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04 January 2013

Pantry Challenge: Week One Shopping Trip.


After homeschool co-op today I ran into Walmart to pick up a few groceries.  I'm trying to keep my groceries under $200 for the month of January. 

Here's what I picked  up:
3 gallons of milk
1 small block pepper jack cheese
1 large block cheddar cheese
5 dozen eggs
2 loaves bread
1 package of hot dog buns
Mustard
Ketchup
1 can refried beans
2 fresh pineapple (price matched with Shop & Save at $0.99 each)
2 small caramel white chocolate Coffeemate creamers ($1 off coupon for each)
1 large coconut cream Coffeemate creamer ($0.75 off coupon)
Cascade rinse agent (free with coupon from new dishwasher)
1 box of Trix cereal - no coupon.  Reward for kids good behavior in store.

Total after coupons:  $44.36

I was pretty excited about staying in budget....until I got to the van and realized I forgot to get dog food.  Add another $14 to the total. 

I'm trying my best to keep a good attitude.  It just seems like every time I turn around there is another big repair.  $411 to fix the van, $68 for the freezer, $165 for the stove and today $135 for a new battery for my van.  All in the last thirty days.  Seriously?  I feel like all the hard work I did staying on budget for Christmas has just gone down the drain.  And while I know that's not true, I honestly felt like crying when I realized I forgot the dog food and would spend more than I wanted to spend. 

On a positive note, I made an awesome dinner tonight.  Loaded nachos.  I foolishly asked the boys as we were eating "Does anyone else think these are great, or just me?"  Josh answered "No.  Just you."  Funny!  They must have thought they were great too.....it was a clean plate club all around. 

Week one total:  $58.61.

Not to bad. 

Hop on over to good (cheap) eats to see how others are handling the challenge.

6 comments:

Maria said...

U are doing an amazing job! Just think if u hadn't stayed on budget for Christmas how much harder the surprise expenses would be! Good job!! And $58 for a family of 5 plus a dog is a good week!! Good job!!!

Charli said...

Thanks Maria. I'm feeling better about it all this morning. Yesteday, I wanted to cry a little.

Debbie said...

That's pretty awesome. Just think, you paid CASH for those expenses....WTG.

Rachel E. said...

Yes, those nachos were probably great, but they wouldn't use that word. :) Maybe yummy or good. I don't think you did badly on your groceries. I also wouldn't let the added expenses get you down. It happens. What is important is that you had money to pay for it.

Jennifer said...

Ugh, I know how you feel! Hopefully a pantry challenge will help you cover some of those expenses and get you back on track. Good luck!

Mary said...

new follower from the pantry challenge.

http://recipesonthecheap.blogspot.com/2013/01/pantry-challenge.html