Food Cost Breakdown February 2017

I love checking my bank account and being shocked by how much money we have saved in the last two months- almost $2000!  We've done it by eating out of the pantry and staying home.  I have easily saved enough for the greenhouse of my dreams and we will shift the rest of it over to our next homestead improvement.

 

Animal Care

The hens are laying eggs again!
 Dog Food - 24.79
Chicken Feed - 28.99
Chicken Scratch - 15.29
 Sunflower Seeds - 28.69
 

Total Animal Care -$97.76

Food

 Fruit snacks - 10.89
Tuna Fish - 13.29 (most of it in long term storage)
Cream - 8.99
Ketchup - 10.98 
Cheddar cheese - 31.98
Mayo - 9.78
Milk -54.31
Sparkling water - 27.85
Ginger Ale - 5.00
Ruffles -14.18
Cheez-Its - 9.38
Tortilla chips - 7.29
Reeses - 14.49
Bananas - 4.36
Spinach - 6.99
Ranch dressing - 10.49
Pineapple Juice - 7.29 (Canning project)
Peeps Candy - 1.69

Total Food Cost -$249.23

Health Care

Cough Drops - 13.39 (bulk package)

Total Health Care -$13.39

Household Items - $0.00
Bath Tissue - 22.99
 
Total December Food Cost - $383.37

We did it!  What an improvement and you can see that we had several snack attack splurges!  We ate a lot of home canned veggies and fruits because the fresh produce in the store didn't look very fresh.  I was able to can up two cases of BBQ sauce with the ketchup and juice that I bought and we did spend a bit on cough drops and ginger ale when the flu struck the house.

   

Food Cost Breakdown - January 2017

A new year and goals!  I am still striving to keep my food cost under $500 a month including animal food and I added healthcare products as well.  This should keep our total household budget under $1000 a month which includes all bills, fuel costs, clothing and entertainment.  I keep myself motivated by putting any saved money from the food budget or total household budget into a savings for something I really want.  Right now I am saving for a green house and more Tattler canning lids.  I don't beat myself up if I go over and I can't control, nor would I want to, my husband.

Animal Care

Grit - $1.62

Total Animal Care -$1.62

Food

Cheddar Cheese - $31.98

Flour - $16.56

Milk - $24.79
Coffee - 29.96
Ground Beef - $12.34
Eggs - $24.26
Marshmallows - $1.48
Candy for School rewards - $57.89 (we all snack on these and I can't control my husband)
Cookies - $6.52
Almonds -  $3.23
Bananas - $9.16
Apples - $3.70
Green Beans - $1.38
Hamburger buns - $1.88
Poptarts - $13.58
Egg Nog - $7.94
Yeast - 4.39 (in long term storage)
Coconut Oil - $19.99 
Garlic Powder - $4.99 (in long term storage)
Butter -$16.38 (canned and in long term storage)
Olive Oil - $28.99 (in food storage)
Hamburger $87.96 (canned and in long term storage)
Tomatoes - $7.49 
Lettuce - $2.79
 Ruffles - $15.38
Ice Cream cones - $1.79
Ice Cream - $13.59
   

Total Food Cost -$450.29

Health Care

Total Health Care - $0.00

Household Items - $0.00

Total December Food Cost - $451.91

I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical about this number and I am wondering if the handsome hubster forgot to get me a receipt or two.  Until he unearths it I am counting this a victory and will add $48.09 to my greenhouse fund.  

   

Food Cost Breakdown - December

Pet Care

Straw Bale - $21.45

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds - 33.88

Total Pet Care - $55.33

Food

Whipping Cream $32.66

Powdered Sugar - $2.18

Cheddar Cheese - $8.78

Pretzels - 2.98

Flour - $17.65

Candy for gift plates - $33.60

White Chocolate chips - $9.78

Milk Chocolate chips - $6.58

diced Jalapeno - $10.24

Milk - $51.99

Pork Roast - $ 11.63

Ruffles - $15.38

Reeses - $28.78

Tomatoes - $25.97

Lettuce -$ 7.47

Ranch Dressing - $10.19

Almonds - $13.99

Flour Tortillas - $11.29

Cookies - $10.89

Oyster Crackers - $6.38

Sunflower Kernels - $2.39

Frozen Veggies - $3.19

Avocados - $9.99

Zucchini - $2.15

Green Onions - $1.29

Peanut Butter - $13.39

Pizza - $5.98

Eggs - $8.99

Coffee - 29.96

Total Food Cost - $388.26

Health Care

Cough drops - $3.62

Bio Identical Cream - $18.95

Kidz Vitamin C - $15.69
Total Health Care - $38.26

Household Items - $0.00

Total December Food Cost - $481.85

So happy to see this number!  I thought I was blowing it with all the extra shopping for Christmas plates and dinner but well under the budget and I can add $18.15 to either my greenhouse fund or buy two boxes of Tattler lids for my canning jars.

   

Food Cost Breakdown for November

Canning and Food Storage
Evaporated Milk (case) $25.92
Popcorn 50 lbs $32.59
Mints $11.49
Pepperoni $13.09
Corn (case) $9.48
Kerrygold Butter (to can) $31.56 
Garlic granulated $6.39
Brown Sugar $25.80
Clear Jel $9.50
Pecans $21.46
Vitamin Gummies $46.17
Red pepper Flakes $13.51
Black Pepper $13.39
Toothpaste 6.79

Total cost of food toward Food Storage $267.14

Pet Supplies
Cracked Corn $15.11
Dog Food $55.88
Total cost for pet supplies: $70.99

Monthly Groceries
Milk $67.91
Ruffles $30.36
Fruit Snacks $9.99
Poptarts $5.00
Ranch Dressing $10.19
Orange Juice $4.29
Lunch Meat $12.7
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese $52.48 (we have 2 big blocks for December)
Egg Nog$29.47
Cream $19.58
Apple Cider $2.69
Pumpkin $8.79
String Cheese $19.98
Cream Whip $8.99
Blackberries $6.49
Capri Sun Juice $11.09 
Candy $41.97
Corn Tortillas $5.59
Flour Tortillas $11.29
Flour $7.69
Garlic granulated $6.39
Sharp Cheddar $12.29
Pepper Jack $10.19
Yogurt (for starter) $1.39
Ice Cream cups $3.58
Ice Cream Bucket $13.59 
Coffee 31.99
  
Total cost of monthly groceries $445.96

Household Items
Toilet Paper $22.99
Total cost of Household Items $22.99

Total September Food and Household Cost: $807.08

All I can say is WOWZA!  Way over this month and I mean way over!  In my defense I will say I see reflected in this is the holiday shopping for meals and candy to be given as gifts.  Mainly I see that I need to stop sending my hubby to do the shopping because he loves to spoil us and he has with candy, chips and ice cream. 

Food Cost Breakdown for October

Canning and Food Storage
Grapeseed Oil 23.69
Mashed potato flakes 10.39
Mayo (case) 29.94
Ketchup (case) 21.96 
Kerrygold Butter 31.56 
Mozzarella cheese 11.99
Heavy Whipping Cream 17.98
  Total cost of food toward Food Storage $147.51

Pet Supplies
Chicken scratch 20.99
Pullet Grower 20.50
DE 17.99
Cracked corn 6.99  
Cat Food 19.69
Dog food 24.49
Cat Litter 8.99  
Total cost for pet supplies: $119.64


Monthly Groceries

Milk 50.33
Egg Nog35.96
Bread13.78
Heavy Whipping Cream 11.99
Reeses 30.36
Noodles 11.49
Yogurt for starter 1.39
Corn tortilla 5.59
Flour tortilla 11.29
Onion 1.19 
Flour - organic 14.69
String cheese 9.99
Cheddar Cheese  35.06
Oreo cookies 7.79
Almonds 17.89
Sparkling water 22.29
Cheez it 4.69
  
Total cost of monthly groceries $285.77

Household Items


Total cost of Household Items $0.00

Total September Food and Household Cost $552.92

A little bit over but I'm OK with that.  Most of that reflects items in food storage from our Costco run  and my hubby beloved eggnog.  

Food Cost Breakdown - September

Canning and Food Storage
Red potatoes 30 pounds $17.38
Frozen Blueberries for jam $12.79
Celery for soup $1.99
Chicken stock $6.58
Carrots  10 pounds $14.38
Red Onions 11 pounds  $21.97

Total cost of food toward Food Storage $75.09

Pet Supplies
Chick Starter $24.79
Dog Food $32.29

Total cost for pet supplies: $57.08


Monthly Groceries
(A few of these items were bought for a family dinner with my mother in law)

Milk $53.32
Ice Cream bucket $13.19
Ice Cream bars $6.19
Ice cream cones $1.39
Heavy Cream $34.36
Mayo $6.39
Pizza $17.97
Candy for School treats $6.55
Unbleached  Organic Flour $9.39
Cheddar Cheese block $41.08 (one block went to Dee's house)
String Cheese $10.79
BBQ chips $7.89
Orange Juice $4.29
Butter - Organic $19.58
Flour Tortillas (for Dee's Dinner) 3.69
Flour Tortillas - 7.98
Shredded Mozzarella (for Dee's Dinner) $14.19
Monterey Jack Cheese (for Dee's Dinner) $7.99
Grated Parmesan $6.39
Albacore Tuna $4.78
Marshmallows for Stormy $4.99Coffee - $36.70
Sparkling Water $15.92

Total cost of monthly groceries $335.11

Household Items


Total cost of Household Items $0.00

Total September Food and Household Cost $467.28
Yay! that's $32.72 under budget!!

Looking at what I bought - it's pretty heavy on the junk food.  Mainly because we had several trips to the nearest city (70 miles away) and we tend to snack while we are traveling. Next month I will be going over my budget intentionally.  We are going to the nearest Costco and plan on buying food for storage.

August Food Cost Breakdown

Canning and Food Storage

White wine $3.47 (used for the pickled garlic recipe)
Beets  $7.16  (only made 5 pints of pickled beets, I will pickle more when I pick from my garden in food storage)
Canning jar lids $10.92
Pickling Spice $3.33
Peppers $14.21 (made 8 pints of pickled hot peppers in food storage)
Garlic $8.99  (made 14 half pints of pickled garlic in food storage)
Bananas Case $35.15  (Froze the whole case)
Peanut Butter $26.78  (2 large containers put in storage)

Total cost of food toward Food Storage $110.01

Pet Supplies

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds 50 lbs  $33.88 ( I use BOSS in the chicken's fermented feed.  This bag should last 6 months)
Layer Pellets for chickens  23.99 
Scratch for chickens 38.99 (way too expensive, will only buy in the city from now on)
Dog Food 50 lbs  $24.49

Total cost for pet supplies: $121.35
I spent more than budget allowed but the hubby was in town with me and he can throw around those 50 pound feed bags in the car much easier than I can so I bought them before I really needed them.

Monthly Groceries

Milk $65.71
Half and Half $9.08
Butter (organic) $27.47 (bought extra should last most of next month)
Kale $2.29
Birthday cake and frosting $7.27
Peanut Butter $10.59
Cheddar Cheese $15.99
Mozzarella Cheese $12.79
Pepper Jack Cheese $10.19
String Cheese $18.78 (bought 2 bags and should last more than a month)
Cottage Cheese $10.58 - for smoothies
Diced Tomatoes Case $8.99
Frozen Cherries  $9.49 - for smoothies
Ice Cream sandwiches $3.99
Corn Tortillas $5.59
Amazon Sub and Save (Bulk shopping)
Cream cookies (6 pkgs) $16.14
Allspice $4.16
Sriracha (6 bottles) $26.58
Coffee (8 pkgs)  $37.78
Zevia Soda (24 cans) $24.09

Total cost of monthly groceries $327.55

Household Items

Black trash bags $7.79 (to bag up sawdust for chicken coop) Toilet paper  $17.99 (large pack from Costco will last 2 months)

Total cost of Household Items $25.78

Total August Food and Household Cost $584.69 over budget by $84.69

Officially I am over budget but I'm confident September will be a different story.  In September I will not have to buy any chicken feed and my Amazon Sub and Save order is only for more coffee and sparkling water.