Real Savings – Grocery Goal

I’m participating in a challenge at The Frugal Village, which goes along with the goal of reducing my grocery bills in 2012.  I’ve gone through the challenge each year, and this year, I’ve decided to try to set our grocery goal at $500 per month.  This includes all food for the 6 of us (including baby food), health and beauty products (shampoo, soap, etc), paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc) and cleaning products (Windex, etc.)  I can do it…I just have to keep my mind focused on the end game of saving the money and take the time to clip my coupons and check the sales circulars.  Will do my first food shop of the year on January 1, 2012.

January 1, 2012

I did my first shop of the year. It was a big one. I stocked up on meat and chicken and added in two packages of socks because ours keep disappearing. However, I think that I should be able to get away with much smaller shops for the rest of the month, so this is good.

I spent $238.93. I saved $58.39 with sales and coupons AND I earned a $10.00 gift certificate for my next shop.

For $238.93, I got:

ShopRite Lite Pancake Syrup
4 cans BumbleBee Tuna
4 cans College Inn Chicken Broth
8 jars Gerber Baby Food
10 Gerber Pasta Pick-Ups
8 pounds Ronzoni pasta (big sale $0.47 a box)
12 pack Cottonelle toilet paper
3 pack paper towels
2 boxes ShopRite Crispy Corn/Rice cereal
1 big box Special K
3 6-packs ShopRite applesauce
2 pouches Betty Crocker cookie mix
5 lb jar ShopRite peanut butter
1 bag Baked Lays Ruffled Potato Chip
1 box Keebler Snack Packs
2 loaves ShopRite white bread
1 loaf Arnold Wheat Bread
3 packages Perdue thin sliced chicken breast
4 pounds 93% lean ground beef
1 beef round rump roast
1 family package ShopRite hot italian sausage
5 red peppers
1 container cantaloupe chunks
2 DelMonte mandarin oranges
1 bunch bananas
2 quarts blueberries
2 boxes YoKids organic yogurt
8 Pillsbury Grands (big sale…with coupons and sales $1 each, normally $2.59 each)
4 Dannon Light yogurts
1 5 pack mini-Babybel white cheddar
1 block Macadam Cheddar cheese
1 package part-skim mozzarella
1 dozen ShopRite eggs
2 boxes Aunt Jemima blueberry waffles
3 1% milk gallons
2 bags ShopRite chopped broccoli
2 pounds Cavatelli
1 Herbal Essences shampoo&conditioner
1 Suave hairspray (just in case there is another Crazy Hair day)
1 bag socks for Monkey Girl $5.49
1 bag socks for Monkey in the Middle $12.49

July 2010

I sorta forgot to keep updating for July, especially given we shopped out of town, on vacation for the first week.

However, in the end, I was over by $21.17.

Not terrible, considering all of the middle of the week shopping I did because I was home and the kids and I wanted something “Different.”  It’s amazing how working full-time keeps me on track with the budget, but the minute I’m home for awhile, things get all out of whack!

Perhaps August will be a successful grocery month for us!  I know I’ll certainly try!

June 2010

Okay, June is my month.

Summer always makes me extra frugal, and I start watching my old Little House on the Prairie DVD’s and just scrimping, saving and making from scratch.

So, I’m pretty confident that June will be the month we stay under our goal of $20 per person, per week, which in June comes out to $400.

June Grocery Total: $378.87/$400.00

June Days Eating At Home – 25/29

June 27 Shopping Trip (last of the month!)

I did it!  Whoo-hoo!  I’m so excited!

Maybe I can bring it down further in July!

$114.68 for this shot.

June 19 Shopping Trip

This week I spent $57.03.  Not bad.  Not bad at all!  I plan on doing some baking throughout the week to provide snacks, and we’ve been doing a lot of burger/dog grilling, which has cut down on the amount of other things we need to buy.

June 13 Shopping Trip

I spent $82.14 on groceries this week.  I have to disclose, here, that $10 of that was the online ordering fee.  I just didn’t have the time to actually go shopping this weekend, so I just ordered online and picked up after work today.  I know, I know…terribly unfrugal and unlike me.  However, it was necessary.  This time.

June 5 Shopping Trip

Real Man did the shopping today while I taught piano.  Along with regular groceries, he bought all of the provisions for the family picnic, which is tomorrow, which meant chips and extra sausage and burgers, etc.  So, it’s a bigger bill than it would have been for this week, but hey…it’s the picnic!  Gotta eat!

$125.02

May 2010

Somehow, April got away from me.  I realize that it was because we put the house on the market and other things took priority over the grocery budget, but I’m back, baby.

One thing we definitely have going for us in May is that we no longer have to buy Pull-Ups or wipes!  Yeah, Baby Monkey!

I’m feeling hopeful, this month, that I can finally conquer this grocery goal and come in under the $400.00 goal amount for the month.

However, I have to, also, admit that we’ve been eating out a bit more frequently.  In April, we had a few Open Houses, and on the Sunday where we didn’t have an Open House, we still had people who came to look at the house.  So, we needed to head out.  We ended up eating at Friendly’s, on those days.  Today, we have an Open House, and I’m planning on burgers and dogs for dinner when we get back.  I’m going to try to do better in that way this month, as well.

Days Without Eating Out or Ordering In – May Not Good

May 1, 2010 – Real Man and I went on a date which included eating out.  So, technically, only 2/5 of us ate out, but I’ll just count it.

May Grocery Tally:  $439.08/$400.00

I forgot to keep writing it down, but I did save the receipts.  I was $39.08 over for May.  Grrrr…

May 9, 2010

Real Man did the shopping today, as it was Mother’s Day.  Whoo-hoo!  He spent about $75.00, which I think was pretty good!  So far, so good for May!

May 2, 2010

I did a big shop today.

I’m trying to get back in the habit of one big shop at the beginning of the month, then smaller ones to fill in throughout the rest of the month.

So, although I spent $133.88, I have a feeling I won’t be spending nearly that much next week.

Especially when you consider the fact that I bought 7 boxes of cereal.

My total before sales and coupons was $165.59, total after was $133.88.  I bought quite a few fresh products and meats that don’t have coupons.

Still, not bad for a big shop for a family of five.

Days Without Eating Out or Ordering In – March 27/30

Tally: busted!/$500.00

March 28, 2010

First of all, I need to catch up.  On the 14th, we spent $179.99 on groceries, and last week, we got by with approximately $50.00 worth of groceries, as we did a big week of using things up.  That brought us to $447.25.

This week, we did a big shop to round out the month and kick off April.  My total before sales and coupons was $175.60 and our total after was $133.93.  So, I went over my goal of $500 by $81.  Still, not too terrible, but I’m not thrilled.

I could have gone smaller this week, but I needed toilet paper and dishwasher detergent and was out of Almonds, which sounds little, but they are so freaking expensive.  Finally, I just now realized that I picked up Diabetic Living magazine special edition, Diabetic recipes and didn’t realize it was $9.99!  WTH???  Need to pay better attention to that type of info next time!

So, here’s hoping April is a better month for the grocery budget.  It has to be!

February 27, 2010

BIG first shop of the month.  Hopefully we can just fill in for the rest of the month!

I waited too long to enter this, and I don’t remember what a lot of the coupons were for, however, I can tell you that my total before sales and coupons was $225.68 and my total after was $152.05.  So, we did great shopping. :

March 6, 2010

1 big box Special K, normally $4.99, on sale for $3.77

1 ShopRite deli mustard $0.99

1 box Cream of Wheat $3.99

1 ShopRite White Vinegar (for the dishwasher, which has decided not to run well) $0.99

2 Snapple Peach Tea $2.99 each

1 box ShopRite popcorn kernels $2.49

2 bags Jolly Ranchers (for real man’s work) $2.79 each

2 loaves of wheat bread (apparently was mismarked) $3.59 each

2 bags ShopRite baby carrots $1.50 each

2 pounds Granny Smith apples, normally $3.38, on sale for $2.98

1 bag grapes, normally $4.53, on sale for $1.80

1 cored pineapple $3.99

1 container fresh strawberies $3.99

1 ShopRite Whipped cream $2.50

20 Axelrod yogurts, normally $0.49, on sale for $0.39

1 gallon Skim milk $2.69

1 gallon 1% milk $2.69

total before sales and coupons $77.89, total after $65.21

Days Without Eating Out or Ordering In – February 23/25

Okay, February is going to be MY month with this grocery challenge.  I can just feel it.  Week one didn’t go so well, but I’m determined to get it under the goal total, even with three kids birthdays in the month!

Tally February Total: $404.45/$400.00…Over by $4.45…I’m thrilled!!!  I had wanted to get it under, but seriously, in a month where we’ve had three birthdays, which includes three homecooked dinners for the 5 of us, plus the three grandparents, and homemade birthday cakes for all three birthdays, PLUS an at home birthday party for Monkey Girl, I think we did very well.

February 20, 2010 (last shop for the month…next weeks shop counts for March)

4 Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauce, normally $2.11 each, on sale for $0.88 each

4 boxes Kellogg’s Froot Loops, normally $5.48 each, on sale for $1.99 each

20 oz Coke (helps calm my stomach from the pain medication from my surgery) $1.49

2 lbs 93% lean ground beef $3.95 each

2.25 lbs granny smith apples $3.35

20 La Yogurt yogurts normally $0.99 each, on sale for $0.44 each

2 gallons Skim milk $3.69 each

1 gallon 1% milk $3.69

4 bags frozen steamed broccoli normally $2.99 each, on sale for $1.99 each

4 bags Italian village ravioli, normally $2.99 each, on sale for $0.49 each!!!

Total before sales and coupons: $88.41, Total after sales and coupons $54.12

February 14, 2010

1 rainbow cake mix (Monkey Girl’s pick for her b-day cake) normally $1.49, on sale for $1.19

1 milk chocolate cake mix (Monkey in the Middle’s pick) normally $1.49, on sale for $1.19

2 Snapple Peach Tea $1.99 each

1 giant, king size Hershey bar (Monkey Girl’s Valentine’s treat…I picked up something for the boys at the pharmacy) $0.69

1 pack Pampers Easy-Ups (Grrr…) normally $11.59, on sale and with a coupon, $8.49

1 250 ct NatraTaste sweetener $4.39

1 large Duncan Hines chocolate frosting (to go with Monkey in the Middle’s cake) $1.99

1 box Special K, normally $3.99, on sale for $3.79

2 cans Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup $1.29 each

1 bag Malt-O-Meal Marshmallow Mateys normally $3.79, on sale for $3.29

1 box Cream of Wheat instant oatmeal $3.99

1 small bag Skittles (for my sweetie) $0.69

1 loaf ShopRite wheat bread normally $1.88, on sale for $1.69

2 container fresh strawberries $5.99

1 container pineapple chunks $3.84

1 bunch bananas $2.08

1 dozen Large eggs $1.99

1 gallon 1% milk (they were out of skim) normally $3.69, but we had a voucher so it was FREE!

1 AquaFresh toothpaste normally $3.20, on sale for $0.98

1 Dove deodorant $2.99

1 4-pack Duracell D batteries (the boys got a lot of toys that need D-batteries at their birthday party) normally $6.49, with coupon $5.49

So, I saved $10.89 withsales and coupons, which is not much, but it’s better than nothing.  There are no coupons for the expensive things like strawberries, bananas, pineapple, etc.  However, I want to get as much healthy stuff in them as possible.

I have a little less than $50 for the remainder of the month and we are only half-way through.  It’s gonna be interesting!

February 5, 2010

I’m going to have to go into super grocery savings mode for the rest of the month.  I did some “The sky is falling” shopping this week because of an impending snow storm which never panned out.  I also took advantage of low meat prices and stocked up.  So, the good news is, I don’t need meat for the rest of the month.  The bad news is that we are dangerously close to our total for the month and it is February 5th.

2 boxes 100 calorie Lorna Doones $2.99 each

2 Snapple Peach Tea $2.99 each

3 boxes Alpha Bits normally $3.59 each, on sale for $1.66 each

2 cannisters Wyler Lemonade normally $3.99 each, on sale for $1.99 each

1 box Cream of Wheat normally $3.99, on sale for $3.59

2 boxes Archway Iced Oatmeal cookies normally $2.99 each, on sale for $2.50 each

4 lbs Botticelli pasta, normally $$1.19 each, on sale for $0.74 each

1 6-pack Low Sodium V-8 $4.99

1 family size cannister Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate $4.49

1 cannister Pringles $1.99

2 bags Fritos, normally $2.99, on sale for $2.00

2 bag Doritos, normally $3.99 each, on sale for $2.50 each

2 loaves ShopRite wheat bread, normally $1.89, on sale for $1.49 each

2 boxes Entenmann’s doughnuts, normally $4.80 each, on sale for $2.48 each

3 packs PorkChops $3.86 each

2 packs Chicken breast $4.43, and $5.35

3 cucumbers $1.99

1 head lettuce normally $1.49 each, on sale for $0.79

2 bags baby carrots, normally $1.69 each, on sale for $1.50 each

1 bunch bananas $1.98

8 california navel oranges $6.00

Luau fruit bowl $20.76 (I really don’t know what I was thinking here)

10 Danon yogurts, normally $0.89 each, on sale for $0.40 each)

1 box ShopRite butter (2 lbs) normally $3.49 each, on sale for $0.79 each

1 bag ShopRite low fat string cheese $4.69

2 blocks Great Lakes cheddar cheese, normally $2.99 each, on sale for 1.99 each

2 gallons ShopRite skim milk $3.69 each

1 gallon ShopRite 1% milk $2.89

1 Hormel party tray (for our Super Bowl enjoyment) normally $10.99, on sale for $8.99

4 bags of Birdseye steamed vegetables, normally $3.69 each, on sale for $0.99 each

2 Tony’s cheese pizzas $3.29 each

1 24 pack ShopRite sugar cookies $2.40

1 ShopRite Anti-plaque rinse $2.99

1 In Touch magazine (ssshhhh) $2.99

Total before coupons and sales: $218.42, total after $174.29  $44.13 savings, which is good, but the truth is, I overbought on snacks as I fell prey to snow madness.

January 30, 2010 (first shop for February)

6-pack V-8 Low Sodium $4.99 (gotta find a coupon for these!)

2 Lorna Doone 100 calorie pack $2.99 each

2 Snapple Peach Tea $2.99 each

2 jars ShopRite pasta sauce $1.59 each

1 bottle ShopRite Lite pancake Syrup, normally $2.39, on sale for $1.69

2 bags Cascade Complete gel pac, normally $5.19, on sale for $4.49, plus I had a coupon for $1/2, so we paid $3.99 each…not bad

1 bag Skittles (Real Man did the shopping…wonder how THOSE got in there!) $1.69

2 bags Jolly Ranchers (for Real Man’s desk at work…he’s a manager and feeds the troops) $2.79 each

1 package overnight Pull-Ups (grrr…come on Baby Monkey…get trained already!) normally $11.29, on sale for $9.99, plus I had a coupon for $2.00/1, so we paid $7.99 for the package

4 boxes San Giorgio pasta, normally $1.35 each, on sale for $0.77 each

4 boxes Froot Loops, normally $3.39 each, on sale for $1.88 each

1 12-pack Charmin Basic, normally $6.99, on sale for $4.99 (cheaper than what we usually pay for another brand)

1 bottom round roast normally $7.35, on sale for $6.07

1 package 93% lean ground beef, normally $3.06, on sale for $2.78

2 bags baby carrots $1.69 each

1.56 lb Granny Smith apples $2.64

4 sticks Hotel Bar butter, normally $3.99, on sale for $2.49

20 Axelrod fat Free yogurts normally $0.43 each, on sale for $0.33 each

1 package sliced turkey $3.49

1 package honey sliced turkey $3.49

1 package ShopRite american cheese singles, normally $3.79, on sale for $2.50

1 gallon Skim Milk, normally $3.99, on sale for $3.69

1 quart 1% milk $2.19

1 big bag Banquet Chicken Nuggets, normally $6.79, on sale for $3.39

1 Right Guard Sport deodorant $3.99

Total before coupons and sales: $146.96  Total After: $113.81

The best news is that we used part of our ShopRite gift card and only had to charge $59.71 for this visit.  However, I am counting the total amount for the challenge.

Days Without Eating Out or Ordering In – January:29/31

On 1/15, we (Real  Man and I) went out to eat with the in-laws for my father-in-laws birthday.  We certainly weren’t going to say “no” for his Dad’s birthday celebration, due to the challenge.  The monkeys ate at home with my Mom.

On 1/22, after an afternoon in the ER, I told Real Man to go ahead and pick himself something up on the way home, because I was pretty shot.  The kids had food from home, though.

On 1/29, I had Real Man pick himself something up on the way home, because I had just gotten in from Atlantic City (work trip).  The kids and I ate stuff from home.

January Total: $535.95 spent/$400.00 goal WAY OVER!!!

January 22, 2010

We’re over.  Way over.

I did today’s shopping after a trip to the ER with Monkey Girl, who took a huge spill during recess and the nurse said we should go to see if she needed stitches. (She didn’t.)

Anyway, I did some emotional shopping.

I knew we’d be over, anyway, but I let the kids each pick a snack, which helped put us over.  Oh, and PopTarts were on sale, 3 for something, so they each got to pick a flavor.  However, I also took advantage of some great sales on almonds that I matched with coupons, so although that was quite a bit of money, in the long run, I save.

3 boxes Pop-Tarts normally $2.39 each, on sale for $1.63 each

2 boxes 100 calorie Lorna Doone’s $2.99 each

6 cans Blue Diamond almonds normally $3.49 each, on sale (plus coupon) I got them for $1.31 each…great deal for almonds and great food for diabetics

1 box Special K (Yep…we’re through all the other boxes) $4.99

1 package Huggies Pull-Ups normally $11.29, on sale  (plus coupon) for $8.09

2 boxes ShopRite oatmeal normally $1.89 each, on sale for $1.39 each

1 box Shake-n-Bake pork $2.59

3 big bags Nestle Milk Chocolate chips normally $5.29 each, on sale for $2.99 each (lots of baking to be done!)

2 20 oz Cokes $1.49 each (emotional buy…I just want to watch a movie with Real Man and eat popcorn and drink soda tonight)

1 bag Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies (Monkey in the Middle’s snack pick…what is he…an 80-year old woman?) normally $3.39, on sale for $2.49

2 loaves Arnold wheat bread normally $3.99 a loaf, SUPPOSED TO BE ON SALE FOR $1.50 A LOAF…I’m just now noticing that I paid full price….Grrr….

1 box Entenmann’s variety doughnuts $4.29 (emotional buy…I wanted to treat the kids for breakfast tomorrow)

Now comes the sale on meat…

2 beef round eye roasts $6.46 and $6.37

4 pounds ground beef $3.32, $3.18, $3.04, $3.21

1 five-pound bag of russet potatoes $1.49

Salad bar (I got myself salad from the salad bar…I ate half for dinner, will finish for tomorrow’s lunch) $3.94

2 bags ShopRite baby carrots, normally $1.69 each, on sale for $1.50 each

2.91 lbs of green grapes normally $11.61, on sale for $4.33

1 bunch of bananas $2.13

5 Granny Smith apples $2.95

10 Dannon Fruit on the Bottom yogurts, normally $0.89, on sale (plus coupon) for $0.56 each

1 big bag Sorrento Low Fat String Cheese $7.99 (so expensive…so good for me and Baby Monkey who takes one to school every day)

1 dozen eggs $1.99

1 skim milk normally $3.69, coupon for FREE milk!!!

1 1% milk normally $3.69, on sale for $2.69

16 oz chicken and rice soup (to go with my salad) $3.49

ShopRite sugar cookies (Monkey Girl’s pick for a snack) $3.99

ShopRite pink frosted cookies (Baby Monkey’s pick for a snack) $3.89

Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath (just cuz) $2.49

So, the total before sales and coupons was $190.77, total after is $148.42.  Way over.

January 16, 2010

Well, looks like we’ll be over.  Maybe I’m being unrealistic for a family of 5, living in New Jersey.  I don’t think I am, however, I’m unsure what we could cut to make our bill lower, at this point.  I already didn’t buy any meat this week, and am declaring it a pasta week after we finish what we have in the freezer, because I know that meat/poultry will be on big sale next week, and I figured I’d buy it then.  I also bought canned vegetables because it is ShopRite’s can-can sale and buying a bunch of cans of vegetables was far cheaper than buying the frozen ones we buy usually.

I’m feeling a little frustrated over this.  Not to say we’ll not still be trying to reach the goal, but it’s seeming out of reach, at this point.

Today we bought:

2 Snapple Peach Teas (for Real Man) $2.99 each

2 lb ShopRite grape jelly normally $1.99, on sale for $0.99

12 cans ShopRite vegetables normally $0.60 each, on sale for $0.33 a can

1 ShopRite deli mustard $1.39 (Real Man has decided to start having turkey sandwiches for lunch, instead of pbj)

1 6-pack V-8 low sodium $4.99

1 bag ShopRite chocolate chips normally $4.19, on sale for $3.99

2 boxes 100-calorie Lorna Doones

1 bag Jolly Ranchers $2.79

1 20-oz Coke…not on the list, but Real Man decided to get it for our movie tonight

3 bags Goldfish crackers normally $2.19 each, on sale $1.66 each (normally, I won’t buy the bags until they are $0.99 each, but we are way low on snacks, and we’ve been having friends over for the monkeys and I need to be able to feed them something)

2 loaves wheat bread normally $3.75 each, on sale for $1.99 each

2 bags baby carrots $1.69 each

1 head lettuce $1.69

1 bunch bananas $1.82

2.18 lbs Granny Smith apples $3.25

20 Breyers Yogurt normally $0.89 each, on sale for $0.29 each…good deal!

ShopRite fat free, oven roasted sliced turkey $3.49 (for Real Man’s lunches)

Another brand of fat free sliced turkey $3.49 (also for his lunches)

1 ShopRite pecorano romano grated cheese normally $5.49, on sale $4.99

1 gallon 1% milk $2.89

2 gallons skim milk normally $3.99 each, on sale $3.69 each (seriously, milk prices are INSANE!)

4 Aquafresh toothpaste normally $2.19 each, on sale $0.98 each…had to stock up

The original total was $120.76, and we spent $91.93.  There just weren’t coupons for anything we bought, so thank goodness for the sale!  Real Man forgot to use our gift card, again, so we now have it for next week.  We also have enough milk vouchers for a free gallon of milk next week, and that’s a good thing.  So, we’ll see how next week goes.  With only$12.47 left to stay in budget, it’s a guarantee we’ll go over, because I can’t ignore the great sales on meat.  How much over will be the issue, though.

January 9, 2010

Well, we’re definitely going to have to do an average, and possibly purchase nothing next week if we’re going to do this successfully for the month of January.  Real Man did our shop today and we were hit with a few surprises with regards to price, although he did stick to the list.

Now that I’ve explained why we buy what we buy in first shop for this challenge, I won’t do it every time.  When you see Cream of Wheat, if you don’t remember why I buy it, just cross-check the first list.  If there are new items, or sale items, I will explain those.

1 box Cream of Wheat instant oatmeal regular flavor $3.99 a box

1 bottle Soft Scrub bathroom cleaner (gotta keep that new tile shining!) $2.50

1 6-pack V-8 Low Sodium

2 bags Jolly Ranchers (Real Man is a manager at work and has a bowl on his desk with candy for his employees) $5.58

4 boxes Orville Redenbacher normally $3.19 each, on sale for $1.59 each so we stocked up…won’t need to buy again for awhile

2 boxes 100 calorie Lorna Doones normally $2.89 each, on sale for $2.10 each

5 boxes ShopRite mac and cheese on sale 5/$3.00 (we’re all stock up on these for awhile…I already had a few in the pantry and we only use them in a pinch)

4 boxes Ronzoni pasta normally $1.35 each, on sale for $0.59 each!  Great deal!

5 boxes Special K normally $3.99 a box, on sale (with a coupon) for $1.76 a box which is a GREAT deal for Special K…the kids and Real Man love it with bananas sliced up on top…healthy breakfast, worth the money…HOWEVER, the cashier forgot to scan the coupon and RealMan didn’t catch it and I did when he brought home the receipt…we wound up paying $2.49 a box…still a deal, but not what I wanted…I wouldn’t have bought it at this price…I’m not taking it back, though

1 package fresh strawberries normally $4.99, on sale for $1.99…great price

1 family pack pork chops (6 chops in the pack) $4.41

1 bag ShopRite baby carrots $1.69

1 bag of grapes (here’s where we got hit HARD in the wallet…Real Man didn’t realize how heavy the bag was…it was 3.54 lbs and the price was $3.99 a pound) $14.12…YIKES!

1 bunch bananas $1.52

2 granny smith apples $1.08

2 ShopRite whipped cream (Monkey in the Middle has recently discovered hot chocolate with whipped cream…it’s a request every night…he’s 5…we can help him out with that. ) normally $3.29 on sale for $2.50 each

2 Coffeemate Creamers (for Real Man to bring to work…they do community coffee and everyone takes turns) normally $2.49 each, on sale for $1.24 each

20 Dannon Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt normally $0.89 each, on sale for 10/$2.99, PLUS, I had two coupons for $1.00/10, so my final price was $0.19 each!!!  Whoo-hoo!!!

1 Sorrento Low-Fat string cheese $4.69

2 gallons ShopRite skim milk normally $3.99 each, on sale for $3.69 each (not a huge savings, but every penny counts!)

1 gallon 1% milk $3.69

1 Tylenol Cold and Congestion Severe formula (trust me, at this point I will try ANYTHING to get better) normally $6.29, on sale for $4.95

1 Dobie sponge (for the bathroom) $3.19

We had a $10 off baby bucks coupon from our last visit, so the original price of the whole thing (Before sales and coupons) would have been $149.24.  We only paid $92.54.

I totally forgot to give Real Man the $100 ShopRite gift card I gave my parents for my birthday, so we did pay for this order.  I wouldn’t have counted the gift card in the challenge total, because that wouldn’t quite be fair, but it would have been nice to have gotten this whole order for free!   Ah well…next week.

December 31, 2009 (first shop of January)

2 packs Stride gum $0.99 each

2 cans of Blue Diamond natural almonds (a staple for me as a diabetic) $3.49 each, but I had a coupon for $1.00/2, so they were $2.99 each

1 big bag Stauffers animal crackers $2.99 (this was Monkey in the Middle’s New Year treat pick…they’ll last a few weeks)

1 package ShopRite sugar cookies (Monkey Girl’s New Year treat pick…it won’t last until January 4^th.)

1 package Huggies Pull-Ups  normally $18.99, on sale for $17.99…I had a coupon for $1.00 off, so it was $16.99

2 packets ShopRite Chili powder mix $0.69 each (we love chili)

2 boxes Nabisco 100 calorie Lorna Doones $2.99 each (the kids get one package in their lunchboxes each day with their sandwich and yogurt)

4 cans Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup $1.29 each…I had a coupon for $0.35/4, which doubled, so they were approximately $1.11 each (I’ve tried the ShopRite brand…it’s REALLY different)

2 Ajax liquid dish soap $1.18 each, on sale for $0.88 each

1 jar Smuckers sugar free Red Raspberry preserves $2.79, but on sale for $2.29 (I have on my Fiber One English muffins in the morning…diabetes friendly and DELICIOUS!)

1 package Cascade Complete gel packs $5.19, on sale for $4.69 (Our dishwasher is problematic…anything else leaves a film)

1 big, huge Tide detergent $22.99 (We’re messy…this gets out our stains)

2  boxes ShopRite microwave popcorn $1.39 each, on sale for $1.24 each (the monkeys prefer microwave popcorn to air popped or popcorn popped in the pot with oil…so I buy the cheap stuff)

1 6-pack Dove soap $7.49, on sale$6.99 (Baby Monkey is eczema boy…Dove helps big time)

4 Vitarroz Kidney beans on sale for 4 for $3.00 (for the chili)

4 ShopRite petite diced tomatoes on sale for 4 for $3.00 (for the chili)

1 box Cap’n Crunch cereal $2.69, had a coupon to make it $1.99…otherwise, I would never have bought it

3 boxes Post cereal (Alpha Bits, Raisin bran, Golden Crisp) on sale 3/$4.00, making them $1.33 each…again, normally, I wouldn’t have bought these but it was a great deal and will be a nice treat for the monkeys

1 12-pack Cottenelle toilet paper  normally $11.19, on sale for $9.99, I had a coupon for $0.50/1 which doubled, making it $8.99 for the 12-pack

3 bags egg noodles on sale 3/$4.00, making them $1.33 each

4 ShopRite pasta sauce $1.59 each

4 Luigi Vitelli spaghetti on sale for 4/$3.00

4 Luigi Vitelli rigatoni on sale for 4/$3.00

2 boxes ShopRite creamy fruit oatmeal  $1.89 each, on sale for $1.59 each (for the monkeys)

1 box Cream of Wheat instant oatmeal $3.99 (for me…I need the iron, and darnit…I like the stuff)

1 6-pack V-8 Low Sodium $4.99 (for me…I take one to school every day)

1 12-pack Vanilla coke (this is Real Man’s favorite…not many places carry it anymore, and I never see it at ShopRite…I decided to surprise him as a last hurrah for 2009) $4.99

2 loaves Maiers Italian Bread $3.39 each, on sale for $1.50 each

1 box Entenmann’s variety pack doughnuts $4.29 (special New Year’s day breakfast treat)

1 family pack hot Italian sausage $5.43 (for my meat sauce)

1 rump roast $7.32 (this is the cheapest price I’ve seen in awhile…shame…we love roast!)

4 pounds 93% lean ground beef $3.75, $3.51, $3.55, $3.59

2 bags ShopRite baby carrots $1.69 each (Real Man takes them in his lunches)

3.99 lbs green grapes $8.26 (these will disappear quickly…Baby Monkey is a grape fanatic)

5 Granny Smith apples $3.41 (Real Man takes an apple with his lunch every day)

1 container cantaloupe chunks $3.54

1 container watermelon chunks $3.94

2 containers of raspberries $4.99 each

20 Dannon Lite and Fit yogurts on sale for $0.50 each (the Monkeys have a yogurt in their lunchbox each day)

4 blocks Great Lakes sharp cheddar cheese $2.98 each, on sale for $0.88 each (great price…used in my baked mac and cheese)

2 gallons skim milk $3.99 each, on sale for $2.59 each (for the Monkeys and their mama)

1 gallon 1% milk $3.69 (for Real Man)

3 Aunt Jemima blueberry waffles $1.99 each, on sale for $1.67 each (another breakfast treat for the monkeys)

2 bags Andrea Cavatelli $2.99 each, on sale for $2.00 each (used in the cavatelli and broccoli)

2 packages of some feminine stuff you don’t need to know about $2.99 each, on sale from $3.49 each

1 Finesse moisturizing conditioner $2.99, on sale from $3.49

1 US weekly magazine (MY New Year’s treat)

So, the total was $257.80.  I had a $50.00 gift card from my parents for Christmas, which brought us down to $207.80, then with my coupon savings, I paid a total of $203.06.

This leaves me $196.94 for the rest of the month.  TOTALLY doable, as all I should need is milk, yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables.  So, I think I’m on track for the challenge for this month.

Ooh…and I also earned a $10 off our next order Baby Bucks certificate.  So, even better!