February's Grocery Budget, Stock-Ups and the plan for March

I spent less out-of-pocket for groceries and stocking up in February, partly because I was using gift cards we got free from King Soopers for transferring prescriptions, and partly because the items I purchased were less costly items (oats are less expensive than beef!)  I took advantage of some specials on chocolate too, since there is a lot of talk about chocolate prices rising in the near future.

Stock-Up Purchases in February

            8 cans of tuna (.50/ea. at King Sooper - paid with free gift card)
            8 lb. ham (.99/lb at King Sooper - paid with free gift card)
            3lb. (6 packages) cream cheese ($1/ea. at King Sooper - paid with free gift card)
            8 jars Ragu spaghetti sauce (.69 each at King Sooper - paid with free gift card)
            4 boxes (12 oz) Ronzoni thin spaghetti (.19 each at King Sooper - paid with free gift card)
$12.99 for shredded cheddar, 5lb. (Costco)

$  7.89 for dried seaweed sheets (Costco)
$  6.73 for rolled oats (.69/lb. Sprouts)  My oat storage bucket is re-filled!
$  8.55 for raisins (1.99/lb at Sprouts)
$  6.29 for chocolate (M&M's, $1.50/12oz. bag, on sale and w/coupon at Walgreens)
$  2.46 for Nutella (thee jars, .82 each after sale (Target) and coupon, price matched at Walmart)
$  9.00 for Spam ($1.50/can after sale and coupon at Safeway)
$  4.00 for Libby's canned vegetables - corn, green beans and peas (.25/can at Albertsons)
$    .98 for 12oz. bags of oyster crackers (.49/ea. at Albertsons)
$  1.18 for 2 bottles of barbecue sauce (.59/ea. at Albertsons)
$ 60.07  Total Spent on Stock-Up Items

When I do the math, it shows that I spent about $16.50 each week on things we used week-to-week - milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, or items we needed for the weekly menu (this past week I bought pepperoni and cottage cheese for calzones, for example.)  Some of that was cash, some was the credit at King Sooper.  Overall, I think it was a pretty good month.

I have lots of wheat berries (and a mill), so I've been baking our bread.

Planned Stock-ups for March

March is the only month I ever buy corned beef, because it's the only time I ever find it on sale (for St. Patrick's Day).  I am hoping the price will be good this year but if not, we will go without.  It is also generally a great month for sales on cabbage and potatoes.  Cabbage is good in so many things, and it keeps well in the crisper drawer, so I will buy as much as I feel I can reasonably store.  With Easter at the beginning of April, March will also probably be a good month for stocking baking supplies as needed, as well as ham.  The price of butter seems to be going down a little, so I am hoping that a sale and coupon will net something close to $1 per pound.

I ended February with $61.68 still in the grocery budget.  This is due to having the store credit from King Sooper for transferring prescriptions.  Our grocery budget is $180 per month, but if I get something like that King Sooper credit, it is in addition to the $180, and helps me stock up or get us a special something now and then.  All this means that I'm starting March with $241.68 in the grocery budget, plus I still have approximately $23 credit at King Sooper to spend.  I'm hoping for some good prices on beef, though that is not typical of March - we shall see!

homemade blueberry-almond muffins with coconut sugar 

Do you keep a pantry?  Do you buy ahead for items that keep?  I find that it helps me keep our food expenses low, and it also keeps us stocked in case of an emergency, like a blizzard or bad storm.  What deals did you find in February, and what are your plans for March?