25 January 2010

On keeping the house full of food for hungry mouths

bring your own canvas tote--medium, found here

On Saturday I went to the grocery store and brought home more food than I have in a long time. With no children, except non-running-through-the-aisles, non-begging-for-everything in sight Henry in tow, I took my time, browsed the aisles and bought whatever looked good.

Lately I've fallen into the bad habit of avoiding the large grocery trip in favor of small, $25-$30 trips every few days. This really isn't my style, and if you're familiar with these trips, a few things always end up in the cart that are too expensive and not really needed. Those things just eat up my grocery budget, until I find myself with too much month at the end of the money, if you know what I mean.

So I decided to do a major stock-up on everything we always run out of. I even bought things that we weren't out of yet, but would be soon, which is very unlike me. When I got home and unpacked, I told Jeff that I was done grocery shopping for a--while, and felt great relief in saying so.

The next morning, I opened the bread box and discovered there were only four pieces of bread left. I got out the egg carton to find three eggs left, and two were going into my cupcakes for dessert. And when breakfast was over, I found the last milk bottle in the house less than half full.

Geez. Here I was on my high horse about being such a great grocery shopper, coming home with seven large bags stuffed full of food, and I neglected to buy the staples of all staples, milk, bread and eggs--the very things that are usually the catalyst for those $25 grocery trips.

So, this very morning, I had to make another trip to the grocery store--and luckily I got out of there only a few dollars later.

And now, I'm really, really not going to the grocery store for at least two weeks. In fact, I'm going to try to go this entire week without even stepping foot into any store. Being the homebody that I am, this sounds like a dream.

One entire week without spending any money in any stores. Lofty goal? Perhaps. But I really want to do it.

7 comments:

David and Jana said...

I like that goal. I think I need to try that.

Anonymous said...

I just laugh and smile when I read this! one,becuase it reminds me of myself and two, cuz it reminds me why i luv you so much! and miss you and your funny ways!

megan said...

You can do it. If not just move further away, it really helps cut back on the urge to go shopping for a short trip.

Jen said...

I do that all the time! Or I make up my menu for the week and forget something major for the meal. My girlfriend stocks up at Grocery Outlet. Have you ever tried it?

Ilene said...

Our bishop challenged the ward to do this same thing. I missed that week so I was off the hook.

I have to do the milk, eggs, and bread at Costco. That way I know I bought enough to last a week or two.

Unknown said...

I think that forgetful gene comes from your mama, but I always love it when I don't have to go the grocery store so often.

Jessica said...

I have been doing the same thing lately - small trips, and then I get so mad when I have to go again so soon. I'm just waiting to run out of everything then I'll do a big trip! :)