The ALL YOU Grocery Challenge

So I've been keeping track of my grocery purchases in hopes of winning the All You Grocery Challenge. I'm glad I signed up and I'm glad that I am failing. Here is why I believe that the challenge is a failure. You get $25 per person per week.

• You get $25 for a one year old and $25 for a 17 year old boy?
• You get $25 for a one year old and $25 for a marathon runner?
• Area you live in (some places are much cheaper, some places much more - Hawaii anyone?)
• You can't save money from one week and spend it the next week. In other words, you can't use the pantry principle.
• It doesn't take dietary restrictions into account.
• It could be encouraging cheap processed yucky for you food

Here is why I believe the challenge is a success for me.

• I am recording my purchases again with a lot of detail.  I am questioning every purchase that I make. I'm asking myself if my purchase fits in with my priorities. Is my spending in alignment with my goals and values.

I see what they are trying to do and I have no idea how it would be fair. Here is a picture of my freezer because I've been buying in bulk:

It looks like I'm not spending very much money. I've spent $133 so far this month for my family of 4. I make bulk purchases at Sam's Club, Azure Standard, a local rancher for a side of beef and a local butcher shop for a 1/2 pig. 

My grocery budget happens to be $400 for my family of 4, but I don't spend $100 maximum a week. Here's my budget break down:

• $100 for bulk meat purchases
• $50 Sam's Club
• $50 Azure Standard
• $45 weekly (carry over any amount that I don't use)

Again, I'm glad I participated, but it doesn't look like I'll win the challenge. This month I will continue to record everything in detail so I know where my money is going. Maybe I did win after all?