March 8, 2011

This trip was supposed to include 5 days of meal planning, but I couldn't find ingredients for one of my meals (Baked Ziti), so I was a little overwhelmed to see such a high bill for so few meals. With that said, we are celebrating my husband's 28th birthday tomorrow, and are splurging with the NZ lamb for dinner! Breakfast will be apricot filled crepes, lunch will be BLT's (bacon is a treat at $10 for a small pkg, but it is humane and natural which is so worth it), and dessert will be German chocolate cupcakes! If the weather is nice, we might head to the beach, but a trip to the Warehouse is in order because we are still without a dining room table- and many other "essentials" for that matter!
By the way... it is going to take some getting used to celebrating birthdays and other occasions a day early here... technically my husband was born tomorrow (in the US), though here, his birthday was today (the 8th). Unsure of how to solve this predicament, we have decided to celebrate both days, or one or the other depending on circumstances! Anyways, on to another grocery trip! Hopefully I will get back to only shopping once a week again soon, otherwise, March is going to attack our bank account like a lion, not a lamb.

New World (Fendalton)

Sandwich Rolls-6pk: 3.25

Wheat Toast Bread: 2.49
Napkins(100pk): 1.95
Stuffed Pasta: 5.59-1.60: 3.99
Lamb Roast: 22.37
Bacon: 10.35
Doritos: 2.00
Arrowroot: 3.05
Foil (4.5M): 1.69
Coconut: 2.45
Tuna: 2.75x2: 5.50
Vinegar (750ML): 1.89
Yeast: 3.79
Maple Syrup: 3.85
Watties *Heinz* Sweet N Sour Sauce: 2.49
Gherkins *pickles*: 2.29
Pecans (70G): 2.85x2: 5.70
Apricot Jam: 4.19
Mint Jelly: 4.09
Cocoa Powder: 6.09
Coffee: 5.99
Fresh Rosemary (10G): 3.79
Nori: 3.99
Tortillas (10pk): 3.49x2: 6.98
Croutons: 2.99
Toothpicks: 1.09
Onions (4): 3.25
Red Kumara *sweet potato*: 2.67 (4.99KG)
Eggplant: 2.35x2: 4.70
Spring Onions: .99
Red Capsicum*bell peppers*: 1.49x2: 2.98
Cucumber: 2.35
Orange Kumara *sweet potato*: 3.03 (5.95KG)
Eco/Humane Eggs (15ct): 7.65
Speights Gold (12pk): 16.99
Broccoli: 1.15
Yellow Capsicum: 2.95
Spinach: 1.99 (19.99 KG)
Avocados: .99x2: 1.98
Carrots: 3.99 (1.5KG)
Parsnips: 1.91 (4.49 KG)
Organic Pumpkin Crown: 2.59
Iceberg Lettuce: 1.99
Meadow Fresh Milk (3L): 6.49
4 USA Oranges: 1.71 (1.99 KG)
Internal Red Tomatoes: 2.49
Gala Apples: 2.52 (1.99KG)
Twix, Mars and Snickers Bar: 1.85x3: 5.55-2.56: 2.99



Total NZD: 197.30
Total USD: 146.30

Coupon Savings: 4.16
Special Savings: 17.13
Total Savings NZD: 21.29
Total Savings USD: 15.78

March 4, 2011

part one is here.

Feeling good about this trip to New World!

New World (Fendalton)


Laundry Detergent: 7.29
Bread: 3.89-.90: 2.99
Chips: 2.35
Black Olives (500G): 4.95
Veggie Spirals (500G): 1.95
Spaghetti (375G): 1.95
Iceberg Lettuce: 1.99x2: 3.98
Curious Shiraz: 12.99
White Shrooms: 3.29
Chocolate Chips: 3.29
Tartare Sauce: 3.09-.60: 2.49
Pickles: 3.79
Bananas (2.99KG): 3.65
Avocados: 4x.99each: 3.96
Old El Paso Salsa: 3.29
Mainland Butter (500G): 5.65
Blueberries Punnet: 2.99
Strawberries Punnet: 1.95x2: 3.90
Angel Tomatoes: 2.49

Total NZD: 78.26
Total USD: 57.73

Coupon Savings: 1.50
Special Savings: 5.78
Total Savings: 7.28

March 2, 2011

March 1st marks one month of living in New Zealand, and I'm ready to get the hang of grocery shopping here. We've been flailing around just going to the store on demand, especially in light of the earthquake, and we all know that is a surefire way to drain your bank account and go over budget. I also tend to end up with a lot of random and incomplete meals when I don't meal plan!

One thing I have noticed is that almost everything is different here, compared to the US. For example, there is no Target, Wal Mart, Albertsons. or any other familiar grocery store. Even most of the brands are unfamiliar. But that is a-okay! I am enjoying learning the ropes of NZ grocery stores and discovering new brands, like Griffins Toffee Pops. I could keep them in business! As far as grocery stores, so far I have discovered Pak-N-Save, Countdown and New World. New World is my favorite, and contrary to what I've read elsewhere, it seems that for the most part, their prices are rather competitive and the shopping environment and selection is a lot higher quality in comparison. 

In general, prices seem to be higher on almost everything, though it is important to note that the shelf price includes tax! It's rather nice to see the total come to the simple total, not go up by almost 9% like it did in Louisiana. 

Vegetables and fruits are dirt cheap here, for the most part and there are road side stands everywhere. Organic is known as"spray free" and it seems that a lot of the produce is grown that way, so that is nice! 

If you live in New Zealand, I'd love it if you'd share your best tricks of the trade to getting good deals! If you can recommend a certain store or stand, please share!

For accountability purposes, at least during the month of March- and as long as there are no more devastating earthquakes, I will be unloading my groceries directly onto this space in my kitchen and will take a picture of my loot, and will then share it with you here on my blog. Feel free to call me out if you notice too many toffee pops! :)

New World (Fendalton)


Meadow Fresh milk (2L): 4.65
Lemons (2@5.55KG): 1.22
Sealord Tuna: 2 cans @ 2.75each: 5.50 [coupon for .92 off tuna]: 4.58
Doritos (300 G): 4.69
Frescarini Stuffed Pasta: 5.59
Parmesan Cheese (100G): 4.75
Frozen Blueberries: 6.89
Large Tomatoes: 2.49
French Press Coffee: 7.29-1.30: 5.99
Barker Fruit Syrup: 6.75 (mix with water- makes 6 Liters)
Brown Sugar (1KG): 2.00
Instant Espresso: 7.49
Pasta Sauce: 3.99
Newman's Own Caesar Dressing: 4.69
Old El Paso Tortillas: 4.49
Bulk Pretzels: 3.96
Angel Tomatoes: 2.49
White Flour (2.5KG): 3.89

Total: 80.60 NZD (tax AKA GST is included in the advertised price)
Total: 59.43 USD 

Coupon Savings: 2.22
Special Savings: 5.41
Total Savings: 7.63