Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group I have been compensated to test the Loblaws Click & Collect service. The opinions on this blog are my own.
I’m 44…cough…okay, almost 45. I’ve been married for close to 20 years, and I’m living it up in the suburbs with a diva kitty, a 170 pound great dane pup and two teenage girls. Life is constantly changing, always interesting and keeps me on my toes. One thing that doesn’t change? The need to go grocery shopping. Blerg. Routine. And full confession? It’s not my favourite thing to do.
One word that would most closely describe my usual grocery shopping routine? Chaos? For me, grocery shopping is a time consuming, scattered, disorganized, fly by the seat of my pants affair. My routine? Sunday night I realize we are OUT OF FOOD. I dig into the bottom of the freezer and praise the freezer gods for the gift of the last four chicken breasts in the house. I scrounge around for the last box of stuffing, throw some cream of chicken something on top, and hope against hope there is a canned veggie of corn that will elevate Sunday nights dinner to semi-nutrious status. Once dinner’s over, I can breathe. We can all survive until Monday.
Monday is when the dreaded grocery shopping can begin. I load the car up with my big old green bins, head into the beautiful store and simply go for it! I wander through the grocery store, meander up the aisles and begin to fill my cart. I’m sure to load up on lunchtime essentials for the school week. Well fed kids, are happy kids. I throw in extra fruits and veggies. Can’t pass by the cheeses without trying something new. Then we must add crackers to go with the cheese. Cheese makes me think of pasta. Pasta needs sauce. Sauce equals spagahetti. Did I get all the veggies I need to make a ceasear salad? Eventually I make it though the dairy aisle where my helter skelter style of shopping continues. By the time I reach the coffee, jam, and frozen desserts I know I’ve wasted too much time in the store. It’s time to get back to the outside world. At this point a quick perrusal of my cart reminds me I need at least one more protein to call this grocery shop a success, so head back to the meat department. I then make a dash for the cashier and pick the shortest line I can find. I’m a Mama on the move, I’ve lost almost an hour in the store? Gah. As I check out I already know I will be back shopping again on Thursday. No way is this enough food to last the entire week.
The sad part? This little shopping “routine” of mine? It’s the same every single time. For a women who prides herself on her shopping skills, my grocery shopping skills need some polishing. For 20 plus years my mantra has been, get in, get out, then have to do it again? I think it’s time to change up this grocery routine! Suggestions welcome!
I like to go grocery shopping but I make a ton of mistakes. Sometimes I go on an empty stomach and I end up buying all kinds of things that I don’t need or that go bad before we can eat them.
I absolutely love grocery shopping, it gives me an excuse to get out of the house. I check the weekly flyers ahead of time to see if there are good deals. When I’m in the store my favourite is the bakery department, I love looking at all the nice desserts. I always bring a grocery list too.
I have to agree, I always take a list with me. I also have a pen with me, to mark off the items as they go into the cart. If I manage to forget my list at home (usually on the kitchen table) I will come home and find something I forgot to pick up.
I actually love grocery shopping, a list always helps.
My husband does the grocery shopping as i cannot handle the crowds. BUT I also go and pick up things here and there every week but when I know its not busy
I get the weekly flyers, scan them and go to the store or stores with the best deals. I stock up on the deals and get the other items I need. I shop once a week plus drop in for milk or bread when needed.
I usually make a list (I’d like to say always, but there are times throughout the week when I stop to pick up one or two items) One thing that helped me with grocery shopping is writing our meals down on the calendar. I know what we haven’t had in a while, what we ate too much of etc. etc. Highly recommend it for the mail meals.
I like grocery shopping and wandering through the aisles to see what’s new, but only when i’ve got time on my hands and no antsy toddler hanging on. otherwise, i like to order my groceries online and pick them up at the store all ready to go!
It sounds like your grocery routine is like many and you’re right, a change is due! My change was the get in and get out rule for sure but using the flyers for sales so not only saving money but time as well!
You should batch cook, and then only buy produce once per week. Cuts down on cooking AND shopping.
I love grocery shopping but i spend way to much money most times . I check all flyers before i head out .
I love grocery shopping!!! Sometimes my mum and I make a list when there a few things we need that we are sure to forget. We price match and I have started using coupons as well on items that I know we need!
Grocery shopping is not one of my favourite things to do. I do make a list of things we’re running out of and things on sale in the flyers, but it would probably be easier if I did a meal plan for the week so I’d know what we needed for specific meals.
i think i can relate, i always need my flipp app and a list. my list is usually the stuff we need, the flipp app is for the items on sale that i want to get and provides a good visual list.
then at the supermarket, i tend to wander because i like getting ideas from other items that i see but then i quickly go back to my list!
I like to get out and grocery shop.I enjoy keeping an eye out for new products but I try hard to stick to a list.
Usually though I end up buying more than I have on the list especially if there are fresh things out like fruit
or something fresh baked.My husband is great for bringing a pen and paper with him too.