Healthy Living

what can you get with $132?

Coming back from vacation with an empty fridge meant the first thing on my list was a trip to the grocery store.

A couple years ago, when we tabulated how much we spent on groceries each month, we were stunned that the total rang up to $700. Since then, we’ve tried to stick to about $100 a week. Most of the time, we fall under this limit. But every once in a while we’ll exceed it, though there’s usually a good reason.

When I find meat on sale, I buy in bulk. And even though doing it this way always puts me over budget, it’s also the thing that keeps me under budget the rest of the month. So really, it evens out.

This week, chicken breasts were $1.99/lb and lean ground beef was on Manager’s Special. I’m not too proud to overlook the Manager’s Special items. Sure, if the meat doesn’t look safe (already brown), then I go on my way. But it seems the best time to hit the Manager’s Special is mid-afternoon, before everyone gets off work.

Yesterday, I struck it rich, buying more than 9 lbs of ground beef and nearly 4 lbs of breakfast sausage on Manager’s Special. Most of it, I froze. But I did manage to make a quiche out of some of the sausage. I’ll post the recipe tomorrow.

Wondering how I squeeze in workouts whenever, wherever? Try carrying $132 worth of groceries, which includes 26 pounds of meat, from my car, up the stairs, into our condo. Did I tell you I do hammer curls as I’m walking up the stairs, as well as a full squat on each step? Didn’t think so. I promise, I’m not that crazy.

So, what exactly did that $132 get me?

  • bananas (3.75 lbs)
  • broccoli (2.2 lbs)
  • mangoes (2)
  • eggs (3 dozen)
  • boneless chicken breasts (10 lbs)
  • lean ground beef (9.2 lbs)
  • gallon of milk
  • gallon of OJ
  • bacon (2 lbs)
  • turkey kielbasa (1 lb)
  • heaving whipping cream
  • breakfast sausage (4 lbs)
  • butter (1.5 lbs)
  • cucumbers (2)
  • zucchini (2.15 lbs)
  • asparagus (1 bunch)
  • spinach (10 oz)
  • kale (1 bunch)
  • strawberries (2 lbs)
  • lemon juice
  • onions (2.25 lbs)
  • eggplant (2)
  • sweet potatoes (3 lbs)
  • cantaloupe (1)
  • tomatoes (2 lbs)
  • avocados (4)
  • cauliflower (1 head)

And according to my receipt, I saved more than $25.

This should last us roughly one week, and the meat until the end of the month. But I’m already anticipating going back once for eggs, since I used 24 in my quiche recipe!

Copyright The Hobson Homestead 2010 at hobsonhomestead.blogspot.com
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Haley

I'm a full-time wife and semi-stay-at-home mom to four young kids. Day to day, I help my husband with his small business, but when I have any extra time, you can find me cooking or being active outdoors with my family. We live at the foothills of the North Georgia mountains and are embracing modern homesteading month by month.

4 Comments

  1. You guys should look into a vacuum sealer — they’re a bit pricy, but ours has saved us so much money over the years just buying meat in bulk. Once we get home from the store, we break the meat packages into 2-person servings and vacuum seal and date them. That way you don’t have to defrost a whole package of meat if you just need half of it, and you can preseason some of the meat to make weeknight dinners easier. You’ll get a lot less freezer burn, which makes for much tastier meat. I could go on for pages on our various uses for a vacuum sealer… Enjoying the blog!

  2. I used to watch MTV cribs and my favorite part of the show was the spotlight on what’s in your fridge. I am always fascinated by what people keep in there. Looks like everything you purchase was for freezer or the refrigerator, I am sure the price would go up if you need things in your pantry!! The Grocery business is good!

  3. Yep–the price would definitely go up. Luckily, we’re pretty stocked in the pantry–tuna, salmon, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, marinara, coconut milk, chicken stock, jalapeños, coffee, nuts, honey…you get the idea. I also buy canned goods in bulk when they’re on sale!

  4. Good point Nicole. I think we’ve spent a small fortune on fancy kitchen appliances…but we’ve definitely gotten our money’s worth. I’ll definitely get the husband to look into vacuum sealers. Hope you’re doing well!

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