How Often Do You Do Grocery Shopping?

luvkadcl · 01-29-2010, 03:48 AM

I find that I am going out several times a week to the grocery store. I know this can't be the best thing to do $$ wise. Besides the fact that shopping with 5 children is not always fun

How often do you do groceries? Can you do it all at one store. I end up going to 2 different stores and then one of the Club stores.

Cindy

cpht · 01-29-2010, 08:02 AM

Oh Boy! Now you're talking about my other hobby!

I usually make my lists, and go to several stores in one day once a week to get the best possible deals.

Has anyone ever told you how to shop for free or almost free, by combining coupons with the sales? It's the best way to REALLY stretch your dollars. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention the savings site that I heard about this craft forum from or not. I know a lot of people on this site were referred to this one from there. Can we share that site here to those who may not of heard about it?

brwnngj · 01-29-2010, 08:18 AM

Never, but that is only because my husband does it. See if I went grocery shopping we would have problems because we would spend way way too much money. He goes gets what he needs and leaves. I go browse around find the stuff I want and it costs at least a $100 more than when he goes by himself. Financially speaking it makes total sense to send him alone.

**gma2rjc** · 01-29-2010, 08:56 AM

My husband does about 70% of the grocery shopping. He likes to shop. I don't. He stops on his way home from work.

When I'm in coupon mode, I do most of the shopping. I love coupon shopping.

Barb

mamakaty · 01-29-2010, 09:42 AM

I'm usually at the grocery store at least a couple times each week. I try to keep the house stocked on staples, and then buy items like milk, bread, meat as we need it. We are awful about not following a meal plan that's more than a few days out, so I don't usually plan for a whole week, definitely not a whole month. I know that it was is reccommended, but I've tried, and it just doesn't work for us. I usually do the "big" shop on the weekend when I can either go by myself or with just one kiddo. And then there is a grocery store just down the street from my son's taekwondo place, so I'll run in there while he's at his lesson if we need to pick up something else (he goes three times a week). Did any of that make sense?

I usually do my shopping at only one local chain. We don't have that many options for grocery shopping around here. No one doubles or triples coupons, no great super-saver sales, etc. We do have a Sam's Club, but on many things I haven't found their prices to be worth it. Plus it always gives me a headache to shop there! I do try to combine coupons with sales when I can, but there are certain members of my family that are quite particular about brands...

Angela · 01-29-2010, 10:05 AM

I try my best to go once a week. Sometimes I'll run out of milk or want to make a certain dinner and find I am missing an ingredient so I'll go again.

I mostly go to one store because it has the best prices over all. It isn't worth my time to go to several different stores, too much fuel is used too.
Having said that, there are a couple items that I buy at specific stores because my usual one does not carry them. I go to those once every couple months, when I am already near them and I stock up.

My usual grocery store has a bulk store beside it (literally, and inside the same mall so I don't even have to step outside!) I buy my bulk items in there every few weeks as well.

I absolutely hate sending Hubby because he doesn't compare prices and he doesn't get store brands. He also tends to be impulsive. I'll ask him to get milk and he'll come home with milk, ice cream, chips.... you get the idea.

mamakaty · 01-29-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela

I mostly go to one store because it has the best prices over all. It isn't worth my time to go to several different stores, too much fuel is used too.
Having said that, there are a couple items that I buy at specific stores because my usual one does not carry them. I go to those once every couple months, when I am already near them and I stock up.

What you said! That's what I was thinking, but just didn't get it out, lol. Esp with my toddler and a preggo belly, I don't have the time or energy to drive all over town just to save a few cents when you add in gas and such.

We don't have all the stores that I hear people talk about how wonderful they are, like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, etc. However, the local chain is really good compared to our other choices and I would much prefer to support them whenever possible.

This summer I plan on supporting a local farmer's market that I found last year for as much fresh produce as I can. I discovered it toward the end of the season and wish I'd found it earlier.

luvkadcl · 01-29-2010, 03:42 PM

That really would make more sense huh? This way too if the hubby spends too much there is no one but him to blame. I may start that! Thanks!
Cindy

[QI hUOTE=brwnngj;11973]Never, but that is only because my husband does it. See if I went grocery shopping we would have problems because we would spend way way too much money. He goes gets what he needs and leaves. I go browse around find the stuff I want and it costs at least a $100 more than when he goes by himself. Financially speaking it makes total sense to send him alone.[/QUOTE]

luvkadcl · 01-29-2010, 03:54 PM

I end up at three stores because there are certain items that are big savings at each store. I can get rice milk much cheaper at Trader Joes than Whole Foods. But we love the refried beans taste and cheaper price at Whole Foods. WF also has a great bulk section. BJ's has an amazing whole grain flour in a 10 lb that is so much cheaper than either store. They also have a huge can of crushed tomatoes that tastes great for less than $3. I use it in so much. I get important items from each store. They are all on the same highway and less than 10 from each other. I start at Whole Foods which is 10 min from me. But it still is a pain, especially with the children. Each asking for something that isn't on my list. Getting bored so they start acting silly. Needing to go to the bathroom at different times...you know how it is. I would really love to be able to shop once a month by myself. Then once a week get fruits and vegetables. I don't know if I have the space for it all or the money to put out at one time a month, but it would really help my sanity

Cindy

QUOTE=Angela;12001]I try my best to go once a week. Sometimes I'll run out of milk or want to make a certain dinner and find I am missing an ingredient so I'll go again.

I mostly go to one store because it has the best prices over all. It isn't worth my time to go to several different stores, too much fuel is used too.
Having said that, there are a couple items that I buy at specific stores because my usual one does not carry them. I go to those once every couple months, when I am already near them and I stock up.

My usual grocery store has a bulk store beside it (literally, and inside the same mall so I don't even have to step outside!) I buy my bulk items in there every few weeks as well.

I absolutely hate sending Hubby because he doesn't compare prices and he doesn't get store brands. He also tends to be impulsive. I'll ask him to get milk and he'll come home with milk, ice cream, chips.... you get the idea.[/QUOTE]

luvkadcl · 01-29-2010, 04:01 PM

I found a really great farmers market too towards the end of the season. Early Aug but we still were able to get a ton of fruits and vegetables. There were huge baskets of peaches that were riper than most may have wanted for so cheap. Perfect for us. We sat outside are car eating them with dripping faces. It was such a fun time. I was able to make peach muffins and peach cake too. We eat them so fast that even the very ripe isn't wasted. This year I would like to buy enough so that I can last the winter with it. Can and freeze what I can for lunches and dinner and snacks. I wish we had a yard big enough to have a big garden of our own. Someday...

This summer I plan on supporting a local farmer's market that I found last year for as much fresh produce as I can. I discovered it toward the end of the season and wish I'd found it earlier.[/QUOTE]