Groceries!!!!

I buy groceries one month at a time. If I MUST go back to the grocery store between trips, it is for milk or bread. I try my best to stay under $200 when I bulk shop, but with 2 in diapers, 1 on formula and starting baby food, and a growing 7 year old, I've had to raise that number to $250. Now, I do not buy beef. We eat it, I just don't buy it. My amazing in laws provide us with 1/3 of a calf every year and that sees us through. If I were buying beef, I imagine my bill would be closer to $300. But here we go, this is an inside look to my shopping method.

I make a list. Detailed. I don't get ANYTHING that isn't on the list. When I make my list I look through my pantry and decide what I'm low on, or out of. I also buy in staples. Everything that I buy can be used in many ways to make any meal I want. When you buy recipe specific groceries, you run out of them a lot faster. Here is my Grocery Receipt from my most recent trip.

boneless skinless frozen chicken breast - 4.95
hormel turkey pepperoni - 2.98
off brand shredded cheese (2lb) - 7.58
string cheese pkg - 2.97
3lb hot dogs - 4.35
20oz pimiento cheese - 4.78
3lb sliced bacon - 9.98
2 box butter sticks - 4.76
off brand breaded chicken strips - 6.87
      (I don't often buy pre-made anything. But these I use at lunch time with my 2 year old on days that I don't have leftovers to feed him)
3lb dinner sausage - 6.99
bag of salad - 2.98
bag of fresh spinach - 2.98
celery - 1.57
bag of yellow onions - 2.98
grands biscuits 2ct - 3.80
     (Again, I usually make my own biscuits, but in the morning when we are all running late, these work best)
off brand mayo - 2.06
diced tomatoes 2ct - 1.50
large can refried beans - 1.51
can of cream of mushroom 2ct - 1.77
tomato soup 2ct - 1.08
cream of celery - 0.56
*chocolate bark - 1.94
*almond bark - 1.94
*chocolate chips 2ct. - 4.00
mozzarella cheese - 7.28
turkey lunchmeat - 2.94
*hershey kisses - 2.94
*coconut flakes - 1.99
*mini pretzels - 1.27
all purpose flour 2ct - 2.96
rotel tomatoes 2ct - 1.76
canola oil - 2.12
rice sides 4ct - 4.00
     (I don't normally get these, but they were on sale. So instead of getting more long grain rice, I got these)
shortening 2ct - 5.00
pretty baby girl headbands - 2.99
     (not on the list... but she needed them!!)
10lb sugar - 4.72
crisp rice cereal - 2.24
corn flakes - 1.36
brown sugar 2ct - 3.00
baking powder - 0.98
gravy mix 2ct - .66
*roasted peanuts - 1.87
sweet potatoes - 3.85
baking potatoes - 3.15
clementines - 7.88
2gal whole milk - 5.16
corn tortillas 90ct - 2.20
dish detergent - 2.73
baby formula - 21.00
baby food 7ct - 5.88
18ct eggs 2ct - 5.12
2 loaf bread - 1.76
***Sales tax - 0.71
***Total - $199.33
*These items are for specific holiday goodies! I don't always buy these things.

Several items for my my 7 year old's lunches or my own lunch. The rest can be made into whatever meal I want! That is where we get to be creative! And yes, these things give me a month worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners! I rarely buy name brand and I try to always buy in bulk. It may look more expensive, but by ounce it is usually cheaper.

These prices are HEB. This is the first time I shopped there and will probably be the last. Nothing wrong, just a smaller store. I usually shop at Walmart, but got so sick of how busy it always is. I could not find the diapers I usually get at the small HEB and ended up having to go to Walmart anyway. Oh well, learned my lesson.

Also, I didn't need things like toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste or laundry soap this month. Next month, I will, but my bottom line bill won't fudge much. Know why? When I don't need these more expensive items, I stock up on things I use the most, so I won't have to get them next time!

I'm not sure if I've explained this well or if I have just confused you, but what I'm trying to get across is that if you really budget and stick to a list, you can save a lot of money! We are a family of five. Two adults and three children, ages 7, 2, and 3 months. If I can buy groceries for $250 or less and it last me all month, you can learn to do it, too. It might take you a couple of months to really get it down, but you can do it!

Make the most of your dollar. After all, God only asks for 10% and leaves the other 90% to spend however you see fit. 90%! Make the most of it, be a good steward of the blessings God has given you!

"Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." Genesis 9:3