What $100 in Groceries Looks Like to my Family

For all of us that like visuals -- here it is!  This is what $100 in groceries looks like in our household.  Well, $115.85 to be exact.... or.. $111.33 (after my Endorse rewards) to be exactly exact. 

I do a big-ish shopping trip generally once each weekend to make sure we have what we need for the coming week, though I do generally end up running to the store mid week to get milk and those few items that we need to round out our meals (which is why you don't see any milk pictured here!)

This was my shopping trip at Safeway this weekend.  I want to highlight how its possible to save money on groceries without going all "Crazy Couponer" or running from store to store to store.  This was one store, maybe 15-20 minutes of before shopping prep time to check the contents of our fridge/freezer/pantry, and maybe 10 minutes to load savings onto my Just For U account and check to see what the others in blogisphere were saying about Safeway deals this week!

I stock up on items I know we will use when prices are low.  This may not look like a "complete" shopping trip, but that is because I always try to use what I have at home.  Sometimes I buy more meat, sometimes I buy more canned goods... the way I shop is dependent on the sale cycles.

Here is a breakdown of this shopping trip:
3 boxes of honey nut cheerios medley
1 box of peanut butter cinnamon toast crunch
1 box of Safeway brand graham crackers
2 bottles of Safeway brand apple juice
1 47.8oz jar of Safeway brand applesauce
4 boxes of Safeway brand pasta
1 box of Safeway brand fruit snacks (Star Wars, yeah baby!)
2 bags of soup mix (B1G1)
2 boxes of Quaker chewy granola bars
2 boxes of Better Cheddar crackers
1 family size Oreos
2 pouches of McCormick chili seasoning
2 boxes of Capri Sun roarin waters
1 Mrs Butterworth syrup
2 Plum Organic tots pouches
4 4pks of Angel Soft tp
1 box of Kleenex
2 Kraft Fresh Take cheese/seasoning mixes
18 ct eggs
2lb sharp cheddar cheese block
2lb shredded medium cheddar cheese
1 container blue cheese crumbles
1 16oz container sour cream
1 package of Challenge stick butter
3 3pks of Dawn scrubbers
1 package Mom to Mom (Safeway brand) diapers
1 package Monster High erasers (clearance priced for 99 cents)
1 loaf white bread
3.7lbs hamburger
4lb pork shoulder roast
2.6lbs bananas
1 cucumber
2 zucchini
2 yellow squash
1 onion
2 avacados
1 bag baby carrots
5lb box of Cutie oranges
1 bag salad mix
1 bag spinach
1 bottle of Maries salad dressing
1 package tortelloni (clearance priced at $1.99)

My savings breakdown shows the value of shopping sales and using store cards:
Total Saved - $97.95 or 46%!
(Card savings - $62.18, Just for U savings - $20.67, paper coupons - $15.10)

I think this shopping trip shows that you don't need to make couponing a full time job in order to see savings, the smartest way to shop is paying attention to sales and cycles and building your menu around what you are able to pick up at the grocery store and already have on hand.  I know the food we eat isn't always the healthiest, but I try not to buy a lot of processed foods.  There may not be a lot of coupons for produce and whole foods, but they DO exist, and store sales and club card savings can really help you in those areas!  The key is being flexible with your shopping trips and menus.

As always, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about couponing.  Happy Shopping, go save some money!