GROCERY LIST MAKE-OVER CONTEST WINNER!

And the winner of the Facebook “Like” me contest is….

Emily!!!

Send me an e-mail at trebleinthekitchen@gmail.com so that we can get crackin’ on that grocery list make-over 🙂

Clean Shopping on a Budget Part III

Lunch

I got home from work starving…I guess that’s what 10 miles will do to ya!  And Mom had a little lunch all made up for me.

Carrots, celery, ritz, cucumbers, dip, radishes, crab, and cheese!  It was perfect.  On to the important things.

Grocery Shopping

I received a request last week for a step-by-step guide as to how I go grocery shopping for two people for two weeks for $100.

There are a lot of helpful tips in Clean Shopping on a Budget and Clean Shopping on a Budget Part II.

Here is my process for creating a yummy, fun, creative, and inexpensive grocery list.

Step 1:

Think about what ingredients are already have in the house, what staples are there and what can be made with it?

Here is what I had on hand:

• Chicken
• Shrimp
• Pasta
• Lunch cheese slices
• Barley
• Hummus Ingredients
• Blue Cheese

I usually base my meal ideas around things that will potentially go bad soon, or keep these items in mind while making my menu for the next two weeks.

Step 2:

I like to think about what I want to make.  I usually am constantly compiling recipes that I want to try and pick a couple meals and treats from that list.  I then add the needed ingredients to the list.

Step 3:

Then, I look at my schedule.  With my new retail job, I may be working through dinner and need to have something available for Brian to either heat up or make on his own (aka chicken or guacamole ingredients)

Step 4:

I start out the list with things that I buy every week, and staples that need to be replenished.

My Staples (I did not have to purchase all of these this week, but sometimes like when just starting out and building up the pantry the grocery bill may be higher because all of these items need to be purchased.):

• flour (wheat and white)
• oatmeal
• white sugar and brown sugar
• cocoa powder
• spices
• salt and pepper
• chicken/other lean protein (fish)
• some sort of granola or snack type bar

Things I Buy Every Week:

• almond milk
• peanut butter
• spinach
• vegetables
• onion
• bread/wrap
• bananas

Step 5:

When I go to a new store, I price out commonly purchased items and compare the price I paid at the old store with the new store.  I am then able to figure out which is cheaper and if it is worth it for me to go to two stores for one shopping trip (which I often do).

Step 6:

To avoid impulse buys while at the store, I write down the things I want with the price next to them so that next time they will make it on the list.

Step 7:

Once my list is made, I go back to old lists and write down the price that I purchased things for in the past and calculate things up.  If it is over my budget (a couple of dollars is ok), it’s time to start crossing things off the list.

While I am actually shopping, once I put an item in my cart I immediately write the price down rounded up to the nearest dollar.  This helps me total at the end and create future lists!

Step 8:

I then go to brand websites and coupon sites to print out coupons before heading out to the store.   I can almost always find coupons for Chobani, Almond Breeze, and Fiber One.

 

 

This method works for me, and I enjoy the process of getting everything ready for grocery day.  I know it’s not for everyone, and that is ok!  For me, doing all of these things will allows for a fun, healthy, and delicious grocery list where the budget is easily monitored.

Money Saver!

Tons of groceries!

 

Happy Shopping!

Clean Shopping on a Budget Part II

After posting some tips for how to shop for healthful foods on a limited budget, I thought it you might enjoy a couple of other strategies that I use to save a dime.

In addition to making a list and planning meals and meal ideas ahead of time I…

 

Try Not to Stray from “the List”

I honestly get satisfaction from crossing things off the list as I put them in my cart.  I also write the price (rounded up) of the item I check off so that at the end of the trip, I can add up the total so I can take things out if needed and have no surprisingly high totals.  Sometimes it is hard to stick to the list when I see a new product or something that I really want to try, and sometimes it is ok to throw an extra item or two in the cart.  But if everything that you want is just thrown in the cart aimlessly, then nothing you need will be there to make healthy nutritious meals throughout the week, and there is more of a chance that a trip to the store will be needed between scheduled shopping trips.

Look for In-Store Deals on Items Already on Your List

This cheese was priced 2 for 5, while the store-brand cheese was $2.97.  Although it was only a couple of cents, every little bit helps!  Looking at store brand versus brand name is also a good tip to save money without necessarily having a coupon.

Don’t Go to the Store Hungry

This could be detrimental to your healthy, budget-conscious shopping trip.  I was hungry today since we had just driven from Fort Wayne, so I bought myself a little Larabar to tide me over before I could get home to make dinner.  I know that when I am at the store and hungry I am more likely to make an impulse buy on an item that I may never even eat!

Once you have put all  your items in your cart and before you check out, I always total the bill so that I can decide if I need to put something back or if I can get that extra item that I forgot to put on the list.

Brian and my bill came to a total of $92.70, which is less than our $100 budget for the next two weeks!  I love saving money!

Money Saver!

 

Now, off to have some drinks at a wine bar called Tastings 🙂