Reading the shopping threads

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

has me wondering how many people actually stick with a grocery list?

I have to say when I do my Sunday morning shopping, I go through the weekly sale flyer before I go. I have on my list things I am running out of, and then list items on sale that I want to stock up on, also going through my coupons and those are ready before I go to the store. Our store has BOGO every week, and combined with coupons, I can get some things at ridiculously low prices.

If I had to guess, I would say that 90-95% of the time, I only pick up items on my list. Occasionally I will see something on sale in the store that I missed in the flyer.

[wackyaunt]

I try to avoid shopping hungry so that helps. My grocery does have "Manager's Specials" code for clearance or non-advertised specials that I still walk the whole store to see if I find any that I need. These are mostly easily found in the bakery (French Bread makes for the basis of a great pizza), produce (fresh mushrooms on clearance are wonderful as a burger or potato topping, in salads, in alfredo, or fajitas and is a great source of Vitamin D), or meat (I usually pass on the meat now that I buy from a local source in bulk). But yeah, I can say that it is usually the list/plan that I stick with...
GO PACKERS!

[Deleted]

I don't do the grocery shopping anymore because DD does it. Back in the day when I did, I made a menu from the beginning to the end of the pay period according to what was on sale, made a list, used coupons, and rarely strayed from what was on the list. I used to start at the store that was farthest away from home and work my way back.

Now I don't give it a thought except to let DD know when there's something in particular that I want or need.

[justwhoever]

Only make a list when DH is going to the store. Otherwise he won't even bring home what he went for.

When I go I don't need a list to know what my family will eat. And we really only have walmart to shop at for food and ours doesn't really put out a flyer for food. And when they do...it's not sale prices, it's their everyday prices just to make people "think" it's on sale. If there is a store within 50 miles, they are pretty good at lowering their price to make it a better deal to shop there. So if I see something with the "sale price" sticker and it's something we use/eat...I grab.

If we had another store that I would/could shop at...I would pay attention to what is on sale. We do have a save a lot, but their prices are HIGHER than Walmarts...so rarely do I go there.

[daisylu]

The only list that I keep is for things that need replenishment. I work 60+ hrs/week, so planning around sales is usually done during my lunch. That is when I might add items that are fabulous deals. Other than that, for the best deals I prefer the browsing for what some call the Manager's Specials.

[Anne_in_VA]

I do go with a list each week, but invariably DH will say "I forgot to put xxx on the list" while we're shopping, so I end up getting a few extras each time. I've also been known to pick up items I've forgotten to put on the list - like when I took the last box of tissues to work and didn't put tissues on my list.

[Deleted]

I only make a list to make sure I don't forget must haves. I go in planning to go off list. Do you think that contributes to me going over budget on the groceries?

[The J]

I make a list of "need to gets". The rest of my grocery shopping is done by looking around.

[Deleted]

J, you do know that the aisles are set up to make you buy the most expensive items, don't you? By not sticking to a list you are letting them control your mind! That being said, I go with a list, but I always buy other stuff when I see a good sale. LOL.

[The J]

The only things I get in the aisles at a grocery store are almost always on the list. I do most of my shopping at Costco once every 4-6 weeks, and the grocery store is for interim things (dairy, fruits, veggies).

[Deleted]

What about those fancy bins on the end with the big inviting signs? Can you resist those?

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

My lists tend to be vague ~ Buy Veggies. Buy Proteins. Buy Bread. heh heh heh.

[The J]

Maybe? What fancy bins are you talking about?

[Deleted]

The wire ones on the ends with the "gourmet" stuff in them? Or the ones with "10 for $10" or something like that. Do you know that sometimes they put items in there with a big sign that looks like a sale but it is the regular price? Tricky!

[The J]

I don't usually look at those, except the one in the dairy section sometimes.

[ohmomto2boys]

I definitely shop off a list and have my coupons attached to my list for the products I want to buy. RARELY do I stray from my list. However, I have seen chocolate covered donuts jump into my cart!

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Feb 3, 2011 14:22:58 GMT -5 ohmomto2boys said:

I definitely shop off a list and have my coupons attached to my list for the products I want to buy. RARELY do I stray from my list. However, I have seen chocolate covered donuts jump into my cart!

Funny how stuff does that! If I shop with DH, invariably Oreos, Chips Ahoy and various other crap I never buy miraculously jumps in the cart too. Needless to say, it is very rare that DH is in the grocery store.

He and his son (age 15) went to Walmart for some stuff he needed to work on the rental a few weeks ago, and I could not believe he let his son get a big box of Twinkies! I have never let Twinkies cross my threshold before! DH doesn't even eat them!

[pepperdoo]

Tuesday is my "Homework" day when I go through the ads and make my grocery list,Less stuff to haul up the stairs:) gather up my coupons and go through the pantry. I'm getting used to shopping for one now, and since I love to cook, I won't buy pre-made, processed or boxed foods.

[texaspn]

I usually have a list and stick to it, although I will sometimes remember something I should have put on the list. DH knows that if it isn't on the list, it probably won't get bought as I try to avoid trips to the store inbetween shopping days.

[rubyslippers]

I usually stick to my list and rarely do any browsing. I have my coupons clipped to my list and try to get in and out as quickly as I can. Now, if DH goes with me, then I will usually find a few extra items in the cart that were not planned.

[Peace Of Mind]

I always make a list and DH likes to shop and he follows it. When I go all bets are off. But I'm the cook and I like new ideas and trying new things. Which probably explains why DH does the shopping. LOL! But most of them are a success and a nice change of pace. Last night we went together and I tried a new recipe that was great! I also tried a new sauce to dip the Taquitos in. And we used whole wheat tortillas and a different refried beans. They were fantastic!

[998fbird]

I make a list and follow it, but extra things get added in, things I forgot to put on the list or items I need to stock up on or even the occasional thing I decide I want. When money was tighter I planned menus based on the sales, made a list and stuck to it because every penny was dear. I am still frugal, but fortunately I have enough money now to have a little flexibility.

[teen persuasion]

When I go thru the weekly sale flyer and find something worth getting, I make a list and usually stick to it. I do keep my eyes open for unexpected deals in the store, however. Lately, though, I haven't been finding many deals in the sales flyer for Tops. They bought out their only local competitor, and we don't have a Wegmans in our area.

Most weeks I just go to Aldi and get all the usuals - I do that by routine, no list necessary.

[bobbysgirl]

I have a pattern, but like most things in life it can be beneficial to be a bit flexible. I am a speed shopper with coupons and list in hand and seldom browse. And when I do browse, it is by choice. We do have one week a month that we have cash in the budget to grab a goodie or two. DS likes Coke, so I get the caps for reward points. I like my Oreos. Otherwise it is 25.00 a week. Mainly it is this low because the pantry is stocked. And there have been some good sales around here for a while. But I will go out of budget for a great stock up sale, then make it up the following week or two.

I guess I can't be count on to be consistantly consistant.

[Agatha]

I do what I call "rough" menu plans, based on what I have in the deep freezer, what's on sale, and what the guys are clamoring for. I write out a grocery list then head for two stores. The first is the local "used" food store. If it's on my list and looks good I will get there then to my favorite Kroger for the rest of it.

I'm not stonebound by my list. I will peruse the clearance meat bin at my regular store for bargains. If the other store has something we eat alot of I will pick it up. The last couple of times they had a lot of vegan cheese, vegan ground chubs, and other vegetarian/vegan goodies. I stocked up! Probably spent a little more than I should have but more now means less later. The vegan ground chub (GimmeLean brand) were a dollar per one pound chub vs over three dollars a chub. Expiration date was good; they were frozen solid. Sounded good to me!