Grocery Cart Challenge

I got this idea from The Grocery Cart Challenge.  Since Steve and I decided that I stay home to be with our little one, I have been on the hunt for ideas on how to cut our spending on grocery.  I stumbled upon “The Grocery Cart Challenge” and thought I would give it a try.  We are two months into this and it’s not getting any easier.  I know what you’re thinking, “It wouldn’t be called challenge if it were easy!”  Couldn’t agree more.  I love great deals and I even pride myself for my haggling skill (too bad the latter can’t be used at the grocery store!).  I am starting to have fun with this challenge even thought it requires a lot of forethought and planning.

Here are the stipulations for our family’s challenge:
1.  Food budget is $40/week
2.  Toiletries such as shampoo, bath soap, deodorants, etc. are included in #1.
3.  Items  such as toilet paper, paper towels, and laundry & dishwashing detergents come from a $40/month budget.  We buy these in bulk from Sam’s.

Here’s how I did this week:

Sam’s = $7.97
3 lb. sour cream – 3.46
2 lb chopped romaine lettuce – 3.17
18 ct. lg. eggs – 1.77
tax (7.75%) – 0.65

WalMart = $52.77
2 cans cream of mushroom – 1.84
2 cans green beans – 1.20
8 oz Lawry’s seasoning salt – 1.66
1/2 gal. buttermilk (not pictured) – 1.78
2 Old Spice deodorant (not pictured) – 4.36
10 lb Idaho potatoes – 3.59
1 cut up chicken fryer – 3.95
2.5 lb cube steak – 8.20
1 lb ground beef – 1.88
2 lb spaghetti – 2.08
cabbage – 1.08
5 avocados – 3.40
2 onions – 1.36
2 red gala apples – 1.09
1 lb bag of loose carrots – 0.84
Hoagie rolls – 1.97
2 bags tortilla – 2.92
1 sweet potato – 0.21
16 oz strawberries – 1.48
2 zucchini – 2.20
4 peaches – 1.10
2 yellow corns – 0.50
1 lb mini carrots – 1.78
food tax (7.75%) – 0.65
others tax (9.25%) – 0.40

TOTAL = $ 52.77

This Week’s Menu Plan

Breakfast:
Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancake
Sausage Burritos
Oatmeal

Dinners:
Friday – Marlboro Man’s Steak Sandwich
Saturday – Vegetable Barley Soup, Bread
Sunday – Spaghetti Casserole, Salad
Monday – Spaghetti Casserole Leftover, Salad
Tuesday – Chicken Adobo, Rice, Corn
Wednesday – Vegetable Barley Soup, Bread, Salad
Thursday – Beef Noodle Casserole, Green Beans
Friday – Leftover Night
Saturday – Leftover Night

Snacks:
Avocado Shake
Apples
Peaches
Strawberries with whipped cream

What are your tips for saving money at the grocery store?  Share them in the comments section.