Time to Plan

Without a plan money is spent unnecessary. With too firm a plan, money is not spent wisely.
Every weekend some time must be set aside for planning the menu for the week. As strange as this may sound, I actually take a minor inventory of the cupboard and fridge, then head out to the store to see what meat is going to be available. The most expensive item, the meat, has to be the determinate for the game plan. I shop late in the day or early in the morning, looking specifically for what meats are marked down. Fresh vegetables and fruit are a luxury but seasonal items that are on sale should always be purchased.


Let me stop right here on the issue of the shopping. There are several grocery store maneuvers that can save you a ton immediately. Do NOT follow the flow of the store. Almost all stores are set up to take you past the most profitable items first, the deli section, the bakery, the fresh items. these are the items the store wants you to buy. And there is nothing wrong with that, unless you only have a certain amount to spend. Go to the back of the store, the last isle and start there. Take your list with your pen and paper and keep track of what you are spending. (i use hash marks and round up, slashing when i have five then circling when i have ten) Do not let your store make the determination on what you are going to spend by hitting those big dollar items first. Snake through to the meat counter and get the sale items or clearance items first. Depending on what deals you find, make notes as to what you also need to make the meals complete. Then get your staples and needs, which are no doubt at the back of the line past that cheese cake and deli salads. There are no mistakes in the store set up. They study it and know what they are doing. Tile that clatters under the cart to slow you down, boxed snack cakes on the end cap where you have to pass, packages that pull your attention away from the frozen vegetables over to the heat-and-eats -- These are all their art of the sale.

While they practice their art, combat it with yours!!!