A topic has come up on more than one occasion recently, and I think perhaps it warrants a blog post. These are simply my thoughts on the subject.
Firstly, I am a speedy shopper. I have my list and know at which grocery store I want to purchase which items. I have little time for true "shopping" and do most of my price comparing quickly in my head as I walk or before I even leave the house. For this reason, I have a hard time when Paul shops with me. I always find twice as many items in my grocery cart when he is tagging along. But, I have to smile because sometimes he must struggle with my frugality as a woman and as a cook. So, I allow him the release once in a while.
As you review my "Cost" lists on my posts, you may notice foods come from the Maitland Farmer's Market, Sam's Club, Costco Wholesale, Publix Supermarket, Aldi Food Market, and Walmart Super Center. I don't actually shop at all of these stores every week. But, I almost could if I wanted or needed to. We have been blessed by the fabulous location of our house. The grocery stores are only one exit past our gym, which means they are exceptionally close. I pass the Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store every day on my way home from work. On Thursdays, when I go to the other office, I pass Walmart Super Center and then pass the road with all of the other grocery stores before getting to my house. So, I feel no guilt when I make several stops for groceries one week because I am passing the store anyway. This is especially true if I know I will get a good deal on something or if I need a great deal of something.
Every Thursday morning, Publix posts it's weekly ad on line. Few people realize Publix's sales go from Thursday to Wednesday. I can check the sales (especially the BOGOs) at work before I leave the office and decide if I need to stop at Walmart or go all the way up the road to the other stores closer to my house. Costco and Aldi are across the street from each other and Publix is on my way back home. Milk and gasoline always come from Costco. Bananas are available at Aldi when Costco runs out. They also have fabulous pineapples. I try to buy brand-name frozen vegetables and pasta and cake mix when they are on sale at Publix. Two weeks ago, I didn't even go to Publix. Last week Paul's favorite, Planter's Peanuts, were BOGO, and I had to send him.
I wish I could spend less money at the grocery store. Somehow, I always end up spending nearly $100! And there are only two of us! Part of me understands that that total includes lunches, which we bring to work, and I know that our food bill would be greater if we ate out one meal a day. Sadly, Orlando comes out with few coupons for products we like or use. So, I can only shop and compare to find the best deals.
My mom is a good shopper. I know I said I never come across good coupons, but she seems to do pretty well. She doesn't look so much at which products come from which stores. She thinks that she wastes more money driving around than buying all her groceries at one spot. That does seem more likely for her because the only store she passes on her way anywhere is Publix. But, her way to get around the problem is to go to the mall. When she's done shopping at the mall, she can pass Costco on her way home and pick up groceries.
Do you have any shopping secrets? Perhaps you only get to shop at one grocery store. Perhaps you have more grocery shopping items than I do. How do you survive speedy or slow grocery shopping?
