The Completed Grocery List

Yesterday, I told you about the three files I use in order to stay organized for my Once-A-Month Shopping. Today, I want to share with you the simple process to turn those three files into a completed grocery shopping list.

Once every month I sit down at the computer with my three files (Monthly Menu Calendar, Price List, and Shopping List) for about an hour:

• I begin by filling in everything that I have accumulated on a hand-written shopping list kept posted in the kitchen through the month. These are items that we ran out of and wrote down at the time as to not forget.
• I then plug in everything I need to cover each dinner by looking at my Monthly Menu Calendar. Some meals require me to check my recipes to make sure I do not miss anything.
• Next, I add some lunch items based on how much I know my family eats.
• Finally, I fill in any basics that I need for baking, breakfast and snacks (flour, sugar, baking soda, oatmeal, produce, etc.).
• As a double check for good measure, I make a quick run through my kitchen and jot down anything I may have missed.

After I have all the items I need for the month listed on my Grocery List, I check the list against my Price List and fill in all the updated prices, allowing Microsoft Excel to calculate the quantity and price, giving me my subtotals and grand total. Occasionally there will be an item for which I do not have a price. In these cases, I either Google the item to get a general idea or I guess a price that is obviously outrageously higher than the item would cost. This allows me some playing room in my budget while ensuring I do not overspend.

Once I have a grand total, I decide if that total is workable. Does it fit the budget? Do I need to cut anything? Do I have room to add anything? Just for fun, can I see if I can shrink that number and save some cash?

I fiddle for a few minutes, making sure I still have everything I need for the month but always pondering areas I can cut back. When I am satisfied with my final number, I shop.

Half way into the month I do return to the grocery store to pick up a few perishable items. While it is possible to freeze milk, it does separate and the consistency changes so I would rather pick some up through the month. Same goes for eggs and some fruits. I always enter the store with a list and avoid impulse buys at all possible costs. If I forget something, we live without it.

Once-A-Month Shopping can require a lot of creativity as things run out toward the end of the month. The fun part is trying to use every last morsel of food in your pantry, even if that means rice, lunch meat and raisins for dinner.

Obviously, you will have a learning curve for the first few months until you figure it out, but try your hardest to go without as much as you can. Look for substitutes for things you do not have. Try new recipes with what you do have. Get creative and force yourself to stay away from the grocery store.

Good luck and have fun with it!