goodlife said:
I budget $120 a week for a family of 5. That does not include $12 a week for milk (which we buy from a local farmer and thus the discount) or major meat (we buy this from a relative in bulk about once a year but soon will be raising our own, Lord-willing). That amount also includes diapers for 2 children which is quite a lot. I buy very few snacks--usually just ice cream, no prepared foods and I make all our own bread. I buy off-brands and try to can/freeze a lot. I've recently started something new--shopping only once a month except for things like bananas/lettuce or other produce that you can't store. I'm hoping that will eliminate more of the impulse buying if I'm at the store only 1 time a month as opposed to 4 times! Anyone else do this?
I food shop once or twice a month usually.
I will go and fill up a few carts with all the dry foods, canned goods, meat etc.
Walmart is right next door to the grocery store so I will go over there for anything else I might need that is cheaper there, batteries, toiletries, papergoods etc.
Then I will try to hit the farmer's markets for my weekly produce.
The only other times I have to go to the market in between my shopping trips is if we need deli meat/cheese for school lunches.
But since I have to go by that store in my daily life anyway its no big deal.
I just make sure I go in and buy only what I need.
Its too easy to start picking up other stuff on your way to the deli counter and back to the registers.
I never take the kids with me anymore either, not unless I need a strong teenage boy to help transport the load.
Can someone please tell me who the genius was that decided to start selling toys in the supermarket?!
Mom can I buy this 24 pack of crayons for $10.00 or this $15.00 playdough?
Geez, and that folks is another reason I do not take my children to the supermarket with me.