Once a month shopping - efficient or insane? - Page 2

cometgold · 12-31-2007, 03:14 PM

I did this, and it really saves money! The time consumer is making up a months worth of meals. I just did dinners and it worked like a charm! First, make up 30 meals for dinner with a meat, salad, potatoe, etc. Then on another paper, make the shopping list from this meal. Do this for all 31 dinners. Sometimes on your shopping list you will now have duplicate items, like hamburger for one dinner, and meatloaf for another. Find the duplicate items, then adjust your hamburger to 2 lbs for 2 meals, etc. Keep your shopping list on the back of your menu. I came up with over half the dinner ideas just writing down what we like to eat, then checked a basic cookbook for the others. I also put the recipe for something new right on the shopping list to keep it all together. Now transfer your dinner ideas to a calendar, and you are done! Take your grocery list to the store, buy what you need and you will see how much you save just doing dinners this way! We always have leftovers or sandwhiches for lunches, so I didn't worry about planning these. Look at your menu in the morning so you know what to take out of the freezer ahead of time, and if you don't like what you had down, just change it with another day...simple! Once you have a couple of these done, you can just alternate them. I made up 4 months of menue

s, and when I get to the 4th one, then I switch back to the first one. Never a meal duplicated! Just the first month or two takes time to write them out and get the shopping list, after that it is a breeze! And no more wondering what's for dinner, is it still frozen, or picking up something last minute that will cost you more $$!

rodaniel · 01-01-2008, 01:39 AM

Even beyond the difficulty of planning that many meals in advance (two weeks is sometimes a real stretch), the bigger challenge for us is the storage. We're pretty limited on cupboard and freezer space...

By the way, whoever it was that mentioned canned tuna - please splurge and try the Albacore tuna in the foil pouches. Granted, it's slightly more expensive, but the fresh flavor and texture of that tuna is light years beyond the mushy canned stuff!

Tuna in pouches still keep for many, many weeks in storage and may actually use less space in some situations than the cans. And, heck, you & your family are well worth this tiny "extravagance."

Also, I've found that those Mission Carb Balance high fiber tortilla wraps keep far, far longer than bread (how often is a loaf of bread still edible after about 7-8 days?) and are really convenient for a vast number of uses. And those wraps are considerably more nutritious than most breads, too. Tuna wraps are a mainstay for sack lunches for us!

Rob

Myscha Theriault · 01-02-2008, 11:57 AM

I found when I started that it was better for our household to do one extra large main shopping run once a month. Then fill in with minimal fresh ingredients (I'm OK with using frozen and canned and making precision purchases of fresher items). Although, I allow us the flexibility to check out the sale flyers for closer stores (although there aren't too many at our current location). To do this, I would always calve off a fair amount of the monthly budget to set aside for super duper chicken and meat sales, and other major deals too good to pass up.

But since the bulk of what we needed was purchased already, it was only a huge pain for that one time. The other times it was much less stressful.

Savio · 01-02-2008, 01:17 PM

This "Once a month" shopping Idea sounds great.

I gonna try it out this month. Thanks.

lucille · 01-02-2008, 01:31 PM

We tried the once a month shopping and cooking ahead thing and it just was not working out. Many of the items that were supposed to be freezer friendly just didn't taste as good reheated and my hubby hates leftovers. I felt it was too restrictive planning so far ahead. It left no room for having a whim of something sounding good for a change.

What we did find helps is to buy bulk and buy once a month for things that can be stored long term. Pork loin (freeze it), bulk shredded cheese (freeze it), anything shelf stable, household use items and things like soap and medications. We buy extras, buy large bulk sizes or otherwise stock up. It does save time and money in the long run so when you are out shopping the trip is shorter and smaller.

Having a well stocked freezer and pantry with components for making meals seems to work well. Then we just have to figure out what we want out of the things on hand or run to the store for one or two things to make the meal.

I also found that making menus for only a week out is easier to stick to than the big whole month menus.

rodaniel · 01-02-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucille

...making menus for only a week out is easier to stick to than the big whole month menus.

I'd definitely agree that a week at a time is easier - and maybe more flexible too. My biggest problem with freezing things is that I'm not especially good at gauging how much time to allot for thawing and I seem to often end up with half-frozen meat at the worst of possible times.

Rob

dejinge · 01-02-2008, 08:05 PM

While I, too prefer the flavor of albacore, I have read in many places that it contains more mercury than the (lesser-quality) chunk light variety.

As far as expense is concerned, it is really easy to save money when you actually eat a portion size that is healthy (unlike the huge amounts I can tend to gorge myself on).

jhanseth · 01-03-2008, 04:28 AM

I can't imagine going grocery shopping only once a month. Maybe for the bulk items, I guess, like toilet paper and laundry detergent.

Those of you who are once-a-month cookers: How do you get enough fresh produce? My CSA is in the off-season (thanks to the poster who mentioned CSAs -- I am a huge fan), and I still try to eat local, fresh produce several times a week, even if that means beets, carrots, and chard until they come out my ears. Wouldn't all of the fresh produce just spoil?

Tiffany · 01-03-2008, 05:31 AM

It might save money but I couldn't shop that way. Perhaps for items like TP or staples but regular food? No. I eat too much raw food (fruits and veggies) and not very much processed stuff to be able to buy in advance like that. But for non-perishables I buy in bulk once a month.

VaranusK · 01-06-2008, 02:10 AM

For me it does not work. I have managed to reduce it to 1 or 2 times per week because I need to buy perishable stuff that would not last one month at home. For example, fruits, veggies, yoghurt, ham... even if I could go for frozen, or long-last or dried versions, they are not only more expensive but doesn't taste the same. And fresh fruit is definitively better than any other option.

For the rest of the items, the problem is the lack of room at home. If, not, surely I would buy larger quantities of cans, rice, juices, etc.

12-31-2007, 03:14 PM	#11
cometgold Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Reputation: (10)	Once a month shopping made easy! I did this, and it really saves money! The time consumer is making up a months worth of meals. I just did dinners and it worked like a charm! First, make up 30 meals for dinner with a meat, salad, potatoe, etc. Then on another paper, make the shopping list from this meal. Do this for all 31 dinners. Sometimes on your shopping list you will now have duplicate items, like hamburger for one dinner, and meatloaf for another. Find the duplicate items, then adjust your hamburger to 2 lbs for 2 meals, etc. Keep your shopping list on the back of your menu. I came up with over half the dinner ideas just writing down what we like to eat, then checked a basic cookbook for the others. I also put the recipe for something new right on the shopping list to keep it all together. Now transfer your dinner ideas to a calendar, and you are done! Take your grocery list to the store, buy what you need and you will see how much you save just doing dinners this way! We always have leftovers or sandwhiches for lunches, so I didn't worry about planning these. Look at your menu in the morning so you know what to take out of the freezer ahead of time, and if you don't like what you had down, just change it with another day...simple! Once you have a couple of these done, you can just alternate them. I made up 4 months of menues, and when I get to the 4th one, then I switch back to the first one. Never a meal duplicated! Just the first month or two takes time to write them out and get the shopping list, after that it is a breeze! And no more wondering what's for dinner, is it still frozen, or picking up something last minute that will cost you more $$!

01-01-2008, 01:39 AM	#12
rodaniel Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Odessa, Texas Posts: 39 Reputation: (10)	Even beyond the difficulty of planning that many meals in advance (two weeks is sometimes a real stretch), the bigger challenge for us is the storage. We're pretty limited on cupboard and freezer space... By the way, whoever it was that mentioned canned tuna - please splurge and try the Albacore tuna in the foil pouches. Granted, it's slightly more expensive, but the fresh flavor and texture of that tuna is light years beyond the mushy canned stuff! Tuna in pouches still keep for many, many weeks in storage and may actually use less space in some situations than the cans. And, heck, you & your family are well worth this tiny "extravagance." Also, I've found that those Mission Carb Balance high fiber tortilla wraps keep far, far longer than bread (how often is a loaf of bread still edible after about 7-8 days?) and are really convenient for a vast number of uses. And those wraps are considerably more nutritious than most breads, too. Tuna wraps are a mainstay for sack lunches for us! Rob __________________ Life's a beach! \| http://www.2Dolphins.com/ Liam is finally home! \| Rob & Dede's Russian Adoption Journal Last edited by rodaniel : 01-01-2008 at 01:44 AM. Reason: Dang typos!

01-02-2008, 11:57 AM	#13
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 13 Reputation: (10)	once a month shopping I found when I started that it was better for our household to do one extra large main shopping run once a month. Then fill in with minimal fresh ingredients (I'm OK with using frozen and canned and making precision purchases of fresher items). Although, I allow us the flexibility to check out the sale flyers for closer stores (although there aren't too many at our current location). To do this, I would always calve off a fair amount of the monthly budget to set aside for super duper chicken and meat sales, and other major deals too good to pass up. But since the bulk of what we needed was purchased already, it was only a huge pain for that one time. The other times it was much less stressful.

01-02-2008, 01:17 PM	#14
Savio Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Reputation: (20)	This "Once a month" shopping Idea sounds great. I gonna try it out this month. Thanks. __________________ A man should control his life. Mine is controlling me. --Rudolph Valentino.

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01-02-2008, 01:31 PM	#15
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 365 Reputation: (19)	We tried the once a month shopping and cooking ahead thing and it just was not working out. Many of the items that were supposed to be freezer friendly just didn't taste as good reheated and my hubby hates leftovers. I felt it was too restrictive planning so far ahead. It left no room for having a whim of something sounding good for a change. What we did find helps is to buy bulk and buy once a month for things that can be stored long term. Pork loin (freeze it), bulk shredded cheese (freeze it), anything shelf stable, household use items and things like soap and medications. We buy extras, buy large bulk sizes or otherwise stock up. It does save time and money in the long run so when you are out shopping the trip is shorter and smaller. Having a well stocked freezer and pantry with components for making meals seems to work well. Then we just have to figure out what we want out of the things on hand or run to the store for one or two things to make the meal. I also found that making menus for only a week out is easier to stick to than the big whole month menus.

01-02-2008, 08:05 PM	#17
dejinge Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 Reputation: (10)	While I, too prefer the flavor of albacore, I have read in many places that it contains more mercury than the (lesser-quality) chunk light variety. As far as expense is concerned, it is really easy to save money when you actually eat a portion size that is healthy (unlike the huge amounts I can tend to gorge myself on).

01-03-2008, 04:28 AM	#18
jhanseth Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 18 Reputation: (10)	I can't imagine going grocery shopping only once a month. Maybe for the bulk items, I guess, like toilet paper and laundry detergent. Those of you who are once-a-month cookers: How do you get enough fresh produce? My CSA is in the off-season (thanks to the poster who mentioned CSAs -- I am a huge fan), and I still try to eat local, fresh produce several times a week, even if that means beets, carrots, and chard until they come out my ears. Wouldn't all of the fresh produce just spoil?

01-03-2008, 05:31 AM	#19
Tiffany Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 Reputation: (10)	It might save money but I couldn't shop that way. Perhaps for items like TP or staples but regular food? No. I eat too much raw food (fruits and veggies) and not very much processed stuff to be able to buy in advance like that. But for non-perishables I buy in bulk once a month.

01-06-2008, 02:10 AM	#20
VaranusK Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Reputation: (10)	For me it does not work. I have managed to reduce it to 1 or 2 times per week because I need to buy perishable stuff that would not last one month at home. For example, fruits, veggies, yoghurt, ham... even if I could go for frozen, or long-last or dried versions, they are not only more expensive but doesn't taste the same. And fresh fruit is definitively better than any other option. For the rest of the items, the problem is the lack of room at home. If, not, surely I would buy larger quantities of cans, rice, juices, etc.