BECOME A SUPER SHOPPER - LESSON 2 of 4
GETTING READY TO SHOP - Includes Simply Shopping Software
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Compliments of Judy Brown, Organized Forever
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Well how did you make out with your journal and shopping
history? Were you able to see how much your shopping habits
were formed by your childhood exposure to your parents' shopping
style?
What did you come up with in regard to how you might want to
change your style? I hope you got some insight into the way you
shop and why you do it that way.
As well as being influenced by what we saw while we were growing
up, there are many reasons why we might not be very happy at the
idea of going shopping for groceries.
1/ Prices are getting higher all the time and it is getting
harder to find good value for our shopping dollars.
2/ We live in a 'I want it now' world where we expect everything
to be quick and easy. It takes more time to plan meals from
scratch. Picking up fast food is so much easier.
3/ Demands on our time are never-ending it seems. By the time we
put in a day at work, or looking after the kids, we don't feel
much like planning or shopping. We're too darn tired to be
bothered to make the effort. Picking up something at the last
minute to throw together is the norm now.
4/ You may find it a bit overwhelming to shop. The stores are
getting so huge and there are so many choices and decisions to
make when we shop. It can be a real chore just finding the
things we need, then when we do, there are too many different
items to choose from.
5/ We've gotten out of the habit of comparison shopping and we
aren't always aware of the normal prices. This is especially
true if you buy a membership to a huge warehouse outlet for
groceries. Most of the items are in bulk, so instead of buying
one or two items you have to buy six or more. What may seem like
a bargain may not be. Often the prices tend to creep up without
you knowing that they are actually higher than the sales prices
on the same items at smaller stores.
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How are those cupboards looking, are you ready to replenish your
supplies now? Have you gotten rid of all the old stuff and made
groupings of your canned and packaged foodstuffs? Okay, let's
get ready to shop.
Set aside some time to go on a shopping reconnaissance trip.
Pick out a few nearby stores where you like to shop. Go
in and compare prices, see what kind of set-up each store has,
is it easy to get around in? Are there long line-ups at the
check-out?
Shopping is bad enough without being inconvenienced too. If you
have to drive for miles just to save a few cents, you really
aren't saving anything. It is actually costing you more to shop
there unless you combine the trip with several other errands.
If you don't patronize the stores nearest you, one day you may
find them closing due to a lack of business. Support the stores
in your own community and forget about the few cents you might
save on buying groceries in other towns.
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Start reading the flyers that come out each week. Read all the
flyers, it is amazing what you can get on sale at the drug store
these days. Our drugstore has weekly specials on things like
toilet paper, laundry soap and other cleaning products. One drug
store near me even carries cat food that is cheaper than the cat
food at the grocery store.
This week, I want you to check out at least two or three grocery
stores in your area. Find out what the sales days are and when
the flyers come out.
If you're over 55, ask if they have a seniors discount and if so
is it on a special day? Do they have double coupon days or other
special discount days?
Write this all down in your journal. Take a fresh page for each
store and write down any special shopping days. One of our local
stores offers free lottery tickets to seniors on Tuesdays if
they buy $25. of groceries. Find out what kind of special extras
your local stores offer and arrange your trips on days the
specials take effect.
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Some of the big stores also offer credit cards, and you
accumulate points that you can use to pay for groceries and gas.
It might be handy for you, and why not take advantage of the
point savings? Just be sure you only use the card for groceries
and gas only. Always pay the monthly balance in full when the
bill comes in.
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If the idea of planning menus for a month is daunting, why not
plan menus a week ahead? If you do this you can check out the
recipes, check your cupboards and then get the needed
ingredients on your next shopping trip. It is really nice if you
can limit your shopping trips to once a week or once every two
weeks.
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A grocery list is a must-have if you are to get shopping under
control.
Add items to your list as you notice them getting low in the
cupboard. Ask other family members to make a note when they use
the last of something so you will know if you need to get more.
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Kids and Planning
I used to make grocery shopping a learning experience for my
children. Each child got a chance to go shopping with me alone
once in awhile. I tried to involve them in my planning and asked
them to help me when I read the flyers. At first they all wanted
all the junk and toys etc., but as they got old enough to
understand, I told them how much their dad made an hour. Then I
told them how many hours he would have to work to buy expensive
items.
I showed them one of my shopping receipts and told them how much
it cost us last week to buy the food we now had in the cupboards.
As we went through the flyers, the ones that could read would
get quite excited about the specials and were soon able to
compare prices and brands at different stores.
Once they started to realize that everything adds up and we
could buy more if we shopped wisely, they got quite good at
spotting bargains.
I knew I had succeeded all too well when one day my youngest son
at 12 years old came with me to the mall. I was looking at a
display of sweaters and was taking quite awhile trying to decide
if I should buy one or not and, if so, which one.
All of a sudden I heard my son say in a very serious tone, "Mum,
what's the problem, is that a want or a need? Hurry up!"
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You're cupboards are ready, now it is time to take a look to see
what you need in the way of groceries. Look in the cupboards and
fridge and start your grocery list if you haven't already been
using one.
If you would like to have some good software to help you to plan
your menus and make your lists, you can download the software
for a listmaker shopping program. You can set it up for the
stores you shop at, then speed through those aisles
with your organized list! :)
Simply Shopping
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You've looked at the flyers, you've picked out the stores you
want to visit and you've got your list ready. We're ready to
shop!
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To recap: this week you are going to go and scout two or three
grocery stores, look at the layouts, service and prices and find
out what, if any special discounts or bonus days, they offer.
You are going to start planning your menus. Then check your
shelves and start your grocery list. Take time to think about
the meals you must prepare, what can you cook that everyone will
like? What do you need for brown bag lunches? Do you have all
the staples on hand like flour, sugar, etc. Do you need new
storage jars or cannisters?
Spend this week getting into the habit of keeping up your list
and asking your family to help.
Plan out when and where you will shop, are you going alone or
are you going to make it a experience you share with one or more
of your children? Will your husband help you? This is especially
nice if you have small children, if they act up in the store,
one of you can take them out to the car.
Are you going to shop with a friend? Sometimes it is nice to
have a shopping buddy. If you get good buys, you can stock up
and split large sizes or big boxes or bags of produce and share
the cost.
Have a nice week doing your planning.
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I've given you three exercises to do this week:
- Plan a week's worth of menus
- Check your cupboards to see what you have on hand, and start your grocery list.
- Check your local stores to find the best deals
I hope you'll get busy now, because your next lesson will arrive
in a week and next week we're going shopping! :)
STILL TO COME:
- Lesson 3: Making Your Shopping Trip Meaningful
- Lesson 4: More Shopping Tips and Tricks
Cheers!
Judy
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Try my recipe for a tasty, fat free soup the whole family will
enjoy.
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Copyright 2004,Organized Forever/J Brown, All Rights Reserved.
