As you may recall, in my last meal plan post I included the tentative grocery list. My method is to split it into two lists: one of essentials (items off the meal plan), and one of bonus goodies (extra chocolate chips, etc). I go through the store for essentials first, calculator in hand keeping a running tally; then, when I get to the end, I turn around and go through again and grab however much of the bonus stuff I can include and still be under-budget.
I did skip/substitute some items this week, as the grocery store was out (no bacon bits! had to buy actual bacon instead). But it went pretty well! This list will feed my husband and I for two weeks, plus three adult houseguests and two kids for five or six days, as well as whatever spontaneous dinner guests. You can see my meal plan here (I already had ground beef and pork, so I didn’t have to buy those. I would have been right about at the $150 mark with those!).
TOTAL: $133.79!
Here’s my “Need” list:
Decaf Coffee (2)
Tortilla Chips (1)
Brown Sugar (2)
Cat Food (2 lb, Winco bulk)
Organic Maple Syrup (1)
Butterworth Maple Syrup (1)
Pancake Mix (4.16 lb, Winco bulk)
Wild Rice (1 lb, Winco bulk)
Kale (1)
Deli Meat (2)
Bacon (1)
Winco whipping cream (1)
Jam (1)
Cucumber (1)
Salsa (1)
Green Onions (1)
Original Bratwurst (2)
Darigold Cheese (1)
Potatoes (3.64 lb, red potatoes)
Lemons (5)
Strawberries (1)
Arugula (1, organic)
Watermelon (19.56 lb)
Cage-Free Eggs (3 doz)
Leeks (3)
And here’s my “Want” list!
Decaf Coffee (1)
Brown Sugar (1)
Tortillas (1)
Lemon Tea (1)
Organic Yogurt (1)
Monster energy drink (1)
Winco whole milk (1/2 gal)
Slivered almonds (1)
Bananas (8?)
The Rejoicing Heart 