Food Spending 2020.....The September Report

  Onward to September's food spending report.....

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for SEPTEMBER 2020.

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 & tax where applicable. We are a family of 4(2 at home this month). 
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CVS
OOP  $5.48

Qs/Ads/ECBucks $125.40
Value  $130.88
Savings 95.81 %

MALACARI'S

OOP  $18.55
Value  $28.87
Savings  35.75%

PandR OUTLET

OOP  $24.76

Value  $53.00

Savings  53.28%

PRICE CHOPPER

OOP  $42.06
Value  $60.39
Savings  30.35% 

RITE-AID *
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC/GCard  $355.53
Value  $355.53
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE MARKET
OOP   ($0.00) used free gift card
Value  $4.99
Savings  100%

WALMART
OOP  $95.95
Value  $203.78
Savings 52.92%

WEIS
OOP  $166.93
Qs/Ads  $169.91
Value  $336.84
Savings  50.44%

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My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, Shursave at 100% and CVS at 95.81% .   My worst savings rate was at Price Chopper with 30.35%.  Lots of great savings rates this month!

I shopped at 8 different stores in September.

I also earned $227.30 in cash rebates in September(Ibotta/SavingStar/Checkout51)which helps offset the spending once I cash those in at the end of 2020.

TOTAL Spent(without R-A)...................$353.73

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales................$465.02
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased........$818.75

TOTAL Savings of ................................56.80%

Add in the Rite-Aid purchases and we get.........

TOTAL Spent........................................$353.73

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales................$820.55
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased........$1174.28

TOTAL Savings of ................................69.88%

This closes out the September food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....I wanted to do a 50% lower with the grocery spending but worries about Fall shut downs and shortages had me buying a lot of long term storage foods and refilling the freezer. So no way did I do a $200 spend in September.  Even so I still stayed under my budgeted $400 for the month so it's all good.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 2.01% in September 2020 to 69.88% compared to the tremendous August 2020 rate of 71.89% savings average.  

With 9 months accounted for, I have spent a Year-To-Date Total of $3505.76 on food/toiletries in 2020.

Going into 2020, before the pandemic blew the wind out of my sails, I wanted to stay at or under $4K for the yearly food spending.  At this point I don't think that will happen but we'll keep plugging along anyway.

Once I add in all my rebates/refunds/post coupon/found money pots into the grocery spending category I do still have a fighting change to stay under $4K spent.  The next 3 months will determine if this goal becomes a reality.


2020 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$3,505.76

2020 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$10,585.06

2020 Grand Total Saved...............................$7,079.30

2020 Yearly Savings Total............66.88%

The average per month amount spent is $389.53 at this point in 2020 which went down some from August's average.  As long as I'm around $400 per month with 3(now 2)people in the house, it's all good.  While it's just Hubs and I now I will also be supplementing Ex-College Boy's food needs for awhile.

LOOKING AHEAD To October 2020.............

Not sure what October will bring in terms of food spending.  We're going to have a visitor in October and we are going on a short trip so those are the variables.  At home, I want to start eating from our stockpiled meats/veg in the freezer and use a few "old dogs" up in the process.

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?  Are you happy with that amount and did you get good value for your money?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  

*  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

I Finished the Mid Week Ibotta Bonus...BOOM!

 So I still needed 9 more rebates after Monday's trip to R-A where I did 3 Ibotta rebates to hit the 12 rebates for the MidWeek Bonus.  I earned $8.50 in Ibotta rebates that trip.  See previous post for that transaction.

I also still needed a tube of specialty Crest to reach the $30 spent to earn the $10 Bonus Cash.  So I hit a different R-A Tuesday morning that carries the last type of Crest which I had a $3/1 L2CQ for.....

1 x Crest Whitening Therapy toothpaste 20% discount better than sale price=$6.39
Used that $3/1 L2CQ.

1 x Throat Calm tablets on clearance=$2.99

Total after Q for both was $6.38 paid for with Bonus Cash so no OOP.

Earned $10 in new BC and submitted the Crest and the Throat Calm both for 2 separate $3 rebates on Ibotta.  The ThroatCalm was a penny moneymaker.

Now I had 5 rebates toward that 12 rebate threshold for the Bonus and $14.50 in regular rebates on Ibotta.

I went to Walmart and bought these items....

I did 8 rebates instead of the 7 I still needed....oops! lolz

The Morning Star fake chicken nuggets were $5.27 and I earned back $5.50 for 2 different rebates so better than free.  The Bolt 24 drink was also free after rebate(that's for Ex-CB). The cereal was about .70¢ after Ibotta and ShopKicks points, the Chobanis were BOGO after Ibotta, the cocomut milk "yogurt" was .46¢, the Powerade Ultra was .70¢, the 2 diet Powerades were .47¢ ea. and the Ritz chips were $1.88 after rebate.

I spent $19.65 using a $25 Walmart gift card earned on SwagBucks.
I earned $11.59 in regular rebates and hit the Bonus threshold so another $5 earned too so $16.59 back in rebates.

Total spent OOP....$0.00

Total in Ibotta rebates earned...$31.09 at R-A and Walmart since Monday.

Not a bad way to close out the September grocery shopping. ;-)

Sluggy

Rite-Aid This Week and Another Bonus on Ibotta?

 I had 2 items to buy for a Level 3 September Bonus from Ibotta so I went to R-A on Sunday and bought this.....

Reg. sized boxes of select Kellogg's cereals are 2/$5 and give back a $1 BC this week.

These 2 were part of that deal

I used 2 x $1/1 any Kellogg's cereal IPQ purchased using points from my Kellogg's account so paid $3 in BC and earned $1 BC back.

I submitted for 2 Kellogg's rebates on Ibotta totaling .95¢.  I also reached the Sept Level 3 Bonus on Ibotta so I got another $2.00 in cash rebates.  All together this made the cereal a moneymaker.

Then on Monday a $5 Midweek Bonus showed up on my Ibotta account when I buy 12 items before Friday.
A $1 Bonus I could pass up but $5?  I am going for it! lol

I did this transaction on Monday at Rite-Aid....

All but the Jason body wash are part of the "Spend $30/Get $10 BC Deal" this week.  To finish it off I need to find a store with the Crest Whitening Therapy toothpaste(my store no longer carries it).  I have $25.14 spent toward that Deal right now.  Using $10 in L2CQs I've spent $15.14 on those 4 products plus both toothpastes got me 2 x $3 Ibotta rebates so $9.14 spent actually(but in BC not real money). ;-)

The Jason was marked down to $4.17 on the clearance shelf and there is a $2.50 Ibotta rebate for that so $1.67 in BC spent on that in the end and I have 3 Ibotta rebates completed toward that Midweek Bonus.  If I can find the other Crest specialty toothpaste it will finish off my R-A Deal and give me another $3 Ibotta rebate and  bring my total to 4 rebates so only 8 more to go to capture that $5 Bonus.

I'll be hitting up Walmart and maybe Weis(PMITA)Markets to finish that Bonus as cheaply as possible.  I've got $35 in Walmart gift cards to use as well so I am hoping for no more cash spent OOP to get there.

Wish me luck! 8-)

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The  "End of the Garden" Edition.....

We harvested the collards on Friday and other than a few tomatoes that are still green thus ends our garden for the season.  I still have collards uncooked in the fridge and need to blanch and freeze or cook them this week.  The only thing is to pull up the remaining plants and work some nutrients into the soil before we leave the beds to winter over.

The front flower bed is still going strong however......

This photo is from July so it's really filled out since then.
I really need to put that lavender plant in the pot in front into the ground but can't decide where to locate it yet.

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Cheeseburgers, Fries
2. Monday--Chicken Thighs, Collards
3. Tuesday--Salmon, Spinach Salad

4. Wednesday--Leftovers and Odds and Ends
5. Thursday--Domino's, Salad

6. Friday--Fajitas
7. Saturday--Breakfast for Dinner

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

1. Sunday--Cheeseburgers, Fries
2. Monday--Teriyaki Chicken Thighs and Stir-fry Veggies, leftover Rice
3. Tuesday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Wedges, Brussels Sprouts

4. Wednesday--Fajitas
5. Thursday--Domino's, Salad

6. Friday--Collards and Cornbread
7. Saturday--Leftovers

Last week saw  nights of home cooked dinners,  nights of leftovers/FFY/TV Dinners, and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating Out.  We had Ex-CB and his roommate over for pizza on Thursday and I made a tossed salad to go with it.  No Breakfast for Dinner as the collards needed picking and eating.  I made some cornbread to go with the greens.

This week I need to use or lose 2 sweet potatoes.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 2 servings of salmon

* 1 package of 4 ground beef patties

* 1 package of thin sliced chicken breast

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

* 2 ground beef patties

* 1/2 lb. of pepper strips

* 1 package of b/s chicken thighs

* 1 package of diced chicken breast

* 1 package of stir-fry veggies

* 1 package of Brussels Sprouts

We spent $61.36 last week(Weis, Malacari's produce and CVS), bringing our food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods to $351.52 for September so far.
There are 2 shopping days left in the month.  

I've earned $186.21 on Ibotta in September. WOW!

I've earned $10.00 on SavingStar in September.

I've earned $2.50 on Checkout51 in September.

I've earned $2.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal(for a digital Q).

I've earned 8281 points from food shopping on Fetch in September.

I've earned 3355 points from food shopping on ShopKick in September.

I've earned 3625 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in September(not counting the $6 in points missing).

My savings percentage for last week was 68.54%(without "regular"Rite-Aid trips but with CVS)for September and the monthly savings total for September comes in at 55.35% so far.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week.....some Fajita filling, Collards and Cornbread.

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

1. Sunday--Fend for Yourself
2. Monday--Steak, Spinach Salad, Sweet Potato
3. Tuesday--Quesadilla(using Fajita filling)

4. Wednesday--Pigs in a Blanket, Veggie TBD from Freezer
5. Thursday--Chinese Take-Out

6. Friday--hot Tuna Subs w/Spinach and Tomatoes
7. Saturday--Leftovers or BLTs

What needs buying for this menu?  Sub Rolls and we are low on milk.  I'll pick both up on Friday which means these go on October's grocery tally.

What's left on my master list of meals we can make from what's at home.
* Tuna Casserole
* Roasted Chicken
* Shrimp/Crab Ravioli
* Cheese Ravioli

* Haddock Fish Dinner  

* Beef Liver  

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

CVS Shopping....Still Not a Fan

I had $3 in ECBs expiring on Saturday(it was earned for buying $30 in "Beauty" items last month or something)so we made a trip to one of our nearby CVS stores.

I had a total of $19 in ECBs I could use but $3 HAD to be used or lost.

I just will never fully "get" the CVS system I suppose.
Even when I write things down(what CRTs/Qs I have)I still can't put together a less than $1 OOP spent transaction. sigh
It might help if I got more/better CRTs too. ;-)

Here is what I bought.......

2 x Honey Nut Cheerios on sale=$7.00
2 x Head and Shoulders shampoo on sale=$12.00
1 x Tide Simply on sale=$2.94
2 x Old Spice body wash BOGO50%=$10.84
2 x Crest toothpaste on sale=$5.98
2 x Oral-B Pulsar toothbrushes BOGO50%=$11.98
2 x Poparazzi nail polish suppose to be on sale but rang up reg. price of $2.99 ea.=$5.98
1 x Maybelline baby lips gloss=$4.79** I did this in a separate transaction first so the Q/CRT for it didn't come off the nail polish items.

SubTotal....$61.51

Coupons/CRTs Used-- 
$1/2 Big G cereals digital Q
$1/1 off GM cereal CRT
$3 off 2 Honey Nut Cheerios CRT
$3/1 Head and Shoulders digital Q
$3 off $10 Hair Care CRT
$1/1 Tide simply digital Q(shows on receipt as Bounce)
$5.49/2 Old Spice body wash digital Q
$2 off 2 Old Spice CRT
$5/3 Crest/Oral-B items digital Q
$1/1 Crest digital Q
$3 off $10 Oral Care CRT
$2 off 2 Oral-B toothbrushes CRT?
$2 off $8 Crest/Scope/Oral-B CRT
$4.79 free Cosmetic item CRT
TOTAL Qs/CRTs......$37.28

$24.23-$19 in ECBs=$5.23 +.23¢tax=$5.55 OOP

I also had a $2 off $8 Head and Shoulders CRT which did NOT come off so had that come off and the nail polish had rung up sale price(2 for $5 so .98¢ less)my total OOP would have been $2.42 instead I wouldn't feel so cheated by their system.

I did however get $2 back on Ibotta, $1 for each Oral-B toothbrush, so that makes me feel a bit better.

And I earned $9 in new ECBS($4 nail polish, $3 Oral Care, $2 Head and Shoulders). Whoppeedo! lol

I guess CVS just isn't my jam....

Sluggy