Grocery shopping 101

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Country Families : One Thread

This lesson is for those people who in the previous posts about groceries are obevously making some mistakes; 1. Make and take a list, stick to it.2. NEVER go shopping when your hungry. 3. As you enter the store notice that you are being "herded" usually to the right towards the produce, where the grocer has his hightest mark up. Do canalopes appear on your list? How about pompagranites? If neither, grab your onions and potatos, and exit there. 4. As your scooting around putting only the things on the list in your cart notice that the items at eye level are higher priced, compared to the things higher up or below knee level, streach yourself and your dollar at the same time. 5. Do not buy prepared foods, you are paying for labor not food value. I limit myself to things that are under $2.00 per pound (12.5 cents per ounce)with only a couple exceptions. 6. There is no reason to go through the snack food aisle, or the soft drink aisle unless they are on your list, same for the frozen pizzas, frozen prepared microwaveable; avoid the impulse purchase areas. 7. Store brands are usually cheaper than major advertising brands. 8. Leave the kids elsewhere when you shop, they will "guilt trip" you into whats currantly advertised on Saturday mornings. 9. Shop during the middle of the week if you can, its calmer, you make better decisions. 10. At the meat counter, the $2.00 per pound rule needs to be held tightly, learn to maranaide, tenderize, or use a pressure cooker for the less tender cuts. If you need a 3 pound roast get the $5.65 one not the $6.25 one, the people you are feeding will not know the differance. Get the whole chicken, not the labor enhansed pieces; if your kids are old enough to help in the kitchen, teach them to cook, this is also known quality time. A 12 year old can cut up a chicken, learn how to fry, bake, or broil, and do dishes afterwards. 11. clip and use every coupon you can find, see if the store has a double coupon day. 12. Use the store discount card if you have no problem with helping them gather shopping pattern information. 13. Do not lock yourself into a pattern, try a new product, try a new store, shop individual stores for individual items if you have time 14. Make your goal returning home with a bit more money each week. 15. Buy in bulk when avilable. 16 And as a last note, if you can time your shopping to be late in the day when the store is going to be closed the next day there will be excelent markdowns in the meat counter.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 15, 2001

Answers

I agree with almost everything you said, except the list part. I never write a list. The reason is I never get to the point I have to have anything. I might keep in mind a few items I am on the look-out for. But generally I only buy what is on sale and super cheap. I don't pass up any carts with clearance merchandise either. I like to look at all of the aisle, because sometimes I get some new ideas of how to cook various items. These stores spend a lot of money to develop products, so I figure I can get some ideas. Now this requires extreme discipline and some people can't do it. But shopping without a list has never been a problem for me. I have found many bargains by looking around the store for odds and ends. This keeps our diet from becoming too mundane, and I actually enjoy looking through the store.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), October 15, 2001.

I always use a shopping list but I also allow myself to purchase any "lost leaders" I might find that weren't on my list. I only use coupons if it's for something I was going to buy anyway (my store doesn't double coupons). I also keep a price book of commonly bought items so I know when prices are good.

I have personal "rules" such as not paying more than 25 cents for a roll of toilet paper, 50 cents for a roll of paper towels, never more than $1/per pound for hamburger or $1/bottle of shampoo. I also don't have (much) "brand loyality". To me, most store brands are as good as national brands (although I do like a soft toilet paper and DH prefers Skippy peanut butter). I don't buy pre-packaged mixes or frozen dinners. About the most expensive item I purchase is butter. Use to be I could buy butter on sale for .99/pound and would buy 30 pounds. This week, my store has it on SALE for $2.99!!!!!! I also only take $25 with me to the store unless I anticipate stocking up on a really good deal. I really like "beating the system".

As a homemaker who doesn't not work outside the house (for money), I figure not spending money is equal to saving money. That's my job.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@mediaone.net), October 16, 2001.


First of all thanks for posting such a well-thought out list Mitch. You seem to have a great deal of common sense in your answers and I am glad to see you posting. I've enjoyed your "bear country reports" on another board too! Mybe you could put some like it here.

Dianne, the price of butter is a little crazy. sometimes Aldi's has it for $1.69 a pound and that is when I stock up. The problem I have with such high dairy prices is that the dairy farmers I know are getting the same price for their milk that they got back in the early 80's. We all know that the cost of living has surely increased in that time, but they are still trying to eke out a living on the same low amount. But the prices in the store have at least doubled. I know I used to routinely buy milk for $.99 a gallon when I was first married and now it is rarely below $2. Wal-mart and K-mart locally have had it lately for $1.71 a gallon though. The farmer usually never benefits from the increased prices though.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), October 16, 2001.


I do most of the things Mitch does except stick to the list exclusivley, if there is a good buy in the clearance buggy (i get it) Our grocery doesn't mark the meats down till the a.m. and not real early either most like 8-9, this is where I get most of my meats if I'm in town anyway, even on sale some beef is over the $2.00 a lb limit for me, but if it ends up in the marked down bin, thats great, however sometimes a marked down T-bone steak is still more than $2.00 a lb, also I don't give over $1.00 a lb for any fresh produce. Yeah, what's going on with the butter just 2 weeks ago it was $2.39 a lb and now it's $3.00 something a lb.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), October 16, 2001.

Good list, Mitch. I personally beg to differ with the part about the children. I certainly do not take them with me every time I shop, but they do come with me a lot. I teach them to shop frugally, and help them when they are making their own purchases. They learn to estimate costs in their heads and shop for the best value. The smaller ones learn to sit still in the cart, keep their hands to themselves, and don't ask mom for anything. Going shopping with me is a special treat; if they don't behave, they stay home next time. All the children have learned that if they ask for something, I will say "no". They have learned to accept "no" for what it means without whining or making a big noisy fuss. If they really want the small box of $5.98 cereal they will have to buy it themselves. They usually decide they don't want it after all.

Also, I always look at the fresh fruit selection; usually there is something on sale that will make a good snack on the way home.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), October 16, 2001.



I have also almost always had children with me when I shop because i wouldn't leave them with a sitter, and my husband has almost always worked out town. They know that I will buy a few treats sometimes. They also know that if they ask for it, I probably won't buy it! A little bit of stubborness on my part! I have also made a game of having them guess what the total is on the order. They love to do this and even the cashier at the Aldi's store I shop at thinks this is fun. She will ask them what there guess is and wait to give me my total until all four have guessed. The one who guesses the closest gets the change! Just the coins, so it could vary from 1 cent to 99 cents, but it is fun to them!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), October 16, 2001.

I am doing something terribly wrong. Last trip to the store netted $304.00 + change. True, I threw in some scented candles for freshening up the house, and I also purchased some bathroom trash bags, zip loc bags, bath soap, Goo Gone (for removing those stubborn sticky labels), Tide and Bounce (dryer sheets) for the laundry. Other than those items, everything else was food items. I probably won't go back to the grocery (except for milk and bread) for two weeks, so considering that I guess for a family of 5 (4 living at home but eating with us frequently), it's not so bad is it? I'm SURE I could do better though if I just did some more research on inexpensive meals (like the other thread lists) and maybe change brands, try a new store etc. I don't know my prices either and I don't use a budget. I just put whatever I want or need in the shopping cart and DREAD the total! Sometimes I wonder if there is any hope for me.

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

Keep trying Greenthumbelina (wow, you need a shorter nickname!!!) I know you have it in your heart to change as I have read of your struggles in other posts. Maybe you spend so much because you have so much with you?? I cannot ever recall having access to $300 for a shopping trip. More like $50-75. Makes you think, when you know that is all you have. Also what really is a NEED? you need some sort of soap for the laundry, but maybe not Tide which tends to be more expensive. You don't NEED candles to freshen the house. I use a little cinnamon or allspice in a pan of water (50 cents for a big bottle) I'm sure you can see my reasoning, and I'm not saying any of this to make you feel bad, but to show you a different point of view. But I would say to stop carrying so much money!! Wish I had that problem, too much money! Advice given with only the best of intentions, keep us updated.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), October 16, 2001.

To the ladies that take their children with them, I wished you would move to my area and give me your shopping schedual. Where I am at there is a screaming mob of display dumping, aisle running, nagging, whineing, crying, uncivilized brats.

Greenthumbalena, how many carts does it take for $300.00 plus shopping trips? How much of the groceries are oven or microwave ready? Are those doing the eating helping with the paying? Also, I have found that chow's cheaper the farther you go away from the center of town.

As for the list and its use; my veterans pension averageing $21.00 per day could not even pay your grocery bill as I have seen here and in the earlier threads on the same subject

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 16, 2001.


Melissa, Thank you for your heartfelt response. The sad truth is I don't have access to alot of money. I guess I am just used to buying/spending like this because I have never had a budget and I have always shopped like this at the expense of other bills NOT getting paid or getting paid late. I'm not proud of this by any means, it's just that I was never taught so many different life's lessons and I am always trying to juggle our finances. My husband works construction so we never know what he's going to bring home from week to week. Some weeks it could be $2,000.00. Some weeks nothing. Hubby is undisciplined when it comes to money too and likes to have access (in his pocket) to it all the time. And you are right about me wanting to change. I am DESPERATE to change this cycle. It not only affects our grocery shopping but birthday/holiday spending etc. In fact, my husband and I were talking about this just this morning due to the fact that we just celebrated our daughter's 17th birthday last night and "went overboard" as always. We didn't have cash on hand until yesterday as my husband was waiting on a check from one of his jobs. When I purchased the gifts for our daughter, I "had" to put it on a credit card (or she wouldn't have had any gifts.) (I try not to touch our savings account which only has about $500.00 in it anyway.) So you see, this is my dilema. And with Christmas right around the corner,...... I dread the thought of it. I'm quite embarassed even admitting all this and I know most folks are probably saying, "Why doesn't she just QUIT spending money she doesn't have." I have asked myself this on many ocassions. I don't know if I'm afraid of how to make my kids understand that we just don't have it - after we have gotten everything for them all their lives or what. I know though that we have to change our way of spending b/c my husband and I are both 41 and we do not any means of surviving except by what we earn each week at our jobs. We have nothing saved for our future. We don't own a home. I just don't know which way to go to make this work. All I know it that I WANT to change it. Thanks for listening.

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8017@aol.com), October 16, 2001.


Mitch, (like that name - have a turtle named Mitch and i am very fond of him) LOL

It usually takes 2 shopping carts to get me through the store. I don't buy very many microwave/oven ready things, but I DO spend quite a bit on meats. When I looked at the first post, I couldn't believe the prices on some of the meats. $2.00 per pound maximum? That sure wouldn't get you an eye round roast or a rib eye steak. EVen the chicken I buy is frozen boneless breasts. Get about 6 to a pack for about $8.00. I always buy chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts) with the skin on when I plan to cook it in the rotisserie rather than the whole chicken. Why? Because it's already cut up? just have always done it that way. I'm beginning to think I have some disorder (other than stupidity and wastefulness), because I have such a hard time processing how to change. As far as who pays for the food, I would have to say Hubby mostly. I rarely have enough left in the checking account to cover it. In fact I've been known to write checks and hurry to get the money in the account before the check comes through. Shameful isn't it? All suggestions and criticism humbly accepted.

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), October 16, 2001.


Greenthumbelena; this does not sound like a disorder; it does sound like a need to organize, creat a budget, view life from anothers pair of shoes. I worked construction in my younger days and can guarrante there is an end to it; it appears you are seeing the tunnel at the end of the light, the good news is that you are doing something about it before times become hard. First, how much are monthly expenses? This is rent, groceries, insurance, medical, electricity, gasoline, the everyday things, the lifestyle maintance things. Add those up and then subtract from the average monthly income, what is left is then devided by 30 for days in the month; the results is the amount of money you can spend per day without getting to trouble, for now. If there is nothing leftover, you need to approach a consolidateing service, or change your lifestyle very quickly.

I went from having a 50 to 75 dollar per night bar tab with lots of friends to living in a barn alone eating deep fried refrigerated biscits because its all I had at the time in a period of about 30 days. A rude awaking to name it at its least. You must get control or make changes before the hammer does fall.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 16, 2001.


You know Mitch, you're the first person to simplify this for me in terms that make me believe that I can actually do this. I'm sure to some (maybe even MOST) folks this seems pretty obvious and elementary, but it's like learning anything else in life....swimming, riding a bike, multiplication tables etc. You have to start someplace. And sometimes you have to NEED to learn things before you actually take that first step.

I shudder to think what the "bottom line" will be when I total up our monthly expenses. I think the last time we tried to do this, our monthly expenses were well over $4,000.00. This didn't even include "unforseen" expenses such as car repairs, doctor bills, misc. items such as haircuts, prom dresses, class rings, school pictures, and the like. I think I will do some homework and delve into our expenses. Then once I have the information I need, I will request an emergency "family meeting". Thanks to all who have offered help and support. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Oh, and for the record, I'm attempting a fall garden to help out. Planted this past weekend and tonight when I came home from work and went out to water, I noticed the beets, broccoli, cantaloupe and pole beans have already started to sprout!! :o)

Blessings,

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), October 16, 2001.


Greenthumbilina, I am glad Mitch and Melissa have been able to help and encourage you. Please keep plugging away at this; we're all behind you! Go at the budgeting process; if you stick with it and are really strict with yourself, you'll never go back. And use the grocery sacks in the bathroom trashcans.

Mitch, sometimes in the store I feel as though I am always telling my children to be quiet, keep your hands to yourself, sit still (to the one in the cart), leave him/her alone, etc. Then we'll come across one little kid, scarcely above my knees, who is really throwing a big noisy fit. My children will stop and stare, first at the kid, then at its parents, and finally will look at me as if to say, why do they let him do that? Sometimes people tell me how well behaved my six are. This is a big encouragement to me, but at the same time, I feel sorry for all the little kids whose parents don't have the guts to actually make them behave.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), October 16, 2001.


Thanks Cathy. I guess it's time to blow the dust off the Larry Burkett Money Management/Budgeting books!! By the way, I have really enjoyed your posts and topics. :o)

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), October 16, 2001.


One more hint for you Green... try to not buy anything at the stores for a few weeks, you probably have enough around the house that you won't starve. You might not like it but you really do have something. Now use this money to get yourself ahead on savings or another bill. Wherever you feel it would do the most good. Now getting out of this cycle you are in is not going to be easy. But you are not going to be a victim of poor choices any longer! Start each day making one good choice and implement it each day. They say it only takes 21 days for something to become a habit! Only eat expensive steak when you have the cash to pay for it and everything else is paid for!

Gift-giving: You are giving gifts, that you are paying for with money you don't have, because you have always given gifts. Well you can change this. Try a gift exchange, home-made gifts or only give one gift per person. Tell everyone in advance that this is what you are doing! I know you can make these changes so I hope we can help you some. Please feel free to ask anything you want.

Mitch, what a great asset you are here! You are making a difference in more peoples lives than you can probably imagine!

-- Melissa (ME@HOME.NET), October 16, 2001.


Greenthumbelina~ I know exactly what you are saying. Up until about 3 months ago, when my husband took my checkbook away, I was just like you. I bought what ever I wanted at the grocery, never adding it up or paying attention to the price. Also, if my kids wanted something or everyone else was getting it, so did they. I felt that because my husband makes very good money, there was no reason for us not to live like this.

Well, he still makes good money, thank goodness, but I was just convicted of the Lord that I am a steward of all He gives, and I was doing a horrible job. Plus, I suddenly realized I was starting my children on some horrible habits, and since they are boys, I feel they should be the financial as well as spiritual leaders in their homes. SOoo, I gave it to the Lord. And my husband. He now gives me a set amount of money per week for groceries and miscellaneous expenses. I have a gas credit card for gas, that he pays off monthly. I am also trying to teach the boys that just because we are at Wal-Mart, we don't have to have a new toy, magazine, candy,etc. They have been very resentful at first to this, but now we go in understanding that we are ONLY getting what is on my list. Like Cathy, if they want something above and beyond, they must pay with their own money. How funny, they suddenly don't really need it as bad as they thought!!

Also, here's my take on taking kids with you shopping, etc. If you never take them out in public, how will they know how to behave. I am amazed at the number of my friends who pay a sitter so they can grocery shop!! That to me is a huge waste!

So Green, there is light at the end of the tunnel. This is not to say I did perfect my first week. I still have weeks that by day two I am dead broke, but that's okay, because I'm at least trying! And I feel the Lord will definitely bless this endeavor, much more than mindless spending. My goal is to get to the place that I can share with others without worrying about the cost financially.

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), October 16, 2001.


Dear Greenthumblina,

First of all, I don't think you have a disorder or that you're stupid. Frugility is a "learned" habit, just like most everything else. When you were a small child, you didn't know how to read, but you learned how and you can learn how to budget, organize, shop wisely, recycle, and just about anything else you want to learn. Also, admitting you have a problem is the first step to correcting it.

There is a wealth of information here from friends who care about you. I doubt if anyone would attempt to judge you or your lifestyle. If you want to learn, all you have to do is pay attention and ask. I can't think of anything that pleases me for than for someone to ask my opinion/help. You have put your concerns here on the forum. Now, your job is to listen, learn and put into practice some of the excellent suggestions available to you.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@mediaone.net), October 17, 2001.


Thanks again to everyone. I am very determined to start saving money in any way I can. And Melsiia, you are right about us having enough food in our house for me NOT to have to go to the store for quite sometime. My kids are spoiled and if their favorite snacks (usually pre-packeged) aren't in the pantry, according to them "we don't have any food in this house". On the flip side of that, when they see me baking something or dehytdrating fruits that are about to go bad (which I would normally just toss in the trash without a thought to it), they are begining to enjoy different things and even my son (who is 7) gets involved in the process from time to time. I think this is important as it teaches him to be less wasteful and also some kitchen skills. Sure wish I had started all this about 15 years ago so my girls could have benefited from it as well. Oldest one (who lives out on her own) won't even cook for herself. She works at a restaurant so she eats there most of the time and sometimes at our house. Anyway, I am implementing a "no waste" policy in our household - or as the case may be for starters: a "LESS waste" policy. Even put the recycling bin out today for pick up. What a great feeling! Now if I could just get the composting down and get something to grow in that garden of mine.........! Blessings,

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), October 17, 2001.

Congratulations, Greenthumbelina,

Got that recycling bin out. That's great progress. Keep up the good work and soon you'll notice other changes in your habits. We're all pulling for you.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@mediaone.net), October 17, 2001.


I spent awhile this evening reading this thread..here are some thoughts: The best Christmas I had when I was a child was when we had nothing at all. My mother and brother and I walked a long way to the corner downtown where a man had been selling Christmas trees all month. It was Christmas Eve about 9PM and he was packing it up. My mother begged the man for a tree. We couldn't believe it when he gave us one...I do not recall how big it was in reality (I was 8 years old), but i swear it was the biggest best tree ever. We all carried it home and made popcorn strings to decorate with and used tinfoil over cardboard to cut out ornaments. We had not a single gift from anyone that year, but it was wonderful nonetheless. Years and years later, I found myself with three children and exactly $37 in my pocket for Christmas. My oldest was 13, the others 11 and 5. I sat them down and explained to them that $37 was for food and there would be nothing that year for gifts. I suggested that we all take a piece of paper and list the wonderful things about each other that make us a family. We would wrap the papers up and they would become presents. A neighbor lady helped the little one with his so it could be a surprise. Christmas day, we all opened our "gifts" and knew how much we were a family..it was a great Christmas. My point here Greenthumballina and anyone else, is that when we as parents get so caught up into making certain our children have all the "right" things from the supermarket and all the "right" things for Christmas, we tend to overlook the essentials which make a family a family..love, caring, committment, forgiveness, etc. When you and your children make homemade pizzas instead of the expensive frozen ones, you are not only feeding them, you are giving them the gift of "family"....that is a gift which is free! So don't worry so much about your children lacking the brand name cereals at $5/box, or them waking up Christmas morning without the latest Playstation...they can choose their own "toys" when they are adults....use your wonderful imagination to give them "family" every day..it's better for your purse, but more importantly, it's better for your children. God bless.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), October 18, 2001.

Beautiful Leslie! You know that some of the best people I know were very poor as children. Almost seems like a criteria for becoming a good person!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), October 18, 2001.

ALways be careful of the time of month you shop. Grocer's pick different weeks of the month to hike up prices. Especially around holiday's they seem to lower the holiday food and raise up everything else. Also, they work around those who get food stamps. If most people get there stamps the first week they raise them then, or the same for the second week of the month. and so on. If something is on sale this week it will probably be hiked higher than normal the next week.

-- Mindy (speciallady@countrylife.net), October 18, 2001.

Something we've found very helpful is to create a grocery list on the computer. Put everything you would normally use in your kitchen / bathroom / laundry room on it. Print it out, then the day before each shopping trip, use a highlighter to highlight only the items you need. Only buy something not highlighted if it's a major bargain, AND is on your list. If you create the list with items grouped into the store's sections (ie. produce, canned goods, baking), it also helps you speed through the store. Especially helpful if little ones are with you.

-- Rheba (rhebabeall@hotmail.com), October 19, 2001.

A good post from the past! Enjoy and add to it if you like.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 08, 2002.

I have really enjoyed this post. I can always use new ideas to save money on groceries.

While reading the discussions on whether or not to take children along while shopping I remembered what I used to do with my daughter (now 26 and an excellent shopper( when she was a child.

I bought her her own little plastic shopping cart when she was about 5 and we'd take it with us to shop. I'd push my cart and she's push hers. I'd give her some coupons as well. When she would ask for something not on my list ( like presweetened cereals or chocolate milk mix), I'd ask her if she had a coupon. If she did, we'd (sometimes) buy the product, but if she didn't, of course we wouldn't buy it. She always accepted that procedure with (5 year old) understanding. In fact, she was practically grown before she realized you COULD purchase something without a coupon!

This was an excellent lesson for her as it helped with her reading, math, comprehension and shopping. Today, as a wife and mother, she is probably more frugal that I am!

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@mediaone.net), February 08, 2002.


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