How the bunritos were won

Since leaving my job I've taken over the meal planning, shopping and cooking for our house. We used to share this duty, but since I've got time I'm taking care of it now. In addition, since we're without my income (we're gone from DINKs to SINKs) and with gas prices rising to ever more ridiculous levels, I've made it my personal crusade to save as much money on food shopping as possible.

So far I've managed to keep us fed for an average of $45 a week (we used to spend about $150 every two weeks before food/gas prices started rising). To do this I've been clipping coupons, comparing prices and going to an average of four stores per shopping trip to find the best deals (they're all in a row on Clairemont Mesa Blvd., so I'm not using too much extra gas).

My new favorite stores are the 99 Cent Only Store and the bakery outlet. Believe it or not, they have awesome produce at the 99 Cent Only Store! I've gotten heads of Cauliflower and Broccoliflower, three cucumbers, a package of green onions, five tomatoes and even a pound of ginger at the 99 Cent Only store all for only a buck each. The Orowheat-Entenmann's Bakery Outlet on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. by the 163 freeway is also amazing. For a little over $6 I took home three loaves of good bread and a package of dinner rolls (the rolls were free for spending $6+ dollars). Later when I was at the grocery store (Food 4 Less) I saw the same loaves of bread selling for $4 a piece (which is f-ing crazy by the way)! Of course, you have to freeze some of the bread for later, but no worries, it defrosts just fine.

Anyway, most people I know won't care too much about this. Why? Well, because they're working and have money, but not a lot of time, so they don't mind spending a little extra for the convenience of getting their shopping done ASAP. Also, most young professionals don't have mortgages for homes bought when the market had peaked, so 70% of their income isn't tied up in a house that's steadily decreasing in value, so they aren't feeling the pinch as much as we. OK, that's enough of my pity party. I'm just hoping that through a little frugality here and there we can still have a decent lifestyle and save enough to make it through until after the volleyball season when I'll have (cross my fingers) a well-paying, full-time job. Thanks for reading!

PS The word "bunritos" in the title isn't a typo. When I took over the shopping/meal planning my husband already had some meals written on our fridge wipe-off board, including what appeared to be bun-ritos...he he.