Blogging on a Budget: Buying in Bulk

I admit, Clark and I are pretty awful when it comes to grocery shopping. We're those people who the cashiers know by name because we're in there five times a week.

I'll make a list. I'll make a meal plan. Yet somehow we end up always straying from what I write down.

This is how it happens.

Take, for example, I planned this:

Monday: Stuffed Peppers (no meat)
Tuesday: Chicken Lo Mein (new recipe)
Wednesday: Enchiladas
Thursday: Left Overs
Friday: Chicken Taquitos with Black Beans
Saturday: Eat Out
Sunday: Firecracker Burgers

Here's how it happens:

Monday: Rough day. Don't feel like cooking. We get Chinese (Veggie Lo Mein, no meat).
Tuesday: Enchiladas
Wednesday: Left Overs.
Thursday: Don't feel like cooking something new. Something quick from the store.
Friday: Firecracker Burgers
Saturday: Left Overs.
Sunday: Chicken Taquitos with Black Beans and Rice.

See what I mean? Within that time we'll run to the store for new stuff to eat, stuff for Michael to eat, snacks because we're craving something.

We are terrible dreadful ridiculously awful the worst when it comes to sticking to plans.

But this time we had to.

We joined a Sam's Club. I wasn't too sure about it, but my older sister really talked it up. And then I read Mrs. Healthy Ever After's post about being a budget meal beast, which included a list of key items to keep stalked. I thought, "I can totally do this."

So, I made a list to go by. We went to the store... and we were overwhelmed.

I had a list, though. I was pretty determined to stick to the guidelines of the list.

So, here's what we bought (most of it, anyway).

1. A large box of Penne Pasta.
Our favorite and easy to whip out quick and easy recipes when people were coming or when last minute I didn't REALLY feel like cooking.

2. A large container of multiple tomato sauces.
To go with the above pasta, and to have in the house for last minute easy recipes (which always seem to require tomato sauce).

3. A pack of cracker packs as well as a large box of granola bars.
To have for Clark to take to class and work as snacks.

4. A large container of Goldfish and a pack of Gerber Squeezables.
For Michael.

5. A large thing of Chicken breasts packaged per pound.
We eat a lot of chicken, and it ended up costing like $1 per pound. So, we can stick it in the freezer and pull out a pack come dinner or lunch time, even.

6. A large bag of potatoes.
While I don't normally buy potatoes, I thought they'd be easy to have for lunch or dinner if I don't completely feel like cooking. Plus, there's a lot you can do with potatoes. They're also good for when company is visiting and you need something easy yet delicious (prepared in numerous ways).

7. Fruit
While I normally don't buy fruit in bul;k because it could go by, we promised to eat some every day. This was an excellent idea because we are determined to eat a healthy snack so we didn't waste money on it.

8. Yogurt
Greek Yogurts, to be exact. I LOVE Greek Yogurt. At the store the brand I like never seems to be 10 for $10, and plus this pack was a lot cheaper.

9. Cheese
Those Bonbel mini cheese wheels? Clark and I love to have those for snacks or with lunch.

10. Bread
We always go through bread so quickly, and this way we were getting two packs that would last but not go bad. With this we also included tortillas for wraps, quesadillas, and so forth.

There you have it! Those are my top ten for "buying in bulk" at the moment. Thus far they have really proved to be worth it!