FROM THE SCRAMBLE LIBRARY
SAVE TIME AND MONEY BY GROCERY SHOPPING LESS
It’s possible that we shop at the family-friendliest grocery store in town. At the family-owned Chevy Chase Supermarket, at least one of the owners is always stationed in the front of the store, ready to help find an ingredient or answer a question. They provide a book nook and truck-shaped grocery carts for children, and actually have employees begging to help load your car.Despite all those perks, I avoid that place like a hornet’s nest—I like to keep shopping trips to a minimum. I’m not sure if it’s my hectic schedule or the quiet comfort of my home, but I just don’t like to go to the supermarket any more than necessary, even if it is a very special place!
The Scramble emerged from my own experience as a busy parent, trying to get healthy and delicious meals on the table. I found the best way to keep my family fed while keeping my sanity intact was to plan meals in advance, make a grocery list, and shop just once a week, just like my mom used to do. By the end of the week, our ‘fridge is empty and it’s time to start the whole cycle again.
I have found that shopping with a plan reduces impulse buying and wasted food, encourages me to cook, and it may even save money on gas and cut pollution by reducing car trips.
Some people, like my friend Kathryn, like to grocery shop daily and see what ingredients inspire their dinners—if you’re one of them, read no further. But if you want to avoid going to the grocery store any more than necessary, try these tips:
- Keep a shopping list attached to the refrigerator (I use a magnetic pad), and update it when you are running low on something—our brains are too full to rely on our memories at the store!
- Buy enough milk, fruit, breakfast and lunch supplies and other essentials to last at least a week
- Plan at least five dinners in advance (I’d love to help you with that part!).
All this organization may sound challenging, but I think it’s easier than dragging yourself and the kids to the store any more often than necessary, or trying to throw together dinner without a plan.
For additional smart grocery shopping tips, I like this article from Health magazine: http://www.health.com/health/article/0,23414,1540959,00.html
P.S. To do my part for the environment, I also keep used grocery bags in our car to reuse on the next shopping trip. Once they are too beat up to reuse, I employ them for other household needs.