When our kids were younger we used to do the grocery shopping every two weeks. In between we may have had to pick up milk or some fresh veges, but we did ~ 98% of the shopping every two weeks.
When my husband’s job became more flexible, we thought we would shop, “as needed”. This was my husband’s plan, he felt we were wasting a lot of food when we shopped every two weeks, which we were. If we weren’t very careful with meal planning and storage, sometimes perishable items would spoil. We agreed to try it for a few months.
The up side to shopping, “as needed”, we always had fresh fruits and vegetables, so we weren’t wasting. The downside, we actually ended up spending more money and we were at the supermarket so often, it was starting to feel like a second home.
Lately we’ve been grocery shopping every week and we frequent a local Farmer’s Market every Saturday{in season}. I think this is my favourite and it’s a good compromise between the other two, what I would call “extremes”. We still have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables with minimal wastage and I don’t feel like I need my own bedroom at the supermarket!
How often do you shop for groceries?
What do you like or dislike about your shopping routine?
Do you have any grocery shopping tips to share?
{Actually, I have one. I was looking throught the big tubs of spinach on Saturday and a nice lady told me, if you put a piece of paper towel in the bottom of the container , the contents will stay fresh a couple days beyond it’s “best buy” date. This would work with bagged or tubs of lettuces as well.}
Google+
Monica Parlee
Great tip!!!
Thanks Shannon :)
We shop as needed and it’s true, we spend more and waste more than we should. We’ve decided to actually do a menu plan and then identify those items we can purchase ahead of time and those we need to get on the day of (like fresh bread or fruit). I think it’s going to take organization and commitment to make it work. Also – we’re thinking of buying a freezer so we can stock up on good frozen food deals.
Pamela, menu plans are an amazing idea. I’ve often thought of drawing some up but never seem to make the time to actually sit down and do it.
We have a freezer, it’s an old chest style…if you’re buying new take my advice and buy an upright! You won’t find yourself hanging upside down in the freezer trying to figure out what’s on the bottom!
I wish I had more time to shop as needed to get everything fresh every day. I dread taking my girls shopping during the week after work – they’ve spent the day away from me and it’s not exactly Mommy/kids time if I’m too preoccupied with selecting groceries. They’ll help for a bit but get bored (aka into trouble). So the weekend it is and I try to go every 2 weeks and pick up a few things in between (fresh fruit/veggies)…one day I hope it’s a lot easier! :)
Nancy, I remember those days well and I certainly understand what you’re saying. I cannot count the number of times I had to say no to Count Chocula, Fruit Loops and cookies and still vividly recall the ensuing arguments :)
Let me assure you, it does get better! Now, if I decide I want to, I can stroll leisurely through the supermarkets…now if I could just get help with emptying the groceries from the trunk!!
Hubby and I do it together every Sunday and I usually enjoy it – all dependant on how co operative our son is being. I make a list from the flyers (whats on sale and what I have coupons for) and that decides the general menu for the week. Love to find a bargin. Like last week some clamshells of mixed greens were marked down 50% for quick sale and they had a detachable 75 cent coupon – cost only 75 cents per 8.25 oz container. I dont mind having to throw a bit out if neccessary at that price!
Lisa, I bought some of those too…marked down and with the coupon attached. I put some paper towels in to absorb any moisture and the lettuce still looks fresh and not slimy!
I also love using coupons and finding bargains…it’s such a thrill to see how much I’ve saved, it’s become a game {OK, a bit of an obsession…lol} with me to see how much I can cut from the bill!
We have always shopped for groceries on a weekly basis, but for the first number of years I was the “shopper” , then it was my hubby’s turn to do it when I was working and he was retired…. now that we both are off we go shopping together so there is not way we can argue about what was “forgotten”!!! Love the tip about lettuce. There is only one tip I can think of and that is…Don’t shop for groceries when you are hungry!!!. I always end up buying stuff I don’t need!!!!
a href=http://sugarspiceallthings-nice.blogspot.com/>Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
That is the best tip of all…shopping for groceries when you’re hungry can be very hard on the wallet!!
Go every week, often add coupons hunt.
Fan, I’m with you on the coupons…takes a bit of time to organize them but it can pay off in big savings!
We usually get larger items, like laundry detergent, bleach, dish soap, dishwasher detergent at the large stores like Costco, then refill smaller bottles when needed. But for edible food, we usually shop every couple of weeks.
BTW: I reuse the large laundry bottles and fill them with water for washing, and for fresh drinking water, in the large juice bottles, then put them away…just in case of a power outage.
I need to learn more about organizing coupons.
Kathy at Oak Lawn Images
Great idea to buy large quantities for great price and refill smaller bottles as needed. We do that sometimes too. We have a ginormous bottle of dish soap {from Costco}which will probably still be using in 5 years!!
It’s great to stock up on the sale items from the big box stores. love your water storage tips for those unforeseen power outages. We’re also on a well and water is very important if you want to flush the toilet!