Do you set a budget when you go grocery shopping?
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (43080)
Staten Island, New York
April 8, 2021 12:18pm CST
Yesterday, hubby and I went grocery shopping as our fridge and freezer were pretty much empty.
Our first stop was Trader Joe’s. We had a shopping cart full of stuff. After we checked out and I looked at the receipt I noticed that our total was about $183. 
Our main purpose of the trip was to get cheese and some spices and we ended up spending way more than it would cost us to just get these items.
Next, we went to the Russian grocery store. I ended up spending about $38. And then I stopped by the pharmacy next door to see if they had Aunt Jemima buttermilk pancake mix. They did, so I got that. And while there I also got coffee as it was on sale ($3 off). The total came out to around $9.40.
Adding everything up, it was over $200 on one shopping trip. I think it’s a good idea to set a budget when going grocery shopping.
Our main purpose of the trip was to get cheese and some spices and we ended up spending way more than it would cost us to just get these items.
Next, we went to the Russian grocery store. I ended up spending about $38. And then I stopped by the pharmacy next door to see if they had Aunt Jemima buttermilk pancake mix. They did, so I got that. And while there I also got coffee as it was on sale ($3 off). The total came out to around $9.40.
Adding everything up, it was over $200 on one shopping trip. I think it’s a good idea to set a budget when going grocery shopping.8 people like this
9 responses
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
8 Apr 21
Back when I could shop I did but now daughter does the shopping and I think she spends too much just for the 3 of us. But she tells me that food is more expensive then ever these days.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Apr 21
Prices have definitely gone up.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
9 Apr 21
Always, so I do not overspend and I only get what I'm supposed to purchase.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Apr 21
You can still overspend though as items can be more expensive, which would lead to a higher total.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
8 Apr 21
We do not budget for good when we got to the area to get food. We do watch what we get as anything extra that wouldn’t be covered by our food card. Since we have a snap card with a good allowance for the kids most months we don’t even use the whole amount given to us.
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
8 Apr 21
@lovebuglena if I get more the what is on the card we can pay out of pocket.
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Apr 21
@ShyBear88 I understand that. That’s why you wanna keep track of what you’re getting so you don’t end up spending more than the card allows.
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Apr 21
You certainly do not want to get more than what your card allows.
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Apr 21
Yeah. If we do not set a budget we can easily overspend.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
9 Apr 21
We don't set a budget; and my husband ALWAYS spends way more than I ever did while grocery shopping. The worst part is he doesn't check prices when he shops.
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Apr 21
Oh, that’s not good. Gotta check prices, especially since mistakes can be made. You don’t go shopping with him?
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
12 Apr 21
@LindaOHio in that case, better if he goes alone.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
10 Apr 21
@lovebuglena No. We'd both be in scooters; and I have too much trouble getting around.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28575)
•
8 Apr 21
I make a list of things I have to have, that's first. I have a budget because I live on a budget. When things I always use are on sale, I buy extras of that item or items. I try to stay ahead on basics, have a freezer in the garage and I try to keep the pantry stocked for the most part. Once you get your pantry on a level where you have a spare or two of the most used items, it gets way less expensive, at least it does for me. But everyone has their own method and their own items they feel are essential. I usually get perishables once a week or every 10 days or so, and allow for that, but I have found that if I limit my visits to the grocery, I save money in the long run and it's much easier for me to stay in the budget I have set for myself.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Apr 21
Limiting trips to the store definitely saves money.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Apr 21
I was planning to go to Trader Joe's specifically for cheese and spices. The other shopping I was planning to do elsewhere.
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Apr 21
I ended up doing most of the shopping at Trader Joe's.
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
10 Apr 21
@lovebuglena All our grocery stores send us a flyer every week with the list of their special promotions. I have time to compare before going out to buy. Anyway the best prices are all the time at Lidl and Aldi, the most expensive at Manor... but no matter the price there are things I will only and always buy at Manor.
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Apr 21
That is a good idea but you can still overspend that way if you don’t shop around for the best price.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Apr 21
Lately, I do that but this time I did not write a list.
