Summing up June

Ok.  We went over budget and into the cushion this month.  But I stand behind what we bought and how much we spent.

Here are the specifics for the second half of the month:

What we bought:

CSA:  strawberries, snow peas, zucchini, rhubarb, lettuce,onions, radishes, cherries   $10
CSA:  strawberries, cherries, green peas, zucchini, kale, cucumber. $17.00

Aldi:  instant coffee (for iced coffee), Greek yogurt, prunes, onions, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, corned beef, pretzels,sugar, mayonnaise, garlic, peaches, honey, grapes, French baguette, eggs (3),   $36.50

Save a Lot:  steak (4), hotdogs. $5.73

Tops:  chicken breast( 5lb); tuna (4), Swiss cheese; pasta (9lbs); hotdog rolls; ice cream; eggs; frozen vegetables (9)  $29.07

Bread Store:  bagels, English muffins, maple cinnamon Monks bread.  $2.78

Whole Foods Co-Op:  Pomona pectin (for low sugar jam)  $4.79

Giant Eagle:  chobani yogurt, peach and raspberry tea (for lake)  $4.69

Dollar Tree:  onion powder  $1.00

CVS:  cereal (2)  $0.98

Price Rite:  fresh mozzarella $2.99

Aldi:  mandarins, plums, peaches, feta, blue, cheddar (2), mozzarella,Swiss, parmesan, pepperoni, cottage cheese, blueberries, prunes, half and half, shredded wheat, brats, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, cheetos, ice cream cones  $25.50

Giant Eagle:  corn (10)  $2.00

Tops:  strawberries(3 lbs.), blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, ribs (2 slabs), chip dip, Oreos, orange juice, bbq sauce, paper towels, whole watermelon. $31.66

What we ate at home:

Mexican frittata;  beet greens and bacon salad; cheeseburger scalloped potatoes; homemade chicken Italian sausage with homemade applesauce and vegetable pancakes; marinated steak on the grill; leftover cheeseburger scalloped potatoes with salad and sauteed beet greens with feta;Pittsburgh style steak salad with brie and figs; homemade sausage pizza with peppers and olives; crockpot chicken and noodles; bratwurst; stirfry, fried rice and Chinese pancakes

Meals Out:

Lunch on way to beach house:  at Arby's. $8.20
Dinner at beach house:  Strombolie and chips. $13.50
Breakfast at beach house:  donuts. $4.75
Lunch at beach house:  Taco Bell $2.38
Lunch on war home:  KFC. $12.00
Breakfast after the Clinic:  sausage and egg wrap. $2.49
Lunch with Angela: Thai. $13.77

All told during the second half of the month we spent $168.69 in the grocery store and $57.09 in restaurants for a total of $225.78
For the month we spent a grand total of $374.39in the grocery store and$146.08 in restaurants.  The allover monthly total was $522.47.  That means we went into our cushion for a total of $153.17  Our cushion now sits at $307.25.

What did we buy/stock up on that justified going over budget and into the cushion:  eggs, steak, chicken breast, tuna, cheese, pasta, frozen vegetables, cereal, peanut butter, ground beef, bacon, corn, strawberries, ribs, and lots of other fruit.

Yes, I'll stand behind spending the extra money.  In the long run, it will save me money and allow me to serve better meals.  And really, that is what the cushion is for.