How to Grocery Shop while saving money (and your sanity)

For a while now I have been wanting to blog about grocery shopping.

I know, I know, not the most exciting topic, but it's something we all have to do, so why not do it the quickest, cheapest, most efficient way possible?

There was a time (recently) when I was spending WAY to much money, going grocery shopping without a list, therefore going too many times a week. I knew I had to get it under control as our family is now living on a single income.

Step One : Plan Ahead

Before I head out to the store I make my meal plan for 2 weeks. (I have dinners outlined, as lunches/breakfast are pretty standard around here.)

We don't necessarily stick to the specific days, but at least the options are there.

Step Two : Bring your list

I categorized the menu by section of the grocery store. I also left a space next to the item title so I can indicate if I have a coupon or not.

You can download the printable grocery lists  I use help keep track of your shopping.

Step Three : Leave the kids at home

If possible leave them at home. My kids are NOTORIOUS "add on salers". An easy way to save money is by not having them  there.

Step Four: Eat before you leave

If you shop when you're hungry you are more likely to buy more than you anticipated.

Step Five: Walk the perimeter

Stores spend a lot of money of setting up the store to entice you to throw your list out the window. If you walk the perimeter of the store first you will fill the cart with all the essentials. (Milk, cheese, bread, deli, veggies etc.) When walking through the aisles, try to only hit the ones you need. Otherwise you will fill your cart with lots of extras!

Step Five:Use laundry baskets

I take laundry baskets and leave them in the car so I can put all of my bags in the baskets, making it easier to unload the car after.

You can print the grocery list here.

Chores, chores, chores! Printable chore cards

With the summer in full swing, I have 2 extra people running around the house the entire day. More dishes,  more laundry, more mess!

Unfortunately I am NOT Super Woman. CRAZY I know! So I do need help from the men in my life and I came across a great idea to get the kids involved that I wanted to share.

Chore Cards

First off we came up with a list of all the rooms that needed to be cleaned. Then for each room, what needed to be done, and finally what supplies they would need to collect to do the job right. (I left the supplies blank as I may use different cleaning products then you.)

On Monday we pick what cards we will use for the week. (There are 6 cards + 1 bedroom card, so we each get 2 cards + our bedroom to take care of) Its great because I know who has / hasn't been doing they're chores.

We go through the cards and do each of the chores on the list. At the end I go through the rooms with the boys and make sure the jobs are done well. (I have found I have had to relax a bit, they're kids and don't necessarily clean the way I do - Matteo apparently feels that dishes are only clean if 1/3 of the
soap bottle is used per load of dishes.) I keep track of everyone's points on a white board.

You can easily get the cards laminated so you can write on the cards with dry erase markers. (I haven't yet)

Each chore has a corresponding points value that the kids can use to "buy" different fun activities. (Computer time, sleep over with friends etc.)

We also came up with some extra chores they can do to earn extra points if they need them.

You can print the Chore Cards HERE.

Scavenger Hunt

Why not enjoy the great out doors? Leaves, bugs, stones, flowers, the possibilities are endless!

To print the scavenger hunt list below click here!

 

I've also received a few emails from people asking for a blank version of the scavenger hunt. You can get it here.