Project: Food Budget (wk 3) Krystle's Family

Welcome back to week 3 of Project: Food Budget!

GOAL: $350 dollars a month

ACTUAL: $415.84 for the month

SIZE OF FAMILY:  3 (Plus 1 on the way!)

FOOD GOALS:  This month is an interesting month for groceries! We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel, so there is no counter space and limited functionality. The basic goal during this time is to find simple prepared meals that are relatively healthy without completely blowing our budget. We also stocked up on some items on our stop at Trader Joe’s in Portland. We only visit the store a few times a year, and since they make all their products without GMO’s, preservatives, or MSG, and many of their canned foods are made without BPA in the lining, we like to stock up!

MENU:  We've been eating mostly premade convenience foods, relying on organic  frozen burritos, Trader Joe’s frozen pizza, and similar quick and easy meals to get us through our renovations.

PROUDEST SHOPPING MOMENT: This month was not our best budget shopping trip, but I think we did quite well under the circumstances. We mostly stuck to what was on sale and what we needed. Also, our garden has been providing us with salad greens and a few other vegetables, so we did not need to spend money on those items.

BIGGEST SPLURGE/INDULGENCE: Some Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut Butter Granola Bars for weekend traveling.

BREAKDOWN OF PURCHASES
Food (Dry, Canned, Refrigerated & Frozen): $354.25
Produce: $22.32
Staples: $39.27
Cosmetics: $0
Tax: $0
Total: $415.84

SUMMARY OF WEEK: We were over our budget this week, but we expected to be. We are getting through the bulk of the remodel, so meals should go back to normal soon! We were also able to stock up on some canned goods, crackers, and other items from Trader Joe’s, as well as a 25 pound bag of dehydrated black beans.

CONCLUSION(S): It is possible to find quality convenience foods, however, I prefer to save money and make my foods from scratch. I am looking forward to making them in our new kitchen soon!

Week 31 Participating blogs:

• Emily Levenson
• Dairy-Free Cooking
• Test Kitchen Tuesday
• Red Pen Mama
• Fit Flexitarian
• Warm As Pie
• Katy Rank Lev
• xox, b
• Project Food Budget 2.0
• That's Just Me
• Two Eggs Over Easy
• Eat Whole Be Vital
• Four Happy Violets
• Pgh Dad
• yogabeautylife
• Charmingly Modern
• naMAMAste
• Six Dollars a Day
• What da Health?
• Brandon and On
• French Press
• Veggie Meal Maker