Stocking Up The Larder

Stocking up a pantry and freezer from scratch can be a pricey proposition.  One of the areas I have always been able to control spending is with groceries.  Even with prices on the rise I am determined to fill our cupboards on a budget.  A big part of doing that is to seek out bargains and stock up when I find them.  A portion of my monthly grocery budget is actually allocated for doing exactly that.

Sunday morning, after reading the new grocery ads, I went to two stores to take advantage of some sales and add a stockpile to my freezer and pantry.  I also wanted to check the markdown areas of both stores in hopes of finding some killer deals, especially on meat, which is an area we are really low on right now.

This is what I found:

Albertsons - 

2 pkgs. Hot Italian Pork Sausage links - markdown from $5 to $3
2 Boneless Turkey Hams - markdown to 99¢ a pound
4 cans tuna - on sale for 69¢ each
1 gallon of whole milk - $2.29 (best price of the week)
1 jar Nutella Spread - on sale $2.99 less $1 coupon = $1.99
1 dozen eggs - on sale for 88¢ with store coupon 

Fred Meyer - 

4 boxes cold cereal - on sale at 4/$5 less two $1 coupons = $1.33 each
Pop Tarts - 48 ct. mega package $7.99
2 cartons ice cream - on sale 2/$4 less $1 coupon - $1.50 each
2 pound block of Monterey Jack cheese on sale for $4.99 each
2 pound block of Medium Cheddar cheese on sale for $4.99 each
32 oz. plain yogurt - marked down $1.39
1 pound ground turkey - $3.29 less 75¢ coupon
Parmesan cheese - $1.99
7 boxes pasta - on sale 79¢ each
2 pounds butter - 2/$4
1 family pack of assorted chicken parts - $4.86
1 family pack of chicken thighs - $4.27
1 half pint cream - on sale $1.19
1 loaf oat bran bread - on sale $1.33
1 pkg. cinnamon rolls - on sale for $1
2 pkgs. lettuce mix - Buy 1 Get 1 Free = 88¢ 

Most of what I bought is for stocking up.  The cereal and Pop Tarts will help the girls get their own breakfasts in the morning before school and the price, especially on the Pop Tarts was exceptional.  They should last for quite awhile.

The cream and parmesan will be used to make Alfredo Sauce.  We now have plenty of pasta for a variety of meals.  The bread will be used to make sandwiches for lunches.  Cheese has been really high lately so I was really happy to finally get some at a good price.  Until now the best I could do was $2.99 a pound.  I put the butter in the freezer.  The ice cream I plan to eat, sooner rather than later.  I also bought a package of refrigerator cinnamon rolls for our Sunday breakfast next week. 

It is good sales like these that I use to fill my pantry and freezer as well as creative meal planning and preparation to feed my family on so little money.