Before we get started, have you seen the first part of this series? Click here to read that first: 64 Dollar Grocery Budget – Aldi.
On our 64 dollar grocery budget post from yesterday, we focused on the tips and tricks to help you keep costs down when shopping at Aldi. Today, I’m going to share what I bought, why I went over my budget by 2 dollars, what I could have done differently, and what meals I’m planning for the food I purchased.
Stretching ALDI Grocery Budget
Let’s talk about this total. My grocery total was $66.26. I went over my budget by 2 dollars. First, I added 6 cents to my bill since I purchased an Aldi paper bag. I needed it to take that pretty picture above, so technically it’s a business expense. Ha! I also purchased orange juice and 2 boxes of cornbread mix. Truthfully, I didn’t need either, and with a subtotal of over 3 dollars for those 3 items, I could have left them behind and purchased more bananas or carrots. Processed items tend to always take my budget up a notch, so I try to stay away from them if possible. Since I had chili on the menu (more on that later), I grabbed the boxes of cornbread. Now I have one extra box sitting in my pantry, since we used one already. Money wasted? We’ll see.
Now let’s get down to the real reason you’re reading this post: the receipt and list of meals. I’ll list each and every item I purchased, and then I’ll share what snacks, breakfasts, lunches, dinners I have in our meal plan for the next 7 days.
64 Dollar Grocery Budget At ALDI – Shopping List
9.4 pounds of chicken leg quarters for .95/lb – 8.94
Fresh ground turkey – 3.29
10 pounds russet potatoes – 3.99
2.8 pounds bananas at .44/lb – 1.26
2 pounds Carrots – 1.59
1 pound of tri-colored peppers – 1.99
Celery (3 pounds I think. It doesn’t say on the pack) – 1.49
4 packs of garlic bulbs at .89 each – 3.56
Half gallon Lactose free milk – 2.79
2 half gallons organic soy milk at 2.29 each – 4.58
2 cans diced tomatoes at .55 each – 1.10
1 can stewed tomatoes – .59
2 bags garden salad at .99 each – 1.98
3 pound bag of onions – 1.89
2 bags of medium flour tortillas at 1.19 each – 2.38
1 tub old fashioned oats – 2.29
2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix at .47 each – .97
32oz container plain yogurt – 1.69
2 pound bag dried pinto beans – 1.89
1 bottle organic agave nectar – 2.49
1 paper bag (dangit lol) – .06
3 dozen large eggs at 1.65 each – 4.95
Creamy peanut butter – 1.69
1 loaf 100% whole wheat bread – 1.29
1 box crispy oats – 1.69
1 French baguette – 1.49
1 bag dried cranberries – 1.19
1 half gallon Orange Juice – 1.69
2 pound bag long grain rice – 1.49
Total — $66.26
Prep for the meals
Soak and cook the bag of pinto beans.
Take one leg quarter, 2 stalks of celery, 2 carrots and make slow cooker chicken stock.
Roast both packs of chicken legs; pull off the meat from one.
Use half of the oats, half the box of crisp oats, agave syrup, dried cranberries and brown sugar that’s already in the pantry to make easy granola.
Wash, chop and pan fry 2 pounds of potatoes.
Hard boil 18 eggs.
Freeze soy milk in one ice cube tray.
{Related: 4 Ways To Add Beans To Your Meal Plan}
Breakfast Meal List
6 Breakfast burritos – using tortillas, fried potatoes, 6 scrambled eggs, and pinto beans
Granola, sliced banana and yogurt in mason jars (these could be snacks too)
Hard boiled eggs and toast drizzled with agave nectar
Homemade granola cereal with sliced bananas
Lunch Meal List
Hard boiled eggs with carrot sticks and cup of OJ
Garden salad with sliced hard boiled eggs and dried cranberries
Bean dip with carrot, celery and pepper sticks
Peanut butter and banana quesadillas (a kid favorite!)
Chicken, bean dip and veggie roll ups – using tortillas, pulled chicken, leftover bean dip and julienned carrots and peppers
Dinner List
Turkey chili with cornbread
Roasted chicken leg quarters, onion, carrots and peppers served with rice
Cream of carrot soup with side salad
Garlic soup topped with fried onion strings
Baked potatoes topped with chicken, onion and pepper gravy
Chicken, bean and rice soup with baguette slices and olive oil dip
Skillet chicken pot pie with a cornbread topping
Quick Snack List
Small bowl of granola and yogurt
Banana smoothies using OJ, yogurt, and frozen soy milk cubes
Homemade potato chips made in the microwave
Roasted and seasoned pinto beans (using this method)
20 meals and snacks from a 64 dollar grocery budget!
{Related: Weight Watchers Foods To Buy From ALDI – Midlife Healthy Living}
Ok, technically it’s from a 66 dollar grocery budget, but you get the idea. After making all of these meals and snacks, I’ll still have some bread, tortillas, soy milk and eggs left. These can be rolled into next week’s meals.
Looking for more ideas to stretch your small grocery budget? Check out our 64 Dollar Grocery Budget Challenge Series.
Do you have any tips to add for shopping at ALDI on a very small grocery budget? Please feel free to share below!