November Wk 1 Healthy Food Budget: $145.89
Extra days and extra expenses for the first week of budgeting for a new month and a new year! I’ve spent a little more than usual this week, so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to cut back for the rest of the month.
We splurged on take-out but we haven’t spent $ on dining out in awhile, so it was a nice reward.
Nov Wk 1 Food Spending $145.89 / Balance $254.11
Dining Out: $29.35
Groceries: $116.54
I think it was the first time I ever purchased a “quick sale” item, especially a meat item! Plainville ground turkey breast was on sale, but when I got to the meat case, I saw some turkey burgers that were labeled for .99 off because the expiration date was 2 days away. I knew I’d be making them that night, so I took a chance. They were absolutely perfect and we got two meals from the package, so it was well worth it.
Where I Spent My Grocery Dollars This Week
Trader Joe’s $24.65 for 4lbs potatoes ($4), 2 boxes of pasta, applegate farms turkey, 2 bars of fair trade organic chocolate, organic raisins, pecans, feta, 4 bananas.
Wilson Farm $19.19 for farm scallions, farm red lettuce, farm broccoli crowns, farm cauliflower, local Spencer apples, farm beets, farm green peppers, 2 bags of carrots (3 lbs ea), 2-1/2 lb cabbage
Whole Foods $35.17 for bulk peanuts, 4-1/2lb tote local apples (sale $1/lb), 1/2 gall local whole milk, hommus, bone-in chicken breast and chicken drumsticks (both on sale @ $3/lb & $1.29/lb)
Market Basket $12.88 for large bonus size California olive oil, 4lb Domino sugar, 1-1/2 lb bananas
Market Basket $18.66 for pineapple (sale $2), hass avocado (sale $1), 1-3/4lb bananas, organic mozzarella, (2) Blake’s
chicken & turkey pies, and Plainville ground turkey burgers (quick sale $2.70)
Market Basket $5.99 for frozen key lime pie (junk food yes, but cheaper than buying dessert from a restaurant or bakery)
About My Healthy Budget
My healthy budget goal is to eat seasonal (local if possible,) home-cooked meals while sticking to a $400 monthly budget for all food including groceries, dining out, entertaining, vitamins/supplements, and gardening.
There’s two of us eating (mostly) 3 meals per day. DH occasionally eats take-out lunch at work, & that $ comes out of his personal cash stash.