Can you sense by the use of the word "that" in the title that I am at odds with our grocery bill? Are you? Can anyone really believe that a grocery bill can be as high as a mortgage payment? Personally, I think it's a crime to have to pay so much, especially for organic food. Some advocates of organic food claim that it is simply "honestly priced" food after factoring in government subsidies and eventual health care costs of conventionally grown food. But still. I think something is wrong with our food system when a bag of grapes (even non-organic) costs exponentially more than a fast-food hamburger.
I tackle the grocery budget from time to time, especially after reading message boards where I see that other mothers of many somehow spend half of what we do, even with twice the number children. I really don't know how they find food at the prices they claim to have found. I'm still figuring that out!
Some moms save big by using coupons and matching them with store sales and double coupon days. To me this sounds like hours of work and running from store to store beyond the already time-consuming task of menu planning and list making. What I hear from several friends is that while some coupon deals can't be beat, other discounts still total a price higher than the store brand. I just have not felt called to play the coupon game. Lazy me.
After doing some price comparisons, I am about ready to give up certain organic items since they cost twice as much as the non-organic versions. We have been in the habit of buying organic milk, yogurt, eggs,and butter, as well as some fresh and frozen produce on the "dirty dozen" list. For beef we buy locally raised grass-fed meat and whole chickens are also from a local organic farm.
My biggest accomplishment of late is overcoming my Fear of Aldi. Their prices are less than half of the grocery store across the street. If I shop there first, our grocery bill is easily lowered several hundreds dollars.
However, I was surprised to find that Costco's prices are often lower per ounce than Aldi's. The problem, of course, is quantity. Purchasing a three month's supply of pantry items quickly runs up the tab. It is difficult to check out with less than $300 worth of provisions at Costco. At Aldi I rarely spend over $100 - usually closer to $50 a visit.
Here are the few items at Aldi I have found priced less than Costco:
- pasta sauce .075/oz
- rice .56/lb
- crackers .14/lb
- canned tomatoes .55/can
- sour cream 1.29/lb
- parmesan .40/oz
- canned salmon .13/oz
- ice cream .052/oz
These items are priced about the same:
- chicken broth cartons 1.40/32oz
- white sugar .57/lb
- brown sugar .75/lb
- chocolate chips /15/oz
- honey .18/oz
- milk (non-organic) 2.63/gallon
- eggs (non-organic) 1.55/dozen
- cottage cheese 1.32/lb
- cereal .10/oz
- tuna .21/can
Costco beats Aldi's prices on most everything else from nuts to tortilla chips to disposable items.
Aldi, on the other hand, carries wonderful European dark chocolate. I am not aware that any of their other products are from Europe. I wish they were - Europe has stricter standards when it comes to GMO's and pesticides.
I am putting together lists for comparison shopping. One with Costco's prices, one for Aldi, one for Azure, one for Trader Joe's and another for other local stores. Someday when they are more complete maybe I will post a pdf link. Photos will have to do for now!

Fortunately, my husband does the shopping at Costco and Trader Joe's since it is on his commute home. I am in charge of the local shopping. We don't buy much at Trader Joe's, but their price on 32 oz. organic yogurt and whole bean French roast is the best we can find. And the wine - definitely budget friendly!
What are your favorite secrets for eating well on a budget?