Before I had kids, my weekly grocery shopping trip was a highlight. I would spend hours preparing…and I would visit about 5 stores, only buying the cheapest items at each store. I was giddy with excitement the whole day. This was when I was also doing coupon workshops. Man, how things change.
Now that I have kids, I have become a hermit. I stay close to home and don’t like venturing out of my shell home. The idea of spending hours on a grocery list, visiting 5 stores, and toting two children – one who can’t walk yet and one who DOES and uses it – kinda makes me want to check myself into a loony bin. Can I get a witness?!
The last time I visited the store, Barry kept both kids and I felt like I was on a vacation – do you know how much faster you can shop alone? It’s astonishing. But anyway, I digress.
In September, it had been almost 3 weeks since I had gone to the grocery store – so I was almost out of a lot of stuff…mostly produce. I went shopping with my mom (and Andy) and came home with a GINORMOUS amount of stuff. And I said to myself, “Self, you could probably go a whole month on this food.” Bingo – the idea was born.
I did not go shopping in September with the idea that it would be for a whole month, but when I got home, I decided I would try to see if I could make it…so, I waited a whole month and guess what? I ran out of stuff…but we didn’t starve. And I even had a little bit of grocery budget left at the end of the month. Cha-CHING!
So, I started picking my friend Anne’s brain – she’s the genius behind Authentic Simplicity and the author of Your Grocery Budget Toolbox. Anne does this same method of grocery shopping and she was just the cheerleader I needed to get started.
If this idea appeals to you, you might want to check out her ebook, Your Grocery Budget Toolbox – I read the chapter on Once a Month Shopping and that’s how I got started. It’s a great and easy read and it will really help you wrap your mind around the idea.
So, in October I started my “real” Once a Month Shopping since September was just a fluke. I followed the advice in the eBook and I kept my list, writing down when I was low on something. I also tried to keep track in my head of how much we went through so I would know how much to buy. When I was ready, I made my list, printed my coupons from Deal Seeking Mom’s Database and headed to the store with my mom in tow because she keeps me from doing dumb stuff in public.
I stayed about $60 under budget – I kept that $60 with Anne’s advice, so when I was toward the end of the month and low on produce, I could send Barry to pick up some fresh stuff – and not me, because if I saw a sale, I would be tempted to buy 20 cans of tuna. I only visited two stores: Kroger and Sam’s Club.
In this trip, I also included any toiletries or other stuff that we needed…which isn’t much because we don’t use many disposable items and I make a lot of stuff at home. In my list, I also made sure to include a good bit of frozen produce and fruit so that when I ran out of fresh, I would have a back-up.
Honestly, I was afraid I would go over budget…which is impossible when you use cash. You either have it or you don’t. I kept it under budget…which was shocking to me. Even without shopping sales – just by shopping smart.
I did NOT include my online shopping – that’s in a separate place – but I do only shop once monthly online as well…so I can combine shipping. I usually just keep things in my cart on websites so I don’t forget what I need.
So far, we’re doing well…and I really, REALLY like this method. I will be doing an update after we’re 100% done with our first official month so you can see how it went and if we ran out of anything…and if I’ll keep doing it. Chances are, I will. I like being at home – if I do something dumb here, no one sees it.
Ever since the pandemic started, I’ve switched to Once a Month shopping, and I love it so much, I will never go back. The only time I make an exception is if I see a REALLY good deal on something (I like to buy things in bulk when they go on sale). I actually find it so much easier to organize & plan when we only shop once a month.
Yes! It sure did push us all to learn new things to get what we needed!!!
I grocery shop only once a month and home cooked meals almost everyday (those days no cooking when there are left overs) and it works perfectly for me. I buy gallon jug of milk and freeze half after filling up the bottle in the fridge. I only grocery shop for two now since my eldest moved out and I don’t buy snack foods.., meaning chips dip cookies that sort of thing. I do get popcorn though.., my 11 year old would die if I didn’t have any ;-). My bill once a month is as low as $145 and never went over $235. I do the flea market for veggies and fruits or chip in with a friend and buy them from a produce store. I was a restaurant manager for years so I know the ins and outs of produce stores. I get 3lbs of seedless grapes for $2.29, 5lbs of bananas for $1.59 and 5lbs apples for $3.88. So just think of how much I save going in with a friend and buying bulk from produce stores. It’s fantastic getting grapes bananas apples and pears for less than $10 a week. I disagree with Deb about the frozen milk.., it’s perfect when defrosted, actually a bit thicker but then again that’s my opinion. Bulk dressings, ketchup, pasta, rice etc. I get from Sams.
I guess when you come from a poor country like mine.., there is no ‘it can’t work’ you’ll be starving if that’s the case.
Anything can work if you put your mind to it. The secret is.., making it suit your needs. It has to fit your style. Keeping working at it until you find what’s your groove.
So the title inspired me but then I read where folks get stuff they need still every week or so therefore it really isn’t shopping once/month then. There’s no way fresh lettuce and such ,even cauliflower will last for 1 month I don’t care how you do it. It will rot and lettuce and greens most certainly will. I’ve been shopping on my own for 32 yrs. now and know that doesn’t work. Frozen milk might be fine for cooking/baking but certainly is not good fro drinking. been there, done that,I don’t like grainy milk. And using frozen veggies instead of fresh really isn’t nearly as good. Personally an extra fridge takes alot of extra power to not make it worth it to buy once/month anyway. I do shopping for fresh and milk when it town doing other errands so it isn’t a wasted trip. Many things I don’t buy everyweek, just the fresh stuff, milk and cheese as cheesed falls apart when frozen and is hard to put in sandwiches for my hubby’s work. Been there done that. as for those shopping with kids. I di it every week with 3 all born in less than 3-1/2 yrs. One nursing in my arm, one in the seat of the cart, and one hanging on tot he side. All while getting stuff into the cart. No biggie, did it all the time alone. When the nursling got too big for one arm then she went into the seat, the next one in the back and one beside. it really isn’t such a big deal. If you have taught your kids to listen and don’t go when they’re hungry or tired you jsut do what you have to do. So overall it’s best to get fresh weekly and the other stuff once/month. I also look at it that you might miss big deals on stuff you reg. stock up on and I won’t miss that jsut to stretch shopping to 4 wks. it would certainly waste money by doing that. If a certain kind of meat would go on sale and save $20 by stocking then waiting is a big waste of money, because you never know when stuff would go on sale again. I don’t meal plan I use what’s in the freezer, fridge or on the shelf. never have in 32 yrs. and won’t ever do that. I can’t see doing that and then when time to cook, maybe you have 1 hr. to get something ready that might take 2 hrs. so that would be wasteful also. When I have time I do something that takes long er to prepare and if I have to be gone, then I do somthing that takes less time. With kids and stuff on a household it doesn’t work to meal plan or at least not a week/month at a time.
For me, it’s about saving time. And yes, I did get some of my produce to last the entire month – cauliflower included. 🙂
I totally disagree with you. I have children and they mind very well however my son has so much energy he has to always be moving. This is sometime very hard to handle in public.
I enjoy once a month cooking and therefore I enjoy once a month shopping. I do believe it works. It may not have worked for you but it has for so many others. Be positive in your comments. You could have just said I tried it but it did not work for me. You did not have to put her down by saying if your kids behave. Sometimes it is not about that. It is so much more to mothering than making your children behave and act like walking statues.
Stacy I enjoy your post and I know you will enjoy doing this. We too are a busy family but I am also a hermit. I prefer to be home with my family. So once a month is a lifesaver for busy days as well as sick days and the occasional what’s for dinner debate. I have tried to plan meals but sometimes that doesn’t work for our family’s busy schedule. I am trying to figure out a way to make it work.
I love being a hermit. 🙂
LOL! I actually had this idea when I saw your 100 days of no processed foods for the cock pots. Then I seen this post, I am actually preparing right now. Thank you for both posts! I have a good feeling they will keep me sticking to the budget!
Doing this next week. Preparing now. Woot!
You rock.
Yay for you! I think you’ll love it! Well, of course, I do, so I think everyone else will, lol 🙂 It was the best grocery-shopping decision I’ve ever made.
Thanks for the help!!!
Stacy – how do you balance potentially running out of things with emergency preparedness (keeping enough on hand so that in an emergency, you are stocked up on essentials?). I know my situation is a bit extreme, but I live in Haiti and we take emergency preparedness pretty seriously so my pantry is never even close to empty… but I also find myself spending more on food than I’d like to because of that!
I always buy in bulk…for the most part. So, when someone else might buy 5 pounds of sugar for their once a month shopping, I’ll buy 20. 🙂 I always make sure my stockpile is pretty good – and if it’s not, that’s what I buy when I do my shopping. Does that make sense?
I started doing once a month shopping when I “only” had 2 children 16 years ago (I have 6 now) out of necessity. We also still have only one vehicle, and my husband works long hours, so I had to make it work. It really just becomes a habit after awhile.
It is always funny to see people’s faces and hear their comments when I get up to the check out lugging 2 grocery carts (which is also great exercise!)
I think it becomes a habit for people to go to the store every week, but it is an easy habit to break. It does takes a little more planning, but it’s so worth it. And you do save alot in time, gas and it’s worth it to alone to not have to hear the Muzak in the store. 🙂
I am sure I am not alone in going into the store “just to buy milk” and come out having spent $100! We’ve been getting our milk delivered to our house for years, so that is not a concern anymore.
I love getting milk once a week!
I did this on my own for about a year. I really like samsclub for the most part. Most of the time your basic necessities like flour, oils, coffee, and basic household paper supplies are cheaper bought all at once rather than waiting on a sale to come up. Kroger has a nice selection on produce for sure. Walmart has been getting very competitive in my area as far as how fresh everything is. Walmart produce stays fresher longer than Kroger does in my area from what I have found out. Also….. one other thing I forgot about Bread stores are great to check out. Day old bread to me does not taste that bad and it costs about .89 cents a loaf as compared to 2.50-3.00 a loaf. It stores for up to 6 months and well if your busy most of the time maybe you would like a break from making your own bread too for change of pace. 🙂 Good Post I am going to be checking out grocey budget right now 🙂
I love this. Once a month shopping (and saving!) is my goal. I do love Azure…but don’t order from them every month. More like every other month…other than that–it’s Costco, Baker’s (Kroger), and Trader Joe’s for me.
This is so challenging! Last time I tried this I spent double my budget. No joke and I had to call my husbands work and get him to come get me because I needed two vehicles to carry the stuff. A week later I was running out of necessities and I just felt awful! Can you see why I subscribe here? Seriously stacey your readers need you. Now the book – would it really benefit me could I do this????
Yes – it sounds like maybe your plan wasn’t the best? Anne walks you through how to make your plan and shop for what you need.
I’ve done once a month shopping for more than 20 years. 2 deep freezers and 2 refrigerators. We live in a rural area and I HATE shopping, plus we have a farm so I don’t run out of meat or produce. I do run to the dairy next door or our rural feed store every 2 weeks to buy local milk and cheese. I also scan the local sales once a week and have my husband pick up those items when he travels through town during the week. I like quality products and try to save “here” so I can spend more “there”.
You sound like me. 🙂
Hi Stacy – Would you consider doing a post about how you’re going to use the things you bought? It would help me to see the meal plan that goes with “the big shop”. I would love to try this, as I currently run to the store about every other day! It’s ridiculous! Please help me. 🙂 Thanks!!
I have plans to work in a meal plan feature very soon.
OK, just saw this post, it is an answer to my post as well. Thanks 🙂
I did this during the winter last year, and plan to do it again during the winter this year (fresh summer produce at Farmer’s Markets tempts me too much during those warmer months)! This has totally got me pumped to start up again! Thanks for that!
Also: I found that if I kept them in the crisper, I could enjoy fresh veggies like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, and cabbage right into weeks 3-4. Squash, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes are all other fresh produce items that last FOREVER…like, beyond one month. Another trick (thanks Pinterest!) was making up “smoothie bags” with berries, bananas, and greens, frozen cubes of yogurt, etc. in them so we could still enjoy the benefit of some greens on a daily basis for the whole month…(plus smoothies are the only way I can get any veggies into my three year old…)!
Once a month shopping is RAD.
I make those bags too. 🙂
We shop every two weeks now. I’d like to go longer, but not sure there’s room in the fridge for that much food. There are six of us, but the kids are 8 and under. We do have a deep freeze, but my husband doesn’t like casseroles or cooked veggies (unless they’re in stir-fry or Indian food), so frozen veggies are of limited use. I wonder if we could get by with a monthly menu plan if we planned to make a quick trip for fresh veggies, dairy and eggs. I know they keep, but we go through at least three dozen eggs a week, and we just don’t have room in the fridge for twelve or thirteen dozen eggs.
Do you have room to consider a second refrigerator? It has really been a blessing to our family – and we purchased ours used for a great price.
We belong to a CSA and have fresh fruit and veggies delivered to our door every week. It’s such a great time saver. I’m trying to get our regular grocery shopping down to once a month now. You’ve inspired me!!
CSAs intrigue me.
I have always done once a month shopping since I get paid once a month. I visit 4 stores in two days and usually later at night when the kids have gone to bed and the hubby is home. My stores are Whole Foods, Costco, WalMart, and our local grocery Schnucks. I meal plan for an entire month, then go thru what ingredients I have on hand and what I will need, and then look on-line for coupons. We also do a fruit rotation that goes( usually) fruit that goes bad first like bananas we eat the first week, then grapes/strawberries/raspberries, then apples and oranges. I always have a few things of frozen fruit. It helps that we buy a 1/4 of a side of grassfed beef and a processed free ranging pig from a local farmer once a year. This system works well too if you buy organic dairy which has a longer expiration date.
You were doing cool before it was cool. 😉
Wow! I’ve never been the cool kid. I am a teacher so I am destined to always be the uncool one in my high schoolers’ eyes. 🙂
I really love this idea and know that when we stretch our shopping to once a month we save so much! I usually have to go back for milk every couple weeks. One thing that has helped us, I have found a produce co-op “Bountiful Baskets” to get fresh fruits and veggies all year. We have really enjoyed it! We usually get the same things that I would be buying from the store but every now and then, we are introduced to a new veggie or fruit. It has increased the number of things we might try and the kids have some new favorite foods- things they wouldn’t have tried before the co-op.
Hi Stacy, Can you give us a sample of your list for a month 😉 Thanks
It will vary based on each family and size…so it wouldn’t matter if I post mine – you don’t buy the same things. 🙂 My mom doesn’t even buy the same things. LOL
Both scary and exciting!
I do two to three week shopping and love it. I tried going for longer but ran into a big snag. I couldn’t fit food for 10 people AND five of those people in a mini van at the same time. : ) Still, I love getting the shopping over with for longish chunks of time.
I would love to shop less often than once a week. 🙂 The only reason I don’t is because I have a rather small refrigerator. That, and I never thought of it. What if I could buy all my stuff once a month and only send Jesse to the store for milk once a week? Hmmm… I might have to check that ebook out.
YES!!! We have an extra fridge and deep freezer to make this possible, but I have friends (Anne included) who don’t have the extra space and still do it. 🙂
I will do this next month. I could get SO excited about not seeing the inside of a grocery store every week!
You and me both, sista.
I realise that you save time & money from shopping less often, but how much does it cost to run the extra fridge and freezer? I wonder if it’s economical, since those are usually the most expensive electrical things in the house.
Once a month shopping won’t work for me right now, as my boyfriend and I are renting a one-bedroom apartment so we don’t have the space. We also don’t have a car, so we can’t bring home that many groceries. However I work in a grocery store, so it’s not inconvenient for me to get there.
Hope my comment doesn’t come off as rude, I was moreso just wondering if the extra electricity cost was worth it. I only just found your blog, so I’m browsing through and enjoying what I’ve read so far. I may not have a family yet, but I’m still always looking for ways to save money, as we’re not very well off. Looking forward to reading more of your blog, it’s getting added to my RSS reader! 🙂
Not rude. 🙂 Having the extra freezer and fridge means I can buy food in bulk, saving me quite a bit – especially with meat. My husband hunts, so we get venison for free.
Honestly, I don’t see that having the extra appliances raises our bill that much.
We started Once a Month shopping about 3 or 4 months ago now. And I really am loving it! Last month was the first month we saw any significant savings and we managed to save over $100 on our budget. It takes a bit to get used to it but its very rewarding to save big amounts of money and know you don’t have to go grocery shopping for a whole month! 😛
So what do you do about perishables, like milk, etc. I’m single with no kids, so I usually only go to the grocery store once a month for a big trip, and then pick up things I run out of in between. I would love to get on a true once a month schedule as I only get paid once a month!
I get milk once a week from a local dairy – so that’s not a problem…but I have purchased enough for a month at a time and frozen it very succesfully…just don’t freeze a whole gallon. 🙂 It takes forever to thaw. I made mine in smaller batches.
I bought enough for fresh veggies for two weeks and planned for frozen the rest of the month. And like I mentioned in the post, I kept some extra (like Anne recommended) so that I could send Barry at the end of the month to get things we might need.
I’ve been very curious about freezing milk. I haven’t brought myself to try it but I HATE going to the store for “just milk” and spend $50+. How do you freeze your milk?
I would freeze it in smaller containers….about 1/2 gallon. It will take a few days to thaw in the fridge. 🙂 It might separate but it still tastes fine when you shake it.
I love your post. I am curious to see how Oct. turns out for you. Both my husband and I get paid once a month, so I’m interested in your idea of shopping once a month. How do you like it so far? My husband is the grocery shopper in our family. I just make him a list, and he goes and gets it. 🙂 I like that idea! Thanks for the tips.
I. Love. It. For real. More than I ever thought I would.
I go every month-6 weeks and love it! I leave the kids and enjoy a little break out. Besides saving lots of money by going less often, I look forward to going out. The only things we run out of before then is eggs and milk which I pick up about every week. Otherwise, I keep a running list of things we need and just do without until I go shopping again. For produce, I really stock up on those things that store well such as onions, potatoes, cabbage, celery, apples, carrots, winter squash. It is amazing how long some produce can last. I store some of the produce in my basement if I don’t have room in my kitchen where it is a cooler and it lasts even longer, like a root cellar would. Then, when I run out, I can go “shopping” again in my basement (not near as exciting as the store mind you).
I find that eggs keep at least a month – sometimes longer. 🙂
How do you get fresh produce to last longer than a week or so?
I don’t – I can get it to last about 2 weeks…and then I plan to rely on frozen things…or home canned. But, I did keep some money back like I said in the post – in case I need to send Barry for something like bananas or lettuce. 🙂
I think I’ll try it! I rate grocery shopping close to cleaning bathrooms on my fun list…I depise both! I do need to be more on top of it because if I don’t get to the store my wonderful husband goes and comes home with junkfood…which I eat (gaspp!) What types of things do you buy online every month? Also, do you meal plan for the month to before you go? Thanks!!
I plan after I shop – and I plan on a weekly basis. 🙂 That’s the easiest way for me.
Online I buy things like: stevia, vitamins, nut flours, coconut oil…mostly baking stuff.
Hi Stacy! My friend told me about this years ago and I have always been afraid to try it. What do you do about having fresh salad greens and milk for the month? I feel like I would miss the fresh produce after the first week!
I get milk once a week from a local dairy – and I have planning for fresh stuff to last two weeks…which it usually does. And then I took Anne’s advice, like I said in the post, and kept some back in case I need to send Barry for things like bananas or lettuce. 🙂
Also, milk freezes well if you have that option.
I was shopping this way for awhile. I liked it but couldn’t seem to keep it up I guess. Did you plan all your dinners out before you shopped? Or do you plan dinners based on what you buy?
I always plan AFTER I shop. 🙂
Sounds good to me. I had just commented to husband that I could use up stuff I have for quite a while. Mainly need things like milk and bananas. Suppose I could get those every two weeks or freeze milk. Just hard to resist weekly sale items I suppose and might end up spending more if I have to pay full price. Buy a lot of gifts, clothing at Costco also. Something to think about.
I thought it would be hard to resist the weekly sale items too – so I just don’t look at the sale papers. And really, the amount you save going only once makes up for having to buy certain things on sale. Anne talks about that in her book. 🙂
We used to shop once a month. Now, in our house we do what we call a Big Shop. We go about every 12 weeks, sometimes every 16 weeks. We take a day and do any shopping that needs done outside of the house, from groceries to socks and underwear. We make it a fun, exciting, exhausting day. We have 5 kids, and they ALL look forward to it. We set aside money to eat out for lunch or dinner; that’s a HUGE treat. I love not having to go to the grocery every week. I know I save a ton of money. The more I stay home, the more I save. My husband will pick up produce when we need it. The key is to be disciplined to put back your normal grocery money each week and not spend it on other things. We usually hit Sam’s Club, Meijer, Aldi, and sometimes Kroger. My total bill can easily be $800 to $1,000 for 7 people for the 12 to 16 weeks. The last 2 years we have modified the Big Shop even further by doing the bulk of nonperishable items once a year. This is a HUGE shop, but saves me even more in the long run. I do keep a notebook of my goal price for items; if I can’t get them for my price, I’ll watch for a sale and then stock up for the year. I come out hundreds of dollars ahead compared to the years when I was a coupon queen and shopped every sale. Oh…and the time I save! This way of shopping will change your life!
Wow.I would LOVE to come with you on that!
AMY!!! OMW, Please tell me more!!! I just did the math of 7 people with a bill of $1,000 for 12 weeks, and that equals $83.34 a week, or roughly $12 per person! That’s phenomenal!
How did it work for finding THM approved items?
I don’t understand the question?
Stacy, I was just contemplating doing a two week menu and grocery list that never changes, so I can go twice a month and know what I’m buying and what’s on the menu. This will eliminate many time-suckers, such as having to decide on a different menu every week and making a list for that, then spending one day a week at the store, only to go back again the following week. The more you enter the door of that store, the more you spend! Your post is just the push I need 🙂 Thanks!
PUSH! 🙂
What about fresh produce?
I got enough for two weeks – and then I kept the extra, like I mentioned in the post, for sending Barry toward the end of the month if I need to…otherwise, I plan to rely on frozen items. 🙂
Did you get everything-everything? Milk for the whole month, for example? I know that it can be frozen but I’ve never tried it. It seems like the space commitment would outweigh the price savings.Of course, we often pick up our milk at the Rite-Aid that we pass every day. The day before the milk truck runs, their milk is the cheapest in town.
I also don’t buy my meat in bulk. I have a commitment issue — it’ll be in the fridge but something will come up and before I know it, it’s been defrosted too long or something.
So, my version is one big trip per month for the less perishable items. One trip to Sam’s every other month for cereals, juices, condiments, paper goods, etc. Then I pick up fresh meat, fresh produce, fresh bread, and milk as needed from a local store.
I’m really interested in hearing real-life stories from your readers.
🙂 Sounds like you need to meal plan, girl.
I buy tons of stuff in bulk – meat included – when I have the ability – my deep freeze is a life saver!
I get milk weekly from a local dairy, but I have frozen it for up to a month at a time and it works just fine as long as I don’t freeze the whole gallon together…then it takes forever to thaw. 🙂
Great idea! I did once a month for awhile – also inspired by Anne 🙂 She’s so smart.
Why did you quit?
Shopping once a month is very common to my family, as food stamps are only issued monthly. I shop at Save Alot.
I have never been there – but I have some friends who go!
Years ago, when we were a Marine Corp family and only got paid once a month, I used to shop for our groceries only once a month. My husband and I would shop together and pack a car with groceries for about one hundred dollars…lol..ahhh, the good ol days. We couldn’t do that these days. Now that I only shop for myself, I still shop with a month in mind for the most part, buying milk, bread and a few produce items, mid-month. It works as well for me, now, as it did back then when we were a family of four.
Faylee James
http://FoodShoppingOnABudget.com
Faylee, I LOVE your stories. 🙂
I do once a month shopping with the exception of milk and product. I’ve had a hard time wrangling that beast but love not making frequent trips for the rest!
I got enough fresh for two weeks- and then planned frozen for the rest…and I made sure to save that extra $60 to send Barry at the end of the month if I need to.
Milk freezes great!
I still don’t get how you only spent $231.39. I also only go shopping about every 3-4 weeks, mostly because I’m a school principal and I don’t leave my job until 6-7pm every night. I used to hit 3 main stores: Costco, Natural Foods, and Winco for what I couldn’t find at the first 2. Lately it seems I only do Costco because they carry such great produce and so many Organic items (I’m in Humboldt Co. CA). Granted I have 2 chow-hound kids (9&12)….but I’m lucky to get out of Costco for $400….and yes this typically includes pet foods, household cleaning supplies, and toiletries…And we are vegetarians, so I don’t buy a lot of expensive meats…we eat alot of beans and pastas…?Help?! What am I doing wrong? Or am I more frugal than I realize???
Girl – that was only Sam’s Club. 🙂 I also went to Kroger before that and the Farmer’s Market…I spent almost $400 for our family of 4.
This is really old, I know. Kim, consider making your own cleaning supplies with natural products like vinegar and baking soda. You can make everything you need from a handful of natural products.
What do you do about dairy products like yogurt and milk? Most of those don’t last a month.
Really? I find that yogurt lasts a month at a time. But we only buy plain. I get milk on a weekly basis from a local dairy, but I have frozen it with great success.
I do once-a-month grocery shopping. It saves time and money!
I make monthly menus, so it works really well to get everything I need at the start of the month. I make another trip in the middle of the month to restock perishable items (e.g., fresh fruits and veggies, milk, eggs). In addition to reserving some of the grocery budget for this midmonth trip, I try to keep some available in case I come across a great sale on an item we use frequently.
We have a deep freezer, so we have room to freeze things like meats and cheese so we can use them throughout the month. I think it would be challenging (though not impossible) to do once-a-month shopping without one.
Deep freezers are SUCH a blessing!
I started doing this a few years ago when Ilived an hour away from the major grocery stores, and I found it really freeing. Even though we’re only half that distance, I still do it. I love not grocery shopping so much – I have way better things to do. We do top up on fresh produce sometimes at a store closer to home, so it is nice to have a backup. The biggest thing is to learn to notice when things are half gone, so they can go on the list before you actually need them. I think you’re going to like shopping this way!
I do! I do! 🙂
I just started doing this as well in October. I am amazed at how much we have saved. I think it is about 50%. I am definitely going to keep doing this.
Wow! That’s a fantastic savings!!!
I’ve been doing this for a long time–even before I read Anne’s book. Why? I DO NOT LIKE GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE! Especially after two kids came along, it was like pulling teeth for me to take them to the grocery store! Plus, the more I go, the more tempted I’m to pick up something I don’t NEED. I usually just hit up BJ’s and Aldi and get what they don’t carry online or get Will to pick it up at Walmart (rice milk for Mags is a big one neither of those carry). I usually go the first week of the month after Will gets paid. I HATE Wal-Mart, so I’m glad he’ll go for me! Glad you’re jumping on board. When you told me you used to go once/week, I was amazed!
I hate Wal-Mart too…but you knew that. 😉
I number and date stuff, like hairspray, mousse, canned goods so I know how much I use in a month or in year. I know I use four large cans of hairspray a year along with 3 cans of mousse, 3 gallons of vinegar a month etc
That is the most genius thing I EVER HEARD!