grocery savings mission

Liam's trip to the "tractor scoop" with Daddy

With everyone feeling the tightening of the purse strings with our economy, I decided that we should do our part as a family to be more fiscally responsible. Being a mainly one income family (my dance income is really just "fun money" and savings) I know how sometimes you have to pick and choose what you want to do, what you can afford, and what you can't.

My mission this week was to somehow widdle down our grocery bill. Eeeek - I had a minor heart attack just thinking of how to feed a full grown man (not a light eater), a growing boy (not a light eater), two dogs (one of which is the size of a horse and not a light eater, the other is fat and on weight control food which isn't cheap!), a frog - thank goodness Apple only eats every other day, and have some food left for me to nibble on :) So I'm going to share in my menu planning, grocery shopping and deal finds, and see how it works. I started today with planning out my dinner meals for the next two weeks. Here is the menu -

Thai Turkey Rolls & Rice

Rosemary Chicken Squares & Mashed Potatoes

Spicy Beef & Corn Casserole

Mom's Baked Spaghetti

Mexican Chicken Pot Pies

Baked Potato Pizzas

Desserts: Apple Napoleons & Bananas Foster Mountains

Okay, I know what you're thinking - Christie can't count, that's only 6 dinners. Well, part of my savings plan is learning to eat leftovers more effectively (not letting them rot and find them with a heartbeat 7 months later in the back of the fridge) Now, I went to the grocery store armed with some coupons and special deals from the Kroger circular as well that helped me plan my menu. Today I spent $129.19 which included 4 Lunchables for Liam, 4 orange yogurts for Liam, 2 packs of juice boxes for Liam, sandwich elements for Jackson & me to eat for lunches, 7 breakfast bars and 4 Rockstar drinks for Jackson (they're cheaper at the store than at CVS/Walgreen's) 3 giant tubs of ice cream when our desserts from above run out, miscellaneous toiletries for Liam & Jackson, and a fridge pack of Diet Dr. Pepper for me :) So, that balances out to about $65 per week for groceries. Sigh, I was hoping for more around $50 per week but it's a start.

Liam checking in on Apple the other morning