Health Food Store
2 packages Blueberries – $0.99 each
2 Green Peppers – $0.49 each
1 Cantaloupe – $1.49
Total with tax ($0.32): $4.77
2 packages Buns – $1 each
2 bags Lay’s Kettle Chips – $2 each
2.78 lbs Bananas @ $0.59/lb – $1.64
1 bag Kroger Brown Rice – $1
1 Cucumber – $0.79
1 gallon Chocolate Milk – $2.50
1 gallon Milk – $2.50
1 can Kroger Chili Beans – $0.69
1 jar Pickles – $1.59
1.37 lbs Roma Tomatoes @ $0.99/lb – $1.36
1 bag Kroger Unbleached Flour – $1.69
1 Lettuce – $0.99
1 bag Kroger Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – $8.99
1 package Power Greens – Marked down to $1.85
1 bag Organic Potatoes – $2.49
2 packages Kroger Cheese – $1.77 each
1 package Kraft Cheese Sticks – $2.84
1 package Kroger Tortillas – $1.59
Items a part of the Mega Sale (Buy 5, Get $5 off instantly):
2 Herbal Essence Body Wash – $1.99, used 2 $1/1 catalina coupons – $0.99 each after coupons
1 bag Fritos Chips – $1.49
2 Kraft Salad Dressing – $1.49, used 2 $0.75/1 printable – $0.74 each after coupons
Total before coupons and sales: $74.56
Total with tax ($3.61) after coupons and sales: $50.61
Total for all grocery items: $55.38
Menu Plan for this Week
Breakfasts
Cereal, Easy Pancake Bites, Fruit Smoothies (from frozen fruit), Scrambled Eggs
Lunches
Tossed Salad, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Macaroni and Cheese, Cheese/Crackers/Veggies, Leftovers
Dinners
Build Your Own Haystacks, Peas
Hamburgers (using frozen patties my parents gave us), Chips, Cantaloupe
Chicken & Rice Casserole, Steamed Broccoli, Tossed Salad
Salad Bar, 30 Minute Rolls
Stuffed Peppers, Blueberry Muffins, Cantaloupe
Baked Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli
Waffles, Eggs, Homemade Hashbrowns
Laura says
Just curious how long a shopping trip like this takes you, Crystal. Do you prep everything at home and make a quick trip, or are you looking for unexpected deals at the store? I feel like grocery shopping with coupons takes me a long time!
Brenda says
Would you please share with me your recipe for fruit smoothies. I just bought frozen fruit in the bags, hoping to make smoothies. Thanks
Gretchen says
I usually just throw in whatever fruit we have on hand (frozen and fresh – strawberries, blueberries, bananas and grapes are some of our favorites!), add milk and a little bit of vanilla extract. If I have sour cream or yogurt I will put that in as well. I hope that helps!
Julie says
My family of 5 (2 teens and 1 tween + dog and cat) spend $400-$500/month on all food and household goods. We have a garden and fruit trees/bushes and shop mostly at Aldi’s. I know I could spend less but my family HATES eating the same things over and over. I have more than 100 meals that I rotate through. Considering this is making every meal a day at home, from scratch, nothing processed and absolutely NO eating out – I think we do pretty well.
Jennifer says
I’ve never heard of haystacks before but they look delicious! Any recipe calling for Fritos as an ingredient is aces in my book.
Kim says
What is the build yourself haystack? I tried to open it but nothing was there.
Kathy says
I cook mine, not minute type, in a rice cooker. Turns out awesome. I bought the cooker for less than $10 on a kohls awesome sale.
Crystal Paine says
Try this link and let me know if it doesn’t work: https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/07/build-your-own-haystacks-recipe.html
Kim says
Thanks for the link. It did work 🙂 I will have to write this down bec it looks really good. 🙂 It reminds me of walking tacos.
Becky says
Nice job! How do you get your brown rice done. Mine is always “crunchy” no matter how long I cook it. I have been using the instant brown rice.
Jamie says
Google Alton Browns brown rice recipe. He has you baking it in the oven. It’s fabulous!!
Gretchen says
I don’t use instant as I have found it is often crunchy like you said. I use twice as much water as rice and cook it for about 45 min. I’ve never had a problem with it being undercooked this way.