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My Achilles’ heel - grocery shopping

August 30th, 2006 at 11:16 pm

I've always considered myself to be a fairly thrifty individual. I rent videos from the library instead of going to the movie theater. I use public transportation whenever possible (or I walk). I'll even wear clothes long past their expiration date. My goal is always simple: save as much as possible.

The only thing that really cuts into my budget is grocery shopping. I guess you could say it's my Achilles' heel. Here in my neighborhood there is only one supermarket -- Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheck as some of its patrons call it).
It's totally normal for my grocery bill to add up to $50 (for 1 person!) and it'll only last me 5 or 6 days.

Here's what I tend to buy:
1) A carton of Orange Juice ($2.59)
2) A carton of Milk ($1.99)
3) Brown Cow Yogurt ($.69/each) 6 containers
4) Sweet Vermont Bread ($2.99)
5) ZBars (1 box 8.99 - 18 bars)
6) Puffins (2.59)
7) Chicken Breast (about 5.99 for a 1lb+)
8) Soy Boy Tofu (1.99)
9) Ice Cream - Cherry Garcia (2.50)
10) Pre-packaged sliced chicken ($5)
11) Pre-packaged sliced cheddar ($5)
12) Frozen Pizza ($4)
13) Amy's Vegetarian Pot Pie ($2.50)

I know I'm doing something very wrong, as I can see that many people on this blog can sustain an entire family of three on the same amount.

Does anyone have any tips or advice? The only thing that really prevents me from buying in bulk is that I don't have a car and the subway only goes to one other grocery store (it's about a 20 minute ride out, and everything has to go in a huge backpack).

I'd really like to continue spending the same amount - I just want more to show for it. Any advice (recipes, coupons, links, etc. would be truly appreciated).

Thanks in advance!

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “My Achilles’ heel - grocery shopping”

  1. dshep Says:
    August 30th, 2006 at 11:31 pm 1156980702
    1156980702

    Do they take internet coupons? I would call and ask them. Instead of buying the prepacked chicken and cheese, wouldnt it be cheaper to see whats on sale at the deli. At our store, ( We only have one in town, like you, but we call ours shop and spend Smile ) its cheaper for me to see whats on sale in the deli, such as this week, the kids favorite cheese is on sale for 3.99 a lb.. much cheaper then the prepacked stuff I buy when nothings on sale. Also, wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a larger chicken and cook it and carve it up yourself... chicken after its cooked freezes up nicely in serving sizes. That would give you not only the chicken breasts you buy but the packaged chicken also. Normally I would say loose the Icecream, but sinces it Cherry Garcia and thats my favorite, keep it !

  2. LuxLiving Says:
    August 31st, 2006 at 01:23 am 1156987433
    1156987433

    Do you have the time and can you learn to bake your own bread? What about OJ from concentrate?

    If you can bake at all try a homemade pizza instead of the frozen? Even on a very tight grocery budget the cheese always takes a big bite for us.

  3. yummy64 Says:
    August 31st, 2006 at 02:10 am 1156990209
    1156990209

    What I noticed mssing on your menu, other than the OJ was fruit and veggies.

    Could you buy larger containers of yogurt and divide it. I don't know the prices in your area so don't even know if it comes in larger sizes

  4. drew1980 Says:
    August 31st, 2006 at 02:27 am 1156991275
    1156991275

    Actually, I forgot to mention that I do buy produce from an open market close to where I work. Everything is sold by the dollar (3 bananas = $1, 2 kiwis = $1, a container of strawberries = $1). The vegetables are also pretty reasonable.

    Unfortunately, my main grocery store doesn't have a circular with coupons. But I will call them about internet coupons - that could be a huge money saver. The prices are steep b/c almost everything is organic.

    Also, I like the idea of making pizza. I just sort of got lazy and started buying the frozen ones, but now that I think about it, it is far less expensive to just buy the ingredients and make it from scratch. Plus, homemade pizza always tastes better and it's way bigger.

    I really appreciate everyone's advice! I'm planning on shopping tomorrow, so I'll post again soon with the results!

  5. boomeyers Says:
    August 31st, 2006 at 04:24 am 1156998256
    1156998256

    I know some people that live in the city get the grocery ads on line for one of the chains and go there on a weekend and get a taxi. But they stock up for 2-3 weeks. Even a Costco trip in a taxi. So much can be stored by buying in bulk, in a cabinet, on a ledge, under a bed. You don't mention non-perishables like toliet paper or cleaning supplies. So much could be saved, it would be worth the taxi cost. Go with a friend and share the fare. Just a thought.....

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