After two months of not giving a @#*! what our spending on household and groceries have been, I thought maybe I should at least be aware. I still won't worry about shopping for the best deals or subject myself or other family members to multiple stores, but for pure budget and spending knowledge as we may be in the safety measure zone for a long long time, it might be a good thing to know where our money is going. So for May which began Friday, I have spent a grand total of $9, which was reimbursing my daughter for items she picked up for me at Aldi.
12 grain bread
tortillas
low fat sandwich wraps (DH's chicken wraps)
veggie burgers
Meals last week, some planned, some off plan, were:
Sunday: Chicken parcels, mashed potatoes, stuffing
Monday: Meatloaf, corn, jambalaya rice
Tuesday: Curry for DD2 and me, leftover chicken parcels, potatoes and corn for DH
Wednesday:Pork loin, steamed red potatoes, steamed fresh green beans
Thursday: DH really wanted Papa Murphy pizza-one was a freebie, last from a band card, and then one to spare for lunches
Friday: crock pot pasta with frozen spinach and zucchini layers
Saturday: Was planning Pork carnitas with cheese, plus sides of black beans and rice, which I had two later, no sides, after meeting up at a park with my friends-very distanced, DH had hot Dogs because that is what he felt like, and DD2 got some take out with DD2. We'll eat the carnitas for lunch today, or lunches-maybe even some yummy happy hour nachos.
This week:
Sunday: Meatballs and gravy with roasted potatoes, mixed vegetables
Monday: leftovers supplemented with soup from freezer if needed
Tuesday: Hot dogs and chili-though might switch to grilled cheese as DH had hot dog the other night
Wednesday: Tuna hot dish, mixed vegetables
Thursday: Goulash, green beans
Friday: Homemade pizza
Saturday: Chicken wings, homemade french fries, quesadilla's-pub food night at home
Other than stopping for bread, milk, eggs, and more fresh fruit, I don't really need to shop for us. I can get these items in Kwik Trip and just shop for my MIL where she likes. The plan above is likely to change or be rearranged several times, but I know I can get more than a weeks worth of dinners made with what is on hand. DD2 is done with school now, though will likely be doing some babysitting. She's going to take a bigger role on meal prep so having a plan will help with that.
Are you tracking food spending now or still? Are you making any intentional adjustments to your budget to help prepare you for the long term changes COVID-19 might be impacting?
Sunday, May 3, 2020
21 comments:
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Our grocery prices are crazy right now, but we're not super worried. Mostly because so many other expenses are significantly lower. We are still tracking, though.
ReplyDeleteI almost feel like I've done a cleanse with eating better. I hope i can keep up the fruit and veg when schedules change.
DeleteAfter I got a package of three chicken breast for $7.50, my tracking days are back! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI think thats about what I paid last week. Meat isn't going to go down in price so we'll be a bit more thoughtful on portions.
DeleteNo we're not because I feel it's safer to use the local shop rather than the big supermarket which is more. However, as I can't work at the moment there's only a small number of planned for treats, only home cooked food, tight menu planning, no eating in between meals, making meals go further, zero wastage [unless fruit goes mouldy very quickly when it goes on the compost] and no impulse buying. Arilx
ReplyDeleteI talked us out of ice cream treats. Tomorrow I'll mix up cookies for sweet stuff. Mindless snacking isn't great for budgets or butts!
DeleteI'm aware that I'm spending more right now but hopefully our lock down will be eased a little on 11 May and I can go back to my old habits. It looks like out local markets are starting to be allowed back so that will help.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to enjoy your markets soon. That's a whole lot of entertainment.
DeleteI hadn’t been tracking but went for my two week shop and spent just under $200 which if I’m being honest, is below average for us. I even redeemed $6.75 in Ibotta rebates. I figure this craziness isn’t going away any time soon so it probably best to reign things in somewhat. A teacher friend of mine said that our superintendent has advised them to prepare lesson plans for online learning for the next school year. Kinda just ramps up my anxiety even more but I’ve changed my mindset to this being a new normal, not something that’s going away. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteIs it types of food that helped decrease your budget? That's curious. I am hopeful school and college resumes safely by fall. It's ik to hope!
DeleteI put a lot of thought to it and it’s probably a combo of a few things. I was spending more earlier and I had a nice cushion of stuff before I went, so we weren’t bare bones. Also the weather was nicer during the two weeks and we spent more time in the yard than on the couch. Also we had ham and a turkey breast which last many meals and I made soup out of each again saving other things to roll over. Nearly every thing I wanted was on the list too, no substitutions. I also shopped Aldi first, then Walmart. I think all the basics are a few cents cheaper there and that added up. And it’s interesting that all those would be typical things that would/could happen, not pandemic scenarios. We’ll see what happens in two weeks. My son and I will both be going back to work within a month and that will change things too! JoAnn
DeleteThere has not been a need for us to make an adjustment to our budget, because this is the sort of "rainy day" we always plan for. I am getting low on meat, though, and that bothers me. Still, I can't see of anything in our current circumstances that would induce me to spend the prices I see currently in the stores. If I was brutally honest, I would tell you we have absolutely no need to go to the stores for food. Still, I managed to spend about 1/4 of my monthly grocery budget in April, mainly for things like half and half and bread, and some treats while I was poking around Walmart.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting you mention quesadillas. Tonight, we are grilling steaks (cut from the rib roast purchase at a local meat shop at Christmas.) We always have leftovers, and those generally find their way into a mid-week quesadilla. I do notice, though we are getting low on cheese, and no sales in sight. If we run out before it hits a price I will accept, we will see cheese vanish from the menu, but not before I make the quesadillas!
Well if anyone predicted wide scale job loss, reduction in earnings, whole lifestyle changes, shortages, and then prepared, good for them. I feel better prepared financially than most, but with no crystal ball on future weeks and months, I'll be cautious.
DeleteI am generally getting what we need and trying not to succumb to impulses. However, I am not paying the prices I see for chicken breasts since we have a stash and now I can shop in ads for best prices. I paid almost $8 for four BSCB and was completely horrified. I think I have to have a banana every morning. So, I do buy for that even though I can do without some other things.
ReplyDeleteItems like bananas that help your body feel well is a good place to spend. I'm just not going to stop at multiple stores.
DeleteAre food spending is not clear: we are saving a fortune not eating out as we used to do but probably spending more at the Uncle Albertsons. Maybe this is towards the better.
ReplyDeleteI may not miss the food on eating out, but miss the social aspect. I'll feel better when small gatherings can resume.
DeleteWhat is hot dish? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMinnesota casserole. We don't say casserole, it's a hotdish.
DeleteOur grocery spending has gone way up. This is partly due to not shopping sales and only shopping at one store each week. This is somewhat offset though by not eating out.
ReplyDeleteThe above poster who was horrified to pay almost $8 for 4 chicken breasts, should not come grocery shopping in Southern Ontario! I'd be happy to get two chicken breasts for that price.
As an elementary teacher working from home, I am being paid normally right now and my expenses are down. I'm not going to worry too much about the increased food costs right now.
As I said, not worrying because of other savings. However, my husbands earnings are down by 75%, and without knowing how long, I at least feel we shoukd know what we're spending.
Delete