Parents treat-mom taking me grocery shopping

[Palooka]

Every so often my parents do some major thing to help their kids out. They like to keep it private between us sisters but sometimes we do talk.

For example they paid for major car repairs for my sister.
The other sister, Lord knows what. I mean so needy.
With me they treat me with a major grocery shopping because I like to cook.

They will never hand us any money but they want to see that they are doing something productive. So here is my question.

My last treat was over two years ago when my son was born. They purchases about 700 worth of food from Sams club so I wouldn't have to deal with grocery shopping taking care of a new born.

But some of it was money spent down the drain. For instance bags of romaine lettuce that we couldn't eat fast enough and eggs gone bad. This time maybe a few bananas instead of fifty pounds. Some things bought in bulk is worth the money but some not.

I told my mom that Aldis was fine and I could get what I needed there but she insisted that we could go to any store for what I needed.

I'm thinking of things to have on hand to cook more from scratch and that will benefit longer. Like flour, baking soda, vanilla, dried fruit, canned tomatoes and fruit, corn starch, powdered milk, dried beans and lentils, rice, etc. More frozen veggies and meat in bulk for dh. Even cheap frozen pizzas the nights I don't feel like cooking.

Yes, I'm trying to stretch my parents frugal ways farther this time.

Tips needed and ideas!

[frugalwarrior2]

Sams club-Rice,bisquick,tuna,flour,sugar,spices,mac/cheese,canned fruits,canned veg,vanilla?,vitamins,calcium.

Do you dehydrate foods??
Will she go to Aldis also??

[Palooka]

Sams club-Rice,bisquick,tuna,flour,sugar,spices,mac/cheese,canned fruits,canned veg,vanilla?,vitamins,calcium.

Do you dehydrate foods??
Will she go to Aldis also??

No, no clue on dehydrating foods. lol

Thanks! Bisquick is a great one. I'm pretty set on spices.

She will go to Aldi's but she is a very loyal to Sams club and hy-vee here.

I'm actually trying to make a frugal grocery list for my mom!

Cool!

I'm going to call her later today about it.

She is also going to get my vitamins but we buy them at Natures Pantry here.

[AmyBoz]

No ideas, but to your parents for their generosity!

[frugalwarrior2]

We always buy canned soups and Mrs. grasses dried soups,canned chicken/turkey,canned chili,kidney beans, get onions chop and freeze. Diced tomatoes. Elbow mac.,canned ravioli and canned chicken broth,big boxes of minute rice-that's all at Sams

Aldis-Cupboard pantry soups,beef/summer sausage logs,Ramen noodles,egg noodles,spaghetti noodles,mama cozi tomato sauce,vanilla wafer cookies, canned mixed veg, that's all I can think of.

[Contrary Housewife]

Sam's Club was always like russian roulette for me, one week they'd have what I wanted and the next they would not, so it was hard to plan.

Some of my favorite things to get were the pre-cooked packages of meats, in the trays for banquets or food service. They used to have a pretty good brisket, and they did trays of meatballs, turkey, whatever that you just had to thaw and microwave. Convenience food, yeah, but cheaper than 5 people eating out.

If you're going to get 25lb bags of rice and sugar, get tubs to store it in. I found the rice often had bugs. And the flour might, too.

Check expiration dates. I found yeast on the shelf yesterday that has a date 4 months out! Behind it was a jar with a date 22 months from now. Guess which one I bought.

Don't forget things like toilet paper, soap, laundry detergent, etc.

[Josephhgoins]

What about pet food?

I buy the nacho cheese in a can and re-can it into pints and half pints. Banana's will keep for cooking in the freezer.

You don't have to have a dehydrator to dehydrate, there are bunches of other ways. PM me if you want some of the ways that we did growing up.

What about your other household items like cleaners and trash bags. Disherwasher detergent and dish washing detergent. Office supplies like printer paper, pens and pencils. Laundry detergent and fabric softener.

Chocolate chips, nuts, Cream cheese (I just learned that it can be frozen from FV) butter (keep all but a few sticks in the freezer). Large packages of Yeast.

Snack foods like salted peanuts that have a long shelf life.

In the summer they usually have a 3 month membership card for $20 that I get. I get enough of the staples to last the year.

Unfortunately, for most of us single folks the bulk containers are just too big, so I buy them and then heat to the boil and re-can in mason jars. I didn't get to plant a garden this summer so I got all my tomatoes and sauce there and the price was comparable to home grown stuff. I paid about 2.50 for a gallon of sauce. Home grown would have tasted a little better but it would have cost a little more.

Canned chicken for chicken salad, canned tuna for tuna salad and what not. Canned Pickles, I have a super recipe on here for sweet dill pickles that you make from the jars of dills they sell.

You know they also sell some good name brand cookwear as well as DVD's, books and clothing.

I am so jealous!!! I have the other side to this coin and went to Sams and got my parents a car load of groceries twice this summer. Now whenever I go see them I have to just shop my pantry with items that I got on sale.

Enjoy your great parents, you are blessed.

[ravenmaniac]

I think you are off to a good start with your list. Pantry and freezer items will last the longest.

I am so excited for you. I would have so much fun putting all that stuff away.

I know you can freeze flour for 24 hours to kill the bugs. Can you do the same for rice? I might google that. Where's Grainlady when you need her! She would probably have the answer.

[savvy_sniper]

I would suggest more ingredients to make your own mixes - flour, baking soda, baking powder, yeast, corn starch, vanilla, salt, pepper, seasonings/spices (instead of things like Bisquick, boxed foods, etc.). You will get a lot more for your parents' money. BUT only if you plan to actually use it.

You might want to research and buy a dehydrator and vacuum sealer. You can then dehydrate and/or vacuum seal 50 lbs. of bananas - LOL! Food that is vacuum sealed will last longer also.

[tervsforme]

What a nice treat. I buy most of my meat at Costco, then just divvy it up in smaller packages and freeze. I do agree with the others, get the staples there, it is so much less expensive, then you should be all set to make almost anything you need.

[Debbie-cat]

Lucky you! Have fun and stock that pantry!

[Libby]

Wow - that IS a treat! Enjoy your spending spree!

I suggest the basics, and some non perishable things that have long term shelf life. Don't forget household cleaning (incl garbage bags, ziplocs and tupperware/containes), HBA and things for your children - diapers, creams and feminine things for you etc

[alotofgooddeals]

my dad was like this all the time..if i needed something he would help me out... this was in my 20's and just getting started... In my 30's it was my turn... he had retired and living off his social security and well ah it wasn't enough.. so i would help him with groceries and other things that came up... he always tried to pay me back but i said...nope you helped me when i needed it and now i am going to repay you.. he would say you don't have to do that and i told him nope i don't have to but i want to...so maybe in return with all those groceries you could make some food to put in their freezer.....

[Rebookie]

Just from my own cooking repertoire I love tons of baking items.

Bread flour (I make pizza dough, bread), Sugar, AP/SR flour(get yourself a rubbermaide container and store the unopened bags in there until you need them) yeast for the pizza,

I always have pounds and pounds of butter in my fridge.

Applesauce to make super moist muffins.

Frozen veggies are my go to for stews, pot pies, and goulash.

The only thing I keep canned is cream of soups, beans, tomatoes (diced, purred, sauce,paste), spaghetti sauce, and a few cans of tomato soup.

Don't forget noodles! They don't rot(that I know of)!

[pita1213]

Depending on how things are going for us in Fall/Winter, a grocery trip is what i ask for as my Christmas present from my folks.
I will use that trip to stock up on pantry items and to get some treats for the kids that I don't usually buy.
I would stock up on things like flour, sugar, brown sugar, yeast, baking soda, vinegar, toilet paper, laundry detergent, bleach, pasta, cocoa powder, soups, meat, frozen fruit and veggies, and personal care items. You said you were ok on spices, but what about essential oils? If you want to make your own cleaning supplies or even just bath salts, do you have essential oils to add to them?

The Christmas trips to the grocery store are always useful since I can supplement my regular shopping trips with the things i don't buy often or need to stock up on.