The Lost Art of Grocery Shopping – Why don’t they teach this stuff in school? Shopping for groceries is a daunting task and very expensive.
Is there a strategy? A rule? An easier way?
Yes, there is! Start with menu plans and list making and then add on afterward.
1. MENU PLANNING
Jot down 7 breakfast ideas, 7 lunch ideas, and 7 dinner ideas. Here is a sample from my menu planning. The lunch section pertains to my school aged kids.
You don’t have to make each meal in order. There are no hard and fast rules here. Just plan and do what you can.
Great! Now that you have your meal plan you can start my making a list. I’m sure there are many, many different ways to do what comes next, but this is what I have found is easiest for me and the grocery stores I shop in. As you get used to this list writing technique you will tweak and customize it in your own style.
I divide each item I need into the category in which it is found in the grocery store. If you are just starting to do this and are unsure of the layout of the store you are shopping in try grouping your list into the food groups you learned in grade 2. I promise it totally works. (Dairy, Meat and Alternatives, Fruits and Veggies, Breads and Cereals, and then add the stuff that doesn’t fit in the groups Pantry, Non-Food, etc…)
Shopping List
You will save money by planning, and if you find you are enjoying the menu planning and list making then go ahead and add coupons, rebating, collecting points, etc… I price match with a flyer app on my phone. The stars on the list indicate where the price matching is.
Feeling inspired?
Don’t do it all at once.
Start with the menu planning and list this week, then get into price matching. It’s a lot to learn and figure out. Getting overwhelmed and giving up isn’t a good start. In time, you will come up with your own grocery protocol. You will be able to tweak the above list into categories that make sense to you. Always start with menu planning and an organized list and groceries won’t seem so daunting.
Happy Shopping!
P.S. Go get a PC points card. NOW. (Or a points card to your local grocery store.) Its silly not to. Its free groceries! I spent $0.00 on Christmas dinner last year.
Crazy, right?!
Jenny DiPietro is a homemaker, placenta encapsulation specialist, blogger, and most importantly, wife to Paul and mom of 4 fantastic kids. She has recently formatted a brand TV show entitled, “Let’s Talk, Mom”. Jenny is having fun hosting guests and leading discussions through topics such as, “Planning for Postpartum”, and “Breast Milk”. In her quiet moments she enjoys hiking with her kids and dog and watching Netflix.
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