In my previous post Rules of Menu Planning, I shared with you how I plan two weeks worth of meals and come up with a shopping list to fit my budget. Well, today was payday and I just got back from Safeway. Let's see how my previous list (with an estimated total of $78) compares to the actual receipt. The actual price will be in black with my estimated price in red beside it.
* Denotes something that was not on my original shopping list
5 lbs Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flour - $3.29, 3.00
5 lbs Gold Medal Bread Flour - $3.29, 3.00
Safeway Pineapple Chunks - $1.59, 2.00
*Safeway Olives - $1.29
1 lb Safeway Pinto Beans - $1.39, 2.00
2 lbs Safeway Brown Rice - $2.79, 3.00
*2x Cascadian Farms Granola - $4.98
*Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Packet - $2.19
16 ct Mission Flour Tortillas - $5.49, 5.002x Barilla Whole Wheat Macaroni - $3.18, 2.00
Lucerne Large Eggs - $2.29, 3.00
Lucerne Soft Cream Cheese - $2.99, 2.00
2 lbs Lucerne Cheddar Cheese - $5.00, 5.00
2 lbs Lucerne Mozzarella Cheese - $5.00, 5.00
32 oz. Lucerne Vanilla Yogurt - $1.99, 3.00
32 oz. Lucerne Greek Yogurt - $2.99, 3.00
32 oz. Safeway Frozen Peas - $2.99, 4.00
Sabra Hummus - $2.50, 3.00
2.2 lbs Bananas - $1.52, 2.00
2 Avocados - $1.56, 1.50
Lemon - $0.89, 1.00
1.32 lbs Carrots - $0.91, 2.00
*2.61 lbs Butternut Squash - $3.89
5 lbs Russet Potatoes - $1.49, 2.00
5 lbs Red Potatoes - $2.99, 2.00
2.29 lbs Sweet Potatoes - $2.27, 3.00
Sweet Onion - $0.97, 1.00
*Bunch of Organic Spinach - $2.99
Total: $68.71
Note: I used a $6.00 WIC check for produce which I subtracted from the total. I also still have to buy coffee, baking powder, and more bananas and avocados for next week, which will add another $15 or so to my total.
You'll notice that I bought very few items that were not on my list. But since I overpriced most of the items to begin with, that gave me a little wiggle room. I still came in at about $5.00 over budget and I can live with that.
So there you have it! Two weeks worth of groceries for under $100! If I had been purchasing meat with this paycheck, I would expect my total to be right at about $100. Still, not too shabby :)
