The All You Grocery Challenge is proving to be exactly that: a challenge! While I typically don’t spend more than the $25 per person (not including Lincoln) budget allowed, it’s the special circumstances that are arising that are keeping me on my toes!
For example, this past weekend, we went camping with my family. This meant that each family was responsible for a meal (for 18 people!) and we would also go out to eat once or twice. I thought we might fall off the wagon, but WE DIDN’T!
My solution?
For our family meal, we served pulled pork, macaroni salad, chips, and cookies for dessert.
Pulled pork was $2.19 a lb. which added up to only about $.75/person.
I had all of the ingredients for the macaroni salad.
The chips and cookies were purchased with coupons and the Kellogg’s Fuel for School rebate and cost abot $.50-$.75 each.
In total, we spent approximately $20 to feed 18 people…nice.
THEN…for our going out to eat meal, I found this sweet deal at Restaurant.com and purchased a $25 gift certificate for only $2! There was a great little restaurant right near where we were camping that was listed. Not only that, but they accepted three gift certificates for our whole family, so every body got in on the savings!
After the gift certificate, we spent only $27 (which included food, taxes, and tip). We even had enough money left over to go out for ice cream afterwards.
Our total spending on food last week was around $71..we made it!
This week, I actually need to do some real grocery shopping since I’ve cleaned out my cupboards pretty well with my Shopping in my Freezer Challenges. So I just printed out my E-Mealz shopping list and I’m headed to the store! (Pretty excited about Primavera Pizza this week…) Looks like everything on the list will only add up to $32.53. That should give us some nice wiggle room to buy a few extra things that we need!
Oh, and by the way, I added another rule to my All You Grocery Challenge list:
- Drink LOTS of water. I’m putting a shopping freeze on buying other beverages. Save money and it’s GOOD for us!
Is the $25 per person per week? For all meals? We don’t spend too much more than that – I’m doing better than I thought!
Yes, it is! Good to know that you aren’t way off track, huh?
The biggest challenge has been when we have to eat out. You could easily use up most of your budget with one meal! So in that way, it’s definitely helped me think ahead more.