We always used to grocery shop once a week but a couple years back we switched over to shopping every two weeks. We are a family with older children. It saves money and time! We always hit the wholesale club first and then the grocery store right after. Here are my tips!
🛒Shop with a list. Keep a running list of items as you run out. If you don't jot it down now, you won't remember it at the store. 🛒We grocery shop every two weeks. For two weeks of food, meal plan 10 dinners. You will have leftovers night. 🛒When meal planning, use the same ingredients throughout your meals. E.g., curried chick peas with rice, raita & salad for first meal; hummus with flatbread, tzatziki, grilled veggies & lettuce for second; chick pea salad with tomatoes, olives, feta & vinaigrette and grilled shrimp, for third. 🛒Your meal plan should be vague & flexible like "fish with rice & grilled veggies". 🛒Buy fruit/veggies with longer shelf lives like apples, cauliflower and squash. Use all your more perishable fruit like berries in the first week. 🛒Keep a supply of whole grains, dry beans, nuts & lentils in your pantry. These are great ingredients for easy meals.
🛒Buy in bulk at a wholesale club. If you run out of an ingredient (say mustard or vinegar), never buy just one. Always buy two or three. 🛒Create a pantry with some basic shelving to store bulk items. 🛒Freeze some of your food for grab & go meals. Beans & rice freezes well as do veggie burgers. 🛒If you make veggie burgers one night, never make just four. Make a big batch & freeze. It doesn't take much time to double or triple the recipe. 🛒Cook from scratch & limit purchases of pre-made/processed foods, they are expensive, both for wallet & health. 🛒Buy dry beans instead of canned, they are cheaper & taste better. Heaping 1/2c is equal to one 15 oz can. Just soak overnight in lightly salted water and simmer the next day til tender. 🛒Invest in good containers with a nice seal to store bulk items. 🛒Think outside the box. As you move toward Day 14 & the cupboards get a little bare, you might do a breakfast for dinner omelet night with leftover veggies, cheese & toast. Or you might use some canned tomatoes to make shakshuka with eggs. 🛒We are pesco-vegetarian. We only eat seafood once a week. While quitting meat isn't for everyone it does save lots of money. Try meatless a couple nights a week.
🛒There is something very satisfying about eating your cupboards down, and then stocking them back up twice a month!
I hope this helps. Would love to see your tips too.
February 06, 2021 at 07:44PM
