Week 10 Groceries - $21 Grocery Budget Challenge FOOD HERO Purchase

[@BreeSB]

This series is just so fun! Love what you're doing! You're doing great!.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@BreeSB I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[@KarenBowers4]

When I get a big pack that is frozen I just cook it all then freeze the cooked meat. Good buys this week.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@KarenBowers4 OH, good idea!

[@barbarahughes6009]

Your sheer joy at finding bargains and outsmarting the shocking grocery prices is such a pleasure to watch.I really look forward to your videos because they arrive around 10.30 pm in Australia and make me smile at your ingenuity before I go to bed.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@barbarahughes6009 Aww, thanks, Barbara. It does always make me happy when I get a great sale or deal. The more I get, the better we eat without impacting my budget.

[@jillgott6567]

I get inspired each time I see one of your videos . Great job on all your savings this week. On my own food challenge, $9.25 rolled over from last week. That gives me $35 + $9.25 for a total of $44.25. In addition to my regular shop, I will be stocking up my pantry or for meat to put in my freezer. Being more mindful in this area has really encouraged me in other areas too.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@jillgott6567 Awesome. The more thoughtful you become, the easier it becomes to be budget mindful as 2nd nature.

[@sandrabryan9106]

I bought 5 of the Classico Pasta sauce for $19.95 and got the $10 off . I also bought 4 pkgs. of the Olymel sausages for $15.96 and got back $6 worth of points, and I bought 2 pancake mix and a syrup for $11.97 and got back $4 in points..I cashed in $40 worth of points to help pay for it... whoohoo!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@sandrabryan9106 Awesome, Sandra. I've been considering the Classico but might focus on the Alfredo options. I normally like to wait for an even cheaper price on tomato based pasta sauce however, there are a few specialty Classico flavours that are really yummy.

[@sandrabryan9106]

@ The reason I like getting the Classico is because it comes in an Atlas mason jar. I go to Dollarama and buy the canning lids and use the jars for dry canning storage. It saves me from buying mason jars if I buy the bigger Classico jar.

[@Crackrzz]

​@@adventuresingroceryland I didn't realize the Olymel sausages were part of this, but they were on sale for $3.99 Not sure if you noticed this yet, but Classico jars are not only shrink but skimpflated. I usually get Catelli or Primo cans. Though I do also keep no salt added crushed and diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste. I'll get one or two when they're on sale.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@Crackrzz I'm thinking the sausages were a points deal, not a Kraft deal. I rarely buy classico as the sales on other brands are normally better. Alfredo though, it's a great price on Alfredo.

[@simplefoodsimplelife9632]

Well done Melanie! Thank you for making these videos!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@simplefoodsimplelife9632 ❤️ Thank you.

[@susanchoja6800]

Great deals as always! This week Sobeys had the Tre Stelle cream cheese for 3.49. So I bought 2 using the 2 dollar coupons and then there was 100 scene points for buying 2 so worked out to $1 each. Got the lactose free and I really like it so I may go back and buy a couple more. I was bummed last week our Foodland had the 10,000 points for $25 on compliments products and was going to do a shop and get the shrimp on sale and buy others to make up the $25 and use points etc but we had a huge snow storm unexpectedly and didn’t feel like leaving my house so I missed it. Oh well another deal will come up. I am starting to pay a lot more attention to the Sobeys and Foodland flyers now after watching your videos because while they are too expensive for regular shopping they do sometimes have some fantastic deals. The best was the Zevia soda in late October where it was on sale for $6.49 and then 500 points. I thought for sure it was a mistake but it wasn’t so I bought 6 cases and used scene points. Wish I bought more as they are now $8.49 a case which I can’t bring myself to pay.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@susanchoja6800 I alwa6s look for those points opportunities. Sometimes there is nothing but then BOOM, they advertise something you just can't pass up. I wish we would have gotten a few more containers of the Tre Stelle cream cheese. Such a great buy with the coupons and the points.

[@barbarawalker3366]

I am so jealous; we don't have a Bulk Barn where I live. Great job this week, Melanie! We are currently doing a low-spend January and working through our pantry and freezer stock. I can't wait to see your soup recipe. 😋🥣

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@barbarawalker3366 I made the soup today. It is delicious. I really enjoyed it. There's definitely enough for one more day for sure.

[@barbaragilmer9731]

Great deals. So much variety!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@barbaragilmer9731 Thanks, Barbara.

[@dsc1970]

Food Hero sounds neat, I'll have to check it out. Sounded like a lot of store visits this week. Once you showed the cinnamon, the old song 'Cinnmaon Girl' came to mind, haha..

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@dsc1970 Hmm. Let me count them up. Foodland (which I had the handsome pick up the FoodHero order on his in town apt day). Then Sobeys, Giant Tiger, Averys, Dollarama, Superstore, Bulk Barn all me and all in the same day. They're all really close together so no real hardship. When I think back I spent about 3 hours grocery shopping. That also included a bunch of looking around and also running an errand for the handsome one. I hadn't left the house in 4 days so I didn't mind.

[@delledonne1]

You had a great week of shopping!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@delledonne1 Thank you. I thought it was a great week.

[@cyclingonplants7444]

Hi Melanie 🤗 You got some great deals!!! Yay! i also bought cereal the last time I went to the store. they had a deal at Superstore where if you bought 2 Jumbo Kelloggs cereals you could get a free 3L bag of milk! the best part was that the cereal was on sale!! WooHoo!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@cyclingonplants7444 The cereal is a favourite item in this house. Ha. He was so happy when I brought that home.

[@qq1651]

I think the Handsome one would disagree that you shouldnt have bought him his cereal ! lol It was within the budget and wont make or break you. Enjoy your cereal Mr. Handsome! lol

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@qq1651 He LOVES that cereal. He has been eating for snacks constantly. I sent him a picture of the shopping carts and instantly he said the TOAST CRUNCH. ha

[@kathryndockrey1477]

We make our own chip dip with cream cheese, sour cream and minced garlic. It's not cheaper than buying, but we have the ingredients, and can make as much or as little as we want at a time. The Dollarama minced garlic is a really good buy. In the video it looks more like a garlic paste. Would you say it is? That is a lot of meat, certainly more than a week's worth. Kid cereal must be man thing, as Rob loves them too. Great video as always

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@kathryndockrey1477 We definitely make our own chip dip too. The handsome one feels just as strongly about Philadelphia chip dip as he does cereal. Ha ha ha. The garlic is definitely a garlic paste not diced. Although I'm happy with the quality and the price, if I was given the option of paste vs minced, I'd choose minced.

[@deedream10]

Great video! Lots of meats with variety! I see people grabbing more expensive same thing items all the time. Sometimes there is valid reason but often people aren’t looking at prices. I’m single and it can get difficult to purchase sales if it’s all larger sized. But I’ve learned to freeze things I don’t mind if it means a lower budget. I freeze eggs often now. I save some for boiled or fried over east but the rest I can freeze for baking or scrambled, quiche, omelettes etc. if I had that big package of chicken thighs I’d thaw it a little just so I could get a knife into the middle. Then make a line with the knife. Take it outside and give it a few good wacks on the steps or something hard that won’t break. Lol usually can get them to break apart without thawing the entire way. Lol look forward to all these recipes you speak of! Mysterious! Maybe you are making a pie using squash instead of pumpkin which works great and cinnamon and nutmeg ! Lol could also be tortiere pie with the ground pork and spices. Add potatoes and carrot., oh pinto beans maje delicious soup!!! Ham n bean soup. Use bone broth, chopped ham, onions, celery and carrots, add pinto beans thst you have already soaked overnight and they need cooked fir at least 30 minutes low boil. Then add all to the rest. Simmer for awhile. I season with salt n pepper but cumin is good as is some parsley or thyme. Anyhow looks like you are set for soup. You need molasses. I think bulk barn has that too. 😊

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@deedream10 I do need molasses. I saw it at Dollarama but couldn't remember regular pricing to determine if that would be a good value or if I should just try the bulk barn.

[@deedream10]

@ not sure but think bulk barn would be pricey. I used to get it at giant tiger was cheapest. I bought a gallon a few years ago so I am set for life!! LMAO maybe trade something with your sister?

[@deedream10]

@ oh my I just checked on line prices and giant tiger was expensive!! Walmart was cheapest at 3.27 for great value for 675 grams. Don’t know dollarama and will have to check bulk barn too.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@deedream10 Often the bulk barn is priced for large quantities or equal quantities to store packaged sizes. But if I just needed say a 1/2 a cup, in that instance I'd probably save!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

Dollarama was $2 for 250 ml or grams. I can't remember if the unit was weight or volume. But whatever it was, it was 250.

[@michellesmith9662]

Another great haul!! ❤️🥳❤️

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@michellesmith9662 Thanks, Michelle.

[@michellesmith9662]

@@adventuresingroceryland you’re welcome!! ❤️

[@michellesmith9662]

So far this month I have spent $33.16. Doing a low spend month and using what I already have for two people. I am proud of that!!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@michellesmith9662 Awesome. I always find that helps with budgets but also helps clear out some older items!

[@michellesmith9662]

@@adventuresingroceryland thank you!! ❤️

[@ElizaB63]

I miss the bulk food stores. I am a Canadian living in the US. It would really help my budget if I could find one.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@ElizaB63 It really does help maximize a budget.

[@sophiaoldford7806]

I live in the Valley too but just far enough that the town you shop in is just that much too far for weekly grocery shopping. Our local Foodland hasn't signed on to FoodHero yet. 😕 Still, I'm picking up so many tips from you! How many stores do you usually visit each week? Could you take us through your weekly planning before you go shopping? Thanks Melanie!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@sophiaoldford7806 I go through the flyers first (digitally) to make a list of sale items. I add in any ingredients I need for upcoming recipes. I don't live in town so we make life work for us. If one of us has an appt or errand in town, we take advantage of the existing trip to make the purchases we can. If that is the handsome one I give him a list and ask him to check the meat section for markdowns and if there are any to call me. If it is me, I try to quick pop into the stores for a quick walk through for markdowns. Very quick perimeter check for produce, meat, dairy. For example this week the handsome one had an apt so I had him pick up the food hero order on his way home. I had a social event with friends later in the week and I used that opportunity to complete the rest of the shopping. All the stores are close in the same community and close so it was easy. You're close to a Foodland. Middleton? Would that make Kjngston/Greenwood your closest shopping hub?

[@sophiaoldford7806]

@adventuresingroceryland I live even further down the Valley. My Foodland is in Annapolis Royal. We go to Digby or Greenwood about every second week. There's an Avery's in Middleton too. Maybe I should start figuring the cost of gas against the savings on food.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@sophiaoldford7806 Keeping to your routine, whether Digby or Kingston/Greenwood. I'd just hit all the stores when you hit town. I know there's a Sobeys/Superstore/Walmart in Digby. Is there a Dollarama and Giant Tiger? Of course, Kingston/Greenwood you have access to everything to all those plus the Country Store for bulk items and a Shoppers Drug Mart.

[@darleneprice6467]

Hi, Mel. Another great money saving video. Just out of curiosity, can you get a rain check at your Sobeys? I know that I can get one here (for meat if the store doesn’t have any). I enjoy your videos so much. Good job and have a super week

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@darleneprice6467 If it is a regular stocked item, I can get a raincheck. There was something special with the steaks, which meant the store wasn't offering rainchecks on them. Boo.

[@darleneprice6467]

@ darn

[@Annap137]

My mom will only buy jumbo eggs. I don’t know why but we will go to a different store to get them if they don’t have them where they are. I don’t eat eggs much so I get whatever’s cheapest for the rest of us.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@Annap137 I'm so curious. I wonder why!

[@HumbleVoyager]

Hi, Melanie! I applaud your efforts with groceries and I know you get the best results, budget wise, with your process. But remember that sometimes the cost is not the most important thing about a product. Sometimes the value is placed on the quality, quantity, brand or other aspect of the product. Never assume a person who selected something different than you didn't consider their options.

[@deedream10]

I don’t think she assumed anything. She just pointed out about the eggs. Many people don’t look around and maybe would have bought the cheaper priced 18 pack of eggs had they known. I think she pointed it out to us to show that if we can look around before grabbing or better yet know ahead of time, we could be saving money. I’m sure she’s not criticizing or judging that specific persons purchase. Could be picking them up for another. Could be someone who only eats one jumbo egg and size matters. Lol could be that they don’t eat many eggs and don’t want to freeze them or eat them when they are old. They may have tons of money and buy what they want and don’t care about sales. But it could also be someone who needs tocut back and save money but is always rushing and doesn’t know where to even begin and would have benefited greatly with an extra 6 eggs for less money. 😊

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@HumbleVoyager Of course, there are lots of times where I myself make a decision to purchase something more expensive. For example, milk. I choose the more expensive lactose free variety. Or Epicure (gluten-free with high-quality ingredients). In the instance of the eggs, the two products came from the same manufacturer 'Maritime Eggs', same quality. The difference was simply size (jumbo vs large) and quantity (12 vs 18). Never fear, I compared the products before taking the video clip. 🙂 Although there are many reasons why someone might choose a more expensive item by choice, there are so many situations where no thought is given at all. I do want to continue having the conversation around making thoughtful choices because that's the beginning of better budgeting.

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

Left a comment but it’s gone. I would never think up pickle dogs. Is that a Nova Scotia thing or is it something you created? Good job on the meat!

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@tenthousanddaysofgratitude when i see interesting things online I send them to the handsome one. I think it was a Facebook post and I shared it with him a few years ago. One day he made them as a surprise. They've become a favourite of ours.

[@MySecondhandLife]

I really enjoy your videos. Bulk barn sounds very convenient. How long is this challenge set to last?

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@MySecondhandLife I don't have any specific date for the challenge to end. I was considering to Valentine's Day.

[@pennynickels5216]

You are something!!!😂😅 What's with the $.10 deposit on the paper Silk container??? Or is it a beverage tax?

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@pennynickels5216 It's a container deposit.

[@leeanne8651]

Peppers are so expensive no matter what time of year. I know this is an odd place to buy spices, but sometimes I get them at Canadian Tire. I find Giant Tiger has good prices on spices.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@leeanne8651 I have never purchased spices at Canadian Tire but I definitely have at Giant Tiger. They carry bagged spices which I often find to be the best price.

[@irenetimm2107]

Another great video but I have a question - how would your shopping & meal planning change if you were shopping for one?

[@Larissa-iw5wy]

She did the same challenge a year ago but for one. 😊 A similar process as this but smaller budget

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@irenetimm2107 Yes, exactly what Larissa mentioned. Exact same process. I'm really OK with repetitive eating. I did a lot more big batch recipes with that challenge. More soups. More casseroles. Etc.

[@irenetimm2107]

@@adventuresingroceryland Oh man, I DO remember that - ok, with that thought in mind and much you have learned doing these challenges, would you change anything?

[@ninjatabby25]

Thaw meat devied them in sandwich bags, then add those bags in a freezer back then you just take the portions you need for cooking so you don't have to thaw, freeze meats over, over.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@@ninjatabby25 Yes. I definitely need to get them subdivided and back in the freezer.

[@tomkim3277]

easiest way for %....do the 10% then divide by 2

[@leeanne8651]

I just use the + or - and then the % on my calculator app

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@leeanne8651 I should have done that but then started actually taking the video with my phone. Lol. Bottom line p prefer saving 5% than saving 0%. Ha.

[@leeanne8651]

@ yes! I just noticed the 5% for members last week. I did take advantage of the 2 for 8$ family size lays chips at Sobeys, because if you bought 4 you saved 4$ coupon was on the bags. It worked out to 3$ a bag, and I haven’t seen them that price in a long time. I wouldn’t have got them otherwise.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@leeanne8651 Ooh. That is a really good deal for chips.

[@leeanne8651]

@ and no tax!

[@africansunset]

Sadly the canned mushrooms were overpriced. The regular price at Walmart is .97 each.

[@adventuresingroceryland]

@africansunset I honestly don't shop at Walmart as often as some of the other stores. Some more repetitive grocery list items I just know the price at Walmart and some I should brush up on. Thanks for the tip.