The Method To My Madness
Isn't it frustrating to go all through the grocery store and then realize that you forgot something waaay in the back? I hate that. I also get quite unhappy about finding out after the fact that I had a coupon for an item and didn't use it. Through trial and much error I've found a method that works well for me. I know lots of people have their own methods and some people even find a way to market their "proven success". I don't have it in me at this point to market anything fresh from my brain, but I am happy to share what I've learned to maybe be a blessing to someone else.
The second thing that I do before going to the grocery is make out a menu for about 10 days worth of full meals. That leaves a few days for leftovers and quick bite meals that seem to flow out of real life. Some folks can just pull it out of their brain as they ramble the grocery store, but that's not my style.
The first thing I do is look through the weekly sale papers and also check out the coupon match ups that are listed on several of the websites that I've mentioned previously. This helps me know the types of meals that I can plan using ingredients that will be on sale. In my menu I list each day and the main meal, for example...
Monday
Chili -cheese/sour cream
I complete my menu in the same way for all 10-ish days. I don't really plan out any special breakfast or lunch meals, since we eat pretty simply for those two meals. If we have guests or have a special weekend then I may plan in a breakfast meal to make sure that I have everything I need on hand. After making the menu, I make my grocery list including all the items that I need to make the meals on my menu. I also add pantry items that are low, breakfast fare (cereals, bagels, etc), and basic lunch items (PB & J, lunch meat, cheese). When I make my grocery list I make it in "store order". Which means that I make my grocery list in the order that I go through the grocery store (which is the same every time). Since I go through the store methodically, rather than sporatically, it allows me to also put my coupons in store order as well. If I don't do this then I waste time searching for coupons for things on my list. ("I know I had a coupon for that in here somewhere...) I mean, to say that, before I even go to the store I pull out all of my coupons for the items on my list and put them in store order. I don't pull them out as I go through the store. Doing it this way keeps people from getting mad at me for taking up space in the aisle of the grocery store or at the checkstand. I do, however, bring my coupon holder with me just in case there is an unadvertised sale on an item that I have a coupon for already. Next to each item on my list I put a letter "C" if I'm planning to use a coupon for it and I also write they type of sale that is on that particular item. For example...
Baby carrots -16 oz 10/10 (this means that the 16 oz size package should be on sale for 10 for $10, according to my weekly sales flyer. )You'll see an example of that below (on Monday morning) where I've posted my last shopping list to give you a better idea of what I mean.
Also, if it happens that an item that was on a special is all out, then I can make a circle around it (at the store) to remind myself to ask for a raincheck at the checkstand. (Special note: If you're in a line that has lots of people behind you, please, please, don't take the time to ask for multiple rainchecks at the checkstand. It is much easier for you (your testimony), the people behind you, and the checker (who has to deal with the people behind you next) if you just take yourself to the service desk after you're checked out and ask for your rain checks there. It might take a few more steps to walk over there, but it will make for a more pleasant shopping experience for you and the people around you. K, enough said on that)
Tomorrow I'll add pictures of my coupon organizer and a few other things that also help keep things in order as I go.
The second thing that I do before going to the grocery is make out a menu for about 10 days worth of full meals. That leaves a few days for leftovers and quick bite meals that seem to flow out of real life. Some folks can just pull it out of their brain as they ramble the grocery store, but that's not my style.The first thing I do is look through the weekly sale papers and also check out the coupon match ups that are listed on several of the websites that I've mentioned previously. This helps me know the types of meals that I can plan using ingredients that will be on sale. In my menu I list each day and the main meal, for example...
Monday
Chili -cheese/sour cream
Cornbread
Carrots w/dip
Tuesday
Stirfry Vegetables w/Rice
Chicken Teriyaki
Canned Peaches
Wednesday
Leftover Chili
Cornbread
Salad
I complete my menu in the same way for all 10-ish days. I don't really plan out any special breakfast or lunch meals, since we eat pretty simply for those two meals. If we have guests or have a special weekend then I may plan in a breakfast meal to make sure that I have everything I need on hand. After making the menu, I make my grocery list including all the items that I need to make the meals on my menu. I also add pantry items that are low, breakfast fare (cereals, bagels, etc), and basic lunch items (PB & J, lunch meat, cheese). When I make my grocery list I make it in "store order". Which means that I make my grocery list in the order that I go through the grocery store (which is the same every time). Since I go through the store methodically, rather than sporatically, it allows me to also put my coupons in store order as well. If I don't do this then I waste time searching for coupons for things on my list. ("I know I had a coupon for that in here somewhere...) I mean, to say that, before I even go to the store I pull out all of my coupons for the items on my list and put them in store order. I don't pull them out as I go through the store. Doing it this way keeps people from getting mad at me for taking up space in the aisle of the grocery store or at the checkstand. I do, however, bring my coupon holder with me just in case there is an unadvertised sale on an item that I have a coupon for already. Next to each item on my list I put a letter "C" if I'm planning to use a coupon for it and I also write they type of sale that is on that particular item. For example...
Baby carrots -16 oz 10/10 (this means that the 16 oz size package should be on sale for 10 for $10, according to my weekly sales flyer. )You'll see an example of that below (on Monday morning) where I've posted my last shopping list to give you a better idea of what I mean.
Also, if it happens that an item that was on a special is all out, then I can make a circle around it (at the store) to remind myself to ask for a raincheck at the checkstand. (Special note: If you're in a line that has lots of people behind you, please, please, don't take the time to ask for multiple rainchecks at the checkstand. It is much easier for you (your testimony), the people behind you, and the checker (who has to deal with the people behind you next) if you just take yourself to the service desk after you're checked out and ask for your rain checks there. It might take a few more steps to walk over there, but it will make for a more pleasant shopping experience for you and the people around you. K, enough said on that)
Tomorrow I'll add pictures of my coupon organizer and a few other things that also help keep things in order as I go.
Very Interesting!!! You are posting so often, it's so cool! You must be scheduling your posts, huh? I need to be a little more organized about the grocery shopping... but it is so frustrating to go to get something that is on sale and it's GONE. I cannot go first thing in the morning... so I always find them gone. Dan was very impressed with this post and thinks it's fabulous. I plan to study it some more later. :)
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