Have you ever gone to fix dinner only to realize that you are missing an ingredient? Ever open the drawer to realize your toothpaste tube is empty? Ever realized you were out of t.p. at an {umhem} inconvenient moment?
Quick Tip! Spare Shopping.
So maybe you are not ready to give menu planning a try. Maybe you are not accustomed to making grocery lists yet. Maybe you have menus down but could use a tip for all of the groceries that are not related to the menus. There is a super simple first step that will help you get started and avoid those irritating moments mentioned above.
The next time you realize you need an item, buy two. Always keep a spare. When the first one is used, add the item back to your grocery list.
Now you will not run out of the things you need, you will not need to run out to the store at the last minute, and you will not have to do without.
More Details
Spare shopping works for all dry goods in the pantry or around the house. If you have a freezer it will work for many other frequently used foods without overstocking your refrigerator.
You do not have to go to the store and buy two of everything all at once. PLEASE do not. All you have to do is put a little notebook with a dedicated pen in a consistent location. The next time you realize you are completely out of something, add it to the list. If it is something you frequently use, write in “x 2″ beside the item. (Make sure to keep expiration dates in mind.)
Now pick a day to go shopping and make sure to take the list with you. (Only the list, leave the notebook. If you take the whole notebook it may not make it back. You can always add another little notebook to your car or bag. We have them everywhere.) Some people pick a specific day to go the store each week. I tend to go either when the page is full (it does not take long using the little notebooks) and have the time or whenever I know I am going to be near the grocery store anyway.
When you use one of them up, add it back to the list as a single item while you use the spare. Just keep replacing the backup.
Your grocery bill will take a one time bump, but if the items are things you do use often and can store in a way that keeps it from going to waste, the extra little expense is a HUGE investment toward an easier, more simple life.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a fantastic tip for someone like me. It really seems like a no brainer now that you spell it out. Thank you so much!!!! I love the blog by the way.
aprils last blog post..prattle
I don’t like to run out of things (although I do sometimes of course). I try to stock up when I’m running low. It’s a fine line balancing your stockpile, because you want to buy at the lowest rockbottom price that you can, but you don’t always want to be stocking up either. You need to rotate and manage your stockpile.
When I get down to less than three of canned goods, I know that it’s time to start seeing what’s on sale. As usual, I love your blog!
momsthewords last blog post..IT’S SMOOTHIE TIME!