I recently stumbled upon a blogger who shares her grocery shopping trips, detailing what she buys and how much it all costs. I love seeing how others navigate their food budgets and priorities—it’s so relatable and oddly inspiring!
Meanwhile, yesterday we filled a cart with what felt like nothing and walked out 150 euros lighter. Isn’t it amazing how fast it adds up? Among the essentials, we somehow ended up with a new Fiskars frying pan. My husband insisted on it! Personally, I prefer cast iron pans. They’re sturdy, reliable, and have that old-world charm. Too bad mine are still packed away somewhere in the renovation chaos, we have only one frying pan out and this new will be for kids to fry their grilled cheeses and eggs, cause it’s nonstick.
I’m not sure where I’m going with this post… sorry..
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
That groeries cost!
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I think I’m more curious to see what other nations have in carts for 150 🙂 But then we would all need to participate 🙂 and add more pictures to see the cart content 🙂
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Your cart looked pretty full to me. I’m not a good judge because I buy some items from a spealty grocer and he does the regular grocery shopping. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in a grocer. Years ago when I was sick with Lyme he startiing doing the shopping and has made that his job. I’m cool with that.
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Well, there is no problem. Jānis also can go and shop for regular items, but sometimes I just want to go and pick items from the shelf myself. Never alone, I don’t like to take all this to the car… heavy lifting isn’t for me 🙂
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I understand. Putting everything in the car is a hassle. Before I got Lyme we would always go together and it was fun. But I don’t miss it.
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Sometimes, it’s nice to step out and go to the store. I prefer going during off-peak hours because I find it overwhelming to be surrounded by too many people.
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No crowds for me either.
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I have a cast iron pan and I love it! Anymore I can’t imagine trying to feed a family without going broke. I have just me (and Miss Emma’s dog food) to worry about and I often buy ingredients to make something I can eat for a few days (like soup or chili) to stretch the food dollars. But I feel like I spend $100 on a cartful of nothing. Looks like you got enough to keep your family going for another week 🙂
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I knew that $100 was what I pay every week we’re I’m the shop 😉 and then through the week extra items – 100 in total again… I don’t really try to save or stretch meals on purpose, but I might start just to have more control over what we eat and how much… for health. Also, it’s JUST food—you’ve got to eat three times a day! I love to eat, but cooking all the time is stressful for me, and I don’t support store-bought meals or things like Kellogg’s with milk.
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I used to be really good at keeping a journal and some days the only thing I had to write about was the grocery shopping cost, petrol cost, and weather. Some day those entries might interest someone. I find the myself peeking at other people’s carts while in the queue. It’s interesting to see how similar their choices are or how different! I wonder what they’re making when their choices are so different from mine.
Fiskars! I only know that brand for Scissors and paper trimmers. Who knew they made pans?! A good non-stick pan is so handy to have in your kitchen toolbox. I don’t own a cast iron pan. I don’t fry and that pretty much all I would know how to do with them. My mom has one she used to make fried chicken in it. Oh, it was the best chicken! What do you make in yours?
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It’s funny how the little things, like grocery costs and the weather, often end up being what we write about most—it’s like capturing a snapshot of everyday life. What seems mundane now might actually be really interesting to look back on later! I totally get what you mean about peeking at other people’s carts—it’s always so fascinating to see how different everyone’s choices are and wonder what they’re planning to make.
I use my cast iron pan for all sorts of things—eggs with bacon, scrambled eggs, potatoes, pancakes, fish, reheating food, and more. It’s such a versatile tool! I can’t believe you don’t use one—what do you cook instead of it?
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I have two non-stick pans and the rest are stainless steel pots and pans. I do have a cast iron griddle. I use my air fryer to fry these days. We grill a lot even in the winter.
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I prefer the non-stick pans, easy to clean too! Since the pandemic, food prices here have gone way up, I call this Price Gouging. I live by myself and can easily spend $200 bucks on food for a week or maybe a bit longer.
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The same here, prices are up!
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It’s a ripoff!
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Yesterday I bought some groceries to drop off for my son who had one of those wintertime blahs that give you a horrible cough for a couple days, mostly fresh fruit, vegies and some meat to fill out the meals, and it came out to exactly $87.00 which the checkout lady called to my attention, because it was the second time that day that the total came to an even dollar, no change, and she was enjoying the moment.
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What a kind gesture to help your son while he’s under the weather! Fresh fruit, veggies, and good meals sound like the perfect remedy for the wintertime blahs. Hope your son feels better soon!
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He was appreciative but I did say he could return the favor some day, haha. (He would anyway if needed!)
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Ha Ha Ha – does he know? Maybe just need to tell 🙂
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I love my cast iron cookware! My Dutch oven is my favorite piece, and I use it mostly for making sourdough bread.
I have one skillet—my best—that is 50-75 years old. It was given to me by my aunt when I married, and it was old then.
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Wow, what a treasure that skillet must be! I love how cast iron carries a sense of history and tradition—it’s amazing to think of all the meals it’s helped create over the decades. And sourdough bread in a Dutch oven? That sounds absolutely delicious! There’s something so satisfying about using well-loved, timeless tools in the kitchen. 😊
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A lot of my treasured possessions are old things.
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…with the story!
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The cost of groceries has really gone up where I live in the US. I like using a free service where I order my groceries online and my husband picks them up for me. Helps me from buying things I don’t need and saves time. I do other shopping at a different store for meat and what the other store is out of.
I use non-stick pans and find they work the best for me. Cast iron are a bit too heavy for me.
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We don’t have such a service here in the countryside, unfortunately—I would definitely use it if we did! It sounds so convenient and a great way to stick to your list. I understand about cast iron being heavy; non-stick pans are much easier to handle and still get the job done well. 😊
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Fascinating
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