloth
- Stainless Steel Tongs
- Cookbooks, Library Card or Internet Access
Overall Thoughts
We have all these kitchen tools and a tonne more for everyday cooking.
I think I’ve named plenty of kitchen tools that I believe are essential to stock a kitchen and to get you started.
As you buy new/used or free kitchen tools, you’ll see how valuable it is to have everything you need to create those delicious recipes in your home kitchen.
Visit my Amazon Storefront to see all of the kitchen tools and ingredients we use or have used over the years.
Discussion: What other kitchen tools do you want to add?
– Mr.CBB
Eating out is a treat; eating at home is a lifetime memory.
CBB Fans Share Their Favourite Kitchen Tools
A good knife is an absolute must have for me! A food processor is nice but I could live without it if I had to.
My slow cooker is my second best friend and gets used several times a week.
Mary C.
My must have is a bread maker. The cost of bread is outrageous these days, but I don’t have the time to do it by hand right now.
The cost of the bread maker is made back quickly and then it’s a very low-cost per loaf.
Angela M.
A good knife is a must.
The slow cooker is great to have. I use my bread maker for pizza dough!
An immersion blender is very nice as it can mix or use as a blender or pulverize all in one!!
Handy little beastie it is!!
I cooked for a while when first married with just a pot or two and a fry pan…
Christine W.
My stand alone freezer. We buy our meats when they are buy one get one free.
Once a month our local Winn Dixie has these sales.
We save at least $50. or more each time we buy meat. And doing it this way we only have to buy once a month!
Julie B.
I agree with the slow cooker and Instant Pot as well. I used to have two, but one broke and still feel lost without it.
It helps with days that are tight for time to walk in the door and supper was ready to go. I am wishing we had it in use today.
Angela M.
Cooking with only a couple of pots and a fry pan limited a lot things as I couldn’t make something that needed more than that.
We ate a lot of one pan meals out of necessity. Spaghetti and sauce could be done, chili, stews..that kind of thing.
Christine W.
Having a frying pan and a pot to cook with is fine. I’ve done fine with just that.
Must have tools would be a really good Santoku knife and chopping board.
A basting spoon, slotted spoon and a turner is enough to cook with. As for appliances, a slow cooker.
Mona M.
Pat H
A stove.
My niece says she only has a kitchen because it came with the house.
Her husband does the cooking in their household as well.
Pat H.
A cookbook with basic recipes and how to recipes and with that you will gain knowledge and knowledge is power.
Colleen K.
March Grocery Game Challenge Posts 2016
- Inexpensive Meals
- How To Eat Gourmet Food On A Tight Budget
- The Best Canadian Grocery Stores To Shop At
2016 Grocery Shop Results
Yearly grocery budget for two + 1 Toddler 2016: $2820
(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:$235.00
- Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $217.05
- Total Gift Cards used to date: $50
- Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
- Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
- PC Points Plus Earned to date: 114,063
- Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP)to date $0
- Shoppers Optimum: Over 700,000 points (I will update this twice a year)
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
- Snap Groupon to cash out: $6.50
- Zweet to cash out: $18.25
- Checkout51 to cash out: $7.00
Grocery Shop This Week
Below are the grocery products we purchased.
Food Basics
- 6 x $0.90 Neilsen Cream used Rain Check
- 2 x Cauliflower $1.88
- Baby Spinach $4.97
- Homo Milk Sealtest $5.27
- 2% Milk 4L Beatrice $4.27
- 4 x Selection Butter $2.88 ($11.52)
- 3 x Astro Coconut Yogurt $1.99
- Tre Stelle Ricotta $3.99-0.60 peelie coupon
- White Mushrooms $1.88
- 1 x Smoked Ham $6.99
Total Out-of-Pocket: $48.02
No Frills
- 3 x cucumbers $0.88 each
- Banana $2.06
- 2 x Multigrain Bread $1.77-50% stickers ($1.78)
- 4 x Granulated Sugar 2kg bags $1.47 ($5.88)
Total out-of-pocket $12.36
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 2 x dozen Omega eggs $2.99 each (+800 Optimum points)
Total out-of-pocket $5.98
- Total to spend this month $235.00-$32.41 over Jan = $202.59
- Stockpile budget 2016 ($25.00-$1 overage= $24.00)
- Stockpile budget used this month: $26.64 (over $2.64 per month)
- Total coupons used this week: $.60
- Total coupons used to date: $4.60
- Total in-store discounts this week:$0
- Total in-store discounts to date: $157.75
- Total spent this week: $66.36
- Total spent so far this month: $177.63
- Total over/Under spend this shop: over
- Total over/Under spent for the month: $ under
- Total left to spend for the month: $24.96
- Total Spent To Date 2016: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $252.95+ Feb $249.46+March $
Weekly Overview
We did some stocking up this week which was nice so we could get ahead. We have just under $25 left for the month.
Let’s see if we can finish off March on target!
Thanks for reading.
Mr. CBB
Mar 18 – 24, 2016
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $0
Total Points = 0
Total Out Of Pocket: $28.48
Human
2 – 400 g White Marshmallows – $2.38 (PM Zehrs @ 2/$4.00) = $4.00
18 Large Eggs – $5.19 (PM Sobeys @ $3.33) = $3.33
4 L Skim Milk = $4.27
450 g Kraft Marble Cheese – $6.99 (PM Walmart @ $3.87) = $3.87
Bananas – 2.36 kg = $3.49
PC Hot Cross Buns = $3.00
Thomas Cinnamon Raisin Bread – $4.49 (PM No Frills @ $2.00) = $2.00
2 Wonder WW Bread – $2.99 (PM Giant Tiger @ $2.00) = $4.00
Cats
No shop
Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the 2 Adults ($1890.00, for the pay period – $70.00)
Total Human (Adults) this Week Period: $28.48
Over/Under this week: Under
Left for the Month: $42.48
Total Human (Adults) to Date: $390.56
Total Grocery Budget for the 3 Cats ($364, for the pay period – $14.00)
Total Cats this Week Period: $
Over/Under this week:
Left for the Month: $28.00
Total Cats to Date: $82.46
Total Grocery Budget for Stockpile ($520)
Total Stockpile this Week Period: $
Total Stockpile to Date: $73.37
Total Grocery Budget for the Personal Hygiene ($182)
Total Personal Hygiene this Week Period: $
Total Personal Hygiene to Date: $91.36
Total Grocery Budget for Wholesale Meat ($500.00)
Total Wholesale Meat this Week Period: $
Total Wholesale Meat to Date: $96.97
Total Grocery Budget for Canning Produce ($400.00)
Total Canning Produce this Week Period: $0
Total Canning Produce to Date: $0.00
Total Coupons Used this Week Period: $
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: $10.21
Total Price Match to Date: $79.17
Total PC Points Received this Week Period:
Total PC Rewards Points Used this Week Period: 0
Total PC Rewards To Date: 29835
Overview: I’m slowly chipping away at the overage. There wasn’t much that we needed this week either as well as the fact that my daughter is cooking on her own.
Hi Dee,
You had some nice price matches with this shop. I’m guessing the marshmallows were for your daughter to make Rice Krispie squares. It’s nice to have a small shop. I actually feel good when I do. Is that weird? You get ballot 18. Mr.CBB
Yes, the marshmallows for Rice Krispies squares. Yes, it does feel food for a small shop but at the same time, I’m still trying to clean up the overage.
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: 17,000 + 35,444 (MC)
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date: $1.00
Grocery Shop This Week: March 18 – 24, 2016
Superstore
PC Salsa $2.99
Sour Cream $3.49
Oikos Greek Yogurt $6.99 – (50%) = $3.49
Kraft Dinner $1.33
Eggs 2 x $1.99 = $3.98
Cheese $3.99
Brussel Sprouts $4.49 – (50%) = $2.24
3lbs. Carrots $2.99
Cauliflower $3.00
Broccoli $2.99
Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts $8.14
Salmon Fillet $20.87
Total Out-of-Pocket: $ 59.50
Costco
Goldfish $9.99
Multigrain Cheerios 2 x $8.79 -$4.00 = $13.58
Spiral Ham $28.80
Quaker Quick Oats $8.89 – $2.00 = $6.89
4L Milk $6.35
Chocolate Milk $3.56
Bananas $1.99
Sea Salt $4.79
Fresh Peppers (6) $7.99
Almond Breeze (6) $12.99
Raspberries $4.99
Cucumbers (3) $2.99
Spinach $3.69
Yop (12) $9.99 – $2.00 = $7.99
Honeycrisp Apples (6lbs.) $10.99
Navel Oranges (10lbs.) $10.99
Blackberries $3.99
Total Out-of-Pocket: $ 142.56
Shoppers Drug Mart
Butter 2 x $3.79 = $7.58
Total Out-of-Pocket: $7.58
Total to spend this month: $700
Total coupons used this week: $ 0
Total coupons used to date: $62.98
Total in-store discounts this week: $ 13.75
Total in-store discounts to date: $224.37
Total spent this week: $ 209.64
Total spent so far this month: $ 650.97
Total over/Under spend this shop: OVER $34.64
Total over/Under spend for the month: OVER $125.97
Total left to spend for the month: $49.03
Total Spent To Date 2016: Jan $706.52 + Feb $816.19
Weekly Overview:
Normally I wouldn’t buy a salmon fillet that expensive but that was the cheapest at the store as they were all cut large.
Hi Lori-Lynn,
What kind of sour cream do you buy for $3.49? Do you use Almond Breeze as a beverage or for cooking? Were the cucumbers $2.99 each? If yes, Ouch that’s pricey. I’ve seen them 2/$5 but I can’t be bothered to pay that kind of money. Food Basics and No Frills typically have them for under $2. Your month is mounting up! Will you carry over the overage to the next month? You get ballot 20. Mr.CBB
Hi Mr.CBB,
We buy a No Name Sour Cream 500 ml, that is on sale! My daughter is lactose intolerant that is why we buy the Almond Breeze and she is also a vegetarian. The cucumbers were 3 for $2.99..If I keep going over on my food budet I may increase the amount I am spending overall as I am not going to sacrifice good food and it seems where I live (New Brunswick) that food is more expensive than other provinces. So for now I will keep tracking and see what happens as we go along..
MARCH – Week #3 of 4- March 21-27, 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:
Hubby has a 4 day weekend this week so I am trying to plan some interesting meals for those days.
We had medical appointments every day this week when hubby gets off work and an appointment with the accountant on Saturday morning. It will be a rather busy week!
================================================================================
OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Walmart – Maple Ridge –
1 x 10 lb Russet Potatoes $2.47
1 x 2 lb Baby Carrots $2.97
3 x English Cucumbers $0.97 ea = $2.91
1 Green Cabbage $0.97/lb = $2.74
1 Fresh Spinach – 50% off = $1.98
Total Regular Grocery OOP: $13.07
Total Re-Stocking Grocery OOP: $0.00
————————————————————–
Safeway – Maple Ridge –
1 x 2L Whole Milk $2
1 x 2L Skim Milk $2
Total Regular Grocery OOP: $4.00
Total Re-Stocking Grocery OOP: $0.00
** Earned 0 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check/ Coupons **
** SAVED $3.44 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 + Mar $24.04 = $221.76
•Total Coupons/Rain Checks Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $20.46+ Mar $1.00= $21.46
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year:
Jan $0.00 + Feb $0.00 + Mar $0.00 = $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
Jan 10 + Feb 182 + Mar $0.00= 192 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
Jan 6 + Feb 43 +Mar 182= 231 Air Miles
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year:
Jan 1800 + Feb 5000 +Mar 5200 = 12,000 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year:
Jan 0 + Feb 0 +Mar 0= 0 Points
================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan $196.78 + Feb $193.74 + Mar ($25.48+$15.00+$45.00+$43.39+$25.55+$2.00+$2.99+$4.00+$13.07 = $176.48) = $567.00
•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: $3.00 AVAILABLE
================================================================================
2016 POINTS REDEEMED RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $0.00+Jan $4.69+ Feb $5.19+ Mar $0.00= $9.88
================================================================================
2016 US GROCERY RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $0.00+Jan $45.00+Feb $45.00+ Mar ($45.00-$104.58)= $30.42
================================================================================
2016 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $217.50+Jan -$49.65 + Feb -$140.69 + Mar $25.48 = $52.64
================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $81.51+Jan $15.00 + Feb $11.61 +$15.00= $123.12
================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D SUMMER RESERVE:
2015 Fwd $100.00+ $537.50 Trf from Borscht Fund+Jan $15.00 + Feb $11.61+ Mar$0.00= $664.11
================================================================================
• SUMMARY OF FUNDS Y-T-D:
$ 570.00 Grocery Budget JAN-MAR
$ 9.88 Redeemed Points to Purchase Groceries
($ 123.70) ADDITION TO: Misc Reserves (Re-Stocking, Xmas & Summer)
$ 220.34 REDUCTION TO: Misc Reserves (Re-Stocking, Xmas & Summer)
($ 30.42) Trf to US Grocery Reserve
($ 9.88) Set in reserve to offset Redeemed Points
($ 633.22) Actual CASH SPENT
$ 3.00 AVAILABLE 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 $570.00 has been budgeted Y-T-D for 2016 and we have recorded $268.58 of these funds as “spent” and in fact they have been “saved”:
$ 52.64 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$123.12 Holiday Season Fund
$664.11 Summer Season Fund
$ 30.42 US Shopping Reserve
$ 9.88 Points Redeemed Reserve
OUR CURRENT TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES ARE $880.17. This means the $936.51 that we carried forward from 2015 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $268.58 that we have added in 2016, LESS $324.92 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 + Croissants with fat free cream cheese spread, peanut butter or Cheez Whiz OR Rice Krispies cereal with skim milk
MYSELF: Tetley Tea with Skim Milk & Equal + yogurt, apples, bananas or hard boiled eggs
================================================================================
This week’s LUNCH menu plan:
MON: Peanut Butter Sandwiches with Cottage Cheese / Mary has Creamy Tomato Soup
TUES: Cheesy Potato Soup with Egg Salad Sandwiches & Bread and Butter Pickles
WED: Creamy Tomato Soup with 2 slices leftover pizza
THURS: Roast Beef Sandwiches with Cottage Cheese
FRI (GOOD FRIDAY): Cornmeal Pancakes with Sugar-Free Pancake Syrup
SAT: Ricky’s Restaurant for an Eggs Benedict brunch
SUN (EASTER): Homemade Celery Rice Soup with garlic buttered multi-grain rolls
================================================================================
This week’s DINNER menu plan:
MON: Cheesy Potato Soup with Garlic Bread
TUES: Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
WED: Corned Beef, Mashed Potatoes and Chopped Mediterranean Salad
THURS: Potato Egg Bake and Roasted Cabbage with Onion Dijon Sauce
FRI (GOOD FRIDAY): Hearty Salmon Vegetable Chowder with Carmelized Onion and Spinach Olive Oil Quick Bread
SAT: Roast Chicken Breasts, Mashed Potato and a Cheesy Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole
SUN (EASTER): One Pot Mac and Cheese
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Hi Mary,
You got some spinach 50% off which is great. I’m finding it’s hit or miss these days for pink stickers are Zehrs. I can’t get over how many rain checks you both have. I think it’s great. We picked up a couple of rain checks since the beginning of the year and used one last week for the cream. I have to remind myself to ask for one if a product is out of stock. Your meal plan blows me away. I miss the days when we didn’t have our son and I could plan so much more for the kitchen. When you say peanut butter sandwich with cottage cheese does that mean the cottage cheese is in the sandwich? The cheesy broccoli and cauliflower bake sounds like something the wife can eat. Mac n Cheese for Easter! Brilliant. Your Good Friday Meal is perfect! I think I have some fish in the freezer I may take out in the morning otherwise it’s tuna for us! Happy Easter to you both! Mr.CBB You get ballot 21
No Mr CBB…the cottage cheese is a side dish for hubby’s sandwiches. The sandwiches aren’t enough of a meal to carry the poor guy from breakfast at 6:00 am to dinner at 5:00 pm. So, he always has sandwiches + something. Lots of times it is a container of soup/stew/chili but I also squeeze in things like sweets (quick breads or muffins). Sometimes I add a salad (coleslaw, broccoslaw, German Cucumber & Dill etc.) or a fruit selection of either apples/strawberries/blueberries as another possible alternative. In a pinch, I have even been known to make a homemade trail mix from the baking supplies as his “extra”. It just all depends on what we have on hand and what I haven’t given him in a while.
The Mac N Cheese for Easter is because my hubby just loves the stuff. We’re having homemade soup for lunch so a little heavier dinner is fine but don’t be surprised if I squeeze some veggies into the pot with the pasta! lol 🙂 Larry will be a happy little camper with his pasta main. 🙂
Yearly grocery budget for 4 adults 6000
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $ 500
Grocery Shop This Week
Nofrills
• Bananas- 2.01
• Organic Arugula – 3.97
• Frozen mango- 3.97
• Oranges- 3.97
• 6 avocados- 3.47
• Onions- 2.27
• Apples- 3.97
• Pears- 2.16
• Dates- 4.59
• Pecan pieces- 3.19
• PC chocolate chips- 2.99
• Evaporated milk- .94
• Ketchup- 2.99
• Condensed Milk- 2.88
• Eggs- 2.78
• I l. whipping cream- 3.59
• Sour cream- 2.99
• McCain Fries-1.97
• PC Chicken wings- 13.99
• Large Ham- 13.32
• Pork shoulder- 17.59
• Sourdough bread- 1.99
• bread- 2 X 2.77
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: N/A
• Total in-store discounts to date: $220.91
• Total spent this week: $ 107.13- $20 (Cashed in PC points)= $87.13
• Total spent so far this month: 378.32
• Total under spend for the year: 145.15!
• Total left to spend for the month: $ 121.68
• Total Spent To Date 2016: (does not include pet foods, paper or personal) Jan $1124.10
• Total PC Points cashed to Date 2016- $20
• Total Airmiles this week = NA
• PC Points this week= 1500
• Checkout 51 this week= NA
• Shoppers Optimum this week= NA
Weekly Overview : This was my first time ever cashing in PC points. I used to shop at Thrifty’s and Save-on foods and would cash in points there, but I only recently moved close to a no frills, and initially didn’t even have a PC card.And then it took me a while to realize you only get points on certain items and only if you load the offers LOL. The Ham is for Easter dinner, it was a $1.67 a pound so I grabbed it. The pork shoulder was huge and will be used for a lot of meals.
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 and salad, Chicken, chickpea, spinach curry and rice, Vegetarian chili (twice), Vegetarian Chinese fried rice, Chicken stir fry, Arugula and bean salad + potato salad. And my daughter made me a Birthday cake.
So For next week I have a choice of- Barbecued Pulled pork sandwiches, Barbecued Pulled pork on rice, curried chicken and rice, spaghetti, macaroni and peas, Ham and perogies, Chicken stir fry, Pork fried rice, Mushroom omelets.
Hi Rose,
I love the sounds of the chicken, chickpea, spinach curry and rice. In fact I’m sure the wife and I have made something similar to that in the past. How do you prepare your pulled pork? Pork fried rice sounds nice. I have a thing for rice with tonnes of garlic, fresh ginger, lime and soy sauce. It’s so good.
Yes the load the offers bit is a pain in the backside to be honest. I wish they would just load them and be done with it. Did you get 1 litre of whipping cream for just over $3? WOW that’s a great price. Normally they are $5.99 and up where we are. Even if they go on sale they are still pricey. Do you ever freeze whipped cream? I never had but wonder if that’s an option. I’m sure it is. Happy Belated Birthday Rose 🙂 Well done with your shop and PC points redemption this week. Keep on shopping like a pro. It’s amazing what we learn along the way. I’m glad you sorted out your PC points. Have a great week. MR.CBB You get ballot 22.
Hi Mr CBB
I have a few questions.
What do you do with so much cream? Can you freeze it?
What do you mean by carry over as in “Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $217.05”?
Why do you not cash in your points as they accumulate? Do you save them for something in particular?
Hi Rose
My wife is on a Low Carb High Fat diet and uses cream instead of milk. It has a very long expiry.
The carry over is because we spent over budget the previous month so we make up for it the next.
We haven’t found anything we want to cash them in for yet. We were in looking at what was in the store yesterday though.
P.S You won an online UFILE code.
Hope that answers your questions.
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.
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: 27300
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP)to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Zweet to cash out : $6.00($25.75)
Checkout51 to cash out : $12.75($25.50)
Grocery Shop This Week
No Frills
1 Palmolive dish soap -1.77
2 Downy @ 4.47, 1X .50 coupon
1 mustard -2.00
2 144 count Tetley teabags @4.97
1 4kg Whiskas cat food – 14.49, 3.00 coupon
1 bag sugar -1.97
1 garlic powder -1.69
1 cranberry cocktail -2.47
4 apple sauce @ 1.29, 600 pts
2 tomato paste @.55
1 yogurt -2.97
2lb NN butter @3.88
2 4l milk @ 4.27
1 cheese slices -4.97
20lb bag potatoes -2.97
1 bunch celery -1.99
1 box chicken nuggets -5.99, 500 pts
1 pack chicken breasts -10.83
1 2lb tube lean ground beef- 8.80
2 bagels @2.00
2 W\W bread -1.97
1 raisin bread -2.00
Total OOP -$119.08, 1100 pts, $6.50 coupons
Foodland #1
1 jug water -5.49
2 cases pop @3.69
2 blocks cheese -@ 3.99
1 cream cheese -2.99
2 GG frozen veggies @ 1.99
1 3lb carrots -2.99
Tax -.96
Total OOP -$31.77
Foodland #2
1 jug water -5.49
1 Cheerios -3.99
2 cases ginger ale @ 3.69
1 Temptations cat treats -1.79
2 4l milk @4,88
1 yogurt -3.99
1 ice cream -3.99
1 GG frozen veggies -1.99
1 pack mushrooms -3.99, 50% discount- 2.00
1 fresh sage -1.99
bananas -1.51
1 W\W bread -2.75
Tax- 1.19
Total OOP -$48.03, 2.00 discount
Guardian Drugs, stock pile
3 Dove conditioner @ 3.49
2 Dove shampoo @ 3.49
Total OOP -$17.45, stock pile
Total to spend this month $650.00
Stockpile budget 2016 $25.00
Stockpile budget used this month: $26.44, over for the month by $1.44
Total coupons used this week: $6.50
Total coupons used to date: $22.50
Total in-store discounts this week:$2.00
Total in-store discounts to date: $64.72
Total spent this week: $198.88
Total spent so far this month: $417.08
Total over/Under spend this shop: over
Total over/Under spend for the month: $ under
Total left to spend for the month: $232.92
Total Spent To Date 2016: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $579.69+ Feb $628.96+March $
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts) Made it into Stratford and No Frills. Some of No Frills was Easter goodies so it isn’t listed as groceries. I had a bunch of coupons but I couldn’t remember all of them and a couple were Easter as well. I’m in good shape for the month and with groceries. The biggest thing now will be sales and such to add to things. I have my turkey for Easter and that will provide some meals. This is something the younger boy brought home from helping at the food bank so no cost to us. I went over slightly on the stock pile amount but I have been under in Jan. and Feb. and that little underage is enough to balance things out.
Hi Christine,
Did you get 600 points on top of the great deal on the apple sauce? Great stock up shop Christine. What does your son do at the Food Bank when he volunteers? Does he go often? Did you make any turkey soup with your carcass? Do you ever shop at Freshco or Food Basics or do you just go to No Frills when you get into town? You get ballot #28. MR.CBB
The 600 points were for buying the apple sauce. He helps sort, date and shelf the product as it comes in. They had lots of food there at Christmas that some was boxed and set aside so he has been unpacking, sorting and shelving those boxes. He has been going three mornings a week since before Christmas. The girls are quite happy to have his help.
I’ve made turkey soup but soup isn’t that popular here, hubby can be fussy and the texture seems to be off putting for the older boy. The stock and meat still gets eaten, one way or another!!
Going to No Frills means I don’t go all the way into town as it is on the outskirts on the west end and I go right by it coming in off the back way. Food Basics is at the east end coming in. We don’t have a Freshco in Stratford but I have seen a sign for it in south London, just not quite sure how to get there.
Week 3 – March 20 – 26
• Grocery budget to work with in March: $200
• Total coupons used this week: $1.99
• Total coupons used to date: $1.99
• Total RCSS gas coupons used this week: $0
• Total RCSS gas coupons used to date: $7.20
• Total Giant Tiger Enviro bag credit this week: $0
• 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: $2.75
• Total student discounts to date: $21.78
• Total tax savings RCSS this week: $0
• Total tax savings RCSS to date: $0
• Total spent this week: $29.80
• Total spent so far this month: $94.65
• Total left to spend for the month: $50
• Carry over: $0
• Total in carry over jar: $0
• Total overspent to make up in future months: $26.90
• Total Spent To Date 2015: $626.90
Giant Tiger: Eggs 2 x 1.98: Total paid 3.95 rounded down 1 cent
Shoppers Drug Mart: Milk 4.27: Total paid 4.25 rounded down 2 cents
RCSS: Taco seasoning 1.25, Christie Crackers 1.99 less FPC coupon, Coke Zero 2 x. 97 (PM), Green Giant frozen peas 1.98, Spartan apples 4 lb 3.98, carrots 3 lb 1.97 (PM), Bananas 2.21, onions 3 lb 1.77 (PM), Oil of Olay soap 4.49, Crest Pro Health for me toothpaste 3 x 1.11 clearance, Crest Pro health for me toothpaste 2.44 – scan code free, less student discount 2.75 plus tax 1.43: Total 21.60
It’s another decent week. I needed toothpaste for my son and was initially disappointed when I went to buy it off of the shelf since it was empty. On a lucky break, I found it on clearance and bought them all. It’s so hard to find something for my son to use that doesn’t have the foaming agent in that he’s allergic to. Short term, we got a great deal with 4 tubes with one being free for SCOP. Unfortunately, long term, I may have to start the hunt over again for toothpaste for my son once these tubes are gone. I am grateful for what I got no matter what.
I knocked off another $20.20 on the overspend. I am getting closer and closer to getting rid of it altogether.
Hi Angela,
It’s nice to hear you are knocking off that over-spend the way you have been doing. Don’t you love when you find clearance of something you regularly buy? I would have done the same thing. What kind does he use? or it the Crest Pro Health for me? Great deal either way on toothpaste. Well done. You get ballot #32. Mr.CBB
Yes, my son uses the Crest Pro Health For Me 8+ toothpaste. I do love the clearance, I just am sad for the frustration that I may have to find a new product for my son to use. I would pay full price forever if we could use it forever. Oh well, I will take the bonus on this one and then worry about it later.
Our weekly budget is $125 making this month $625
Walmart
$1.67×4 crackers
.50×2 Swedish berries – clearance
$7.75 total oop
H&W Produce
$2.49 blackberries
$2.99 1lb strawberries
$5.50 total oop
Superstore
$1.88×2 pc croutons
$2 tray buns
$2 cheesy flaky buns
3/$5 old mill bread
$1.37 nacho cheese mix
.85 nn canned mandarins
$2.99 pie shells
$2.38 asparagus
$2.69, $1.37 sweet potatoes – 28clb!!!!!!!!!!
$1.34 2L pop
$2 dzn doughnuts
$1, $1.99 potty reward stickers
$1.97×4-.50Cx4 special k fruit crisps
$2.98 fruit loops 3000Pwub$10kelloggs
$1.78 nn sour cream
$3.28-$1C cherry geek yogurt
$1.84 bananan
$5.94 strawberries 2lb 300P
$2.97×4-$2.50Cx4 Maple leaf bacon
$53.48 total oop
$13 total coupons
Shoppers
$2.29×2 dzn eggs
.99cx3 stove top turkey
.99cx3 stove top chicken -don’t expire till 2017!
$10.50 total oop
Sobeys
$3.49 snap peas
$2.35xx 4L chocolate milk – clearance short dated
$3.49×4-$1Cx4 athentikos yogurt – rain cheque
$2.33×4 2L homo milk
$1.79-50%GMO green leaf lettuce
$2.50-$2C naturals wieners
$4.50-50%GMO top dogs wieners
$31.14 total oop
$7 total coupons
NoFrills
$1.77×12-$1Cx12 Palmolive dish soap
$4.97 nn flour 10kg
$2.77 pasta shells
$1.47 broccoli
$1.67×4 blueberries
.97×8 hunts pasta sauce 1600P
$2.07 1L coffee creamer
$1.97×20 270g BD cheese brick
$3.56 green grapes
$1.97 pineapple
$1.44, $1.48 acorn squash
$2.66 butternut squash
$88.01 total oop
$12 total coupons
London drugs
$4.99×5-$4.99Cx5 Lubriderm lotion
.99×14-.99Cx14 aero chocolate bar
$4.99×8-$4.99Cx8 whole blends shamp/condign
$5.99×4-$5.50Cx4 royale tiger towels
$5.99×8-$5.99Cx8 royale velour toilet paper
$13.70 total oop
$15067 total coupons
$210.08 total weekly oop
$182067 total weekly coupons
$534.08 total monthly oop
$642.12 total monthly coupons
I am over this week and already know I will be over this month. But I wanted to really stock up on cheese, dish soap, yogurt and crackers while they were cheap. Also bought things like bacon, pasta sauce and flour cause they were still on sale and it will help the budget in the long run.
Also had an amazing shop at London drugs and the one cashier is amazing and encourages me to grab whatever I need/want where some of the cashiers that deal with coupon stacking only want you to grab a few things at a time. The cashier also knows I have my coupon stacks pre-organized, paper clipped with a note saying what they are worth, so all she has to do is check dates and upcs and she is pretty fast so I can be in a out of there in less than half an hour. There is a limit of 4 when price matching another store but if it I their weekly sales they don’t care how much you grab. I usually one go in the evening after work as it isn’t very busy then so I know I wont be holding up a line of other shoppers or the staff during their busy time during the day. I also can not shop fri-sun as they are too busy to deal with any coupon stackers and I am more than ok with following the rules especially since almost everything I get is free….well I still have to pay the tax on it so as close to free as possible.
Hi Juanita,
Great deal on the sweet potatoes. I want to make that potty chart like you have for your daughter. How can I do that? Our son is starting to rip his diaper off so I don’t know if that’s a sign or not. lol Every time I see your stacking at London Drugs I get jealous. I really wish we could stack in Ontario. Great score!! I love all that chocolate too! I should write a post about coupon stacking but I have no idea how it all works. I might have to get you to help me. How to become a coupon stacking pro. Share your story, photo of your stockpile etc… thoughts? Great shop. You get ballot #16. MR.CBB
Hey Mr.CBB
I almost wish I grabbed more sweet potatoes cause it was such an amazing price!
I will take a couple pics of her potty posters and send them to you 🙂 then you can make whatever type you want.
I am always very happy when I get to have a good London drugs stacking shops and know that I am very lucky and try to share, donate what I can when I can.
I will try my best to help you with a post……..as for a pic of my stockpile……I would need to organize it cause it is controlled chaos downstairs.