Lately, whenever my friend and I speak on the phone, she’s on her way to the market, at the market, or just left the market. She also mentioned how she’s spending SO MUCH money on groceries. I get it. Food is expensive! But she was spending more than me, and her family had fewer kids than mine. As the conversation went on, I realized she didn’t know how to grocery shop.
I know that sounds crazy. Make a list, and buy what’s on the list. Or, make a meal plan and buy those ingredients. But what about basics, staples, snacks? So we had to have Grocery Shopping 101 so she would know how to grocery shop and save some coins, time, and stress.
I have a Grocery Staples list in my notes app. This is not a meal plan. These are the items we need to make our house run smoothly and ensure we have the basics to eat. Before I place a grocery order or make a list, I run through my Grocery Staples list and make sure we have those things in the cart.
My Grocery Staples list is broken into the following categories:
- Produce
- Pantry
- Dairy
- Frozen
- Spices
- Meat
- Home Essentials
- Vitamins & Herbs
Under each category is a list of items we eat or use frequently. These items allow us to live and eat “normally” daily. My family won’t get a gourmet meal every night from this list, but they will go to bed with a full belly.
Examples:
- Produce – bananas, the only fruit all three of my kids eat.
- Pantry – oatmeal. I’ll serve this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Dairy – butter for that oatmeal.
- Frozen – Eggo’s, my daughter, is the only person in the house who doesn’t eat waffles. I will serve these for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Spices – garlic powder. I like to season my food well. If you’ve seen any of my YouTube videos, you’ll know that!
- Meat – tuna, canned tuna will forever be a staple in my home. It’s economical, and everyone eats it.
- Home Essentials – toilet paper, this is self-explanatory.
- Vitamins & Herbs – liquid multivitamins. I like liquid vitamins because the whole family can take them.
My list is robust. When I shared it with my friend, she said it was helpful. Hopefully, you find it helpful, too.
My Actual List:
Produce
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Onions
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Lemons
- Limes
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
Pantry
- Granola bars
- Pretzels
- Oatmeal
- Grits
- Cream of wheat
- Tuna
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Ketchup
- Coffee
- Espresso
- Jelly
- Bread
- Sugar
- Ranch dressing
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce (Bertolli or Good & Gather)
- Applesauce (jar or pouches)
- Ginger ale (Schweppes)
- Salsa
- Rice
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Green tea
- Black tea
- Maple syrup
- Crackers
- Graham crackers
- Bisquick
- Black beans
- Canned tomatoes
- Red beans
- Croutons
- Honey
- Raisins
- Flour
- Monk fruit sweetener
- Apple juice
Diary
- Milk (almond)
- Creamer
- Eggs
- Yogurt (coconut)
- Cheese sticks
- Cheese slices
- Parmesan cheese
- Feta cheese
- Butter
Frozen
- Fries
- Peppers
- Rice
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Peaches
- Berries
- Avocado
- Chicken nuggets or strips
- Corn
- Broccoli
- Chicken wings
- Cauliflower rice
- Waffles
- Veggie patties
Spices
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Basil
- Cajun
- Old Bay
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic pepper
- Lemon pepper
- Onion powder
- BBQ (Wegmans)
- Smoked paprika
Meat
- Salmon
- Whiting
- Turkey breast chops
- Chicken breast
Home Essentials
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Ivory Soap
- Dial Antibacterial Soap (bar)
- Free & Clear laundry detergent
- Cheer laundry detergent
- Woolite Dark
- Ajax
- Lotion
- Freezer bags
- Dryer sheets
- Fabric softener
- Baking soda
- Toothpaste (Colgate)
- Mouthwash (Act)
- Floss (Oral-b)
- Alcohol
- Peroxide
- Q-tips
- Pull-Ups (4T-5T)
- Wipes
- Tissues
- 13 gal trash bags (kitchen)
- 8 gal trash bags (bathroom)
- AA batteries
- AAA batteries
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Napkins
- Bleach
- Bleach spray
Vitamins & Herbs
- Multivitamin
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3
- Elderberry
- Black seed oil
- Oil of oregano
After adding things to my list or cart from my Grocery Staples list, I meal plan and add those items. See the difference? It’s also helpful to plan breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, especially if you pack your or your kid’s lunch daily.
Let me know what you think. Does this help? Does it make sense?
P.S. – that link above is an affiliate link. If you click it and purchase, I’ll earn a commission. The price will remain the same for you.
