I’d like to think I’m getting better at making good choices.
Kroger sent me an email today that informed me of my savings last month: $117. Considering the the months prior were a bit of a mixed bag (thank you, new mama hormones!) I was very encouraged about this level of progress.
It’s not that I spent my last trimester and first few months of the Teacup’s life making bad grocery choices. It’s just that in those months I went into survival mode. I literally just needed to keep going, budget and coupons be darned.
But now that things are settling down a little bit (don’t want to jinx it, but I got 5 hours of sleep the other night!), the grocery fog is clearing and I’m able to see the forest for the trees. I still might not be able to figure out how to stack the coupons for those trees or remember what the in-store sale was for that forest is, but I can see them.
And because I can see clearly now, the rain is gone, it feels like I’m getting into my groove one small, good choice at a time. I used to be able to make all the right grocery store choices, so doing one or two things right might seem small, but we just went through a major life change. Small steps are still on the same pathways to big steps. Which is something I’m trying to apply in all aspects of my life.
In keeping with my 2019 Grocery Resolutions, I am being kind to myself and celebrating small victories. Good job me! I am also keeping up the reward cheeses. Which ties into my good choices. This week I got a quarter pound of Bellavitano, which is a dessert cheese with coffee grinds rubbed into the rind. It’s is recommended to go with breakfast pastries and chocolate. Um, yes. All the yes.
I had wanted to get the Bellavitano last week, but last week my beloved Merry Estate Gouda was on sale for 50%, so I was able to get a half a pound for cheeeeaps. The Bellavitano was the same price, and I simply could not justify two $6 cheeses. So I waited on the Bellavitano, and was rewarded by there being smaller cuts on sale this week, so I could try a new cheese without a big price tag, which is always nice. This is a small thing, but you better believe that Third Trimester Kristen would have been like, “I’ll take both those cheeses with some chocolate cake, let’s go.”
Another resolution was to do the math. Last week, I bought some organic bread because with coupons and in-store drops, it was only 29 cents more than the kind I normally buy. This week, that same bread was on sale for 75 cents TOTAL because its sell by date was fast approaching. So, keeping with my other resolution, I did the math. Even if I only got half a loaf’s worth in a week, for $.75, it was still a better deal than buying a whole loaf of my regular, non organic bread for $1.99.
Another resolution on my mind this week was cooking to the sale. For the past month, my Kroger has had pork ribs on sale for $2.99. Every week I put them in my cart, and every week, when I realize I am close to being over budget, I put them back where I found them. Then I go home and cry to Mr. B about how I wanted to get ribs but didn’t. This week, though, my good choices payed off! I had enough in the budget (because of staying under all month) to handily afford some ribs. Is there any greater joy than cooking a meat product you got on a good deal?
- Bananas, 2.52 lb-$1.49.
- Bellavitano Cheese, .25 lb-$3.92.
- Blackberries, 6 oz (4)-$3.96. In store sale, $.99 each.
- Boar’s Head Honey Maple Turkey, .75 lb-$7.19.
- Boar’s Head Sandwich Pepperoni,.75 lbs-$6.83.
- Clementines, 3 lbs-$3.99.
- Heritage Farm Chicken Breasts, 4.76 lbs-$8.95. Down $.10 from the regular price. Every little bit helps!
- Kroger Cream Cheese, 2 pack-$1.79.
- Mangoes (2)-$1.98.
- New York Strip Steak, 2.92 lbs-$20.41. In store sale, $6.99 a pound.
- Pork Back Ribs, 2.17 lbs-$6.49. In store sale, $2.99 a pound.
- Private Selection Ice Cream-$4.99.
- Roma Tomatoes, 1.23 lbs-$1.59.
- Simple Truth Organic Almond Milk-$2.29. *Digital Coupon* for $.50 off.
- Simple Truth Organic Applesauce (2)-$4.98. In store sale, $2.49 each.
- Simple Truth Organic Whole Wheat Bread-$.75. Manager’s Special!
- Tilapia Filet, 2.14 lbs-$7.04. Manager’s Special.
- Vidal Onions, 1.40 lbs-$1.81.
- *Digital Coupon for 10% off this trip- saved me $9.05*
- Apps I’ll submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta ($.20 off Any Item)
Total Budget: $85
Total Spent: $81.40
Total Saved: $39.20
Rolled Over to Next Trip: $3.58
I forgot to mention, the ribs were delicious. It was my first time making ribs and now I can’t wait to do it again. When they’re on sale.
How are your grocery resolutions going? What kinds of better choices are you trying to make? Have you ever had Bellavitano cheese? Hit me up down below!
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!