On July 13th, I set a one year goal to challenge myself to spend no more for my family of 5 buying predominately organic food than the government states is the “thrifty” level of spending for our family, which is $156.30 a week.
This report covers our spending from August 11th to August 24th.
One noticeable problem is the snack type items we bought at Costco–chips, pita bites, popcorn, crackers. My kids like to eat these for snacks at school, but they added $30 to our grocery bill these last two weeks. I think it is time to look into making some more homemade snack type food like granola bars.
The popcorn is the one I am really smacking my head about. Yes, it did taste good and all of us could eat it because there was no dairy or soy, but I paid $4 or $5 for that one bag. How much more popcorn would I get if I bought a bag and popped it myself? That purchase was definitely impulse shopping gone bad. (It usually does go bad, doesn’t it?) The popcorn was offered as a sample. My kids are little scavengers at Costco looking for product samples that don’t have dairy or soy so they can try them. Popcorn fit the bill, and then I bought it.
Right now, six weeks into this project, I am below my target goal with a weekly average of $143.92 per week.
I’ll be back two weeks from today with another update.
Did you know you can buy a bag of popcron kerrnals and use a paper lunch bag and pop it in the microwave. I didn’t either til I caught my 14 yr old doing it. And it tastes so good. Plus there are none of the bad things that come with microwave pop corn.
I didn’t know that! Anything special you have to do or just put the kernels in the bag? How long do you cook it? Just until it is popped?
If you google Alton Brown and microwave popcorn, you should find out how it works. He did it on one of the Good Eats shows. Plus, you can add your own savory/flavor profiles to it to get something the whole family will not just like, but love.
Thanks for the suggestion. I am really starting to like Alton Brown.
1/4 to 1/2 cup of kernels in a brown paper bag. Fold over the top and then microwave for 4mins or until popping is done. Then open and enjoy or sprinkle with whatever you like.
We buy the big, HUGE jug of kernals at Costco and pop them at home. You can do it on the stove or in the microwave. If in the microwave, put 1/4 cup into a paper bag and pop for 2-3.5 minutes, approx the same time as the instant bags. Nothing special, just wait for the pops to slow like normal!
We allow ourselves one “snack” for the kids each month and it’s usually from Costco. This month was the Annie’s bunny snacks. When they’re gone, they’re gone, but it limits us to processed food while allowing a little bit of splurging too. It also forces the kids to eat more fruits and veggies, although to be honest, we haven’t had to force them much since this rule has been in place!
Both are great tips. I am going to Costco tomorrow, so I’ll keep an eye out for the kernels.
I HAVE to leave my daughter at home when I grocery shop, otherwise I end up going way over budget. This is even more true at our farmer’s market, where she wants to buy any- and everything she has a sample of.
Well at least she is begging for healthy foods. 🙂