Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Could any post scream “middle aged” more than this?

So, I kept track of grocery spending for the month of October and I actually got some of my groove back for cooking after Spain. Sometimes that is all it takes to re-energize you, no? A trip where you get a break from cooking, right?

We currently have four people living at home. Tom eats lunch out every week day and I share lunches with Erica at school so she does half the week and I do half the week. We cook at home 4-5 nights a week and go out or order take out the other nights or have leftovers. Sometimes kids are working or out at dinner time but I still save a portion for them for late at night or the next day.

I am proud of two things:

  • I have let go of everyone having to eat the same food some nights. Sometimes some people get leftovers or a combo.
  • I have really worked on food waste – my new fridge is smaller than my old fridge and actually buying less at a time helps. Hmmm…that seems to be the same in my closet – Less feels like more and less goes to waste! Deep Thoughts!

We returned home from Spain on October 5th so this is October 6th-31st grocery spending;

10/6 – $118 Kroger

10/9 – $120 Walmart Plus Delivery

10/10 – $42 Trader Joe’s

10/12 – $150 Kroger

10/19 – $177 Kroger

10/19 – $89 Trader Joe’s

10/24- $107 Kroger

10/29- $114 Kroger

Total – $917

I need to cancel my Walmart Plus membership. My family has said they don’t like their products and they much prefer Kroger’s. They are also willing to pick up the orders so I am ok with that. Also, this is really stupid, but Jen gets me because she said this, too. I don’t like getting the groceries from the front porch. I like pulling in to the garage, closing the gate, and bringing the groceries (or someone else) up the back steps where the kitchen is. I did not see much of a savings from Walmart, anyway, and if the food is wasted it’s definitely not a savings. I know this goes against what many say about Walmart prices but I think it depends on how big your family is and what they eat.

Soup Sundays!

Sorry for the unappetizing photo of tomato bisque – lol. Erica assured me it was delicious. Tom says it’s still not the same as his fave restaurant’s. Lol.

I am enjoying starting a pot of soup in the morning and then we can have for lunch or dinner. I have done chili, chicken Enchilada, tomato bisque twice, and I have plans for lasagna soup, and broccoli cheddar.

We have been on a salmon kick. I do salmon rub, olive oil, and then hit it with a little lemon juice when it’s done. We usually have it with a green veg and a tater of some sort.

We have also been on an Asian kick more than Mexican lately. I really think I overdid the burrito bowls! I found an amazing teriyaki sauce and can just cook some chicken and broccoli (and whatever other vegetables) and serve it over rice.

What have you been cooking? I feel another rut coming on!

This week I did:

Sunday – tomato soup and grilled cheese

Monday – salmon, asparagus, and Yukon gold mashed potatoes (left skin on so it was easy)

Tuesday – carnitas bowls (bought pre-made carnitas), rice, black beans, corn, salsa, sour cream

Wednesday – ?

Thursday – ?

Now, for Hodgepodge with Joyce…

1. What’s something you think is under appreciated. Explain.  

Good attendance. I really appreciate the student that never misses and never has excuses. It seems we give all of our attention to the squeaky wheels but I really appreciate the student that leads by quiet example.

2. As winter approaches how do you stay productive? 

It’s not possible to not be productive when you have to get up early and go to work and be productive at work. I feel like I’m more organized during the school year because I have to be.

3. What’s a popular food you don’t like? 

Nuts!

4. What do you think is more interesting-art or history? Elaborate. 

Both! I have much more appreciation for both now that I am older.

5. What advice would you give to someone half your age? 

Save your money. Don’t fritter it on clothes and accessories. Use the money to travel! Learn to cook because it will save you money and be healthier.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I feel the stress of the holidays starting with some people I have talked to. Family drama. Fear of politics being brought up after a pretty crazy Election Year. Overplanning that makes everyone stressed out. Are you also sensing this and feeling this? I also have some people for whom it won’t look the same this year. Someone will be missing from their table. The pressure of the holidays is a lot so be kind to yourself. Maybe a post will be coming on this topic!

Amy

25 thoughts on “Grocery Shopping and Cooking Lately along with Hodgepodge”

  1. Your grocery spending is great! I’m happy if I can keep it under $300 a week… I thought with Alec gone we’d spend a lot less but there really hasn’t been that much difference. I’ve never had groceries delivered but I definitely prefer to take the least amount of trips to the kitchen with all our bags. There are quite a few popular foods I can’t stand– avocados, bananas, sushi, chicken wings…

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    1. Thank you! I always feel I can do better! you may have big eaters in your house. I guess one person doesn’t make that big of a difference. And, you guys eat most of your meals at home, too, I think? I wonder if groceries are higher in your part of the country.

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      1. Probably, everything else is higher… LOL! But yeah we all eat nearly ever meal at home or by taking food from home with us to work and hiking. Plus we most eat fresh, non-processed foods and I find that those are much more expensive and so rarely on sale.

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  2. I hear you on the holidays. Last night someone told me that Christmas is 6 weeks away. That really got me for a minute and I felt some panic but whatever, I let it go.

    I am really feeling badly for people who are having family drama over the election. Having lost family members and realizing how precious life is, I can never imagine that. The whole thing makes my stomach sick.

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  3. I spend way too much on groceries. I should do a monthly total just to see. We feed a large group of young adults on Tuesday nights so that big meal adds up. This last week, we also hosted a family gathering for Sunday lunch and there were 14 of us so that meal added up, too. I enjoyed your answers!

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    1. I always feel I can do better. It is very eye opening to track! I bet it does. It sounds like you enjoy the hospitality so maybe that actually goes under a different budget when you host these things – like entertainment.

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  4. There’s nothing better than grilled cheese and tomato soup. Yum! I still have only used delivery a handful of times and it’s been for smaller orders! I agree about good attendance! I’ve been telling my freshmen that the few with low grades aren’t in class on time or at all 🤪

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  5. I’m spending very little on groceries right now, because Jonah has started doing a lot of his own shopping, and I can find something to eat that I already have. I’m living on leftovers from meals or takeout, simple sandwiches with just meat and cheese, eggs, popcorn, and chicken tenders that are from Costco. Life has never felt so strange! I loved your random thought at the end of today’s post: grace upon grace both for ourselves and for others. You never know what someone is walking through! For that reason, I always try to smile at people and act kindly toward them. I have also had people treat me in this same way, and you wouldn’t believe how much of an impact that makes on me!

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  6. This has, for me also, been the year of letting go of not everyone eating the same thing. It began in ’21 when Ash and I went keto so I was already making 2 separate meals but this year, more than ever, my oldest is gone more often than not and my middle sometimes doesn’t want whatever I make so there may be 3/7 days I make a meal we all eat. Otherwise, make it yourself or piecemeal depending on who is home!

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  7. I am not feeling any stress about Christmas and I absolutely do not understand people cutting off their family members because they voted differently. The election is over, the result is the result and will last four years. One side is always unhappy with election results. Your family is forever and I think some of these video rants I’ve seen are so so sad. Some are people my age cutting off their kids! Yikes! Our Christmas will be pretty simple this year even though it’s ‘our year’. We alternate with the in-laws, but since my oldest is in the UK we will be smaller than usual. We’ll go to my younger daughter’s house and it will be fun waking up on Christmas morning to the excitement of littles. Quiet example! Yes, more of this please. I admire this trait so much in a person, particularly in this very noisy ‘look at me’ world. You did great with your groceries! There are just two of us here, but I’m usually feeding more than that with lots of company coming and going. I am curious to really track mine now. I have an approximation but it’s not exact and I think I’d like to know that number. Have a great day!

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  8. So true on working and being productive in the winter too and love your advice on traveling instead of spending on clothing

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  10. When I meal plan, I write down my categories I want to make meals from: chicken, beef, pork, fish/seafood, meatless, soup, etc. and then think of a meal that fits each category. We spend around $900/month for 4 (two adults and 2 young adults). This is for eating all meals at home/take food from home except for one dinner out a week. It is hard. It seems like just this past Spring; we were able to get by with $750 for the same food. Tonight, we are having a baked potato bar with various toppings and a mixed green salad. Of course, we would all enjoy a steak with that, but that is not in the cards.

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  11. Our teenagers keep us busy with all of their activities, so fast food gets picked up more than it should. Our kids don’t mind, but I would prefer home cooked. I try really hard to cook at least four times a week. I’ve tried a couple of recipes from Half Baked Harvest this week (broccoli and chicken pot pie and French onion meatballs) everyone enjoyed both.

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  12. Since there are just two of us, I usually make a big pot of soup or a casserole which will last 3-4 days. Luckily, my husband doesn’t mind eating the same thing (as long as he doesn’t have to cook).

    As someone who did save their money and then ill health prevented travel, I wish we’d spent the money on fun things when we were younger. I love to travel, but sometimes the unforeseen changes everything.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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  13. All of these are great answers! My favorite is be kind to yourself! Your menu looks good. I ordered salmon at a restaurant last night and commented I had not made it in a while. My favorite homemade tomato soup is one that Shay posted a few years ago I can send to you if you want. Most of the time, I just use the Trader Joe’s boxed tomato soup which is so good. Have a good day!

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  14. I loved hearing your thoughts and budget on grocery shopping. I have Walmart+ but only use it for free shipping, not grocery delivery. Tipping the driver cancels out the savings. Our Walmart prices are good, but I think it just depends on what market you’re in. We have so many shopping options here that the stores have to be competitive. I only go to Kroger to buy items on sale since they are always more expensive in our area. And yes, we all need to be kind to ourselves during the holidays!

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  15. Pingback: Friday Faves – Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

  16. I tracked groceries over the summer. I think I had $800-some for June. It was eye-opening but kids are home in the summer and they eat all day long!

    Honestly, I use Walmart pick-up maybe once a week, and I’ll go to the commissary on the base once every week or two. I get really stressed out over food because running out of something can be an emergency (Sutton’s milk or dog treats or coffee) so I’m always trying to plan ahead and it’s. exhausting.

    That being said, I’m back on the Dinnerly train for every other week because that takes some pressure off. I can buy the basics at the store without worrying about meal ingredients. It’s expensive but makes a lot of food so we have leftovers and convenience trumps cost at this particular moment in time.

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