Today was my once-a-month shopping spree. I really don't enjoy shopping much, unless it is well-planned and specific to help me to do my job better.I do my main shopping for groceries and household supplies at one time--this saves wasted time, money, gas, etc. Time and gas, because I am not always having to run out and purchase things we are out of, money, because I am not out shopping and picking up just that "one more item" that isn't really needed, just looks nice, etc.
I started out by doing a "click n' pull" online for Sam's Club. If you have a Sam's close by and haven't taken advantage of this wonderful service, you should! You just pick a store close by, go through the current inventory of that store and place your order by 5:00 PM, and pick it up the next day--all shopped, placed in nice boxes, and ready to go out the door. All you have to do is show up and pay! Every once-in-a-while they will miss an item or two that they have in the store but isn't online, but this is rare (such as this time when they had parboiled rice in the store but not on the website). Then yesterday evening I went over to Safeway to take advantage of the loss-leaders there, as well as to pick up something easy for breakfast this morning.
I stole downstairs to the office after everyone was asleep to finish my plans for today--used the adding machine and my price lists to decide what to buy and where. We are strict budgeters, so what we eat must fit into how much money we have to spend, not the other way 'round.
Of course I cover everything in prayer, play some good Christian tunes while I am shopping online and planning (my favorite lately is the Isaacs "Eye of the Storm" CD).
We have all been fighting a bug of some sort, so sleep wasn't peaceful, and baby wasn't happy either, but I did sleep here and there. Woke up at 4:30, the baby was talking to Daddy and I, more alert than usual--God was blessing us with a peaceful day already!
I took my 3 boys, baby and a little girl who wanted some "special time" with me. Daddy instructed the boys I was not to lift anything--they came along to be my "muscle". My oldest son at home drove the whole time (driving instruction). We entered Super Walmart at 8:00 AM and spent exactly 15 minutes--whew! From there we flew on over to Sam's and spent another 20 minutes inside, but it always takes a little bit to load it up in the van (we take out the back seet of our 15 passenger for these trips).
Traveling in a circle, we ended up at Save-A-Lot. It's not an Aldi's, but it's all we have here in the West! I sure do love having specific lists made up in the order of the store, marking things off as I "conquer" them. I bought snacks for the hungry young men with me, filled the gaps left by the other stores, and, after filling some re-usable bags which filled two carts, blew out of there like a hurricane!
The whole trip, including drive time, took 2 .5 hours!
That was just the first phase, the second phase was putting it all away!
Boys hauled it in, girls put it away. The fridge was purged and washed, the pantry and baking cupboard vacuumed, cans rotated, etc. Oldest daughter at home cooked up 20 lbs of hamburger in the roaster while we were gone--it was ready to cool and be packaged when we came home. We also cut up bell peppers and cilantro for packaging into meal-sized containers and freezing. We repackaged all sorts of bulk foods for the freezer. After the kitchen was fairly clean, the house not a disaster, we all collapsed for an hour or so. Then it was up to finish up the house and make dinner. I took a little time to also do some meal planning--I do this better after my pantry is replenished!
After dinner, I even was able to still get things ready for Daddy tomorrow, including his lunch, clothes, coffee, etc. Good thing, too, because he was so tired tonight--I am glad I was able to get in an hour's sleep so we both weren't tired tonight!
The baby did pretty well, even though she has developed an aversion to the car seat lately. The toddler was excited because we bought her some potty-training supplies, and all the little girls were pretty happy about having some extra treats.
I am happy because of all of the wonderful things I will be able to feed my family--I love looking at the well-stocked shelves, and praise God for His provision!
elcome! My name is Sherry and I am a devoted Christian wife and mother to 15 homeschooled children. 
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I just found your blog. I love it. I have 9 kids and I work with a system for shopping to. I didn't know that you could order on line at Sam's I will have to check into that.
ReplyDeleteLove your systems. We have to with big families.
A full pantry is something to be thankful for. I love it that your boys went along to lift for mommy, it is really amazing in this day and age to raise such helpful boys. I am impressed with your planning skills, too.
ReplyDeleteWe've thought about ordering online from Sam's but I like to look over the meat department for reduced specials. I suppose I could still do a quick run through that department, though!
ReplyDeleteYour baby is so cute! I love babies w/ messy faces, what a doll! I love how organized you are too, I could take a tip or two =)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Anna
I've only got four, but I always take them all shopping.
ReplyDeleteThey're such a help, and they're learning too!
Wow! Great job planning. It takes me longer then that and I'm only shopping for 2 1/2!
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome tip about Sam's... I never knew they had that service available.
ReplyDeleteWe have several Aldi's near us, but I have to admit that I have a sort of love/hate relationship with that particular chain. The prices are absolutely fantastic, but there is little else I like about it. I feel virtuous when I shop there and horribly self indulgent when I don't ;)
Thank you for writing your tips for shopping. I need to be more stream lined in this area. We only have five but I know our trips would be a lot more productive with a more detailed plan. I do have some questions that I would love an expert answer! :-) 1. What steps did you use to get your price book and how long did it take? 2. Do you freezer cook meals? I always cook chicken and groundbeef in bulk and freeze in family serving sizes but I haven't found good healthy meals to freeze. 3. Do you use coupons? I used to but found that most items that have coupons, I don't purchase. I know many women who go through the adds weekly and look for the "free" items they can received with coupons but by the time you calculate gas and time... it seems to overwhelming and non cost effective to me. 4. Do you look at weekly adds or just the week you shop and stick with your menu? 5. You wouldn't like to post your menu, would you? :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the time you take to shepherd those of us who are striving to be better helpmeets.
Sherry,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post with lots of tips in it!
I do a big shopping trip twice a month for our crew of 2 parents and 5 kids still at home! I do shop at a discount store that is locally owned, and it is such a help!
I am going to ponder your thoughts about shopping then making a menu. I have always made a menu first, and then carefully shopped for the items I needed....
Thanks for this post.
Deanna
How do you cook 20 pounds of ground beef in a roaster? Just throw it all in there and bake it in the oven? Do you stir it every so often to make sure it doesn't clump up? I've never cooked more than 3 pounds of ground beef at once, and that was just in a frying pan, so I'm curious as to the specifics of your method.
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to say I absolutely LOVE reading your blog. It has given me so much encouragment :)
ReplyDeleteSecondly I wanted to ask in regards to once a month shopping since I've never heard of this before- 1. what is your current budget range for a month (if you don't mind me asking this- know its a personal matter but I wonder what the range is since we're a fairly low income family and wonder if once a month cooking would be for us or just way too out of our budget)... 2. Does this include all food or do you shop for fresh produce etc on a weekly basis? Or do you order a produce basket or similar? 3. Do you use a menu guide- for example every Tues is burger night or whatever? and if not how do you decide meals?
Thanks for letting me pick your brain and LOVE your blog :)
Wow! I can't believe you did all that shopping in 2.5 hours! That's got to be a record! And 15 minutes in Walmart? Takes me that long just to get the baby and toddler out of the car and INSIDE walmart! :) lol!
ReplyDeleteI do have a question though. Do you still go out and buy fresh items (fruits/veggies)? Or do you use the freezer only? Also, what do you do about milk? Do you buy it all at one time and freeze it? Or do you go and stock up each week. I have a friend with 6 kids and she is always out buying milk 2-3 times a week.
Would you mind printing your menus? Figuring out what to make for meals is my biggest challenge as a homemaker - I get so discouraged! Thank you for maintaining this blog. It's the place I go when I need advice!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy hearing about the logistics of mothering your beautiful family. Good posts--keep it up! Also enjoyed the one on youth groups as well.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings...
Thanks for the tip on the "click and pull". I shop at Sam's once a month but haven't ever tried this service, and have wondered about it. This would save me loads of time because or Sam's is a 45 minute drive, meaning I have to plan a day for the trip.
ReplyDeleteAs always I have gotten much from this post. Thank you for sharing, and being a vessel for Him.
Laura