Summer Series 2026: Building a Pantry with $5 a week ... #4
Total must be $5 or less each week not including taxes.
Must be a separate purchase ... in other words it cannot be hand-picked items from our weekly grocery haul that totals $5 or less.
All items must come from a grocery store, farmers market, etc. In other words they must be purchased. No running out to the garden and putting a grocery store price on items harvested or shared with us. This challenge is meant to stretch us in utilizing a small amount of money to help build up and or restock our pantry.
Must be items we regularly use. This will keep us from seeing a good deal on something 'we might like' and spending our 'challenge money' only to never get around to trying it or finding out we don't like it at all. This challenge is for our tried and true pantry building basics. Think mid - long term pantry stocking.
This challenge includes all things in our pantry: food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.
One more guideline ... no rolling money over from week to week. We have to spend it or lose it!
This challenge will end on September 21st, the last day of summer.
Here's what I added to my pantry for the sum total of $4.95 before tax.
Mushrooms are a staple in our pantry and the last time I used a can, I made note that I needed to start watching for a sale on them, as we were getting low. I found that sale this week! The regular price for each can was $1.79. The sale price was $.99 each! That's a pretty good savings, so I used my 'challenge' money for this week to restock shelf stable mushrooms!
Can you see how maintaining a well-stocked pantry saves money? Because we had the option of waiting for a sale instead of paying full price, we saved, in this instance, $4.
We use mushrooms in soups, casseroles, omelets, and as an ingredient in side dishes (sauteed green beans, onions and mushroom are delicious!).
Okay, now it's your turn ... what did you spend your $5 on this week and if it's a food, how do you plan on using it?
Until the next time ...
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Great deal on those mushrooms!
ReplyDeleteI added 6 plain bagels to our freezer at .79 each from the Lidl bakery. Total was $4.74. They are big so we only eat half and they will last us a few weeks.
Good deal on the bagels!
DeleteI was able to get 2 jars of peanuts and a box of corn taco shells for $4.75. We use peanuts a lot for snacks and in a few recipes. I try to keep some type of tortilla or taco shell in the pantry for when the grandsons come for the weekend. Our tradition is to have spaghetti their first night and tacos the second night. Marley
ReplyDeleteI spent $4.81 and added a 2 pound jar of natural no stir peanut butter and a pound bag of pinto beans.. The peanut butter will be used to stuff celery sticks, peanut soup from a colonial recipe from Williamsburg , Va and frozen for later use, as well as gluten free 4 ingredient peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. The pinto beans will be cooked quickly in the instant pot, divided into portions and frozen for later use in chili, refried beans, and vegetable soup. The bean cooking water will be saved and used as an egg substitute in baked goods. Cookie
ReplyDeleteHello everyone. I was at the new Marshalls in Conway and they had boxes of English tea marked down to 2.00 each so I bought two for my pantry. I love reading your comments. That was a great price on those mushrooms too....:)
ReplyDeleteI bought 5 five pound bags of Russet potatoes on sale for 99 cents a bag instead of $3.49/bag! So I spent $4.95 and saved $12.50. I’ll freeze some as seasoned fries, dry some into shredded hash browns and enjoy the rest of them in a box in basement!
ReplyDeleteGardenpat in Ohio
Hello! Great deal. I purchased 5 cream of soups for casseroles and things I make in the fall. I spent $5.25 and that is with tax. I made a post. Thanks for organizing this.
ReplyDeleteI purchased 5, Hungry Jack shredded potatoes for $1 each from Dollar General. These are dehydrated hash browns.
ReplyDeleteWe use them in our egg bakes. Just let them set in hot water first, then drain. Great for camping too and will last a long time in storage. Sue in MN
Stocking up for soup season, added 1lb of ground Italian sausage, box of elbow macaroni and one tomato sauce at a total cost of 4.78. I will make Italian sausage soup.
ReplyDeleteThis week I spent $4.84. I hit the clearance rack at Kroger and purchased two 16 oz bags of pasta @ 81 cents each. A jar of Honey Peanut Butter for $1.44 a jar (orginally $4.49!) and then two cans of black beans on sale for 89 cents each.
ReplyDeleteI bought 5 bags of Russet potatoes (5 pounds each bags) on sale for 99 cents/bag. $4.95 spent. Regular price $3.49/bag so I saved over $12!
ReplyDeleteGardenpat in Ohio
We were able to get one jar of Planter's Peanuts for $2.19 and a half gallon of ice cream for the freezer for snacks for $1.50 and one mango for $0.99 to add to freezer.
ReplyDeleteHi Patsy and everyone. I got a big bag of sugar. With all my jam making my supply had gone down a bit.
ReplyDeleteI added to my pantry by buying 2 Great Value pulled pork pouches at $1.74 each and 3 Great Value no salt added tomato sauce 8 oz cans for $.48 each for a total of $4.92. I buy the 8 oz cans because the Walmart near me only has no salt added in small cans. I don't know if they carry this in larger cans. CindyD
ReplyDeleteI was able to get 2 vacuum packed and marinated pork loins -- one garlic and herb, the other hickory BBQ. Originally $8.99 each, on sale as a BOBO (store is remodeling and they were clearing out their meat cases) and I had $5 in rewards points that had to be used by the end of the month. Both packages went straight into the freezer. When I'm ready to use them, I'll cut one in half for the crock pot and freeze the remainder for another time. Here, it's a table for one and I'll get at least two meals plus lunch from 1/2 package. I count this as a win-win.
ReplyDeleteMy local Walmart had Heinz ketchup in the glass bottles for $1.25 each. I bought 4 and will reuse the glass bottles when empty. Sorry, I'm joining in late. I really enjoy these types of challenges. Ginger
ReplyDeleteI am late posting. I found mushrooms 5 cans for $5.00. Jean
ReplyDelete