My organized grocery trips, how I keep us healthy AND in budget.

Im not one to just run into the grocery store for a couple of items.  Well, sometimes I do that, but always kick myself for making purchases when they are not at their ideal price, so I try hard to stick with my tried and true methods.

Here is how I keep my shopping not only healthy but on budget as well...



First thing I do is write a list on my iPhone as I think of things we need, this may take a full day or more...  even up to a week!  I just write as I think of things!  A phone-list is easy, right?  You can't really loose it, or forget whats on it.  Simple organization step 1.

Next step is to plan out my menu for the upcoming week.  I use the internet, cookbooks, favorite recipes, whatever!  Of course I start by looking through my own pantry to find ingredients for meals I can make without spending any money.  As I write out my menu plan I jot down ingredients we don't have- or I think we may not have, things I even am unsure of.  My iPhone list is a rough draft ;)

Now it is time to get out the paper!  I have one list for each store I plan to visit, for me this generally includes Costco and the Military Commissary.  If I have specialty items I will write those on their own list, if they need to be purchased elsewhere like Trader Joes or bulk items from Central Market.

On my lists I do indeed make categories before I even begin to fill out my list: Produce, Home needs, Dry Foods, Diary, Frozen.  I do this for both lists then I just run down my iPhone list and fill in the blanks, paying close attention as to which store I would like each item purchased.  I know that organic produce is cheapest at Costco so that one goes there, Dry goods are generally cheaper at the Commissary so those are written there.

Easy, right?

By only maximizing 2 stores and a little organization we can both make our grocery trips faster and allow time for two stores in one trip as well as getting the most out of our dollar.

If something is on my list that is not ideal to purchase at my top 2 stores and  I can live without for 24 hours then I will hold off and hit the preferred store at a later time, Trader Joes and Grocery Outlet are wonderful and frugal resources for these items, unfortunately they are a bit of a drive from my home so have to be planned out, I can hit one of them if I happen to be in the same town that day, and I plan it out just that way!

Using our Cash Envelope System keeps me to budget.  When I am out of money, I am out of money! The Dave Ramsey Plan has been life changing for us.

Do you have a grocery budget and do you stick to it?