Kristin's Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for the Week

We spent yesterday in Summerhaven (on Mt Lemmon, North of Tucson) for my birthday! It was about 76 degrees and a little breezy…an absolutely perfect day for picnicking, hiking and finding some geocaches. We had a great time. I think that’s my new favorite place. There’s nothing that will make you appreciate spring and fall-like temperatures like the 100+ degree heat of the desert!

We’re catching up on chores today but I wanted to take a minute to share my shopping trip from the last two weeks.

I didn’t buy as much produce as I usually do because we are participating in the Bountiful Baskets program to see how we like it. It’s a co-op of several local farms (some are traditional and some are organic). We have opted for an organic share of produce that’s 50% fruits and 50% vegetables. We’ll pick that up on Sunday and I’ll post a photo for all to see. I’m very excited about it! I think it’s a good deal since I typically spend $20-$25 on organic produce each week. This will also get us to try some things I might not buy on my own (like beets!).

Here are the details of our family’s shopping trip (again, two weeks – not that great but it’s progressive…).

I only have pictures of half of the trip since we went on two different nights!

5 gallons milk (we use a LOT of milk)
2 loaves of Sara Lee bread
1 pkg hamburger buns
1 16 ct Kraft sliced cheese
2 lbs grapes
2 16oz cottage cheese
1 16 oz sour cream
2 24oz Mountain High vanilla yogurts
2 dzn eggs
1 cucumber
1 head lettuce
2 pkgs sliced mushrooms
1 head of garlic
2 pkgs coconut mango encrusted tilapia (22 oz)
2 cans enchilada sauce
2 48 oz jars Mott’s applesauce
1 10 oz can cocoa
2 8 oz Sue Bee honey bears
1 pkg flour tortillas
1 pkg Mission corn tortillas
2 18 oz containers SunMaid Raisins
2 pkgs shredded cheese
1 box Barbara’s GF cereal
4 boxes Lipton family-size tea bags
1 Tropicana OJ
1 5lb bag C&H sugar
3 lbs bananas
2 lbs sweet potatoes
1 lb deli meat
8 cans Valley Fresh chicken
1 16 oz pkg Tyson bacon
2 lbs Earthbound Farms organic mini carrots
La Choy Soy Sauce
2 A&H fridge deodorizers
1 Scotch Brite toilet bowl cleaner
2 pkgs Hartz dog chews
2 pkgs Pampers size 3 diapers
2 pkgs Sesame Street sippy cups (4 cups total)
2 Tresemme Mousse
1 pkg Schick Quattro razors
1 roll Reynolds aluminum foil
office supplies: erasers, 2 pkgs Papermate pens, 3 tablets ruled paper

Total OOP = $164.44
Total Store Savings = $70.01
Total Coupon Savings = $29.32
% Saved = 40%

Every time I see it I just cringe! I can do so much better! This is why my challenge for this week was $35 (milk and produce only!). So far all we’ve had to do it milk!

We are picking up our second refrigerator next weekend and I’ll be able to stockup a little more! Moving this far is rough on your budget!

Here is our dinner menu for Menu Plan Monday (read guidelines and helpful articles here) *hosted at Organizing Junkie!*