I’m documenting what I’m buying and how much everything costs. This post covers what I bought on August 2nd. I’m trying a new shopping tactic: I went to Aldi and Trader Joe’s and I’m going to try to not go back to the grocery store until August 15th.
As a refresher, in May I set my budget at $760 per month (subject to the caveats below). In June, my monthly total was $972.09, and the total for July was $979.61. Those are actually pretty consistent. I’m still going to try to see if I can either spend less than that or, despite prices rising, keep it at a similar level.
The caveats: We make most of our meat and seafood purchases from Butcher Box throughout the year. We also make sporadic larger bulk purchases from Azure Standard to save money over what we can buy in the grocery store. I currently contribute $350 per month in a separate fund for these purchases.
What We Bought
Aldi ($349.29 Spent)
The snacks for Master FF (our 22 year old son) are getting pricey, but I don’t want to completely eliminate his snack joy. So, I looked at prices at Aldi and decided I’d just have to go there. Even the chips at our discount grocery store are getting expensive. Sad commentary.
We paid a $1.99 curbside pickup charge and $1.56 for bags.
What We Bought:
- 1 gluten free bread – 20 ounces ($7.35)
- Gluten free garlic summer sausage – 16 ounces ($4.65)
- Genoa salami – 8 ounces ($2.75)
- Mayo – 30 ounces ($5.49)
- Tajin ($3.05)
- Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce ($3.95)
- 2 vanilla pudding mixes ($2.18 for both)
- 13 ounces of hazelnut spread ($3.15)
- 18 ounces of creamy peanut butter ($2.19)
- Organic hot salsa – 16 ounces ($2.95)
- Butter chicken curry sauce ($3.09)
- 5 cases of sparkling water (12 cans per pack, Aldi brand) – ($4.59 each)
- 15 ounces of ricotta cheese ($3.09)
- 16 ounces of sour cream ($2.05)
- 4 ounces of goat cheese ($1.99 x 2)
- 5 ounces of shredded parmesan ($3.19)
- 8 ounce fresh mozzarella ball ($2.99)
- 4 containers of greek yogurt – 32 ounces each ($4.15 each)
- Gluten Free seasoned turkey burgers – 6 patties, 2 pounds ($5.49)
- Chipotle chicken bowl ($4.39)
- Birria bowl ($4.39)
- 32 ounce bag of potato puffs ($3.29)
- Bacon Cheddar Beef Burger Patties – 6 patties, 2 pounds ($9.89)
- 30 ounce bag of frozen hash browns ($4.29)
- Boneless half pork butt ($13.25)
- Maple breakfast sausage links ($2.29)
- 32 ounce containers of low sugar vanilla greek yogurt ($5.49)
- Caramel corn rice cakes ($2.39)
- 24 ounces of wild caught ahi tuna ($10.10 for 2 – 12 ounce packages)
- Lightly salted rice cakes ($2.39)
- Kalamata pitted olives ($2.45)
- Hummus ($2.75)
- Shredded carrots 8 ounces ($1.45)
- 3 pounds of grapes ($8.79)
- 1.4 pounds of organic zucchini ($3.05)
- 4 “large” avocados that were most definitely not large ($2.60 for 4)
- 1.97 pounds of organic bananas ($1.36)
- 1 pound of baby carrots ($1.55)
- 3 count package of multi-colored bell peppers ($2.75)
- 8 ounces of slice mushrooms ($2.05)
- 1 pound of organic mini-cucumbers ($3.85)
- 2 pound bag of lemons ($3.65)
- 3 pounds of pears ($5.59)
- 1 pound of organic strawberries ($3.85)
- 10 pounds of russet potatoes ($3.75)
- 1 pint of blueberries ($2.69)
- 4 of the tiniest limes you’ve ever seen ($0.76 for all 4)
- 12 ounces of broccoli florets ($2.19)
- 3 heads of romaine hearts ($3.19)
- 8 ounces of shredded iceberg lettuce ($1.45)
- 12 ounce sweet kale chopped salad kit ($4.39)
- 16 ounces of pineapple spears ($3.95)
- 12 ounces of organic chopped kale ($2.35)
- 8 ounce package of spinach ($1.49)
- 4 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios ($4.05 each)
- Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips, 13 ounces ($1.65)
- 2 pounds of shredded Mexican cheese ($7.59)
- 2 pounds of shredded Mozzarella cheese ($7.59)
- 1 cantaloupe ($2.19)
- Cat treats for the Grandcat ($1.09)
- 24 ounces of bite size medley potatoes ($3.29)
- 3 pounds of organic pink lady apples ($4.75)
- Sliced Cheese, 8 ounces each – Gouda, Havarti, Swiss, Muenster, Pepper Jack, Mild Cheddar ($1.89 each)
- Caramel Rice Snacks, 7 ounces ($3.55)
- Sour cream and onion potato chips, 9.5 ounces ($1.75)
- 4 ounces of feta cheese crumbles ($1.85)
- Big Dipper Tortilla Chips, 10 ounces ($1.65)
- Kosher Baby Whole Dill Pickles ($1.85)
- Greek feta salad, 7 ounces ($3.09)
- Cheddar rice snacks, 6 ounces ($3.55)
- 32 ounces of Kosher Dill Pickle Spears ($3.85)
- 1 dozen cage free eggs ($5.85)
- Wavy potato chips, 10 ounces ($1.75)
- Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips, 8 ounces ($1.65)
- Family Size Rotisserie Chicken Breast, 1 pound ($5.95)
- Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken, 22 ounces ($7.15)
- Kettle Chips, 8 ounces ($1.65)
- 2 pounds of unsalted butter ($6.98 for both)
Thoughts: All of the chips were Aldi’s house brand, Clancy’s. All of the sparkling water was their house brand. I primarily bought the non-name brand items (aside from the Cheerios and that was because the house brand wasn’t gluten free). I tried to get a few items that will come in clutch when I’m exhausted or in too much pain to care about cooking. Many years ago I purchased some meats from Aldi and didn’t have a great experience with the quality. I do love the quality of the meats and seafood from Butcher Box and, until it’s absolutely no longer possible, I will continue to source the majority of our meats from them. But, if I can stretch it by using stuff from other stores, I will.
Trader Joe’s ($60.45 Spent)
We went back to Trader Joe’s primarily for gluten free bread products. But we also picked a couple of things Aldi didn’t have. I say “we,” but it was actually Miss FF who did the Trader Joe’s run.
What We Bought:
- Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews ($4.99)
- Organic Basil, 2.5 ounces ($2.99)
- 6 Gluten Free Hamburger Buns ($4.99 each)
- Gluten Free Baguette ($4.99)
- Gluten Free crackers ($1.99)
- Cream Cheese ($2.99)
- 2 Gluten Free Bagels ($4.99 each)
- 2 tomatoes ($2.58 for both)
The cashews were definitely an impulse purchase, but omg they were so good. Unfortunately, Mr. FF couldn’t eat any because they are processed on equipment that also processes wheat. He’s the most sensitive in the family and cross-contamination gets him bad. Sorry, Mr. FF. I usually try to avoid buying anything that can’t be enjoyed by the whole family, but I wasn’t the one in the store, so…
Buy Nothing Group ($0 Spent)
When someone in my local buy nothing group posted this, I was so excited. We will definitely use it.
Marshalls ($6.99 Spent)
My sweet daughter returned some items to Marshalls for me and picked up my favorite snack as a surprise. I love these things. They are so dangerous.
August Totals
I spent $416.73 this week on groceries. Did we get a lot? Yes. Even given that, was it outrageously expensive? Also yes. A trip like this to Aldi used to be easily around $150. I’m so exhausted by these prices.
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Frugal Forward 
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