I am trying to figure out how I can restructure my grocery shopping habits when we move this summer. The most reasonably priced and the widest selection stores will be 40-45 minutes away. A few small selection and higher priced country stores will be 15 minutes away. And a higher priced and pretty good selection store will be about 20 minutes away.

I am used to making one trip a week now. That keeps me in fresh food and gets the weekly specials. I am not looking forward to using the gas for a weekly shopping trip 40 minutes away. I have asked a few of my soon to be neighbors and that is just what they do. (hmmm.... their houses looked frugal)

Maybe a monthly stock up trip and only shopping nearby for the produce and milk? Stick to frozen veggies when I can't get fresh on sale? Does dairy freeze well? I have been pleased with freezing chopped onions, peppers and tomatoes.

What do the rest of you do?

I would keep talking to your neighbors maybe there is a local farmers market or fruit stand to offset the higher price stores. One of the most reasonably priced stores for me is 30 min away. I make a point of scheduling an activity near the store so I have a reason other then just groceries to go there. Justifies the gas spending.

Typically I do one big stockup costco trip a month and then get weekly groceris to offset it. In the nice weather I will walk to the store and back still that just 30min of walking so its do able.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

My favorite grocery store is an hour away. I usually do a big every other week trip. And then I keep track of the ads and hit those once a week in my town and the next town over. It mostly comes down to planning, stockpiling, buying in season, growing my own garden, and visiting my famer's market (now that it has opened up again).

I do the most of my shopping once a month.

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~Happiness is a large family~

In my opinion, I think it is better to have a trip to the grocers every other week or only when necessary.. I agree with the other's ideas of just buying nearby for milk or bread or eggs. You can also ask your neighbors about their own frugal habits regarding groceries. I am sure this will help you alot and at the same time have new friends from the neighborhood.

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every penny counts!
for my baby

I have the same issue. I would just shop monthly or every six weeks and stock up on pantry items and meats. Then I get produce and dairy when I need it.

My advice is don't assume about the prices just by the looks of the stores. Whenever I move, I drag out the ol' price book again and start doing some comparison shopping.

Also, after you move you'll get a better sense of your travel habits. It might turn out that you'll be heading toward the cheaper stores on a more consistent basis so you'll have opportunities to shop there for frequently. The more trips you can combine, especially for long distance ventures, the better.

To stretch your milk, consider the powdered variety. Other dairy tends to freeze well. I guess it depends on how much you use.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Thanks for all the suggestions. With all new stores, my price book will be starting over from scratch. And I suspect that some roads will be better than others, leading me in one direction more often.

I keep some powdered milk now, but can't drink it straight or even mixed 50/50. I only use it in recipes. In a paste, it makes a pretty good facial scrub.

Cathleen

I bought 4 gallons of skim milk at Aldi when it was on sale and froze 3 of them. I just emptied a cup out of each (saved, of course), and that leaves room for expansion of the bottle in the freezer. It works really well!

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Michele

Mommy to Jack (06/01/06) &
^Bernadette^ (entered heaven at 37 wks on 10/17/07)

http://myobaby.blogspot.com