In the last entry we talked about how to use leftovers to
help stock our pantries. This week we’re going shopping. Of course, we stock our pantries by shopping
but are we just filling our grocery cart or are we SHOPPING to fill our
pantries?
Here are some ways I shop to fill my pantry ...
16. I pray about
my pantry. I pray before I shop, while I
shop and for pantry stocking wisdom.
Yes, I really do this!
17. I make a
grocery list and menu before I go shopping.
When I plan my menu before I go shopping my grocery list is a lot
smaller. When I shop from my pantry
before I go shopping my grocery list is a lot smaller. You know what this
means? Menu
planning and shopping from my pantry leaves more money in my food budget to use
on the great deals that I find as I shop!
18. I scrutinize
grocery store flyers. I take a marker
and circle the items that I’m interested in then I transfer the circled items
to my grocery list. Before I head to the
store I check to see if there are any coupons available.
19. I use a price
book/price sheet. In order to get the
best deals, I have to know what a good price is.
My price book/sheet gives me that information.
20. I use coupons
IF and ONLY IF it’s for something we use or IF it’s for something new we want
to try. If we won’t use it, I don’t need
it in my house!
21. I take advantage of clearance food sales.
22. I use the 1 +
1 rule whenever possible. When I
purchase a food item, if possible, I buy an extra one and add it to my pantry.
23. I check unit
prices. Sometimes a lower price seems
like something really great until you compare unit prices. Yikes, I want to keep my pantry well-stocked
but at the most economical prices, don’t you?
24. I ‘know’ the
stores I shop at … meaning I know when they usually mark their meat down, where
their clearance food is located, what their coupon policy is, whether or not
they have a rain check policy and if so, what it is and when their sales start
and when they end each week. I make it
my business to know everything about their marketing that I can.
25. I shop
seasonal sales. Turkey in November;
ground beef and chicken in the summer especially around Memorial Day, 4th of
July and Labor Day; ham at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas; cranberries,
canned soups, canned vegetables, celery, spices and baking supplies in November
and December.
26. I buy marked
down candy after the holidays. I bring
it home and vacuum seal it in quart or pint jars for later use. Some examples are: red hot cinnamons after Valentine’s Day,
chocolate after Valentine’s Day/Easter/Halloween/Christmas and candy canes
after Christmas.
27. I watch for
items to go on sale that my family uses on a regular basis. When I find a sale, I buy as much as my
budget will allow using coupons if I have them.
28. I buy in bulk. Some examples are toilet paper, paper towels,
all kinds of dried beans, a variety of teas and cooking oils.
29. I add items
to my grocery list as soon as I open the last one of any items. This gives me time to restock the item before
I need it.
30. I take advantage of Amazon’s subscribe and save program.
31. We have grocery
stores, etc that we stop in and check for great deals at when we’re out and about
running errands … if time permits and we have any money.
32. I shop at farmers markets and roadside
stands.
33. I shop at
Mennonite/Amish non-electric stores.
Twice a year I get to shop at a non-electric Mennonite country
store. I absolutely love it. This is when I restock my spices as well as other
things that are considerably cheaper than mainstream grocery stores.
34. I shop at
Asian markets. I get to do this about
once every couple of months.
35. I shop at
warehouse type stores. The bulk of our
grocery shopping is done at Sam’s Club.
36. I shop at dollar stores.
37. I shop at
discount grocery stores such as Aldi’s and Save-a-lot.
Okay, I’ve shared with you how I shop to keep my pantry
filled, how about you? What tips do you
have that will help us all stretch our food budget and fill our pantries at the
same time?
Your comments are what will make this series more helpful so
please share your wisdom.
To see how I incorporate all these ways in my daily life,
join me at A
Working Pantry.
Patsi
Sharing 42 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building
My second blog: From This Heart of Mine
She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
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