Curious how BGPers go about their grocery shopping habits....

 

Do you just go and pick stuff up as you stroll through the aisles?

 

Do you a once a week, or once every two weeks trip and stock up? Or do you just swing by and pick stuff up on an as needed basis?

 

Do you make a list before going?

 

Do you budget? Do you stay within said budget?

 

Do you meal-plan before going?

We try to go every two weeks, make a list, and meal-plan our dinners for each night before going.

 

We budget it, but on a monthly basis, not per trip.

Stick to the outside. Rarely go down the aisle. Nothing but processed foods in most of them. Have an idea for what we want to get.

I have an ongoing list on my phone, usually go when one of those things is of utmost improtance or need dog food!

I'll stop in randomly for bread, eggs, and a few essentials. May randomly pick something up from the meat section if its on sale and freeze. That just happens as needed and unplanned.

 

Then I'll usually go on a big trip once every two months or so and load up on things canned soup, veggies, fruit, spaghetti, sauce, and then stuff for the freezer.

 

Never have a list, but typically walk the same pattern and just get the same stuff on those days. Every once in a while something new gets mixed in. Never really "meal plan". No budget.

 

Should I be better about that stuff? Probably but I don't feel like I overspend at the grocery and almost never have food thrown out.

When the kids were little, I used to go once a week. Now that we are empty nesters I go about 5 times a week. Don't like to think about what I want for dinner until that day anymore.

 

I often get frustrated because I never perfected the art of coupon organization. I have tried on and off because I know you can save some good money that way. However, I often clipped coupons for things I thought I might want, but never used, other coupons expired before I could use them and they ended up a big balled up mess.

Every two weeks with planned meals.

Mrs. TAC has it down. We made a list as we run out of things at the house. When we go to the store she has in mind what she will be making over the next few days/week. We use coupons when needed, but those days when she shops strictly by coupons are the days I do not go in with her. Too painful. If I do go, it usually costs us more money and the food gets a little unhealthier.

I do download coupons ahead of time on the Kroger app just in case she buys them.

We were throwing so much away that we changed. We now go as we need to go. Mostly 3-4 times a week. We usually buy for a couple of days. We still throw stuff away, but not anywhere near as much.

 

I go in with the list, I know where things are get them, pay and leave. Usually never have over 4-5 plastic bags.

Okay...I'll say it. I let my wife do it. However and whenever she wants.

Once every 2 or 3 weeks to get a lot of stuff, but will stop once or twice in between to get a handful of things as needed.

 

Yes on the budget and we stay within it.

Girlfriend does the Kroger online thing once a week. Usually about 2x a week one of us has to swing in for something quick.

 

We try to have a general idea of what we are going to make throughout the week. But it doesn't always work that way.

 

We have a monthly food budget.

During season we get a lot of produce from the farmers market/friends/co-workers. I also can a decent amount of stuff.

 

We attempt to buy local meat and have purchased shares of animals before. Also I have tons of friends that are hunters/fisherman so we end up with that stuff as well.

 

We're big users of a deep freeze.

Often, since it's only 3 miles away. ALWAYS check the discounted items. Yesterday they had brand name hot dogs at 50 cents a pack. Bought six packs. Having them tonight with homemade sauce and the Pioneer Woman - whoever that is - fries. Will use them over the next couple of months with sauerkraut, in baked beans, etc.

 

Once in a blue moon we do what the missus calls "pantry month" where we buy little if anything (other than fresh green stuff, drinks, milk and eggs, pet food and litter) and eat pretty much strictly from the pantry and the fridge. Easy on the wallet.

 

Next month is our next pantry month.

I never go to the grocery without knowing exactly what I'm after. If I need to make a list I do.

 

I hate wanderers. I won't go shopping with one.