How I Grocery Shop & More

 

The main reason I’m able to successfully work within minimal and extreme budgets is because I am always thinking ahead.  Very little of what I buy is something I need right now.  I plan ahead and I shop ahead.

 

I meal plan a list of dinner entrees I want to eat based on food I already have in the house.  I prepare those meals with the idea that I will have leftovers.  Typically half of the meals I prepare end up in the freezer to be eaten a month or so down the road while the other half is eaten now.  Doing this not only saves me money on groceries, but it also saves on my electric bills by running the stove and oven far less, not to mention it saves me a lot of time as well.  Because there is always a prepared meal in my freezer at any given time all I have to do is heat it up in the microwave and I’m ready to eat which is perfect if I’m busy or just don’t feel like cooking that day.

 

Before I do any shopping of any kind I shop my shelves first pulling items I will need to prepare meals, do laundry, take a shower or clean my home.  My long term food storage (LTFS) is my in home grocery store.  I transfer items as I need them into my working pantry and then add whatever I’ve pulled from there to my running shopping list.

 

I keep a running list going at all times with the idea that I’ll be purchasing those items within the next two months.  That allows me to take advantage of sales cycles so I am able to acquire the items I want or need at the best possible price.  I very rarely purchase anything at the regular price.  If I am not able to get a sales price on something I will pick it up at the store I know has the best prices on those particular items or simply do without and transfer it to my next shopping list to wait again for a sale or better pricing.

 

Tracking my expenses helps me to know what prices are typically like for the items I buy.  I check the sales flyers every week to see if items on my shopping list have gone on sale.  I also participate in store rewards programs which give me access to better pricing, digital coupons to use for additional savings - cash back offers, discounts on fuel, manufacturer rebates, free products and promotional offers.  Pairing sales prices with digital coupons is something I commonly do to save the most amount of money.

 

I also track my usage, especially when it comes to my nonfood items such as toiletries, paper products and household supplies.  By writing the date on the bottom of the bottle or package whenever I open something I’m able to track how long it takes me to use it up.  This is great information for me to have so I know how much of anything I need to keep on hand as well as to project ahead for when I’ll need to purchase replacement items.  Knowing a large bottle of shampoo and conditioner will last me well over a year means I only need to stockpile one extra bottle of each on my shelf and because this is a slower moving item I also know I have a long time to find the best deal before I make that purchase.

 

When it comes to clothing and linens I also keep a running list of items I project will need to be added or replaced.  I make no claims to be a fashionista and I don’t really care for that kind of shopping to entertain myself so to me clothing is simply utilitarian.  I buy what I need to appropriately clothe myself for the activities I participate in.  One of my rules of thumb that I’ve followed for years is to buy one bra, three pair of socks, three pair of underwear, a good pair of pants and two tops each year.  I buy a pair of good quality shoes for daily use every six months.  Finding these items on sale, at outlet stores, clearance and/or with coupons or gift cards saves me a lot of money on clothing.

 

With linens, primarily sheets, towels, dish cloths, wash cloths, bath mats or rugs, etc, I buy the best quality I can afford at the best possible price.  These items last me a very long time because I literally will use them until they are completely worn out.  My last bedspread and pillow sham set was ten years old before I replaced it as was my set of Egyptian cotton bed sheets.  My current set of bath towels are nearing the twenty year mark and still going strong.  Because these are items I launder on a regular basis I do spend the money up front to get the best quality I can afford.

 

I am not brand loyal nor am I loyal to any one particular store.  I shop where the prices and quality are best for me.  I do find I like to get my linens from JC Penney, my bras and underwear from JC Penney or Dillards, shoes at DSW or Encore, pants and tops from Costco or JC Penney and sometimes Amazon.  With groceries and household items I go to several stores – Winco, Albertson’s, Fred Meyer, Costco and occasionally Wal-Mart and Target.  I seldom shop at outlet stores or thrift stores because their pricing is no longer what it used to be and I don’t find the value in it anymore.  I will also admit, I do prefer new items over used, in most cases.

 

I hope you find this information inspiring and helpful.  If you have any great tips for saving money or about your particular shopping habits please consider sharing them in the comments so we can all learn from each other.