I was curious about what MonkeyMama's family bought at the grocery store. (Actually, I'm always curious about what other people shop for - I don't want to miss out on anything good! ) She was kind enough to post about it. In case anyone is interested in comparing what food costs them vs. me here is a snapshot. I am just referring to the past two shopping trips that I have receipts for.

Some notes on how I shop:
I do stock up on deals.
I don't use many coupons - so that's an area for improvement.
Most times (not always) I plan meals around what's on sale rather than shopping to fit a meal plan.
I am not very brand loyal - I'll buy the cheapest option on most items.
I like to buy whole grain options and 100% juice.

For the next three months the Chase card is 5% back on grocery spending.


SB = store brand
* = used coupon

Safeway on 4/13
$ 1.00* Gerber "squeezy pouch" food (x2) (for DS)
$ 2.04* Gerber fruit snacks
$ 3.99 Lemon juice 32oz
$ 1.50 SB canned diced tomatoes 28oz
$ 0.50 SB tomato paste (x2)
$ 1.69 SB canned tomato sauce 29oz
$ 1.34 SB whole grain pasta
$ 0.99 Hunts 4pack pudding snack cups (x3)
$ 2.99 Life Cereal 18oz
$ 5.00 SB 2lb bags shredded cheese (x3)
$ 2.00 Simply Potato Hash browns (x2)
$ 3.99 XL local organic eggs 1dz
$ 1.99 Daisy Light sour cream 16oz
$ 1.99* Tropicana Red Orange 59oz
$ 2.99 Silk Almond Milk Vanilla (DH's diet)
$ 2.59 Stonyfield Baby Yogurt 4pk
$ 3.99 SB Ice Cream 1.5qt
$ 0 SB Frozen Greek Yogurt1.5qt (Free w/ice cream purchase)
$ 3.00 Van's power grains frozen waffles (x2)
$ 1.94 Bananas (0.79/lb)
$ 3.99 Two jumbo artichokes
$ 2.99 SB Ziptop sandwich bags 100ct

Safeway 4/7
$ 2.50 SB bran flake cereal 17oz
$ 2.50 SB Cinnamon crunch cereal 13oz
$ 8.99 Martinellis 100% apple juice 1gal
$ 3.99 Ghridelli brownie mix
$ 2.50 Nestle chocolate chips (x2)
$ 3.49 Crisco canola oil 1.5qt
$ 4.60 Ovaltine
$ 7.99 Starbucks ground coffee (will get a $5 GC when I buy a 2nd bag)
$ 1.25 Plum Organics "squeezy pouch" food (x4)
$ 2.00 SB whipped cream cheese
$ 0.60 Yoplait yogurt (x6)
$ 3.09 SB Whole milk 1gal (x2)
$ 1.00 Odwalla bars (x6)
$ 1.50 SB croutons
$ 3.99 Two pints grape tomatoes
$ 3.99 Sabra pine nut hummus
$ 2.00 Peppridge Farm Miliano cookies (x2)
I also bought some cleaning supplies that I normally would have bought at somewhere like WalMart or Target, but for the 5% back and the convenience I bought at the grocery store.

If you read my posts you also know we shop at Costco. I think we are lucky because our store is really easy to get to and park and easy to get in/out. It's just as easy for me to stop at Costco as at any other store. Actually, I think our local Costco is easier to park at than the Target.

Costco is my go-to place for meat. What I bought last was:
$24.18 Foster Farms fresh boneless, skinless breasts $3.19/lb
$18.06 Lean ground beef $2.99/lb

The meat is always top notch. I have bought all types; beef and pork roasts, steaks, beef and pork ribs, pork chops, lobster tails, chicken.

Costco 4/5
$ 3.99 Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls 24ct
$10.69 Almond Roca 40oz tin (for Easter)
$ 9.99 3lb frozen organic mixed berries

We also regularly buy cat litter, TP, PT, Tide laundry soap, dishwasher tabs, Rxs, DH's Copenhagen, trashbags, sliced cheese, bacon, bread, string cheese ...