Is it possible to live without going to the Grocery store!!

**macemesmum** · 07-18-2008, 02:39 AM

Ok just wanted to float this idea here, next year I am thinking of trying to go 6 months without going to the grocery store!! crazy I know but I was thinking I would start in March which would give me a chance to get prepared after our holiday. My initial thoughts are this being completely self sufficient in vegetables and fruit ( I think i could do the vegetables but the fruit trees are only a couple of years old and definitely need nurturing!) My flour and yeast for bread I could buy at the beginning of the year in bulk. My groceries I could buy the basics to make all the convinience food in bulk ie pasta, rice, olive oil, salt, pepper, spices, toilet paper etc. I would order a side of beef etc from the organic farm and freeze it all. The hard things would be milk and eggs ( i wish I had chickens). The milk I suppose i could buy powdered and uht milk. Ive been thinking about this since I havent been spending any money lately and the main thing has been eating out of my stockpile, Ive realised how much food you can keep in the house if you wanted to I have 2 pantries and a cupboard under the stairs which you walk into that dh put shelves in and currently houses my flour and tins and oils etc. I already have enough clothes powder, olive oil, salt, pepper, clenaing products, shampoos and conditioners. So i got thinking I wonder how much money I could save obviously the outlay would be a fair bit, I also have a fridge freezer side by side and a seperate standalone freezer and our old fridge with a freezer on the top and a bar fridge so storage shouldnt be a problem.! what do you guys think can it be done and how long is the longest you can go without going to the store!

**frugalandsimple** · 07-18-2008, 03:17 AM

It would be impossible for me to do because I work at one.

If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to do it because I actually like grocery shopping and I also buy a lot of fresh produce. If your family do go through with it, I wish you the best the luck and everything works out according to your plan.

**Greebo** · 07-18-2008, 06:44 AM

I think what you're describing could work, given enough storage space (a side of beef is huge) and such. You would have a huge up front outlay, as you said, and then each month you'd need to save for next years trip.

Question is - how much time would you give up in attempting to save the money? Is that time that could otherwise be used to produce more income? That's the tricky balance point - where does frugality change to cost-IN-effectiveness because of time investment?

**rachelMcK** · 07-18-2008, 07:15 AM

I don't know if I could do it because I live in an apartment. No storage whatsoever. But I've often wondered the same thing. Good luck if you attempt it, let us know how it goes!!!

**macemesmum** · 07-18-2008, 08:05 AM

It would definitely take some time and planning to execute but in the long term not as much time as would be spent popping in to the grocery store. I am a stay at home mum so i consider it my job to stretch the houeshold budget so since my youngest as just started school full time this is a way to save money as opposed to making money. I have the space to store what is needed, I wonder how dh would feel about this, I would have to find a way to store eggs, can you break them and say freeze the yolks and whites or would this not work, i was thinking of then using them in muffins cakes etc

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-18-2008, 08:08 AM

I dont know if I could do it, what about milk & eggs? If it weren't for those, I think I could give it a try but I always think I have enough and wind up going back to the store.

**baxjul** · 07-18-2008, 08:11 AM

I don't think that I would be able to do it. Interesting thought though.

**Jeanna** · 07-18-2008, 08:23 AM

If I had my goat back I could possibly do it. I have chickens so eggs would be no problem. It would just be getting the storage set up and everything planned out. I think it can be done but I doubt I ever go that long.

**molly** · 07-18-2008, 08:32 AM

Interesting! I think I have read that you can crack eggs into an ice tray and freeze them. Once frozen put them in plasitc bags so you can just open and take out what you need.

I think this is doable if well planned!

I would love to hear how this goes for you...keep us updated.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-18-2008, 08:55 AM

Yeah there would be no way I could do it. I'd think you could if you didn't need things like fresh tomatoes, fresh lettuce, fresh mushrooms, etc and then also eggs. Milk could be done totally powdered and you could always freeze some milk. I have an entire basement to use for storage and not a large family, but there are alot of things we need on a weekly basis that I can't freeze.

**tina150** · 07-18-2008, 08:59 AM

I would love to stop going there, I always spend too much, but I don't think I would last long...it's quite an accomplishment when I go 4 days in between now...

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-18-2008, 09:01 AM

I think you could do it if you planned ahead! I mean, think about all the people who live out in the wilderness in Alaska and various places and only make trips to civilization a couple times a year...I mean, they do it, right?

Is it the not spending or is it simply staying out of the grocery store? If you were just looking to stay out of the store, then maybe you can "allow" yourself to hit a farmer's market or local farmer who carries some local produce, milk and eggs? That might get away from what you wanted to do, but I couldn't go without those things.

And actually, given the freezer space, you can freeze eggs. Not so sure about milk though, I don't think it freezes well!

Good luck, Keep us posted on what you decided to do and how it goes!

**DonnainME** · 07-18-2008, 09:40 AM

Milk freezes ok. You just have to thaw it completely and then shake it really really good to mix the fat back in - if not, it looks like you have little chunks in it that are floating around. That was whole milk. Never tried it with 2% or 1% or skim. Hmmm, gives me an idea.

I kinda like where she's going with this. I want to reduce the number of trips we take.

**IntlMom** · 07-18-2008, 09:53 AM

Great idea....but me, I actually LIKE going to the grocery store. I don;t overspend when I go, so that's not a problem, either. But I cannot wait to hear how it goes for you!!

**hugxlaughxsmilexlove** · 07-18-2008, 10:08 AM

Love the idea.. stock up only on the wants and not the needs (example: last night I went to the store and my EL Double Stuffed Fudge Cookies were on sale 3/$5.. I could have gone without them *sigh*).. I see money being saved by doing this.. a lot of planning, but no more few extra $'s here and there!