So, we are at the end of the first month of our monthly grocery shopping experiment.
While it was nowhere near perfect, it did make a big difference in how much we spent on groceries this month! You can read all about the experiment here.
The bad news: Went over budget! I grossly under estimated how much milk we use, how much baking I do, and we did a lot of unplanned entertaining.
The good news: I did not visit the grocery store anywhere near the 40-something times I did in June, nor did I spend as much as I did in June! I still have a few things in the freezer and pantry that I won’t have to buy this month.
So lets review the month of July, shall we:
Food Budget: $600
Shopping Trip July 7th $459.66 (Costco, Food Basics, Zehrs & Bulk Barn)
Farm Markets $100.00
Total Spent on planned shopping 659.66
Total Spent on unplanned shopping 276.84
Grand Total 936.50
What I have learned so far:
We still have a lot of work to do but that is why we are doing a three month challenge and not one month! I knew I would have a lot to learn.
Menu planning makes all the difference! It was so nice to have meals ideas AND ingredients at the ready when I got home from work.
We have to reduce our food waste. I bought kale and I really don’t like Kale and didn’t have a plan for it. I won’t be buying things I don’t have a plan for that I am not 100% sure we are going to eat!
I have to plan better for entertaining!
DO NOT SHOP WHEN HUNGRY! I gave in to my wants way more than I should have. I really did not need all that ice cream, chips and pop that I picked up during the unplanned shopping trips. But when Smartie ice cream is on sale I get weak in the knees!
Plan for August
We are shopping on Friday evening. I am still refining my list and have added $50 to the budget this month. It is, after all, still summer and I anticipate a few more barbecues with family and friends and will build this into my plan.
I have also allowed an extra $50 for canning! I plan to do some pickled beans and some blueberry and peach jam.
I have been gathering some recipes on my August Pinterest board and will be repeating a few new favorites from the July plan.
Wish me luck!
Would love to know what your grocery shopping style is! Please leave me a comment and share your tips or tricks for staying on plan!
I love that this is a 3-month challenge. Like you say, it’s takes time to work the kinks out. Your farmers market loot is ridiculous. Wish we had that selection down here. I hear you about those chip purchases! Those sneaky bags of chips call our name, too, and add to the tally of our grocery store visits. Overall, I’ve been doing really good with my shop-to-the-menu plan. Thanks for the inspiration!