We started off with Breakfast this morning with scrambled egg English muffin sandwiches.
We went to the flea market today, but were only able to sell for a few hours as we were rained out.
The flea market we go to is in the state of Georgia, which is easy for us to go to since we live right over the state line in Tennessee.
And there are two Kroger grocery stores in that area that we can go to, so we decided to go to Kroger and pick up a few items. I have to say I am loving shopping at Kroger.
First of all I am able to buy milk so much cheaper there than here. It is very close to $3.00 a gallon here for the store brand milk, but in Georgia I am able to buy it for under $2.00 a gallon. As a result we've bought more milk this summer than we have in a long time.
Secondly, I am able to buy Italian Sausages on mark down there so much cheaper than here in Tennessee. We've had more Italian Sausage this summer than we have in a long time since it is $4.00 a pound here in Tennessee.
Also, the sales tax on food in Georgia is 4% while sales tax on unprepared food in Tennessee is taxed at 5.5%. And I can always tell a difference on my grocery bill.
I found one package of Bratwurst and one package of mild Italian Sausage for $1.99 each.
I found three one pound packages of Southern Slaw from the produce department marked down to 79¢.
I bought one gallon of buttermilk, one gallon of chocolate milk, which were both priced at $1.89.
I also bought two half gallons of skim milk, which were on sale for 89¢ each.
I bought one pound of red grapes for $1.24.
And my daughter found some K cups marked down in the clearance section.
My total for today was $16.30, which makes my total food cost for July just under $100 coming in at $96.00. We used up a lot of food we had in our pantry and freezer to be able to come in at such a low amount.
As my regular readers know my income is lower in the summer since school is out and I am not working. We did make money at the flea market this summer, which helped a great deal. School starts back on August 8th, so I should be returning to work soon.
We also had some help from my neighbor as he has put more free vegetables on his front lawn.
And we were able to pick up these two free items from Kroger's Friday Freebie program. We won't drink these so we will add them to the stuff we sell at the flea market.
Your neighbor deserves a hug. Are you shopping in Ooltewah, close to where I taught high-school English? On the interstate, you passed a small wooded area. Behind it in East Ridge is where we lived.
We love Ooltewah, Anna. It's one of our favorite places to go and shop. The Walmart there is especially nice. And there is produce stand there that sells red peppers for 50¢ each! We are familiar with East Ridge too although we don't spend much time there.
Today, I would not cruise through East Ridge. Area has changed since we moved from there in 1970. Nevertheless, I cried out my heart as we drove around Moccasin Bend and hoped we would retire in the area. North GA, we loved. For 2 school years, DH drove through Chickamauga Battlefield. Beautiful terrain where you reside.
Yes, it is beautiful here. East Ridge has had so many problems with flooding over the years we have lived here. Houses are some of the cheapest in this area and the flooding is why I suspect.
I find that interesting(?) that you pay a tax on food. We have a meal tax in MA, meaning if you eat in a restaurant, but not food that can be cooked and consumed. Pet foods are taxed. If there is a restaurant type area in a grocery store and you purchase there, I believe you would be subject to the meals tax. Of course, to avoid sales tax people around here purchase larger items in NH and many people that still smoke purchase their cigarettes in NH.
Oh wow, that is so great that you do not have a tax on food you prepare at home, Mary Lou. Ours used to be closer to 10% (9.75), but was changed just a few years ago to the 5.5%, which helped a great deal. I would love it if the food were tax free. :)
Our retail food tax is 8.75%. Tax for other purchases/businesses is 9.25%. No tax for medical practitioner services and perhaps a few others. Time to Google.
Wow you had a great grocery month. We don't pay tax on groceries in California but I think food is higher on some things. I am glad you will be going back to work soon. My aunt used to buy many gallons of milk at the base poor some out and freeze them. She only shopped once a month on base. Do you think you will go over once school starts? Have a blessed week. Patti
Thank you, Patti. How nice that you don't pay tax on groceries in California. I already have two jobs lined up for the week after next, so I'm very very happy about that. I do think I will go once school starts ,but only once a month or so. I went today and found milk for $1.39 a gallon! I was so glad I went. :) I hope you have a blessed week too.
Great prices and a wonderful blessing of cukes from the neighbor!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol. And yes, a wonderful blessing from my neighbor. :)
DeleteYour neighbor deserves a hug. Are you shopping in Ooltewah, close to where I taught high-school English? On the interstate, you passed a small wooded area. Behind it in East Ridge is where we lived.
ReplyDeleteWe love Ooltewah, Anna. It's one of our favorite places to go and shop. The Walmart there is especially nice. And there is produce stand there that sells red peppers for 50¢ each! We are familiar with East Ridge too although we don't spend much time there.
DeleteToday, I would not cruise through East Ridge. Area has changed since we moved from there in 1970. Nevertheless, I cried out my heart as we drove around Moccasin Bend and hoped we would retire in the area. North GA, we loved. For 2 school years, DH drove through Chickamauga Battlefield. Beautiful terrain where you reside.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is beautiful here. East Ridge has had so many problems with flooding over the years we have lived here. Houses are some of the cheapest in this area and the flooding is why I suspect.
DeleteI find that interesting(?) that you pay a tax on food. We have a meal tax in MA, meaning if you eat in a restaurant, but not food that can be cooked and consumed. Pet foods are taxed. If there is a restaurant type area in a grocery store and you purchase there, I believe you would be subject to the meals tax. Of course, to avoid sales tax people around here purchase larger items in NH and many people that still smoke purchase their cigarettes in NH.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that is so great that you do not have a tax on food you prepare at home, Mary Lou. Ours used to be closer to 10% (9.75), but was changed just a few years ago to the 5.5%, which helped a great deal. I would love it if the food were tax free. :)
DeleteOur retail food tax is 8.75%. Tax for other purchases/businesses is 9.25%. No tax for medical practitioner services and perhaps a few others. Time to Google.
ReplyDeleteNo tax on newspapers here either. I like that. :)
DeleteSame in West TN. No newspaper tax, but I do not buy newspapers.
DeleteWow you had a great grocery month. We don't pay tax on groceries in California but I think food is higher on some things. I am glad
ReplyDeleteyou will be going back to work soon. My aunt used to buy many gallons of milk at the base poor some out and freeze them. She only shopped once a month on base. Do you think you will go over once school starts? Have a blessed week.
Patti
Thank you, Patti. How nice that you don't pay tax on groceries in California. I already have two jobs lined up for the week after next, so I'm very very happy about that. I do think I will go once school starts ,but only once a month or so. I went today and found milk for $1.39 a gallon! I was so glad I went. :) I hope you have a blessed week too.
Delete