Southern Illinois Money Savers

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After a few weeks of serious focus on what am I going to feed everyone that is healthy and will please them the urge to start bargain hunting was coming over me.  I have been over budget the last two payday, not by a lot but I would really like to conquer this $200 a payday budget.  As I was shopping last Friday I found myself lamenting over my lower grocery bill.  Then I just had to remember that even with this small spike we are eating so well, feeling so much better and I am still spending a quite a bit less than I did before I started using coupons.  So no more fretting over the new budget!

Now on to the shopping.  I made many stops over the past week and I have already spent most of the budget which means I will have to be super careful this week.  Thankfully I need very little, mainly some fresh produce and milk.

I finally made a trip to the Co-op in Carbondale.  This is not something I will be able to do too often since it is a 50 minute drive for me one way.  As for the C0-0p I loved it.  It had everything I could want!  I had to control myself not to spend too much.

I was able to get some produce that I have yet to find at Kroger.  Organic Kiwi, Pears, Grapes, Butternut Squash and Kale.  I also got potatoes, oranges and apples.  I purchased Lentils and Sugar from the bulk section and got some local Honey.  I found some local Amish raised whole chickens that were on mark down for only $5.50ish per chicken.   And I splurged on some really expensive uncured Bacon made from pigs fed a special diet, no hormone, no anitbiotics and no nitrates/nitrites.

My total spent at the Co-op was $60.91

Then since I was in Carbondale I headed to Big Lots.  Julie had told me they carried some organic products and I figured it was worth checking out.  They had a lot of organic cereals, organic poptarts and organic granola bars.

I purchase 2 bottles of Hansen’s juice, 2 bottles Honest Kids Juice, 2 Kashi granola bars and 4 can Del Monte organic green beans.

My total spent at Big Lots was $14.85

Then I ran into Carbondale Kroger thinking their organic options would be more than what is at Marion but it wasn’t.  I did go ahead and pick up the rest of the items on my list.

My biggest expenses here was the bottle of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the Organic Balsamic Vinegar and the 1lb ball of hand made Mozzarella.  I am still slowly switching out my seasonings and condiments for their organic counterparts.

My total spent at Kroger was $75.29

If I hadn’t already spent enough I made a few more stops with my Mom and Sisters when I was in Marion on Tuesday.

We ran into the Bread Store where I picked up these 2 loaves of bread.

Total spent $2.20

Then we went to Fresh Foods, this is a new store in Marion and they had tons of fresh produce.  I got the big bag of bananas on the $1 table!

Total spent at Fresh Foods $4.04

Finally, yesterday I ran into Walmart to see if I could get any deals for donation and I grabbed a few things we needed.

The Millstone coffee gave me overage and we are in real need of razors.

My total spent at Walmart $5.40

So at this point I have already spent $162.69 which only leaves me $37.31.  If I only pick up produce and milk this week I should still be able to stay in budget.