What do you do to prepare for your weekly, fortnightly or monthly shop? I have a freezer list and spare pantry list. A screen shot of our freezer list for example is this:
I peruse all these lists and work out what to use towards a menu plan. From the menu plan I create a shopping list of any items that do not appear on my lists. These are generally fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy and a few extra items.
I did have two legs of lamb in the freezer but one was thawed. It had its hock removed and used for soup. The rest was roasted for 4 dinners to eat over 2 different days. Leftover cooked lamb was minced and will be turned into yet more meals to be put back into the freezer. I have already shopped my lists to make sure I have what is needed for these addition freezer meals.
Generally, anything not on my shopping list does not get put in the trolley. Exceptions can be shopping for gifts to put away or buying something from the rapidly disappearing shelves of Christmas items, again to put away for later use.
We got onto this very good habit during our war diary ration years, see diary on tab above. We have never strayed from it and believe these lists, plans and shopping requirements have saved us a fortune over the years.
How do you shop?
Very organised! I'm trying to keep an up to date list of what comes out of/goes in the freezer....I'm quite good at crossing things off when I've used them, but tend to forget to add things to the list when I've made and frozen ready meals, eg.
ReplyDeleteI find it difficult doing it either way but do remember to update it when I do finally remember.
DeleteI’m a firm believer in following your list at the store. I have a pretty good idea what things cost and kind of keep a running tally in my brain when I make up the list. I keep freezer and pantry lists like your but am terrible at updating them. Biggest problem for my budget is letting my husband do the shopping or letting him accompany me when I go. When he’s with me, I find random items in my cart.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing DB adds are the occasional tool, DIY small items or a small chocolate bar. He pays me back for those. He comes every week so is aware of prices.
DeleteHe’s become a lot more price aware but still goes “off list” when something catches his eye. We are trying to have a $20 budget for January and he is all in for that, so we’re good for this month at least
DeleteI've given up with lists of what I have. I've tried umpteen times and it never lasts as I forget to cross things off/ add them! I have quite a good grasp of what we have, but I am less rigid when shopping these days after many years of having to watch every penny so closely.
ReplyDeleteMy success rates varies from week to week. Just made two Shepherds pies from the leftover lamb. In freezer and remembered to add them, this time anyway.
DeleteNot as rigid as I used to be I do try to maintain the freezer list as I cant see that but the store cupboard is easily viewed.
ReplyDeleteSeems a lot of us use lists of some kind.
DeleteI do a big shop once a month and then maybe a couple of top ups for dairy, fruit & veg (although these days I'm trying to go as long as possible between trips).
ReplyDeleteI only have the freezer above my fridge but it is very organized. I have a couple of bins that I stack on top of each other and then two open trays that sit on top. Before the big trip I go through the bins, make a note of what I might be low on and then move enough items up to the trays to last for the following few weeks. Today I moved up some mince, a few pieces of cod, a couple of salmon, and a pkg. of stewing meat. I have some turkey thawing in the fridge to have with salads over the next few days and there is some bacon ready to be cooked for a few breakfasts. These items will be supplemented by items from the pantry - dry and canned.
Tomorrow I will see what the price is for some chicken thighs but that is the only meat on the list - the rest is strictly dairy, fruit & veg. We are anticipating an even tougher lockdown announcement on Tuesday (we are already in the highest tier) so want to be ready. I won't go back to the stores until at least the end of the month after that.
For me - the most important part is to rotate and use things before freezer burn can set in and to alternate between these items and the pantry (pasta, rice, other grains plus cans of fish & meat and vegetarian options).
Freezer burn is a problem isn’t it. I do have some old stuff in my freezer but when we use it, it tastes and smells fine with no side effects.
DeleteI am shopping online in order to stay away from people but you do miss out on the good yellow sticker bargains. But I am still using our local butcher and after running the freezers down before Christmas I am being very mindful of what is in them and making sure things will not get forgotten about and be used in a timely fashion.
ReplyDeleteWe used to shop online but now prefer to do it ourselves, despite not enjoying it at the moment.
DeleteI have a piece of paper that sits on the worktop and as soon as anyone spots a shortage its written down. Hubby eats things I don't. Then I look in the freezer and cupboards and compile the list and try to stick to it.
ReplyDeleteLists seem to abound in this house due to our memories not being as good as they were!
DeleteI should do a freezer inventory and a pantry inventory but that would take more time then I have free now.
ReplyDeleteShopping, I make a list of what we are out of and sometimes something extra for a recipe. Otherwise I watch sales and stock up, many times case-lots of canned goods.
When I do a grocery pickup (order online and they bring it out and put in my car), I may add one or two extras for the pantry.
I do know I saved $$ when I did the pickup every week. When DH comes along, he adds items to the cart that are not on the list. Oh well, it's his money we are spending.
Right now we are eating from the freezers and pantry and I am buying very little, only dairy and produce. At least for the next 2 months.
Sounds as though you are well organised.
DeleteI shop by going through the fliers and buying sale items to use in meals perhaps the following month. The only things that get used from the shopping trip are dairy, veggies and fruit. Like you nothing goes in that isn't on my list unless it is a really great sale.
ReplyDeleteUsually when I bring out the last of something from the pantry I start to look for that item and hopefully manage to get it on sale.
God bless.
My MinL got me started. She had two of everything she used a lot of. When one was finished she bought another and rotated stock.
DeleteI have a list of standard items in larder and household cleaners etc and check that to make sure all ingredients to cook from scratch are regularly purchased. And if they come up on offer I can stock up. But mostly I shop when the fridge and freezer are nearly empty!!! Do main shop fortnightly online and then have to wait 3/4 days for a slot which is fine because those last few things skulking at the back get used.
ReplyDeleteGosh that is very organised, I'm impressed :-)
ReplyDelete