As I gear up for what I’m looking to be a very strong Week 4 – aided by a TON of great suggestions and advice (thank you!) – it’s important to take a look at how the last couple weeks panned out.

First, let’s take a quick look at the most common suggestions and advice.

Most common suggestions / advice

1. Lentils
2. Dried beans – including making my own refried beans
3. In season produce
4. Multiple stores – try out Aldi, Super 88 Market, H Mart
5. Forget Organic – not worth the higher prices
6. Make your own bread
7. Kale
8. Spinach
9. Cabbage

Week 3: Whole Foods

365 (Whole Foods) – Long Grain Brown Rice – 5 lb. – $5.79

I’m pretty confident I can find brown rice for less than $1.15 per pound. Will be checking out the Super 88 Market in Allston this week.

Blueberries – 2lb. – $6.99

In-season – good. Delicious, oh so delicious. Probably could save 10 – 15% on the price though?

365 (Whole Foods) – Peanut Butter, Chunky – 40 ounce jar – $5.49

I love peanut butter. It’s addiction level. I found that this all-natural (peanuts, salt) peanut butter is not much different in price than Jif. So I’ll stick with something like this – though it may be an item I could save slightly on (10 – 15%).

Blueberries – 1 pint – $2.99

Don’t need to buy more blueberries obviously. Just had to have more, I guess!

Corn On The Cob – 5 ears – $0.40/each

I really don’t find myself eating the corn I buy. It is in season, but letting things go bad is a major enemy.

Cucumber – 2 – $0.99/each

Versatile – was able to use in things (rice and beans) as well as just with salt/olive oil. Will buy more – but will look to save a bit of money.

Russet Potatoes – 2.08lb. – $1.29/lb.

Delicious – also thinking about throwing some sweet potatoes in the mix as well. They are technically in-season though I have no idea with something as plentiful as potatoes whether it makes a huge difference. Either way, I’ll buy buying some more.

Bell & Evans Chicken Livers – 1 lb. – $3.49

Think I could do these for a lot cheaper (and still better than Tyson) – though I’ll be buying more.

365 (Whole Foods) – Whole Grain Bread – 1 loaf – $3.09

Will be looking to save a little bit of money on a loaf (somewhere in the 15 – 20% range).

Week 2: Wegman’s

Given that Wegman’s is actually rather far from my apartment, it looks like I will not be returning given the drop rate of the items:

Vermont Bread Co. Soft Whole Wheat Bread – 1 loaf – $3.49

On the expensive side – very good bread made in Vermont however. Will be trying to save a bit more on bread this upcoming week.

Wegman’s Butter – $1.99

Butter. I like it.

Wegman’s Organic Large Eggs – 1 dozen – $3.99

Will be dropping organic for the sake of organic this week. I have had a lot of comments that organic is a bunch of marketing BS. I haven’t seen anything definitive on it however, but if there’s not a huge difference I can save some money.

Wegman’s Garbanzo Beans – 2 cans – $0.69/each

Going to all dried beans. No more cans.

Wegman’s Organic Diced Tomatoes – 1 can – $1.39

No more cans.

Old El Paso Vegetarian Refried Beans – 2 cans – $1.49/each

Will be making my own refried beans! Probably of the pinto-based variety.

Jif Creamy Peanut Butter – 40oz. jar – $6.49

Technically cheaper than the Whole Foods all-natural stuff, but not by much.

Tyson Chicken Liver – 2 20oz. containers – $2.09/each

After watching Food, Inc. I cannot buy anything with a Tyson label on it.

Peppers, Mixed – 1.67 lb. – $3.99/lb.

Very expensive! One reader commented they could find peppers for $0.99/lb. Not worth the cost – though I do enjoy them!

White Onion – 1 at 1.17lb. – $1.99/lb.

I’ll buy an onion per week – but for cheaper than $1.99/lb.