Katy at The Non-Consumer Advocate is hosting a Food Stamp Challenge this month. So what is involved in the challenge? Try to spend less on groceries than what our family would receive if we were to receive food stamps. The average family receives $101 per person, so our budget for the month is $505. I also have a 3 year old so we would qualify for $44 in WIC, which brings the total to $549 or 137.25 per week. I hope that we will be able to spend less than that as I plan to donate the difference between our budget and what I actually spend to our local food bank.
Last year our grocery budget was $100 per week, but I have to admit that since we went on The Compact (not buying anything new for an entire year) our grocery budget has steadily increased. I have felt justified buying treats (i.e. organic, free-trade chocolate) since I am not buying “things”. I am looking forward to this challenge and hoping to get back on track with our grocery spending.
To add to our challenge, we have two members of our household who cannot consume gluten, one person who cannot consume lactose, and there are certain items that I will only buy organic (e.g. milk, apples, potaotoes, etc). I also have a couple of advantages: my stubborn determination garden and a fairly well-stocked pantry.
My shopping trips so far:
June 1rst – Savemart $18.48. I went to the store for cold medicine (yes, I have another cold. And yes, I have tendered my resignation and will no longer be volunteering in the church nursery!) and picked up a couple of items.
Savings Tip #1 : Whenever I go to the grocery store I check the meat markdowns. This package of hamburger is 92% fat free and comes from cows that did not receive antibiotics or growth hormones. It is normally $4.99+ a lb. This package contains 1.15 lbs. and was originally $5.74; the $2.00 off coupon brought it down to $3.74 or $3.25 per pound.
June 3rd – Smith’s $27.79. There are lots of things wrong with this shopping trip, but I was too sick to go and had to leave it to my husband.
Savings Tip #2 – Sign up for the grocery store’s savings card and make sure your spouse carries one. Then join cellfire so you can have coupons automatically downloaded to your savings cards. You receive an email when new coupons are available and you click the ones you want added to your card.
Total for June Groceries to Date: $46.27
I need a couple of items from Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. I will post those purchases tomorrow along with a few more resources for coupons.
Amy says
Thank you for this challenge. I live it every day.
Alea says
Thanks Mary Kate, I will look into it. It would make my son's life easier!
Mary Kate says
I have a reccomendation for your lactose intolerant family member. There is a product called Digestive Advantage Lactose Intolerance Therapy that is taken once a day and allows lactose consumption throughout the day. It has been a great product for two family members that were totally lactose intolerant. You can buy it at Wal-Mart or from Amazon. There is a chewable childrens formula as well as an adult formula.
Melissa says
It's a great idea for a challenge. My first thought was "We spend less than $100 a week on groceries," but then I remembered that there are only three of us. I'd have to look back at the records and see how we're doing, but I'm pretty sure we're over $300/month.
Sheila says
I like this challenge. I have been doing so much better on our grocery bill–I have cut my trips to the store down to one major trip and one small trip–for bread and such–a week. I am pretty proud of that–I used to go every other day or so and spend over a $100 each time!!