Grocery shopping for a large family or group of people isn't hard. Your goal should be to feed your family as well and as cheaply as possible. You should also want each person whom you're feeding to feel that you consider their needs and wants when you shop and prepare meals. That will make it harder for them to complain when you buy or serve something they don't like, won't or can't eat! A good supply of peanut butter and jelly is essential for those situations! (Yes, I sometimes eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich too!)
Grocery shopping for a large, culturally diverse family presents some problems, especially when there are special diets and allergies to consider. I know because I regularly shop for 7-9 people, sometimes with one or two more added in! Four of those people have allergies or special diet needs.
You can do several things to make it easier for you and your wallet. Here are a few suggestions to start:
- Know any special needs of the people you shop for: food allergies, diet restrictions (low or no sugar or salt as examples)
- Know everyone's food habits: the children won't eat anything but white bread, Tom won't eat beef unless it's ground or dried, Julie won't eat anything without ketchup, Mike refuses to eat anything with seeds - you get the idea
- Know what you have on your shelves and in your refrigerator and/or freezer, and what you will probably use up before you go shopping again
You're almost ready to make your shopping list. Before you do, think about the meals you want to serve. What do you need that you don't already have? Read your grocery circulars. Which store has more of the items you need on sale? Choose one store, unless they're very close together, to save time, energy and gas.
If you save coupons, go through them to pick out the ones you know you will use.
Tip: Throw out the expired ones as you go. (Saves aggravation!)
Your local market may have a frequent shopper program that will give you extra money off at the cash register. If you don't mind the store knowing what you buy, it can save you a lot of money over a year. (Last year, I saved over $280! That was in just one store.)
You can now start making your list.
- Write down the things on the outside aisles first, unless there are frozen foods on your list. Leave the frozen foods for the end of your list.
- Write down your items in aisle order as much as possible to save running back and forth in the store
Hint: If your budget is large and you live near one, join a warehouse club. You can buy many items in bulk or large packages, such as meats, paper and canned goods, frozen foods and cheeses, bread and baked goods at prices much lower prices than your favorite grocery market. But, beware of fresh produce you find there - it doesn't turn over as quickly as your local market's produce, unless you're there soon after a delivery!
You're ready to shop now, right? Not quite. Eat something first. That way, you won't be as tempted to make those expensive impulse buys.
