We go to the store once a week to guarantee freshness. Lists are a must or we forget things and buy things on impulse
I go about every two weeks. I live in a small town, and our grocery store doesn't have enough stuff and they over charge for what they DO have. I go to the next town over where they have a huge grocery. I can get groceries for my family of 5 for about $100-$150. I pick up a few extra things as I need them at our local store in between.
We go every week only because we get fresh fruits and veggies. Normally we do our big shopping every two weeks and then every week get milk, eggs, bread and fruits and veggies. It seems to work this way. Especially cause there are 6 of us in the family. I usually will just go to Walmart for the groceries. If I am in Sams Club and they have a great deal on something then I will purchase it.
When the weather is beautiful - usually it's the weekly grocery trip with a few additional trips during the week for perishables - after all it's nice to enjoy good weather and go for a ride to a different market, etc. for produce, meats, etc.
When fall hits - it's time to jam all three freezers with meats for the winter. If there is a driving ban on - at least there is food in the house. Stock up on all cleaning and laundry supplies, paper products, canned goods, baking supplies, pasta, etc. so that if you have to walk to a supermarket (which is not close to home for sure!!) you only have to carry perishables. (Tha is IF you can get out here).
But this year - we had a "surprise" storm in October that knocked out all power for 5 to 10 days. So 3 days after I stuffed all freezers with $600 in meat - I lost it all. So now - the 500 lb. chest freezer is disconnected and cleaned out completely - not to be used again until I get a gas powered power generator so that this never happens again.
The canned goods and pasta and baking items - ok - but all that meat - what a waste!
Now I just buy enough meat for a week and stick to using just the two freezers in the refrigerators.
I NEVER want to go through that again!
Oh - insurance??? Not with a $1000 deductible! FEMA came - they don't give you anything for that. They said to call the Red Cross for a hot meal - like I am going to have the Red Cross cater my breakfast, lunch and dinner daily throughout the winter months. And spend over an hour one way to get there to pick up the meals - and do that 3 times a day.........................sure..........................
When fall hits - it's time to jam all three freezers with meats for the winter. If there is a driving ban on - at least there is food in the house. Stock up on all cleaning and laundry supplies, paper products, canned goods, baking supplies, pasta, etc. so that if you have to walk to a supermarket (which is not close to home for sure!!) you only have to carry perishables. (Tha is IF you can get out here).
But this year - we had a "surprise" storm in October that knocked out all power for 5 to 10 days. So 3 days after I stuffed all freezers with $600 in meat - I lost it all. So now - the 500 lb. chest freezer is disconnected and cleaned out completely - not to be used again until I get a gas powered power generator so that this never happens again.
The canned goods and pasta and baking items - ok - but all that meat - what a waste!
Now I just buy enough meat for a week and stick to using just the two freezers in the refrigerators.
I NEVER want to go through that again!
Oh - insurance??? Not with a $1000 deductible! FEMA came - they don't give you anything for that. They said to call the Red Cross for a hot meal - like I am going to have the Red Cross cater my breakfast, lunch and dinner daily throughout the winter months. And spend over an hour one way to get there to pick up the meals - and do that 3 times a day.........................sure..........................
wrote:But this year - we had a "surprise" storm in October that knocked out all power for 5 to 10 days. So 3 days after I stuffed all freezers with $600 in meat - I lost it all.
how awful! I'd be sick for months knowing all of that went to waste. Thankfully we never lose power for that long at a time. We rarely go more than a few hours - thank goodness!