Aldi Keeps Me Under Budget - And I Have A Question For You!

Let's review where I stand in my $50 challenge.  If you are following along on my $50 a month grocery challenge, here are the stats:  I carried $29.83 cash over from January and February into March and added it to the $50 that is budgeted, of which I have already spent $25.85.  That means, I have $53.98 to spend in March. 

Last week I went to Aldi and spent $22.50.  I actually spent quite a bit more than I would have liked, due to having to feed dinner and snacks to 6 people last weekend.  That really caused me to spend more than usual!  We had pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches, fruit, and chips for the main meal.

Anyway, here is what I bought:

1 bag potato chips

1 bag of cookies

3 boxes macaroni and cheese 

1 cantaloupe

1 bag of red potatoes

3 kiwis

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

2.5 lbs chicken breasts

1 gallon skim milk

1 can sweet peas

1 can spinach

1 can diced tomatoes

1 loaf whole wheat bread

2 packages hamburger buns

1 lb baby carrots

I spent $48.35 total in March and added another $1.65 into the carry over pile.  That brings my three month carry over total to $31.68.

NOW HERE'S MY QUESTION:  I had originally pledged to do the $50 a month grocery challenge for three months and it worked out great!  Should I extend it into April?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Gas and a Great Deal at Rite Aid

Yesterday I spent $1.04 at Rite Aid and bought a container of Excedrin and 2 bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide.  I got a great deal because I was able to use two coupons and a BOGO deal... otherwise my total would have been closer to $10!

Not such a good deal was my gas purchase.  Gas is $3.65 a gallon here and it cost me $61.52 to fill up the tank.  Ouch!

More Spending

I am learning something from this little experiment of mine - I am a lousy record keeper!  Somehow, I always fall behind in reporting my expenses here.  It isn't that I don't care, it is just that I never seem to have all my receipts in one place!  I am finishing month five of this year-long experiment.  Going forward, instead of posting expenses as they occur (which isn't working right now, and I can see it getting even harder to do as the weather gets nicer and I am spending more time outside) I may try to post once a week.  The great thing about a blog like this is that I can make up my own rules. 

I find keeping up with the daily schedule at The Single Saver much easier because it does not involve tracking down my receipts!  LOL! 

Anyway, here are a couple weeks worth of expenses.  I also have the results of a shopping trip, which I will try to post later today.

Car Payment - $350.00

Electric - $79.00

Water Bill - $25.98

Sewer Bill - $22.00

Donation - $6.00 and $10.00

Stamps - $7.92

Walmart - $8.74 ($6.77 for pet expenses and $1.97 for misc.)

Car Maintenance - $95.35

Gas - $62.13 and $55.98

Car Insurance - $165.00

Conference Registration (I will categorize this under 'business expense') - $89.00

Cell Phone Bill - $54.78

Domain Registration ('business expense') - $10.00

Car Registration - $49.87

Cable/Internet - $105.62 (grrr... this keeps going up)

Free Closet Organization

Hi everyone!  I posted a fun article on my other site, The Single Saver, that I think you all may enjoy.  It details how I did a closet reorganization for free!

http://www.thesinglesaver.com/2011/03/organize-your-closet-for-free.html

Grocery Spending - Can I stay within budget?

Let's review where I stand in my $50 challenge.  If you are following along on my $50 a month grocery challenge, here are the stats:  I carried $29.83 cash over from January and February into March and added it to the $50 that is budgeted.  That means, I have $79.83 to spend in March. 

I went to Aldi recently and did some shopping.  I bought:

* dozen eggs
* head of lettuce
* pound of Roma tomatoes
* Box of 12 lasagna rolls
*1 bottle light Ranch dressing
* 1 box Saltine crackers
* pound of butter
* bottle of apple juice
* 6 Tilapia fillets
* 2 pounds bananas
* 2 pounds broccoli
* 3 kiwi fruits
* pound of baby carrots
* 1 tin of sardines
* 1 box Macaroni and Cheese
* 1 package flour tortillas

How much did I spend?  $25,85.  Did I mention how much I love Aldi?

So that means I have $53.98 left to spend this month.  

Don't forget to check out The Single Saver for money-saving tips!

(Linked at Frugal Follies.)

What did I eat last week?

While I am taking part in my $50 a month spent on food grocery challenge, I will be documenting what I eat each week. Some people have expressed concerns that I can't possible eat enough on just $50 a month. I hope this type of documentation puts their fears to rest.

March 6

Breakfast/Lunch - eggs, tomatoes, toast, apple juice

Dinner - shrimp friend rice with broccoli and carrots, salad, milk

March 7

Breakfast - cereal and milk

Lunch - leftover shrimp fried rice with broccoli and carrots

Dinner - leftover mac and cheese, carrots, milk

March 8

Breakfast - banana with PB

Lunch - leftover shrimp fried rice with broccoli and carrots

Dinner - lasagna rolls, salad, apple sauce, milk

March 9

Breakfast - toast and PB

Lunch - leftover lasagna roll, salad, apple sauce

Dinner -  wheat pasta with broccoli and sauce, milk

March 10

Breakfast - banana with PB

Lunch -  wheat pasta with broccoli and sauce, milk

Dinner - tomato soup and grilled cheese, carrots, milk

March 11

Breakfast - toast and PB

Lunch -  turkey sandwich wrap with lettuce and tomatoes

Dinner - mac and cheese, carrots, milk, ice cream

March 12

Breakfast/Lunch - eggs, potatoes, biscuits, and country fried steak
Dinner - banana/PB sandwich, milk, carrots, ice cream with sliced bananas

Food Waste Friday

Saving Food Saves Money

Spending money wisely also means not wasting it... and that includes not wasting food. So, each week I will give you an opportunity to document what food is needlessly wasted and report it here. Alternately, you may wish to instead highlight the ways you saved food this week! Feel free to leave me a comment with your own food waste/save story, or link to your blog using the widget, below.

After two good weeks of no food waste, I am afraid this week wasn't quite so good.  I had a little lettuce and also 203 ounces of cheddar cheese. I especially hate having to waste cheese as it is one of my favorite foods!

How did you do?
Also linking this post at The Single Saver and The Frugal Girl.