This Week on the Dining Table....the May 19th Edition

"Home Sweet Home"

Saw this pillow and it's true.lol

Onward to the meal planning!  Here is what was planned for the last week.....

1. Sunday--?

2. Monday--?

3. Tuesday--?

4. Wednesday--?

5. Thursday--?

6. Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Take & Bake Pizza from Aldi

2. Monday--Pork Tenderloin, Mixed Veggies

3. Tuesday--Cheeseburgers, Green Beans

4. Wednesday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, Brussels Sprouts

5. Thursday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday-- BBQ Chicken Thighs, Roasted Broccoli

7. Saturday--out for BBQ, Cole Slaw

Not a very inspired menu but it got the job done.  We shopped at Aldi that week so everything was bought there.

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

*  Pork Tenderloin

*  Ground Beef

*  Salmon

*  Chicken Thighs

The last 2 weeks  we spent $339.19 on groceries and the savings rate came in at 20.65%. Spending for the month is $339.19 and the savings rate is 20.65% for May before rebate monies are added in.

Rebates earned in May--

$63.85 on Ibotta

$6.00 on Checkout51

$0 on Aisle and Misc.

$69.85 total in $$

Total spent after rebates is $269.34 for May. I need to find someplace other than Walmart to buy groceries here.

2,188 Pts. on Fetch

3,077 Pts. on SwagBucks lol

353 Pts. on My Points

1,770 Pts. on ShopKick

0 Pts. on TaDa

(I don't count these until I cash out for a gift card or cash.)

Before AND after rebates we had a very low spend month for groceries at least for us.

Leftovers going into next week...Meatloaf, Brussels Sprouts.

Here is what was planned for this week.....

1. Sunday--Don't remember

2. Monday--Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Chinese Takeout

4. Wednesday--Pasta w/Meat Sauce, Caesar Salad

5. Thursday--Pork Loin, Brussels Sprouts

6. Friday--Flounder, Veggie TBD

7. Saturday--Cheese Burger, Sweet Potato Fries

We have a much smaller fridge/freezer now so have to be more strategic with food purchases here.  It's goiong to take some getting use to.

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  

Making Progress

I thought I'd blog about what I've gotten done so far this week.  It might not seem like a lot but when you are struggling with depression, even the smallest of tasks seems like moving a boulder.

I went through a big tub of paperwork on Sunday and part of Monday.  Lot of old letters and things I've hung onto, some of them for 40+ years.  Most of it went into the trash.

We have lived for 2+ years with a piece of fabric draped over a curtain rod on the glass in the front door.  I have tried off and on to find a curtain that fit this glass.  It's frosted glass but has a clear glass design too so that's why I like to have a curtain over it, because at night you can see right into the living room.

With a move on the horizon I finally broke down and sewed a curtain that fit the door/glass.

It didn't take too long but I did have a lot of trouble threading the needle on the sewing machine because of the Essential Tremor in my left hand.  I got it done though.  Baby Steps.

We made a decision on a mover on Tuesday and put a deposit down.  We are going back to PA.  Not sure what town exactly as we have to wait until we are closer to the move date to rent a place.

We are going to rent a small house near where our son and his fiance lives.  We are flexible where we land as long as we are within driving distance.  Because we have pets that will cut down on possible rentals.  After we leave, this house will go on the market and we have a realtor picked out.  We thought about moving near my brother and his wife but there were three deterrents-the doctor who treats HS there left for greener pastures, we can't afford that area and there is a family situation involving my sister in-law's grandkid we don't want to get wrapped up in and if we move there, it will be difficult to avoid being dragged into it.  More updates to come.

I am now in collecting newspaper and boxes to use in packing.

I need to systematically go through each room and see what I can ditch before this move.  We downsized before we came here but there is more we can unload.  I know there are clothes I can donate as they are too big for me now.  And I need to get to reading my books because unless it holds sentimental value, after it's read, out it goes.

I've had a nerve block done on my right hip today so I'll be taking it easy.  

Speaking of medical stuff, I have begun to contact my PA doctors, specifically my HS doctor to get back on her schedule, or her associate's schedule.  It will be nice to only drive less than 2 hours to her instead of 3+ hours to the HS Dr. in MS.  Or maybe she can do Telemedicine now.  That would be great as long as I'm still in remission and she doesn't need to see me in person.

That's about it for this week's update.

Sluggy

Food Spending Report....the September Edition

* Again, this is way late but I'm trying to get back on track.*

Onward to September's Food Spending report......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for SEPTEMBER 2022.

I have posted September'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 September.  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 & tax where applicable. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

DOLLAR GENERAL

OOP  $29.90

Qs/Ads  $23.06

Value  $52.96

Savings  43.51%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC/Gift Cards  $125.62

Value  $125.62
Savings  100%

WALMART
OOP  $141.16

Qs/free Gift Cards  $38.45
Value  $179.61
Savings 21.40%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%,  Dollar General at 43.51% and Walmart at 21.40%.

The worst rate was Walmart at 21.40%.  
I shopped at 3 different stores in September.

TOTAL Spent in September................$171.06

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards...$61.51

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased....$232.57

TOTAL Savings of .............................26.45%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for September w/R-A..........$171.06

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards w/................$187.13

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid...$358.19
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items....................42.24%

This closes out the September food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....Well I knew it wouldn't be pretty as we couldn't take any food with us(there are some staples that moved but they are in storage just yet).  Daughter mostly provides dinners(she gets a meal box every week which gives us 4 dinners plus a 5th of leftovers one night)but we are on our own for the other 2 nights, plus all breakfasts and lunches and we have limited space in her fridge and pantry for purchasing our food.  There are also only 2 grocery choices nearby-Walmart and Dollar General which is very limiting.  As we get acclimated here we'll branch out to other food sources.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP by 3.54% in September 2022 to 42.24% compared to the August's 38.70% savings average.  

With 9 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $1,997.83 on food/toiletries in 2022.

2021 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$1,997.83

2021 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$10,322.79

2021 Grand Total Saved...............................$8,325.26

2021 Yearly Savings Total..............................80.65%

The average per month amount spent is $221.99 in 2022.

LOOKING AHEAD To October 2022......Still in transition here so the grocery game will remain the same.  I did spend on grocery items while on my trip so October's spending will be more than September's tab.

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

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

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just have 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 vs. 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

Food Spending 2022....the August Report

Onward to August's Food Spending report......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for AUGUST 2022.

I have posted August'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 August.  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 & tax where applicable. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

FARM STAND

OOP  $1.00

Value  $3.54

Savings  71.75%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC/Gift Cards  $453.01

Value  $453.01
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE
OOP  $1.99

Value  $1.99

Savings 00%

WALMART
OOP  $18.93

Qs/free Gift Cards  $23.36
Value  $42.29
Savings 55.24%

WEIS

OOP  $24.03

Qs/Sales  $3.11
Value  $27.14
Savings  11.46%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%,  Farm Stand at 71.75% and Walmart at 55.24%.

The worst rate was at Shursave at 00%.  
I shopped at 5 different stores in August

TOTAL Spent in August................$45.95

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards...$29.01

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased....$74.96

TOTAL Savings of .............................38.70%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for August w/R-A..............$45.95

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards w/................$482.02

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid...$527.97
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items....................91.30%

This closes out the August food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....I only bought items that were absolutely needed to make meals for things that I didn't have on hand.  That means not buying on sale price for most everything bought which means my savings rate went into the toilet in August.  It is what it is.  I am grateful that my well stocked pantry/freezer meant keeping my OOP spending to under $50 for the month.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP by 43.87% in August 2022 to 38.70% compared to the July's 82.57% savings average.  Thank goodness for all that free stuff I got from Rite-Aid to boost my monthly overall savings rate! 8-)

With 8 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $1,826.77 on food/toiletries in 2022.

2021 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$1,826.77

2021 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$9,964.60

2021 Grand Total Saved...............................$8,138.13

2021 Yearly Savings Total..............................81.67%

The average per month amount spent is $228.35 in 2022.

LOOKING AHEAD To September 2022.......We are here 11 more days then gone so the only food spending will be for the bare necessities.  There will increased eating out as a result, especially after we leave for Louisiana.  No clue where the spending will end up when September is over.

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

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

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just have 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 vs. 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