Frugal Grocery Shopping

Today I spent about $90 on groceries between Walmart ($25) and my Azure Standard ($65) order. We have 20 pounds of apples again...we ran out last week and I couldn't figure out what to do! Eventually I figured out that I needed to buy some at the store. FYI - 20 pounds of apples (less about 10 apples) fit into one drawer in my refrigerator.

Walmart is not my favorite place to shop, but it's the only place I can get heavy whipping cream (without junky ingredients in it) for our berry/spinach smoothies. I only needed a few things so I decided to buy everything there.

We now have bananas, frozen blueberries and cream for smoothies...that will make my family very very happy. I have some spinach from last week to throw in there as well so that makes ME happy. Believe me, you cannot taste it!

Click on over to see my menu plan.

WANTS VS. NEEDS
Are you still working on wants vs. needs for groceries? Because I've been evaluating our wants vs. needs, my $400 grocery money went much further this month than it did in September. I still managed to get quite a few of my wants too.

Even though I love stocking up on things at Azure Standard and Sam's Club, I managed my grocery money a lot better when I shopped once a week for items I needed only for that week. Gayle over at Grocery Cart Challenge spends $60 a week for her family of 6. Check out her blog for inspiration.

Even though my grocery budget has continually gone down over the last ten years, I'm still learning and remember what it was like as a newbie. What do you mean I shouldn't walk up and down every isle to buy groceries? List? Menu? Look at my pantry items before I shop? Who has time or energy for THAT?!? Freezer? Pantry?

DON'T USE COUPONS
If you are a newbie, then I would suggest that you take small baby steps. I strongly suggest that at first you shouldn't even try to use coupons. I believe that you can lower your budget a significant amount without coupons. Focus on protein, vegetables, fruits, and good fats first and then add other stuff to your list. You will eat a lot healthier this way too. After you figure out how to lower your grocery budget, then worry about coupons if you want to/need to.

WHAT ARE YOU EATING TONIGHT?
If you have no idea what you are going to eat tonight, make out a quick and simple menu and grocery list for the next few days. Take cash and only buy what's on your list. Make it a goal to spend less than 30 minutes in the store. Remember, protein, vegetables, fruits...You might decide to make:

1. taco salad
2. chili with green peppers and carrots
3. baked chicken and sweet potatoes

Fry enough burger for the tacos and chili on one night so the following evening dinner prep will be easy. Bake enough chicken for one meal PLUS leftovers for lunch the next day (chicken salad sandwiches are great!). So remember:

NEWBIE TIPS

• look in your pantry (freezer, fridge, cupboards)
• make a menu for the next few days
• bring cash only
• focus on protein, vegetables, fruits
• go by yourself in off peak hours
• make a goal to spend 30 minutes or less in the store

This post has been linked to:
Life as Mom
Grocery Cart Challenge
Money Saving Mom