Grocery Shopping

Since I had some comments on how in the world I spend on average $100 (and now eating mostly organic) at the grocery per week I thought I would hit on that tonight! And I DO NOT use coupons! I don't have the patience or time to deal with coupons. If I only would commit to coupons I would probably even save a ton more! Oh well, one thing at a time here.

First thing is first...I simply make a list of my meals for the week. Now we do eat out usually twice per week so I don't buy anything for those two eat out days. So I buy five meals a week. As I write down a meal I write down all the ingredients that I will need for that meal. Once all of that is finished for the week my husband or I will go through the ingredients on the list and look in our cupboards and fridge to see what we may already have. If we have it it gets scratched off of the list. This process takes many a little time but it's well worth it. On that list I also add milk, fruit, and cereal for the week along with whatever else we happened to run out of.

Okay, now it's time to shop. I am going to give props out to Giant again because they have a little scanner that you take along with you and it keeps track of your spending (also saves time at check out). I stick to my list for the most part, depending on what my end total is looking like. I buy fruits that are on sale and in season. Once all the major items have been purchased I see what my total is. If it is looking good I go back and buy what we here at the house call our "treats!" Those treat items consists of ice cream, fruit snacks, granola bars, or cookies. Anything fun and yummy! We love our desert!

I do NOT buy any of those prepacked snacks. I buy the big bags of things, then package them up myself! The small prepackaged packets costs you more. I know it is much easier but if you are trying to save those will cost you! I do not venture off the list! I stick to the list and then once all that is done - then have fun...within your personal budget.


Happy Shopping