Grocery Nerd - part III

I have had several people ask me to continue to occasionally post about my groceries. So, here's this week's trip to Publix. ( I only spent 1/2 of my $60 budget!)

2 Loaves Sara lee bread
2 12 packs Publix drinks
3 Bounty napkins
3 Quaker Granola bars
2 Bounce dryer bars
1 Bounce dryer sheets
2 Starbucks Coffee
1 fish sticks
3 Country crock side dishes
1 bag salad
strawberries
1 doz eggs
1 roast
3 Bertolli pasta sauce
6 sundown vitamins
1 bag chips
1 dial hand soap
3 Dawn dishsoap
4 Frusion Smoothie packs of 4
1 Publix hummus
1 Athenos hummus
1 oscar Mayer salami
2 lunchables
2 greek yogurt2 Downy softener
1 Arm and Hammer detergent
2 gallons milk
1 Aunt Jemima syrup
4 Orville Redenbacher popcorn
16 boxes Knox gelatin
-------------------------------
Total before tax $26.41

I guess I need to google recipes that include Knox gelatin. I bought it because it gave me overage toward my groceries.

I don't have a problem with store brands, but I rarely need to buy them anymore. I can usually find a better deal on the brand name items. Crazy, I know.

To find deals like these, check out these sites, or leave comments with questions.

Southern Savers

I Heart Publix


Frugal Dr. Mom

Faithful Provisions




I was thrilled to have a beautiful spring day today. I love that we got to play outside. I'm not so sure that I loved seeing my Lilly try to ride a skateboard. At least she was wearing a dress....

Cheap organizers, and.......groceries. Again.

I love to organize. That's not to say I always stay organized - but I love to at least try. It soothes my OCD :)
I needed to have a place to store random things like travel maps and user manuals from a million different appliances and toys, and I have this need to put everything into a box, or container. I can remember being in high school, visiting my sister in her college dorm. I would reorganize all her stuff into containers. It drove her nuts.
I looked at magazine files, they were perfect for the shelf, but they were too expensive. About $8 each at Target, and I needed 18. So, I improvised.



I went to Office Max and bought 6 - 3 packs of cardboard magazine files. Stylish they were not.

I picked up a roll of brown kraft paper from the shipping aisle as well. I sprayed the files with spray adhesive, and basically wrapped them like a gift in the brown paper.



I trimmed the edges, tucked them over, and glued them. I just taped the seams on the bottm.





Before putting them on the shelf, I had to label them. What kind of organizing freak would I be if I didn't??
The paper labels wrapped around the edges of the box make a nice 'stripe' when they are all lined up on the shelf. The whole project cost about $30.
I realize this is not a Martha Stewart caliber project, but I don't have a Martha Stewart caliber budget. In other words, it'll do.




Now. Groceries.

I am ONLY doing this because so many have asked me to. This is only my trip to Publix. I also made a trip to Kroger this week, spending $45 on meat, produce, coffee, and a few stock up items, like 20 boxes of dishwasher tablets.

Yes. 20.



Here's the list:
2 6packs Trix yogurt (has HFCS in it, which doesn't thrill me, but hey,it's 4 oz.)
6 32 oz. cartons chicken broth - I cook w/this all the time
4 1 lb. pkgs bacon - will freeze
5 boxes Ritz Crackerfuls
2 boxes Special K Granola
2 tubs French Onion dip
3 Knox gelatin
2 Glass Plus
2 French's Mustard
3 Ravioli (packs in thermos for lunches)
1 Sabra Hummus
Organic Broccoli
Organic Romaine hearts
I already had the 10 year old boy
Total Before Tax $3.11

And, here's the receipt to prove I am telling the truth.


One last picture. My sister gave may daughter a bag full of hair "stuff". Clips, barrettes, etc. (May I add, all these things were in a container, so HA! I rubbed off on her.)

She let the boys 'give her a hair-do.'



Big mistake. I think the picture makes it clear she was not thrilled with the results.



www.LittlebitsDesigns.com

My inner cheapskate exposed

Why did I take a picture of my groceries? To expose myself for the cheapskate I really am. I bought everything you see in this picture for $5.41, before tax.

I did not steal any of it. I have the receipt to prove it.

I am a total coupon nerd. My 10 year old teases me. He says I am a coupon-ologist, that he is going to buy me a fanny pack to keep them in. It's not that bad......

I use them because they work! I can feed a family of 5 for $60-$70 a week.(sometimes less) I don't skimp on any fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat either. We don't eat a ton of meat though, so that helps. I just have a plan, stockpile things we use, like the 8 bottles of juice you see, and utilize my freezer space. Do I need 2 boxes of gas medicine - no. (thank goodness:) But, sometimes, when things are free, I get them anyway and give them to the Help Center at our church. Same with a lot of the can goods. On the other hand, the Frosted Flakes are all mine.

You must give Publix a try. It is truly the best grocery chain ever. They are clean, friendly, and very coupon friendly. As long as you are honest.


There are a couple of websites out there that will show you how to do it all.

Southern Savers

I Heart Pubix

Faithful Provisions

I got my neighbor , and my sister hooked on this too. We are now both equally nerdy for photographing our groceries. I think she has earned her 'couponologist fanny pack'.



Littlebits Designs