It might be time to talk about the Teacup of it all.
I’m on my third child. You would think I’ve got the system down by now, and yet here I am, shocked that after the Teacup started on “solid” foods to supplement her milk, our grocery bill has gone up. After typing up the last two grocery receipts I said, aloud, shocked, “Who is eating all this baby food?”
The baby, Kristen. Duh. The baby.
It’s really been the last month that a decent chunk of money is going towards baby food: pouches, puffs, teething biscuits, and extra produce to make baby food at home. At the Teacups recent 9 month well visit, her doc told us we can start doing soft finger foods: eggs, bananas, avocado, along with the pureed stuff. Again, like a first timer, I was gobsmacked.
“But she has no teeth!”
“Oh, that’s fine,” said our patient and kind pediatrician, “she can gum it. It gets her ready for when her teeth come in.” And then, slowly, “You know…like your other two children did.”
Lady, the only full nights of sleep I’ve gotten in the last year were a few weeks ago at Disney World. I don’t remember the other two’s names half the time, let alone their teething patterns.
It occurred to me that come December, when we plan out the budget for the coming year, we were going to AGAIN increase our grocery budget to accommodate the growing dietary needs of our littlest lady. Mr. B didn’t seem that worried about it. We’ll be able to transfer some of our home budget to grocery because we have been massively under budget on diapers since her birth, due to a very generous diaper collection from the soccer team Mr. B coaches. Or perhaps I should call him Coach B. Anyway, they gave us a TON of diapers and we’ve been under budget ever since. Coach B’s plan is to buy a ton of diapers in various sizes before this year’s budget is up, getting rid the surplus and freeing up the diaper budget to accommodate our grocery budget.
But as I was writing this, another thought occurred to me, because that’s just how I am. Thoughts always occurring. Haven’t I written about this before? The clickety clack of my fingers on the keys and the words “why children always be eating?” are brining up a sense of deja vu.
Of course I have. Even if I can’t find the original post. (Believe me, I tried. I found myself down a rabbit hole of old grocery posts that I’m lucky to have emerged from at all.) All three children will continue to grow, for the rest of time. I’m sure I’ve written about it before, just as I feel fairly certain I will write about it again. Time is a flat circle. Perhaps a few years from now, I’ll be writing a grocery post about having to increase the grocery budget. I will feel some deja vu. That deja vu will feel like the last deja vu, which will remind of the deja vu before that deja vu. And then I will realize I was stuck in the Matrix the whole time.
- Anjou Pears, 1.43 lb-$1.42.
- Bananas, 2.15 lb -$1.27.
- Happy Baby Puffs-$2.49. In store sale.
- Kraft Salad Dressing-$1.99.
- Kroger Italian Sausage, 6 lbs-$14.30. In store sale of $.250 per pound, stacked with $.70 off *Digital Coupon*.
- Mount Olive Pickles-$1.99.
- Pork Loin, 5.57 lb-$8.31. I store sale, $1.49 a pound.
- Private Selection Angus Steak, 2.24 lb-$11.18. In store sale, $4.99 a pound.
- Private Selection Wheat Bread-$1.99.
- Private Selection Honey Turkey, .5 lb -$4.23.
- Private Selection Salami, .5 lb-$3.75. Keep trying to introduce new deli meats to the kiddos.
- Private Selection Salsa-$5. In store sale, 2 for $5.
- Reypenar Gouda-$6.99. Manager’s Special!
- Roma Tomatoes, 1.36 lb-$1.35.
- Red Leaf Lettuce, 1.01 lb-$1.71.
- Simple Truth Organic Baby Food Pouches (12)-$12. On sale for $1 each. I will take that $.19 savings.
- Simple Truth Organic Mustard-$1.97. That one is for me, not the baby.
- Apps I’ll submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta ($.20 Off Any Item), CoinOut
Total Budget: $61.07
Total Spent: $84.26
Total Saved: $43.58
Deducted From Next Week: $23.19
After the grocery train went way off the rails last week, trying to get back to a budget friendly place inch by inch. That may be our challenge for the next few months before our budget can really accomodate the Littlest Bee’s appetite. But it’s a challenge I’m willing to face, since we are so thankful for our healthy, hungry girl.
I’m curious how often you adjust your grocery budget to handle your growing kids and their constant need for nutrition? Is it a yearly thing? Bi-annually? Dependent on growth spurts? Give me some tips and advice 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 five 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!