I Used to Hate Grocery Shopping. What Has Happened Since Then…



You know what’s funny? I remember a time—not all that long ago, mind you—when I used to hate grocery shopping. It was my nemesis, my tormentor, forcing me to wander around a bleak store pushing a hulk of a shopping cart down aisle after aisle, lined up in rows like dominoes.

That’s how it felt then, when I went to the store once a week, with my paltry list that read of basics like bread and butter, Boca burgers and bananas.

It’s funny what learning to cook can do for you.

Now, when I go to the store, I have a pretty good idea where the wheat germ should be, even if I’ve never bought any in that store before. I know that the roasted red peppers will be near the pickles and that hydrogen peroxide is in the first-aid aisle.

Now, when I go to the store, I’ve done it enough and paid attention enough to know when something is a good sale price and to grab a couple to throw in the freezer to feast on later. I enjoy discovering these sales and mark downs (maybe even using a coupon or two), finding ways to keep our grocery spending under budget but making meals that bespeak nothing of lack.

Now, when I go to the store, I know enough about cooking to know whether I ought to stray from my list and pick up this or that, whether I have enough at home to make a full meal of it and use it all. There’s some security in knowing how to use all these ingredients and pair them together and no longer be intimidated by it all.

Because not too long ago, that was exactly how I felt. (I wrote about that feeling of being intimated by cooking and grocery shopping and all that goes into that element of housewifery here.)

And today?

Today, my list of errands includes two grocery stores. And you know what, I’m actually looking forward to it. Somehow, what once was a bother in my routine is now something that I can actually say, I enjoy.

Related Posts
Sale Shopping at the Grocery Store
Grocery-Shopping with Coupons

11 comments:

  1. I completely agree! It's amazing what knowing how to cook and having a menu plan/grocery list (and sticking to it) will actually do for me.

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    1. Exactly. I try to group like-items together on my grocery list so that they're in some kind of order, especially when it's a longer list. Otherwise, I can find myself going down the condiment or cleaning aisle two or three times!

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  2. I loved grocery shopping...until I got pregnant! I still look at the store ads and use a few coupons here and there, but I'm willing to spend a couple extra dollars to avoid going to more than one store.

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    1. Congrats on the bun-in-the-oven! That's so exciting :) And I think you've got a pretty good excuse to stay out of the grocery stores as much as possible. You're already doing a ton of work creating a new person!

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  3. Hi Carmen, long time no see... but that's on me not you! I hear you on being intimidated but now I am a Grocery Store Superhero. Nothing better than getting a great deal and knowing that you're going to be able to use up what you've purchased at another time while saving your family money.

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    1. Ah, good to hear from you again!

      I'm with you on the thrill that can come after a successful supermarket spree. That has definitely made the shopping much more enjoyable for me, too!

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  4. When I was little, my favorite Aunt would sometimes borrow us for a few hours. We would go to the park and then to the grocery store. Both stops were equally exciting. I think I am the only kid who thought groceries were exciting.

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    1. Haha! I imagine it's as much the company as it is the actual event. Anything can be fun and adventuresome with the right people and right attitude!

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  5. I LOVE GROCERY SHOPPING!!!!! Is it weird to call it a hobby? :) I made a "map" of our Kroger and make my list according to what aisle everything will be located. I also started listing prices so I have an estimated dollar amount before I finish. If I'm well under budget, I buy a restaurant giftcard for us to use or buy some extra things to donate to the church.

    I totally sound like I am tooting my own horn...haha. Sorry to be THAT girl in the comments section!

    Just a few suggestions! Glad you've discovered your inner "grocery nerd."

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    1. Ah, you are too funny, Holly :) That's really good to keep a running tally as you go. I've tried that before, but always mentally which always ends up failing. I probably should start writing it down--that way I'm not standing in the parking lot realizing stuff rang up incorrectly. Oh well :) And love the idea for using extra money to pay for dates or to giveaway. Always full of great ideas!!

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  6. Yep lol It gets better with time and learning your way around a kitchen. When we first got married I too HATED grocery shopping. Now I actually enjoy going to the store (most of the time)

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