In a recent post I got you all revved up for your first trip to the grocery store to stock your kitchen…and then pulled the rug out from under you and told you to sit down and make a budget to go along with your list. The point was, taking a huge list to the store for your first shopping trip will lead to trouble. Imagine getting to the checkout lane and realizing that you have way more than you can actually afford. It’s better to start smaller than to run out of money later in the month.
The first thing you have to do is actually figure out how much money you can spend on this trip. Remember, you’re going to be buying groceries all the time, so you don’t have to buy everything at once. In fact, if you overstock on the first trip you’ll struggle for a long time afterwards, never really being able to keep your buying in check. I know, that’s what I did when I first setup my apartment way back in the dark ages. My only real measure was my Mom’s kitchen, so I needed everything. I went to the store with a list as long as my arm and spent way too much. Not only that, I bought things I didn’t use. One of the saddest things is having to throw food away because it went bad. That’s not just a waste of money, it’s emotionally damaging.
So scrape your pennies together and figure out how much you can spend. Then either start with my lists or write out your own. Put down the things you need. Don’t add anything that’s merely nice-to-have. There will be plenty of time for that in the future. This first trip is for essentials only. No matter how awesome a source of protein and fiber black beans are, if you’re not going to eat them in the next two weeks…don’t buy them. If you’re not into egg noodles, don’t get them. Make your list, but then check it twice. Then a third time. Remove the stuff you’re not going to use right away.
If you have access to a grocery store website with prices, by all means use it at this point. I use both Kroger and Walmart’s online shopping carts to figure out how much things really cost. I use them for price comparisons, but also to calculate how much a shopping trip will cost. If you have an extra five bucks and want to actually have them do the shopping, that’s fine. The more important part is knowing what the damage to your wallet is going to be before you set foot in the store.
Don’t cut yourself too close. If you come up with a budget of $50 for the first trip and your research shows that the grocery trip is going to cost over $45, you’re in trouble. Did you include sales tax? What about the quantities…did you actually pick quantities that you’re likely to buy? That four pound tub of peanut butter might look like a great buy, but if you’re not going to eat that much peanut butter…you’re not making a good choice. Furthermore, if your budget is $50, are you sure you want to spend 10% on peanut butter?
Give yourself breathing room…maybe even a tiny of room to get something “fun”, not just necessities. That 50-cent Snickers bar might be all the incentive you need, but if you don’t have those 50-cents when you see it…you can’t buy it.
If you’re using the lists I created, realize that they’re designed to be completed over the course of several weeks. In fact, the Everyday Spices list will probably take you the better part of a year to fill out. Pick the small number of spices that you’re familiar with and you know you’ll use. Now is not the time to decide that you’re going to learn to cook Indian Curry if you’re regular diet is Midwestern American. I’m not saying you shouldn’t learn to make Curries, but you don’t want to spend money on Curry Powder and then use it once during the next six months. Buy the spices you know and love. Then maybe get one more.
The same goes for the other lists. When you’re thinking about your pantry, think about it at home when you’re not starving. If you were at Mom’s house and looking in the pantry, what would be your go-to foods? Are you a Ramen fan…then by all means get some. Does peanut butter come to mind…add it to the list. Think through what you’d like to be eating right now and consider putting it on the list. But if your taste tends towards filet mignon and you’re on a tuna fish budget, recognize that you’re going to be making some compromises.
I just created a shopping list for all the basic spices from my Everyday Spice Rack list for our local Kroger-affiliated store. The total was $10.42. That doesn’t sound so bad, but it’d be a huge chunk of the $50 budget. At this stage of the game, you also have to accept that fact that the fanciest, name-brand spices aren’t your best option. My shopping list consisted of the store-brand spices in the smallest containers available. Quite honestly, when you’re first starting out, that’s all you need. I’m not saying there isn’t value in getting higher quality spices (I’ll be writing a lot about that in the future), but for right now you need basics. Put your gourmet desires on the back-burner for now.
The same goes for anything you’re buying…always look at the store brands. If you’re not sure, get a small package of the store brand and give it a try. Honestly there are only five-ten items that we buy that have to be name brands at Hectic Manor. Everything else is a store brand to maximize on the value that we’re getting.
We’re getting close to jumping into the car for that first trip, but I’m giving you some homework. Seriously, create your shopping list and figure out your budget. Do this before you head out to the store. You’ll thank me later.
I know you’re ready to run out to the store, but I’ve got one more piece of advice before you go. Unfortunately, it’s going to have to wait until my next blog post…so hang in there. We’re almost ready to go shopping…
Make it a great day in the kitchen!
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