Food Spending 2021....The November Report

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

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for NOVEMBER 2021.

I have posted November'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 November.  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 & tax where applicable. We are a family of 4(2-3 eating at home this month). No "kids" under 25. 
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ALDI

OOP  $38.27

Value  $65.83

Savings  41.87%

CVS

OOP  $0.40

Value  $8.77

Savings 95.44%

DOLLAR GENERAL

OOP  $12.09

Value  $45.62

Savings  73.50%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC/Gift Cards  $2,018.33

Value  $2,018.33
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE

OOP  $.99

Value  $.99

Savings  00%

WALMART
OOP  $64.89

Qs/free Gift Cards  $211.47
Value  $276.36
Savings  76.52%

WEIS

OOP  $83.57

Qs/Sales  $38.33
Value  $121.90
Savings  31.44%

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My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, CVS at 95.44% and Walmart at 76.52%.

The worst rate was at Shursave at 0%.  Can't get much worse than Zero saved, right? lolz
I shopped at 7 different stores in November.  

TOTAL Spent in November.................$200.21

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards...$319.26

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased....$519.47

TOTAL Savings of .............................61.46%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for November w/R-A..............$200.21

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards w/................$2,337.59
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid...$2,537.80
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items....................92.11%

This closes out the November food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....It was a GREAT lower spending month!  Spent almost half of what I usually shoot for so I am pleased.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP by 22.70% in November 2021 to 92.11% compared to the October's 69.41% savings average.  Rite-Aid Black Friday sales always skew my percentages in November.  Go me! ;-)

With 11 months accounted for, I have spent a Year-To-Date Total of $3,472.74 on food/toiletries in 2021.

2020 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$3,472.74

2020 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$20,755.87

2020 Grand Total Saved...............................$17,283.13

2020 Yearly Savings Total.............................83.27%

The average per month amount spent is $315.70 in 2021 so far.

My Ibotta rebate, Coupons dotcom, Checkout51 and Aisle totals for the year so far through October comes to $3,085.13 once I cash out.  Put that next to a full spending of $3,472.74 for the year so far and I've "actually" spent only $387.61 on food/toiletries for the year or an average of $35.24 per month.  Plus I've been able to donate to the food bank and share my haul bounty with others.

I love that I can do that!

LOOKING AHEAD To December 2021.......

Not sure what December will hold as far as grocery spending goes.  We are good on all but perishables(fresh milk, fresh produce).  Not sure yet if and whom will be here for Christmas entertaining if anyone.  I'll set the bar low at my usual $400 spend but I suspect we won't reach that or even be close unless I go nuts and buy porterhouse steaks and lobster for Xmas dinner for 12. lolz

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 November?

*  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

This Week on the Dining Table

  The "Big Adventure to New Jersey" Edition...

Hubs and I met our future daughter in-law's parents over the weekend plus a whole lot of other extended family.  We thought at this point we wouldn't meet them until the wedding. lol  It went well.

Here's a picture of Oliver aka Ollie, the fiancé's parent's dog.  He was cute and had a little 
chair/bed that matched the living room furniture. lol

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On-

This is what was planned--

1. Sunday--BLT Sandwiches(finally got ahold of a "good" tomato

2. Monday--Chicken Thighs, Zuke in Tomato Sauce, Rice

3. Tuesday--Chicken apple sausage, Sweet Potato Wedges, Green Beans or whatever

4. Wednesday--Salad, Flatbread Pizza
5. Thursday--more BLTs "maybe"

6.  Friday--Salad, Whatever, it will be too hot to cook

7. Saturday--Cook-Out at Son's place(I'm not cooking)

You can tell I am not enthused about cooking this week, can't you?;-)

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--BLT Sandwiches(finally got ahold of a "good" tomato

2. Monday--TV dinner for me

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs, Zuke in Tomato Sauce, Rice

4. Wednesday--BLT Sandwiches
5. Thursday--I don't remember

6.  Friday--Hubs got Chinese Take-out so I had soup

7. Saturday--Cook-Out at Son's place(I'm not cooking)

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

* 8 pack of burritos(again)

* 1 pack of mini Klondike bars

* 3 pack of chicken breasts

* 1 Stir-Fry in a bag dinner

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

* 1 tv dinner

* 1 pack chicken thighs

* 1 pack of bacon

We spent a whopping $100.88 on food/toiletries/HBA last week at Weis/P and R/Shoprite and a little something bought 6/30 at Ollie's that I didn't account for on June's total.  This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $100.88 for July.   

There are 26 shopping days left in July.

I've earned $62.68 on Ibotta in July.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in July.

I've earned $0.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in July.

I've earned 4,049 points from shopping on Fetch in July which equals $4.04.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in July which equals $0.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in July which equals $0. 

That's $62.68 in rebates(not counting the ShopKick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $100.88 in grocery spending so in reality it's $38.20 spent after the Ibotta and Coupons dotcom rebate apps.

My savings percentage for last week was 55.80%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for June and the monthly savings total for June comes in at 55.80%.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week....Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs, Zuke in Tomato Sauce, Rice.

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

1. Sunday--Cheeseburgers, Salad

2. Monday--leftover Chicken Thighs, Zuke in Tomato Sauce, Rice 

3. Tuesday--Chicken Marsala over Taters, Green Beans

4. Wednesday--Salmon, Sweet Potato, leftover green beans
5. Thursday--Stir-fry Veggies, Chicken and Noodles

6.  Friday--leftovers?

7. Saturday--Flatbread Pizza, Tossed Salad

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Maybe more green beans?

But I'm working on a $10 Ibotta Bonus that ends next Monday so we'll see what pops up during the week. ;-)

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 great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table...HaHaHa

 The "Sort of Back to Meal Planning"...

I think this fortune cookie I cracked open in June says it all as far as life here right now. lol

(If you can't read it, it says "Don't panic.)

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On-

This is what was planned--

1. Sunday--FFY-I had a small tv dinner

2. Monday--Chicken apple sausage, Sweet Potato Wedges

3. Tuesday--Spinach Salad and TBD

4. Wednesday--Leftovers or No Clue
5. Thursday--Fend for Yourself

6.  Friday--Salad, Pizza(homemade on flatbreads)

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--FFY-I had a small tv dinner

2. Monday--Chicken apple sausage, Sweet Potato Wedges

3. Tuesday--Chinese Take-Out(I had Hot and Sour Soup)

4. Wednesday--Spinach Salad(didn't need anything else)
5. Thursday--Fend for Yourself(We had Father's Day lunch out)

6.  Friday--Salad, Flat Bread Pizza

7. Saturday--Leftover Chicken Sausage, Collards

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

* 8 pack of burrito

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

* 2 tv dinners

* 1 pack Chicken Apple Sausages

I went a little wild with food shopping this week. *Sluggy hangs her head in shame.*

We spent a whopping $271.24 on food/toiletries/HBA last week at Target(both in store and online), P and R Outlet, Aldi and Walmart.  No Weis(PMITA)Markets again. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $326.50 for June.   Hopefully I'm done with June and can claim it a success in keeping under $400 spent!

There are 2 shopping days left in June.

I've earned $263.24 on Ibotta in June.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in June.

I've earned $8.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in June.

I've earned 15020 points from shopping on Fetch in June which equals $15.02.

I've earned 5,531 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in June which equals $22.12.

I've earned $25 in Target gift cards.

I've earned $7.44 back in a rebate from Snuggle(hopefully that one pans out).

I've earned 1021 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in June which equals $10.21(if they ever finish fixing my ticket).   

That's $271.24 in rebates(not counting the ShopKick/Swag Bucks/Fetch/Snuggle/Target gift cards)on $326.50 in grocery spending so in reality it's $125.06 spent after the Ibotta and Coupons dotcom rebate apps.

My savings percentage for last week was 32.82%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for June and the monthly savings total for June comes in at 51.41%.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week...some carnitas, 2 helpings of Collards and 1 hot dog.  It's going to be hot as blazes here for late June/early July so I really don't want to cook hot food(or eat it for that matter). bleh.

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

1. Sunday--BLT Sandwiches(finally got ahold of a "good" tomato

2. Monday--Chicken Thighs, Zuke in Tomato Sauce, Rice

3. Tuesday--Chicken apple sausage, Sweet Potato Wedges, Green Beans or whatever

4. Wednesday--Salad, Flatbread Pizza
5. Thursday--more BLTs maybe"

6.  Friday--Salad, Whatever, it will be too hot to cook

7. Saturday--Cook-Out at Son's place(I'm not cooking)

You can tell I am not enthused about cooking this week, can't you?;-)

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this "sort of" menu? Not a single thing.  I hope to not grocery shop this week. 8-)))  Sluggy plans, God laughs....

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 great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "funny package of M and M's" Edition...........

A Rite-Aid(not my town's) earlier this month the cashier made a BIG mistake.  She put my $1.28 left on a R-A gift card I was using to partially pay with into the register as $128.00. Yikes!  So while they called for the manager and then 3 employees conferred on how to handle the situation I snapped a photo of this funny package of M and M's from the candy rack while I waited.  Maybe I should have bought 3 of these and handed them to those employees when I left as none of them had a clue about what they were doing. LOLZ

I know, I know.....that's mean and they were doing the best they knew how.  

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.........

1. Sunday--Sloppy Joes, Strawberries
2. Monday--TV dinners
3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--TV dinners
5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--Anniversary Dinner out or more Lobster from PC?
7. Saturday--Grilled Salmon and whatever fresh produce I can find

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Sloppy Joes, Strawberries
2. Monday--Leftover Beef Pie
3. Tuesday--Chicken Pot Pie

4. Wednesday--Lasagna Hamburger Helper, Almost New Pickles
5. Thursday--Grilled Salmon, Salad

6. Friday--Pizza
7. Saturday--Leftovers

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/FFY, and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating Out.  We didn't eat any of the tv dinners, just the pot pies so we'll be adding those in this week's plan.

We got Domino's for our Anniversary since neither of us wanted to cook or go out anywhere that was open.  How sad is that?lolz

I see lobsters are at the same price this week at Price Chopper so maybe??

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 4 boxes of frozen veg

* 3 bags of frozen veg

* 2 bags of shredded cheese

Most of what I stocked up on was canned goods last week.

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* 3 Chicken Pot Pies

* a Hunk of Salmon

We spent $129.30 last week bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods to $483.94 for August.  Well at least it's under $500. sigh.

I've earned $157.75 on Ibotta in August so far.

I've earned $11.25 on SavingStar in August so far but am closing in on a $5 wys $25 GM cereal rebate there as well.

I've earned $1.25 on Checkout51 too.

I've also gotten free bananas in August(after the Paypal deposit for buying them.

My savings percentage for last week was 52.88%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips)for August and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 53.97% so far.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week......Meatloaf, Hamburger Helper, Sloppy Joe meat.  As soon as room opens up in the freezer(tonight)I'll slice and bag the rest of Hubs' meatloaf up and throw it in there as he's tired of eating it for now.

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

1. Sunday--Steak, Spinach Salad
2. Monday--Crab Ravioli w/Cream Sauce, Tossed Salad
3. Tuesday--Leftovers(prolly Sloppy Joes), Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--TV dinners
5. Thursday--Brats on Buns, Carrots

6. Friday--TV dinners
7. Saturday--maybe Chinese take-out or Lobsters

What needs buying for this menu?  

Don't need a thing for this menu after last week's grocery spending extravaganza. ;-)

I started out wanting to do a lower spend month and to eat down the pantry but then I started getting worried and seeing alarms being sounded about food shortages/Covid up swings this Fall so I replaced food we ate in August so that blew a low spend month. ugh.

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home(not that I'm referring to/using it at this point with the heat).
* Shrimp Scampi
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Breakfast for Dinner

* Haddock Fish Dinner  new
* Chicken Tenders  new

* Beef Liver  new

Plus lots of thinly sliced Chicken Breast, grass fed Ground Beef and Ground Turkey in the freezer.

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 great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy