Day 39 - Things I've Learned

Things I've discovered while shopping:

1) Never, ever shop while you're hungry. Pack a snack in the car, or in your purse, or pocket, wherever. If you shop hungry, you will wind up spending at least double the amount you've planned. If you don't have something to snack on, grab something cheap from the deli at the store (Wal-Mart's popcorn chicken is under $2 and quite tasty).

2) Carry a calculator with you. This is so that you can calculate the price per ounce (or any discounts off). Oftentimes, the smaller package is actually cheaper than the larger one. To find the price per unit, divide the price by the number of ounces (or items). Remember that 16 oz. = 1 lb. Once you have divided things out, you will be amazed at how close the off and name brand products are. I've found that about 1/4 of name brand items are actually cheaper than the store brand (primarily because they're on sale, but you never know...some things are cheaper every day).

3) Make more than one grocery list. Have a list on the fridge. Every time you think you need something, write it on this list. You may write something on the list once, you may write it on there several times before shopping day. On the day you have designated to go shopping, take your list off of the fridge and write down, on a new piece of paper, any item which is on the list more than once. If it is on there multiple times, put it at the top of your shopping list so that you are sure to buy it. If something only makes the original list once, you probably don't actually need it and don't transfer it to the shopping list. Exceptions to this rule are the true essentials which are also non-food items, like soap and toilet paper...those you transfer the first time you need them because they will get used up.

4) Don't be cheap when it counts. On big, multi-use item, buy for quality, not price. One good example would be cookie sheets. We all use them, I even use mine for baking pork chops (the shiny cookie sheet makes both sides browned), so why not get a good one? I recently talked to a friend who was complaining that she needed new cookie sheets, the fourth set she had purchased in as many years. I asked her why she needs so many cookie sheets and she told me that she buys the inexpensive ones from Wal-Mart and puts them in the dishwasher. They cost between $3 and $5 each time she has to replace them. I, on the other hand, should never have to buy cookie sheets again. I have four cookie sheets, two stainless steel and the other two commercial-grade aluminum. All were purchased at Mennonite or Amish stores for between $12 and $15 each. I have had them for about 5 years now and they still look new. So long as I take care of them, they will last me the rest of my life and will be something I can pass on to my grandchildren (though I suppose I need to have children first). I don't put them in the dishwasher, and I clean them as soon as I'm done with them. I have even used a stainless steel scratcher on them and they still stay nice. The same is true about my cookware. I have Farberware brand skillets and pans (True, I bought the set, which normally sells for $140 for $20 thanks to Wal-Mart's Clearance Aisle, but still...they're very nice). I have had them for eight years now and are still in great shape. They have lasted much nicer than the set a friend bought at as a "Back to School" special (you know those "Kitchen in a Box" deals they have). She has had them for a little over a year and they are already showing signs of wear. My two favorite pans to cook in were my Great-Grandmothers. They are aluminum and do a wonderful job of cooking just about anything I put in them.

Okay, that's enough for now, I will post some more tips tomorrow.