Cooking and Shopping for a Month

**terriluvsbooks** · 10-25-2008, 02:48 PM

Does this really work? I have tired it before, but it was boring and all the food seemed to taste the same and it was A Lot of work. I have read about this, but I would love to hear from some real people who have tried it as to whether it really works out or not.

TIA

**madhen** · 10-25-2008, 04:00 PM

I do two major shopping trips each month, because I like fresh produce and cream. However, I have done OAMC with a lot of foods and am starting to do it again. The trick is to cook a couple of big batches of different things one month, and to do the same the next, etc., so after a while, you have a dozen different things to choose from, instead of four or five. If you keep a stocked pantry/stockpile as well, you can get a little more variety on those days you have time to cook.

I have about sixteen single-serve containers of veggie chili in the freezer, as well as multiple containers (almost depleted now) of other dishes. It is VERY nice to come home from work and be able to just pop something in the microwave.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 10-27-2008, 11:47 AM

I have neverheard of this before,but I am interested in actually trying to go through with it. Good luck with your endeavors!!

**Gardengal18** · 10-27-2008, 11:59 AM

I'm up to cooking for 2 - 3 weeks now. It saves a lot of time and since by the time I get home from work 8:30pm (on a good day) I don't have the time to cook every evening. So it's nice to just be able to pull a dish out of the freezer and into the lunch bag. Got breakfast and snacks in that lunch bag too!

Now the shopping once a month is a little harder,but since I've gotten a chest freezer and a membership to Sams Club it should get easier. I will however still have to go out and get my milk from the local farmer on a weekly basis. The farm fresh milk just won't last for a month.

**JENROY** · 10-28-2008, 02:02 PM

I like to shop one big shop once a month (at 4 different stores) and then pop in once a week or every other week for sale items, produce, milk, etc.

I buy meat in family packs and put 1 meals worth in a ziplock bag with the veggies and any liquids needed to freeze and then I can just thaw overnight and throw in the crockpot in the morning.

**justpeachy92** · 10-28-2008, 02:14 PM

I did the oamc a few years ago, we did save some money on the grocery bill but the savings to me weren't worth my sanity. The shopping and cooking days were totally exhausting.
Now I buy meat once a month in bulk from Sam's club. Then I shop the sales for everything else. I will occasionally make a double batch of something, such as lasagna. So I can freeze one to have on hand for a hectic day or a day I just don't feel like cooking.

**santoria** · 10-28-2008, 03:26 PM

I've done it for a while.

sadly my family is happier with the same old things every stinkin night. lol

I do a big trip once a month with weekly produce/milk trips.

**shadowfax** · 10-29-2008, 03:47 PM

I can and have done this. I like to make big bulk meals and freeze the leftovers in portions for another time. I did go through a time of making huge batches of soup and freezing and it worked out well. But like you said boring and time consuming. I want to do it some more though.

I can eat the same thing for several days straight and not mind a bit so generally I do make big pots of stuff and just eat that all week. But just because you made and froze a batch of something does not mean yo have to eat that all month. Try doing just one large batch cooking a week and freeze the extras. Then when it comes to a low budget week or two you have something stocked up.

Right now I grocery shop about every two weeks but once of those weeks is a big bulk up day and the second is just usually for small additions and fresh foods. I don't buy much meat. Saves a lot on money.