The Secrets to Once a Month Grocery Shopping
By vdeneen | Leave A Comment
By vdeneen | Leave A Comment
If you have never tried once a month grocery shopping, February is the perfect month to start! With just 28 days, if you are already accustomed to shopping every other week, once a month shopping for this month will not feel like much of a stretch. Here are some tips to get started:
- Leave the Kids at Home — Do not attempt to schlep the kids to the grocery store for a once a month trip. Ask a trusted neighbor, or hire a babysitter for a few hours, if needed. You will save enough money to make it worthwhile to hire a babysitter.
- Plan Your Menu — Match sale ads and coupons to plan your monthly menu around those items.
- Go Shopping with a List — Only buy items on your list. If you pick up any items that are not on the list, place them in the front basket of your cart. Before you check out, review the items in the basket, choose one, and put the other items back on the shelf.
- Buy Meat in Bulk — Many grocery stores feature “loss leaders” and you may be able to purchase meat in bulk at deeply discounted prices. Set aside 1 week’s worth and freeze the rest in family-meal-sized portions.
- Stock the Pantry — Keep a well-stocked pantry with budget-friendly foods purchased at the lowest possible price. Some examples are rice, potatoes, beans, and canned tuna.
- Stock the Freezer — You may find it cheaper to purchase fresh produce (in season) and freeze it yourself. Keeping meat in the freezer will ensure it will stay good for the entire month.
- Use Fresh Produce in the Order it Will Perish First — Some fruits and vegetables stay fresher longer than others. Try to use up bananas, grapes, cucumbers, and strawberries during the first week or two. Apples, oranges, carrots, potatoes, onions, and even eggs can generally last one month if stored properly.
- What About Milk? — Milk is the only exception where I ask my husband to pick some up at the store about half way through the month. However, it may be worth purchasing a few gallons of organic ultra-pasteurized milk since this will last a full month.
FILED UNDER: Money
ABOUT vdeneen
{read more}
Comments
Loading ...
© 2012 Blissful Media Group LLC All Rights Reserved.
Can’t you freeze milk? That might be an option.
Good tips! My cousin just started a website for once a month cooking as well, if you’re interested in that route. It is onceamonthmom.com.
I would love to do once a month grocery shopping but I find as the mother of four boys, as soon as I walk in the door with bags of food they are sniffing out the choice bits like a pack of hungry raptors. No hiding place is safe. My best bet is to buy food that requires some assembly. Anything in a fruit shape. Has no hope of making it past day 3.
My husband and I do this, too. Well, a lot of times, it ends up being twice a month– but no more than that. It’s very efficient. I enjoyed the post; good tips.
I have shopped once a month for several years now – since my second child was born. I, too have my husband pick up milk or get it myself when we are out for something else. We live 15 miles from the nearest grocery store – so even buying it at the convenience store works out to about the same price once you factor in the gas of going back to town.
Enjoyed reading your tips!