Fewer Trips To The Grocery Store – Frugal Challenge
I started a little “summer re-run” series for our daily posts and have gotten some very positive response. It seems not everyone has time to scroll around into the archives to find interesting challenges or topics.
Yes, there are several items from the archives that should be brought forward again so you busy folks can have a chance to take a look. Here is one that is a very simple idea that can save A LOT of money at the grocery store. I hope you’ll find today’s challenge timely and useful. Here it is:
photocredit: kozumel
Let me quickly explain the logic behind this week’s challenge. No matter how disciplined we are, each time we head to the store we are bound to buy some extra “stuff” that we don’t really need.
This week, we’re not going to let that happen. The challenge is to only shop once this week. (Or if you’re already doing this..go for 2 weeks or even the whole month). This will do two things.
1) It will force you to plan ahead for the week to make sure you have everything you need and enough food to make 7 breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
2) It will keep you from any extra purchases you may have made that 2nd and 3rd trip to the store.
Let’s talk about how to plan for this once a week shopping trip. I usually start by making a list of all the meals we will have that week. It’s called Menu Planning and once you get the hang of it, it won’t take you more than a few minutes and will make your life so much easier the rest of the week.
Make sure you include items that perish quickly (fresh produce, herbs etc.) early in your meal plan. When you get back from the store, put meat you will need during the first 2 days in the fridge and freeze everything else.
That’s about it… give it a try and enjoy all the extra time you’ll have by not having to go to the store every few days.
July 6th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I have done this for 3 months now. I make a 2 week menu, shop for that 2 weeks, plus my normal snacks and things, I even buy milk and freeze it! I have dropped my grocery bill from $750-800 per month down to $500-600 per month! A nice savings!
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I have tried to make a menu plan several times but it has not worked for me. I am a pantry person and just buy what needs to be replenished in my pantry. I also buy sales. I go to a local produce store with super low prices (mushrooms 2 lbs/$1.00, 3 lbs romaine lettuce $1.00, apples 3 lbs for $.50 etc.). I do go to the produce store 2 times a week to see what they have since the selection changes on a daily basis. I only do this when I am in the area which is about twice a week. My food bill is about $80/week for 4 people with lots of produce and such.