KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – MEAL PLANNING AND SHOPPING

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – MEAL PLANNING AND SHOPPING

Along with everything else these days’ grocery prices are rising. Here are a few hints to help with meal planning and grocery shopping. I usually shop at the same store every week. I do know people that check out all the sale papers and go to several to get the best bargains. Personally my time is worth money too. You can plan enough with sale items at one store.

So that’s your first step. Grocery store flyers in our area come on Wednesdays (most large chain stores have them online also you can even print out a shopping list). Plan your week using meals planned with all sale items. Say chicken is on sale. You can bake or grill chicken pieces and pair with veggies on sale and mashed potatoes (you bought five pounds on sale last week). Always cook a meal to get two. Leftovers can be used in a variety of ways. Chicken works great in meals in the next day or two. Make tacos or combine with some canned broth leftover veggies and noodles for quick homemade soup.

Prevent overbuying by knowing your store and sticking to your list. Make your list according to the aisles in your store. Most stores have printed maps of the aisles. Avoid the ends of the aisles at stores. These are called the endcaps in the business and are designed for impulse buying. Sometimes there are sale items here but be aware. Stores will often put higher priced items at eye level to further encourage purchase and put larger packages near the floor. Only bulk buy if you are certain to use all the product. Throwing out half a bargain sized package is not saving. Also familiarize yourself with all the information on the shelf tags. This will give you price per ounce or serving. The larger package is not always a bargain.

Cheese packaged in the dairy aisle is often a better bargain and just as good as the cheese by the deli. Buy and plan meals with produce in season. Not only is the quality better but prices are also. Produce is different from other store items in that it is usually lesser quality as the price goes up.

I’m not a big coupon clipper. I’ve found myself too often buying something I really didn’t have a need for simply because the coupon savings were so enticing. I’m also a good one for forgetting to give them to the cashier! Most stores will redeem your coupons if you bring your receipt later. I always keep my grocery receipt for a few days just in case something is bad or needs to be returned for some other reason.

With a little strategy we can all save money and time with our weekly meal planning and shopping.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO