How I save money at the co-op! (Part Three)

Part Three: How I do it!

I have been debating the best way to show/tell you how I do it, and I think I am just going to give a rundown of the entire process. I believe that this will be the best way to fully show you how the process works.

1.       Make a menu. I make a menu of 7 dinners. I do this whenever we are out of meals or out of food, usually about 1.5 to 2 weeks.

2.       Make a list of items need for the menu items. Don't go through your cupboards yet! Just go though the cookbooks you got the dishes from and write down everything! (Salt, pepper, EVO or other items you always have do not need to go on the list.) I mean if all call for a medium onion write down 7 medium onions. Let’s call it the "ingredient list”.

3.       Now go through your pantry and cross of what you have and add what you need.  Plain and simple, just write a new list of items you need to restock.

4.       Next compare the lists. I find that writing the lists on different slips of paper help. Write a new list of the items that you need to purchase (or want to get).

5.       Separate what you want to purchase at the Co-op and at Winco. I do not buy everything at the Co-op. Now, I had a $500 food budget for the two of us I would, but we have $150 and so to save where I can some things are just cheaper at Winco.

What I ALWAYS Purchase at the Co-op:

VEGETABLES

FRUIT

Pasta (Only because I like the brand of Whole Wheat pasta they carry)

DAIRY (MINUS Cheddar and string cheese)

Cereal (UNLESS Winco has the same brand and it is not on sale at the Co-op. The Co-op sale price is lower that Winco’s everyday price.)

HONEY (a- it is local, b- there is about a 5 cent price difference)

Bread (if I know I don’t have time to make it that week)

MEAT

Rice

Dry Beans

What I Purchase at Winco:

Items that are the same but cheaper at Winco

Cheddar and String cheese

Spices (If they don’t carry it in the bulk section I get it at the Co-op because they more than likely will have it bulk)

Specialty meats (ex: Pot Roast or a ham, and I actually get it at Dissmore’s or Safeway I do not buy meat at Winco!)

Frozen Vegetables (I get the organic brand though)

Canned Items: Tomatoes, beans, pineapple…

Well now you have finished the shopping list now is time for getting ready. This step is all about how to 'shop the co-op'. It is also a reiteration of some things previously stated.

a)      Join the co-op! The Moscow co-op has the LOWEST membership dues! $10 A YEAR!! If you shopped every week there it would be just under 20 cents a week! Plus being a member gives you access to great saving opportunities! The 10 cent bag credit, a bi-monthly coupon book, and their monthly in-store member only discounts. You can even get a discount on ordering bulk items (not the bulk bins).

b)      Invest in those reusable shopping bags. They are about a buck at most places, and are WASHABLE!!! The co-op gives members a 10 CENT discount for each bag you bring, and use! They will ask you if you want to use or donate the discount. Do not feel guilty about taking it, you are on a budget and are trying SAVE while shopping locally!!! I try to keep a few in the car just in case (as I often do, I forget to grab them…) I also put my list with the bags to help me remember them.

c)       Reuse containers! You get another 10 CENT discount for buying items in bulk, but using your own containers. Save money and save the planet!

d)      Check the website before you go! This way you can check to see in store specials before you get there. For example: I was getting ready to go, so I checked online, and the brand of pasta we get on was on sale! Good thing I looked before so that I knew I was going to be stocking up on pasta and needed to adjust our monthly budget for it!

e)      Don’t be afraid! Sometimes I feel like I am not ‘hippie’ enough to shop at the Co-op. But it just like going to the gym, no one cares about what you are doing there. They are doing the same thing, shopping at the Co-op.

f)       Don’t go hunger! They have a bakery, and they have a café, so eat there and take a moment, if you forgot to eat. Otherwise you will be drooling and grabbing items not on you list!

Well I think that is all I have to say, for now… I am currently working on a follow up with Recipes. Comment on what kind recipes you are looking for! I have a few bread, and meatless dishes I am perfecting!