I have talked before about doing my grocery shopping once a month. By doing so I am able to cut my grocery bill down by buying some items in bulk, shopping for specials at a variety of stores and using coupons.
This past Friday was "the" day.
I don't make a monthly meal plan because I never seem to follow through with it. Instead, I shop for bargains as well as stocking up on the basics.
By basics, I mean meats, eggs, flours, sugars, veggies & fruit, cereals, tea, butter, cheeses, etc. The basic ingredients that I can use to make many home-made meals and desserts.
This month, I allowed myself $500.00 to spend on groceries for our family of 5. In reality I spent $525.00 but it filled my shelves, freezers and pantry nicely.
(I know my shelves and freezer look messy but believe it or not I know exactly where everything is!)
I buy meat in large quantities and then I repackage them into dinner size portions and freeze. Then I plan my daily meals around what I have on hand.
For example this week I bought 2 whole boneless pork loins for a total of $25.00. When I got home I cut them up and repackaged them. I ended up with 4 pork roasts, 2 meals worth of boneless chops, boneless ribs and a package of thin sliced (quick fry) chops. Not bad when you figure that I now have 8 dinners planned for our family of 5 at a cost of just over $3.00 each night for the main course. All I have to do now is add the to-go-withs and maybe a dessert.
I did the same with ground beef. I bought 12 pounds and cooked and repackaged 6 lbs. of it so when I need something quick I can just grab a bag and make something easy & fast. The other 6 lbs. of beef I used to make meatballs, meatloaf & salisbury steak. Other meat staples included chicken, bacon, sausage and beef roasts.
My once-a-month shopping plan usually takes 2 full days. One to shop and one in the kitchen chopping veggies and repackaging meats but in the end it's always rewarding to see a fully stocked kitchen and some money still left in my wallet.
If you haven't tried to shop once a month I would highly recommend giving it a try. You will be amazed at the amount of money you can save by cutting out daily trips to the store.
I do still go to the store throughout the month for a few things like bread and milk but that is about it. We also eat out once or twice a month and that usually happens on my shopping days because I am too tired to cook by evening!
Have a great day!
13 comments:
That is a great, moneysaving system you have! I shop once a week, but I go to walmart, so some stuff I get isn't even "groceries", so I really have no clue what we spend on actual food, will have to figure it out sometime!
I really like your once-a-month plan. I hope your family knows they are lucky to have your good shopping skills and your excellent cooking skills working for them!
I do pretty much the same as you. I try to do one big trip a month and then fill in with milk, bread, and fruit. Your freezer looks awesome filled up!
Great post. It is surprising how much you save-and not just grocery money. Gas to go to the store, time, and incidentals (a pop, or picking up little odds and ends, or buying something because it's fast. And I agree, a stocked freezer and cupboard do a lot for our sense of security and satisfaction.
That is really a good system you have..I think I will try this and see if it works for me...thanks...and you freezer looks great all filled up...
I highly admire you! The system you have is one I would love to do better at. It's just my husband and me, so we don't need to have as much of a stockpile, but it would still be nice to only make one major trip per month! Thanks for the inspiration. :-)
Such a great ideal. We eat out once during the week and every day of the week end. I still spend to much at the grocery store. We need more control like you guys.
We shop every two weeks and we save some money. I love what you are doing!
I try to shop about once a week. Don't have much storage and find that veggies etal need replenishing.
I shop once a month and saves lots on my grocery shopping by using grocery coupon at : http://printable-coupons-cmc.blogspot.com/
You are organized! I do this more now that the pay ck only comes in once a month. That took some getting used to!
I live in the country so I usually, especially in the winter, stock up once a month. There is only two of us but it's more economical to buy in bulk. I have gotten the pork loins and we average 8 meals from one of them which is really great.
I enjoy reading your blog.
Sunny :)
Loved the post. I also do once a month shopping for our family of 5. The only thing I have to buy throughout the month is dairy and produce. I buy my bread at the discount bread store. When I go, I do have a monthly menu plan and use coupons as well as price matching. I shop at Walmart as they pricematch all the other ads. I get by for around $325. This covers 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners. We eat out once a week. I only menu plan for 5 dinner meals a week because I have leftover night once a week.
TFS!
Nancy
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