Couponing to Disney

Ok, I don’t know what was harder for me this week. Actually going grocery shopping or sitting down to write this recap. On the one hand, I am carrying a baby elephant in my body and every step feels like scaling a mountain. On the other hand, I am the most tired person who was ever lived and keeping my eyes open long enough to see the words I am typing is a battle fought by the second.

How are you doing where you are?

Have you heard that Benjamin Franklin quote, “in this world, nothing can said to be certain, except death and taxes”? I would like to amend Mr. Franklin’s quote for our modern times. “In this work, nothing can said to be certain except death, taxes, and grocery shopping.”

I’ve written frequently about visiting the grocery store in less than ideal circumstances: because no matter what is going on with the weather, your health, or the world, people gotta eat. And every time I do, I say something along the lines of, “wow, I thought I had seen everything, but THIS is the hardest grocery trip I’ve ever had!” So it probably won’t surprise you when I tell you this was the hardest grocery trip I have ever had.

I don’t think I went grocery shopping in the third trimester with my last one. I mean, I must have, right? Because we obviously all ate and thrived as humans. But I have no memory of it. And with my first one, the week before I was set to deliver, I definitely was not comparing prices on plums. Those were my pre-SavEar days, when I barely knew what a grocery store was, let alone coupons and budgets and shopping lists. Innocent times.

In addition to the general struggle bus I was riding this grocery trip, there was something nagging at the back on my mind. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but every time I saw something pumpkin or turkey related, I got a funny twinge in my eye. It wasn’t until I was safely in my car, deep breathing through a contraction, that it hit me.

Two things are happening next week: I am having a baby and it is Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving! How could I have blocked out Thanksgiving?? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I look forward to it all year. I start menu planning in September. Granted, this year, I’ve had other things on my mind.

While I was super excited to learn I would be having the baby close to Thanksgiving (my fave holiday!) I was slightly worried about what that would do for our festivities. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be released from the hospital on Thanksgiving Day. My children are still young enough that they don’t really mark the differences in days, so if we were to have a feast of Turkey on, say, Friday instead of Thanksgiving, they’ll be none the wiser. Last year we had Thanksgiving lunch at an Applebee’s in Oklahoma, on the way to see family, so this will be an improvement.

“But Kristen B,” you might say, “you cannot possibly make an elaborate meal mere days after giving birth!” You are correct. The good news is, my mother is coming out to help with the baby and so will be here for celebrating, and cooking. We have struck a deal. She will follow instructions, from me, on the couch, on Turkey and Stuffing, but she has free reign over side dishes and desserts. Seems like a fair trade. She does most of the work regarding food, but in return gets to snuggle a new baby I made.

• Bananas, 1.38 lb-$.68.
• Bell Peppers (3)-$2.97. In store sale, $.99 each!
• Boar’s Head Maple Glaze Turkey, .5 lb-$4.60.
• Boar’s Head Sandwich Pepperoni, .5 lb-$4.67.
• Boar’s Head Tavern Ham, .5 lb-$5.
• Clementines, 3 lbs-$3.99.
• Heritage Farm Chicken Thighs, 5.28 lbs-$5.23. In store sale, $.99 a lb.
• Kroger Ground Turkey, 2 lbs-$5.98.
• Kroger Marshmallow-$1. A child snuck that in, and I was too tired to put it back where it belonged. Children-1, Me-0.
• Mangoes (2)-$1. In store sale, 2 for $.99.
• Parrano Gouda-$5.46.
• Private Selection Brioche Rolls-$1.99.
• Private Selection Angus Steak, 1.94 lbs-$9.73. I store sale, $4.99 a lb.
• Private Selection Ice Cream (3)-$6. In store sale, 2 for $4.
• Red Plums, 1.43 lbs-$2.70.
• Romaine Lettuce, 1.66 lbs-$2.47.
• Roma Tomatoes, 1.28 lbs-$1.65.
• Strawberries, 2 lbs-$4.79.
• Apps I’ll submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta (.25 off Any Item)

                                      Total Budget: $46.94

                                      Total Spent: $69.98

                                      Total Saved: $22.70

                                     Deducted from Next Trip: $23.04

Gosh, I am slowly, sloooooowly, pulling myself out of the extravagant budget hole I dug for myself. One can only hope our next trip is a small one. I’ve got one grocery trip left before we meet Baby Bee, and I need to remember not to forget that it’s my Thanksgiving shop. Then I turn over the reigns to my mom on the grocery shopping for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll even have her guest write my Kroger recaps. ;)

Have you ever had someone else do your grocery shopping? What are some tips to help that go smoothly? What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish, in case my mom needs some inspiration? Help me out in the comments!

Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!