Yeah. It sounds like a tough climate. It's totally different in Southern California. This is actually the easy time of year for us to garden. We can grow food year round, but I opt out during the really hot weather. I spent $34.00 at the nursery today and got everything planted. I bought four kinds of lettuce, arugala, broccoli, cauliflower, Thumbelina carrots, sugar snap peas, basil, tarragon, and dill. I'll grow the herbs indoors on the kitchen windowsill. I think I've easily saved that much on groceries this month by buying what's on sale. I'll find out at the end of the month when I do my totals. Another thing that saves me money on groceries is to freeze things like chopped onion, celery, and peppers. I can throw them into a soup and they taste fine. I don't like to have my produce go bad, even though I compost it.
I like hearing what everyone spends on groceries. That used to be my weak area. I would splurge on treats at Trader Joe's when I was stressed from work. I remember buying all of my favorite summer fruits one year and spending $100. for one person!!! (That was a weekly shop.) It sure made a difference when I started adding up all that I spent. The cooking and baking from scratch saves a lot, too.