I’m currently challenging myself to stick with a $70 grocery budget for our family of five. This includes almost all of our breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners + most household products (toiletries, laundry soap, etc.).
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I had planned to do a full Freezer Cooking Day on Tuesday, but I only ended up making a double batch of Turkey Meatballs and 4 pans of Baked Oatmeal.
I’m planning to make a double batch of Southwest Rollups tomorrow and then I’ll share more about my freezer cooking this week in tomorrow’s post (and show you an update on how our freezer is filling up!)
Remember those potatoes I got marked down? I turned half a bag of them into Oven-Baked Crinkle Fries — which we all LOVED! I made them similar to my Sweet Potato Fries recipe, only I used Olive Oil and then sprinkled them with salt and garlic pepper.
(My friend, Melissa, gave me this Crinkle Cutter and it is the best EVER. It makes chopping and eating veggies and fruits so much more fun and interesting!)
Thursday’s ALDI Shopping Trip — $32.42
- 1 gallon water –$0.79
- 3 lb. boneless chicken breasts — $5.99
- 2 cans refried beans — $0.75 each
- 1 bag onions — $0.99
- Iceberg lettuce — $0.85
- 1 bag of mini cucumbers — $1.99
- Milk — $2.69
- 2 bags of frozen peas — $0.95
- Baby lettuce — $1.89
- Baby carrots — $0.99
- Radishes — $0.49
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $2.99
- 2 bags frozen broccoli — $1.19 each
- Pasta Sauce — $0.99
- 1 can black beans — $0.55
- 1 can diced tomatoes — $0.45
- 3 boxes of Mac & Cheese — $0.33 each
- Pure Cane Sugar — $1.95
- Total with tax — $32.42
Total spent so far this week: $68.60
Want to hear more of why I shop at Kroger more often than ALDI + all sorts of other interesting tidbits, including what I do when a troll shows up on FB live? Watch the video above.
Make $0.50 in a Minute!
READER TIP: “Just wanted to give you a heads up. You might already know this but every Thursday there is a video you can watch to receive money for on Checkout 51. Today there were two. The videos are usually at the very bottom along with rebates for Sam’s club. I watched mine and remembered that one time I didn’t and I missed the rebate. You’ll get $0.25 for each video today. – a reader” Sign up for Checkout 51 here. (I just did this and it totally worked!)
Curious what we’re eating this week? Check out this week’s $70 Menu Plan here.
Jessica says
We have Roundy’s stores here (owned by Kroger), and they’ll have similar things on sale and usually the same freebie Friday, but there’s almost nothing marked down.
They don’t do marked down produce, and very rarely meat. Mostly it’s treats from the bakery that we don’t need.
Aldi is definitely better for pretty much everything other than a few times from the sale flyer and milk.
Jackie says
Thanks for posting. I’m hoping to get back into some freezer cooking, to prepare for my kids being home all summer. I think my grocery budget tripled last summer!! I was able to stop at three different stores yesterday. What I got for my money, was like triple what I normally get. Nice way to stock up for this summer.
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Way to go!!
Jr Davis says
Even though Aldi is 4 hours from me. I like how creative you are on buying items and what to make. I love these post.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for your encouragement!
kim says
Thanks for the Checkout 51 video tip, I never noticed that before!
Crystal Paine says
Me, neither!
Elizabeth says
Thank you so much for the Checkout 51 tip! I had no idea that they had videos! I use this app but sometimes it is hard to get past the $20.00 threshold! Thanks so much. I have been following your blog for years!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you for your kind encouragement! I was so excited about the Checkout 51 tip, too!
Jen says
Currently our Target (Central IL) has frozen vegetables priced cheaper than Aldi! It’s been this way for months. California Blend veggies are $0.79 and Broccoli florets and cauliflower are both $0.89/bag. Aldi is $0.95+ for each of these items.
Also, i’ve been able to regularly find meat/bakery markdowns (close to sell by date) at otherwise “expensive” chain stores. Aldi has been more hit-or-miss with the meat markdowns and is a RARITY to find bread markdowns in the last couple years.
I enjoy these grocery posts! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Oh! Great tip on checking Target for frozen veggies! Thank you!
Iris says
Have you tried the fletch app yet? It goes by brands instead of stores. You earn points toward gift cards. So far has been easy to do and points seem to add up fast.
Crystal Paine says
I haven’t tried it. Thanks for the recommendation!
Julie says
Hi Crystal!
I’ve been following your blog since 2008 -2009 or so. You have inspired me to be creative in finding ways to pinch my budget. I am really enjoying your recent posts about all the awesome deals you are finding at Kroger and Aldi. I live in Cincinnati…. you know Kroger country. (The home office of Kroger is located here). I have noticed that the stores that have a strong clicklist market have fewer woohoo markdowns. Have you observed that as well? I love these money saving posts!!!
Crystal Paine says
I haven’t noticed that. Interesting! I wonder if anyone else has noticed that, too?
Sophie says
Yes! I have. It seems there aren’t as many mayo downs ??♀️
Kenneitha says
I shop at both Aldi& Kroger. I live in Virginia. I used to think Aldi was than Kroger. I discovered Kroger has some awesome sales items and markdowns. I shop at Aldi for staples and fruit. I like both stores.