Things are getting nervously tight around here. I thought maybe if I grocery shop once a month opposed to once a week, I would save more money! Not only in gas and the eating lunch out every time or stopping at other store "while I'm out", but not buying those tempting sale items we really could do without. I have been on such a trend of buying when things are on sale that it'll be hard to resist going each week.
I'm just not sure on what time of month is the best to go? What is your monthly grocery shopping strategy?

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I tried this last month and I have to say I'm going to just get strict with myself and stick to a 50 a week budget for food and only shop sales and figure out menus for that. I ended up spending about 500 for a family of 4 and that was just way too much. It was for everything, though, not just food.

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To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. -Elbert Hubbard

So you think you spend less weekly?

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I think I will shopping only what is on sale. I have a sufficient stockpile so spending only 50 shouldn't be a problem. I eat at home before I go so everything won't look good and I won't have to stop and buy something. Sticking to a list is very important. My goal is to pay off debt and build a good savings since we plan a big move in a couple of years to NH when dh graduates.

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To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. -Elbert Hubbard

when my dh lost his job. I stopped all grocery shopping except for produce/dairy/etc. I used all of my stockpiles. I was able to save a great deal of money, but once I used the stockpile then it was a different story because I didn' know how to shop like that. I didn't go to the grocery store for the last 3 weeks and I yes I could have gotten some good deals but they were items I already had plenty of. It does work even if you stockpile. I now only stock-up when I am getting low of certain items. right now what I do is only "buy" those stock up items that I don't need if they are free AND I am already at the store for something else.

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

I definately spend less by going once a month and then only stopping for milk/bread the rest of the month. I am forced to use what we have on hand and get pretty creative sometimes and the kids don't like it that the "good stuff" is gone the first week. I actually hide some the the things like juice and cookies/crackers and pull them out in the middle of the month. I used to be able to bake more and then it wasn't a problem. So I would say if you make things from scratch and make a list and stick to your sales/coupons you can do better once a month. I do go to Walgreens each week though if I can get free stuff.

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Amy
Mom to 3 boys 4,13,18
3 girls 1 year, 3 stepsons in their 20's

Living on one income!

We go once a month and once a week for dairy/bread/produce. It helps a lot b/c everything is planned out. I watch for sales and coupon match along the way to save on paper products, toothpaste, etc

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You definitely save money shopping once a month! I order AngelFood that comes once a month and plan everything around that. The less you are in the stores the better and it makes you plan better too.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

I have definatly thought about it thats for sure.
I'm afraid I would spend more though. I went to walmart to shop last week and I spent $180 in 1 trip. That was the first day of the month so I'm DEF NOT off to a good start. I would like to fit a BJs trip in at some point here and replenish my stock pile, but I'm afraid of that adding up too. I only allot about $400 for groceries each month and I've already used half of that in 1 trip.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan9.Samantha7,Cameron5

New England Mommysavers Social Group, Join us!http://mommysavers.com/boards/group.php?groupid=10

I Am glad I am not the only one Missy.

I Have Tried going EVERY 2 WEEKS and I Was Spending So Much More.

I Do Alot Better going Twice a week With NO KIDS and Not Being Hungry.