Just realized my grocery strategy was backwards for 10 years

I used to hit the store on Saturday morning with no list and just grab whatever looked good. Ended up spending like $150 every time and throwing out half of it by Wednesday when the lettuce turned to slime. Last month I started shopping on Tuesday nights at 8pm with a list on my phone sorted by aisle. The difference is stupid. I spend maybe $80 a week now and actually eat everything before it goes bad. My freezer is full of stuff I bought on sale instead of random crap. When did you finally figure out your system for not wasting food and money?

2 comments

2 Comments

luna8911mo ago

Tuesday night shopping really is the move for avoiding crowds, I'll give you that. But I have to push back a little on the whole list thing. My system is actually the opposite - I go Saturday morning with a general idea but no strict list. I walk the perimeter first (produce, meat, dairy) and build meals around what's actually on sale that week. If bell peppers are $0.50 each I'm making fajitas, if chicken thighs are cheap I'm doing stir fry. Planning every single thing ahead feels like I'm setting myself up to miss the actual deals. Different strokes and all that, but I've found being flexible saves me more than any list ever did.

danielhenderson1mo ago

My buddy tried the no-list approach and ended up with three bags of clearance avocados and no tortillas.