I meant to do this earlier so I do hope I can remember my purchases.
One evening after work David was in town and asked if I needed anything. We were low on milk but since he didn’t have cash and was going to have to write a check, he asked if there was anything else so he wouldn’t be writing one for just a couple of dollars. He ended up getting:
- 1/2 gallon milk
- bag of Italian blend salad
- (2) 8oz. packages of cheddar
I didn’t get the receipt but I’m estimating that he spent around $10.
Our local organic bakery got in their monthly shipment of produce last week so I bought:
- kale
- spinach
- tomatoes
- red potatoes
- broccoli
I paid $12.41.
I then picked up my monthly co-op order that night:
- 10 pounds of oranges
- 3 pounds of onions
- 1 leek
- celery
- 5 pounds of carrots
- 1 cauliflower
- 3 avocados
- (2) 5 pound bags of potatoes
- package of masa harina
- green enchilada sauce
- arborio rice
This all came to $51.21.
And that’s it. I haven’t been in the grocery store or any other store since my last update. The funny thing is that we still have oodles of food here. I haven’t made a dent in my freezer or pantry supplies. I do need a few things which I will pick up tomorrow:
- milk
- eggs
- butter (still have some but will need more if I do much baking)
- lettuce
I plan to do some major baking tomorrow. Bread, hamburger buns, muffins, more granola (David LOVED it!).
I think it’s becoming apparent that I can continue this challenge another month, just allowing for dairy and fresh produce. Looking at the things I have needed to purchase reminds me how much I miss having a ready supply of eggs from my chickens. I am looking forward to having laying hens again. And I’m hopeful for a good gardening year and being able to put up produce via canning and freezing. Dairy is always going to be something we will purchase from ordinary sources as neither David nor I have any intentions of milking a cow or goat. However, I’m seeing that most everything else we eat consists of “staples” such as flour, beans, rice, pasta, baking items, spices, etc. All of these items can be purchased in bulk a few times a year which means a lot less time in grocery stores. And that, my friends, saves money.
So here’s my total thus far for the month of January:
$95.12
Not bad.
BelleDiabolique says
January 23, 2012 at 9:51 pmI've been doing the same thing. I've been to the store once for fresh produce, eggs, milk, and coffee. I had to make another milk run two weeks later. That's it. I started this December 19th, and I am still trucking along. My freezer is finally thinning down, and I'm getting low on flour. Funny what you can do with "nothing in the fridge" huh?
Terri says
January 23, 2012 at 11:39 pmI have spent about $300 so far this month (including all the cold stuff I bought) BUT that has all been set aside for future months use, except the bread and dairy and fresh produce purchases. I'd say I've spent probably $100 on foods we've actually eaten this month in addition to the pantry freezer stuff I've used. I started my challenge back in December too, Dec 27 I think it was, when I skipped shopping in favor of staying home, lol. I daresay I have enough of what I started with to make it another month as well.
BelleDiabolique says
January 23, 2012 at 11:41 pmLOL Ms Terri, that was my reason, too. B was on vacation, and insisted I was, too.