Saturday, December 22, 2018

What we did with the $10 extra in our grocery budget this week and more...

Since we only spent $58.91 of our $70 weekly grocery budget this past week, I surprised the kids last night and told them they got to go to the store with me and pick out $3 each of whatever they wanted to go along with our dinner and Family Game Night ...

Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.

What we did with the $10 extra in our grocery budget this week

Since we only spent $58.91 of our $70 weekly grocery budget this past week, I surprised the kids last night and told them they got to go to the store with me and pick out $3 each of whatever they wanted to go along with our dinner and Family Game Night last night.

The kids had the BEST time at the store looking at their options, comparing prices, and deciding what to get. (And taking a detour to check out the cake decorating designs!)

I gave very little input and, instead, just had fun watching them interact, analyze, and calculate totals.

In the end, sweet tea, Jell-O (we don't usually buy it because of the food coloring), chocolate chip cookie dough, Milk Duds, and Lindt chocolate truffles won out.

And their total was $9.55 — which they were super proud of. Silas was all, "Now THAT is how you get good deals at the store!"

We came home and then they pretended to be me doing Instagram stories about my groceries (you can swipe right on this post to see their videos!)

Family fun and memory-making doesn't have to cost a lot of money; it just requires a little bit of creativity and learning to make the ordinary (grocery shopping) into something special.

What are some of your family’s favorite frugal fun ideas? I’d love to hear!

    
 

Brigette’s $83 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Aldi

1 5-lb bag All-Purpose Flour – $0.89

1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $3.85

1 box Crisp Rice – $1.15

1 box Honey Oats – $1.15

1 box Rice Squares – $1.79

1 64-oz carton 1% Milk – $0.78

1 gallon Whole Milk – $1.32

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $1.59

1 32-oz carton Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.29

2 dozen Eggs – $1.56

1 64-oz carton Orange Juice – $1.69

1 1-lb pkg Butter Quarters – $1.99

1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.15

1 container Onion Powder – $0.99

1 pkg Sliced Deli Ham – $2.99

1 3-lb bag Frozen Boneless Chicken Breasts – $5.39

1lb Premium Sausage – $1.89

1 pkg Sliced Pepperoni – $1.95

2 bags Riced Cauliflower – $3.78

2 3-lb bags Sweet Potatoes – $1.50

1 3-lb bag Bartlett Pears – $2.49

1 bag Organic Mini Cucumbers – $2.49

1 carton Raspberries – $1.09

2 Cauliflower – $3.78

2 1-lb pkgs Asparagus – $3.68

1 2-ct pkg Beefsteak Tomatoes – $1.19

1 pkg Zucchini – $1.19

1 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.75

1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.99

1 pkg Organic Romaine Hearts – $2.79

1 3-lb bag Pink Lady Apples – $3.59

1 pkg Gluten-Free Wraps – $3.99

2 large cans Organic Diced Tomatoes – $3.10

2 cans Tomato Sauce – $0.38

1 3-lb bag Yellow Onions – $0.99

1 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $2.15

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.29

1 loaf Bread – $0.65

1 jar Spicy Mustard – $0.89

1 canister Baking Cocoa – $1.75

Total: $83.91

Weekly Menu Plan

We will only be in town 5 days this week, so our menu plan reflects this.

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible for making/cleanin up their own breakfasts. Choices include:

Oatmeal, Cereal, Yogurt, Fruit, Cranberry Muffins, Scrambled/Fried/Boiled Eggs, Veggie Omelets

Lunches

Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes (recipe from “Trim Healthy Mama” Cookbook) x 2, Fruit

Ham/Cheese Sandwiches, Apples. Carrots

Leftovers or Build-Your-Own-Tossed-Salad Bar x 2

Dinners

Pearl’s Chili (recipe from “Trim Healthy Table” Cookbook) topped with Shredded Cheese, Onions, and Plain Greek Yogurt, Homemade Cornbread

Meat Potato Quiche, Biscuits, Tossed Salad

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes, Easy Whole Wheat Bread, Roasted Asparagus

Christmas Party at a Friend’s House  – I’m bringing Make-Ahead Butterhorns

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, Sliced Pears

Road Trip to MI – We’ll be eating fast food in the car 🙂