If you're anything like me, life always seems like its on go-fast mode. As a result, things can get a little disorganised (you should see my pantry).
I was mortified to check my last few months bank statements to see I was averaging $550 in groceries a week - unfortunately with a fair slab of purchases ending up in the rubbish bin weeks later.
Why? Because I was buying things we had run out of to refill the chock-block pantry rather than buying what we needed for the week ahead.
It's just that I am always in such a rush. My challenge was to work out so I could get the pantry into a manageable state, save money, and stop those nightly pre-dinner drop ins to the supermarket.
The solution? Planning. Simple, yet effective.
On Saturday I worked out the week's meals in advance and then sorted the pantry to determine what I did and didn't have. From there the grocery list and a shopping trip only buying these items really reined in the cost.
Finally, so I didn't stray, I stuck a copy of each nights dinner, recipes and ingredients on the fridge. If I can manage this into the future I'm saving money, saving the environment (less rubbish), saving time (fewer shopping trips) and thankfully getting our pantry into some kind of order.
What are your tips in balancing the weekly shopping trips? Buy as you go or all in one hit?
Hi Tracie, I have been organising the menu 2 weeks in advance (on fortnightly pay) for about 6 months now. First week I buy all the meat and pantry items, plus fresh fruit & vegies, then the 2nd week just more fruit & vegies. It saves time and money... the trick is being disciplined and sticking to it!
ReplyDeleteYou're super organised Suzie! I'm on fortnightly pay too, which catches me out sometimes because I don't plan ahead. As well as being a bit more organised, my plan is to also break my shopping up into meat & veg one week (at the markets because it's so cheap), then pantry items the next.I think the markets are awesome for saving, just need to go early because it gets so hectic!
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