Grocery Store Intimidation?
It’s a rainy day here in South Texas. My four school age kids are off all week for their winter break. I’m pretty sure they were just out for Christmas and New Years break just ended! Like most this time of year, my family seems to be fighting off the plague….aka the flu. My oldest young adult son is confined to his room sipping on an electrolyte drink and wishing someone would knock him unconscious until he is fully recovered. As I’m working in my warm kitchen and prepping all the things, I’m making a mental grocery list in my head.
With grocery prices sky high these days, this automatically brings a sense of dread and if I’m being honest, a sense of intimidation. If you are like me and food is your love language, the grocery store is a place that you can easily spend all of your money. This lead me to think that I can’t be the only one feeling overwhelmed.
I would like to share a few tips that have helped me along the way with feeding a large family. Even if your family doesn’t take a school bus to move around, or you find yourself shopping for one; these tips are universal.
- Picking a smaller footprint store.
My go to is Aldi, the prices are affordable and you can walk the whole store in less than 5 min front to back. The less time in a store… The less you spend! On average smaller footprint stores cost more.
This tip is one where you weigh the cost of time over dollars if your smaller option is more on the expensive side.
For example: Walmart has now made a maze to follow just to checkout. While I do love a good Walmart run on days I have more time, don’t be surprised if you find a snickers, hand sanitizer, and lip balm in your cart you didn’t plan on buying. That’s just if you got side tracked on checkout. If you found yourself outside of the grocery side…May the force be with you! Also, prepare to be checking yourself out more than likely. Can I get a discount for that? 😉
2. Always have a grocery list written out. Im like a squirrel when I’m listless. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself grabbing all the fun things you will undoubtedly need…or feel like you do. Put the cappuccino scented candle in the glass coffee up down! This leads me to my next point
3. Shop the perimeter of the store.
My children’s pediatrician once told me when my 3 sons were little to stay away from the middle of the grocery store. It’s mostly processed and prepackaged foods that consume those aisles. He was a wise one in his 70’s. He was from Isreal and his father had owned a grocery store over there. I love wisdom from older generations. 🙂 If we are honest with ourselves those are the aisles we get lost in and end up overspending our budget on. I would have to make an exception for spices and baking staples.
4. Only shop once a week.
This is not a new concept but one that helps me monthly stick to our budget.
5. Do a grocery pickup order
If you have children or dependents of any kind it might be hard to head out on a shopping trip. I know for me I get inspiration for meals by the meat sales that week. While I personally prefer to pick out my own fruits and veggies, this is a great option for those who just can’t go into the store easily. This is also a good option to stick to your weekly budget because it is listed in your cart as you go.
6. Do an inventory prep of your pantry
This is one I do right before I walk out the door. Peruse your fridge, freezer, and pantry. This will also give you quick ideas for meals to make and will prompt you to add to your list any missing items for said meals. If you are way more organized than I am, you would move this to #1 on your how to knock out grocery store intimidation check list. I’m telling on myself here….even after shopping for 20 years to feed my fam. this is my last step. To each his own…no judgment here!
While these are pretty simple and straight forward concepts, sometimes that is just what an overwhelmed mom brain needs to simplify life and bring some calm and peace.
– Kimberly
