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August 09, 2006
Shop Smart, Eat Smart
Here are a list of pitfalls you should try to avoid the next time you plan to go grocery shopping:
1) Going to the store too frequently.Do all of the store employees know you by name? If so, you are spending too much time and money in the store. Instead—
* Do your major shopping every two weeks.
* Shop for staple items like milk, bread, eggs and juice once per week.
2) Living without a family menu. You don’t have to a rigid plan, but a general menu can make shopping more efficient. Dinners are usually the hardest meal to plan. Instead—
* As a family, decide on at least eight entrees to eat within a two-week period.
* Determine what vegetable and fruit side items you will serve with them.
* Keep extra fruits and veggies on hands for snacking.
* Replenish fresh produce when you buy staple items weekly.
3) Going to the store hungry. Don’t pick up the car keys if your stomach is growling. You will be tempted to buy foods you shouldn’t. Instead—
* Take time to have a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with skim milk before heading out of the door.
* If the kids are joining you, make sure they are well fed, too.
4) Buying items just because they are on sale. Canned black beans are wholesome, and you should eat them as a family. However, if you have eaten them twice over the last year, don’t buy 10 cans for $5. You won’t save money in the long run. Instead—
* Plan meals around seasonal products, which tend to be on sale.
* Try to incorporate any sale products into your entrees and sides, but only buy enough to use until your next shopping trip for staples.
5) Getting caught up in brand names. Nothing can replace my favorite ketchup, but there is little difference in flavor between store brand canned fruits and vegetables and the name-brand versions. Instead—
* Know which national brands are must-haves for your family.
* Try more store brand products, which can be significantly cheaper.
6) Spending too much time in the middle of the store. The center aisles are where you find the greatest concentration of junk foods and other processed (and pricey) items that you don’t need. Instead—
* Spend most of your shopping time along the perimeter of the store. That’s where the healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat are.
* Wholesome foods like beans, grains and cereals are found in the middle of the store, but it shouldn’t take you long to grab these items and move on.
Yes, you should keep some items in stock like canned soups, fruits, meats and vegetables. Have at up to two cans per person for each canned food type in your pantry. But don’t keep frozen vegetables and fruits beyond a few months as they don’t taste very good after that. Store one package each of chicken, fish, beef and pork in your freezer, but a fully stocked deep freezer is probably unnecessary. In fact, it is a good way to lose money during a power outage.
Release some of your frozen assets and plan how you will use the food that you have gathering dust in your panty and elsewhere. You’ll be amazed at how many meals you have hiding in your cupboards, freezer and fridge.
Posted by Lisa at August 9, 2006 11:56 AM
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