Food Spending.....the October 2024 Edition

Onward to October's Food Spending Report.....

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for October 2024.

I have posted October's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there. 
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in Octohyhhber.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods, Pet Food. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
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BROOKSHIRE'S 

OOP  $30.16

Sales  $18.85

Value  $49.01

Savings  38.46%

DOLLAR GENERAL

OOP  $12.23

Sales  $20.47

Value  $32.70

Savings  62.60%

KROGER

OOP  $431.31

Qs/Gift Cards  $318.05

Value $749.36

Savings  42.44%

LOWE'S

OOP $19.52

Value  $26.00

Savings  24.92%

WALMART

OOP  $156.75

Qs/Gift Cards $83.76

Value  $240.51

Savings  34.83%

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My best Store Savings Total was at Dollar General with a savings of 62.60%.  My worse rate was at Lowe's with 24.92%.  Not a bad savings rate average overall though.

I shopped at 5 different stores in OCTOBER.  

TOTAL Spent in October......$649.97

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards....$517.67

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.....$1,167.64

TOTAL Savings of........44.33%

This closes out the October food/toiletries/etc. spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month....

On the surface our spending was a little high but that doesn't figure in all the rebating cash I got back.  Even so, we had a goodly savings percentage over regular retail anyway.

The Monthly food spending savings percentage went Up by 4.14% in October to 44.33% compared to September's 40.19% savings average.  

Since we have an adequate income and food should be a pleasure in life(no way am I going to eat unseasoned rice and beans for my remaining days like some people-because I don't have to). I will buy quality food and pay the price at the register.  I may not like the price but I will deal with it.

With 10 months accounted for, I have spent a Total of $5,984.68 on groceries/HBA/paper goods/etc. in 2024.  Food prices have gotten to the ridiculous level, haven't they?

2024 Yearly Total Value of Items  $11,829.88

2024 Total Saved   $5,845.20

2024 Yearly Total Spent  $5,984.68

2024 Yearly Savings Total of  49.41%

The average per month amount spent is $598.47 in 2024 so far but that's before all the rebate monies are added in.

Remember that I withdraw all my cash rebate monies(Ibotta, Shopmium, TaDa, Checkout 51, Swag Bucks, My Points and other miscellaneous rebates-Aisle, Tremendous, Sampoll  etc. and have it sent to my Paypal)at the end of the year and add it back into my food budget, so at the end of the year my food spending will go down.  I don't add in all the cashed out savings until the end of the year,

The other savings apps like Fetch, Shop Kick, Kroger Cash Back that let us get free gift cards(or $ off your grocery total-Kroger Cash Back), those are added back in when I cash those points in along the way.  Alexa app gave me Amazon credit onto my account but I don't buy food on Amazon(sometimes I buy dog food there)so I really don't know how to count that and it's defunct now so I won't worry about that bit.

Because I don't like to let money sit in these rebate accounts and Paypal, I send $$ to my bank account throughout the year.  So far I have sent $2,717.68 from various rebating programs and through Paypal to my bank.  If you add in all that my food spending at the 10 month point in 2024 comes in at $3,267.00 or $326.70 per month.

Besides all I sent to my bank account I have more $ sitting in these various rebating programs as well as in Paypal.  This is not counting Alexa, ShopKick or Fetch, which all comes out in gift cards or Amazon credit.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER 2024.....

After we went through and organized the freezer, I am trying to eat down freezer/pantry in November and it seems like most of my grocery spending lately has been for Food Bank donations.  I hope to spend less in November than in October but time will tell.  Inflation is still crazy high so spending is more than I'd like it to be.

Gone are the days of a $350 grocery budget.

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share your thoughts with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in October?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just keep your receipts and either track it in a notebook or on a spreadsheet.

*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons versus buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?

*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

*  Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table.....the Nov. 3rd to Nov. 9th

The "I Wouldn't Spend Money on This" Edition.......

This was a free after rebate tv dinner from "Real Good".  It was more than double the price of a Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice one(never seen this brand go on sale)and about as thrilling as the others.  The BBQ sauce was strange tasting too.   I'll pass on this next time.  I wish my store carried their plain bagged chicken.  That I could have dressed up to be edible.

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Leftover Brisket, Green Beans, Mac and Cheese(Hubs only)

2. Monday--Catfish, Leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Something from the Freezer

4. Wednesday--Something from the Freezer

5. Thursday--Something from the Freezer

6. Friday--Something from the Freezer

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Leftover Brisket, Green Beans, Mac and Cheese(Hubs only)

2. Monday--Catfish, Leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--can't remember

4. Wednesday--I had a free after rebate TV dinner

5. Thursday--Rotisserie Chicken, Carrots, Au Gratin Taters

6. Friday--late lunch(I had a Salad and Strawberries later)

7. Saturday--So memorable I can't recall it lol

If your meal plan is just "something from the freezer" it's hard to go off plan. lol

I probably had a salad and strawberries(had a lot of strawberries)on Saturday and Hubs cut into his massive pot of chili.  Tuesday's dinner is lost to the mist of time. ;-)

We had a rare food waste last week.  I uncovered some collards in the freezer that were freezer burned so those got pitched.  I can't remember the last time we had any food waste beyond that. 8-)

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  Beef Brisket

*  Catfish

*  Don't remember

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  Ice Cream Cones

*  Chicken Biscuits(there was a deal)

                    

Last week we spent $175.79 grocery shopping(not counting the days in November).

Total shopping comes to $649.97 for October.   There are 0 shopping days left in October.

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $266.37 on Ibotta in October.

I've earned $3.00 on Shopmium in October.

I've earned $0.01 on TaDa in October.

I've earned $32.11 on Checkout51 in October.

I've earned $118.69 on Aisle, etc. in October. (Haven't gotten my Nature Valley rebate yet from June.)

I've earned 28,510 points on Fetch from food shopping in October.

I've earned 11,572 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in October.($46.28)

I've earned 6,679 Points on My Points in October.(not sure what the conversion rate it here)

I've earned 2,644 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in October.($26.44)

That is $420.16 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/Swag Bucks/TaDa/The Insiders were I earn,  gift cards)on $649.97 of grocery spending so in reality it's $229.81 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending(but I do count any rebates on those items) so it's a win/win--the food bank gets a large donation of goods and I get a lower grocery bill.

My savings percentage for the last week was 33.39% and the monthly savings total for October comes in at 44.33% spent.

Leftovers going into this week.....leftover carrots, au gratin taters, catfish, chili and the leftover rotisserie chicken got turned into chicken salad.  All of this will be lunch fodder as there isn't enough of any item for meals for 2.

Here is this week's food plan.....

1. Sunday--Tuna Subs

2. Monday--Chicken Strips, Squash and Onions

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--(Look Away Anne!)Liver and Onions, Mashed Potatoes, Beets

5. Thursday--Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

7. Saturday--Beef w/Stir-fry Veggies

I can easily see what's in the freezer now and make a plan.  We have everything for these meals(except provolone cheese for the subs).  Except for the cheese mentioned we need nothing from the store this week.  I may still go and cherry pick some deals since Thanksgiving is near and there will be stock-up deals and pick up some more items for the food bank too.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week? 

Sluggy

Rebate Shopping on Monday

 I hit up Walmart on Monday and did some rebate shopping well before Beryl hit and reeked havoc here.

It wasn't a very large shop but it turned out well.

1 x Hemp Protein Powder $7.82
1 x Skyy Vodka $14.98
2 x Old Spice Gentlemen's Body Wash  $25.94
2 X Old Spice Total Body Deodorant $16.00
2 x U Kotex liners $6.96
6 x Cesar wet dog food $5.88
Total was $77.58

I used a free $25 Walmart gift card making this $52.58 OOP
I got back....

*$32.00 from Ibotta
*$3.00 from Swag Bucks
*$3.00 from Shopmium
*$13.04 from Shop Kicks
Total rebates came to $51.05 so I am $1.54 OOP after I get back all that.

The Kotex is headed to the Food Bank...maybe the Hemp Powder as I really don't make pancakes or baked goods anymore.  The dog food is for our puppies.  The Old Spice items will be sold locally.  The vodka is for making my own vanilla if I can remember where I put those Vanilla Bean Pods I have. ;-)

Sluggy

Shopping Last Friday

I picked up some grocery deals late last week at Kroger and Walmart....from l to r

3 x Yoplait protein yogurts on clearance .59¢ ea.

1 x Brekki overnight oats $2.89, free after rebate

2 x Nature Made Vitamins BOGO $19.99, $1.99 for both after Ibotta, coupons and KCB

2 x Nature Made Zero Sugar gummies BOGO $18.99, $4.21 moneymaker for both after Ibotta, coupons, Shop Kick and KCB

2 x I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray .29¢ ea. after sale

1 x Dawn Power wash dish soap $2.29

1 x Gillette mach 3 razor .99¢,after coupons and sale

1 x Coke Zero 2 liter FREE after BC coupon

1 x Cretors popcorn snack $4.99 , .20¢ after rebate

1 x Wild Turkey Rye whisky $9.00 after Ibotta and Shop Kicks(comes out of Hubs WAM)

1 x Nature Valley Wafer snacks $4.32, Free after rebate

2 x Barilla Protein pasta $5.04, .04¢ after coupons and Swag Bucks

1 x Gatorade Water(really?)$1.98,  .98¢ after Ibotta

2 x Clorox toilet bowl cleaners $5.36, $2.36 for both after Swag Bucks

1 x 12 ct. box Beneful wet dog food clearance $7.00. $4.20 after Shop Kick

3x Purina One wet dog food cans $5.94, $2.94 after coupon, Swag Bucks, Ibotta

1 x Persil laundry pods $5.44, $1.44 after Shop Kick and Ibotta

4 x Sweet Tart Ropes $5.92, $2.08 moneymaker after Swag Bucks and Checkout 51s

The razor, the laundry pods and the candy are earmarked for the food bank.

I spent $62.53 on all the above.  Rebates earned were $69.91($27.75 Ibotta, $3.00 Checkout 51, $3.00 Shopmium, $6.02 Swag Bucks, $18.18 Shop Kicks, $13.97 Fetch, $4.32 Nature Valley Manu. Rebate, $2.89 Brekki Manu. Rebate and $4.75 Cretors Manu. Rebate)so a $7.38 Moneymaker for all.

Have you found any good deals on items you can use or donate?

Tell us about it.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Back to Reality" Edition.....

Here's Hubs standing next to the paella pan at the restaurant we ate at in Ibizia, Spain.  I doubt even he could have eaten that whole thing. lolz

Well I put on 13 lbs. during the cruise, but am already taking it all back off(9 lbs. off as of today)by doing intermittent fasting since Friday.  Another week or so and I'll be right as rain again. 8-)

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Twisted Root Burger

2. Monday--No Clue

3. Tuesday--No Clue

4. Wednesday--No Clue

5. Thursday--No Clue

6. Friday--No Clue

7. Saturday--No Clue

And here's what actually happened(we were on the ship until Tuesday)......

1. Sunday--Crusty Bread w/EVOO and Balsamic, Salad, Calamari, Paella, dessert I can't remember and oh, so much wine!

2. Monday--Endive Salad, Filet Mignon, Cheese Plate for dessert

3. Tuesday--Bruschetta, Ribs and Shrimp, Apple Brown Betty

4. Wednesday--Some Chicken dish w/Rice on the plane, a roll, a crumbly cake, a fancy UK Hot Pocket and many Dr. Pepper Zero Sugars

5. Thursday--Muffaletta Pizza

6. Friday--Leftover Muffaletta Pizza

7. Saturday--Beef Fajitas  

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  Nothing  

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  1 pack of Catfish

*  1 pack of Salmon

*  3+lbs. of Pork Tenderloin  

Last week we spent $167.89 on grocery shopping for April.  I had an Ibotta Bonus to hit and dby gosh I was going to get there. ;-)  

Total shopping come to $538.55 for April.   There are 0 shopping days left in April so I am done for the month, obviously.

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $243.50 on Ibotta in April.

I've earned $24.50 on Shopmium in April.

I've earned $32.50 on Alexa app in April.

I've earned $11.24 on Kroger Cash Back in April.

I've earned $29.39 on TaDa in April.

I've earned $1.50 on Checkout51 in April.

I've earned $32.41 on Aisle, etc.

I've earned 35,644.00 points on Fetch from food shopping in April.

I've earned 8,250 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in April.($33.00)

I've earned 3,497 Points on My Points in April.($16.63)

I've earned 0 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in April.

That is $331.30 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/KCB/Alexa)on $538.55 of grocery spending so in reality it's $207.25 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending.

My savings percentage for the last week was 56.35% and the monthly savings total for April comes in at 45.22% spent so far. 

Leftovers going into this week...Fajita filling.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Teriyaki Green Beans, Stuffed Mushroom Caps

2. Monday--Catfish, Shrimp, Green Beans

3. Tuesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

4. Wednesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

5. Thursday--Brisket, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Leftovers

My meal plan blew up when we lost power for 2+ days.  This is my revised plan since I got back online this morning. 8-))

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy      

This Week on the Dining Table....the January 15th Edition

The "It's that Time of Year Again" Edition.....  

The Mardi Gras stuff is out in full display at stores here now.  Actually they had it out in some places before we left for PA in December.  Around here MG has to jockey for shelf space with the Valentine's stuff.

I thought this inflatable mudbug was horrific.  Who needs to buy this since with the Rainy Season, mudbugs are in everyone's yard?  These would be the real deal critters popping up in them.

No one's yard, from here to Lafayette, to New Orleans, to the shores of the Mississippi river are safe from these wild crawfish tubes.  So lovely.....

This is day 218 of the new "diet".  Down 59 lbs. since the cruise(not counting the 8 I gained on the cruise and then lost again, which would make it 67 lbs.).  

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week hahaha.......

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad, Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Lean Cuisine tv dinner

4  Wednesday--Chicken Sandwich, Stir-Fry Veggies

5. Thursday--Lean Cuisine tv dinner

6.  Friday--Shrimp Scampi, something veggie?

7. Saturday--Stauffer's Cheddar Broccoli Bake

And here's what actually happened.......

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad, Chicken Strips

2. Monday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Lean Cuisine tv dinner

4  Wednesday--Chicken Sandwich, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, more Leftover Green Beans

6.  Friday--Teriyaki Salmon, leftover Sweet Tater Fries, Cole Slaw

7. Saturday--Chicken Thighs w/SF BBQ sauce, Collard Greens

The "plan" got followed until we hit Thursday, then some shopping happened and we ran this menu into the ditch. lol

What got taken out of the freezer last week...

* Chicken Strips

* Meatballs

* 2 TV dinners

* Chicken Patties

* Chicken Parms

What got put into the freezer last week....

* 4 Chicken/Veal Parms

* 1 Smoked Kielbasi

*  7 BSCThighs

Last week we spent a shocking $333.01 on grocery shopping for January.  Still stocking back up.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 8-))  All the dog food and facial tissue(which we were running dangerously low on)bought just made the total worse.

Total shopping comes to $523.63 for January.   

There are 16 shopping days left in January.  With the wild weather forecast here I may not get a chance to get out to the store until Thursday or Friday(if at all) this coming week anyway so I'm glad I stocked up.  I figure I've got just over 7 days left in the month to grocery shop and will try to show some restraint. *rolling my eyes*

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $168.04 on Ibotta in January.

I've earned $41.50 on Shopmium in January.

I've earned $1.00 on Alexa app in January.

I've earned $2.20 on Kroger Cash Back in January.

I've earned $37.97 on TaDa in January.

I've earned $6.76 on Checkout51 in January

I've earned $3.00 on Aisle and $12.84 on a Manuf. Rebate.

I've earned 5,563 points from food shopping on Fetch in January.

I've earned 350 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in January

I've earned 0 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in January.

That is $271.11 in rebates(not counting the Kroger Cash Back/Shop Kick/Fetch)on $523.63 of grocery spending so in reality it's $252.52 in food spending after the 6 rebate apps I count. 

My savings percentage for the last week was 38.37% and the monthly savings total for January comes in at 38.66% spent. 

Leftovers going into this week....2 Chicken Thighs, Spaghetti and Meatballs, 2 Chicken Parm Patties, Cole Slaw and Collards.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Leftover Chicken Parm, Salad

2. Monday--Chicken Marsala, leftover Collards

3. Tuesday--Cabbage w/Onions, Chicken Sausages

4  Wednesday--Shrimp Scampi, leftover Collards

5. Thursday--Stauffer's Cheddar Broccoli Bake

6.  Friday--Leftovers or Lean Cuisine tv dinner

7. Saturday--Leftovers or ?

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy    

Finishing Off Ibotta for The Year

 There was no way in hell I was going to reach the $45 for 140 offers Bonus for December(especially since I wasn't grocery shopping/around for about 9 days of the month).  But I did get all the rest of the "reasonable Bonuses" completed.  yay me!

Here is what I bought on Tuesday to finish off the Midweek "whatever they called it" Bonus this week.......

1 x Cheetos mac and cheese cup=.96¢

1 x Cheetos mac and cheese box=.96¢

2 x Durex condoms=$5.76

1 x Glad trash bags=$5.12

3 x Aleve small containers=$5.94

1 x Keurig Donut Shop Holiday tin coffee=$5.00

1 x Nivea lotion=$5.84

1 x Rockstar energy drink=$1.50

1 x Celestial Seasonings tea assortment=$2.50

2 x Bic Gelocity pen assortment=$15.74

2 x Clorox wipes travel size=$1.94

Subtotal.......$51.26

I used $40.00 in free gift cards so paid $11.26 OOP +$1.81 in sales tax=$13.07.  I earned back $34.77 in rebates and a $3 Bonus on Ibotta, $2 back on Coupons dotcom, as well as 236 Fetch points and 4,820 Shop Kicks($19.28).

But then I forgot to use my 2 paper coupons so went to CS desk.  The Qs came to $2.05.  Last time I forgot Qs, the CSM put the amount on a Walmart gift card.  This time she said she had to return the items and rering them(price adjusting for the coupons)and gave me cash.  She shoved the money into my hand and was quick to get on to the next person.  Once I pulled the cash out of my coat pocket in my car I saw it was this..........

$6.  I saw two bills when she handed it to me(thinking it was 2 $1 bills and she forgot the nickel but no,

Walmart employee math is wonky,  Wonky in my favor. lolz  Now my $24.70 moneymaker is a $30.70 moneymaker. 8-)))

So I am probably done rebating for 2021 but........there are two days left in the year so...........we'll see! ;-)

Sluggy