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.).
For live updates, be sure to follow my Instagram Stories. See all posts on my $70 Grocery Budget here.
Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and we will be compensated if you click through and sign up. Read our disclosure policy here.
I had every intention of getting these Southwest Rollups done for Friday’s Freezer Cooking post. But alas I productively procrastinated on them and didn’t get them done before I had to get that post done.
But I did get them done! We had one pan for dinner that night and I put two bags of rollups in the freezer.
This is such a simple, frugal, and delicious recipe that we have loved for YEARS.
In fact, it would be fascinating to see how many of these I have made over the years. It’s probably an insane number! 🙂
Fun fact: This was a recipe that Jesse’s family loved and I love that it’s become one of our family favorites. These make such great quick lunches or snacks!
The freezer is filling up!! We currently have 9 dinners, 3 breakfasts, and 2 desserts in there. I’m aiming to have 30 meals in here by the end of June. We’ll see!
Kroger has been having fantastic Saturday only sales in recent weeks.
I was thrilled with the butter and water sale — two items that we use a lot!
You could buy up to 5 packs of butter for $1.99 each with the digital coupon — so, of course, I bought 5! We will stick these in the freezer and they should hopefully last us for two months (we usually use about 2 to 2 1/2 sticks of butter per week).
And I bought 3 cases of water — I found out later that the 32-packs were included in this sale. But they weren’t marked as such at our store, so oh well! We usually wash and re-use water bottles at least a few times before tossing them so this should (hopefully) last us all summer and will be so handy for time at the pool and road trips and other summer adventures!
Kroger Shopping Trip — $28.47
- 5 packages of Kroger butter — $1.99 each with Saturday Digital Coupon offer
- 3 cases of water — $1.99 each with Saturday Digital Coupon offer
- 1 Larabar — FREE Friday Digital coupon offer
- Chocolate syrup — $1.59
- Disposable bowls — $2
- 1 yogurt — marked down to $0.29
- 2 Fage yogurts — marked down to $0.49 each (got $0.75 back per yogurt — Ibotta rebate)
- 2 bags of apples — marked down to $0.99 each
- 12 ears of corn — 4 for $0.99 each
- 1 organic cauliflower — $0.99 each
- Total with tax: $28.47
We had our Community Group (four other families) over for an Ice Cream Social. We provided bowls, cups, napkins, and spoons and chocolate syrup and cookies. Two families brought toppings and two families brought ice cream and we had a great get-together that was super simple and inexpensive for everyone!
Silas made some Homemade Oobleck last night and the kids had so much fun playing with it. This would be a great frugal fun activity for summer.
This morning, Silas and I made Homemade Pizza Dough on Facebook Live. I had planned to make a double batch and freeze half of it, but I realized that we were getting down the bottom of the flour jar. So we just made one pizza crust.
This boy loves helping me in the kitchen — and he just better and better at cooking and baking!
I hadn’t made dough on our new kitchen table until today. I wasn’t sure how it would clean up, but I’m so happy to say that it wiped right off. I continue be so happy that we chose this table for our kitchen. I just love how sturdy it is and how easily it cleans up!
Silas helped me knead the dough and I taught him what dough should feel like when it’s ready.
We couldn’t find our pizza pan and I’m guessing that somehow it disappeared in the move or that Kaitlynn may have confiscated it for some craft project and I just haven’t discovered it yet (she’s always making all sorts of crafts and projects and I try to encourage it as much as possible, thought I do sometimes have to tell her that my kitchen pans aren’t up for grabs — especially if they are going to get destroyed in the process of her experimentation! ;))
Silas made the pizza entirely by himself — from rolling out the dough, to putting on the sauce, to thawing the chicken from the freezer, to grating the cheese, to pre-heating the oven.
I only had to give a tiny bit of coaching! I am so excited with just how capable my kids are becoming and how much all those years of letting them help me in the kitchen had paid off!
Silas’ finished pizza! This will be our dinner tonight. Yum!
You can watch us make the Pizza Dough live in the video above.
This Week’s Super Simple Menu Plan
This menu is subject to change a little if I find some great deals or markdowns! ?
Breakfasts
Cereal, Baked Oatmeal, Eggs, Fruit, Toast
Lunches
Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit, Veggies, Capri Sun, Cream Cheese Blueberry Muffins, (for the kids) Leftovers, Eggs, Yogurt, Pita Pocket Sandwiches, Salad (for me & Jesse)
Snacks
Whatever I Find on Sale/Marked Down (That works for snacks!), Ice Cream (our friends left the rest of the ice cream at our house from the ice cream social!), Yogurt, Cereal, Fruit, Popcorn
Dinners
Monday — Homemade Chicken Salsa Pizza, Apples
Tuesday — Spaghetti Casserole, Peas, Naan
Wednesday — Meatballs, Corn on the Cob, Homemade French Fries
Thursday — Haystacks
Friday — Picnic at Kathrynne’s School — we’re supposed to bring enough of a side dish to feed 15 people — I’m thinking of doing Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes since those always seem popular at potluck style dinners and I have all those potatoes that I got marked down. I may change my mind depending upon what markdowns I find.
Saturday — Takeout Pizza (we’re having friends over for dinner but we’re going to be gone all day long so I’m keeping it crazy simple!)
Sunday — Snack-y Dinner (fend for yourself — cereal, leftovers, etc.)Total spent so far this week: $28.47
Total left to spend: $41.53
Rebates: $1.50 Ibotta rebate for buying the 2 Fage yogurts, $0.25 Ibotta rebate for submitting my receipt
Nancy says
I bought my adult children Zero water pitchers and filters and they were shocked what was in their bottled water! These pitchers are a healthier alternative to bottled water and take advantage of something You already pay for, water!
Jordan says
That’s a great idea! Thanks for the helpful tip! -Jordan, MSM Team
red2red says
A long time reader here who enjoys reading your posts! Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas, shopping trips and menus with us!
Claudia says
Do you stock your freezer with meals before you start eating them? You mentioned you wanted to have it stocked with 30 meals by the end of June. If you meet your goal is that when you will start using those meals. Just curious
Jennifer says
There is nothing better than having your child fix dinner! It is such a blessing.
My son tends to be a bit more of an adventurous eater than his mother so he chooses recipes that I’ve been skeptical about and they’ve turned out really great.
One thing he makes for himself that I will not try is a fried egg on a burger. Ick. I don’t like fried eggs next to a pile of bacon. No way am I going to try one on a burger. I don’t care how childish I sound!
Crystal Paine says
I love that you’re raising such an adventurous cook! Way to go!
Guest says
My husband loves fried eggs on burgers. It’s his favorite to get at a local burger place. I won’t eat fried eggs on their own so I’m certainly not pairing it with a burger – ha!
We also have friends who fell in love with fried egg on pizza while in Europe. To each their own. 😉
Guest says
Crystal, I so enjoy these posts – thank you! This may sound silly to some but I’m sharing in the event it may help one person. Last year I was absolutely DONE with cooking dinners. I work full time, someone inevitably wasn’t hungry/didn’t want what I had prepared. Then there was cleanup after all the work cooking dinner.
Anyway, I ended up hiring someone to cook a few meals a week for us so we’d still have “homecooked” meals at home but I wasn’t doing it and cleanup was easy. The individual wasn’t available for awhile and it was during a particularly busy season so I went back to meals I grew up eating – tacos, spaghetti, breakfast for dinner, etc.
I had a realization that I had been majorly over-complicating dinners. I felt like there had to be a main with 2 – 3 sides and everything had to be nutritionally balanced just so. Once I simplified things, the family enjoyed the meals just as much (more in some cases), I was less stressed, there were fewer wasted ingredients, and everyone seemed more relaxed.
All that to say, I’ve seen some of the rude comments you occasionally get on your posts. Not that my opinion or anyone else’s matters but I think you’re doing a great job! I appreciate the simplicity of your meals. You still have fruits and veggies and protein and you have more time to spend with your family! So, thank you. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for sharing this! It makes me wonder what areas of my life I’m trying to overcomplicate. I’m mulling over that right now. Such good advice!
Aubrey Ives says
Would you mind sharing where you got the two striped T-shirt tops that you are wearing in the last couple of videos? They are really cute!
Crystal Paine says
Was it this one: https://amzn.to/2Lhj9dL
And this one: https://amzn.to/2IZySzG
CB says
Enjoying these posts and the grocery shopping posts! Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your encouragement!
Stacy says
Thank you so much for sharing your weekly grocery trips! It is very inspiring. I love the photos as well!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Michelle says
I am SO grateful for your returning to this type of series! I am a longtime reader and missed these types of posts. They areIt so encouraging and motivating. It given me wh exact push I needed to return to a budget that works best for my family. Thank you!!! (Although I am incredibly grateful, I know everyone is in different seasons so please know I don’t hope or expect you to continue with the $70 budget any longer than works for you.).
Crystal Paine says
Oh yay! I’m so grateful that these posts are motivating you! They take a lot of time and work to do, but if I know they are motivating people, then it’s totally worth it!
Sarah says
Oooh I’m inspired to make pizza tomorrow night now! 🙂 And how did I not know you could save Oobleck?!?! I always have my kids dump it out once they’re done haha! Maybe it’s the gross factor.
I gotta know though- was the organic cauliflower marked down??? Because that’s a STEAL!!
Crystal Paine says
Yes! It was marked down. I was excited about it!
Kelly says
Where did you get your table? Thank you and God Bless, Kelly
Crystal Paine says
It was from a local furniture store!
D.K. says
Sometimes I look at these kind of posts and want to cry. I live in a small town in Alaska (with one and half stores) and I went shopping today. I spent 25.18 on two organic tomatoes, one org. califlower, one bunch of org. chard, 1.3 lbs of grass fed beef, and one box of frozen fruit bars (do not normally buy). That includes .97 cents tax. Sigh. We pay for the beauty here=-)
Crystal Paine says
Just remember that I’m sure there are many amazing things and opportunities there that we could never get here! 🙂
Andrea@SharingMyFavorites says
I usually get the Saturday specials at Kroger, but somehow I missed the water deal! I’ll have to be more alert because I hate missing the good deals.
Crystal Paine says
If you’re not following me on Instagram Stories, be sure to follow me there — I give heads up on deals like these: https://www.instagram.com/themoneysavingmom/
Janell says
I joined Ibotta a long time ago and never used it. The past couple of weeks I’ve been at least doing the “any purchase” ones. It also gave me credit on my marked down strawberries the other day and I was very happy with that. Has anyone found an easy way to keep up with what offers are there? Like the yogurt. You got it marked down so it was really free after rebate.
Crystal Paine says
I just check it every time after I go shopping and just kind of know what is on there. And yes, it was free+ overage!
Bobbie Armstrong says
Sometimes you just need a bottle of water, yeesh! No judgements from me! We have reusable bottles, but we also buy plastic ones to have on hand for convenience!
Love the pizza video! So cute!!!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you!
Debbie says
I’m just curious to know why you don’t use reusable water bottles instead of buying disposable water bottles? It would be more frugal in the long run, and so much better for the environment!
Crystal Paine says
We use them most of the time, but for some things — like road trips and other activities — it’s simpler to just bring disposable bottles. 🙂 I also bring them sometimes if I’m not sure that I’m going to have access to good water to refill my reusable cup/bottle. (There are TONS of germs in most drinking fountains and I try to avoid using them.)
Jen says
Starbucks is a good place to get your water bottle refilled when traveling. They are always happy to do it, and it’s the filtered water they use for brewing coffee.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for the suggestion!!
Julie says
Wouldn’t buying reusable water bottles be more economical than buying plastic water bottles? It saddens me that all that plastic will be sitting in a landfill somewhere.
Crystal Paine says
We use reusable bottles most of the time, but for some things — like road trips and other activities — it’s sometimes simpler to bring disposable bottles. ? I also bring them sometimes if I’m not sure that I’m going to have access to good water to refill my reusable cup/bottle. (There are TONS of germs in most drinking fountains and I try to avoid using them.)
Jean Susan says
Your adorable and your real! We are empty nesters, our son is married, but we have grandma. So I am always looking to be thrifty. Your posts make me happy. I remember being where your at. I wasnt as good as you, I guess it’s never too late to try, right? Keep on doing what your doing. I and many are enjoying your tips and recipes! Best to you and family
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Saver says
Thanks I will try the tortilla recipe maybe w refried beans
Crystal Paine says
I hope you love it!
Bethany says
I love these new posts for your grocery budget. So now I know this kind of budget is doable. The freezer meals are such a great idea. I am commenting because I wanted to brag that the Kroger butter at my store was .99 cents on Saturday. Score! But I noticed you get way better markdowns than what our store gives. Please keep sharing money saving mom!
Crystal Paine says
YAY for $0.99 butter!!!
Nichole D. says
Same here… at our local store we had the same deal on bottled water, but for 35 packs! I bought 5 which will last all summer for sport practices, boating, and vacation (we bring own water as don’t like taste of local water). LOVE the grocery store deals.
I purchased the butter also for $1.99 as I will bake a lot now that rhubarb ready for picking.
Meg says
We recently purchased S’well bottles for the entire family and, although it’s been a huge change, we are so happy to have made the switch. No more buying cases of water! The initial cost was a shock but the water stays super cold for an entire day. We each have a small bottle ( to throw into bag or purse) and a larger bottle for sports/ work/ etc.
Crystal Paine says
My kids LOVE their bottles, too, — they got them for Christmas presents!
Karen says
I know I have said this before but I am LOVING these posts. So so cute how Silas helps you in the kitchen. My youngest also loves to help and I hope she will become a better helper as she gets older. Thank you for sharing these sweet moments.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!