Post Layoff: Grocery Haul (Making $80.00 Stretch)
10:35 AM
Almost immediately after Paul got laid off we sat down and looked at the bills. With my paycheck (and I do mean my WHOLE paycheck) we can cover the following:
(Of course assuming that our estimates are correct because we still haven't received most of our bills.)
House (Already covered)
Water
Gas
Electricity
So our main bills are covered. All extras are up to Paul.
Groceries
Gas
Insurances
Phone
Netflix (we don't do cable)
Etc.
So We had some extra cash that we got from selling our old fridge only about 80.00. We had to make that stretchhhhhhh...
Here is what I got with my 80.00 and I think I did pretty okay. I mean I'm still very new the the whole grocery shopping thing so take it easy on me okay!
Here is a list of what we got:
12 Cans of tomato sauce
(3) Big Jars of Ragu (I prefer Prego but we get whats on sale)
(4) 1 lb bags of red beans
(6) 1 lb bags of spaghetti noodles
(1) 10lb bag of sugar (for the Koolaid. Can't afford sodas and water gets old)
(1) huge pack of toilet paper from Sams. Brand: Quilted Northern 32 mega rolls = 102 single rolls.
(6) Packs of chicken breast. Est. 3 breast per pack.
(1) Case of water
(1) Jug of detergent
To me this sounds like I did awesome. Others may not think so.
Here is the break down of the prices and how I saved.
***Disclaimer: This is all before tax!!***
Total for everything Purchased: $144.47
Total Paid: $87.44 (Yes I wen't over a bit but I will show you my hiccups and how you can prevent them)
We only stopped at 2 stores.
Sams:
We were almost out of toilet paper and I knew we could get a good deal there. I already knew that spaghetti was cheap to make and so are beans so I figured let see what they got. We have the extra money lets get groceries now so we know we can last till you can find a job. We also got the Sugar Here as well.
Albertsons:
This is were we got our chicken, water, and detergent. The chicken was buy one get two free. And as you can tell from the picture, its good meat. Pre-seasoned and everything. But being from Southern Louisiana you know I had to throw some Tony's on there anyways.
| ITEM | PRICE EA. | SUB TOTAL | PRICE PD. | SAVINGS | |
| TOMATO SAUCE (12) Cans | $ 1.45 | $ 17.40 | $ (7.68) | $ 9.72 | |
| RED BEANS (4) 1 LB Packs | 4 | $ 2.46 | $ 9.84 | $ (5.48) | $ 4.36 |
| SPAGHETTI (6) 1 LB Packs | 6 | $ 2.19 | $ 13.14 | $ (6.48) | $ 6.66 |
| SUGAR (1) 10 LB Bag | 1 | $ 5.68 | $ 5.68 | $ (4.98) | $ 0.70 |
| RAGU (3) Jars | 3 | $ 2.98 | $ 8.94 | $ (7.98) | $ 0.96 |
| TOILET PAPER (32/102) | 32 | $ 0.49 | $ 15.68 | $(18.98) | $ (3.30) |
| CHICKEN BREAST (1 Pack) | 1 | $11.09 | $ 11.09 | $(11.09) | $ - |
| CHICKEN BREAST (1 Pack) | 1 | $ 9.59 | $ 9.59 | $ - | $ 9.59 |
| CHICKEN BREAST (1 Pack) | 1 | $ 9.39 | $ 9.39 | $ - | $ - |
| CHICKEN BREAST (1 Pack) | 1 | $10.79 | $ 10.79 | $(10.79) | $ - |
| CHICKEN BREAST (1 Pack) | 1 | $10.69 | $ 10.69 | $ - | $ 10.69 |
| CHICKEN BREAST (1 Pack) | 1 | $ 7.19 | $ 7.19 | $ - | $ 7.19 |
| WATER (1) Case | 1 | $ 5.49 | $ 5.49 | $ (3.99) | $ 1.50 |
| DETERGENT (1) Jug | 1 | $ 9.86 | $ 9.86 | $ (9.99) | $ (0.13) |
| |
$(87.44) | $ 47.94 |
**HICCUPS!!**
#1. Pay attention:
I caught one huge mistake which I know would have given me bigger bang for my buck. The chicken. They charge you the highest price and you get the others for free. I should have searched the freezer for bigger packets of chicken that brought me closer to the higher total that the ones I got. This way I would have been getting more chicken for free. Make since?
#2. Compare Prices:
Search around for detergent. Planning before hand makes the biggest difference. I switched to Arm & Hammer after moving out because it had baking soda. My dad is a chain smoker and the smoke has literally seeped into all my clothes. Tide/Gain wasn't cutting it. This got the smell out immediately after the first wash and its cheaper. So not matter which detergent you are using please shop around because it is not cheap!
#3. Just not worth it (Hiccup Avoided):
Some deals are just not worth it. What seems like a good deal at first may not be all what its cracked up to be. Once you get past the excitement and euphoria of a good deal really let is sink in before pouncing and beating an old woman down with your buggie. The bag of chicken as sames was 13.00 (roughly) for 10 lb bag. We counted 7 chicken breast in the bag. We paid (20.00) roughly in check but we got 18-20 chicken breast. We had the Sams bag in our hands when my soon to be husband pointed that out (SO PROUD!) So make sure to take your time.
Money is tight right now and our grocery list are even tighter. I know it doesn't seem like much but chicken is versatile. Spaghetti is my favorite food and you know what at least we wont starve or resort to a Ramen Fast. Making $80.00 stretch in this economy after your first house is quite an accomplishment if I do say so my self. Leave a comment and let me know what you guys think and if you have any tips for the Hiccup prone person that is me. =)
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