Shopping list demystified

I am a pseudo adult. Aren't we all though? Adulting is hard, but thanks to technology some adult things have become easier. Like you can pay your bills off your cell phone and order basic stuff off the internet.

One thing that is the adultiest thing to do is grocery shopping. Real life grocery shopping that doesn't only consist of tube chips and candy. I've been an adulting amateur for a while but when I moved out a had to go pro because if I don't buy bread and milk, I have no bread and milk. Here is my monthly routine and tips:

Make an inventory of all the food you have in the freezer, fridge and pantry.

I have a few basics that I always have to make or add to a meal. Stuff like pasta, canned tomatoes, herbs and spices. It's time to start cooking and adding things to your 10 bags of macaroni. You're becoming one of those people, the ones in the Math problems. (I unpack my cupboard at least every 6 months. That way I can see what to replenish in my pantry staples. That sounds heavy but it's a different way to say 'see if I have enough canned tomatoes')

Now I know, for instance, I can skip the pasta isle and I have a instant soup problem.

Make a chart to plan meals

No lies. This seems so lame but trust me it will save you time and money. My food list is based on what my mom did when I was a child. Mondays it's pasta's. So Mac & Cheese, Alfredo and even those Knorr Pasta Mates can be used. 

Tuesday it's Chicken, pork or lamb.

Wednesdays we eat at the in laws. 

Fish Thursday and Steakhouse Friday. 

Saturday and Sunday I have a few basics because we're with my family one of the two days and we eat their food so I plan for half the days. I also have a 4 meals I like to call Spares. Like if we do eat a full meal for lunch there is options. It takes the guess work out of what to make for dinner.

Here is where I bring in my Pinterest boards because if there are any unusual ingredients I can pick them up. This is great also if you plan on following a different eating plan to know what foods you need to buy. Or if you decide to Meat-less Monday.

I used some of the food on my inventory list to fill in the blanks

Go through your weekly ads:

It's my favourite part of the newspaper. That and the cutey pre-shool kids doing cute things. Most people are like, I'll buy all my sh*t at the same store, idgaf. I'm one of those lucky people who lives close to all the big retailers thanks to all the new developments, so it's affordable for me to basically free my car down to Checkers/ Makro/ Pnp to get deal. Just make sure they are deals.

Like a nerd, I do math on product to the gram/ millilitre because it it says:

SALE!!!

doesn't always mean its a bargain. PnP had a “SALE!!! only 3 per customer!!!” on washing powder. I bought 3 of course. The next day I went to my friendly Spar and it was THE SAME PRICE with no limit per customer. I felt like a sucker.

If you don't get weekly circulars (For a few months I didn't score a newspaper) go to the store's website or visit Tiendeo or Guzzle

Make that list

I break down all the meals into Meat, Veg and Pantry. I have a laminated page on my fridge that I write on with dry erase pens as soon as any household/ food or pantry item is finished.

Not sure about household items? Here is my checklist:

Floor cleaner

Bathroom cleaner

Toilet cleaner

Kitchen Cleaner

Oven cleaner

Window cleaner

All purpose Cleaner

Dishwashing liqiud

Washing powder

Fabric softner

stain remover

I use a book because of recent events I don't want to walk with a device. But if you are a bit more trusting than me, the PnP app had a digital shopping list where you can pick of things on previous shopping you have done. Another great list app is Google's Keep. There you can break down your shopping in different sections with different colours. (Household/ Blue, Veg/ Green) and I love the satisfaction of ticking things off.

Go Shop

Remember your bags and not to hate humanity.

Bonus tips:

• Work in eat outs and events like birthdays or other get togethers. That way you know to buy or not to buy extra food. (or buy the food for the birthday or get together)

• Use store cards. You may not be saving millions but in a tight month a few extra hundred Rand mean you don't have to spend more
• I buy meat in bulk and package them into smaller portions and every two weeks I buy fresh veg and fruit.
• Every 6 months I try to empty the fridge and freezer. Bargain bulk buys aren't a bargain if you never eat it or toss in away because it got freezer burn.
• Write down as soon as something finishes. That way you don't need to go though your cupboards or pantry every en of the month and prevents buys of multiples. (I wish I'd listen to myself as I have a few unopened Mixed herb refills and that ton of Macaroni)
• Remember to take your list with you.
• Make multiple lists if you want to pick up other things form other retailers. (sometimes Clicks & Dischem have those 3 for 2 deals on toiletries or supplements then it's worth going past them. Also check Makro's R100 deals)

Breathe calmly and greet your teller.

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