Middle of September Budget Update

I worked especially hard to be under budget this month because I knew that I was really far over last month.  It seems like September has been flying by so I am surprised it is already the middle of the month.  With the start of school, I thought I would have more free time but I still seem to be just as busy.  I have been been working hard at shopping sales, using coupons and getting the best deals that I could to fill the pantry, fridge and freezer.  I went a little overboard with some treats to make life easier but overall not a ton of spending for the first half of the month.

Below are all the things that I have gotten for the beginning of the month and the breakdown of the items.  Check out what I got this month so far below.

Aldi $15.10

I decided to go with the biggest bag of rice because I haven't gotten a sale and coupon on the rice at the grocery store so I figured that I would go with the cheapest breakdown which was the 10 pound bag.  We were totally out of Chicken fries, salsa, bananas and pepperoni so those were my main goals.

Harris Teeter $6.39

Super Doubles was under way and I got the Quaker Granola bars for soccer snack which were $0.49 per box.  The Famous Amos Cookies were $0.84 per box...YUM!  The Veggie Straws were $0.64.  The Club Crackers were $1.14.  The lettuce is cheaper at Harris Teeter then Aldi so I always try to get it at HT.  The Hi Chew, Pantene and Bacon bits were all free.  The Hot Dogs were $0.34 and I got to do a rebate on Ibotta for $0.45 for hot dogs and any item.

Harris Teeter $8.05

I got Stonefire Naan to make pizza for dinner that night which was fun and they were only $0.50 per package.  The Famous Amos still $0.84 and the Club Crackers were still $1.14 so grabbed a few more.  The Jif was $2.67 for all 4 which is less then one and makes then $0.67 each.  Added in more of the free bacon bits.

Harris Teeter $11.66

I went a little crazy with the Freschetta for $1.74.  I splurged a little and got the Eggos for my son for $1.25 per box.  The beef jerky was a treat for my husband at $1.47 per bag (way better then $6 shelf price) The Kahki and Prime Fresh meats were both free after evic special and coupon. I got back $0.25 Ibotta for waffles.

Harris Teeter $9.30

Way crazy purchase of prepared foods that we normally don't have but they were $1 per box and I got back $0.50 for each box on Ibotta and any item rebate so I got $4.75 back.

Harris Teeter $17.48

I got a bunch of things that were supposed to be one sale but lots of things didn't ring up correctly so it was a lot of corrections at customer service after crashing the computer because the cashier didn't listen and cover up the scan code on the printed coupons.  Sadly, I got the one person that doesn't give you the free item when it doesn't ring up but I did get almost $13 back to correct the pricing.  The Tontino's Pizza Rolls were $1.47 each and the Pringles were $0.22 each after customer service adjusted.  The pasta was $0.25 per box, the Poptarts were $1 (with more Ibotta rebates).  The Famous Amos were $0.84 per box.  The Freshetta Pizza was $1.74.  The Quaker Rice Cakes and Fruit Love were both free.  Too many tasty treats to pass up but we have been enjoying them!!

Harris Teeter $1.82

I went to the store to get the pasta while it was still on a little bit of a sale for $0.29 each.  We were running pretty low so I was happy to add to the stock pile.

Wegmans $15.21

I got this 6 pounds of meat and made two pounds the first night.  I made one pound into tacos and froze another pound for the Hamburger Helper Philly Cheese steak pasta so that I would have it ready to throw into the meal.  I froze four bags of meat for other meals for the next two months.

Safeway $0

I got a few freebies loaded on to my card and I decided to finally get out and get them.  I enjoyed the smoothie that day for lunch and pizza one night for dinner. YUM!!

Total Retail $308.24

Total Savings $223.23

Total OOP $85.01

Eating Out and Take Out

I have had an epic beginning of the month with no take out or eating out yet this month.  We still have our whole budget of $40 which we are going to save to have a yummy meal after soccer one night probably.