Shopping has changed... (retired, friends, drugs, single)
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Now that I'm an empty-nester, shopping has become more difficult. It has more to do with local stores in general than the fact that I'm shopping-for-one. Virtually everything is "supersized."
O.K., it's not "too" much of a problem when I buy fresh meat and immediately separate it into smaller packages, but when it comes to products like bread and cereal I rarely buy them at all anymore. I simply don't have the time to divvy-up huge packages of stuff every time I return from a grocery store.
Has anyone else encountered this- and if so, what's the solution?
The local stores don't stock small or even normal sizes of anything. Heck, they don't even carry one-pound boxes of cat food!
I'd try the dollar stores - they often have the same item/brands as the big box stores , just in smaller sizes.
For example, my local 99 cents only store has the same boxed cake mixes as the grocery but they are much smaller and only make 6 cupcakes at a time.
We actually shop the dollar stores for dry goods quite a bit when we are travelling since they are much smaller packages
A hint for 'too big' jars of refrigerated items.
Store them upside down and they'll last as long as it takes to use it up.
Obviously, be sure they're leak-proof.
I only 'cheat' with wheat products occasionally and so right at the moment have the rest of a loaf of bread in the 'fridge that's a couple of weeks old.....double wrapped and put in the refrigerator while fresh. I do the same with fresh baked rolls.
If necessary, a very light toasting (like on 1 ) does a fine job of emulating fresh.
A hint for 'too big' jars of refrigerated items.
Store them upside down and they'll last as long as it takes to use it up.
Obviously, be sure they're leak-proof.
I only 'cheat' with wheat products occasionally and so right at the moment have the rest of a loaf of bread in the 'fridge that's a couple of weeks old.....double wrapped and put in the refrigerator while fresh. I do the same with fresh baked rolls.
If necessary, a very light toasting (like on 1 ) does a fine job of emulating fresh.
I keep my bread in the fridge too. If I leave it out it gets moldy but I try to use it up in a week or so. If I bake my own it goes fast! I've quit buying packages of any kind of buns and now buy them from the bakery and only as many as I'll use in a couple of days.
The problem with buying the smaller sizes (if the store even carries them) is that they are priced only slightly lower than the large sized. Plus, my freezer only holds so much food.
Hamburger (90%) sells for $4.99 a lb. But if I buy a container that has six or more lbs, it comes to only $2.99 a lb on a good sale day. What am I going to do with 6 pounds of hamburger even if I section it off and freeze it? It will be freezer-burned before I eat it all. I suppose I could find somebody who wants to share the meat and the cost, but why should I have to do that?
Bread, same problem. I don't eat much, but I like to have it. In the freezer it goes, but then it's really only good for toast. Frozen bread isn't the same as fresh. As another commentator mentioned, I also buy flour tortillas instead.
I keep my bread in the fridge too. If I leave it out it gets moldy but I try to use it up in a week or so. If I bake my own it goes fast! I've quit buying packages of any kind of buns and now buy them from the bakery and only as many as I'll use in a couple of days.
You do have the advantage of being in the store more often
We don't worry about small sizes, except with bread. If we can't get a half loaf--we can cut one in half and freeze the rest. Often we will cook enough of a main course, or veggie, for three meals. We portion it out and freeze the two extra. That way we have easy fast meals, when we are in a hurry. We have always done that. We only have one son--so buying and cooking for two, isn't very different from three. I'm sure that for one it would take a bit more modification.
We don't buy the giant size condiments, never have, but the regular sizes seem to do fine. We don't fill our fridge with odd sauces that we might only use once. We like to make our own from scratch. It is pretty easy to find smaller pieces of cheese, and we can ask for small amounts meat and cheese at the deli.
Yes! I have lots of bulk items in the trunk of my car. If I find something I use regularly, especially on sale, then I use the trunk, I live in an apt., with little storage, and take things out of the trunk as I need them.. Also, like others have said, freeze things.
You do have the advantage of being in the store more often
LOL...that's true. But I will still put off picking things up, even if I need them, because 1) I'm whooped after work, 2) I don't want to stand in line either! and 3) I just want to hit the time clock and hit the door! lol Sometimes I could kick my butt for that...like yesterday when I went to make coffee and no coffee filters! Knew I needed them too. Sigh.
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