Remember back when you could shop a few different grocery stores across town to get the better deals at each? Well, my tip for today is….”watch out”…..if you are still stuck in that as a habit, it may not be as frugal as it used to be due to the rise in gas prices.
We won’t go through the math of figuring the gallons used to traverse multiple stores for savings, but I would like to give a few tips for shopping even if you stay at just one store.
Grocery Shopping Tip #1: SHOP AT HOME FIRST! Before you grab the keys, load up the kids and attempt a trip to the grocery for a frugal shopping trip, try shopping in the quiet privacy of your home first. No, I’m not saying shop online only (although some of that may be good) I am saying look at what you ALREADY HAVE and take stock in it. What about those baked beans that you bought a month ago when they were on sale? Can you use them now? Any left-overs to incorporate in the week’s menu or that need freezing for a quick to heat at work meal? After you’ve surveyed the refrigerator, garden and pantry, it’s time for tip #2…
Grocery Shopping Tip #2: MAKE A WEEKLY MENU! Okay, okay no moaning and groaning allowed. Really, it’s not as ridged as it sounds. Seven breakfasts don’t HAVE to be made and served in the exact order they are written, jump around and eat what you have time for and as the taste buds lead, but you will know what you have in the house for the week. Make a menu for ALL meals, ALL days, then you can mix them up and cross them off as you serve/enjoy them regardless of order. After all, you already know what you have currently at home before leaving for the grocery store….start with those items and build a menu from there, I’ll bet it will be a shorter and cheaper grocery trip because of the first step and now this one.
Grocery Shopping Tip #3: MAKE A LIST! This sounds simple but it really is the absolute best tool and tip for saving money. Throughout the week keep one running list so you (and others in the family) can jot down items you run out of AS IT RUNS OUT. Look up your favorite store’s sales flyer on line (or if you have one in tangible form at home, use it and list from sales) If your list also includes prices, it’s an even BETTER LIST that keeps you in a budget. If you have a list you are less likely to impulse buy. If you have a list you are less likely to have to take another trip to the store to pick up what you missed (saving gas now). If you have a list it means you have at least a loose PLAN…..(which really is tip #2)
Okay, I know, I know, tips 2 and 3 kind of bounce back and forth until you get a menu and a list that match up….and it’s not in a neat little ‘order’, but you’re smart, you get the idea.
To sum up the tips:
Use what you have on hand first…
Build a menu from your current pantry, freezer, fridge and sales flyers then…
Tweak items to be sure all items for this week’s menu are on the list.
One last tip…EAT A SNACK before you go shopping! If you are hungry, you are more likely to impulse buy.
Now…Happy Grocery Stretching Shopping and Happy Homesteading!!
