Week 1 - The Shopping List

Here we go. I did go over budget slightly due to some staples, please don't skewer me. This is a learning process for me, too, so in the future I hope to keep the budget in line with the $60 limit. Bear with me, please. :-) Note that there are no beverages other than milk and juice. If you want your Diet Coke or your Bud Light, you're on your own for that. I also assumed most of you have some staples such as sugar and a few spices. If you don't, you can get those at your local Dollar Tree or 99 cent store and still keep the budget low on a per use basis.

I will post the menu one day ahead, with a recipe or two included. The menu and recipes for tomorrow will be posted as soon as I get back from volleyball and soccer games this afternoon. Saturday is always a busy day at our house.

The Shopping List - Week 1

Chicken thighs/legs $5.90 10 lb bag, (10 leg and thigh quarters)

Pork chops  6.89, 2 meals, 4 chops each meal

2.25 lb ground beef (80/20) $3.97

4 cans tomatoes, 3 cans Italian, 1 can Mexican blend (not Rotel) 2.72

3 cans tomato sauce   0.58 for a 15 oz can + 0.34 for an 8 oz can

1 can tomato paste 0.44

1 can kidney beans 0.66

1 can mixed vegetables 0.68

3 onions 1.68

Celery 1.28

Lettuce 1.14

3 tomatoes 2.74

2 lb carrots 1.47

3 lb Bag apples, gala 3.97

3 lb bananas 1.17

1 bag flour, self rising – 2.32

1 lb spaghetti  - 1.08 x 2

1 lb elbow macaroni - 1.08

1 lb cheddar cheese  - 4.66

1 loaf sandwich bread -  1.00

Milk 2.28

Orange juice 1.53

Frozen peas 0.98

Rice, 2lb,  1.28

Oatmeal 1.48

Dozen Eggs 1.56

Oil 1.18

Salad dressing, any type (I got WishboneThousand Island, Hubby's favorite 1.88)

Spice cake mix (Betty Crocker) 1.25

Butter - 2.88

1 can cream of mushroom 1.00

1 can cream of chicken 1.00

1 green pepper 0.74

Yeast, Rapid Rise 3 pkg 0.86

Syrup – 1.88

Total: $68.65

Note, our state does not charge sales tax on food, which is a benefit. If you can find a bargain, say they have apples for less if you buy it per pound instead of the bag, go for it. If you don't need the larger bag of flour (this was 5 lbs, which will last for quite a while), then go for that, too. In the long run, you're better off buying larger quantities, but do what will fit into your food allowance.

Happy shopping!