Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
I’ve been freshened up ever so lightly with water mist as I’m looking through fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, and for some reason, it makes me happy.
Sound familiar?
Consumer conditioning is most likely, but understanding the reasons behind this lavish Canadian and American way of selling produce is more than the just-picked look.
Trade secrets?
Not likely; however, there are pros and cons to benefiting from the water mist psychologically and financially from both the store and customer perspective.
Water Mist Is More Than Just A Pretty Apple
Back in the UK, I was never introduced to this type of care for produce as it’s not a used practice.
Judging by our recent visit to the UK, using automated water misting machines still isn’t on the market. *note- that I am aware of.
Most often, I would go by the sweeter the smell, the sweeter the taste ideal when making my purchases.
This is why I find it incredibly important to smell what you buy before you buy it.
Our son thinks the automatic water mist machines at the grocery store are exciting.
He acts all giddy when he can see the mist in the back display mirrors (another illusion of freshness and attention-grabbing methods).
Customers view produce with a water mist stream glistening of fruits and vegetables similarly but from a consumer’s point of view.
To Water Mist Or Not To Water Mist
We view foods we want to eat and buy that appear fresh, clean, and of the best quality over those that don’t have the water mist appearance.
On the other hand, if there is no water mist, you’d likely still buy it, especially if it’s not a practice you’re used to seeing.
This makes the manual or automated water mist machine process crucial for grocers offering this specialty service.
The benefit is not all for the customer, though I am surprised I’m not. A fresher, heavier product makes dollars and sense on their end of the cash register.
When a product stays heavy and fresh, it rings at a higher price.
When it starts to wilt away, it gets lighter and less expensive for the buyer, with potential profit loss for the grocer.
Freshness is essential to any grocer, but quickly moving products with a short shelf-life out the door is even more critical.
Have you ever noticed that the produce section stares you in the face when you walk into the grocery store? Now you know why.
Add the smells of the fresh bakery, deli-fresh meats, seafood, and dairy all along the perimeter, and you’ve got a cash cow.
Too Much Water Mist
What happens when the store water mists too much?
Sometimes, too much of something means that you either overdo it or it causes the opposite effect of what you set out to do.
By this, I mean when grocers water mists their produce too much, the opposite of crispy, fresh farm-picked happens.
Well, it is possible to saturate produce until it begins to mold or rot.
Many of you understand what I mean because you’ve had it happen in your refrigerator plenty of times.
This is another reason we clean our refrigerator out as often as possible.
But spraying can also limit shelf life, he said, because the extra water lets micro-organisms start degrading and eventually spoiling plant tissue.- Source
Think about the moisture in your crisper drawers, produce stuck in plastic bags (remove) for long periods, or a bowl of grapes immersed in water.
All excess moisture goes straight into the produce and sometimes causes the rotting, or what I like to say, the “mush” process begins.
If it’s suitable for the bugs, it’s good for you!
My father-in-law says this is another reason you may find rotting fruits on fruit trees, excess rain, or lack of moisture.
The other reason is happy bugs or an illness the tree is suffering.
I had to laugh one day because he said, “If it’s good for the bugs, it’s good for you.”
Never throw out an apple because a bug hole just cut around it.
Fair enough, I thought.
One tip he gave me this summer while we were in his garden was to soak any greens from the park, such as lettuce, kale, and rapini, in cold water to clean.
Once you remove it from the water, drain it on a paper towel until the excess water dries up.
Finally, roll down a grocery bag so the lettuce can breathe, but add a paper towel to soak up moisture.
In the meantime, water mist the leaves to keep them fresh longer in the refrigerator.
I believe anything he says after seeing the outrageous garden he grows yearly.
I’m not joking; it’s hugely organic and complex not to eat fruit and vegetables from the vines or trees.
I’m entirely comfortable doing this without worrying about whether I’ve washed garden-fresh tomatoes, figs, or grapes from the vine.
I suppose there is something comforting in picking your fruits and vegetables over buying them from the grocery store.
On that note, always wash your fruits and vegetables when you get home before eating because you don’t know where they’ve been or what they’ve touched.
Many products are also coated with a wax called ‘Fruit Waxing‘ to increase shelf-life by keeping moisture and controlling bruising from transportation.
Hydration Is Money
When a product loses luster and starts to look like it has seen better days, that means the grocery store loses money.
That might mean the veggies and fruits land on the reduced rack, waste, or weigh less on the produce scale.
What does that mean?
That means less money for the supermarket because dehydrated products weigh less and thus cost less.
Have you ever left apples on the counter for weeks and noticed they shriveled up?
This is what happens to fruits and vegetables after time without hydration.
Hydration in the ground or on a tree happens naturally from nature or growers who water their gardens.
When water loss goes beyond hydration, products wilt as if they are aging.
Once picked, keeping vegetables and fruits hydrated keeps them plump and healthy looking for longer.
Consider putting your spring onions in water and watch how they perk up.
Leave them out in your refrigerator and watch them wilt away.
Keep your asparagus hydrated by doing the same thing.
Do the same thing with your herbs!
In the summer, we grow a tonne of fresh organic basil, and when we bring it in for cooking, we add the stems to water in a glass to keep them fresh for longer.
This works for almost any herb, but clean and change your water daily.
I suggest changing water daily for any vegetables you may store in water, such as chopped celery, asparagus, and spring onions.
Display/Presentation
You can wash a bruised fruit all you want, which won’t keep it fresh any longer, but it can keep it looking gorgeous until someone buys it or eats it up.
If you owned a grocery store, you would want your fruits and vegetables to look colorful and attention-grabbing.
If you fail at both, you might lose business because consumers want to spend their money on the best quality products they can find but for less.
By perking up the color of produce with water mist, it gives the perception of freshness; crispy just picked from the farm vibes.
Would you rather spend your money on wilted, dry-looking lettuce or vibrant, crisp lettuce with a water mist on the leaves?
If you’ve never been conditioned to this process, you might for the wilted look, which is common if produce doesn’t fly off the shelves in the UK, but in Canada, glistening is best.
Cleanliness
Finally, we all love a clean, sparkly vehicle because it looks new again; the same goes for produce.
If you’ve ever been to a fruit orchard early in the morning or your back garden to pick, you most likely will notice dew drops of water or mist on the trees.
The sensory experience I get from picking an apple like this and eating it screams fresh, crisp, and clean.
I confess more goes into my belly than the basket at times.
All the happy findings a consumer craves when sourcing produce, especially organic.
Unfortunately, not everyone can pick fruit, especially when it is out of season, so the next best place is the grocery store, market, or farm (in-season).
The allure of cleanliness makes our eyes sparkle and drives us to buy!
Not All Produce Gets A Water Mist
Although using a water mist will keep produce looking lovely for longer, some vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes, zucchini, yams, onions, and those with a wax covering won’t need a water mist.
The skins on the outside help keep moisture in for far longer.
Discussion: What have I missed about why grocers water mist their produce?
Perhaps you’ve worked in the produce department and have the inside scoop.
February Grocery Game Challenge
Join the 2018 Grocery Game Challenge (GGC), but before you do, read The Grocery Game Challenge Rules and print the 2018 schedule.
In this section, I will post each week’s grocery game challenge blog posts for the month.
February GGC Posts
- Last shop January- 4 Simple Ways To Cash In On Weekly Specials
2018 Grocery Shop Results
Yearly grocery budget for two + 1 Toddler 2018: $3600 or $300/month (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 or that you would like to track on your own.)
- Total Grocery Budget for this Month: $300
- Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs: $300
- Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
- Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
- Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
- PC Optimum Points Earned to date: 1,800,000
- Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
- Zweet – $0.
- Checkout51- $1.50
Our Grocery Shop This Week
Zehrs
- Knoxx Gelatin $6.99
- Gay Lea Sour Cream $1.99 500 ml
- 2 x Neilson Milk $8.70
- Clementines 4lb $3.97
- PC Cider $4.99-50% $2.50
- Spartan Apples 4lbs $5.99-50% $3.00
- Lettuce Iceberg $1.47
- Bananas $1.66
- Green Onion $0.99
- PC Pork Chops 2 packs $6.00-50% $3.00 ea $6.00
- 3 x Maple Breakfast Sausages $6.29 each -50% =$3.15 each $9.45
- Castello Creamy Blue Cheese $6.10-50% $3.05
Total Out-of-Pocket $49.93
Note: All totals below already have tax factored into them.
- Total to spend this month: $300- $23.05 overage from January $276.95
- Stockpile budget 2018: $25.00/month
- Stockpile budget used this month: $0
- Christmas Reserve Fund: $35/month Jan, Feb $70 Saved
- Total coupons used this week: $0
- Total coupons used to date: $0
- Total in-store discounts this week: $34.32
- Total in-store deals to date: $24.00
- Total spent this week: $49.93
- Total spent so far this month: $49.93
- Total over/Under spend this shop: under
- Total left to spend for the month: $227.02
- Total Spent To Date 2018: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $323.04+Feb $+March $ + April $+ May $ + June $+July $+August $+September $+ October $+ November $ + December $
Final Thoughts
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who have completed the first month of the Grocery Game Challenge!!!
Woohoo, you’ve made it, and now you have 11 more months to go with me, so don’t back down now.
Wait until you see how much money you have saved and spent over the year.
We had a small shop this week since we had enough food in the house.
Our little guy is back on the milk again.
As you might have noticed, we’ve been buying it more frequently again.
We are watering it down hoping he eats more food, but we suspect he’s in a growth spurt again.
Mr.CBB
2018 Coupons and Coupon Apps
Here are some great places you can find Canadian Coupons!
We’re finding fewer and fewer coupons in the stores these days.
What are your thoughts? Are coupon apps taking over paper coupons?
If you notice I’m missing a valuable link, please message me, and I’ll add it to the savings list below.
Sign up for the Nielsen Canada Home Scan Program, and you can earn rewards points fast to redeem for awesome products or gift cards. I did this in the UK and loved it!!
Where can I find Canadian Coupons 2018?
Plus, check out these other hidden areas online to get more coupons!!
If any links below don’t open properly, please report them to my email address or use the comment form.
- Danone Coupons: Get up to $25 in coupons
- Kraft Canada: Sign up and receive recipes and coupons by email
- MySavings.com Printable Smart Source Coupons
- Walmart Canada Printable Coupons
- Proctor and Gamble PandG Sign up for printable coupons
- Hidden Coupon Portals You Should Know About – I found this over at Save a Loonie and you’ll want to sign up for notifications and check out the site so you get notified every time a hidden coupon is available from Save.ca, Brandsaver, Smart Source, etc.
Grocery Game Challenge 2018 FAQ’s
- Grocery Game Challenge RULES: Read the rules first, and if you have any questions, email me or comment on this post with your questions, and someone will answer you as soon as possible.
- Do you stockpile food? We don’t mind stockpiling items that won’t be affected by expiry dates or have long expiry dates, but not so much food any longer as we found we weren’t eating it fast enough. Stockpiling is still great and is just one way to help cut your budget and save money if you find items you can buy in bulk at a sale price.
- What is the Best Flyer App- We use Flipp on our iPhone, so if you want to have all your flyers in one spot download Flipp from the Apple Store or get it on Google Play.
If you want to learn everything I know about grocery shopping in Canada check out my Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide!
You’ve decided to take control of your grocery budget.
Now show me your shops and let’s get saving!
-Mr.CBB
FEBRUARY – Week #1 of 4- Feb 5-11, 2018
2018 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00 for 2 adults
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REMARKS FOR THE MONTH:
Before we start our FEBRUARY shopping off though, I am going to make my usual monthly “reserve” transfers:
Grocery:
$ 190.00 for the month
($ 15.00) trf to re-stocking – normally $15.00
($ 15.00) trf to holiday reserve–normally 15.00
($ 15.00) trf to summer reserve–normally 15.00
($ 0.00) trf to US Reserve –normally $45.00
CANADIAN Grocery Balance $145.00
I allowed extra dollars in our grocery budget for FEBRUARY since we have both the Family Day long weekend and Valentine’s Day to celebrate.
REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
This week we shopped a little but next week we’ll be shopping in a BIG way and on both sides of the border!
Here’s the supper line-up at our house this week:
MONDAY:
Habitant Pea Soup with a side of coleslaw
TUESDAY – after my dentist appointment:
Roasted Potatoes, Onions, Carrots, Celery, Mushrooms, Cauliflower with Cheesy Scrambled Eggs with a splash of Hot Sauce
WEDNESDAY – after my dentist appointment:
Oatmeal with Raisins & Brown Sugar
THURSDAY:
Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn & Ham
FRIDAY – after my 2nd dentist appointment::
Skillet Mac & Cheese with Mixed Vegetables
SATURDAY:
Dinner out at the local pub with our friend to celebrate her 65th…hubby loves their burger specials & I’m a fan of their salads
SUNDAY:
Tuna Melts with a side green salad
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OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING:
Kin’s FARM MARKET – Maple Ridge <-– Market is on hubby's lunch hour walk route! ?
10 Roma Tomatoes for $2.00
• Grocery Budget OOP: $2.00
—————————————————————–
MERIDIAN FARM MARKET – Maple Ridge –
4 Green Onions @ 2 for $1 = $2.00 <-– they were huge too!
• Grocery Budget OOP: $2.00
—————————————————————–
Thrifty Foods – Maple Ridge –
6 Buttercup WW Bread @ $1 ea = $6
4 Compliments Garden Salad @ $1 ea = $4
8 Jello @ $1 ea = $8
2 Compliments Tomato Paste @ $1 ea = $2 <-– in 10 oz. cans!
• Grocery Budget OOP: $20.00
** Earned 1 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $18.66 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Kin’s FARM MARKET – Maple Ridge –
1 Cauliflower $2.00 <-– I love raw cauliflower as a snack!
• Grocery Budget OOP: $2.00
—————————————————————–
WALMART – Maple Ridge –
1 pkg Hot Dogs $4.27
2 Pillsbury Wiener Wraps @ $1.67 ea = $3.34
• Grocery Budget OOP: $7.61 <– Guess who this is for? And no, it's not me!
—————————————————————–
Save On Foods – Maple Ridge – CASE LOT SALE
2 cases Green Giant Cream Style Corn @ $11.99 ea = $23.98 <– been out for a while so happy, happy! ?
1 Pamela’s GF AP Flour $21.99 <– my spare. I hate starting to bake and discovering I need more flour! ?
2 WF Cheddar Light 700g @ $5.99 ea = $11.98
2 WF Marble Cheese 700g @ $5.99 ea = $11.98
2 WF Old Cheddar 700g @ $5.99 ea = $11.98
1 WF Mozzarella 700g @ $5.99
Total Re-Stocking Reserve: $87.90
** Earned 88 MORE Points on this shop **
** SAVED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $47.80 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
—————————————————————–
Safeway – Maple Ridge –
2 Celery @ $1 ea =$2.00
4 Honey Garlic Pepperoni @ $8.19 ea = $32.76
2 Imitation Crab @ $5.99 ea = $11.98
12 Coke & Pepsi Products $1 ea = $12.00
EHC & Deposit $2.88
GST $0.82
• TOTAL Re-Stocking Reserve OOP: $62.44
** Earned 3 Air Miles on this shop **
** SAVED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** SAVED $10.90 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
* This shop earned a discount coupon for $0.04 off per litre on gasoline
=============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING:
OUR NEXT USA SHOP WILL BE NEXT WEEK
=============================================================================================
2018 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year: $89.50
•Total Coupons/Rain Checks Used This Year: $0.00
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year: 88 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year: 4 Air Miles
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year: 0 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year: 0 Points
=============================================================================================
• SUMMARY OF FUNDS Y-T-D:
$ 380.00 Grocery Budget JAN
($123.32) NET RESERVE TRANSFERS
($ 146.29) Actual CASH SPENT
$ 110.39 AVAILABLE Y-T-D GGC SPENDING NOT INCL RESERVES
• RESERVES Y-T-D:
$ 385.35 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$ 132.59 Holiday Season Fund + $220 RCSS POINTS + $10 Dream Air Miles + $10 RCSS Gift Card +
$50 RCSS Gift Card = $407.59
$ 679.59 Summer Season Fund
$ 556.87 US Shopping Reserve
$ 42.32 GGC Savings Reserve
$ 0.00 Points Redeemed Reserve
OUR CURRENT TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES ARE $1,796.72. This means the 1,761.30 that we carried forward from 2017 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $185.76 that we have added in 2018, LESS $150.34 that we have drawn out for use in 2018.
=============================================================================================
I am usually a silent follower and avid reader of cbb. I am going to try the challenge again. I did it once but fell off the wagon. I am starting with February because everything is crazy in January ? My budget is a bit higher than last time I played /posted( I believe it was at 190) as this year I will travel one week per month until June. I have no clue how that will play out for me, wish me luck. Any money left will go to the travel fund.
My paycheck comes on the 29th so my budget and month go from 29th of January to 28th of February. Everything is in Euro as I am from Austria?
Total grocery budget this year for one adult 205*12 =2460
Total grocery budget February 205
My purchases Jan 29 to Feb 05
Store denns
4 onions 0.72
500g Organic Gala apples 1.85
Chia seeds 500g 4.99
Brown rice 1kg 4.69
Rice coconut drink 1l 2.59
Total oop 14.84
Store hofer
Avocado 2 2.19
Can kidney beans 0.49
Total oop 2.68
Store Billa
Melon 1.79
Total oop 1.79
Total to spend this month 205
Total spent this week 19.31
Total over/under this week under
Total over/under this month under
Total left to spend 185.69
Total spent to this date January 134.05
We have no couponing in Austria which makes me sad. I try to make the most of the weekly sales items though and buy seasonal produce.
Weekly thoughts
Yeah, happy I got under 25 in my first week in Feb as this was my goal/challenge. I have started meal planning again and it helps a lot. I really want to eliminate food waste . I only needed to stock up two items as I had quite a bit left from January. I do bi- weekly meal plans as it helps me use up what I buy in week one. I mostly eat vegetarian at home and save the meat for eating out which happens about every 10 days or so.
My meals this week
Mushroom sauce and gnocchi
Chia pudding and melon
Pancakes and jam, cherries
Crispy chickpeas for snacks and salad
Spicy tomato soup
Baked potato and broccoli +salad
Fruit salad
My summer reserve sits currently at 335.15
My holiday reserve sits at zero
Week 1 February 5 – 11
February Monthly budget $240 ($60 per week)
January Costco budget $80 ($20 per week)
Total Spent Grocery this week: $81.60
Total Spent this month: $81.60
Total Spent Costco this week: $0
Total Spent Costco this month: $0
Grocery left to spend: $158.40
Costco left to spend: $80
Coupons used: $0
Coupons to date: $0
PC Optimum Redemption: $0
PC Optimum Redemption to date: $0
Checkout 51 Opening Balance: $134.45
Checkout 51 weekly offers redeemed: $0
Checkout 51 Current balance: $134.45
Checkout 51 Cheque Redemption: $0
Checkout 51 Cheque Redeemed to date: $0
Grocery carry over: $7.50
Costco carry over: $3.30
RCSS
Heinz Beans assorted variety 6 x 1.00
VH Dipping Sauce 2 x 2.00
Croutons 1.78
Salt 1.18
Premium Plus crackers 3.78
Hellmans Mayo 3.98
Milk 4.27
Avocado bag 1.98
Cremini Mushrooms 2 x 1.48
Apples 4.99
3 Pk English Cucumbers 4.49
Carrots 1.99
Bananas .99
Pineapple 1.98
Romaine Hearts 4.98
Lean Ground Beef Club Pack 9.50, 9.66, 9.61
Whole Wheat bread 2 x 2.48 less 30% (1.48)
Total 81.60
Ran out of a lot of things this week. Empty fridge and cupboards starting to need a few things. Went into the store this week to do my own shop. I was a little disappointed with last week, but I also wanted to check out any sales that you don’t see online. I went in with my usual list and in reality I spend about $20 more this week than when I did the click and collect. I see both positive and negatives in the service. However, my extra $20 came from ground beef. It was on my list to buy a pack of meat, but when I was in the store, they were clearing out the club packs at ridiculously low prices because best before date was only a day or two away. So, short term loss, long term gain. I cooked up one package and separated it out for 4 meals (3 frozen and 1 for dinner right away), the other package was split into three and frozen separately not cooked and the last package was directly put into the freezer for one big meal – likely a big pot of child with family over. Altogether satisfied with this week. We won’t likely have as big of a shop next week because we have so much going on – hockey lol!
Yearly grocery budget for 4 adults -$7800.(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 or that you would like to track on your own)
Total Grocery Budget for this Month: $650
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $650
Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
Total Rewards Points used to date: $40., 380 Air Miles
PC Optimum Points Earned to date: 174746
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Zweet -$13.25
Checkout51- $8.50
Our Grocery Shop This Week
Foodland
1 jug water -5.49
1 can catfood -.79
2 4l milk @4.27
1 Baileys coffee creamer -2.99
2 Stouffers dinners @2/5.00
2 Cheemo perogies @3.00
1 frozen fries -2.79
1 green pepper -1.81
1 10lb bag potatoes -3.99
1 3lb bag carrots -2.49
Bananas -1.48
1 package lean ground beef- 7.03, 30% discount, 2.11 savings
2 bagels @3.00
Total Out-of-Pocket $58.67, $2.11 discount
Note: All totals below already have tax factored into them.
Total to spend this month : $650.
Stockpile budget 2018 : $25.00/month
Stockpile budget used this month: $0
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $9.00
Total in-store discounts this week: $2.11
Total in-store discounts to date: $14.59
Total spent this week: $58.67
Total spent so far this month: $58.67
Total over/Under spend this shop: under
Total left to spend for the month: $591.33
Total Spent To Date 2018: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $565.41 +Feb $+March $ + April $+ May $ + June $+July $+August $+September $+ October $+ November $ + December $
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts)
Because I had that shop on the last day of the January for here, I was over for that week. But it meant that I really didn’t need much at all for this week. The Baileys coffee creamer gets added to a hot chocolate and tastes so good!! I don’t drink coffee, so that is my little indulgence, only bought if I can get it on sale. The Stouffers were supposed to be for hubby but the boys ate them while we were in London for a medical appointment for hubby. Oh well…..
Week 6 – Feb 2 – 8/18
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $2.25
Total Points = 20,000
Total Out Of Pocket: $143.8
Human
2 Classico Sauce = $4.96
6 NN Mushrooms = $7.74
6 NN Tuna = $7.74
2 Christie Ritz Crackers – $5.56 ($0.50 Coupon) = $5.06
4 – 450 g NN Cheese = $13.76
4 L 2% Milk = $4.27
2.27 Kg PC Meat Lasagna – $12.00 ($1.00 Coupon) = $11.00
750 g NN Mixed Vegetables = $2.68
2 – 1.13 Kg Chicken Lasagna = $9.96
2 Delissio Pizza = $6.66
Bananas – 0.990 Kg = $1.25
Ground Beef & Ground Pork -$22.69 (30% Pink Sticker) = $15.88
2 Lean Ground Beef = $27.93
PC Cinnamon Raisin Bread = $2.98
2 Wonder WW Bread = $4.96
Pillar Kielbassa = $4.48
Cats
No Shop
Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the 2 Adults ($1820.00)
Total Human (Adults) this Week Period: $143.8
Total Human (Adults) to Date: $271.63 (minus Debt pymt & Gift Cards) = $255.31
Total Grocery Budget for the 3 Cats ($390)
Total Cats this Week Period: $
Total Cats to Date: $120.07 (minus Debt pymt & Gift Cards) = $72.18
Total Grocery Budget for the Personal Hygiene ($390)
Total Personal Hygiene this Week Period: $26.21
Total Personal Hygiene to Date: $55.5 (minus Debt pymt & Gift Cards) = $31.23
Total Coupons Used this Week Period: $2.25
Total Coupons Used To Date: $2.25
Total Grocery Savings for this Week Period: $
Total Grocery Savings to Date: $25.75
Total Price Match for this Week Period: $
Total Price Match to Date: $1.18
Total PC Points Received this Week Period: 20,000
Total PC Rewards Points Used this Week Period:
Total PC Rewards To Date: 51,018
Overview: Too advantage of obtaining $20 worth of groceries, in addition, to creating a household for my daughter and myself for the new PC Optimum Points. Will have to wait and see how long these points stay available for use. This week, stocked up on items that I don’t normally purchase, as well on items that we needed. This should last for a couple of weeks, besides the normal weekly items.
FEBRUARY 5-11
Yearly Budget for 1 Adult $2400 or $200/mo
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $182.54
STORE: NO FRILLS
-Rice Krispies $2.97
-Cheerios $2.87
-Aroy D Coconut Milk $1.28
-PC Chicken Broth $1.77
-PC Organics Carrots 2lb $1.97
Total Out Of Pocket $10.86
STORE: KIN’S FARM MARKET
-Pomelo $2.50
-1 lb Strawberries $2.99
Total Out of Pocket $5.49
STORE: SUPERSTORE
-Lime $0.37
-Medium Ground Pork (@3.28/lb) $7.00
-Sourdough Bread $2.48
-2 Sunrise Tofu Dessert $2.00
Total Out of Pocket $11.85
STORE: T&T
-3 x Shelled Chestnuts $4.00
-Fresh White Dumpling Wrappers $2.49
-Sticky Rice Roll $4.73 (my lunch)
-Cilantro $0.69
-Tangerines (@0.98/lb) $0.63
-Jinmi Radish Kimchi $5.88
Total Out of Pocket $18.42
POINTS OVERVIEW
Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
Total Rewards used to date: $42.61
PC Optimum Points Balance: 20541
PC Optimum Points Redeemed: $0
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
COUPON APPS
Checkout51- $6.95
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK
Total to spend this month : $200 minus overage $17.46
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $0
Total in-store discounts this week: $0
Total in-store discounts to date: $0
Total spent this week: $46.62
Total spent so far this month: $46.62
Total over/Under spend this shop ($50/wk): previous month over $17.46+Wk1 under $3.38= over $14.08
Total left to spend for the month: $135.92
Total Spent To Date 2018: Jan $217.46
WEEKLY OVERVIEW
I’ve been trying to reduce the number of times I go grocery shopping to weekends and buying based on my meal plan and flyer deals. It seems to be going alright. I still get sidetracked a bit but I’ve been avoiding going into some aisles. I only shop mid week for the occasional fruit or to stock up on essentials. It’s early stages but I feel my spending has improved. And I love leftovers and having no-cook/cook-lite days.
Meal plan next week:
Lunch – Hummus and carrots/celery (freezer/fridge). Don’t need to buy ingredients next week.
Dinner 1 – Homemade pork/shrimp dumplings. I am planning to make enough this long weekend to freeze for other weeks too. Need to buy shrimp.
Dinner 2 – Butter chicken over rice with side salad (pantry/fridge). Don’t need to buy ingredients next week.
Dinner 3 – cold soba noodles with shrimp (pantry/fridge/freezer) https://haleysuzanne.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/cold-soba-noodles-with-spicy-chilisauce/ – Don’t need to buy ingredients next week (except the shrimp which I would have already bought for the dumplings)
Week 6- Feb 5-11
Weekly Budget ($140 for a family of 3)
Total to date: $149.10
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $600
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK
Total Coupons Used: $ 0
Total PC Points Redeemed:
Total PC Points Earned:
STORE: Independent
-PC Frozen Fruit (2) $6.05
Total Out Of Pocket: $6.05
STORE: BM Produce
-Leek $1.09
-Roma Tomato $2.41
-Organic Banana $7.39
-Organic Broccoli $2.68
-Zucchini $0.97
-Organic Pepper Bag (2) $6.56
-Strawberry (2) $7.00
-Ambrosia Apple 5lb $4.98
-Celery $1.98
-White Mushroom $0.64
-Lemon (2) $1.50
Total Out Of Pocket: $37.20
STORE: Costco
-Gouda Cheese $8.99
-Coffee $13.49
Total Out Of Pocket: $22.50
STORE: Pomme
-Rice Milk small pack (2) $2.85
Total Out Of Pocket: $2.85
STORE: Bakery
-Black Forest Ham $2.04
-Havarti $1.50
-Hotdog Buns $0.39
Total Out Of Pocket: $4.32
STORE: Save On Foods
-Pork Chop (6) $10.23
-Chicken Breast (4) $6.04
-Chicken Thighs $6.44
-Pineapple $2.47
-WF Brown Egg $3.49
-Eggless Mayonnaise $4.23
-Elias Honey $8.99
-Kettle Chips (2) $4.96
-Nature’s Path Granola $3.49
-Organic Banana $1.75
-Organic Carrots 2lb $2.29
-True Almond milk $2.98
-Garlic $1.50
Total Out Of Pocket: $34.15
*used $25 Bread Rebates
STORE: Fujiya
-Seaweed $4.75
-Rice $32.78
Total Out Of Pocket: $37.53
STORE: Butcher
-Pork Sausages (3) $4.55
Total Out Of Pocket: $4.55
Weekly Overview
I tried to spend minimum on everyday groceries in order to buy a bag of rice. It was $9.10 over budget this week, but I am quite happy about the result. The $25 Bread Rebates from Save On Foods helped me to buy meats. Continued making 2 loaves of bread a week. Making muffins, pancakes and apple crumbles help me stay away from the bakery. We need to buy seafoods and nuts next week. I hope we can find a good deal.
February week#2 06-11
Available to spend with rollover from last week 56.94 €
Store dm
1l oat milk 1.95
Total oop 1.95
Store hofer
Bag brown mushrooms 1.49
1.7 kg bananas 2.37
Salad -25% 0.96
Salad 1.29
Broccoli sale (regular price 1.19) 0.69×2 =1.38
Tarocco orange 0.76
Organic oranges 1.49 (needed the rest for baking)
Organic bell peppers 300g 1.98
Dried cranberries 200g 1.79
Eggplant 0.69
1kg potato organic 1.79 -> love baked potato and eating skin
1kg organic carrots 1.48
Mango sale (regular price 1.69) 1.19 x2 = 2.38
1 can tomatoes 0.33
Sugar snap peas 1.79 can’t believe I polished off all these bananas in a week ( one less snack I buy at work)
Crap I think my comment got cut off somewhere in between need to figure that out later
Total oop hofer 21.97 see previous comment
In store discount 2.33
Store reformhaus
Can chickpeas 1.39
Yeast 0.55
Total oop 1.88
Loyalty card 3% discount 0.05€ on this purchase
Store Martin
Yeast 3 pack 1.59
Pizza cheese 3.69
Total oop 5.28
( Have 223 loyalty points and need 1650 for a 5€ voucher)
Store spar
Rice cakes chocolate 1.25 ( has 6 in comparison to 4 from the other store/ brand)
Apples gala 1.19
Total to spend this month 205€
Total spent this week 33.52€
Total in-store discount 2.38€
Total over/under for this week under
Total over / under for this month under
Total spent this month w1 19.31€ w2 33.52
Total left to spend 152.17€
Weekly thoughts
Woohoo, wanted to come under 50. I noticed that I didn’t buy that crap stuff that is called impulse buys this week. Writing everything down is really solving a few problems for me 1) I don’t buy as much and the fridge is not overflowing 2) I try to use up the items by selecting at least two recipes and cook what I am in the mood for 3) I don’t forget what I already have ( I am ticking it off during the week _ real beginner here) 4) I am rolling over recipes to upcoming week and rollover money and balance everything out at the end of the month which is not too much effort in comparison to weekly 5) I make it a goal to try a new recipe a week in order to avoid boredom