Generic Brand it When You Can Stand It

I feel like I've accomplished a great feat. Like winning a gold medal. Or climbing a mountain. Or performing a successful brain surgery and removing a cancerous tumor from a sweet young
doctor. (You know you watched it!).

I went to the grocery store today. AND I ROCKED IT.

As we all know, the economy is not doing very well. And if you didn't know that, then welcome back to Earth. You have alot to catch up on. Izzie on Grey's Anatomy has brain cancer, Michael Scott QUIT Dunder Mifflin (and Pam followed him. What in Sam Hill is going on?!?) the Justin Timberlake lookin' kid on American Idol was somehow in the bottom three and Melissa from the Bachelor is rocking my world on Dancing with the Stars. You are now up to speed.

Back to the grocery store business. We're always trying to save money here and there, and sometimes things can get a bit out of control when you grocery shop. And today I conquered it in a way I have never conquered before.

The first tip I can give you for saving money at the grocery store is to not bring your husband with you under any circumstances. Our receipt is atleast $25-$30 higher when he joins me. Apparently fruit roll-ups, Little Debbie snacks and an enormous unnecessary packet of rib-eyes "that we can freeze and use later!" is high on the priority list. No bringing of the men.

Today on my lunch break I sat at my desk and created a list. I used my recipe website to pick 5 or 6 meals that I wanted to make within the next week. I listed out each item it required and tried as best as I could to remember what we already had at home so I wouldn't double up. After I had all the ingredients listed, I added other household items and necessities that aren't required for a meal. Sidenote: does anyone else love the Viva brand papertowels as much as I do? My goodness. It is the best papertowel EVER. After I completed my list, I re-wrote it in order of our grocery store, aisle by aisle. That way I could be quick and efficient in my shopping.

Now comes the part that took me the longest to adjust to: generic brands. It really does save so much. Now, there is some stuff I still won't budge on. Like the Viva paper towels. And I will buy Peter Pan peanut butter until the day that I die. However, Grant asked me to buy some Chips Ahoy and I bought him something called "Chip Mates" instead and he hasn't noticed so far. Ahoy Matey. (Did anyone else ever realize that sailors really enjoy their chocolate chip cookies? I had no idea.)

Also, I have found that digging and digging for the cheapest meat makes such a difference. It takes awhile (and I am all about getting out of the store as soon as possible) but today I picked up some chicken breasts and after some digging found some that were just as good and lasted just as long, same brand and everything and they were over $3.00 cheaper.

All in all, from the time I walked into the store till the time I finally walked up to the checker, it took me all of 45 minutes. But, I was so proud of myself because I purchased enough groceries to make SIX meals (all six meals include meat of some kind which is the priciest part), as well as cleaning supplies and some spring flowers from the florist department which were on a manager's special for $4.00 and I purchased it all for a grand total of $72.63!! I didn't even use any coupons.

Now I realize that some of you may think this is not all that cheap but that is a cheap grocery bill for us, especially with that many meals included! :) I am so proud. Grant is pleased too.

In summary: plan ahead. Generic brand it when you can stand it. (I love that phrase and I just made it up and it is going to be my shopping motto for the rest of my life) Don't bring your husbands, and DIG girls!

This has been shopping tips from Jen the Newlywed.

You're welcome.