All posts tagged preserving

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It’s been awhile since I’ve shared what I spent at the grocery store.  My budget’s been a little crazy the last couple months as I had a baby (and didn’t cook or shop on my own for a couple weeks), then entered heavy preservation season.  Now things are settling down and I’m aiming to cut down even more — at least once I finish filling my pantry and freezer!  We’re buying a whole pig (butchered) in about 6 weeks so I’m setting aside money for that.

Here’s what I bought last weekend:

• 3 boxes organic taco shells — $6
• 1 lb. frozen pineapple — $1.75
• 0.67 lbs. raw Romano — $4
• 1 lb. mozzarella — $5
• 1 lb. organic brown rice pasta — $2
• 2 bananas — $0.40
• 1 lb. uncured hot dogs — $4.25
• 3 lbs. brown rice — $3.25
• 1 quart organic grape juice — $3
• 1lb. organic green beans — $2
• 1 lb. almond flour — $4′
• 5 lbs. chicken breast — $14
• 10 lbs. organic potatoes — $8
• 1/2 gal. cider — $3.50
• 2 lbs. uncured bacon — $6
• 2 lbs. peanuts — $4.50
• 2 lbs. raw sharp cheddar — $12
• 2 lbs. organic carrots — $2
• 1.5 lbs. raw mild cheddar — $6.50
• 2 lbs. butter — $6
• 2 lbs. organic celery — $1
• 1.25 lbs. organic lettuce — $1.50
• 1 lb. organic black beans — $2
• 0.5 lbs. organic barley — $1
• 2 lbs. whiting fish — $5
• 2 lbs. broccoli — $2
• 3 lbs. peas — $3
• 2 lbs. cauliflower –$2
• 5 lbs. sugar — $3
• 3 lbs. onions — $3

This was from the grocery stores and was about $125.  From the farm, we also got:

• 1 lb. lamb stew cubes — $7
• 1 gal. milk — $5
• 4 doz. eggs — $12
• 2 gal. honey — $60

The eggs and milk are standard; the other stuff is not. So my total for “usual” groceries was $140-ish.  This will last two weeks.

Additionally, we got 1/2 cow.  We are still planning to get a whole pig, plus a gallon of maple syrup.  I am also hoping for a few turkeys and about 10 stewing hens, so we can make lots of stock and set aside cooked meat for meals.  We just stocked up on spices and other pantry items (about $60, which will last 6 months).

Here’s what we preserved:

• 77 quarts tomato sauce
• 27 pints diced tomatoes
• 18 quarts pickles
• 80 quarts diced pears
• 35 quarts applesauce
• 50 quarts sliced peaches
• 300 green peppers, halved, frozen
• 50 lbs. strawberries, frozen
• 50 lbs. peaches, frozen
• 20 lbs. cherries, frozen (sweet and tart mixed)

The house is getting full!  But once we have the last of our stuff, we’ll just be buying cheese, milk, eggs, and some fresh produce each week.  Once I’m done my grocery budget will be $200 – $300 a month, and I will be setting aside at least $200 for more major purchases in the future (1/2 or whole animals, pantry staples, next year’s preservation).  It will take time and creativity to keep lowering the budget, even as our family is expanding (i.e. Jacob will be eating next year too and the other kids get bigger).  But I will!

Out of curiosity, how much does your family eat?  My kids can eat an entire personal pizza, or 2 – 3 tacos per meal.  Average breakfast is an egg, strip of bacon, fruit — and they still want some cheese, meat, muffins, etc.!  I think they eat a LOT!

How is your grocery budget?  What tips or questions do you have about saving money?