Weekly shopping or large monthly trips??

**suzysaver** · 09-28-2006, 11:54 PM

Just curious, what do you all do???
Do you shop weekly? planning every meal around the sales?
or do you have a big trip and buy mostly what you need for the month?

I will make a really big trip and get everything I can think of, and more..for a month and still end up going back once a week for this and that. I was wondering is it cheaper to shop on a weekly basis? Yesterday I planned my meals and looked in the freezer and cupboard to see what I had and only spent $17.00 on what I think I will need, I'm really considering trying a different way.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 09-29-2006, 01:25 AM

I buy ninety percent of my food in our monthly shopping trips. I then fill in with fresh veggies and fruit. I paln around specials. I also "make do": if I dont' have something I want to make, I just make something else. I do NOT run to the store just because something else sounds good.

**autumnlynn** · 09-29-2006, 03:36 AM

I shop weekly and plan my menus around the sales. I'm not a good one to respond to this thread as I'm always blowing my food budget!!

**she who can not cook** · 09-29-2006, 03:36 AM

i have the misfortune of working in a shopping center and have 1 hour for lunch ..... i dont feel right if i haven't picked up something from the local supermarket on the plus side i do get to see and BUY a few bits of reduced meat and veggies

**Cecilia** · 09-29-2006, 04:55 AM

I've just started a monthly meel planing. I started out with what was in the freezer and added this weeks loss leaders. So this month I will shop BIG SHOPPING just once and then add weekly the items that don't stay fresh that long. During the coming month I will continue looking for loss leaders and other super sales, for next months meel planning and for occational changes in my planning. I think, or at least hope, this is a frugal way of doing my shopping. (I can add that the kids, dh and myself were all exhausted after yesterdays shopping for a month adventure...)

**JustJoy** · 09-29-2006, 08:50 AM

I shop weekly, and usually don't plan around the sales. BUT...when they have good ones I definitely stock up for future use.

**Shellshome** · 09-29-2006, 09:25 AM

I just started shopping weekly and I seem to get better deals. Now for next month I am only buying milk, oj, eggs and need items I have a great stockpile and I want to use some of it before we go buying more items my pantry and cupboards can't take it.

But I think you get deals when you do it weekly I used to shop 2x a month but for the last 4 months have shopped weekly and notice a big difference in my bill and also in my selection of food here.

But I am taking October off from shopping and just shop from my pantry except for things I don't have on hand like milk, oj, eggs, cat liter (which I could have on hand and may go get some today but don't have right now but 2 jugs).

But weekly verus 1 big shop I think you get the deals with a weekly shop.

**YankeeMom** · 09-29-2006, 09:27 AM

I do one big monthly shopping trip, then budget for loss leaders weekly and filling in with milk, fresh produce, bread, & cereal.

**seadream** · 09-29-2006, 10:03 AM

I do a monthly trip but will check out the weekly sales and stock on the really good deals that way

**Lyn5** · 09-29-2006, 04:50 PM

I try to buy at the warehouse/bulk store only once a month and if I can go alone...I really dislike taking DH there! Then, I usually go once a week to my regular store on the first day of their weekly sales.

**peanut** · 09-29-2006, 05:12 PM

I make a list of meals I can make from what's in the house monthly (based on a freezer/pantry inventory). Once a week I do more detailed planning (ie. what day I'm going to serve what meal) and shop weekly. I find if I come across sales I can still buy and adjust my meal plan to accomodate the sale foods. If not, I process them and freeze or store them for later use.

I must add that I find mega-cooking to reduce my grocery costs considerably. There's a lot less waste and more efficient cooking.

**redmaples** · 09-29-2006, 06:13 PM

At least 3x/week!!!

I combine trips to town for other errands with going to the store. We live just 5 minutes from 2 different towns w/2 different stores. Usually will have some reason to go to town at least twice a week.
Yesterday I shopped for a few items (some free toothbrushes) because I had to go to the bank.
I hitched a ride to the farther town today with my shopping buddy (my mom) .
We did a little thrift shopping first then onto bigger grocery shopping. Using a lot of coupons, it pays to shop weekly sales. I am fortunate to have the time to shop different stores. I tend to focus on a few items to stock up on each week. Today was bags of frozen veggies, boxes of cereal & pierogies. A few bogo things for the pantry.
Sometimes I do try to see how many days I can make it without going to the grocery store. I cannot however last long without going to the thrift store!!

**Sara Noel** · 09-29-2006, 06:17 PM

I do primarily a monthly trip. Fill in as needed weekly for items such as milk, fresh produce, etc.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 09-29-2006, 06:35 PM

Well, I have done both. I find that I can best take advantage of good deals if I shop weekly. And you almost have to, to get produce, milk, eggs and such. I do only go to sams club once a month though. It is so easy to over spend there.

Jennifer

**danni** · 09-29-2006, 08:07 PM

I shop weekly to stock up on really good sales, but I plan my menu from my stockpile. The only thing you got to watch when weekly shopping is that you don't pick up extras that you wouldn't normally buy.