Anyway, after I got the boys buckled back into their carseats, we drove over to Costco.
Inconveniently, I fidgeted in my wallet for my membership card while trying to push my cart to the side to let other rude anxious shoppers go by. Who ever thought of this rule obviously doesn't carry an overstuffed purse with kids in tow. I mean-- who in their right mind would come to this zoo Costco to shop without being a member knowing that they have to have a membership in order to make a purchase? Or who would drive all the way to Costco only to find that they forgot their card and actually drive all the way back home instead of just getting a temporary card for that day? Not I---- but moving on, I seemed to digress from the original intent of this post.
As I walked towards the back of the store to grocery shop, I noticed all of the samples were out. Wooo-hoo! Lunch is served boys! Normally I go at 10 AM to avoid the crowds-- but this works too! As I loaded apple strudel, caramelized onion Chicken burgers, and more Veggie Straws into my cart, I began to loathe those dumb free samples. Oooops, I had to turn around to go and get Ciabatta rolls to go with the chicken burgers. In reality, I was thankful that for around $16 per meal I had a bunch of ideas for our family's dinners for the next few days.
So let me see----- I also bought uncooked tortillas to go with the bag of pinto beans I got the other day. I also bought:
baby carrots
Ranch dressing
hot dogs
corn on the cob
cucumbers
croissants
bags of salad
5 dozen eggs
5 pounds of cheese
half and half (to give my skinny boys more calories)
Vitamin Water (for our trip next weekend-- yes you read right, we are taking a mini-vacation!!!)
paper plates
milk
snacks for school lunches
giftcards for upcoming birthdays
$200 cash card to buy gas
lots of other things too-- trying to avoid coming back for at least two weeks.
total =
$501.61
I don't know about you, but for us this is pretty normal. What is nice about shopping at Costco is that I end up getting my executive membership for free and I even get a little bit extra so that I can buy myself a few new tops. It seems like more and more of my clothes are coming from Costco---- good thing I happen to love their clothes!
Once home, I noticed that the two cats that took over our front yard two days ago were still there and so I gave in and brought them out water and food.
I am sure my girls will be thrilled to see the dishes when they come home!
P.S. I'm curious-- what do y'all spend on groceries and does it include things like paper towels and clothes soap and how do you plan meals?
28 inspiring thoughts:
Funny, I was thinking the same thing as I dug out my Costco card last night. Since you have to have it to pay, why does it matter if you have it to walk in the door?
I seldom spend less than $100 at Costco. Ours is close enough that I go there at least once a week. I buy everything there that I can. I know it's not always cheaper to buy there, but far more convenient. At least for me. I love to have a full pantry. Last night my tab was $110. It's just me and my husband at home now, but our kids do come over to eat alot and I frequently send things home with them.
Were you successful in hiding the toy? I tried to do that once when my daughter was two. When we got home she asked me where the item was.
Have a great vacation! Elaine
We spend around $125 a week on groceries! We only have 5 people though. I plan my meals only for dinner. If you want to include soap and other things like that you can add $30 a week. We eat mostly fruit, veges, chicken, and turkey. Very little processed foods. Whole cereals, oatmeal, for breakast and it varies for lunches.
We go to the local HEB Plus (a grocery chain that I believe is only in Texas) and I spend about $250 every two weeks for four of us including pet food for two big dogs, their BusyBones, and cat food for the feral cats I've been trying to trap forever to get them spayed/neutered, all paper goods/detergents. Add to that the "fill in" trips for milk, bread, etc., I probably go through 6 to 700 per month. Sad, isn't it.
I try to stay at about $100 a week for a family of 7.... the kids are home for all 3 meals. I do not include "staple" items with that... those are purchased once a month at a separate time.( budget$60)
When I go to Costco.. I usually spend around $75-$90 and that is probably monthly.
Ideas for meals....menus4moms.com I so far have enjoyed these meals... usually in the week.. there may only be 3 meals that I would make off this list but for $5 a month... I like it!
I have a confession: I am a HORRIBLE shopper!!! I hate grocery shopping, second only to cooking the food. And, I'm a horrible cook so I suppose it's all connected, huh? Since there are now only 3 of us in the house (which feels very strange to me!) we eat out about twice a week. I've been horrible about cooking decent meals, and the extra weight on all of us shows. Not only that, but my husband is not happy with me. I need to be a better wife, start planning ahead and prioritizing my time better.
We don't have Costco, but we have a Sam's club (I've heard Costco is cheaper and better though!) We also have to show our card as we enter, which is silly for the same reason as Costco.
Anyway, our grocery budget, which includes detergents, soaps, diapers, wipes and other toiletries is about $200 a week for our family of 8. We try to "meal plan" but continue to fail miserably at folowing. I think we would have a cheaper grocery budget if we stuck to our meal plans ;)
We have 12 of our kids currently living at home (incl. 4 young adult and older teen boys). And, we spend less than $500 PER MONTH for all of our groceries. (does not include soap, etc...)
We plan a monthly menu for all breakfasts and dinners, with a variety of soups/sandwiches for lunch.
mama of 13
I spend about $300 per month and shop 1 big shop monthly. This includes our paper goods and household cleaners. I am blessed to have 30 - 40 can goods, cereal, boxes of crackers, lunch/after school snacks and most of my bread donated to me monthly.
I have a 4 week, breakfast, lunch and after-school snack menu that we just rotate through, with the produce changing seasonally. We may eat at a fast food place 2-3 times a month with 2-3 friday night pizza deliveries. When Kroger has their 10 for $10, I stock up on pasta, sauces, tuna and creamed soups. I buy my meat at GFC, but we don't eat meat everyday.
Whew! I hate, hate shopping and am tired just typing about it. LOL!
Apparently Costco is coming to Australia - so looking forward to learning all about it (although undoubtedly it won't be close to here).
Glad your trip was successful!
We spend around $1000 a month for groceries. This is with coupons & does include all paper products/ toiletries. Our cost is starting to go down as we purchase produce on the reduced rack now as we use it right away. Saved a ton on that alone this month. We go through 40 loaves of bread per month but only pay $1 a loaf at Big Lots. Natures Own bread. Trying to cut costs even more & keep it at $10 or less per dinner. This is for 9 people. Hey, I want to know where the poster Laurel gets her food please! We are doing a huge home garden next year to cut costs more as we desperately want to bring 2 more kids home. Can't wait to hear what others say.
STephanie--mom to 7 special kiddos!!!
We don't have Costco either. But we do have Sams Club. I asked about the membership at the door policy a year ago and it is to prevent nonmembers from eating all out free samples and using our cafe ( they don't ask for a card at the cafe). :). Anyways. We have a family of 4, my husband is a big eater and I have a preteen boy. We spend about 100 a week ( at meijers) and then go once a month and spend about 200-250 getting soaps, pet food ( we have a small farm ,literally) and bigger ticket bulk items ( like SAMs stuff).
We spend about $250.00 a week at Wally world plus we have Angel food we get from our church. I t has a box for $30.00 that feeds a fam of four for a week. We get five of those to suppliment. We also buy a half of a cow every quarter to help. It costs about $2.25 per lb. I know your pain !!! But God is good and we have not missed a meal or a bill !!!!
Our weekly also includes all paper and bath etc.Four girls and one boy we feel we get by ok.
Hmmmm....well per month we spend about 1,000-1,200 on all groceries, eating out (which is very rare - maybe 2-3 times a month), gas, shoes, clothes, hygiene products, paper products et. We have at this point 9 people in our family. (Hopefully 10 soon :) We all eat at home for all meals. Except in the summer when we do camp - then our meals are free for all except weekends- talk about a great perk to the Job!!
I tried hiding a toy in the shopping trolley just recently (an incentive present they would need to earn). I thought I could slip it in with some stuff I was picking up cheap to go in the gift cupboard (where the kids "shop" before birthday parties they are invited to) but it did not work at all and they asked about it EVERY DAY until last night when they FINALLY did what was required to earn it. NEVER AGAIN!
I think part of the reason (asking for the card at the door) is to discourage the rest of the non-card carrying population...less people inside the store (sort of like house auctions around here...to sit in you have to walk in with a $5,000 money order...if you don't buy you don't have to use it but they don't want looky-looks crowding the place)
We go approximately once or twice a week for fruits, snacks, etc., but just about every week for their cheap pizza and hot-dog/soda combos...the churros are good too! ;)
My food budget for the six of us is $400 a month and I make most meals at home.
I've been noticing just how much more rude and hurried people are getting...my mother got honked at the other day because she was taking too long to cut across the parking lot the other day...she's NOT a slow walker.
We don't have a CostCo & sams is 1 1/2 hour away. I plan my meals 1 full week at a time. I do TONS of crock pot meals in the winter. Since my husband is gone a full week every other week, there isn't another choice for me & taking 6 little ones into Wally World is only done in emergencies:). I spend $300 a week or so at our super Wal-Mart to feed 8 people. This includes all toiletries, vitamins & food :)
PS-I have a detailed shopping list on my computer that I print out weekly and that way I can mark off things as we run out :)
For my family of 6 that includes a newborn I spend maybe $300 a month. I use coupons, I shop in the closet (dented goods)I buy store brand goods,(I have to buy campbell soup tho)I refuse to pay more then a dollar for a loaf of bread (wally's)
We do eat out when hub's is home, he is military and travel A LOT. I use my slow cooker 3 times a week and that helps keep costs down.
I usually spend about $250.00 a week and yes that incudes staples like paper towels. I am trying to challenge myself this month and only spend a total of $400.00. My kids are drinking more water and less milk, etc. We also are not eating out this month. This one may kill me. I wanted to order pizza so bad last night after a crazy day. However, I hung on and didn't. It's only the fifth but I am determinded to make it.
Love the picture of the boys in the car!
We are a small family. 2 galz and myself!
We spend about $250 per month.
My girls eat popcorn a bunch, that goodness, so I don't have to buy chips or snacks like that.
My girls are cheap dates, and love mac n cheese, and potatoes. We are really struggling since my big girl does not eat meat, and now they both have soured on eggs.
My dad sends us the canned pole beans that my kids love.We can't get them here...
We buy soaps, paper towels and tp at samclub. My mom buys laundry soap for us, since she doesn't have a w/d at her house, so we trade off!
Our big expense is probably the amount of good cheese the girls eat! I am a teacher, and I don't know how others do it...
I look for ALL sales, use coupons, buy fresh from our local farm market, buy day old, etc. I take great pride in trying to spend as little as possible on food. We only have five home now, but we wind up buying food for our two "grown" children when they have no money an mommy doesn't want them to go without eating, (esp. son is diabetic), I know, I spoil them.
Anyway, I spend about $400/month everything included, diapers, paper stuff. My husband is a big meat eater, big eater period! We all eat all meals at home, except 2-3 fast foods per month.
I've joined a couple of coupon sites lately to help me learn how to use coupons better and get better deals. I'm hoping I can cut my costs by at least 1/4, maybe even a 1/2!!!
Oh, grocery shopping!
I know that my comparision won't stand as I live in a completely different corner of the world, but I tend to buy things in bulk. Bread and milk, though, we buy daily at the corner kiosk. I'd say we spend about $150ish on groceries a week, but then food is not exactly cheap here.
Christine, I'd be honored to be added to your blogroll!
I only have 3 kids and myself to shop for an we spend about 150 a week, including detergents, etc and pet food for 2 big dogs and 3 tiny ones. We eat a lot of pasta, fresh fruits and veggies but I also use coupons when possible for frozen fruits and veggies. We eat about 1 lb of hamburger a week and the rest is chicken, tuna or ham. I use the onceamonthmom.com freezer recipes, but only make one or two things each weekend. Eventually we have freezer meals for 5 nights a week and lunchboxes. The kids love the baked cheesy ham rigatoni. Cheap, easy and freezes well. As a single working mom, that ROCKS!
I create a calendar for my meal planning and plan meals a month out based on what I have in the house already. I shop every two weeks (at a local grocery store) for things like fresh fruits and veggies that will go bad after 2 weeks. We do a once a month shopping trip at Sams Club (our version of Costco). We average approximately $50/week per every 3 people. For a 12 person family my budget would typically run to about $200/wk. This includes cleaning supplies, toilet paper etc. It does not include things like diapers, wipes etc for younger children. I put that under a different line on our budget. (Diapers add $40/mo) We also get our dog food and treats for our dogs bulk at Sams but list it as a different line item on our budget. I've also learned to purchase most of the cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels and anything along those lines when we receive our tax refund. I also budget our annual vet costs out of our yearly tax refund which covers annual shots and bloodwork. It makes my life a bit easier. I keep a bi-weekly, monthly and annual budget in an Excel workbook that is easy to add and subtract from.
We don't have Costco here, either, but we have PriceSmart in the capital. Without a car, however, we never get there! At the moment, between the supermarket for dry and canned goods and the market for fresh produce, we spend about $200 a month for the four of us. Not so great considering I live in Guatemala, you'd think it would be cheaper!
As for meal ideas, since I run a food blog, I'm constantly trying to make new things. I read the recipes in the local paper, check out other food blogs and read as many recipe books as I can get my hands on. We usually have a big meal at lunch (better light for photography) and keep breakfast and dinner minimal. Often our supper is typical Guatemalan . . . coffee and sweet bread or refried beans with cream and tortillas.
Can I see a menu? I am spending 1000 a month for 7 of us, and feel like that takes work to keep it at that level. I have 3 teens, so it's really 5 adults 2 kids. We don't eat out.
Gee, I'm a single working girl, I eat at home only at nights, I spend around 25,00 € per week I buy all the groceries plus clothes soap and underwear. I usualy buy fruit juice, cereals and joghurt for breakfast, pasta, vegetables, meat, fruit, cheese and crackers, I try to buy only food on sale
500,00 dollars bill = heart attack!
Bye bye Chiara
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