Happy Thursday all. A nice cool and sunny morning here. Looks to be the hottest of the week later on today. That is OK - it sure beats snow!! LOL
I am curious about how many have changed their shopping strategies lately. I know there is inflation and many places practice price gouging, even though they won't admit it. Prices are up all around - so I am just curious what you all might be doing differently.
Even though there is only me, I still buy as if there were 2 - and add to the pantry and the freezer. I make meals pretty much the same size (things like chili, soup, etc.) and then freeze some future meals.
With me I follow the old adage "if it aint broke, don't fix it". This works for me.
WHAT works for you?
I like to keep lots of basics on hand. Rice, dried beans/lentils/peas, pasta of all types, potatoes, and then I add in whatever else I may want. I tend to go to the store to get their digital deal for fruit! That is usually the only fruit I get - unless I find some in the .99 bin.
Take advantage of digital coupons if you can - they can give you some good deals. As I always say, shop the clearance bins and manager markdowns when possible.
Freeze or can things you can't eat right now.
Dry goods - can get you by in some tough times. It is generally cheaper than fresh and can be stored for long periods of time.
Learn some very simple recipes - or do as I do. Just make it up as you go! That is kind of the story of my life.
Being just me, I can eat whatever I want for meal - it doesn't have to include meat or even be nutritious! But a basic grilled cheese or a peanut butter sandwich can provide nutrition, and they are filling.
I understand with others to feed, you may need to be more careful. You can still cut costs if you look and are willing to try new things.
Learn to make your own mixes for things - whether it be for cooking or for seasoning.
I don't buy junk food (hardly ever). I make my own drinks at home or have water. I just keep it simple, thus I haven't changed the way I shop much at all.
I am just curious if others have changed how they shop or how often.
How often might be my one change. I used to go weekly, whether I 'needed to' or not. Now I only go if there is something I really want to get or that I need. As far as need - I am usually stocked well enough to not run out.
Give us a shout out and tell how your shopping might have changed. I am sure sharing your methods and ideas will help someone else. We all need new ideas.
Have a lovely day and a fun weekend.
Take care.
I agree with you. I have a different shopping strategy and haven't changed it. I bulk buy meat, buy local eggs, buy on sale and stock up. We ratherly buy conveniance food except for the occasional frozen pizza and canned soup.
ReplyDeleteI have reduced the frequency and shop more in OH and not PA. Their milk, egg, and gas prices are lower. To be honest the nearest grocery is there.
I use flashfood more and less. More purchased at one timebut less times a week.
I am relying more and more on my non grocery habits. The bulk meat, farmers market, garden, and bartering produce for produce. I might start offering ground beef for produce.
Smart. It is nice you have options in different places, that isn't too far away.
DeleteI have never used flashfood yet. I know many who use it.
I like getting the best price - it might be bigger quantity, or clearance, whatever. Love my freezer and pantry.
That garden is a huge perk!
What is flashfood ?
DeleteFlashfood is something some of the larger stores are doing. I think you have to have the app - as stated I haven't done. A particular store will have drastically reduced items it advertises on the app - you can place an order and then go pick up. Usually prices are 50% or more reduced.
DeleteI haven't really changed my shopping habits. We buy meat, eggs and most produce locally. I typically have a garden and always grow most of my herbs. Summer produce is frozen or dehydrated for the winter. I am always stocked up on the basics like flour, sugar, rice, beans and pasta like you mentioned along with all of the typical health and beauty aides, cleaning supplies and pet items. I usually do check our Kroger add and digital coupons to see if anything I like to stock is at a good price and then I go and get that. Some things are more expensive and less quantity, but we don't eat any processed foods so I say we're still probably way below what a lot of people spend. I'll spend more on quality items to avoid doctor bills.
ReplyDeleteGood job. I love you have so many sources locally. Got to love the gardens.
DeleteYep, just keeping up with the basics - saves so much. You can add a little fruit, veg or meat to basics and have a great meal.
I go to the grocery *more often* then previously. I want more fresh food, and seem unable to coordinate when the milk goes "off" and when my lettuce gets used up with my preferred shop day. When I go, I spend a bit of time looking at what's B1G1 or special or sale. However I seldom make impulse purchases, I'm only looking at stuff I'd normally buy anyway.
ReplyDeleteMeat has fallen off my daily diet. Now it's only occasional. Cheese and eggs can take its place. I seldom buy any snack food as I have no willpower whatsoever against potato chips, chocolate, or white cheddar popcorn - that stuff is like crack to me. Even graham crackers are dangerous! I'll wake in the night yearning for it, though I am able to resist until morning. Pathetic, in a grownup. ;)
MaryB
I can understand that practice too. Impulse spends can eat up a budget.
DeleteI eat meat way less often too. Today cheese will take the place of meat in my meal.
I love snacks too - that is why I don't buy them often. I will eat them all in a day or 2!! I understand the no willpower!
We've been eating even more beans, lentils and soups as they are the backbone of saving money in the kitchen. I've shopping in my pantry even more now than before and not spending much at the grocery store this month, just essentials I need to have like cornmeal and olive oil. We always shop for the markdowns too as there is a lot of savings to be had there, like your 99 cent produce bags at Kroger.
ReplyDeleteReally smart and healthy. I have been using stuff I have - I mean that is why we bought it. I will replace - but need to use things we have. That is a big saver really.
DeleteLove those markdowns!
After going thru my pantry and freezer a couple of weeks ago, to organize and inventory, I've changed my shopping quite a bot. It used to be menu plan on Saturday or Sunday morning and prepare my grocery list from that. Now, I'm planning my meals more around what I have on hand, and shopping only for fresh produce and dairy, and for my "winter stock up" when I see a sale. When I'm next back home (farm country in Michigan), I'll grab some acorn and butternut squash and maybe a cooking pumpkin or two. They keep all winter in a wire basket in the garage. I get smaller sized ones, perfect for cooking for one, with leftovers for the next day's lunch.
ReplyDeleteAnother great plan. These are all good and everyone just needs to decide which one works for them.
DeleteI use what I have - and replace from time to time.
I like the idea of winter squash and pumpkin stock-up. They last for such a long time!
Using those leftovers - always a wonderful idea. Waste nothing.
I've really noticed a huge difference (not only price wise but volume too) between shopping for my son and I in the city, versus shopping for my daughter, grandson and I in our town. Part of it relates to my son being at work, and he tends not to eat breakfast nor take his lunch to work. As I result, during the week I'm only feeding him once a day (or twice if he has a small meal before bedtime). With my daughter and grandson, there are three meals a day for the three of us, plus snacks for him both at school or home (usually granola bars, cookies or sometimes ice cream or popsicles).
ReplyDeleteAdditionally prices in the small town are generally higher than the city prices. We do use my daughter's loyalty card to pick up items on sale at the Independent Grocer, and I diligently keep an eye on the flyers when we shop at that store as well as the local Co-op.
In the city, I can limit my shops to once every ten days (though I've been stocking up a bit so have shopped weekly - this week only one store and only sale items), however in town I'm definitely shopping more. I try to shop the first day of sales because the stores often run out of popular items - trucks generally come in once a week, and often have to pick up a few items that we run out of in between. I haven't quite got a handle on the pantry/freezer there as I do in the city. But before I left for the city, my daughter did an inventory of the freezer, while I reorganized the pantry. It should make it easier when I return.
Prices are coming down somewhat in most stores - I'm not sure exactly why, but I do know the larger grocery chains were called in Parliament to respond to questions for the rationale of the ever increasing prices. Plus there has been a lot of backlash against the largest grocery chain by many consumers. Whatever is creating the change, I'm happy for it.
Oh gosh yes, the number of people and location make a huge difference. With everything - location, location, location.
DeleteSmaller towns have less options - so yep, I am sure they cost more.
Gas is still up here, so transportation costs are huge - then many places have drastically increased their minimum wage - that affects cost too. So many variables.
I will take a decrease any time I can get it!
I sure don't envy you taking care of 2 households!
Thanks. I want people to share - yes, that is how we learn.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! My nephew and his wife are doing Keto as well. They both say they feel better.
Sodas are just crazy in price now days! A 12 pack costs more than a 24 pack used to cost on a nice sale. Nope - just got to stay away from it.
Nothing different here. Still eating down the pantry. Having leftover tinned lentil to get it gone. Bought bzck when I was sick. Just getting it eaten and still reducing the pantry. Getting it nice and low.
ReplyDeleteWell, don't go too low! You might be sorry if STUFF happens. I understand you may be doing that, wanting to move. You sure don't want to run out completely - things cost so much more now - and who knows how available things might be in the future. (don't forget 2020/21)!!!
DeleteWe no longer menu plan what sounds good, we menu plan on what is available in pantry and freezers along with what we are able to get on the markdown racks. Todays trip I was able to get 2 packs of chicken legs 12 in pack for 50% off making them a bit over 2.50 per 12 pack. So chicken it is! No one complains, as we all feel as long as you are fed it's all good.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy any chips or snacks because I don't like them. IF I want something I make some popcorn. I have never been a chip eater, too salty and greasy for me. I did notice the price of chips in the store this morning, 4.59 !!!! I can buy a 10# of potatoes for that much money.
I will be going back to baking bread now that the extreme heat is pretty much over, cheaper and better than in the store.
No sodas, if I buy them I will drink them and I will not pay those prices.
Thank you Cheryl for your blog.
JC
YES - another great tip. I think many of us used to plan things that were favorite - now what we have and sales. That is so smart.
DeleteThat was a great deal on the chicken.
I like chips - but dang, they are pricey. So I leave them at the store.
Homemade bread sounds yummy. It has been a long while.
Thank you for being here and always have a nice word to say!
I've changed from one large weekly shop with little top-ups to frequent small shops. We buy fewer things from habit and it also gives more opportunity to buy ingredients to stretch left overs into more meals. I am no good at meal planning too far ahead, but I do like to use up what we have.
ReplyDeleteI love all these ideas. I am not a good planner either for meals - I think about tomorrow, today! Yep, use those leftovers.
DeleteYou guys all have some great ideas.
I can't say that any of my shopping habits have changed. We shop locally andhave 3 on the farm farmers markets and orchards very close to home and buy any fresh produce and fruit that we don't grow in our small garden, as well as their beef, chicken and lamb in bulk when it's on sale. I freeze alot of our garden produce for winter. For our fresh produce I use Debbie Meyer Green Bags and boxes to extend their life which also extends the need to shop. Cookie
ReplyDeleteGosh, you are so lucky to have so many local outlets! That is just so cool.
DeleteI have never used those green bags - glad to know they work.
It is so nice to have options.
I haven't changed my shopping. For 26 years we've had a CSA share. It runs May to mid-November. It is more than 2 can eat. I blanch freeze anything left week to week. This year I didn't need to buy produce until late February other than some carrots because we missed them and the occasional salad stuffs. Those I buy at Costco as always for best price here. As well, organic chicken at Costco-it definitely went up these last 4 years but it's worth it to me to know we're not consuming hormones and antibiotics.
ReplyDeleteDigital coupons like you, Fred Meyer here but a Kroger member.
About 25% of what I buy I get at Winco. A local now NorthWest grocer that is employee owned. Love my Winco peeps!
Ground beef I buy direct from the rancher just 40 miles away and fresh Wild Alaskan Sockeye from a local family that fishes up there 4 months/year.
You've described many times stretching "meat" in meals. We do the same but dang, when we want a burger, we have a big burger with a pile o' cheese ;-)
I've got plenty of canned salsa, blackberry jam as well as enough ratatouille in the freezer to make it to 2025 harvest.
I count my Blessings every day that we don't have to WORRY about food on the table.
It truly is a blessing!
DeleteCSA's here are very far away for pick-up - I think that is so cool to do. I think it is neat you get so much.
I have heard good things about Winco - we don't have those here.
Yep, nothing like a big old burger - I do the same sometimes. You can't always be skimpy!!!!
I've been a frugal shopper for awhile. However, what I'm doing differently is reassessing portion sizes and cutting back on baking.
ReplyDeletePortion size is definitely one we can control. In reality we all eat too much, so cutting back some doesn't usually hurt. Baking - that is a good idea too.
DeleteSmart choices.
I like to think I'm a frugal shopper. The annual grocery expenditure hasn't changed very much over the past 5 years. It remains to be seen what 2024 brings. I have the growceries that gets processed in the fall. Most of the protein in the freezer is purchased on sale except for the chickens from a local producer at $2/lb. I'm eating more vegetarian than I used to. I eat what's in season.
ReplyDeleteSeasonal eating is so smart.
DeleteI am glad to hear many haven't had to change much in their shopping adventures.
I envy those with nice local sources.
Good going.
We shop at Aldi, Kroger and Price Cutter. Once every 2 months I go to the $$ Tree. I look at Kroger's $.99 fruit/vegetable area, the reduced bakery area and we have a reduced section where they sell prepared foods which I buy if they're 50% off, only because I can't stand long enough to cook a complete meal. I did buy bottom round roasts @ $3.99/#, 3.00 0ff the regular price. I buy most things on sale except lettuce. They call me Loss Leader Lucy ! I have shopped this way forever and my husband uses coupons and sales whenever he can. When we were younger, we did it to save for a house, college for the kids etc. Now we do it because we just can't stand to pay more for anything that we have to. Cindy/WV P.S. I've learned so much from Cheryl and her girls on this blog !!!
ReplyDeleteWell, Loss Leader Lucy - sounds like you and your hubby are both doing it right!!! Love that name!
DeleteI wish we had the different options on stores that many of you have. Here it is Aldi, WM and Kroger basically (in my area). There are more expensive places like Fresh Thyme, but don't go there much anymore. They were super cheap when they opened - then they changes.
I think it is great that you have saved over the years and that your shopping has helped.
Thank you!
I’m late to the conversation again….
ReplyDeleteMy shopping is pretty similar to everyone else, the loss leaders, reduced items, quick sales, and I’m not brand loyal in the least. I will pay a higher price at stores that are owned by local people but that’s my personal choice, and I do get a lot of produce from local people who I know, or roadside stalls. That’s easy to do in my country town.
Once a month or so, we will drive 90 mins to the nearest city and go to the big chain stores, but once again only buying specials or items I can’t get at home.
Also important, is that I have trained my kids and partner to always be on the lookout for “ good stuff at a good price”
For example my eldest daughter came home from interstate during the week and bought four melons on the backseat of her car with her because they were a good deal at a roadside stall ( and she doesn’t even like melon)Two were eaten and two were blended and frozen for smoothies during winter.
Prices have increased ridiculously in the last few years, and so the frugal skills that everyone can learn here are a great resource.
Thanks Cheryl, you are FAB!! Louise
I love you gals that live more rural have options you can enjoy. That is important not being close to big stores.
DeleteThat is pretty cool of your daughter. I love that everyone is always on the 'lookout'. That really helps not just you - but the entire family.
I love that everyone shared their ideas here - so many things we can all learn.
Thank you!
I have been all the things you have taught me Cheryl. The freezer and pantry are full, I will be watching the sales as we go into fall to restock canned pie fillings, chicken and beef broth, canned milks, chocolate chips, nuts etc. I have quite a few cans of soups from the last big sale.
ReplyDeleteMeat is always bought on loss leaders, large amount to be broken down and freeze. This week it will be a restock for chuck roasts, I cut it into small roasts and stew meat.
I got breakfast sausage rolls for 2.50lb. This was Jimmy Dean brand. Enough to get me through winter. Of course, some of that will be made into sausage balls that i can just cook a few at a time.
I do need to restock bacon on the next good sale.
It is so nice to know I can go into the kitchen and be able to pull out ingredients for anything my heart desires.
Your last sentence says it all to me. It sure helps during those times we don't want to go out or can't. Our own little grocery with options to make yummy things.
DeleteFall is a great time to get those baking goods, and anything that is used during holiday baking.
Good price on sausage. SO many ways to use it.
We always have to be on the lookout for those deals. Sometimes we just get lucky, as they aren't always advertised.
I love this little place has helped some people!
We've definitely decided this week that shopping will now be on a strictly as needed basis. I used to do the shopping weekly. We are challenging ourselves to use more of what we have already. I will still have to purchase a few items a week, but not big spending trip like we were doing.
ReplyDeleteIt just makes sense. We all need to use things we have so they don't get too old on us. Fill in with minor things. Bigger shops can be for replenishing our stock.
DeleteSmart move.
My answer is a mixed one. Yes, I have changed how I shop and what I buy and what I do in some ways. We are buying far fewer snack type foods and soda (a former must for my husband but he's decided to give them up this year which is fine with me). I had previously been buying a better quality of meat but now look hard for and buy more clearance pieces of meat. I had relaxed my vigilance with the budget once it was just the two of us home, but I've been working harder at sticking to a set budget and that budget is considerably lower. I also shop more often because weekly loss leader deals on things (like cheese at $3/pound today and milk last week for $1.29/half gallons) save us lots of money. I buy the limit for that week and freeze or store. And my husband never felt that food preservation was a necessary thing.
ReplyDeleteMore and more I'm taking items that might spoil and am preserving them in some manner. So those are my 'yes' things.
And NO...because I have always made a LOT of things from scratch at home and I continue to do so and to add to my list of homemade items. I have long been in favor of the Leftover Makeover where I make one meal and turn leftovers into something totally different. I don't know that my family has ever realized that they eat leftovers routinely because I'm quite good at this, lol.
It is a good thing that he decided to give up soda! It isn't good for any of us. I often buy cheaper meat and use the crockpot to cook it until tender.
DeleteI do like those deals for cheese and milk. sounds like you have a great plan that works for you. I love that there are so many ways to do the same thing. We each have a method that works for our family.
You go girl on the leftover makeovers. I love using things in a new way. Heck, they don't need to know!