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*Benjamin Franklin was once quoted saying, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” I think this list should be expanded. In my world, this list should include grocery shopping, laundry, cooking, and washing dishes. The list goes on. In the past year, I have found my approach to grocery shopping has served me well. Please do not misunderstand. I absolutely love cooking and good food, but grocery shopping has always been my least favorite chore, and I only do it once a month. I know this will not work for some, but the main objective of this blog is to give some pointers and make it your own. My hope is that it might give you a different perspective. This segment of life lessons will be how to make a grocery list.
My grocery list is my best friend when I get ready to go shopping. My daughter and I will go off the rails if we do not have a list. She will buy everything but what we needed in the first place. With a list, I find that I have developed a little bit of tunnel vision too. It helps me keep to my list. A few days before the adventure (yes, adventure), I sit down with my daughter and do inventory. The first thing we do is establish a budget. What goes on your list will depend on your budget. My list helps me make the most of the money I have allotted at the time. Many years ago, a friend gave me eighty dollars to go to the store to buy things to make dinner. I returned an hour later with enough food for about six meals. I am not sure which was more entertaining, the look of shock or the question “Who spends an hour at the grocery store?” He went to the grocery store once with me, but after that, he never questions my methods again.
As I said before, I want the most for my money. When I shop, it is in several different stores to find the best prices for the things I need. That being said, I have had many times when I did not have that option, so I picked that one that was beneficial for my budget. I have more time than I can count walked home from the grocery store carrying backpacks full of groceries. Trust me, do not overload yourself. It is not fun and exhausting. My lists are broken down according to what store I am going to and food or household items. For example, I buy my meat at a butcher shop. The meat is better, and the pricing per pound is the same as a big chain store. ( I also found one that takes benefits that are issued by the state.) I know this seems like a lot, and in the beginning, it is. It is something that will take time and practice. The list should also include a guesstimation of how much is being spent.
Grocery list:
- Milk, canned and gallon (10.00)
- Sugar (brown and white) ( 15.00)
- Flour (All purpose) (2.00 for 5lbs and 6 .00 for 25 lbs)
- Eggs (large AA) (6.00)
- Italian seasonings (1.00)
- Bacon (15.00)
- Chicken ( 10 lbs leg quarter) (8.00)
- salad stuff (20.00)
- potaoes (10 lbs) (5.00 to 8.00)
- Onions (3 lb bag) ( 3.00)
- 24 pack of soda (9.00)
My budget for this mock list was one hundred dollars, and I spent a total of ninety-five. With that thought in mind, my list is rounded up to the nearest dollar. If an item is one dollar and three cents, I still round it up to two dollars. I also keep a running tally of how much I am spending within the store. So I don’t go over budget. Prices are always changing, so it is still good to keep track of how much you’re spending in the store. I have had my eggs go up by two dollars in a matter of weeks.
The approach with this list is supplementing what I already have in my house. You can also make a list like this and make it yours. Make this list to suit your need. If it’s a week’s worth of food, think about what you want to eat that week. Get what you need. If it’s supplementing, I often get my basics like bacon, milk, sugar, and coffee. Use your imagination and build your skills. Making a list is easy. That’s my story, and I am sticking to it.
*Unknown, Death & Taxes Quote Origin + Who Said It (Ben Franklin?), Black Alliance, April 9, 2021, Accessed date: June 27, 2021, Death & Taxes Quote Origin + Who Said It (Ben Franklin?) (blackalliance.org).