Miles and miles of aisles and aisles...

I hate grocery shopping. I really, really don't like to do it. Alone, I don't mind it. But with anybody in tow (hubbie included), I despise it. When I go grocery shopping, I have a strategic plan in mind to get in and out with everything on my list* in as little time and with as little money out of my pocket as possible. When I have "distractions", I rarely get out as quickly as I'd like and I usually end up spending more money than I'd like.

Before I even think about leaving the house to go to the store, I have a series of steps I take to get myself prepared. First, I check the menu for the next two weeks. (I avoid going to the store at all costs, so if I can get anything I know I'll need for at least two weeks, I can usually avoid going more than twice a month.) I also check the white board on the fridge for anything we've run out of or are running low on - most of these items are Walmart or Aldi items, but sometimes I can pick them up at Owens (local Kroger) or Marsh for less than I can elsewhere. Then I check the ads to see if there are any "steals".

I make a separate grocery list for each store I'm stopping at (up to 7 stores: Walmart, Owens, Marsh, CVS, WAGS, Aldi, and Aunt Millie's Bread Outlet), and I make a list of all the places I'm planning to stop - otherwise I often end up back at house going over my lists/reciepts and realizing I forgot bread or some other essential. And once I'm home, there's NO WAY I'm going back out! I also pull out any coupons I'm planning to use at the various stores and put them in the front of my coupon sorter clipped together in store groups (with a label for which store I'm planning to use them at).

I make sure I have my coupon list (my database of what coupons I have - it's listed alphabetically with the expiration date noted and the coupons are organized by expiration date - I have too many to remember what I have and to take the time to search through them in the store), my coupon sorter, my calculator, some writing utensil(s), my ads for the various stores, and my list(s). These all go in my "shopping bag" - a WAGS reusuable shopping bag that is the perfect size for all of the above and my wallet, phone, and keys.

I FINALLY force myself out the door, my list of stops in hand - I have to figure out what the BEST possible order is in order to be MOST efficient. If we're going to be gone for over two hours, I try to schedule a stop at the library in the middle, so the kiddos can play for a bit and David can eat. Usually, we try not to hit all the stores in one day - if I have to go to Walmart or Aldi, I try to break my trip into two trips in order to not kill myself dragging two kids two years and under in and out of too many stores in one day. Also, if I have any cold items to buy, I try to stop at that store last - otherwise I do keep a "cold bag" in my van to help keep things cold if I'm not headed straight home.

At the store, I arrange the two kids in a cart (or two if J is with me). I get my list out and work my way through the store - only going down the aisles that I need to go down. At the register, I try to separate my groceries putting all the cold items together on the front of the belt. I hand my coupons to the cashier and pay I didn't break the bank (I haven't gotten to the point where I actually total my order as I shop - that's the next step in my saving money at the grocery store process) and that I'm somewhere near my estimated expense budget. I decline help out to my car, as I am "super mom", and I proceed to stack the groceries in the back of my car, wedging them here, there, and everywhere. I buckle the kids in and we're off to the next store.

When we FINALLY get home, everybody's exhausted. I put all the groceries away - Jenny helps - and get the kids a snack or lunch (depending on the time). Then I sit down and evaluate my receipts.

It's a chore. I really don't like it. But, I LOVE getting a great deal! So, if I can manage to get a GREAT deal, it's usually worth the effort.

Q4U: Do you like to go grocery shopping? How often do you go? Do you use a list? coupons? have a budget? What are some great deals you got at the store this week? I'd love to hear your view!