There is something about having a pantry and a fridge stocked with nourishing foods I really love.
There is also something about having a pantry and a fridge stocked with foods I really don’t love, and that have no purpose or plan associated with them.
I’m a planner, but I also appreciate spontaneity. I love getting creative in the kitchen, and not always having a recipe next to me while I make a meal. I’d say 90% of the time, I’m not using a recipe…and when I’m not using a recipe I’m using what I know from using recipes in the past and trying different flavor combinations.
Naturally, before I can do any cooking I need ingredients, which means I need to go grocery shopping.
Here’s what I do when I grocery shop.
First, at the beginning of each month I make a budget because not having a budget is like driving my car with a blindfold on. BAD.
So, I budget about $250 per month for groceries, which is about $50 per week, plus a little wiggle room.
In my grocery budget, I include anything I buy from the grocery store – so even vitamins, detergent, personal items, and toilet paper.
You don’t have to budget this way, but I just find it easier for accounting (which is just a fancy way of saying “keeping track of my expenses”). Many of these items I only purchase once in a while, so I feel like it balances out in the end.
Once you’ve got a budget in mind, it’s time to think about that grocery shopping list.
I keep a note on my phone with a bulleted grocery shopping list (the type of bullet point that lets you check off each item), and throughout the week I produce a list of items I need from the store. I generally go grocery shopping once a week, but that is not a requirement.
When you’re in college, it’s difficult to stop by the grocery store every single week, so if you can’t go every week, I suggest going, at least, every other week.
Sometimes throughout the week as I’m making my grocery list I tend to jot things down I may not necessarily need…so before heading to the store, I like to do a review of my list. I remove items I may decide later I don’t need and add any others.
The most fun part of making a grocery list is adding ingredients to fun recipes I’m excited to try.
As I write this post, I am in the process of planning my next trip to include this recipe by Giada De Laurentiis with Food Network for Cioppino.
I try really hard to stick to my list, but sometimes I get things that aren’t on there.
I don’t beat myself up, though…remember I like spontaneity? So I roll with it, and make a note to monitor my spending habits this month and try to improve them next month.
When making my list, I don’t put items on there unless I have a plan and purpose for them. Otherwise, they can go to waste and I end up having to throw them away (sad) which is like throwing money in the garbage (also sad).
So whatever is on your list, make sure you assign it a purpose.
In summary, here is a great way to create your grocery shopping list:
- HAVE A BUDGET! Even if you’re in college with little income. That is even MORE reason to have a budget. You wouldn’t hop in a car blindfolded would you? You shouldn’t spend money blindfolded either.
- Get things you actually like, not things you don’t. It mind sound obvious, but how many times do you buy foods you “should” eat over foods you “want” to eat?
- Put items on your list for which you have a plan and purpose! Otherwise, it could go to waste.
- Try using the notes section in your phone to keep a growing grocery list throughout the week as you think of items you need or want. I mean, we all pretty much have our phones with us 24/7 these days. I really like using the bullets I can tap to check off items as I go through the list.
- Shop consistently either every week or every other week. Take the decision-making part out, and commit to grocery shopping a certain day and time every week. This will make the process more approachable, and help you plan your meals.
- Find a new recipe to try! Add those ingredients to your list, make it fun! Recently, new recipes I’ve made are baked buffalo chicken wings, pork chile verde, and jam thumbprint cookies.
- Try to stick to the list, and don’t beat yourself up if you impulse buy a few things. You’re human! Try and do better next month. NBD.