After a slight interruption last week with posting my grocery savings at Publix and Bi-Lo, I will return to my process for feeding my family. Before I step foot in the grocery store, I have already prepared to feed my family by creating a menu plan.
My Menu Planning Process
Step One: Choose a menu plan. My preference is the monthly plan, but in discovering your type of plan, I share links to other types of plans. Remember, a menu plan is a tool to help free you from the “5:00 p.m.-oh-what’s-for-dinner-tonight” quandary.
Step Two: Add meals to your plan from the food you have on hand. If you follow my system, you might not have many choices right away. You will need to build up your stockpile to have more options. When you start with the food in your house, menu planning gets easier.
For me, this second step was the hardest to accomplish. It was mind over matter. I had to re-train my thinking from choosing meals we wanted to eat to scheduling meals I could make now.
Though it took me about 2-3 months to “get it,” the savings are incredible. Using time wisely to change my thought process was time well spent.
Step Three: Continue to add meals. In creative inspiration, I shared times I am thinking about menu planning. By menu planning while putting away groceries and shopping, I can quickly make up a menu plan without much fuss. It takes lots of practice, but it is using time wisely to master menu planning. Your lowered family food budget will be a constant reminder of your success.
My Grocery Shopping Process
Step Four: Creating grocery lists. Today, I will begin a 3-part series sharing my tips for creating grocery lists:
- Part 1: Identify needed items
- Part 2: Select sale items
- Part 3: Compile a list for each store
Part 1: Identify Needed Items
As I prepare to create my grocery list, I first identify my needed items. To do so, I will consult the pad of paper on the side of my refrigerator and then check my supplies for needed items.
Pad of Paper
In our household, we keep a pad of paper on the side of our refrigerator. Usually there are a number of items on this list due to the system we have in place.
When you remove the last bottle of ketchup, you write “ketchup” on this pad of paper. If you notice we are running low on butter or milk, these items also get added to the pad of paper. Other items on this paper might be snacks and lunch foods for my husband to take to work, paper products, and medications. With this system in place, I only need to check the pad of paper to see what items I need to replenish.
Supply Areas
I will then check the refrigerator, pantry, and both freezers for any items that are low in supply. I will add these items to the list on the pad of paper.
With a complete list of all the items my family needs, I am ready to select sale items for my grocery list. Come back next week for more tips on using time wisely in creating your grocery lists.
Question: How do you keep track of items needed in your household?