Grocery Shopping Thread

[Gnome Rage]

So, I initially wanted this to be a "photos of your fridge" thread... but mine is not nearly as impressive as the cabinets. So I decided to nix that idea, but if you wanna show me your fridge I'd be happy to see it!

Anyways, I wanted to know kind of "how" you shop. Do you make a list? Do you just go through the aisles? Do you coupon!? WHAT IS YOUR METHOD TO THIS MADNESS KNOWN AS THE GROCERY STORE.

Also, what is an average weekly/bi-weekly bill for y'all?

(I also wanted to compare prices for similar items across the country. Just a curiosity thing).

SOO.

I spent 130 bucks after a 30ish dollar savings. I went to price chopper though, usually I go to Big-Y and we're consistently at about ~145/week-and-a-half-ish

[Gnome Rage]

Also, what items are typically on your list every single time you shop?

We always get eggs, broccoli, some sort of crackers and cheese, AND TATER TOTS, but those are pretty much our only staple, everything else kind of rotates.

[Nathala Crane]

Hashbrown patties.
Arrogant Bastard Ale is a staple.
About seven varieties of cheese.
Meat, meat, meat, and usually some kind of fish.

We spend about $100-120 for a two-week period. But that's mostly because my girlfriend is a crazy coupon lady and always takes advantage of clearance items, to boot. Which sometimes means we end up with a dozen boxes of, say, Honey Nut Cheerios, but..

[Silvean]

My wife makes a list and I add a few things. I spend a fortune on eating out a lot. My usual list:

Greek yogurt (Yoplait 100 calorie Boston Cream Pie among others)
chicken breasts
BBQ sauce (Rufus Teague)
Simply Jif Peanut Butter
Granola
Coffee and Tea
Diet Snapple Half 'n Half
Occasionally beer
Pumpernickel or whole grain bread
Fiber bars (stopped eating these recently, too much sugar and too little nutrition)
bananas and grapefruit
vegetables (usually broccoli and spinach)
Nutri-Grain Eggo Waffles (sometimes)

I buy premade protein drinks from either GNC or the grocery store and have one or two of those a day. I also buy Ito En Dark Green Tea in bulk. With the exception of bulk chicken preparation, I rarely cook. I make a special trip to a Fresh Market or Whole Foods when I do.

We spend about $130 a week on groceries -- no coupons. Off topic: my usual cafeteria lunch is half a grapefruit, a pile of chicken breasts, and a seaweed salad. Sometimes I get a roll if I am being naughty. Naughty, naughty, naughty.

[Wrathbringer]

Ribeye steaks, lobster, beef ribs, scallops, king crab and thick cut pepper bacon are the staples. Roughly $150 a week.

[Allereli]

I hate cooking, but I also try to not eat so many prepared meals. When I buy those I read the labels and check the salt content/ingredients, but I read labels on everything. If I can't make something in 10 minutes, I don't bother, unless it's put in the oven and I can set a timer and walk away. I can't eat too much dairy or any fried foods, and I avoid preservatives and chemical sweeteners, so that eliminates ~75% of all grocery stores items. I also can't drink alcohol and don't drink soda and rarely drink juices, so that eliminates another ~15% of the items.

So I go shopping every couple of weeks, to either Trader Joe's or Harris Teeter, where I try to find sale items, and usually get:

a pack of trail mix that doesn't have chocolate in it (usually cashews, almonds, and cranberries)
some other snack food
fresh fruit (a lot)
eggs
loaf of bread
broccoli
some other vegetable (either shaved brussel sprouts or butternut squash)
some sort of almond or soy milk
cereal
cappellini or egg noodles (TJs cappellini cooks fully in 3 minutes)
dumplings and/or pork buns
quick prepare rice (usually TJs frozen)
frozen uncooked seafood

Every few months I go to the uber BB&B with a World Market in it and buy several jars of expensive all natural low sodium tomato sauces that I use the BB&B $5 off $15 coupons on. I usually get some teas there, too.

Overall I spend ~40-60 every other week.

[Gnome Rage]

How much do you guys spend on eating out?!

I get a coffee pretty much every day, 2 dollars & tip.
Sometimes I get a bagel sandwich between 7-10 dollars with tip... but that's pretty much the only time I pay for food not at the grocery store.

[Allereli]

I tried to do the whole make salad at work thing but I got bored really fast and Sweetgreen does it better, so it's cost me. I work near Dupont Circle so it's a little less than $10 per lunch. I really miss the cheap sushi bar that closed down recently.

[Keller]

lumping together grocery and market, each week we buy - yogurt, milk, almond milk, OJ, graeters ice cream (black raspberry/dark chocolate chunk to be specific), kale, berries, bananas, tomatoes, salad greens, chicken breasts, eggs, ground chuck, fish of the week (our meat guy gets frozen filets from local fishermen and sells them). We always buy veggies, but it depends on what is in season at the market.

We eat out 2-3 times per week. Grocery store 1x per week; market on Wednesday and Saturday.

[ThatDamnTep]

The grocery store is a source of great strife in our house. If B happens to go when she's hungry or in the mood for something she'll come home with a ton of crap and no real food despite spending $100+ dollars. I wish I was kidding about this, but one time she went while thirsty and came home with nothing but $100-$125 of drinks. I nearly had an aneurysm.

I have two routines for shopping; normal and scrimp.

Normally I'll head straight to the meat department and see what's on sale/marked down. Then it's on to dairy and the back of the store grabbing stuff to go with whatever I found while working my way back towards produce.

When money was tight I would make a list of recipes I wanted to eat for a week or so, check off what I already had, then only buy that stuff at the store. It usually cut my grocery bill by 30% compared to my normal routine.

Staples are chicken thighs, flour, rice, canned tomatoes, beans, pasta, onions, garlic, and potatoes. Average 10 day bill in non-scrimp mode is $135.

[Ker_Thwap]

Coupons are for suckers, they only have them for national brand, overpriced, over-processed crap. I buy store brand from the local grocery store, in bulk when possible.

Items I keep in bulk: Real oatmeal, short grain brown rice, wheat flour, sugar, decaf coffee, decaf tea, frozen bread dough for pizza, a loaf of whole grain low sugar bread, sliced then frozen. Meats are bought on sale, trimmed and individually portioned. Usually skinless chicken breasts, the little pork loins, and hamburger. About fifty spices on hand, plus sesame seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, sliced almonds, dark and semi sweet chocolate chips, dried cherries. Canola oil, jar of tahini, chickpeas, tub of plain yogurt, red kidney beans, spaghetti sauce, vinegars, baking soda/powder, salt.

The typical shopping trip is twice a week.

spring mix, red lettuce, or romaine, whichever looks best.
tomatoes, for soup if not in season, or for eating fresh if fresh.
a red potato, a red pepper, some carrots, broccoli, summer squash, zucchini, radishes, anything else that looks good.
red grapes, apples only when local, pears, banana, grapefruit
quart of milk which I rarely even use, some kind of cheese.

Occasionally a good steak, pacific salmon, tuna steaks, bacon, a small bag of sugar, some kind of dark beer.

I make most of my condiments/salad dressings from scratch, so if I want to get fat, I have to work at it. Same with baked goods, other than bread, because bread requires patience, measuring and timing.

Food only budget is about $200 - 250 a month.

[JackWhisper]

Five people.
1100 a month.
2x takeout per month.

Shop twice a month.

Costco rules.

[Sorcasaurus]

I buy premade protein drinks from either GNC or the grocery store and have one or two of those a day.

This made me cringe a little. Don't want to mix milk and potein powder yourself for a fraction of the cost?



The girlfriend and I usually spend around $100 a week on groceries, + wine, beer and the rare restocking cost for our liquor cabinet.

Staples:
Chicken Sausage
Risotto
Kale/Spinach/Mustard greens... - basically some sort of green leafy substance that she says is good for me
Greek yogurt
meat of the week - we usually get either ground beef/turkey, something porky, or another gamier meet. Just to mix it up a bit
Carrots
A Vegetable
Peanut Butter filled pretzels
Frozen fruit for morning smoothies

We make pasta, so flour and eggs as needed.

[Thondalar]

I have a family of four, and I do the vast majority of the cooking, so I also do the vast majority of the shopping. I go to Sam's once a month for bulk items, I'll usually spend about $300 there, and I'll get things like entire pork loins that I'll take home and cut down into chops and roasts, 5-pound packs of ground beef I'll break down into 1-pound portions, 10-pound bags of frozen chicken breasts, etc. I buy most of my meat there, along with flats of what few canned goods I use...diced tomatoes, condensed cream-of-mushroom soup, etc. I also get large bags of shredded cheese, and usually a pack of frozen pizzas, as well as 10-pound bags of sugar and flour as needed. Pretty much anything that I could get cheaper in bulk that I either use a lot of or it lasts a long time, I get at Sam's.

Everything else I go to Publix for, and I usually spend about $150 there every two weeks or so, and that's almost entirely vegetables and fruit, pastas (couscous, orzo, angel hair, penne, rotini), rice (arboreal, wild, jasmine), bread, milk, OJ, etc etc...basically stuff Sam's either doesn't carry or that I wouldn't be able to use 10 pounds of before it goes bad.

I'm pretty well-versed in general culinary arts, so I buy a pretty wide variety of things. Last night we had chicken parmigiana with mushroom orzo and broccoli, tonight I'm doing a pretty simple pork roast with baked mac n' cheese and roasted brussels sprouts, tomorrow we'll probably do enchiladas. Or maybe fajitas.

[Silvean]

This made me cringe a little. Don't want to mix milk and protein powder yourself for a fraction of the cost?

Sometimes I do. And not only is it cheaper, but the mix protein is much higher quality. Still, I find it psychologically helpful to eliminate all possible obstacles in the way of my nutrition/fitness regime. I grab those premix bottles when I have a minute to get out the door or when I'm out in the city.

You want to talk about wasting money. I have a gym in my building, access to a university gym at work, and my wife still talked me into buying a membership at yet another gym in Tysons Corner, VA. Wanted to take classes, she said. Wanted me to go with her, she said.

[Tgo01]

I usually keep a list of things, sometimes I just wing it. I use coupons for things I would normally buy anyways; I'm not one of those people who buy something just because I have a coupon.

50 dollars per person per week for food seems to be about the average.

[Ceyrin]

Bacon
Thick sliced bacon
Bacon bits
Chocolate with bacon
Bacon liquor
Beggin stripz (for the dogs)
Waffles
Bacon

[Jhynnifer]

So, I initially wanted this to be a "photos of your fridge" thread... but mine is not nearly as impressive as the cabinets. So I decided to nix that idea, but if you wanna show me your fridge I'd be happy to see it!

Anyways, I wanted to know kind of "how" you shop. Do you make a list? Do you just go through the aisles? Do you coupon!? WHAT IS YOUR METHOD TO THIS MADNESS KNOWN AS THE GROCERY STORE.

Also, what is an average weekly/bi-weekly bill for y'all?

(I also wanted to compare prices for similar items across the country. Just a curiosity thing).

SOO.

I spent 130 bucks after a 30ish dollar savings. I went to price chopper though, usually I go to Big-Y and we're consistently at about ~145/week-and-a-half-ish

I usually write out a list of what I plan on making for the week because I have a lot of night classes and have to consider what to make extra of so Bill can have dinner when I'm in class. So once I get the menu done for the week I'll break that down into ingredients then double check what I have on hand so I don't overbuy. Then I do house inventory to check what we're low on and add that. So it takes about an hour.

For two people we usually spend rought $100-140 but that ends up being a lot of fresh fruits/veggies and meats... and of course (cause wisconsin) beer.

We usually eat out once a week as a treat if we've been good. We normally spend $40-70 depending on where we go and the amount of alcohol consumed.

[Androidpk]

Man, you all spend a ton on food.

I eat a shit ton of pasta with marinara sauce. Other things include oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, chicken breasts,almod milk and spices. I volunteer a few times a month at a CSA farm and in return I get a ton of fresh produce. Veggies, fruits, potatoes, herbs, ect.

$150-200/month.

I don't eat out as I am rather fond of cooking my own meals. It's fun for me.

[Wrathbringer]

Man, you all spend a ton on food.

I eat a shit ton of pasta with marinara sauce. Other things include oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, chicken breasts,almod milk and spices. I volunteer a few times a month at a CSA farm and in return I get a ton of fresh produce. Veggies, fruits, potatoes, herbs, ect.

$150-200/month.

They give you herb? Nice.

[Androidpk]

Basil, thyme.. those sorts of herbs.

[GS4-Seomanthe]

We spend $70 to $90 weekly on food, the vast majority of which comes from WinCo. Weekly must-haves are fresh ground coffee, greek yogurt, baby carrots, celery, romaine hearts, apples, bananas, almond and peanut butter, smashed-up pecan pieces, oatmeal, raisin medley, deli sliced turkey, a 2lb block of cheddar or colby, assorted chicken or pig parts, ground turkey, oven biscuits, whole wheat bread, half & half, eggs, OJ, canned tomato products, and frozen mixed veg/corn-on-the-cob/peas/spinach etc. Incidentals like mayo, cooking oils, flour, rice, pasta, toothpaste, maple syrup, and spices as needed.

WinCo has an awesome bulk foods section so lots of this comes from there by the pound, so I only need buy enough for 1 week of stuff like almond butter, dog treats, pecans, etc.

I order fancy overpriced dog food (http://www.amazon.com/Wellness-Simple-Salmon-Formula-24-Pound/dp/B003185UA8/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_text_y) from Amazon, that's about $60 for a 6 or 7 weeks' worth of kibble... But it's worth it not to have to clean up half-digested dog puke every other day =D

Occasionally I'll get some stuff from Trader Joe's, usually bacon or sweets like cookies.

An average dinner is broiled or baked chicken or pig parts, lots of veggies doused with sesame oil and a carb, like rice, potatoes or noodles.

ETA: Oh yeah, I definitely make a list-- it's just a magnetic writing pad on the side of the fridge, and we add to it throughout the week. Then the morning before I go, I review it and add anything else that we're running low on.

[Androidpk]

I usually write out a list of what I plan on making for the week because I have a lot of night classes and have to consider what to make extra of so Bill can have dinner when I'm in class. So once I get the menu done for the week I'll break that down into ingredients then double check what I have on hand so I don't overbuy. Then I do house inventory to check what we're low on and add that. So it takes about an hour.

For two people we usually spend rought $100-140 but that ends up being a lot of fresh fruits/veggies and meats... and of course (cause wisconsin) beer.

We usually eat out once a week as a treat if we've been good. We normally spend $40-70 depending on where we go and the amount of alcohol consumed.

How much do you spend on Wisconsin cheese?

[Tgo01]

$150-200/month.

As I said, average is 50 dollars per person per week.

[Sorcasaurus]

Man, you all spend a ton on food.

I eat a shit ton of pasta with marinara sauce. Other things include oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, chicken breasts,almod milk and spices. I volunteer a few times a month at a CSA farm and in return I get a ton of fresh produce. Veggies, fruits, potatoes, herbs, ect.

$150-200/month.

You work for a local farm and get a "ton" of food as payment after saying we spend a ton? Depending on how much time you spend on the farm and how you value your time, you may be spending more than any of us.

EDIT: Many of us are feeding more than one person. Are you feeding more than 1? Because as noted above, you're on par for the thread so far.

[Ker_Thwap]

You work for a local farm and get a "ton" of food as payment after saying we spend a ton? Depending on how much time you spend on the farm and how you value your time, you may be spending more than any of us.

Yeah, math is hard.

[Latrinsorm]

I spent 130 bucks after a 30ish dollar savings. I went to price chopper though, usually I go to Big-Y and we're consistently at about ~145/week-and-a-half-ishI don't remember if you've physically moved out of CT but for the record this act automatically revokes your Nutmeg citizenship. Give me Stop and Shop or give me death!!!
Also, what items are typically on your list every single time you shop?Tostitos Cantina (NOT thin and crispy)
Sargento Reduced Fat Four Cheese Mexican
Sobe Lifewater 0 Calorie "Drink"
Dole Tropical Fruit Cup in 100% Juice
some sort of almond or soy milkYou are clearly a risk-conscious fooder, and it appears you have no strong opinions on almond vs. soy, is it something you've looked into? Obviously dairy is right out, but I read bad things about soy when I switched.
This made me cringe a little. Don't want to mix milk and potein powder yourself for a fraction of the cost?I use powder but I recognize that (certain) ready-made concoctions are aesthetically superior in texture and taste. Out of all the luxuries that well-to-do spend on, I find this one pretty reasonable.

[Wrathbringer]

You work for a local farm and get a "ton" of food as payment after saying we spend a ton? Depending on how much time you spend on the farm and how you value your time, you may be spending more than any of us.

EDIT: Many of us are feeding more than one person. Are you feeding more than 1? Because as noted above, you're on par for the thread so far.

Munchies.

[Latrinsorm]

Sometimes I do. And not only is it cheaper, but the mix protein is much higher quality. Still, I find it psychologically helpful to eliminate all possible obstacles in the way of my nutrition/fitness regime. I grab those premix bottles when I have a minute to get out the door or when I'm out in the city.

You want to talk about wasting money. I have a gym in my building, access to a university gym at work, and my wife still talked me into buying a membership at yet another gym in Tysons Corner, VA. Wanted to take classes, she said. Wanted me to go with her, she said.You know what would help you put your foot down with the missus? Penis on a necklace.

[Gnome Rage]

I don't remember if you've physically moved out of CT but for the record this act automatically revokes your Nutmeg citizenship. Give me Stop and Shop or give me death!!!

I hateeee stop and shop. Every time, they are just dirty to me. I KNOW THEY PROBABLY ARENT BUT I CANT HELP IT. I went to Caraluzzi's as a kid... sooooo...

Side note: Wheat thins were on sale, I already demolished almost an entire box... fuuuuck. Grocery day is faaat day

[Allereli]

You are clearly a risk-conscious fooder, and it appears you have no strong opinions on almond vs. soy, is it something you've looked into? Obviously dairy is right out, but I read bad things about soy when I switched.

I usually stick to Silk brand almond milk that I can find at Teeter or Target, but when I'm at Starbucks or other hot beverage establishments I get soy milk, and I digest it just fine, so last night when I was at TJs I got the organic soy milk, because I don't like their almond milk, and I wanted to eat cereal.

[Allereli]

Real CT people go to Stew's

[Sorcasaurus]

You know what would help you put your foot down with the missus? Penis on a necklace.

I don't see how attaching anal beads to her dildo will help. You'll just end up with a bunch of lolly pops and lube.

Possibly start working with lists?

[Androidpk]

I usually stick to Silk brand almond milk that I can find at Teeter or Target, but when I'm at Starbucks or other hot beverage establishments I get soy milk, and I digest it just fine, so last night when I was at TJs I got the organic soy milk, because I don't like their almond milk, and I wanted to eat cereal.

Are you full on lactose intolerant?

[Gnome Rage]

Real CT people go to Stew's

LIEEES. Only people with intolerable children go to Stew's.

[Gelston]

Are we this far along that we don't have anymore topics worth a shit and are making breakfast, lunch, dinner, and shopping ones?

[Wrathbringer]

Are we this far along that we don't have anymore topics worth a shit and are making breakfast, lunch, dinner, and shopping ones?

This is what happens when we allow women to start threads.

[Latrinsorm]

I usually stick to Silk brand almond milk that I can find at Teeter or Target, but when I'm at Starbucks or other hot beverage establishments I get soy milk, and I digest it just fine, so last night when I was at TJs I got the organic soy milk, because I don't like their almond milk, and I wanted to eat cereal.I too prefer Silky almonds. You're dead wrong about Stew Leonard's, though.
I hateeee stop and shop. Every time, they are just dirty to me. I KNOW THEY PROBABLY ARENT BUT I CANT HELP IT. I went to Caraluzzi's as a kid... sooooo...

Side note: Wheat thins were on sale, I already demolished almost an entire box... fuuuuck. Grocery day is faaat dayI'm sorry, I don't speak Massholese.

[Allereli]

Are you full on lactose intolerant?

I had a bout of ulcerative colitis, the doctor said to stop drinking and stop dairy. I don't even want to play with lactose free milk

[Androidpk]

Bleh. That and crohns and IBS runs in my family.

[leifastagsweed]

I usually stick to Silk brand almond milk that I can find at Teeter or Target, but when I'm at Starbucks or other hot beverage establishments I get soy milk, and I digest it just fine, so last night when I was at TJs I got the organic soy milk, because I don't like their almond milk, and I wanted to eat cereal.

Blue Diamond Vanilla Almond milk is my favorite.

7006

[Ker_Thwap]

Almond milk makes me sad. It should be named vaguely almondish tasting water. Just eat tasty almonds, and drink water.

[leifastagsweed]

Almond milk makes me sad. It should be named vaguely almondish tasting water. Just eat tasty almonds, and drink water.

I do that, too, but it doesn't have the same effect in my coffee and cereal! LOL

[Androidpk]

Almond milk makes me sad. It should be named vaguely almondish tasting water. Just eat tasty almonds, and drink water.

Ditto. I don't care for most soy milks either, except for one particular brand that is suler noms. I've heard that soy milk has a lot of estrogen though and I don't want to grow boobs so I limit my intake.

[Jhynnifer]

How much do you spend on Wisconsin cheese?

hahaha... we have limited ourselves to trips to the local cheese market to once a month where we normally spend a good $40 on a couple of blocks of cheese but omg... so good.

[Viekn]

Should give coconut milk a try. Tastes much better than almond.

We have 2 kids and spend between $1000-$1500 per month on groceries.

[Androidpk]

Does it taste anything like coconut water? Because that stuff, according to a friend, tastes like sweaty ball sack.

[Gelston]

Should give coconut milk a try. Tastes much better than almond.

We have 2 kids and spend between $1000-$1500 per month on groceries.

Holy shit dude.

[Androidpk]

hahaha... we have limited ourselves to trips to the local cheese market to once a month where we normally spend a good $40 on a couple of blocks of cheese but omg... so good.


Nnngh, like edible blocks of gold.

[Viekn]

Holy shit dude.

I know. And we use coupons. And shop at normal non-organic places.

As far as coconut water vs. Coconut milk?
Yeah, the water does taste like sweaty monkey ball sack.

Coconut milk is MUCH different. You can also get like ice cream bars made from coconut milk. So good .

[Taernath]

I don't really keep track on how much I spend at the supermarket. I buy easy/fast things for breakfast and lunch, like protein powder/bars, bananas, milk (soymilk now mainly because of its longer shelf life), oatmeal, cold cereal, whole wheat bread and sandwich stuff. For dinner I plan out what I want to make each night and buy the stuff over the weekend. I'll be making a slow cook stew on Sunday which should last a few days.

[Thondalar]

Should give coconut milk a try. Tastes much better than almond.

We have 2 kids and spend between $1000-$1500 per month on groceries.


Do you live in Hawaii and eat wagyu beef every night?

[Viekn]

Do you live in Hawaii and eat wagyu beef every night?

Lol, sadly, no. Live in South Florida and have two active young boys that are constantly hungry.

Does anyone else have two kids and live in a fairly expensive area that can back me up on this? Maybe I need to revise our grocery list.

[blanks]

If you live near a restaurant supply Depot, you can ask for a temporarily one day, cash only pass that will allow you to buy good ingredients for less.

[JackWhisper]

Nah, Viekn. My household has five people. Two men, two women, one 5 year old who's a food vacuum.

650 spent in the first shopping of the month.

450 supplemental spent in the second shopping of the month.

You're just fine for being in Florida.

[Androidpk]

Nah, Viekn. My household has five people. Two men, two women, one 5 year old who's a food vacuum.

650 spent in the first shopping of the month.

450 supplemental spent in the second shopping of the month.

You're just fine for being in Florida.

How much do you spend on potatoes?

[JackWhisper]

I don't do the shopping. I just pay the bill.

[Thondalar]

Lol, sadly, no. Live in South Florida and have two active young boys that are constantly hungry.

Does anyone else have two kids and live in a fairly expensive area that can back me up on this? Maybe I need to revise our grocery list.

I'm in central Florida, and I have a 12-yo girl, but my boy is just now about to turn 2, so he doesn't really eat as much as the rest of us. I'm sure my bill will go up a bit as he gets older, although it might be a wash depending on whether or not my daughter is still in the house by then.

Things that help me save:

1)Generally, things are cheaper in bulk. The more you can buy at once, the better. For example, I buy an entire pork loin at Sam's for about $35 dollars. I will get 7 meals out of this...I usually cut 2 end roasts, 2 thick-cut pork chop dinners, and 3 thin-cut pork chop dinners.

2)Learn to cook! Generally, processed foods are more expensive, because you're paying for the labor and equipment to manufacture them, instead of just paying for the ingredients. Instead of spending 5 bucks on frozen garlic bread, spend a buck fifty for a small loaf of french bread at the bakery and put your own butter and garlic powder on it.

3)We keep zero snacks in the house, unless you count Nature's Valley granola bars (can get a box of 18 packs of them at Sam's for like 7 bucks), and no soda of any kind, except special occasions when we gave guests over for cookouts or something.

[Gnome Rage]

I'm in central Florida, and I have a 12-yo girl, but my boy is just now about to turn 2, so he doesn't really eat as much as the rest of us. I'm sure my bill will go up a bit as he gets older, although it might be a wash depending on whether or not my daughter is still in the house by then.

Things that help me save:

1)Generally, things are cheaper in bulk. The more you can buy at once, the better. For example, I buy an entire pork loin at Sam's for about $35 dollars. I will get 7 meals out of this...I usually cut 2 end roasts, 2 thick-cut pork chop dinners, and 3 thin-cut pork chop dinners.

2)Learn to cook! Generally, processed foods are more expensive, because you're paying for the labor and equipment to manufacture them, instead of just paying for the ingredients. Instead of spending 5 bucks on frozen garlic bread, spend a buck fifty for a small loaf of french bread at the bakery and put your own butter and garlic powder on it.

3)We keep zero snacks in the house, unless you count Nature's Valley granola bars (can get a box of 18 packs of them at Sam's for like 7 bucks), and no soda of any kind, except special occasions when we gave guests over for cookouts or something.
This was my dad's grocery shopping technique. I remember ~800/month bills when I would go with him as a teenager. But we also had a lot of meat from hunting so that probably helped keep it in check. I could see how having 2-3 teenagers at once could be hard on the wallet lol.

[Androidpk]

Learning to cook and cutting out the processed food is great for your wallet and health.

[Allereli]

I'm meh about coconut milk. There's a combo almond/coconut milk that's pretty good

[Androidpk]

I highly recommend Wild Harvest soy milk. Ducking delicious.

[Jhynnifer]

Nnngh, like edible blocks of gold.

Seriously, right?

[Gnome Rage]

I made a pumpkin bread with cherries and chocolate chips. Jesus.

[Androidpk]

Seriously, right?

The only kind I enjoy more is Saint-André, from France.

[Latrinsorm]

Should give coconut milk a try. Tastes much better than almond.Maybe if you're one of those weirdos who likes the taste of coconut.

[MotleyCrew]

We get a flyer bundle every Thursday and I go through it and mark down what's on sale at what store. We will stock up on dry goods when they come on sale(canned tomatoes, broth, stuff like that). Things that always find their way onto our cart: Sweet peppers, lettuces (kale, spinach, romaine), english cucumbers, milk, meat, green onions, seasonal fresh veggies and fruit, bread products (bread, english muffins, bagels), yogourt, cheese. We keep a well stocked pantry so we usually have what we need for anything we want to make. Stuff like flour and baking goods, rice, potatoes, spices and replenish when needed. With Thanksgiving coming up turkeys have been dirt cheap so we bought 6 and put them in the deep freeze. Not much into coupons, we just don't see many around here so we buy on sale when we can which makes weekly amounts we spend vary greatly.

[Jhynnifer]

The only kind I enjoy more is Saint-André, from France.

We're planning a 3-week trip to the UK, France and Italy next summer so now I'm going to have to try this cheese! We're currently enjoying this amazing 10-year aged cheddar, it tastes almost -nothing- like cheddar anymore but has the most amazing flavors to it.

[Gelston]

We're planning a 3-week trip to the UK, France and Italy next summer so now I'm going to have to try this cheese! We're currently enjoying this amazing 10-year aged cheddar, it tastes almost -nothing- like cheddar anymore but has the most amazing flavors to it.

Get some casu marzu while in Italy.