My $100 BJs Shopping Trip + Meal Ideas for the Week

Have you ever went shopping and realized later, that you didn't actually buy ANYTHING to make a meal?  I think that's what happened last night.  I only had one hour to shop before closing, and brought my 7 year old with me for some mommy/daughter time.  Here's what I picked up at BJs.

Here's a picture of my daughter's cart.  She brought along her play carriage and is sporting a gallon of milk and her coveted Disney Frozen Fruit Snacks. 🙂

If you have just started following these shopping trips, my goal is to be under $150 each week for a family of 8.

BJs Shopping Trip

Straws (600 ct) – $6.99
Disney's Frozen Fruit Snacks – $6.99 (- $2/1 coupon from the May/June book)
Black Forest Fruit Snacks – $6.79 (- $2/1 Clipless coupon)
Cheerios – $6.99
Skippy Peanut Butter (twin pack) – $8.99 (- $2/1 coupon from the May/June book)
Wellsley Farms Bread (twin pack) – 2 x $2.49 = $4.98
Wellsley Farms Whole Milk – 4 x $2.59 = $10.36
Tostitos Scoops Pick n' Pack (twin pack) – $5.98 (forgot to buy hummus!!)
Thomas' English Muffins (twin pack/18 ct) – $5.79
Sargento Cheese Sticks – $6.99
Eggland's Best Eggs (twin pack) – 2 @ $5.29 = $10.58 (- $1.75/2 coupon from the May/June book These went up in price at my club.)
YoBaby Yogurt (12 ct) – $6.99
Philly Cream Cheese (twin pack) – $7.19
Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches – $10.99 (for hubby to take to work)
Total: $99.91 after coupons and sales tax on those straws

Yikes!  $100 for all of that!  I'll be going back at some point this weekend for Cedar's Hummus, Knorr Sides (good deal with the door flyer)   Now I have to get VERY creative with the menu plan this week.

I took a look at Stop and Shop's ad and compared it with Market Basket and Shaws.  Didn't see anything work traveling out of my way for, and nothing really great for us at S&S.  Although, if Market Basket was closer (it will be soon, because they are building one in my town), I would pick up the Carando Bacon for $2.49/lb.  Good price!  Stock up on that if you have an MB near you.  Bacon freezes well.  Also, 80% lean ground beef is on sale for $2.99/lb at Shaws!

Here's what I plan on picking up at S&S this week…

Stop and Shop Shopping Trip

S+S Half and Half Cream (1 gallon) – $4.09 x 2 = $8.18
Jif Peanut Butter (16 oz) – $2 (- .75/1 store coupon mailed to my house)
Beech-Nut Baby Food – $1.09 x 3 = $3.27 (- .50/3 store coupon mailed to my house)
Dole Classic Salad – $1.49 (- .50/1 store coupon mailed to my house)
Coke 12 packs – 4/$11.99 (- $1/3 printable no longer available)
Stop & Shop Bacon (1 lb) – $2.99 with store coupon from flyer
Simply Orange Juice – $1.88 with store coupon from flyer
Total: $29.05

Total from BJs first trip: $99.91
Total from S&S trip: $29.05
Total for 2nd BJs trip this weekend: $9.68
Grand Total: $138.56

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts
Banana Muffins (Looking for a new recipe.)
English Muffins with Cream Cheese
Pumpkin Bread
Eggs + Toast

Snacks
Bananas
Popcorn
Fruit Snacks
Cheese

Lunches
Salad, Cucumbers, Carrots, Dip
Tuna
Hummus and Tortilla Chips
Leftovers

Dinners
Burrito Bowls (Using hamburger purchased a couple of weeks ago)
Albondigas stoup (My big experiment. Plan on thickening it up with rice, hence the “t” in sToup.)
Spiral Ham (Leftover from Easter in my deep freezer.)
Spaghetti and Meat Sauce (all ingredients on hand)
Leftovers

Before I go, here is something I found for all the Frozen fans.  Sorry for the poor picture quality.  I was using my dumb phone.

It’s your turn!

What are you eating this week?  What are some family-friendly and frugal meals that you like to cook up?  Are any of you having a hard time keeping a grocery budget?  I'm finding it's not as easy as I thought it would be!