My first shopping trip analysis for July

Yesterday I shopped at Trader Joes. I'm comparing prices with an organic coop (CM) that I shop at regularly.

-Organic Pulp-free and calcium-added OJ: $3.99 ($5.69 at CM) – I saved $13.60
-Chicken breast: $4.69/pound ($6.19/pound at CM) – this is All natural with no antibiotics or hormones. It is also never fed animal by-products – I saved $6.22 today.
-Whole organic chicken: $2.69/pound ($2.39/pound for Natural whole fryer at CM – I saw the natural ones at TJ but didn’t note the price because I already had mine bagged and was on the move)
-Organic bananas were $0.29/pound! ($0.69/pound at CM) – we stocked up knowing we can use some for baking.
-Organic romaine hearts $2.79 ($3.99 at CM) – I’m guessing most of their lettuce was cheaper – saved $2.40 today
-Organic frozen corn $1.69 ($2.69 at CM) – saved $2 today

I also got snack foods and some frozen convenience meals (for Ron to use in his lunches when there aren’t leftovers) and those are all free of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils – this included some mini bagels and pita pockets to use for sandwiches). They have a small cereal selection, but I think we’re going to try moving away from cereal for breakfast for a bit to see how that impacts the budget so that worked for me. My total savings today was $26.22 over CM. I’m not sure how that would stand up to MOMS but I think overall it would still be worth a monthly trip J It was roughly 40 miles round trip – so about $6 in gas. Not bad!

My total spent was $183.14 and with any luck this will be the biggest amount spent this month since I stocked up on OJ and chicken. I will be hitting my market, Costco and one other store later today to stock up on a few things that TJs didn't have that I will need this month. I'll also start my vacation shopping (a small curve ball for July!). My goal is to keep all of my shopping today under $100 (I am buying ribs for vacation). I can do it!