I have a certain amount of money allotted to our grocery budget every week, probably much like the rest of you do. I do shop at Aldi, which nets me some significant savings, buying what I can't get there at Kroger. I usually spend about $120 a week, and that includes food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and pet food.Also like a lot of you, I've noticed lately that my $120 isn't going nearly as far as it used to even counting back to last summer. Prices have risen a LOT, and the things that have become more expensive are, as always, meat, milk and fresh fruits and veggies. Sometimes when I swipe my debit card at the cashier's stand, I wonder if it will suddenly shout "OUCH! YOU ARE KILLING ME! STOP IT! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"
I am not a coupon clipper - sorting through all those messy little papers while a line forms behind me at the check-out is just not my thing. I buy name-brand NOTHING. I am constantly getting sidetracked by BOGO offers (Buy One, Get One Free), although I work very hard to stick to the list.
And I do use a list faithfully, planning out our meals for the week and the ingredients needed, plus planning what we'll want for breakfast and lunch. Since the bulk of my shopping comes from a discount grocery, I'm not sure where else I can save, or even if I want to: we've had to make a good many sacrifices in the past few years due to recession woes and our food is something that I'm just unwilling to compromise on.
Feeding a family is one of those things that's hard beyond the shopping, preparing and the serving. The paying is a real pain.
I'm right there with you, Shelly. I cringe when they hit the total button. And when I carry out a bag...one bag that totals $42.67...I'm walking out of the store reading my receipt, unable to accept that a few items cost that much!
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Cheryl
I know. I hate looking at my kids like "don't you dare eat that" but when groceries cost what they do, sometimes the evil eye does appear.
ReplyDeleteI hear you...I have taken to adding another side to fill up the guys, something like carrots BOGOF or pasta for a buck. And going out to eat? Forget it...I cannot remember the last time we all went out to eat. Mark takes his lunch, Matt takes his lunch, I take my lunch. I did splurge and go out with KW last week but even that was a fairly long time coming. Prices are going to get worse, not better, is what I hear. Yikes.
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