Another option to help you get on the $40 budget is online shopping with Harris Teeter. I signed up for it when I had a newborn so I didn't have to take the kids in the store but now I am finding it helpful for staying within my budget. HT offers e-VIC specials that you can only get if you shop online and it tallies your total as you go so you will be able to stay within $40 with no problem. Its a lot less hassle to put something back from your online grocery cart than your real-life one. I used the online shopping just to see my total as I shopped, kind of a test run, and then went and shopped in the actual store. There was no calculating as I went and I was in and out in 20 minutes. I spent $41.24 this week. I know I could have saved probably that extra $1.24 (or more) by going to Wal-Mart but I saved that dollar in gas by shopping closer to home!
Here is what I bought this week:
Nature Valley granola bars
taco dinner kit
ground beef
crunchy peanut butter (HT brand)
green chilis (HT brand)
vitamin water (free with coupon)
discounted produce (I haven't seen this before but basically it is produce that doesn't have much of a shelf life left that they bag and mark down. I got 3 oranges and 1 grapefruit for $1)
bananas
limes
zucchini
boston lettuce
red bell pepper
tomatoes
english muffins (buy one get one free)
OJ
milk (1/2 gallon HT brand)
lactose free milk
string cheese
shredded cheddar
yogurt (coupon)
And here is what we will be having for dinner:
Tacos (good ole fashion El Paso)
Peas, zucchini, orzo pasta (substituted risotto for orzo bc thats what I had)
*Slow cooker Chicken tortilla soup (the recipe I have doesn't call for enchilada sauce)
3 tomato spaghetti (I am going to add grilled chicken)
Chicken stir fry wraps
*An example of how I saved a little money with this recipe is that instead of using a packet of taco seasoning, like it called for, I am using spices I have on hand. I just googled "taco seasoning" and it brought up a recipe. I have all of the spices already and you probably do too because they are basic spices. It only saves me .70 cents but hey...money is money!
I know this post is getting long but one more thing. I have had several people ask me what I do for breakfast and lunch so I wanted to give you some examples of typical meals here:
Breakfast:
- whole grain Cheerios with sliced bananas
- english muffin with crunchy peanut butter and sliced banana
- granola bar
- yogurt
- cheese toast
- fruit
- oatmeal
- Poptarts when I am lazy or rushed
Lunch:
My kids are not big meat eaters so lunches for them are an array of things. I also try to have them eat what we eat for dinner but if not this list applies to that too.
- crackers and cheese
- peanut butter on crackers
- granola bars
- cheese quesadillas
- grilled cheese
- PB&J
- graham crackers, yogurt or applecause
- turkey roll-ups
- bagel sandwiches
- turkey hotdogs
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