I just want to get organised with my food shopping. Currently DH goes every 2nd day with a list written by me! This works but isn't very economical and DH shouldn't have to go every other day. So I am wondering how others do it? I think my main prob is that I don't meal plan so I never know what we are having. Do you have a set list of things you get each week? If I do will I end up with multiples of things I don't get through? I don't have a big pantry or cupboard space to store stuff.
And I know once baby is born that we can't continue this was, hence looking for some good ideas!
PS I like to buy according to meals as there are just 2 adults, so I don't do a huge vegie shop then figure out what to do with them!
Last edited by KatieRabbit; October 18th, 2009 at 08:58 PM.
Yep meal plans work best. I make a list of everything I need for all the meals that week and that's my shopping list for the week. I shop once a week. I also buy what's on special, so even if I don't need it that week, then I'll grab it if it's on special as it saves money in the long run. My list is pretty much the same every week unless I'm trying out some new recipes
I hate to say it but I also meal plan and find that works best for shopping. I get a big shop once a week (from coles online atm - loving the convenience of that) - this is for pantry items and staples. I go to the markets on weekends for all my fruit and veg and I go once a fortnight to the butcher for meat. Usually I am in a shopping centre once a week at which point I will pick up chicken and any other ingredients that I may have forgotten or perhaps plans may have changed.
The majority of my meat and chicken I freeze and simply defrost as I need it, that way there is no wastage. And most of ny veg are transferrable between meals ie if I dont end up using broccoli on Monday nite I will use it Tues instead.
Another one here for meal planning. I used to be a big fan of the cheapo magazine Super Food Ideas and have heaps of back editions. I randomly pick one and all my meals for the week have to come from that magazine.
We do a big shop once a fortnight where we stock up on pantry staples, meat that we normally use and vegies for that week. In the middle week I'll do another meal plan, but generally we only do a small shop of vegies as there will be enough staples and meat to match that weeks plan.
We only just went back to the meal planning a few weeks ago as we were in a similar situation to you. Shopping all the time, not spending $$ wisely and then chucking stuff out that we didn't use. This way we are eating healthier and spending less $$.
im with the above, almost exacly the same as fionaw...except i have heaps of good taste and a few other mags. i pick a few mags and then pick 5 meals from them. have a few weekly items that i get ever week for lunches etc and DH sorts dinner twice a week so i leave that up to him. the supermarket is only round the corner and i find it quite easy and a good little outing for DD an i if i have forgotten anything. if i dont meal plan i find im at the shops every other day!!!
I did try to do meal planning, but didn't really have much luck (okay, admittedly, I don't know how to meal plan ), so I shop for staples in bulk if I can, and what's on special. I think as I shop as to what I have (in terms of fresh items at home) then what else I need for the week's meals. I usually end up underbuying, and have to go a second time during the week, but usually also then need things like nappies (which are the bain of all existence! ). We have a good size pantry, so there is always a good stock of pasta, passata, rice, and a few other things, plus my baking staples. Freezer wise, I try to always have frozen veg (yes, I do buy fresh too), and bread (as when the boy is over it disappears, or if the Man is in a bread mood).
When I get home, I divvy up all the meat, freeze what I'm not going to use in the next few days (see, I do plan!). I freeze everything flat so it defrosts easier (inc sausages, if you freeze them flat on a cutting board or similar, then just bundle them up when they are frozen, you can very easily get however many you want).
Maybe try to get an extra cupboard for all your bulk dry staples?
yep me too. I shop once a fortnight on pay week, without Darcy as she adds too many things lol. Preferably without DH also.
As for staples, every fortnight I buy white vinegar, bicarb, flours, eggs, butter, cheese, milk, bread and yoghurt. The rest is what I've planned.
I have a huge list of meals we like - about 60 and just pick what I feel like. Then I get meat to match and veges that are in season and go with most. I don't often cook to a recipe unless it's something I want to try. Any veges left over I make soup with.
I make most of our snacks or we have fruit/yoghurt.
Nate eats exactly what we eat so theres nothing separate for him.
I'm lucky to have a big pantry though so if there is stuff that we use regularly on special I can buy lots. I also have 3 freezer spaces so usually we buy meat in bulk.
I should also mention we live in an apartment, so buying in bulk is tricky. We have quite a small pantry so have to be quite frugal with what we can stock up on.
The other advantage to meal planning (while I think of it) is that it keeps food interesting. We often make different things that we haven't made before and stops us getting into a food rut, which means more take away, which means less $$ and likely weight gain. So there are other advantages to food planning which I like to focus on, as it helps me keep on track with it.
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i just found a free e-cook about menu planning, you get it sent to you when you sign up for a newsletter. the site is called ECONOBUSTERS. i would link you if allowed.
Gigi and anyone else interested- I have done up a shopping table, meal planner, meal ideas table and something else in Word but can't figure how to post it here. So if you want a copy you can PM me your email address and I will forward it to you. I have made them after reading the super ideas here!
How do you organise food shopping/meal planning?
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), so I shop for staples in bulk if I can, and what's on special. I think as I shop as to what I have (in terms of fresh items at home) then what else I need for the week's meals. I usually end up underbuying, and have to go a second time during the week, but usually also then need things like nappies (which are the bain of all existence! 
). We have a good size pantry, so there is always a good stock of pasta, passata, rice, and a few other things, plus my baking staples. Freezer wise, I try to always have frozen veg (yes, I do buy fresh too), and bread (as when the boy is over it disappears, or if the Man is in a bread mood).
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