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:
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.
é
It's the cute way to suport and a great price at just R50
