Our September grocery and meals out budget is $369.30 for the two of us or $12.31 per day for two and $6.155 per person per day. We do have a YTD cushion of $646.76 and a grand total cushion of $1129.75 we can go into if we need to do so.
We are still low carb dieting and our expenses reflect it as far as fruit, veg, eggs, dairy and specialty ingredients are concerned. We have been lucky to have a well stocked freezer to use for most of the meat this diet relies on.
What We Ate: bacon wrapped grilled pork chops, spinach salad, creamy cauliflower with cheese; creamy kale and sausage soup, tossed salad, homemade low carb bread; spinach savoury cheesecake, roasted zucchini and Brussels sprouts; steak and shrimp for anniversary with salad and fruit; eggplant and meatballs with sauce; grilled salmon, shrimp cocktail, fresh fruit; leftover smorgasbord; cheeseburger soup with cheese and vegetable quesadilla; meatloaf, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, low carb cinnamon muffins, strawberries; leftovers
What We Bought:
Aldi: strawberries, blueberries, eggs (3), cottage cheese, olives (2), whipping cream (2), carb bars (5 boxes) $31.32
Erie County Farms: cucumbers (3), zucchini (3), cabbage, eggs (8), Smith's bacon (10lbs), onions (10 lbs), pepperoni (lb), cold cuts (lb) $50.42
New Salvage Store ( for our future stockpile): crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce (3), diced tomatoes (3), Rotel tomatoes (2), grey poupon, no sugar ketchup, spaghetti (4 lbs), low carb tortillas (2), pork rinds (2), evaporated milk (6), cream of chicken soup (4), tomato soup, clam broth, bean sprouts (2), baby corn, water chestnuts, ripe olives, artichoke hearts, green beans (2), pad Thai Mix, caramel swirl bean coffee (5 lbs), Columbian Supreme coffee beans (5 lbs), ground coffee (2.5 lbs), canned peaches (2), canned pears (2), canned pineapple, soy flour (1 lb), TVP (10 ounces), vital wheat gluten (6.5 ounces), semi sweet baking chocolate bar, hot sauce, croutons, toaster pastries (3 boxes), carb bars (4 boxes) $77.11
Aldi: shredded cheese (2 lbs), blackberries, sour cream $7.54
Commissary at Fort Mead: shredded cheese (3 lbs), popcorn (1 lb), cinnamon rolls ( a treat), poptarts (another treat), dried lima beans (2 lbs), Mac and cheese, cornstarch, vinegar with mother, brownie mix, Italian bread, apples. $31.29. We are taking a break from the low carb diet while we visit the girls.
Total : $197.68
Eating Out:
Dinner with Ellen $ 18.85
Dinner at Meg's $19.59
Total: $ 38.44
Grand Total for Two Weeks: $236.12
Remaining for September: $133.18
The budget is taking a pounding but that's what cushions are for. :)
