How to go grocery shopping

Grocery shopping is something everyone has done by the time they are our age. Most of us have done serious grocery shopping by now. This blog will give you more tips and tricks to going grocery shopping effectively, and hopefully not have to make another trip out an hour later.

• Make a list: Through the week write down things you need as you run out of them. This is most easily done on a dry erase board you can keep on your fridge, or somewhere else easily accessible. Then, on your grocery shopping day transfer this to your list! As for the rest of the list, it would be best to plan out your menu for the next week, to save gas on multiple trips a week. Write down all the ingredients you may need and buy them then. 
• Make a menu: At the beginning of each week write a menu for the rest of the week. Add these things to your list. Include, or don't include, date nights. I listen to Cosmoradio on Sirius, and they talked about one girl who would arrange her dates in the beginning of the week and then write her menu to save money. 
• Take your list! Make sure you make a list and take it with you! Otherwise, you may forget something. Organize your list based on your grocery store, to avoid having to double back. 
• Coupons!  Before you go, gather up your coupons. Check expiration dates, and pick up staple items that are about to expire even if you don't need them. I'm talking about paper towels and tissues, not chicken broth. 
• Eat! Don't go to the grocery store hungry. At least buy some fast food on your way, if you really have no food at home. Otherwise you may buy things that look good, but that normally you wouldn't actually buy.
• Check prices! Buy the less expensive brand, unless you really like a certain brand and are willing to pay extra. But things like rice, buy the store brand. 
• Check expiration dates! Before you buy something, check the expiration date. Think about when you plan on using it, and try to figure out if it will be used before the expiration date. 
• Double check your list! Before you leave, run back through your list and check for everything. Make sure you got everything you needed. 
• Pull out your card! I usually save dollars, as much as $10, just on food for me between my coupons, and my membership card. They usually don't sell your info (I have about 10 different cards and have never gotten anything, but I have heard some do), they just want to know what you buy. So make sure you have one to every grocery store you may shop at.

Make sure you bring you list everytime you go shopping! It will be your life saver. And if you don't know what you want to get because your new to grocery shopping (like me) base it on what you have coupons for. 

Using leftovers

I just have to say I love this photo. This child is looking through the freezer for leftovers, which is what you should be doing to! Save money and eat food you've already paid for! 

A staple of cooking on a budget is using leftovers. Almost everyone loves going to restaurants, but it is expensive, and we often get extremely large portions and end up with food left over. Bring that home, and reheat it for a free dinner! This blog describes how best to store and heat leftovers. 

• Storage: put in the refridgerator as soon as you can, within 1 or 2 hours. The cold temperature of the fridge prevents bacteria from growing, which can make you sick. The freezer is even more effective if it will be a few days before it is eaten. Food in the refridgerator can be saved for between three or four days. It is best to keep tape and a pen beside your fridge to mark the date on your food. If you think it will be more than this stick it in the freezer. The following website is great for knowing how long food can stay: http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3606.htm
• Reheating:  Keep in mind that you may have to add a little bit of water. Cooking tends to dry food out, and consider this is the second time its cooked, your food may become extra dry. Also, don't expect to be an expert the first time. Just like cooking any meal, it takes practice to reheat food. 
• By oven: Preheat the oven to 165F (remember, its already been cooked) until it is hot and steaming. Liquids should be brought to a rolling boil. Don't burn! 
• By microwave: I usually cook food for about one to three minutes to reheat. Most microwaves do have a reheating button. But something to keep in mind is how microwaves cook versus ovens. Ovens cook with hot air, microwaves cook by moving the molecules. And this movement only goes about an inch deep. This is why it's necessary to stir your food. So as you reheat your food, make sure you mix it about half way through the cooking time to evenly cook it. Also, if possible, use a food thermometer to test your food to make sure it is at least 165F all the way through. 

Reheating your food can be a cost effective way to eat a meal. Asian cuisine, with its large single portions, is a great example. Remember, to cook to 165F, add a small amount of water if necessary, and if using a microwave, stir it about half way through for even cooking.