What should I buy when I go grocery shopping?

Question

I'm a newlywed and I'm trying to get the hang of shopping for 2 and budgeting. It seems like we go shopping all the time..And we run out of food so fast. I want to stock up my pantry and freezer. And also have my fridge filled. But I don't know what to buy and where to buy it..I want to keep a budget of $200. I just feel like I keep buying stuff that disappears really fast. And we never have food that goes well together for meals. It's just stuff thats scattered about. Anyways all answers are greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

The first thing you should do is write down a meal plan.  How long is the $200 shopping trip for?  One week?  Two?  Whatever it is, come up with that amount of meals (7 & 14, respectively).  Also, do you eat breakfast & lunch at home?  Or bring food from home to eat at work?

Then you can come up with a grocery list from that.  My boyfriend and I spend somewhere between $150 & $200 every two weeks (with an occasional trip back for much-used items like milk).  Outside of the necessary 'staple' items (milk, bread, eggs, butter/margarine, flour...etcetera), we shop according to the meals planned (with 2 days a week considered 'fend for yourself').  Use the flyer from your local store to help you along.  They may have meats & stuff on sale to help you along in your meal planning.

A sample grocery list:

*5-lb bag potatoes

*various frozen veggies (peas, corn, broccoli...etcetera), usually 3 bags

*2-3 different kinds of pasta & jar or can sauce to go with them

*Chicken (I usually buy a breast/thigh combo pack, which gives me enough for two separate meals)

*2 to 3 lbs. hamburger (for meatloaf, and to use in pasta dishes)

*package of Italian sausage links (usually for spaghetti)

*country-style ribs

*blade (pork) steaks

*maybe a few canned soups or cup noodles for days when you (or he) doesn't want to cook

*a couple boxes of stuffing mix (good for side dish)

*a couple boxes flavored rice (good for side dish)

*a couple boxes pasta & sauce mix (good for side dish)

*lunch meat

*condiments (mayo, mustard, ketchup...etcetera)

*fresh fruits & veggies for salad (not too much, so they don't spoil)

*bottled water (our tap water is awful)

*soda, juices...etcetera (whatever you like to drink)

*a few snack items (chips, crackers...whatever you like)

Any fresh meat items I buy, I always wrap in one-meal packs (usually foil) before putting in the freezer.

The main thing I have learned is to ALWAYS have a list in hand when I head to the grocery store.  Otherwise, I tend to pick up all sorts of c**p that we really shouldn't be eating anyway.  Also, as I check stuff off the list, I keep a running total of what I am spending.  That way, I don't go over the budget we have set.  I write the amounts on the back, but I have known people to bring calculators with them.  :)

Answer 2

Make menus for the meals you will be eating at home.  That way you will have all the items on hand.  Limit buying snack items - they are costly & tend to disappear quickly.  Popcorn is great for snacking & is much cheaper than chips.  

Check your weekly grocery store ads - even if you don't need something - if it's on sale for a great price, go ahead & buy it.  If you can match a sale item with a coupon, even better.  When my kids were younger & I was a stay-at-home mom - my mantra for extras was that I would only buy it if it was on sale & I had a coupon.  

Always keep a bag of boneless frozen chicken b*****s on hand - you can do anything with them: fry, sautee, bake, poach, grill.  I love to grill them & make an entree salad.  

Frozen veggies are great too - they are not as expensive as fresh, and new studies have shown that they are almost just as nutritious.  

Eggs are another great thing to keep on hand.  Scramble in the morning for a breakfast; quiche or egg salad for lunch; frittata for dinner!

Warehouse stores are great for some things, but since it's just the 2 or you, many things would go bad before you could use them.  Stick to paper products and things you can freeze here.  Of course, if you are having a party - that is a different story.  lol

Good luck!

Answer 3

I buy lots of fruit, hot cereals, salads, and go to warehouse stores to stock up on meats. I also try to eat healthy snacks like granola.  

Answer 4

you should to go sam's club or costco's and get the bulk stuff on snacks, veggies, meats, desserts, breads...you name it!  even bathroom and cleaning supplies are double sometimes triple amount you get at regular grocery stores.

Answer 5

Start by watching the ads from the stores.  I don't over stockpile, but when things we like are on sale I buy them.  After enough time, you will always have what you need.  Very rarely do I buy something that isn't on sale.  For instance, I usually have 2 jars of peanut butter in the house.  When it is on sale I get it.  Same with canned goods and other stuff.  Meat...  buy it on sale and freeze it.  Eventually you will have a good stock on hand.

Answer 6

Make a weekly plan for meals and everything that you will need to prepare them.  By planning ahead your meals will be better and not thrown together.  Also you can by in bulk and freeze portions that  you dont need.  I freeze left over taco meat and use that when I make burritos ( i also cook for just 2, it's hard)  When you by bacon, portion it out into servings, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze it.  This way nothing goes to waste.  Look for deals on meats, sometimes you get a sale on pork loin,  cut into chops and freeze.  Keep a list on your fridge and as things run out write it down.  Then you'll know what you go through more of.  

Answer 7

Buy a notebook to write shopping lists in. Afterwards make notes as to how successful each purchase was, and use it to learn to make more effective shopping lists that work for you.

You can even make a master inventory checklist for staples. Set limits, and if you have gone below the limit on inventory day, it goes on your shopping list and you buy it.

Another technique is to stop running out for supplies between shopping days. If you do this and stick to it, eating only what you already have in the house when you run out of something else, you will rapidly develop effective shopping skills.  

Answer 8

I spend about 150 a week on grooceries and I shop for two. I usually make a list ofthings i generally use and am running out of, like milk, kittly litter, lunch meat, etc. Then I look in my pantry, fridge and freezer and while thinking of dinner and meal ideas for the week, I see what I have and what ingredients I need and add them to the list. I generally don't buy the same fruits and vegetabels since I change my side dishes regualrly, but if I know this week im making macaroni salad and I need fresh recd peppers tomatoes and celery which tend to go bad if not used, only then will i buy those products. the pantry is easy, those foods dont go bad, and meats are freezable so you can't go wrong on sale items. I hope this helps.