Other than sandwich meat and cheese, we didn't need anything at Aldi. I finished the weekend with $42 H$G and Take Out balance with a gol to stay at or below $400, without emptying the pantry. I'm reserving $12 for this weekend through the end of September for a few miscellaneous needs like milk, bread, and more fruit, so my Aldi challenge was to stay under $30. For those of you who are Aldi fans, you know that is a difficult challenge as new items pop in that despite the minimalist displays and shelf arrangements, call to us. I had a specific Target in mind when I set out, and actually only one item I hadn't planned, though it fell in a general category of snacks for DH, landed in my cart. I went ahead and bought two each of the chicken and mushroom cream soups for my pantry. I had to mushroom and 1 chicken already, but with cooler weather, hotdishes will be a staple, plus the mushroom has been vacant from the shelves for a while. I didn't nsap all I bought, but here's a few items.
The taquitos were the "not on the list" item. DH loves a few hot snacks as part of watching football. DD2 is gone this weekend so won't be over to watch the game with him so I likely will just make brunch after church and then he can snack later. The ravioli on the picture, and I think that is a bag of frozen veg were also Aldi buys, but not on this trip. Bananas and $ .64 eggs were part of the shop as well, and I bought two of the colby cheese and four yogurts.
So how did I do? Sorry the receipt is so blurry but you might be able to make out the grant total of $28.45. I've been rounding up for the most part, os I'll call it $29, leaving me with $13 for the rest of the month. Before I shop next month, I'll review the pantry. I'll also do a donation thi month with things I've perhaps over bougt and cash to our food shelf. We are very blessed to have what we have. It's a luxury to give myself a $30 challenge with full knowledge that if I went over, there are funds to cover. Life was not always that way, and I know it is not for many in my community.
ALDI (and LIDL) really are worth hitting first when you shop aren't they. I've gone back to doing that at LIDL (no ALDI nearby) and it's amazing how much cheaper it is. On a slightly different note, when I saw it was your "Wednesday" post I was flabbergasted. I have my Italian lesson on Wednesday nights and it's already been a week since we started back up????
ReplyDeleteTHe week flies! I had this post almost ready early, then realized I had an 8:00 budget meeting and needed to prep, so since starting my day at 7-I took a little break to finish what I meant to do earlier. No recipe this week for me, but yes, it is Wednesday. Ciao bella (is that even Italian?)
DeleteEarlier in the year, we abandoned our plans to go to Costco after seeing the line around the building. Since we had driven the 30 miles already, DH dropped me off at the WalMart instead, where I found everything I had planned to buy at Costco as well as "cream of" soups for $0.50/each. I shamelessly stocked up on them! I know you can make your own, but, honestly, when 4:00 p.m. rolls around and I haven't thought of dinner, nothing is easier than pulling out a standard recipe calling for a can of the stuff for beef stroganoff, tuna casserole, or chicken enchiladas.
ReplyDeleteChallenges are a lot of fun for me, but, yes, when it's not necessity, it's a bit easier, isn't it?
I've decided I have no shame with a few convenience foods. While I don't have a family at home to provide for, I still have a pretty busy day, with a lot of demands that sneak up on me. Same thing-woah-it's after 5:00 and nothing made or thought of. I use a 50-50 behind with milk, bulking up flavor with spices, so the sodium, which is what I worry about most, is reduced when I cook with the soups. I do feel bad for people who have families or partners that will not eat hotdishs/casseroles. I find them homey and tasty as well as economical. My family has always liked them and I think tha tis a huge reaosn why I have managed on a smallish budget proportinatley, My BIL is a hot dish hate-loves meat and eats so much more than I think can possibly be healthy. Their kids though I think love hotdishes, and at the lake when I or my MIL put something in the crock pot, they gobble it up. She has a few favorites she makes when he is gone for weekends. i swear their budget has to be well over $1,200 a month for just groceries, but they do have a family of 6.
DeleteI always cooked and baked from scratch, just like my mother taught me. One Thanksgiving I looked at a pumpkin pie and asked why she bought the pie crust. She said with no shame or apology that it was easier. She was still young, around fifty-years-old. I think I have earned a few easy methods even though lots of my cooking is scratch.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you converted to brownie mixes!
DeleteGreat that you stayed under budget and still have a little bit of extra. I did a grocery run this morning, I didn't need a lot but they did have some good BOGO deals so I stocked up on a few things. I've done really well this month too :)
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add I scored a coupe discounted cinnamon rolls-I need to check the date, but no BOGO's generally at Aldi, but I still do better.
DeleteWell done! I'm not familiar with these stores, but sticking to your budget is quite amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a discount grocery store with pretty much just their own brands, little variety, but tha thelps me get in and out fast while saving money.
DeleteI took an inventory of my fridge and pantry today and sat down to add the necessities to my online grocery cart. My grocery store advertised that there will be surprises between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. so, I am ready and waiting. Once I know what they will offer, I will place my order accordingly. It is not an inexpensive store but, due to political reasons I do not shop at some other inexpensive stores. I dislike our current government and I refuse to shop at places where I know the owners are supporters.
ReplyDeleteI gave a few businesses I will not support-not just for their political view, but things I have heard the owners outright say. Politics is one ting-policies that are evil are another.
DeleteI'm kind of a snob when it comes to canned soups- I never buy them. That's probably why I love soup. Mom almost always had a big pot of vegetable beef soup for us even in the summer. We all liked it and I'm sure she never made it the same way twice. I just made some butternut squash soup from some squash I had pureed and frozen earlier in the summer. Verdict- nope. Not going to waste my time again- I did not care for it. Waste- you bettcha- down the disposal. So it's cottage cheese for lunch- I don't make that from scratch but I did just print a recipe for Ricotta and I'm going to attempt to make it next week and a couple of small pans of lasagne. I like casseroles but most of mine have a homemade roux.
ReplyDeleteI probably should make my own as the cream of's really are just a canned white sauce with flavors. I make some pretty good homemade soups as well.
DeleteGood job, I can't wait to get into a grocery budget or a budget of any kind.
ReplyDeleteI'm giving myself permission next month to track, but not worry about the budget.. We want to get our daughter a good birthday meal-not just a veggie burger, but a real vegan restaurant meal, and I want easy to grill veg and meat for the cabin, plus we'll get take out to support the local businesses abdI cab relax. Then, we are in November and december where It's just a big unknown for the holidays.
DeleteGood for you for sticking to your budget, SAM! I grocery shop once a week, with a list, but will add things that are staples that go on sale (like cans of beans or tuna). I don't know what an Aldi is (a grocery store, I'm guessing?), but I shop at a local grocery store - I try to give back to a local business, even if it costs a bit more.
ReplyDeleteHope your Wednesday is going well!
We have no locally owned grocery stores-all are big multi store, but I know Aldi pays a decent wage and health care to employees, and don't have the crazy 23/7 hours. I feel like I am supporting a business that treats their employees OK. The store I can bike to employs a lot of teens and people in the community, so I support it as well, but ownership is not local. Aldi savings is in not carrying for the most part brand name items bu ttheir own brands.
DeleteI am impressed that you can go to Aldi and not get all the tempting things I seem to find on every aisle. I go in for 2 containers of sour cream and come out with 50 bucks worth of stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat is my normal mode, but adding things up in my head as I shopped gave me that mental math I need. Plus I like a good challenge.
DeleteWell done with the shopping. I continue to stock up for Brexit, as it becomes more farcical by the day.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you're aware, but the adverts on your blog seem to have increased, making it really difficult to read.
I'm sorry about the Advertising. I'll need to turn off I think for a few days, and try again. I had to do that before. They are only supposed to be on the side.
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