We ventured into the snowy mush outside this morning and went to my local winter farmer’s market. I really wanted some local honey and some farm eggs. I have a tendency to splurge on things while I’m there. Like how could I possibly resist Spicy Peach BBQ Sauce and fresh churned honey butter (which btw was DELISH on toast)? The Cheese and Cracked Black Pepper bread is going to go with 2 dinners (tonight and another later next week).

In Spring-Fall you can get some fabulous produce at great prices this way. Do you shop at farmers markets for items? What do you like to get there? If you don’t know where to find them, this website here will help you locate any and all sources of local products by putting in your zip code.

So I desperately needed to go grocery shopping yesterday. My pantry is pretty packed with essentials like rice, pasta, sauces etc., but as for anything fresh, well, that was a different story.

I used a grand total of 3, yes 3 coupons in this trip (2 for the Silk and 1 for the Chobani big tub). It’s a little difficult to get coupons for bags of apples and kale, but it doesn’t mean I won’t buy them.

I spend a grand total of $149.20, but this will likely get me through 2 weeks. I will need to spend about $25 more for some more milk, bananas and another loaf of bread etc. this weekend but I don’t mind spending $175 in two weeks, it’s under $100 a week and under my $400/mo food budget. I have plenty there to make sure we are eating right, and able to pack lunches for my husband.

Moral of the story/post: Not every trip is a massive savings trip, and don’t feel bad about it! Save where it counts and spend where it counts.

Dog not included in purchase, though it probably would have made me feel better about my total

So a big debate among couponers is whether or not warehouse stores/memberships are worth it. My personal answer to that is yes! I have a Costco membership and I used to have a Sam’s Club membership. When I was a full time working mom and could only do a minimal amount of couponing (diapers/formula etc.) I used warehouse stores heavily to save time, which was more precious to me when I worked full time and was away from my family so much and money was more plentiful with 2 incomes. It was a no-brainer.

Now that I’m a stay at home mom, I have time. But I still use Costco about 1-2 times a month. I can usually keep my monthly trips there under $100. I have very specific things I buy from Costco. I no longer buy toothpaste, toilet paper, dishwashing detergent etc. from there. No I get those for free with coupons. But there are things that are worth it to me.

Here are some examples:

• Mexican Coke – It’s the only place you can get it (besides Sam’s Club) and my husband loves it. Even though it’s expensive and a treat he works hard for our money, so he gets what he wants to drink!
• Arizona or Other Tea drinks – Here is one I avoided for a long time, but decided it was time to break down. My husband was spending too much money on the side buying a soda here or a tea there and I finally realized he was going to no matter how much I complained. So started buying them at a bulk rate to save money that I was bleeding out of my control. Now he takes one to work with him. It’s an expense, but it’s one I can control again (for the most part).
• Fresh Vegetables/Fruits – I consistently find it’s better to go and buy most of my fruits at Costco. We go through A LOT of fresh fruit and this is where I can buy it in big amounts.That big bag of fresh broccoli florets came to be $1.46/lb. I haven’t even seen it that cheap on sale here for the fresh broccoli and I’m paying JUST for the nice tops here. I’m getting more for my money and we eat A LOT of broccoli.
• Frozen Fruits – How often have you seen coupons for these? We make a lot of smoothies, and I can get a big bag for cheaper than multiple bags without coupons at the grocery store
• Bread – Now this is a personal preference and I don’t always do it. If we are low (and we were), I will buy it at Costco because they are the cheapest place for the brand I prefer. But I’m always watching for it to be on sale at the grocery store too and I will stock up and freeze it when it is.
• Kids Clothes – I love Carters PJ’s and I usually buy them the footie fleece pajamas at Costco because it’s the cheapest place for them.
• Spices – If there is something I know I use a LOT of. Like that big thing of curry powder. Yeah I put curry on everything! That will only last me a few months. Garlic is another one.

Today I am preparing myself to make about 16 batches of fudge tomorrow morning, so I decided I was going to bulk buy my supplies at Costco today too. Normally I would not purchase sugars, chocolate chips, peanut butter, etc. at Costco, but with these 2 (see pic below), I decided that time was money, and while I had them entertained with a lemonade and a hot dog, I’d just bite the bullet and get it all done in one spot. And my poor dog was out of dog food. It hurt me to buy it at Costco when I know I can get a better deal elsewhere, but again, in the interest of time this morning.

Now that my bank account has been depleted, I’ll catch up on some sales because I need them! Tell me if you have things you get better deals on at warehouse stores over couponing!