Eating From the Pantry - Grocery update

Against my better judgment, DD and I did the grocery shopping Saturday afternoon. I detest having to do shopping at that time of the week. The stores are crowded, the lines are long, and it just seems to take up a huge chunk of the day. But we went and hit the usual stores along with the library and the mall and were home in 4 hours. Here's what we spent:

Wal-Mart 14.84
Aldi 20.76
Meijer 11.71
Kroger 35.30
Total 82 .61

I had hoped to stay under $80, but the Wal-Mart total included $7.24 for a face wash DD was almost out of and HAD to have. :-) It also includes about $2 of after Christmas bows, an ornament and stockings for the kitties from Meijer. Unfortunately it does not include cat litter since Wal-Mart was out of their brand (which is what our cats prefer). So I have 17.39 to make last until the 15th.

After organizing the pantry and freezer and inventorying everything and getting the above groceries, I have enough meals planned out to last the rest of the month. I have 20 different meals written down, so including leftovers, Sunday night pizza with Papa and birthday meals eaten out, we may even have some carryover into February, which would be awesome, and I shouldn't have to spend a whole lot the 2nd half of the month at the store. Dare I aim for no more than $50? :-)

This challenge couldn't come at a better time. January is always a tight month financially, and it has the added bonus of proving to the kids that, contrary to popular opinion, we have plenty to eat! lol